District 7 Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera says that, โBefore last year, New Tampa never had its own (city-hosted) Christmas tree event. Last year, I sought to have both a Christmas and Hanukkah event on the same day.โ This year, the city held its Christmas tree lighting on Nov. 27 and is hosting a Hanukkah event on Monday, December 11, 6:30 p.m., also at the New Tampa Recreation Center (17302 Commerce Park Blvd.).
โThis is all part of the efforts I have been undertaking since 2016 to continue to have an increased connection between our city government and New Tampa,โ Viera says. โIt is important that we get the same dignity and respect as all other parts of the city have.โ
At the Christmas event (l.-r. in photo, above), State Rep. Fentrice Driskell, Viera and his fellow City Council member Lynn Hurtak, Heather Erickson and Tony Mulkey of the Tampa Parks & Rec Dept. and Tampa Palms resident and the eventโs M.C. Tracy Falkowitz were all on hand for the Christmas tree lighting and festivities (photos below).
As for the Hanukkah event on Dec. 11, itโs entirely possible that some of you may not receive this issue โ or may not read it that quickly, even if you do receive it on time โ before that event is held, but Viera says that he wants to make sure that people know his #1 concern for that event is public safety.
โWe are looking forward to a wonderful celebration of this holiday and hearing from community members on what Hanukkah means to them at this time,โ Viera says. โI am acutely aware of the sentiments and feelings of our American Jewish brothers and sisters in this time of increased and immoral anti-Semitism, so we will have security on hand for this event.โ