HNS REPORTS---DECEMBER 29, 2009
TAMPA METRO LEADS NATION IN HOME VALUE DECLINE
While home prices nationally and even in Florida showed an increase in the latest Case Shiller index out Tuesday, the Tampa Bay metro set a decidedly different mark---the biggest value decrease of the 20 metro areas in the study. The latest figures, which are based on change from September to October, shows the 1.6% monthly decline for the Tampa metro as the largest drop in the rankings. On a year to year comparison, only Las Vegas (-26.6%) and Phoenix (-18.1%) exceeded the Tampa metro's home value decline of 15.2%. The complete table of info is available in Tuesday's Wall Street Journal Real Time Economics blog.
HERNANDO GOP CHAIR SAYS STATE CHAIRMAN "HAS FAILED TO LEAD"
Hernando Republican Chair Blaise Ingoglia has joined a chorus of prominent voices calling for a meeting to discuss state GOP chair Jim Greer and what Ingogia labels Greer's failure to lead. He says state leaders' claims that the move against Greer is backlash from Marco Rubio supporters unhappy with state party efforts to back Rubio's Senate primary opponent, Governor Charlie Crist, is "misdirection." Ingoglia's e-mail to state committee members says Greer's attempt to use party rules to favor Crist is just one instance where Greer "has failed to lead." He also cites media reports on internal party disputes and spending issues. Ingoglia says, "I believe these issues are just a microcosm of what the challenge is for the Republican Party as a whole: favoritism, elitism, reckless spending, disconnect with the grassroots, lack of connection with our youth, lack of technology." Ingoglia joins party chairs in Hillsborough and Lee Counties among prominent Republicans who say Greer's time as state chair is hurting the party.
The Fort Myers News-Press reported last week that Greer issued a statement on the internal dissent, quoting him as saying "I will not resign and leave early. . . .
"It is treason that for the sake of personal ambition members of this party are airing dirty laundry and even budget and strategy plans publicly to serve their selfish interests."
"PRODUCTIVE" MEETING AIMS AT NOBLETON ADDRESSING ISSUE
A Nobleton resident who has blasted the Property Appraiser and County Administrator for addressing changes in her community says she had a "productive" meeting on the issue last week. Anna Liisa Covell said in her blog Tuesday that Property Appraiser Alvin Mazourek has agreed to help with a zip code problem and will set up a meeting to address emergency response issues. Covell had complained that the county caused community residents problems by arbitrarily changing the zip code and potentially causing emergency response delays. She also accused the County Administrator of trying to avoid arranging a meeting as County Board members had directed.
Covell says now that the zip code change was apparently a mistake from years back, and that the recent change is actually intended to correct that error. And she says that "this is how government should work---trying to find solutions to problems, not by vilifying citizens that won't go along with the status quo."
RV SEARCH LEADS TO FEDERAL WEAPONS CHARGES
A New Jersey man reportedly faces federal weapons charges as a result of a search of his RV, which had been parked last summer at a Brooksville campground. 47-year old Mark Stephen Carron is now in federal custody in Tampa. Authorities say Carron's RV was searched in September by ATF agents after an acquaintance was stopped by Sumter County deputies while driving a car registered to Carron, and automatic weapons, "several hundred rounds" of ammunition and a pipe bomb were found. Agents traced Carron to an RV at the Brooksville campground and reportedly found “matches, pipes, glue and other materials" consistent with manufacturing pipe bombs.
Using receipts found during the investigation, ATF agents located two Brooksville area shooting ranges said to have been used by Carron and the man who was driving the car. Agents obtained video taken at the shooting ranges on July 13 and Aug. 4 – the two dates store receipts indicated ammunition was purchased. The video footage shows two men at the range shooting weapons similar to those taken from the car, according to the ATF agents.
Based on United States gun laws, Carron is facing a minimum sentence of 30 years on each federal charge. Authorities said additional federal charges are pending, as well as potential state law violations in Florida and South Carolina.
