Summary
To: Town Commission
From: Cathy DeKarz, Management Analyst
Date: 9/3/2019
______________________________________________________________________
Subject:
Title
Discussion for Honoring Gloria Burton
Summary:
At August 20 meeting, the Commission wished to have a future discussion regarding ways to honor long-time Belleair resident and community activity, Gloria Spiner Burton. Ms. Burton passed away earlier this month at the age of 92. Possible ideas include a memorial tree, pavers placed in her honor, a bench, road name, park name, facility or room naming and creating a Belleair Honor wall.
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Body
Previous Commission Action: N/A
Background/Problem Discussion: On Sunday, August 4, long-time Belleair resident and community leader Gloria Spiner Burton passed away at Morton Plant Hospital. During her time in Belleair, Ms. Burton made an immense impact on our town and she will be dearly missed. Below is an excerpt from Ms. Burton’s biographical sketch that was a part of her contribution to Belleair’s 2018 Historic Survey Project.
Ms. Gloria Spiner Burton has been a resident of Belleair since 1957, and has lived on Pinellas Road, Poinsettia Road, and Laurie Lane over the years. She has been deeply involved with the development of our Town since her arrival, and is living proof that passionate citizens can make an impact on their government.
Ms. Burton has a background in accounting, having received her degree while attending college in Tampa. After receiving her degree, Ms. Burton married Mr. Spiner (her first husband), and began raising three daughters in Tampa. However, Ms. Burton said she was “never really happy” in Tampa, and she convinced her husband to move the family to Belleair in the 50s.
Upon her arrival in Belleair, Ms. Burton was recruited by her neighbors to become a member of the (former) Belleair Civic Association, where she helped sell cigarettes to residents as a fundraiser for the Town. She later served as the Vice President of the Belleair Civic Association, where she became intensely involved with the controversy surrounding the condo development adjacent to the Belleview Biltmore. In fact, Ms. Burton was one of thirteen individuals who sued the Town of Belleair during that time in order to reduce the impact of the proposed condos. Eventually, Ms. Burton and her group won their suit, which was monumental in retaining the “small town” feel of Belleair.
Ms. Burton was also the co-chairmain of the Town’s Charter Review Committee in 1972, which helped re-write the Town’s Code of Ordinances and zoning laws. She received the “Outstanding Citizen of the Year” award from Pinellas County in 1963 and the “Belleair Citizen of the Year” award in 1983.
Following this, Ms. Burton served as a Belleair Commissioner and (either before or after this) as the chair of the Planning & Zoning Board.
Knowing Ms. Burton’s dedication to Belleair, and how she truly improved our town for the better, Town staff and the Commission concur that we should find a way to honor her legacy.
Previous actions for similar situations have included naming rights (of buildings, rooms, or structures), dedication ceremonies (of trees, benches, or park features), and awards (such as the Humanitarian Award, a key to the town, and Best of Belleair Awards). No specific options have been discussed in detail to-date, as the Commission will lead this initial discussion.
Expenditure Challenges N/A
Financial Implications: N/A
Recommendation: N/A
Proposed Motion N/A