Pasco Legislative Delegation to meet
The Pasco County Legislative Delegation will meet Dec. 3 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.
This will give the local delegation a chance to show support for various measures proposed for the upcoming legislative session early next year. All local bill proposals need to be accompanied by a resolution from the local government supporting it, according to a release.
Public testimony is welcome. Those wishing to address the delegation need to complete a speaker request form, available online at tinyurl.com/PascoLD.
All speakers should bring six copies of all handout materials for distribution to the delegation members, or deliver them to the office of state Sen. John Legg before 5 p.m., on Dec. 1.
For information, email Jim Browne at , or call (813) 909-9919.
Recycling event set in Pasco
Pasco County residents can take part in recycling household waste and electronics at the next collection event set for Nov. 22 at the West Pasco Government Center on Little Road in New Port Richey.
“This is a great opportunity to clean out your garage, and clear out your excess paints, gasoline, or any hazardous waste,” said Charley Ryburn of Pasco County Utilities, in a release. “Many people don’t realize that there are hazardous materials in television sets, and must be disposed of properly. This is a convenient, inexpensive way of properly disposing of these items.”
Collection will take place Nov. 22 form 8 a.m. to noon. It’s free to Pasco County residents, however, there is a $5 charge for each television, computer monitor, computer tower and laptop computer.
There is a $10 charge for televisions that exceed 36 inches.
For information, visit PascoCountyUtilities.com, or call (727) 847-8041.
PCPT starts replacing bus benches
Pasco County Public Transportation has started the process of notifying bus riders that bus benches at stops throughout unincorporated Pasco County are being removed and replaced.
Metropolitan Systems Inc. will do the work, removing all the old benches by Nov. 30, according to a release. In their place, new benches will be installed that are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. They also are expected to improve safety, security and accessibility for PCPT riders, officials said.
Bus shelters will not be impacted during this transition, and riders can call PCPT to determined where the closest shelter is to them.
“There may be some inconvenience from some of our riders,” said PCPT director Mike Carroll, in a release. “The new benches will be more accessible and convenient for those with disabilities. Unfortunately, in some cases, benches will have to be removed where the benches cannot comply with federal regulations.”
Once the benches are removed, it will take up to 90 days for the company to get necessary permits, and to start work. However, new benches should be in place by the end of spring.
For information, visit RidePCPT.com, or call (813) 235-6073.
Sheriff’s office to help schools
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is offering a four-hour training program to administrators and staff members at area schools in December, with the hopes of curbing some of the violence and safety issues at other schools around the nation.
The Dec. 15 event will begin at 8:30 a.m., at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, 13651 Hays Road in Spring Hill. It will include discussion of topics like the emergency management cycle, multi-hazard planning for schools, threat and vulnerability assessments, crime prevention through environmental design, mass notification concepts, grant resources, and facilitating drills and exercises.
The cost of the training is free, and is open to “anyone involved in the safety and care of our students,” according to a sheriff’s office flier.
Those interested in taking part can register by contacting Cpl. Donald Fly at .
Bilirakis includes Pasco in drug trafficking program
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis has successfully petitioned Pasco County’s entry into the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Program.
HIDTA, as it’s more commonly called, is a federal grant program that provides resources and funds to local law enforcement entities and other authorities in specially designated areas of the United States to address drug trafficking.
“In my congressional district, Pasco County had dozens of oxycodone-caused deaths — some of the highest rates in Florida,” Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, said in a release. “Although serious strides have been made over the past few years, we still have a lot of work to do.”
Being a part of the program, Bilirakis said, means law enforcement officials in the county will have access to funds and resources that will allow them to combat prescription drug abuse and drug trafficking.
Upcoming public hearings in Pasco
For details on Pasco County’s public hearings, visit PascoCountyFl.net. Unless otherwise noted, Dade City meetings are at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave. New Port Richey meetings are at 8731 Citizens Drive.
- Tourist Development Council on Nov. 19 at 10 a.m., in New Port Richey
- Environmental Lands Acquisition Selection Committee on Nov. 19 at 6:30 p.m., at Central Pasco Professional Center, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes
- Development Review Committee on Nov. 20 at 1:30 p.m., in New Port Richey
- Restore Act Advisory Committee on Nov. 20 at 6:30 p.m., in New Port Richey
- Affordable Housing Advisory Committee on Nov. 24 at 9 a.m., at 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes
