Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Water Awareness Series to Begin

Media Release

September 28, 2009

Water Awareness Series to Begin
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 28, 2009
2009-2010 Water Awareness Series

The Hernando County Utilities Department, Water Conservation Division, and Citizens for W.A.T.E.R. invite the public to attend the 2009/10 Water Awareness Series scheduled to begin on Friday, November 6, 2009. The sessions will take place monthly from November through May, 2010, from 10 a.m. until noon at the Hernando County Utilities Department, 21030 Cortez Blvd., Brooksvillle, FL. The Water Awareness Series will include presentations from experts on the topics of Florida-Friendly landscapes, the concept of going "green", lawn care, water conservation and irrigation technology. The first session on November 6th is entitled, "Hernando County's Drought Conditions, Forecasts, Watering Restrictions and More!", presented by representatives of the Southwest Florida Water Management District and Hernando County staff.

The public is encouraged to attend these important educational seminars. To make your reservation or to receive more information, please call (352) 754-4705.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

Crime Watch Report

5 crimes

New crime has been reported in your area:

Type: Description: Case #: Location: Agency: Date: See it:
BATTERY 2009-34293 1000 BLOCK OF CARLTON ST Hernando County Sheriff, FL 9/25/2009 Link
IDENTIFICATION THEFT 2009-34273 1100 BLOCK OF MARINER BV Hernando County Sheriff, FL 9/25/2009 Link
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2007-10229 100 BLOCK OF MINERVA PL Hernando County Sheriff, FL 3/21/2007 Link
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2007-10229 200 BLOCK OF MINERVA PL Hernando County Sheriff, FL 3/21/2007 Link
CRIMINAL MISCHIEF 2007-10229 100 BLOCK OF MINERVA PL Hernando County Sheriff, FL 3/21/2007 Link

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Being Good Neighbors

Please remember that there is no soliciting here in Preston Hollow and if someone knocks on your door please let them know that. Last week a young man was walking the neighborhood knocking on doors soliciting for a business. A concerned resident called a couple of Board Members to let us know about this. While the young man may have been doing his job there are two problems associated with this situation.

1) There is absolutely no soliciting here in Preston Hollow.

2) We have had some crime issue's here in Preston Hollow the last couple of months and not everyone can be trusted. It is always good to err on the side of caution.

Sunday, September 20, 2009

Ban on clotheslines a no-no in Florida

Here is the citation in Florida law:

Florida Statute. Title XI, 163.04

"(1) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter or other provision of general or special law, the adoption of an ordinance by a governing body, as those terms are defined in this chapter, which prohibits or has the effect of prohibiting the installation of solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources is expressly prohibited.
(2) No deed restrictions, covenants, or similar binding agreements running with the land shall prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting solar collectors, clotheslines, or other energy devices based on renewable resources from being installed on buildings erected on the lots or parcels covered by the deed restrictions, covenants, or binding agreements. A property owner may not be denied permission to install solar collectors or other energy devices based on renewable resources by any entity granted the power or right in any deed restriction, covenant, or similar binding agreement to approve, forbid, control, or direct alteration of property with respect to residential dwellings not exceeding three stories in height. For purposes of this subsection, such entity may determine the specific location where solar collectors may be installed on the roof within an orientation to the south or within 45° east or west of due south provided that such determination does not impair the effective operation of the solar collectors. "

Law hangs up on 'robo-calls

Law hangs up on 'robo-calls': Automated pitches illegal, affect on Floridians in question

By DIANE C. LADE

South Florida Sun-Sentinel

Tuesday, September 01, 2009

You soon may be hearing a lot fewer of those maddening pre-recorded telephone pitches for everything from car insurance to debt consolidation services. Starting Tuesday, telemarketers will need written permission from consumers in advance in order to solicit them through automated pre-recorded telemarketing messages, sometimes called robo-calls, the Federal Trade Commission said.

Even people who have not signed up for the federal Do Not Call registry, as well as those who have done business in the past with the solicitors, now are protected from unwanted automatic calls. But be warned: You still may get calls from traditional live telemarketers, unless you put your name on state or federal Do Not Call lists.

Consumer advocates called the action a huge change to the national Telemarketing Sales Rule. "We don't anticipate a lot of consumers writing to robo-callers and saying 'Please call me,''" said Bob Williams, a spokesman in Consumer Union's Washington D.C. office.

Commission officials said the agency had targeted robo-calling because the practice seemed to particularly annoy consumers, as there was no way for them to complain to an operator. The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs had 4,102 complaints about pre-recorded telemarketing in 2007 and 2008.

"People were telling us they found robo-calls even more harassing and disturbing than calls from a live person," said Lois Greisman, the FTC manager for telemarketing enforcement.

The Sept. 1 change completes the phase-in of 2008 amendments to the federal telemarketing rule. The first part, which into effect Dec. 1, required telemarketers to tell consumers how to avoid receiving future messages and to provide an automated opt-out mechanism activated by voice or telephone key pad.

Exactly how the new rule will affect Floridians is uncertain.

Florida banned automated solicitations under most circumstances years ago, state officials said. But robo-callers can make sales pitches to their prior customers under state law, something the federal regulation prohibits.

Greisman said it's unclear which position would supersede. She urged residents who think they have received an illegal telemarketing call to contact the FTC at (877) 382-4357 or go to www.ftc.gov. Florida Consumer Affairs also takes complaints about telemarketers: Call 800-435-7352 or go to www.800helpfla.com.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Drop off your hazardous waste on Saturday

Drop off your hazardous waste on Saturday

The Hernando County Commission and Solid Waste and Recycling Division will sponsor a household hazardous waste collection day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the West Hernando Convenience Center, 2525 Osowaw Blvd. EQ of Florida Inc. will accept household hazardous waste from county residents and small businesses. There is no cost for residents; small businesses pay at the same rate as the county's contract, with payment to EQ of Florida due at the time of service. Call (352) 754-4112.

Sunday, September 6, 2009

Health Dept. Offers Childhood and Adult Immunizations

Media Release

September 4, 2009

Health Dept. Offers Childhood and Adult Immunizations
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 3, 2009

Contact:
Kathy Sauskojus, PIO
352-540-6860

Health Department Offers Childhood and Adult Immunizations

Brooksville- The Hernando County Health Department offers childhood and adult immunizations at both the Spring Hill and the Brooksville locations. Immunizations are available at the Spring Hill clinic, 7465 Forest Oaks Boulevard, from 7:40-5:00 on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays. Immunizations are offered in the Brooksville clinic, 300 S. Main Street, from 7:40 am until 5:00pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Both offices offer immunizations on Thursdays from 7:40 to 12:00pm.

Although walk-ins are welcome, appointments are encouraged to better serve the community. To make an appointment, call 352-540-6800.

Seasonal and H1N1 Swine flu vaccines are not provided through these clinics. These vaccinations will be provided through community based clinics during the fall and winter months. Watch for announcements for a site near you.

Vaccines to prevent serious and/or deadly diseases are one of the greatest successes of the 20th century. Vaccine-preventable diseases are at their lowest levels ever thanks to the public compliance with recommended vaccine schedules.

For more information on immunizations provided by the Hernando County Health Department, please call 540-6800 or visit www.Hernandohealth.org.