Mayor Corinne Freeman

Corinne Freeman, St. Petersburg's first female mayor and a former member of the Pinellas County School Board, died on Sunday, May 11.

Mayor Kriseman said, "I know the citizens of St. Petersburg join me in mourning the passing of Mayor Corinne Freeman, an important leader in the history of this city, our first and only female mayor. All employees of the city join me and my family in offering our condolences to the family of Mayor Freeman in this difficult time."

On Thursday, May 15, Mayor Kriseman read Resolution of Memorial Tribute to the Family of Corinne Freeman at the City Council meeting. The Resolution attested to Mayor Freeman's years of public service as a three term Mayor, as well as her service on the Pinellas County School Board.

Mayor Freeman was also a past president of the Florida League of Cities, a member of the National League of Cities and the U. S. Conference of Mayors, a trustee of Palms of Pasedena Hospital and Bayfront Medical, the chair of the United Negro College Fund, the past president of the St. Petersburg League of Women Voters, the director of Friends of the Library, a registered nurse, a volunteer and mother of two sons, and who, at age 62, began a career as a stockbroker.

Former Mayor Corinne Freeman at a Former Mayor's gathering in City Hall.

She made a significant contribution advocating for stronger protection of the city's waterfront from development, and for making it a focal point of downtown St. Petersburg. Mayor Freeman was a major force behind the city's decision to build the Florida Suncoast Dome, now known as Tropicana Field.

Mayor Kriseman, City Council, and the City of St. Petersburg acknowledge the debt of gratitude we owe Mayor Freeman for her long service to this great city. We offer our heartfelt condolences in this deep hour of grief, with the hope that her family will take some measure of consolation in the knowledge that she gave herself wholeheartedly to the service of this community and that she earned in full measure the respect and admiration of her fellow citizens.

A link to the Tampa Bay Times obituary can be found here: http://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/corinne-freeman-pioneering-st-petersburg-mayor-dies/2179322

A link to the St. Petersburg Tribune obituary can be found here:

http://tbo.com/pinellas-county/former-st-pete-mayor-corinee-freeman-dies-at-87-20140512/

Mayor's Memo

Friends,

Because transparency is so important, I want to share some highlights from my schedule as well as the schedule of the Deputy Mayor. We hope to see you in the Sunshine City!

Mayor Rick Kriseman

Mayor Kriseman

Monday, May 19, 9:00 a.m.	St. Petersburg Fire & Rescue New Recruit Graduation
Monday, May 19, 7:00 p.m.	C.O.P.S. 3K Walk, Demens Landing Park
Monday, May 19, 7:30 p.m.	St. Petersburg Police Department Annual Memorial Service, Heroes of the St. Petersburg Police Law Enforcement Memorial
Wednesday, May 21, 9:00 a.m.	Tourist Development Council Meeting
Wednesday, May 21, 5:30 p.m.	Emcee the Senior Hall of Fame, Sunshine Center
Thursday, May 22, 6:00 p.m.	2nd Annual Harvey Milk Day
Friday, May 23, 9:00 a.m.	Mirror Lake Park Dedication

Deputy Mayor Tomalin

Monday, May 19, 7:00 p.m.	Heroes Memorial Service - Demens Landing
Wednesday, May 21, 6:30 p.m.	Academy Prep Graduation - Keynote Speaker
Thursday, May 22, 8:00 a.m.	Economic Development Council Meeting - Chamber Boardroom

Of Note

Tuesday, May 20, 6:00 p.m.

Business Startup Basics training, Enoch Davis Center

In The Media:

Tampa Bay Times
May 13, 2014

Tampa Bay Times: St. Pete officials get first glimpse of proposed 2015 budget

The City Council got its first look at the mayor's burgeoning budget for next year on Tuesday, and for the most part, members liked what they saw.

During an all-day workshop, Mayor Rick Kriseman and his top staffers presented the broad way they plan to manage the $216 million operating budget for fiscal year 2015, which begins Oct. 1.

Tampa Bay Times
May 14, 2014

Tampa Bay Times: North Carolina nonprofit buys dozens of homes in struggling St. Petersburg neighborhoods

North Carolina nonprofit spent $1.6 million to buy 68 homes in Midtown and Childs Park, fueling officials' hopes of a turnaround in some of the city's poor neighborhoods.

Builders of Hope, based in Raleigh, N.C., bought the homes earlier this month from Fort Lauderdale's Dalland Properties, which had scooped up many homes in 2012 with intentions on flipping or renting

Tampa Bay Times
May 15, 2014

Tampa Bay Times Editorial: St. Pete's renewed effort on vacant homes

St. Petersburg Mayor Rick Kriseman has quietly reignited efforts to address vacant and dilapidated houses in some of the city's most troubled neighborhoods. New staffers have been hired and, as obstacles have been removed, nonprofit and for-profit housing organizations are showing interest in working with the city. It's the kind of investment that should pay long-term dividends: Few things damage a community more than a decline in housing stock and a proliferation of boarded-up houses.

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Mayor's Office
City of St. Petersburg

175 5th Street North

St. Petersburg, FL 33701

Phone: 727-893-7201

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