Edition 2
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Credit: Leo Gomez Studios
Hello there.
We're back with edition two of the Lealman Voice.
A warm welcome to our newest readers!
Our mission is simple: To help connect the people of Lealman.
You have the ideas, the projects, the events, and the energy - everything needed to keep Lealman thriving. The biggest challenge is often simply getting the word out. The Lealman Voice will help us meet that challenge.
Thank you to everyone who reached out to share their updates, news, and happenings; we look forward to amplifying the voice of Lealman together.
-The Lealman Voice
Lealman Awards Luncheon Celebrates Local Community Advocates
Congratulations are in order to all the finalists and winners of the very first Leaders of Lealman Awards Ceremony. Dedicated to highlighting the often overlooked and behind-the-scenes work of community supporters, the first Lealman Awards Luncheon was held on Friday, February 24th, and presented by Community District Services. Hosted by Feeding Tampa Bay, recipients were selected based on the following categories, plus the Ray Neri Lifetime Achievement award.
Advocacy: David Lee
Community Volunteer: DJ Hayes
Company Award: County Sanitation, James Roberto
Organization: Lealman Community Association, Laura Simkanich
Public Service Award: Lealman Fire District, Chief Richard Graham
It's inspiring to see the hard work and dedication of the Lealman Community District Services, Feeding Pinellas, and all the nominees recognized and celebrated—special congratulations to the Lealman Community Association, represented by Laura Simkanich, who won the Lealman Organization Award.
Laura Neri was the recipient of the Ray Neri Lifetime Achievement Award. Her late husband, Raymond Neri, was a driving force for change in the Lealman Community before his passing in 2017.
Mar 24 @ 10:00 AM
March 24th @ 10 AM
April 15th @ 8 AM
Cross Bayou and Joe's Creek Clean Up-Great American Cleanup 2023
The Gonzalez family became homeowners in the Lealman community in January. Photo: Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties.
Home ownership and the affordable housing puzzle
Housing affordability has been a hot topic in Tampa Bay for some time. Affordable housing was a prominent feature in the debate about the various Tropicana Field redevelopment proposals. As luxury towers spring up and rents and home values spiral upward, many people who live and work in St. Petersburg and the broader region can’t secure housing that fits their budget and are priced out of the area. Some fall into homelessness.
But the public conversation about housing can be confusing, lacking in specificity, and short on solutions. What, exactly, does “affordable housing” mean? What’s the scope of the affordability problem? What strategies are helping to increase the availability of homes for lower-wage and middle-class buyers and renters in the hot Tampa Bay real estate markets?
For guidance on the affordable housing puzzle, we turned to Habitat for Humanity of Pinellas and West Pasco Counties CEO Mike Sutton and his team. This region is fortunate to be home to the nation’s most prolific Habitat affiliate, which will soon turn over the keys to its 800th home to a family in Lealman.
Habitat for Humanity ‘s work is focused on the affordable homeownership segment of the housing continuum. The local affiliate is experiencing its third straight year of record growth and plans to build homes for 70 to 75 families who make 30 to 80% of the area median income.
Local food desert gets a little drier
The recently announced closure of a Pinellas Park Walmart Neighborhood Market has county officials concerned for residents – not for people living in that city, but for the 21,500 in nearby Lealman.
According to Google Maps, the unincorporated town sits just over a mile south of the store, at 6900 U.S. Highway 19 N. Pinellas County’s leadership considers Lealman underserved and designated it as a community redevelopment area (CRA).
A+ Teacher cooks up success stories
Barry Hill started the Culinary Arts Program at Lealman Innovation Academy eight years ago.
Each year, he prepares his students to enter the culinary field once they graduate.
“Everyone wants to be in Chef Hill’s culinary institute. We call it institute because it’s far beyond just your ordinary classroom. He’s taken it to a high level where he has a wait list even to come into the program,” said Connisheia Garcia, the school’s Principal.
PPLC and community partners offer a library service location at The Lealman Exchange
The Lealman Exchange is located at 5175 45th St. N. in unincorporated St. Petersburg.
Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday.
Some of the services provided are:
- A free PPLC library card (with a valid FL ID)
- Pick up materials that were placed on hold
- Return materials from any PPLC member library
- Computer Assistance
- Access to online databases and electronic materials like eBooks, eMagazines, movies, and more
Laura Simkanich
Please introduce yourself to your neighbors.
My name is Laura Simkanich.
How many years have you lived in Lealman? I was born and raised in St. Petersburg, Florida. I attended Lealman elementary, junior high, and North East High School. My husband and I reside in Lealman, and we raised our daughters here. My parents built their home here, and I lived there until I married in 1978. They resided in that house till they passed in 2010.
What organizations are you involved in? I've been serving the Lealman area since 2010. Ray Neri asked me to be on the Lealman Community association board in 2010 when my mom passed away, as he was ready to ask her to be on the board. Both of my parents were active with LCA for many years. I've been assisting the Lealman fire dept and PAL since 2010. My husband and I started volunteering with the Florida Dream Center in 2015. I am also a part of the newly formed Lealman engagement event committee.
What gets you out of bed every day?
I'm blessed to be healthy and able to help those in need. I also have 2 grandsons that live locally and we are active in their lives.
What is one thing you've seen change for the better in Lealman in the last few years? I have seen a lot of changes in St Petersburg, especially the Lealman area. More lights, sidewalks, more new homes. Mobile home parks were cleaned up and removed for better housing. More low-income housing. More services for the low-income, cleaner alleys, and parks for residents to enjoy.
What's next for you? Staying active. Enjoying family and friends. Volunteering. Working with local groups to make a difference in Lealman and getting more events in Lealman for residents to enjoy.
Hello Lealman
