I've heard it from friends, neighbors and other Clearwater residents:

“Why bother? It won't make a difference.”

Some have gone further and told me they believe the system here is “corrupt” or that major decisions have already been made before residents ever get a meaningful say.

Whether you agree with that assessment or not, I understand the frustration.

However, two recent examples should make all of us think twice before throwing up our hands and giving up.

For more than two years, residents around Stevenson Creek pushed for greater protection of the estuary and the manatees that use it.

They documented more than 250 manatees, including calves, according to the Stevenson Creek Advocacy Group. They raised concerns about boats, jet skis and additional development along the waterway. They kept showing up.

Last week, Clearwater City Council FINALLY approved an ordinance establishing a year-round slow-speed/minimum-wake Manatee Protection Zone in Stevenson Creek.

The work isn't completely finished. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission still has to review the ordinance, and permits and regulatory markers are still required.

But after more than two years?

Residents moved the needle!

Then there's Save the Garden.

After Clearwater City Council voted 3-2 to vacate part of South Garden Avenue for the Church of Scientology, residents organized.

They needed 7,067 signatures to trigger the process challenging that decision.

They've now collected more than 7,300.

Those signatures still need to be verified after the September 16 deadline, so this fight isn't over either. If enough signatures are certified, Council must reconsider the ordinance. According to information the city provided to Tampa Bay 28, if Council doesn't repeal it, the ordinance would then be presented to Clearwater voters.

BTW, Save the Garden isn't stopping there. The group is also pursuing a separate petition that would require voter approval for certain future transfers of city streets or land.

Whatever your opinion of the underlying controversy, more than 7,300 signatures is pretty difficult to dismiss as residents not caring!

This is where I think there's a lesson for those of us concerned about the future of the Landings and more than 70 acres of publicly owned land.

I've heard the same thing:

It's already decided.

You can't fight City Hall.

They'll do whatever they want anyway.

Maybe not.

Stevenson Creek residents didn't quit after a few months.

Save the Garden didn't decide collecting more than 7,000 signatures was impossible.

They organized. They talked to neighbors. They kept the issue visible. And they kept pushing.

That doesn't guarantee they'll ultimately get everything they want, and it certainly doesn't mean every resident campaign will prevail.

However, doing nothing guarantees something else: everyone making these decisions gets to do so without hearing from you!

I've questioned whether the future of the Landings should involve more direct public participation before Clearwater commits more than 70 acres of publicly owned land to a project that could shape this city for generations.

These two citizen efforts make me believe that question is worth continuing to ask.

You don't have to agree with me about the Landings.

You don't have to agree with Save the Garden.

You don't even have to agree with the Stevenson Creek advocates.

That's not the point.

The point is that Clearwater residents have more power than we sometimes give ourselves credit for.

Write the email. Attend the meeting. Ask the uncomfortable question. Sign the petition if you believe in it. Organize your neighbors. Demand answers.

And when somebody tells you, “It won't make a difference,” remember Stevenson Creek and those 7,300-plus signatures.

Because sometimes the people saying nothing will change are proven wrong.

Clearwater belongs to all of us. Act like it. 🌴

We all know Clearwater is basically at sea level... right? Not quite. How high above sea level does Clearwater reach at its highest point?

A) 38 feet
B) 66 feet
C) 82 feet
D) 104 feet

No Googling. Greg, that means you too. 😂

👇 Answer at the bottom of today's Scoop.

Before you load up the car, take a peek at the live beach cam to see exactly how busy it is out there. Sometimes the smartest move is knowing when to go and when to enjoy our little slice of paradise another day.

Check current water temperatures and conditions Here

Watch the live Clearwater Beach Cam Here

Believe it or not, Clearwater reaches approximately 104 feet above sea level at its highest point, according to the city's floodplain-management planning data. Clearwater's terrain ranges from sea level along its lowest areas to that 104-foot high point, and the city proudly notes another unusual distinction: Clearwater sits on the highest coastal bluff in Florida.

Our pets aren't just animals - they're family. If you've seen any of the pets below please email us at [email protected] and we will connect you directly with their families. One share could bring someone's baby home.

Zena has been missing for over 170+ days from the Seville Condo area near Clearwater Costco. Her heartbroken family will not give up searching

LEARN MORE →

Leah has been missing since April 28th from the King Arthur Court in Dunedin. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

LEARN MORE →

Lobo has been missing since May 11th from Gladden Park in St. Petersburg. Her Mom has owned her since she was a puppy.

LEARN MORE →

River is a one-year-old male tabby (brown, white, and gray) who slipped out the front door on May 30th, and last seen near 134th Ave and Trotter Rd in Largo.

LEARN MORE →

Mama Kitty is a 15 year old black cat with with a clipped left ear that went missing on June 4th, and last seen near Druid and Belcher in Clearwater.

LEARN MORE →

🎸 Ann Wilson of Heart Thursday September 10th - 7:00 pm Bilheimer Theater Clearwater, FL INFO & TICKETS→

🤠 Wednesday Night Line Dancing — OCC Roadhouse Clearwater Free lessons. 6:00pm to 7:30pm — All ages welcome DJ Brandon takes over at 7:30pm playing requests all night 10575 49th Street North, Clearwater INFO →

🎸 Mello Vibes Wednesday September 9th - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Sobriety Thursday September 10th - FREE - 7:00 pm OCC Roadhouse Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Mello Vibes Thursday September 10th - FREE - 5:00 pm Crabby’s Dockside Clearwater, FL INFO→

🎸 Open Mic Thursday September 10th - FREE - 7:00 pm Clearwater Brewing Company Clearwater, FL INFO→

READ MORE →

🚶‍♀️ SilverSneakers: Zumba Gold Class Tuesday and Thursday 9:00 am - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map LEARN MORE →

🧘 Yoga Tuesday and Thursday 7:00 pm - 8:15 pm - Aging Well Center @ The Long Center, 1501 N. Belcher Road, Clearwater, 33765, View Map FEES & LEARN MORE →

🧘 Golden Hour Yoga - FREE - Wednesday at 7:00 pm - Pier 60 Clearwater Beach View Map

🚶Indoor Walking at the Countryside Mall: Beat the heat and rain with some indoor walking, grab a bite to eat, browse the shops, or catch a movie…all while letting the mall’s A/C do the heavy lifting. MAP →

If you must be out in nature, please don’t forget to bring water

🌳🥾 Beat the Heat: Peaceful Nature Parks Looking to escape the crowds and cool off in the shade this weekend? Tampa Bay is loaded with hidden natural gems, all free to explore:

🦅 Moccasin Lake Nature Park (Clearwater) — A peaceful 51-acre preserve with shaded oak trails, boardwalks over the lake, and a wildlife rehabilitation sanctuary where you can see rescued eagles, hawks, and falcons.

⛵ Clearwater Community Sailing Center A nonprofit sailing center at 1001 Gulf Blvd offering boat rentals, sailing lessons for all ages, and Summer Camp. Open Tuesday through Sunday 9am to 5pm. LEARN MORE →

🏓 Pickleball Court Locations: Here is the easiest way to find Pickleball courts near you with an interactive map. LEARN MORE →

🏖️ Near the Beach

🏙️ Inland

⚠️ Trivia nights and schedules can change. We recommend confirming directly with the venue before heading out. Know of a change or a new spot? Tell Scout →

Thanks for reading My Clearwater Scoop today. If you found something useful, please share it with someone that you think would enjoy it.

Until next time,

Stan, Scoop and Scout