A Message about Swine Flu from Hernando Co. Emergency Mgt.

Media Release

April 30, 2009

A Preparedness Message from Hernando Co. Emergency Mgt.
A Preparedness Message from Emergency Management

Emergency Management is monitoring the evolving H1N1 (Swine Flu) outbreak, participating in daily briefings with the State of Florida Division of Emergency Management and prepared to provide support as necessary to the County’s Health Department. While there are no confirmed cases in Florida, it is prudent that every individual maintain situational awareness and take the necessary steps to avoid the spread of the flu. We strongly encourage you to periodically review the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website for the latest information:

http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/

What You Can Do to Stay Healthy
• Stay informed. This website will be updated regularly as information becomes available.
• Influenza is thought to spread mainly person-to-person through coughing or sneezing of infected people.
• Take everyday actions to stay healthy.
o Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
o Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hands cleaners are also effective.
o Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread that way.
o Stay home if you get sick. CDC recommends that you stay home from work or school and limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
• Follow public health advice regarding school closures, avoiding crowds and other social distancing measures.
• Develop a family emergency plan as a precaution. This should include storing a supply of food, medicines, facemasks, alcohol-based hand rubs and other essential supplies.
• Call 1-800-CDC-INFO for more information.

“Greening Our Future”

Media Release

April 27, 2009

Hernando County to Observe National County Government Week
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 27, 2009

Hernando County will celebrate National County Government Week (NCGW) May 3-9. Focusing on this year’s theme of “Greening Our Future”, county officials will promote activities to increase public awareness of opportunities to protect Hernando County’s natural resources. Featured in a variety of media formats will be information about how our residents can protect our resources by conserving water, recycling, practicing environmentally friendly landscaping and gardening techniques, learning about our environmentally sensitive lands program, and practicing alternative transportation methods that conserve money and fuel.

During the week of May 3-9:

• Displays will be placed at the following locations:
1. Spring Hill Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill
• Florida Yards and Neighborhoods

2. Main Library, 238 Howell Avenue, Brooksville
• The Way to Go Greener with Transportation

3. Utilities Customer Service Office, 7429 Spring Hill Drive, Spring Hill
• Conserving and Protecting our Natural Resources

• Three Focus on Hernando programs will be broadcast on the local government channel featuring county services related to “Greening Our Future”. See broadcast schedule at www.hernandcounty.us/hcgb for times and note that the programs will also be webstreamed.

• Residents may tour the Cypress Lakes Preserve in eastern Hernando County on Wednesday, May 6th, and learn more about Hernando County’s Environmentally Sensitive Lands program. Find out more and register for the tour by calling the Planning Department at: 754-4057.

• A series of informative articles pertaining to landscaping, recycling, water resources and alternative transportation will be published in the local newspapers during May 3- 9.

• County Staff will discuss the activities of County Government Week on the Bob Penrod Show on WWJB 1450 on April 29th at 1:30 pm. .

National County Government Week has been sponsored by the National Association of Counties since 1991 to raise public awareness and understanding about the roles and responsibilities of the nation’s counties. For more information, please contact the Community Relations Office at 540-6780.

Final Session of Water Awareness Series Scheduled

Media Release

April 27, 2009

Final Session of Water Awareness Series Scheduled
Media Release
For Immediate Release
Final Water Awareness Session Scheduled
April 27, 2009

The Hernando County Utilities Department and Citizens for Water invites the public to attend the final session of the 2008/09 Hernando County Water Awareness Series on Friday, May 1, 2009 from 10:00 AM to Noon to be held at the Hernando County Utilities Department, 21030 Cortez Blvd., Brooksville, FL 34601. The topic for this session is "Hurricane Preparedness and Preparing Your Landscape for Hurricane Season", presented by Cecilia Patella, Director of Herando County Emergency Management, and Jim Moll of the Hernando County Extension Service.

Light refreshments will be served. For more information, call the Utilities Department at (352) 754-4037.

Directions:
From Spring Hill, travel east on Hwy 50 to the East 50 Truck-Route (Cortez Blvd). Turn right on the Truck-Route (Cortez Blvd.) and continue on for approximately 2.5 miles (past Broad Street/U.S. Hwy 41). The Hernando County Utilities Department is on the right at the corner of South Main Street/Mitchell and Cortez Boulevard. Turn right at the traffic light.

