Wednesday, May 27, 2009

County Administrator to Hold Community Meetings

Media Release

May 26, 2009

County Administrator to Hold Community Meetings
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 26, 2009

County Administrator to Hold Community Meetings

Throughout the month of June, Hernando County residents will have the opportunity to learn about the proposed FY 2009-2010 Hernando County Government budget. During a series of public meetings throughout the community, County Administrator David Hamilton will present the proposed budget and take comments and questions from those in attendance. For more information about the meetings, call the Communications Office at 540-6780.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

Wednesday, June 10, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Withlacoochee Bicentennial Hall
16257 Lingle Road
Istachatta, FL

Tuesday, June 16, 2009
6:30 p.m.
VFW Post 10209
14736 Edward R. Noll Dr.
Brooksville, Florida

Thursday, June 18, 2009
6:30 p.m.
Lorenzo Hamilton Community Center (Kennedy Park)
899 Kennedy Blvd.
Brooksville, FL

Wednesday, June 24, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Ridge Manor Community Center
34240 Cortez Blvd.
Brooksville, FL

Monday, June 29, 2009
6:30 p.m.
Knights of Columbus Hall
13485 Spring Hill Dr.
Spring Hill, Florida

Tuesday, June 30, 2009
2:00 p.m.
Coast Guard Auxiliary Building
Shoal Line Blvd
Hernando Beach

**Wednesday, July 1, 2009**
6:30 p.m.
John Law Ayers Room – Room 160
Hernando County Government Center
20 N. Main St.,
Brooksville, Florida

**This meeting will be webstreamed and broadcast live on Channel 622. Citizens may call in or email questions that will be answered during the program.

Thursday, May 21, 2009

Hurricane Expo Coming Soon

Media Release

May 21, 2009

Hurricane Expo Coming Soon
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 21, 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

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Mass Mailing to all Hernando County Property Owners

Media Release

May 18, 2009

Mass Mailing to all Hernando County Property Owners
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 18, 2009

Notice of Mass Mailing to Hernando County Property Owners

The Hernando County Utilities Department has announced a mass mailing to all Hernando County property owners that will take place the first week of June.

As required by Florida Statute, the Solid Waste & Recycling Division of the Hernando County Utilities Department will be sending notification to approximately 75,000 property owners throughout Hernando County giving official notice of a scheduled Public Hearing on June 23, 2009, regarding the non-advalorem Annual Solid Waste Assessment that appears on property tax bills. In an effort to reduce costs and maintain cost-effectiveness during this tight budgetary time, staff has determined that the best approach to disseminating this information is to mail postcards to each property owner. The cost of printing and mailing the postcard notices is $19,958.50 as compared to $32,775 for letters. The postcards will be mailed on June 1, 2009.

Considering the amount of information required in this notification and the size limitation of the postcard, it necessitated that the notices be printed using a comparatively small font. Copies of this notice in larger print will be available for pickup after June 1, 2009 at the following locations:

Northwest Solid Waste Management Facility (The Landfill)
14450 Landfill Road
Brooksville, FL 34614

West Hernando Convenience Center
2525 Osowaw Blvd.
Spring Hill, FL 34607

East Hernando Convenience Center
33070 Cortez Blvd.
Ridge Manor, FL 33535

Hernando County Utilities Department Administrative Office
21030 Cortez Blvd
Brooksville, FL 34601

Hernando County Utilities Department Customer Service Center
Kass Circle
7429 Spring Hill Drive
Spring Hill, FL 34606

The June 23rd public hearing will be held at 9:30 a.m.in the Board of County Commissioners' Meeting Room, Hernando County Government Center, 20 N. Main St, Brooksville, Florida

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Status of Mediation Efforts - Driveway Pavers

Mediation discussions have satisfactorily concluded with a non-precedent agreement being reached this week between the parties. During the entire mediation process, the Board of Directors was guided by input provided by the association members. The agreement ensures that our deed restriction standards remain protected on a going-forward basis and removed the potential for substantial financial liability should an unfavorable award been levied against the homeowner’s association in court. The precise details of the agreement are considered confidential in accordance with the State of Florida statute governing homeowner’s associations.

Reminder Notice for Property Owners who Rent/Lease their Preston Hollow Homes

Recently, the number of homes for rent or leased out is increasing. Owners of record are reminded by the Board of Directors that their accountability and compliance requirements for maintaining their rental property in accordance with our deed restrictions do not diminish or lessen due to renting out their home. While we encourage the homeowner who rents out their home to review the Preston Hollow deed restrictions with the prospective tenant to reinforce our rules and standards, the primary responsibility for compliance rests with the homeowner.

CRIME WATCH UPDATE

Randi Rosmarin, who is head of Preston Hollow’s Crime Watch requested volunteers at our March Board Meeting. Carlos Manrique and Dave Wroughton, volunteered to be block captains for the west central and north central sections of the community, respectively. Randi still needs volunteers to cover the southwest and northwest corners.
If you live in those sections and would like to participate in keeping our community as crime-free as possible (no, you will not be patrolling; this is a keep-your-eyes-open-for-unusual activity and report to Randi or the Sheriff's office kind of "job"), please call her at 796-7016. Once these volunteers are in place, a meeting will be had with Sheriff's Office representation. Remember, we need community input and observation more than ever with our exposure from East Linden and Wyndsor Place.

