Bob Hackworth News Today

Florida governor was a star student and athlete growing up in Dunedin, a ‘blue collar’ but ‘progressive’ town that hosts a popular drag show

DUNEDIN — City Manager Jennifer Bramley, touting the benefits of the new 39,000-square-foot City Hall, said she can actually walk down a hallway and talk to city employees.

DUNEDIN, Fla. -- In February, Ron DeSantis popped into his childhood hometown of Dunedin for a couple of national interviews built around the release of his new book. One was

The Florida governor lived in Dunedin from when he was 6 years old until he was 18. But the town has changed since DeSantis lived there, and not everyone is so eager to have him as the town’s most famous son.

Residents of Dunedin, the Florida governor’s “blue-collar” hometown, are split on whether his values mirror the city’s.

DUNEDIN — In his 40 years in parks and recreation, Vince Gizzi has never seen anything like the community-led action resulting in the establishment of the Gladys Douglas Nature Preserve.

One of the fringe benefits of being a journalist is that you get a front-row seat in the making of history.

DUNEDIN — City Manager Jennifer Bramley called the celebration May 13 for the city’s acquisition of the Gladys Douglas-Hackworth property a “big day for all of us — the birds,

Gladys Douglas’ 44-acre oasis ‘now owned by the people forever’ Dunedin closed on the $10 million purchase Thursday. The land was headed for housing development last year.     Dozens of activists and city officials celebrate on Thursday, May 13, 2021, the day Dunedin closed its $10 million purchase of the 44-acre Gladys Douglas property at the corner of Virginia Avenue and Keene Road. [ MENGSHIN LIN | Times ] Updated May 14 They met near the bank of the freshwater lake t...

DUNEDIN — City Manager Jennifer Bramley called the celebration May 13 for the city’s acquisition of the Gladys Douglas-Hackworth property a “big day for all of us — the birds, the bees and the flowers and the trees.” She went on a lot of boat tours on Jerry Lake by the east parcel until she found out that one of the inhabitants was a 9-foot alligator, she said, in jest. “Keep an eye on my back as I do this presentation,” she said, drawing laughter. City and co...