Volume 27 Issue 17
Inside:
Your Chance To Win In Our Annual Dining Survey!
August 9, 2019
See Page 35!
Our New Website Is NeighborhoodNewsOnline.net For Videos & Local News Daily! The Direct-Mail News Magazines Serving New Tampa & Wesley Chapel Since 1993! For the complete list of the neighborhoods that receive this publication by direct mail in New Tampa (zip code 33647), see page 46!
Pickup Option Just A Bunch Of Garbage? By JOHN C. COTEY john@ntneighborhoodnews.com
Hillsborough County will be entertaining waste management options that will possibly reduce garbage pickup in New Tampa’s city and county communities from two days per week to only one. That stinks, say many. “I have not talked to one person that likes this idea,” says Mike Jacobson, the president of the Pebble Creek Homeowners Association. “I can’t even believe they’re considering it.” Hillsborough County solid waste director Kim Byer says the decision isn't based on how much trash is collected or how many residents actually leave their bins out on both days of pickups, but is purely a financial one that could produce savings for the county of up to 30 percent. If those savings were significant, they could be passed on to customers, Byer says. Currently, three companies — Republic Services of Florida, Waste Connections and Waste Management — together handle a $188-million contract to collect garbage, recyclables and yard clippings in Hillsborough County. The County Commission will review new proposals this fall, and will vote on contractors for a new contract sometime before the end of November (which would go into effect in September 2020, Byer says). “We say it’s the same garbage, just being picked up one day versus two,” she says.
“While once a week
collection is definitely cheaper,” Hagan says, “I certainly do not believe it's in the best interest of our residents and our neighborhoods.” Because New Tampa is so community-oriented, with Homeowners Associations requiring that trash bins be kept from public view, meaning most likely in your garage. And, with Florida's blistering heat, the idea Opponents of changing trash pick up from twice a week to once worry of trash being stored in those conditions for about overflowing bins of smelly garbage. seven days isn’t appealing Part of the process will include to most people. the results of an online poll that ended “The concern I have is with no on August 5, which asked participants makeup day, and with the disproporwhat they wanted from their waste tionate number of (pickup) days falling management services. on Mondays which are holidays, you More than 13,000 people had taken could go 2-3 weeks between trash part in the survey at our press time. Byer pickups,” says Scott Darby, the Arbor says the majority were opposed to cutGreene HOA president. ting weekly trash pickups in half. Darby is so concerned that he says District 2 County Commissioner he has reached out to all seven comKen Hagan, who represents the New missioners, and only one response — Tampa area, says it is far more than a from Hagan — has reflected steadfast majority of residents who are opposed, opposition. He fears the decision according to the emails his office has already has been made. received. Hagan is more positive, having “It’s 98 percent, maybe 99 perbeen through this process three times. cent, in support of maintaining twice “We’ll look at various proposals,” a week pickups,” Hagan says, adding Hagan says, “and at the end of day, that he is not in favor of any options I’m confident we’ll remain with twicethat include only once-a-week pickups. a-week pickup.”
First Look Inside:
Giving Hope
A portion of Bruce B. Downs Blvd. has been renamed for former Fire Station No. 20 firefighter Stevie LaDue.
Page 10
Say Cheese!
Dr. Duga & Dr. Adams-Feeney are familiar faces for many smiling kids in New Tampa.
Pages 16-17
Castor’s First Budget Ho-Hum For New Tampa Mayor Jane Castor presented her first budget to the Tampa City Council on August 1, proposing a $1.04 billion plan that is $13 million more than last year's budget but doesn't include a tax hike. The general fund, which covers public safety and parks and recreation, is $436 million. The overall budget increase is only 1.3 percent, which Castor noted was less than previous years. There is $520,000 proposed for improvements at New Tampa Community Park in Tampa Palms as well as $100,000 for stormwater improvements at the New Tampa Nature Park, just south of Flatwoods Wilderness Park.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor
Otherwise, there was little else in the budget — entitled “Transforming Tampa's Tomorrow” — for New Tampa. There is no money proposed for an autism-friendly park championed by District 7 city council member Luis Viera and already in the design phase thanks to $90,000 from a previous budget, and Viera was hoping to see money allocated to repave New Tampa Blvd. Both could conceivably end up in the budget following deliberations, which are expected to be contentious with a mostly-new city council that hasn't warmed to Castor. Those will be held Sept. 3 and Sept. 17 (when the final vote is held).
Say Cheese (& Sauce)!
Whether you already love or have never tried thin-crust Chicago-style pizza, Full Circle Pizza in Pebble Creek has new owners & an upgraded menu.
Pages 38-39