PEDERSEN PARK SWIMMING AREA RE-OPENED
The Hernndo County Health Department announced Monday that tests now show acceptable water quality at the swimming area at Linda Pedersen Park. The swimming area along Jenkins Creek at the Shoal Line Boulevard Park was closed two weeks ago after a finding of excessive bacteria levels in the water.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULED TO HELP HOMEOWNERS FACING FORECLOSURE
The Florida Department of Financial Services has announced a Florida Housing Help workshop scheduled for Saturday, January 23, 2010, from 10am to 2 pm at the University Area Community Development Center, 14013 North 22nd Street, Tampa, Florida. The purpose of the workshop is to provide assistance to Florida families who are facing foreclosure of their homes. The workshop will provide opportunities to meet with mortgage lenders. HUD-certified housing counselors and other types of valuable assistance.
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HERNANDO NEWS SOURCE continues our week-long review of the year's top local stories with a look at the two biggest events in Coastal Hernando---the coastal brush fires and the long-awaited beginning of the Hernando Beach dredge project.
There were two major brush fires in coastal Hernando this year...the first damaged or destroyed several structures, including the home of a nationally known artist just north of Aripeka. But the most spectacular fire covered hundreds of acres and threatened structures in the Bayport community, including the historic Bayport Inn, which were saved only with quick work from firefighters. Here is a look at our reports, including what was for many hours the only local media reporting on the second blaze.
SMOKE FROM BRUSH FIRE BLANKETS COAST
The sunset view from Pine Island Wednesday was darkened by thick smoke from a brush fire covering at least a hundred acres of pinewoods and sawgrass. Division of Forestry crews and sheriff's deputies were onthe scene blocking traffic on Pine Island Road as firefighters sought access to the blaze.
Brooksville lawyer Bill Eppley and friends were among dozens of onlookers who watched the flames move westward out of the pines and into the coastal marsh. Flames Eppley estimated at some 40 to 50 feet high roared with the wind through the dry sawgrass, while the tops of pine trees on firmer ground could be seen completely burning. Eppley said he reported the fire to officials when he observed a small plume of smoke in the pines somewhere behind the Glen Lakes area. He said the wind shifted about that time and began blowing the fire toward the marsh. The remote terrain and extensive marsh grass seemed to present firefighters with major obstacles. Eppley estimated the blaze was covering at least a hundred acres, and onlookers said it was a much larger fire than the blaze that burned near Aripeka about two months ago. As darkness fell, it appeared that smoke would be the main problem for Pine Island residents. The fire was burning in a direction that would take it through the sawgrass north of the island, and Eppley and onlookers believed even a wind change would not pose a problem thanks to canals along the road and around the east side of the island.
BRUSH FIRE FLARES AGAIN, BAYPORT INN EVACUATED
A brush fire thought to be under control north of Cortez Boulevard in the Hernando coastal area flared again Thursday and threatened some homes and structures near Cortez and Pine Island Drive. According to reports, the blaze forced the evacuation of the Bayport Inn and closure of roads in the area. Authorities are asking that residents avoid the area while Division of Forestry crews battle the fire, which has reportedly scorched some 400 acres of coastal pine lands and marsh.
RELATIVELY QUIET FIRE DAY; CORTEZ BLVD. RE-OPENS FOR WEEKEND
UPDATE---Officials expected to re-open Cortez Blvd. at Shoal Line Blvd. to traffic Friday evening. The only access to Bayport and Pine Island was closed to all but local residents most of Friday as fire crews kept busy putting out hot spots and keeping a large brush fire along the coastal marsh from flaring up and spreading. Barring new fire events, authorities say Bayport and the beach at Pine Island should remain accessible throughout the weekend, though smoky conditions are likely to persist. For most of the firefighters, Friday was a day of hard work but at last report the blaze was still being effectively contained, in contrast to Thursday when portions of Bayport had to be evacuated as flames spread with gusty winds. Reports earlier Friday indicated that fire crews were conducting a "back burn" aimed at preventing a flareup that could threaten homes and a restaurant in Bayport. Later Friday one fire crew was reportedly stationed on Mary's Fish Camp Road south of Cortez near the Mud River but indicated there appeared to be no immediate threat to nearby structures.