2009 Hurricane Expo

Media Release

April 24, 2009

2009 Hurricane Expo
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 24, 2009

Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Announces Annual Hurricane & Safety Expo

The Hernando County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management, in cooperation with Weeki Wachee Springs State Park and the St Petersburg Times, will host a Hurricane & Safety Expo at Weeki Wachee Springs State Park on Saturday, May 30th from 9 AM – 2 PM. Admission and parking for Weeki Wachee Springs will be free on the day of the Expo.

This year’s Expo theme is "Keeping You Informed…before the Storm". Bay News 9 Chief Meteorologist Mike Clay will discuss the upcoming hurricane season and answer your questions.

There will be presentations on installing window protection, preparing a disaster supply kit / family plan, proper insurance coverage, safe boating, flood awareness, and cyber safety. Also make sure you stay to see the Sheriff’s Office K-9 Team in action and the Withlacoochee River Electric High Voltage Demo.

Vendors for safety products, personal disaster preparedness & home retrofit products will be on hand to show you how to be ready. Come join the fun! See Emergency Vehicle displays, Vince & Larry the Crash Test Dummies, Daren the DARE Lion, Smokey the Bear, McGruff the Crime Dog and the Chick-fil-a Cow!

There will also be Mermaid Shows, Animal Shows, music, games and face painting for kids, a drawing to win a new generator and lots more! Come early and enjoy one of Major Decker’s Delicious Deputy Dawgs (hot dogs) and a cold drink before they are all gone.

Vendors or businesses that would like to participate or support the Expo should call Dianne Cox at (352) 754-4083 or go to http://www.hernandosheriff.org and follow the link for the Expo.

For general information about the Expo, call Emergency Management at (352) 754-4083 or visit our web page at: http://www.hernandosheriff.org

United Communities 2009 Schedule

UCHC presents the 2009 Program schedule below. Questions may be directed to Program Chairman at the address or phone number as shown on our HOME page.

All are Welcomed!


January 26, 2009 ~ Judge Donald Scaglione

February 23, 2009 ~ Sheriff Richard Nugent

March 23, 2009 ~ Wayne Alexander, Super. of Schools

April 27, 2009 ~ Rep. from Progress Energy

May 18, 2009 ~ David Hamilton, Co. Administrator

June through August, 2009 ~ Summer Recess ~ No Meetings

September 28, 2009 ~ Call for updates.

October 26, 2009 ~ Call for updates.

November 16, 2009 ~ Call for updates

December, 2009 ~ Holiday Season Recess ~ No Meeting.

Help Nature Coast Humane Society Animal Shelter Win $1 million Makeover

Media Release

April 13, 2009

Help Nature Coast Humane Society Animal Shelter Win $1 million Makeover
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 13, 2009

Humane Society of the Nature Coast Holds Phone Bank

The Humane Society of the Nature Coast, Brooksville, Florida, has begun its campaign to call awareness to its standing in the Zootoo $1 million makeover. On Monday, April 13, it will conduct a telephone bank campaign to contact media and organizations throughout the state to enlist their support and their vote in the $1 million Zootoo makeover. Board members, friends, and staff alike will take turns on the phone.

The Humane Society of the Nature Coast is one of 10 finalists in the makeover contest. The finalists were announced at the general session of the Humane Society of the United States Animal Care Expo in Las Vegas on April 7. The nation now will vote for the winner from April 13 through April 19.

Anyone who is a member of Zootoo may vote as long as they are a registered member and have provided a profile photo of themselves, their pet, their shelter logo or even their children. Winning the $1 million makeover will allow the Humane Society to fulfill its current strategic plan to expand its services to animals in the community. The Humane Society of the Nature Coast is the only finalist from Florida.

A little added motivation, callers are bringing in their pets for company. The phone bank is located in the offices of Complete Technology Solutions at 4662 Commercial Way, Spring Hill, Florida 34607.

For more information contact Tina Ryman at 352-592-9936 or call toll free 1-800-385-1723.

For more information about the Humane Society of the Nature Coast or the Zootoo $1 million makeover, go to www.HumaneRescue.org or call the Humane Society at 352-796-2711.

