Monday, April 25, 2011

Street Light Update

The street light between 317 and 325 Forest Wood Court was out last night. I reported the problem to WREC last night and they will come out ASAP.I am always looking out for our safety.

Monday, April 18, 2011

Update on Mosquito Spraying Operations in Hernando County

Last weekend (April 15-17), Hernando County’s Environmental Services staff began intensifying mosquito-spraying operations to bring the mosquito problem under control. Mosquito Control staff was assisted by Water and Sewer Operations staff and sprayed throughout areas from Highway 19 west to the coast, Timber Pines, Masaryktown, the area around the Hernando County Fairgrounds, west of Culbreath Road to Highway 41 and Ayers Road south to County Line Road. In the northern part of the county, the area south of Hexam Road to Highway 50 west of the Suncoast Parkway was sprayed. While complaints came in from throughout the county, the areas that were sprayed over the weekend were those from which the overwhelming majority of complaints were received.

The eastern portion of the county will be sprayed this week, and once all areas have been sprayed, problem areas will be re-sprayed. The spraying efforts are timed to coincide with those parts of the day (pre-dawn and dusk) when the mosquitoes are most active.

Residents can assist in the effort by eliminating all sources of standing water from your property--even the smallest amount of water can hold mosquito larvae.

Practice the 5 D’s of mosquito prevention:
Dusk and Dawn - Avoid being outdoors at these times
DEET – Use mosquito repellant when outdoors
Dress – Wear clothing that covers
Drainage – Dump out standing water on your property

If you have questions concerning the County’s increased mosquito control efforts, please call(352)540-6552

Sunday, April 17, 2011

This months Preston Hollow HOA Membership Meeting

The next Preston Hollow Membership Meeting will be at Vice President Al Walkers House Tuesday April 19th at 7:00 P.M. Al's address is 86 Forest Wood Ct.

Friday, April 15, 2011

Mosquito Control to Ramp Up Spraying Operations This Weekend

After being inundated with telephone calls from Hernando County citizens this week, mosquito spraying operations will increase beginning Friday evening. Mosquito Control Supervisor Guangye Hu has been authorized by County Administrator David Hamilton to spend the funds necessary within the Mosquito Control budget to pay county staff overtime to begin night-time spraying through the end of next week. If it becomes necessary to move funds from reserves later in the year, staff will bring that to the attention of the Board of County Commissioners.

This action and the inordinate number of phone calls (well over 100 per day since Monday) is a result of the recent heavy rainfall and standing water throughout the county. The standing water is a breeding ground for mosquitoes to the point that it has become a serious situation. Mosquitoes can breed in as little as 1/4" of water.

Mosquito Control has four spray trucks which will be operated day and night by Mosquito Control staff, other Utilities Department staff and temporary drivers hired for the specific purpose of increasing the spraying until the situation is brought under control. Mosquito Control has also increased other treatment methods besides spraying such as larvaciding - a method to kill the mosquito larvae.

The authorization to increase the spraying came after a meeting with Joe Stapf, Environmental Services Director, Dr. Guangye Hu, Mosquito Control Supervisor, and the County Administrator. It is hoped that these increased efforts and residents practicing wise prevention measures will help bring the situation under control.

Residents should use mosquito repellant if they plan to be outdoors both during the daytime and evening hours. Wear long sleeves and long pants in the evening. Also, to reduce mosquito-breeding sources, check around your property and dump out any standing water that has collected in flower pots, toys, lawn furniture or anything that holds water, including ornamental plants—remember, mosquitoes only need 1/4” of water to multiply.

For more information, call Mosquito Control at (352) 540-6552,

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

FYI from the Hernando County Utilities Department

Corrected Utility Statements Sent to 15,000 customers

The Hernando County Utilities Department announced today that as a result of a technical error in a computerized data transfer, utility statements printed on April 8, 2011, and mailed to approximately 15,000 customers contained incorrect water consumption amounts. However, the actual payments due as shown on the bills are correct. Steps have been taken to change the data transfer process allowing for additional proofs to be submitted for approval prior to printing the statements. Customers affected by this error will receive new statements showing the correct consumption details. Corrected statements were mailed by the billing vendor on April 12, 2011.