The brush fire that apparently started from a lightning strike late Wednesday erupted again Thursday and spread quickly over more than 600 acres, according to a report from emergency crews on the scene Thursday night. The report said the fire in remote pine woods and salt marsh north of Cortez Boulevard and east of Pine Island Drive was 30% contained. The report indicated that evacuated homes in the Bayport area and the Bayport Inn restaurant were no longer in immediate danger and there was no need for continued evacuation, although firefighters were still on the scene doing what was described as structure protection.
FIRE SMOLDERS, SMOKE STILL IN WEST COUNTY AIR
Residents of parts of Spring Hill and western Hernando County awoke again Monday to the smell of wood smoke in the air. Some 1,600 acres of coastal marsh and pines burned last week were continuing to smolder, and some patches of flames could still be observed within a few hundred feet of Cortez Boulevard near the Bayport Inn.
No fire crews were observed on the scene, although authorities say they are continuing to monitor the status of the fire. Most of the smoky and fiery patches were small and confined to already burned areas without more fuel to re-spark the blaze. Visibility on the sole access route to Bayport and Pine Island was good, though County public works signs along Cortez and Shoal Line Boulevard urged caution.
The fire started last Wednesday, apparently from a lightning strike and blazed out of control at times on Thursday, forcing evacuation of a dozen or so Bayport homes and closure of the road into and out of the area. Firefighters had the blaze contained on Friday, and traffic was allowed to flow again.
The Hernando Beach dredge project to widen and deepen the narrow channel from the coast to the open Gulf finally started in the fall, but not until costly litigation was settled. Officials said a favorable contract meant that the project was still within budget, even after payment of more than $163,000 to resolve the protest brought by the Manuel family when their property was passed over in favor of a different spoil site. Here is our reporting on the final phases of planning, permitting and then dredging:
COUNTY GETS NOT-SO-ROUTINE ARMY CORPS DREDGE PERMIT
County Engineer Charles Mixson says the last permit needed for the Hernando Beach dredge project is now in the county's hands. The Army Corps of Engineers unexpectedly asked for additional information on the dredge,and what was thought to be routine permit issuance turned into six weeks of work by the county's consulting engineers to provide the extra info. Mixson says the permit means the Army Corps, which once proposed doing the project for the County years ago, was now satisfied with the planned work by the County and a dredge contractor to widen and deepen the Hernando Beach channel. The consultants are still busy with last minute manatee safety and sea grass restoration details as requested by state officials, but Mixson said Friday he fully expects the dredge to begin in July.
BEACH RESIDENTS PACK DREDGE MEETING
Hernando Beach residents are probably pinching themselves today, trying to decide if the latest dredge news is real. According to the sign that went up Wednesday at the public boat ramp, it sure seems like the15-year wait to get the dangerous narrow, shallow channel dredged may finally be at an end. Wednesday county engineering staff also met with the chosen contractor and county consultants and set a timeline for the$7.7 million project which calls for seagrass replanting, spoil site prep, and rock excavation to begin in August. Contractor mobilization is expected to take the rest of July. When complete next February, the project will leave a six-foot deep, 60-foot wide straightened channel all the way to Bill Watts Tower.
An overflow crowd filled the Coast Guard Auxiliary building way beyond capacity Wednesday night as engineers and contractor representatives spent more than an hour answering group and individual questions. Many people simply wanted to know details on the project, especially how the seven-days a week dredge operations will impact boaters needing to use the channel during the work. Contractor reps promised that they'd do their best to keep delays to a minimum as they explained how the dredge can move back and forth to let vessels go by.
DREDGE WORK COULD BE TWO WEEKS AWAY
Assistant County Engineer Gregg Sutton told the Hernando County Port Authority Wednesday night that he expects a dredge contractor to start removing rocks from the Hernando Beach channel in the next two weeks. Sutton told authority and audience members that the final paperwork is now in process with the state Department of Environmental Protection for what he called a Rock Removal and Disposal Plan. State officials are also still holding up final signoff on a seagrass restoration plan that must be complete before the contractor can move on to dredging in the channel. But Sutton noted that the down time now is being used by the contractor. Pipes have been put in place under Calienta Street and Shoal Line Boulevard, and crews have also been busy readying the former wastewater treatment plant to receive the sand and water mix from the dredge, followed by dewatering and return of the water to the canal just west of Calienta. Sutton said the dredge is still expected to start in October.