County Government Facilities Closed Friday - Good Friday Holiday

Media Release

April 8, 2009

County Government Facilities Closed Friday - Good Friday Holiday
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 8, 2009


Hernando County government offices will be closed Friday, April 10, 2009 in observance of the Good Friday holiday. However, the Northwest Solid Waste Facility (Landfill) and the east and west convenience stations will both be open. All County offices will re-open on Monday, April 13,2009.

Local Transportation Projects to Receive Federal Stimulus Funding

Media Release

April 8, 2009

Local Transportation Projects to Receive Federal Stimulus Funding
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
April 8, 2009

The following list of transportation projects recommended for funding by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) has been submitted to the Florida Legislative Budget Commission (LBC) for review and approval. Action by the Commission is expected no sooner than April 15, 2009. The list will then be submitted to the Federal Highway Administration for review and approval.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been working with cities, counties, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and other transportation partners throughout the state to develop the list of selected projects. This effort is based on established transportation planning processes. Thirty percent of the highway and bridge funds were allocated for locally-prioritized projects

Priority projects are those “shovel ready” projects which have been deferred by the state; provide congestion relief; are tied to concurrency where development is being held up; are located in economically distressed areas; have the potential to generate revenues and jobs; can be completed within 3 years and are geographically balanced.

As a result of coordinated efforts among the City of Brooksville and Hernando County's planning/transportation and elected officials with state and federal officials, Hernando County has been notified that over $12 million dollars worth of road improvement projects have been approved as listed below:

• City of Brooksville - North Avenue from Howell to Ponce DeLeon: $574,500.00
• S.R. 50 (Cortez Blvd.) from U.S. 98 to CR 575 (Burwell Road): $1.5 million
• Resurface Mariner Blvd. from Maderia to Augustine: $636,998
• Resurface Spring Hill Drive from PInehurst to Deltona Blvd.: $368,631
• Resurface Deltona Blvd. from S.R. 50 to Northcliffe Blvd.: $376,371
• Resurface Deltona Blvd. from Spring Hill Dr. to Philatelic: $757,581
• Resurface Spring Hill Dr. from Mariner to Deltona Blvd.: $1.6 million
• Resurface Burwell Road from S.R. 50 to Pasco County Line: $523,636
• Resurface Citrus Way from Ft. Dade to S. of Centralia: $3.3 million
• Resurface Yontz Road from U.S. 98 to Howell Ave.: $600,135
• Resurface S.R. 50 (Cortez Blvd.) from U.S. 98 to CR 575 (Burwell Road): $337,006
• Resurface Suncoast Trail from Pasco County Line to Citrus County Line: $2.1 million

"We are very excited about the positive impact these projects will have on our local economy in terms of putting people to work and improving our transportation system in Hernando County," said County Commission Chairman David Russell.

Water Restriction Update

BROOKSVILLE

Get ready to turn off your cute backyard fountain, adjust the sprinkler timer and take the car to a carwash.

State regulators on Tuesday approved tough new water-use rules for the region even though they could cost 347 jobs and $20 million in lost business.

The restrictions affect Tampa Bay Water customers, which includes Pinellas, Pasco and Hills- borough counties and most cities except Tampa, where tougher standards are already in place. They take effect Friday and run at least through the end of June.

The rules reduce hours for lawn sprinkling, and ban ornamental fountains, residential pressure washing and car washing. Buildings that use water cooling towers for air-conditioning must have thermostats set at 78 degrees or above.

Hours for lawn sprinkling are midnight to 4 a.m. for properties less than 1 acre, and midnight to 4 a.m. and 8 p.m. to midnight for properties larger than 1 acre, on designated watering days. Hand-watering will be allowed from 6 to 8 a.m. and from 6 to 10 p.m. on watering days.

"This is my line in the sand,'' said Hugh Gramling, who represents agricultural interests on the board of the Southwest Florida Water Management District, commonly known as Swiftmud.

Restrictions go only so far in conserving water, he said.

He suggested a surcharge that would make big users pay more.

"The most effective tool we have is money," he said.

The board took no immediate action on that proposal, but agreed to return to it in the future, citing a St. Petersburg Times report that 35 homes used more than 1 million gallons last year.

The rules passed Tuesday by Swiftmud do not affect those who get their water from the city of Tampa, which last week passed even more stringent watering rules that include a sprinkler ban. Those who have reclaimed water also aren't affected.