From the ACC

With the ongoing drought, once a week watering, frost and/or bug damage, it is very difficult to maintain our lawns. Almost every lawn in Preston Hollow has some degree of damage. If you are experiencing problems, do what you can to minimize them by checking your sprinklers to see if springs or gears are worn on your system or checking with your lawn service for help. You can also contact the County Extension Service for tips on reviving your lawn. Replacing a lawn can run into thousands of dollars. Even in these conditions, homeowners must water on their designated day and continue to weed and fertilize. Also try to repair damage areas with plugs or sod. With the recent rains, hopefully homeowners have seen some improvement. We ask that all homeowners please do what they can to keep our neighborhood looking its best.

United Communities of Hernando County May Meeting

United Communities of Hernando County

May 18, 2009
~ 7:00 PM ~
David Hamilton, County Administrator and Rose Rocco, County Commissioner will be the guest speakers.

UCHC meetings are held at the Oak Hill Hospital Medical Building, 4th floor conference room (exit elevator turn right and walk down the hallway to first hallway on left). If you have any questions, please contact Kurt Naser or Alan Setelius.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

County Commissioners to Consider Proposed Utilities Rate Increase

Media Release

May 6, 2009

County Commissioners to Consider Proposed Utilities Rate Increase
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 6, 2009

Hernando County Utilities Proposed Rate Increase

The Hernando County Utilities Department proposes to increase water and sewer rates. A resolution for new rates is scheduled for public hearing on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at 9:30 a.m. in the Board of County Commissioners' Meeting Room, Room 160, Hernando County Government Center, 20 N. Main St., Brooksville, Florida 34601. The proposed resolution and list of new rates can be reviewed at http://www.hernandocounty.us/utils or 7425 Spring Hill Dr., Spring Hill, Florida or call (352) 754-4037.

###

Hernando County Utilities www.hernandocounty.us/utils

RateResolution_2009_V11.pdf

Saturday, May 2, 2009

Sheriff's Office to teach what to do in a crisis

Sheriff's Office to teach what to do in a crisis

The Hernando County Sheriff's Office will offer Community Emergency Response Team training from 6 to 9 p.m. Wednesdays, May 6 to June 17, at the Emergency Communications and Operations Center, 18900 Cortez Blvd. Participants learn how to help themselves and their neighbors during times of crisis.

Course topics include disaster preparedness, fire suppression, emergency medical first aid, search and rescue, disaster psychology and disaster communications. The final session is a disaster drill, followed by graduation. The CERT training is free and available to residents 18 and older. To register, call Emergency Management at (352) 754-4083.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Public Comment Period of Propsed Changes to THE BUS

Media Release

May 1, 2009

Public Comment Period of Propsed Changes to THE Bus
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 1, 2009

Public Comment Period for Proposed Changes to Fixed Route Transit System - THE Bus

The Hernando County Board of County Commissioners will receive public comment beginning May 4, 2009, for a period of thirty (30) days, regarding the proposed changes to the fixed-route transit system, “THE Bus.” The proposed changes will decrease the frequency of bus travel along the routes from one hour to every two hours. This is to be accomplished by reducing the number of operating vehicles from six to three.

The public is encouraged to submit written and verbal comments to the Hernando County Planning Department, 20 N. Main Street, Room 262, Brooksville, FL 34601, ATTN: Mr. Dennis Dix, DennisD@hernandocounty.us, or Mr. Steve Diez, StevenD@hernandocounty.us, or by telephone at (352) 754-4057.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact Alice Gura, County Administration, 20 N. Main Street, Room 460, Brooksville, FL 34601, or by telephone at (352) 754-4002. If hearing impaired, please call 1-800-676-3777 for assistance.

Citizens Ordinance Advisory Team Meeting Scheduled

Media Release

May 1, 2009

Citizens Ordinance Advisory Team Meeting Scheduled
MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release
May 1, 2009

The Hernando County Citizens Ordinance Advisory Team (C.O.A.T.) will meet on Monday, May 11, 2009, at 1:30 PM in the fourth floor conference room, Hernando County Government Center, 20 N. Main Street, Room 461, in Brooksville.

The C.O.A.T. meetings are open to the public and are held on the second Monday of every month. The purpose of C.O.A.T. is to review existing County codes and ordinances, and make recommendations to the Board of County Commissioners that will benefit the community. For further information, call the Board of County Commissioner=s at (352) 754-4002.

In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, persons with disabilities needing a special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact Alice Gura, County Administration, 20 N. Main Street, Room 460, Brooksville, FL 34601, or by telephone at (352) 754-4002, no later than three (3) days prior to the proceedings. If hearing impaired, please call 1-800-676-3777 for assistance.