HERNANDO BEACH CHANNEL DREDGE NOW A REALITY
For those who said they would believe it when they see it, the picture above should be worth a thousand words. Tuesday a barge loaded with Caterpillar machinery for scooping rock from the shallow, narrow channel was pushed out by the tug Contender to get the dredge underway. Assistant County Engineer Gregg Sutton said Tuesday was actually the second day the barge went out into the channel, but a computer glitch halted Monday's work early. Tuesday the tug steered the barge out into the channel shortly after noon to begin the job of digging rock out and setting it aside on the spoil islands. Meanwhile, the dredge contractor will continue working on the pipeline that will eventually take dredged sand out of the channel to move it to an onshore site at the old wastewater treatment plant for dewatering, stockpiling, and eventual use by the County and by the Manuel family under the settlement agreement that resolved litigation and permitted the project to start.
ENGINEER PRESENTS "UNUSUAL" DREDGE ROCK
County Engineer Charles Mixson showed off the results of the week-old rock dredging of the Hernando Beach Channel at Tuesday's County Board meeting. He presented board chair David Russell with a rock pulled from the channel, though he declined to say whether the rock was mounted as found or whether there was a later addition tacked on to the rock. Mixson said the late arrival of the rock dredging barge has the project two to three weeks behind schedule, but that sand dredging could begin in a few weeks when a separate dredge arrives and the gaps in the pipeline that will take the spoil material to a mainland site for dewatering and stockpiling are filled in.
STATE CITES PERMIT VIOLATIONS ON DREDGE PROJECT
County officials say they are taking steps to prevent any further violations of dredge permit conditions in the wake of a warning from state officials. The Department of Environmental Protection notified Hernando County of apparent violations in a letter last week saying that the dredge contractor has been depositing rock that is too small on spoil islands next to the Hernando Beach channel. The permit allows only larger rocks to go on the islands, with smaller dredged debris to be removed from the dredge site. The letter also raises concerns about dredged rocks being deposited on seagrass near the spoil islands. On Monday, Assistant County Engineer Gregg Sutton confirmed receipt of the letter and said both the dredge contractor and the county's consultant have been told to monitor rock size more closely. The letter does not impose any fines or sanctions at this point, according to Sutton, who also said the rock removal phase is taking longer than expected because of the hardness of the limerock. Sutton said a second dredge is expected on scene soon to begin the process of dredging sand from the channel.
DREDGED SAND BEGINS FILLING OLD BEACH SEWER PLANT
County Engineer Charles Mixson says the Hernando Beach dredge contractor has begun pulling up sand from the channel and sending it to the stockpiling site at the old sewer plant. Mixson says the sand dredge got into place Friday despite day-long rains and sent the sucked-up sand through a long pipe down the main canal and across Shoal Line Boulevard to the spoil site. Pictures of the first layer of sand being spread were provided by county staff. Mixson said the equipment required by state permits for dewatering the sand worked as advertised. The sand dredging is the latest step toward completion of the dredge project by a funding deadline next summer.
HERNANDO GOP CHAIR SAYS STATE CHAIRMAN "HAS FAILED TO LEAD"
The Fort Myers News-Press reported last week that Greer issued a statement on the internal dissent, quoting him as saying "I will not resign and leave early. . . .
"It is treason that for the sake of personal ambition members of this party are airing dirty laundry and even budget and strategy plans publicly to serve their selfish interests."
"PRODUCTIVE" MEETING AIMS AT NOBLETON ADDRESSING ISSUE
Covell says now that the zip code change was apparently a mistake from years back, and that the recent change is actually intended to correct that error. And she says that "this is how government should work---trying to find solutions to problems, not by vilifying citizens that won't go along with the status quo."
RV SEARCH LEADS TO FEDERAL WEAPONS CHARGES
Using receipts found during the investigation, ATF agents located two Brooksville area shooting ranges said to have been used by Carron and the man who was driving the car. Agents obtained video taken at the shooting ranges on July 13 and Aug. 4 – the two dates store receipts indicated ammunition was purchased. The video footage shows two men at the range shooting weapons similar to those taken from the car, according to the ATF agents.