Swiftmud made the decision after getting an update on the three-year drought. Weather experts predict a drier than normal spring that will continue at least until the start of the rainy season in June.

Officials hope the new rules will cut water use by 20 percent and save 50 million gallons a day.

Tampa Bay Water, which provides much of the region's water, is struggling to meet demand. Its desalination plant is operating below capacity and a 15-billion gallon reservoir is essentially empty.

The restrictions that Swiftmud ultimately approved do to some extent protect businesses.

For example, residential and charity carwashes are barred, but commercial car wash and mobile detailing operations are allowed. Homeowners can't use pressure washers, but they can hire a company to do the work for them.

Water managers had considered a total ban on professional pressure washing, but analysts determined that could eliminate another 2,226 jobs and $81 million in business revenues, in part because painters and concrete refinishers rely on it.

"That's a big relief," said James Kotow, who owns a pressure cleaning business in Weeki Wachee.

Commercial car washes will also benefit. A Swiftmud economic analysis shows an increase in car wash business will offset job losses in the irrigation and landscape industries.

Sod farmers took a beating at the Swiftmud meeting, with some people saying the restrictions don't go far enough because they still allow extra watering of new sod.

Steven Morris of Odessa argued that irrigation accounts for 50 percent of water use in the area. Morris told the board its job is to protect water resources.

"Are we worried about the drought or are we worried about watering green grass?" he asked.

Barbara Dowling, a community activist from northwest Hillsborough's Keystone neighborhood, told the board, "Green grass is a luxury."

"Our wells, our wetlands and our lakes are already stressed," she said.

Property owners need to move toward "Florida-friendly" landscaping that uses less water than grass, board member Todd Pressman said.

Sod farmers say they're already hurting.

"When you've done one thing for 50 years, we can't turn around tomorrow and do something else," said Frank Favata, owner of Jimmy's Sod Co. in Tampa.

As he watches landscapers and big sod farms shut down, he hopes his own business survives.

"You have the economic situation and the water ban situation," he said. "March, April, May and part of June should be our busy times, and it's not here. Everything is way down."

The Foreclosure Crisis

SPRING HILL - Carol Musco's neighbors moved out last July, another casualty to the foreclosure crisis.

She can sympathize; these are tough times.

What irritates — and worries — Musco are her new, unofficial neighbors. While she's yet to meet them in person, they've certainly made their presence known.

In the narrow space between her house and 3311 Bluffview Drive, she's found hypodermic needles, condoms and liquor bottles. During the week, usually right after midnight, she says she can hear people partying in the empty house. Twice, someone has set off the alarms in the house she shares with her husband, Anthony.

The Muscos' plight is similar to one played out across the nation as a glut of vacant homes attracts squatters and scofflaws.

In San Bernardino County, Calif., police are averaging three calls a day at foreclosed homes for complaints ranging from young kids hanging out to burglaries. In Detroit, neighbors are banding together to tidy up vacant homes so that vagrants aren't attracted by a neglected home.

In Hernando County, the first three months of 2009 have already brought an 11 percent increase in foreclosures when compared to this time last year. For all of 2008, the clerk's office reported 3,256 filings. The total numbers rank Hernando County No. 31 among the nation's counties for foreclosures, as of March.

Some law enforcement jurisdictions in the area of Washington, D.C., rely on maps of foreclosed properties as guides for their patrols. That information is supplemented by community watch groups.

Sgt. Donna Black, spokeswoman for the Hernando County Sheriff's Office, said vacant homes are patrolled on a case-by-case basis. Any reports of trespassers or vagrants will be taken care of, but specifically targeting foreclosed properties would inundate the workload, she said.

"It would definitely impact our calls for service numbers," Black said.

The house adjacent to the Muscos is in desperate need for a fresh coat of paint and a couple of rounds with a lawnmower. The backyard pool is a stagnant black pond. Sundry cleaning and pool chemicals litter the property.

Generally, though, bank-owned properties are in fair condition when they reach the market, said Marilyn Pearson-Adams, president of the Hernando County Realtors Association.

Occasionally the previous owner has made off with the light fixtures or appliances. Last year a rash of copper burglaries caused havoc with air-conditioning systems.

The bank that owns the house on Bluffview Drive has received a notice of its disrepair and has 20 days beginning March 13 to clean it up, according to county code enforcement.