Nibbles & Bytes: The Chamber Stays Busy

The Chamber Stays Busy

If you think the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (WCCC) is going to slow its roll anytime soon, guess again.

Since our last issue, the WCCC has hosted ribbon-cutting ceremonies on May 24 at the new Axiom Bank inside the Walmart on Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Blvd. and at the beautiful, new Holiday Inn Express & Suites Tampa North-Wesley Chapel.

This month, the Chamber unveiled its new “Explore Wesley Chapel & New Tampa” video at its Monthly Business Breakfast at PHSC on June 6, held ribbon cuttings on June 5 at Mystic Oaks Dentistry and at The Joint Chiropractic in New Tampa.

(Please note that not all Chamber events are free, although most are open to the public. For info (including all start times for these events), call (813) 994-8534 or visit WesleyChapelChamber.com.)

I also wanted to give a special shout-out to the folks at the new Holiday Inn Express, which hosted one of the best Grand Opening  events I’ve attended, with delicious food from Puff ‘n Stuff Catering and lots of great giveaways (I won two tickets to the Cobb 16 movie theater, where I saw “Wonder Woman,” and a $30 gift certificate to Texas Roadhouse, where I had an excellent NY strip), as well as tours of this beautiful, new hotel located adjacent to Florida Hospital Center Ice.

The Joint Opens!

Even though I had never been adjusted by a chiropractor before I visited the new The Joint Chiropractic, located in the space previously occupied by the Halftime Sports Lounge at 19014 BBD Blvd., in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center Plaza, I’m a true believer now.

The Joint New Tampa is owned by Dr. Edward Leonard, D.C.’s TJ Wesley Chapel PA and managed by Valerie and Alex Pierroutsakos’ VALEX Inc. The Joint welcomes walk-ins and no insurance is needed because the prices are so amazing. New patients pay just $29 for their initial visit for a limited time (when it goes back up to $39), which includes a consultation, exam and a chiropractic adjustment with Dr. Leonard or Dr. Barnabas Bickerton, D.C.

For more info, visit TheJoint.com, call (813) 995-7380 or see the ad on pg. 3.

The Cake Shop Opens!

Congratulations to my new friends Joe and Jana, the owners of The Cake Shop, which opened in May at 20327 BBD in the Live Oak Preserve area, next to Firestone Complete Auto Care.

The Cake Shop naturally has a European flair and feel, as the owners are from the eastern European country of Montenegro, and Jana’s incredible, different-each-day variety of truly gourmet cakes by the slice, square (like the moist, delicious chocolate ice cube in the photo) or the whole cake are beyond compare and made with the highest-quality ingredients.

There also are different-each-day, gourmet cupcakes, gluten-free and egg-free cakes and desserts, plus sandwiches, salads, Lavazza coffee and you should also ask about their awesome custom cakes for special occasions.

You really have to see it to understand it, so please tell Joe and Jana that you saw them in the Neighborhood News, whether you stop in, call (813) 991-8513 or check them out on Facebook or Instagram @TheCakeShopTampa.

Irish 31 & Noble Crust Still On The Way, But…

It seems like new dining options are opening near the Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO) almost every day (e.g., signs for the previously announced Wendy’s and Taco Bell have recently gone up across the street from TPO), but the restaurant question the most people ask me is “Are Noble Crust and Irish 31 still coming to the Shops at Wiregrass?”

The answer is a resounding “yes,” but neither restaurant looks like it will be ready to open by the end of this month, which was the last thing I heard from Noble Crust Wesley Chapel GM Will Perez and founder TJ Theilbar several weeks ago.

Even so, Irish 31, which has existing locations in Westchase, Westshore, at Amalie Arena and Hyde Park Village, all in Tampa, will open its first Pinellas County location on Clearwater Beach and its first Pasco location at Wiregrass, hopefully sometime in July.

We told you about Irish 31, which is owned by former USF football star Jay Mize, before any other news medium, back in January 2016. The Irish 31 at Wiregrass will be 2,800 sq. ft. and will feature the same great chef-inspired cuisine as the other Irish 31 locations. Visit Irish31.com for more details.

Meanwhile, Noble Crust, which had a widely viewed WCNT-tv episode following its second place People’s Choice award at the Taste of New Tampa & Wesley Chapel, has a 4th St. in St. Petersburg location that continues to impress me with its array of delicious Italian cuisine with a southern twist, like the bucatini pasta with beef, lamb and pork meatballs pictured on the previous page. Just get it open, guys!

For more info, visit Noble-Crust.com.

The Gift Box Celebrates 3 Years!

The Gift Box Boutique (17032 Palm Pointe Dr. in Tampa Palms) will be celebrating its third Birthday with a three-day event!

From Thursday-Saturday, June 22-24, purchase any three items at The Gift Box and the third item will be 30-percent off. Come join the fun! Sips and Snacks will be served while you shop!

For more info, call (813) 284-5986, check out The Gift Box on Facebook, Yelp and Instagram or see the ad on pg. 50.

Openings & Closings In New Tampa

There’s been a lot of businesses opening and closing in New Tampa over the past several weeks. Here’s a quick rundown:

‱ Wing Zone has closed in the Publix-anchored New Tampa Center plaza, while the new China One take-out Chinese restaurant has opened next to Leiva’s Jewelers and The Joint (see previous page) in the same plaza.