Based on United States gun laws, Carron is facing a minimum sentence of 30 years on each federal charge. Authorities said additional federal charges are pending, as well as potential state law violations in Florida and South Carolina.
PEDERSEN PARK SWIMMING AREA RE-OPENED
The Hernndo County Health Department announced Monday that tests now show acceptable water quality at the swimming area at Linda Pedersen Park. The swimming area along Jenkins Creek at the Shoal Line Boulevard Park was closed two weeks ago after a finding of excessive bacteria levels in the water.
WORKSHOP SCHEDULED TO HELP HOMEOWNERS FACING FORECLOSURE
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HERNANDO NEWS SOURCE continues our week-long review of the year's top local stories with a look at the two biggest events in Coastal Hernando---the coastal brush fires and the long-awaited beginning of the Hernando Beach dredge project.
There were two major brush fires in coastal Hernando this year...the first damaged or destroyed several structures, including the home of a nationally known artist just north of Aripeka. But the most spectacular fire covered hundreds of acres and threatened structures in the Bayport community, including the historic Bayport Inn, which were saved only with quick work from firefighters. Here is a look at our reports, including what was for many hours the only local media reporting on the second blaze.
SMOKE FROM BRUSH FIRE BLANKETS COAST
BRUSH FIRE FLARES AGAIN, BAYPORT INN EVACUATED
A brush fire thought to be under control north of Cortez Boulevard in the Hernando coastal area flared again Thursday and threatened some homes and structures near Cortez and Pine Island Drive. According to reports, the blaze forced the evacuation of the Bayport Inn and closure of roads in the area. Authorities are asking that residents avoid the area while Division of Forestry crews battle the fire, which has reportedly scorched some 400 acres of coastal pine lands and marsh.
RELATIVELY QUIET FIRE DAY; CORTEZ BLVD. RE-OPENS FOR WEEKEND
The brush fire that apparently started from a lightning strike late Wednesday erupted again Thursday and spread quickly over more than 600 acres, according to a report from emergency crews on the scene Thursday night. The report said the fire in remote pine woods and salt marsh north of Cortez Boulevard and east of Pine Island Drive was 30% contained. The report indicated that evacuated homes in the Bayport area and the Bayport Inn restaurant were no longer in immediate danger and there was no need for continued evacuation, although firefighters were still on the scene doing what was described as structure protection.
FIRE SMOLDERS, SMOKE STILL IN WEST COUNTY AIR
Residents of parts of Spring Hill and western Hernando County awoke again Monday to the smell of wood smoke in the air. Some 1,600 acres of coastal marsh and pines burned last week were continuing to smolder, and some patches of flames could still be observed within a few hundred feet of Cortez Boulevard near the Bayport Inn.
The Hernando Beach dredge project to widen and deepen the narrow channel from the coast to the open Gulf finally started in the fall, but not until costly litigation was settled. Officials said a favorable contract meant that the project was still within budget, even after payment of more than $163,000 to resolve the protest brought by the Manuel family when their property was passed over in favor of a different spoil site. Here is our reporting on the final phases of planning, permitting and then dredging:
COUNTY GETS NOT-SO-ROUTINE ARMY CORPS DREDGE PERMIT
BEACH RESIDENTS PACK DREDGE MEETING
DREDGE WORK COULD BE TWO WEEKS AWAY
HERNANDO BEACH CHANNEL DREDGE NOW A REALITY
ENGINEER PRESENTS "UNUSUAL" DREDGE ROCK
STATE CITES PERMIT VIOLATIONS ON DREDGE PROJECT
DREDGED SAND BEGINS FILLING OLD BEACH SEWER PLANT
JC Penney arrest - BAH Humbug, Christmas eve arrest. The eve of the Celebration of the birth of Jesus. What would Jesus do in this situation? A town with a Church on almost every corner with many claiming to be Christians. Many of Christmas stories are told of the community coming together to help those in need, especially at Christmas time. The theft is wrong, but what he used the money for.......economic hard times, the poor and needy are arrested and put in jail. Christmas eve, of all times.....shameful!!!
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