Monday, May 6, 2013
A law that would have ended permanent alimony in Florida didn’t get Gov. Rick Scott’s stamp of approval. Do you think he was right to nix the legislation?
Divorced men and women across Florida got good news – or bad, depending on perspective – late last week when Gov. Rick Scott shot down a law that would have put an end to permanent alimony in Florida. Scott vetoed the measure with only four hours left on the clock for it to automatically go into law, according to Fox News. Citing concerns about the financial impacts the bill would have on Florida families and a dislike for the fact the measure had a clause that would make it retroactive, Scott told lawmakers he could not support passage. "The retroactive adjustment of alimony could result in unfair, unanticipated results,” Fox quoted Scott as saying. Had the law gone into effect it would have limited the amount of alimony a person could …
Friday, May 3, 2013
An announcement was made this week by Mayor Bob Buckhorn.
City officials released some good news for walkers or bikers who trek in or around downtown Tampa. Four downtown-area streets will receive pedestrian and cyclist-friendly makeovers that entail new sidewalks and bike lanes or shared use pathways, according to a news release by the City of Tampa. The announcement, made this week by Mayor Bob Buckhorn, includes the following streets: Palm Avenue, Willow avenue, Bougainvillea Avenue and Cypress Street. "Projects like this are part of our strategy to make Tampa more pedestrian and cyclist friendly. These improvements will make these streets safer for everyone, and provide both residents and visitors more options to get around," said Mayor Bob Buckhorn in the news release. "This is just the …
Thursday, May 2, 2013
The water authority is looking for yards that incorporate low-maintenance landscaping and creative irrigation techniques.
Do you have an outstanding garden that requires only minimal watering? Show off your yard by nominating it for Tampa Bay Water's 15th annual Community Water-Wise Awards program. Tampa Bay Water is looking for yards that incorporate Florida-Friendly Landscaping principles with attractive design. If you are a resident, business, builder or other organization in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties or the cities of Tampa, St. Petersburg and New Port Richey, you are eligible to apply. Applications are available online at tampabaywaterwise.org and must be received by June 30. Applicants are asked to provide a brief description and photos of their water-efficient landscape to be considered for an award. Each landscape entry will be …
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
InVision Tampa is a project using federal grant money to revamp parts of Tampa, from downtown to Ybor City and the Nebraska-Hillsborough avenue corridor. Workshops are being held this week to solicit community feedback about the report.
Efforts to create a pedestrian-friendly downtown and maximize economic development for businesses is continuing momentum with InVision Tampa - a project using federal grant money to revamp parts of the city - unveiling an "Issues and Opportunities Report" this week for the Nebraska-Hillsborough corridor. The report, which shows the findings of a consultants research and ideas expressed by citizens during charrettes and online forums about Nebraska and Hillsborough avenues, will be discussed during community design workshops on Tuesday, April 30 and Thursday, May 2. At 5:30 p.m. on April 30, Buckhorn will meet with students from Middleton High, who took on specific areas of the Nebraska-Hillsborough corridor and worked with InVision Tampa …
Monday, April 29, 2013
The Florida Legislature has passed a merit-based pay raise that will go into effect next year.
It looks like Gov. Rick Scott’s promise to give Seminole Heights area teachers a raise is coming to fruition, but it’ll be a little later than hoped. Both the House and Senate gave a green light to a measure that would give Florida teachers a raise, but instead of being across-the-board, the proposal calls for merit-based raises. And, while Scott wanted to see those raises go into effect in 2013, they won’t be happening until June 2014, according to The Tampa Tribune. Under the Legislature’s plan, teachers who are ranked “effective” will be eligible for raises of $2,500. Teachers who are deemed “highly effective” will get $3,500, the Tribune says. Scott proposed the statewide raise in January. Hillsborough County teachers are among the …
One Florida County has given elementary school principals the green light to paddle misbehaving students. What do you think about this, Tampa Bay?
A trip to the principal’s office in Marion County elementary schools might mean more for misbehaving students than a call to parents and possible detention detail. Principals there have been given the green light to paddle unruly pupils. The county’s school board decided April 23 that it was high time this once banned practice was brought back into the educational system. Citing repeat disciplinary problems with students where nothing else worked to get kids on track, board member Carol Ely, a retired principal, put the idea on the table. While the measure passed, principals don’t have carte blanche to paddle kids. Principals must first obtain standing written permission from parents, and they must get verbal permission before each …
Saturday, April 27, 2013
The six honorees will have busts placed along the trail that winds around the riverwalk and along the Hillsborough River, according to city officials.
This just in from City of Tampa officials: Mayor Bob Buckhorn, in partnership with the Friends of the Riverwalk, unveiled this week the six 2013 honorees whose busts will be placed along the Historical Monument Trail that will wind around Tampa’s Riverwalk along the Hillsborough River and Garrison Channel. The Historic Trail uses busts, statues and monuments to educate the public about significant events and noteworthy people that have shaped the history of Tampa and Hillsborough County. “The Trail allows us to remember and honor those who were so committed and dedicated to moving our community forward,” said Mayor Buckhorn. “As importantly, it is a place where our citizens not only connect along this incredible Riverwalk, but they …
Monday, April 22, 2013
The federal government says not in this case, but detractors are saying the FBI’s failure to Mirandize bombing suspect Dzhokar Tsarnaev, 19, poses a concern for individual rights. What’s your take, Tampa Bay?
The massive manhunt for the Boston Marathon bombers is finished, but the story is far from over. With one suspect dead and the other in custody attentions now turn to gleaning intelligence that might prevent future attacks and making sure the victims and their families see justice delivered. It’s the quest to glean intelligence, however, that has some worrying about how effective a case against Dzhokar Tsarnaev, 19, will be and if the individual rights of Americans are taking a hit as law enforcement carries out its duties by employing some unusual measures. When Tsarnaev was taken into custody on April 19, he was not read his Miranda rights. The federal government invoked the public safety exception, which gives it a right to interrogate …
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Construction of the new 22,000-square-foot Seminole Heights Branch Library is well under way.
Construction is well under way on the new Seminole Heights Branch Library, 4711 N. Central Ave., Tampa, as evident by an aerial photo taken by Hillsborough County last week. The old library was torn down Nov. 20, 2012, to make way for the new two-story 22,000-square-foot library, which is triple the size of the old library. When it is completed in November or December, the new library will boast a large community room that can be divided into two rooms, small meeting and study rooms, more Internet computers for library users, a computer lab, a children's room, a teen room and additional parking. The county purchased a half-acre of adjacent property from the Hillsborough County School Board to provide room for the expansion, which is being …
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The applications are due on Thursday, April 25.
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Thursday, April 18
Ever wanted to serve on a citizen board or council? You've still got a week to get your application in for the voluntary positions. Those appointed serve without compensation, and must be registered voters in Hillsborough County. Applicants can apply to more than one board, but may only serve on one at a time. A code of conduct must also be signed in order to serve. An application is available in the reception area on the second floor of the county center, 601 E. Kennedy Boulevard in downtown Tampa, at www.hillsboroughcounty.org or by calling 813-272-5826. Check out the list of available boards and councils below: For more information, call Luann Finley, Director of Board Services, at 813-272-5826.
Lucy Gonzalez
12:38 am on Sunday, May 19, 2013
Sorry Bryan :( more ›