Firmenich Protesters Decrease In Size, Not Spirit

The crowd wasn't as big as the last time a group gathered in front of the Firmenich property in January.

There was no police presence, no large throng of sign wavers and the whole thing was over in about an hour.

But according to participants, the protest on the eve of the Board of County Commissioners meeting on the matter served its purpose, if anything strengthening the tight group's resolve.

"I wish the turnout had been better," organizer Barbara Hugg said. "But we're out here because we are still passionate about this project not going through."

Hugg, who has been deeply committed to making sure the Richman Group's proposed 246-unit apartment and office complex does not get built on the property, said the fight has felt like a classic David versus Goliath situation.

But the fact that the developer has made numerous concessions to the original proposal, and that the Pinellas Planning Council's vote to approve the project last month was not the landslide some had predicted, has made her somewhat satisfied.

"I think we have made a difference, and that makes me proud," she said as cars rushed by her on State road 590, honking and waving at the protesters and their signs.

"We may just be delaying the inevitable, but at least we're going down fighting."

Steve Rosenthal, who also has been a major player in the fight to save Firmenich, said he will continue to fight, including going to the BCC meeting on the matter tomorrow morning in Cleawater, until the issue is resolved.

"This is all about money," he said. "The Richman Group has a ton of it, and they're going to fight it until the end."

"You would hope (officials) would listen to what the people have to say, but that hasn't happened yet," he added. "We can only go, say what we have to say and hope they listen."

No matter what happens tomorrow and done the road, Hugg is happy that she has stuck to her guns and saw this thing through until the end.

She said that knowing at least one person who approves of all she has done has made everything she's gone through worthwhile.

"I've never been involved in anything of this nature before, and the one thing that's kept me going is my mom said she's proud of me," an emotional Hugg said.

"Sometimes, that's all the incentive you need."

The Board of County Commissioners will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 7 on the fifth floor of the Pinellas County Courthouse. The courthouse is located at 315 Court St. in downtown Clearwater.

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