Hernando County Utilities has a total of approximately 60,000 customers, but only 15,000 were sent incorrect statements. The amount due as shown on the statements was correct.

Please call (352) 754-4037 for all new service, account inquiries, or any customer service-related questions.

Thursday, April 7, 2011

FYI about a street light on Clarendon

Last weekend I noticed that the street light on Clarendon between Preston Hollow Dr. and Forest Wood Ct. was not working. I reported it to WREC on Monday but as of tonight Thursday April 7th the light has not been fixed. I filed a second report on the internet tonight to try to speed up the process.

Brooksville Farmers Market

Brooksville Farmers Market will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday along Main Street in front of the Hernando County Courthouse in downtown Brooksville. Local vendors, produce, crafts, food, dog treats, jewelry, honey and much more will be featured. If interested in becoming a vendor or for information, call Jodi at 352-232-4241.

A message from our PHHOA President Kurt Naser

All:

As an HOA, PH received an invitation yesterday from Hernando County Utilities Dept. concerning an upcoming presentation. According to Alys Brockway to contact person, PH is allocated one seat for the day-long presentation. The program is diverse and includes the option for a Rain Barrel Workshop in the afternoon. There is a $30 fee for that portion plus a free rain-barrel. The remainder of the program is free. The program is scheduled for May 6, 2011 from 8 am to 3:30 pm. Reservation confirmation date is no later than April 27th if one of us at PH wants to attend. I have the flyer if you may be interested or contact Alys via email to confirm your interest…

abrockway@co.hernando.fl.us


Kurt

Recycling Rewards Program Begins April 11th

The Hernando County Utilities Department Solid Waste Division and SP Recycling Corporation are bringing back the popular “Caught-In-The-Act” Awards Program to recycling residents of Hernando County. In recognition of Earth Day celebrations in April, representatives of SP Recycling and Community Leaders will be rewarding residents who recycle with randomly given gift cards.

The Awards Program is set for the week of April 11th at select Hernando County recycling locations. Businesses wishing to contribute gift cards to the awards program are invited to call SP Recycling at 877-640-6397 to participate in the program.

Hernando County is urging residents to become increasingly “Green Conscious” by recycling more to eliminate recyclable tonnage from the Landfill. SP Recycling Corporation manages the County’s Recycling Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) located at the Hernando County Landfill.

Items recycled in Hernando County include newspaper, paper, phonebooks, cardboard, plastic bottles #’s 1 & 2, steel and aluminum cans. Electronic or E-waste is also accepted for recycling if you bring it to the Hernando County Landfill.

Whether starting or continuing your recycling habit, you just may be rewarded with a “Little Green” gift card for your efforts!
Thank You for recycling!

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

HCSO's Citizens Academy

Hernando County Sheriff's Office has openings available for the evening session of its next Citizens Academy. It will be conducted from 6 to 9 p.m. and will begin Thursday, April 28, and will continue every Thursday through June 2. The Citizens Academy gives citizens an insider's view of the Sheriff's Office and the criminal justice system.

Throughout the six-week course, citizens will observe demonstrations by K9 handlers, receive tours of the Sheriff's Office, and learn facts about forensics, uniform patrol, traffic unit, administration, investigations, vice and narcotics, communications/911, aviation and marine units, mounted patrol, SWAT and detention center. Graduates of the course will have the option of riding along with a patrol deputy, observe in the communications center, and/or tour the jail.

The Academy is offered to adults 18 years of age or older. To attend or for information, call Barbara Renfroe at 352-754-6830 Ext. 53678.

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Classes provided by the Hernando County Extension Service

Hernando County Extension Service will present classes at 10 a.m. at the Spring Hill Branch Library, 9220 Spring Hill Drive, as follows: "How to fix a sick landscape" – Wednesday, April 13; and "Irrigation 101" – Wednesday, April 20. In addition, "Controlling lawn insects" will be presented at 5:30 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the Extension Office located at 1653 Blaise Drive, Brooksville.

All classes are free of charge, and the public is welcome to attend. Registration is not required; but seating will be on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, call the Extension Service at 352-754-4433.