When Pinellas County Commissioners approved their budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Thursday, the apparent death knell sounded for Creative Pinellas.

However, administrators of the arts support group hint there might be a “next chapter.”

In a preliminary vote Sept. 4 , the Commission approved, 5-2, defunding the organization, after more than 50 citizens voiced their objections in the Commissioners’ presence.

In anticipation of final approval, Creative Pinellas CEO Margaret Murray last week terminated approximately half of her staff and canceled all programming for September and October.

Murray issued a statement Thursday: “We are very disappointed and disheartened by the Pinellas County Board of Commissioners’ decision to remove funding to Creative Pinellas from the Gener

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