July 2016
Page 19
Bloomingdale/ FishHawk Edition
Representative Ross Spano Holds Small Business Roundtable
By Kathy L. Collins
Issues discussed at the May meeting included The Department of Labor’s new ruling on overtime pay for salaried employees; a balanced budget was passed; per student funding was increased, and school choice was expanded; all existing Department of Transportation projects were fully funded; funding was designated for universities that can demonstrate that their students are becoming Representative Ross Spano holds meetings of the Small Business Roundtable on a quarterly basis. employed, essentially making certain that universities are accountState Representative Ross Spano able for claims they make; funding was represents Riverview, Brandon and some provided to hire 215 corrections officers of Valrico. Spano grew up in the Brandon mostly in South Florida; and funding was area and is committed to his constituents. designated for natural resources such as He strives to make certain that his conthe Florida Everglades. stituents are informed of what is going on The legislature put $3 billion in in the legislature and that they have reserves so that if there is ever a downaccess to him and his office. It is for turn in the economy, the state will be able these reasons that he holds quarterly to meet its budget demands. “I am pretty meetings of the Small Business proud of this,” said Spano who noted that Roundtable. Anyone who lives or works no other state has done this. in the area is invited to attend and give Sales tax for manufacturing equiptheir input. ment was permanently eliminated. Real The most recent meeting of the property taxes were reduced. If you own Small Business Roundtable was held in a home, you should see approximately May at HCC at The Regent in Riverview. $54 in savings on your tax bill. The topic was Florida’s Small Business There will be a three day Back to Environment. School Tax Holiday in August. Growing up, Spano saw first-hand Attendees were able to ask questhe struggles that small businesses deal tions on issues that affected them. Be on with every day. He deals with it himself, the lookout for the next Small Business running a law practice in the area. Roundtable to take place in August or “When I got elected, I promised that I September. would regularly meet with small business Follow Representative Ross Spano owners and give them the opportunity to on Facebook or contact his local office at give voice and have my ear,” said Spano. 744-6256.
Invasive Species Threatens Local Ecology
By Michelle Caceres
swimmers and can submerge themselves for extended periods of time. Their diet consists of fruit, vegetables, eggs, insects, cat or dog food and small animals such as lizards and rodents. “The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is currently working with the University of Florida to assess the threat of Tegus are a non-native lizard species that have been sighted this species and develop in the FishHawk and Riverview areas. a management project,” The story of giant lizards wandering said FWC Regional Public Information the streets of FishHawk Ranch sounds Director Gary Morse. more like a science fiction tale than real It is unknown how many tegus have life, but FishHawk Ridge resident Donna made the Riverview area home but a hotHart confirms that this is no urban legend. line has been set up for residents to She spotted a large lizard, approximately report sightings. Trappers will come out two to three feet in length, crossing the and, if captured, the tegus will generally road near the four-way stop at the be euthanized after being weighed, entrance to Heron Glen. measured and their stomach contents “I waited in my car while it crossed examined. the road,” said Hart. “It was definitely big“There are a number of them out ger than the lizards I typically see in there,” said Morse. FishHawk.” Tegus reproduce quickly with a The lizard Hart saw, an Argentine mature female tegu being able to lay black and white tegu native to South approximately 35 eggs per year. In America (specifically Brazil, Paraguay, Florida, tegu eggs hatch in early summer. Uruguay and Argentina), is an invasive Morse recommends anyone who species that has established a colony in sees a tegu to contact the hotline. the Riverview area. It is believed that the Although they make great pets, if corpopulation was founded by escaped or nered they will defend themselves. released pets. For more information about Tegus, Tegus, which can grow up to 4 ft. in visit www.MyFWC.com/Nonnatives or if length, are black and white in color with you spot one, call the exotic species hotbanding along the tail. They spend most line at 1-888-IVE-GOT1 (1-888-483-4681) of their time on land, but are excellent or online at www.IveGot1.org.
We specialize in:
Grooming for Today’s Male
13456 Boyette Rd. Behind 7-11 on FishHawk Blvd.
813-684-8445
• FADES • FLAT-TOPS • MILITARY CUTS • HOT SHAVES • CHILDREN’S CUTS
$5.OO OFF
Mon-Fri 10am-7pm Sat 9am-4pm Closed Sundays
!!FIRST TIME ADULT CUSTOMERS
Expires 7/31/16 !!!! !!!! !!!! available at: Online appointments !!!!
Serving the FishHawk Area for 9 Years!
www.fishhawkbarbershop.com
aj westfall
rt the dai tors inn is Cool! terhem re Clea ...w
Company
In Business Over 20 Years
Full Service Cleaning & Building Maintenance Company Residential Commercial
$25 off for first time customers
now hiring!
813.477.1196
www.ajwestfallco.com licensed bonded insured