‱ Tuesday Morning has announced that its store in the Publix-anchored City Plaza at Tampa Palms shopping center will close by the end of June, or whenever the store runs out of inventory. No word yet on when The Fat Rabbit Pub & Grub will open in City Plaza.

‱ Pita’s Republic (in the same plaza on BBD at County Line Rd. as Five Guys and Frogury) will become NY Guys Grill & Smoothie by the end of the month. We were told the eatery will remain open during the transition.

‱ The second location of Precinct Pizza has opened at 10970 Cross Creek Blvd., in the space previously occupied by Zaytoun Grill.

‱ Starbucks has opened in front of the Tampa Premium Outlets on S.R. 56 in Wesley Chapel. —  GN

Kookabuk Lends A Hand

At Benito Middle School, he’s known as Coach Howard, the boys’ basketball coach. He’s also the school’s resource teacher, taking care of computers and networking and setting up technology labs.

Kevin Howard also is now a published author, using his experiences as the parent of a child with autism, to help other people.

“My 15-year-old son, Seth, was diagnosed with autism before this third birthday,” explains Kevin. “At that time, a therapist suggested we create social stories to help him.”

Kevin  — who lives in Cory Lake Isles with his wife, Christina, Seth, and Seth’s younger brother, Joey — explains that the social stories would introduce Seth to typical life situations that could be intimidating for a kid who is autistic. The first book Kevin wrote for his son, for example, was about having his blood drawn.

Benito Middle School teacher and basketball coach Kevin Howard, shown with his wife Christina and their sons Joey and Seth, has written a book to help families with children who are autistic.

“We got pictures off the internet to make this book, and looked at the story over and over again,” he says. “We practiced having our blood drawn together with fake needles. So, when Seth went to have his blood drawn, we had no issues.”

He says it became a valuable tool in his household, so he began writing more stories for Seth, such as about going to the grocery store or the amusement park.

When the family was getting ready for a trip to visit family in New York, Kevin began working on a new social story. He collected pictures of all the things they would do — from packing to sitting on the plane — to the places they were going to go, including his father’s house. After reading the story over and over again, Kevin says, “We went to New York several times before we ever left (Florida).”

In the process of writing that book, Kevin was reminded of his favorite childhood toy, a stuffed monkey named Kookabuk.

“Kookabuk was given to me when I was a little boy and had an extended stay in the hospital,” Kevin says. “He took me on so many adventures. We played, we raced cars, we went on safaris, we had a band
 all these adventures to occupy my time while I was in the hospital.”

So, when he happened to Seth, “You’re going on an adventure,” when referencing the family’s trip to New York, Kevin says it was, “like a light bulb went off. It reminded me of my adventures with Kookabuk, and that’s when the creative juices started to flow.”

He partnered with his brother, Jesse, who lives in New York and is a special education teacher, teaching elementary and pre-kindergarten kids who have a variety of exceptionalities, including autism.

The two worked together to develop stories that would help families. They have self-published the first story in the series, called Kookabuk Shares His Shovel, and have several more stories written and planned for future publication.

“I just love the name,” says Kevin. “I can see the smile on your face when I say it. I want Kookabuk to help other children the way he helped me.”

The series has been thoughtfully developed with characters who are inspired by real life. Kookabuk — or “Kooky,” as Kevin calls him – is the character in the book who is on the autism spectrum. And, he says Kooky’s friend, Emily, was inspired by someone in real life, too. “Emily was the first little girl who became friends with my son,” although both Kooky and Emily are monkeys in the book.

About the character Emily, Kevin says, “She is the model for every typical child when it comes to awareness, acceptance and understanding,” says Kevin, “We want typical kids to see the model of Emily, where we’re showing them how they can have a rewarding relationship with a child with special needs.”

Kevin’s pet macaw, Trevor, appears in the series, too. Trevor became part of the Howard family 20 years ago when Christine convinced Kevin to adopt Trevor. In the book, Trevor shows up whenever the characters are using a strategy that can be helpful to parents and caregivers of children with autism.

“We call it our ‘Best of Help’ tips,” says Kevin. He explains that whenever a specific strategy is being used that parents, teachers and caregivers can emulate, a picture of Trevor indicates to go to the back of the book to learn about the strategy and how to use it.

The tips come from Jesse’s expertise as a special needs educator and what Kevin has learned as the parent of a child with autism.

“We tried to make these tips the things that are going to help you on a daily basis,” Kevin says. “It’s what’s going to help with my kid having a meltdown right now.”

He says the books can be enjoyed by children — both those with special needs and those who are typical — either together with their parents or on their own.

“The response has been very positive,” says Kevin, saying Kookabuk Shares His Shovel has received great reviews, and was recently chosen by the University of South Florida faculty as its “Book of the Month.”

In April, to celebrate Autism Awareness Month, Kevin worked with the Youth Basketball League of Florida to put on an event called, “It’s Kool to be Kooky.” He says the event brought in a lot of sponsorships — including from the Miami Heat and AND1 basketball footwear and clothing company.

The event raised $1,301, which was donated to Focus Academy, a Hillsborough County magnet school for students with special needs, where Seth currently attends.

Kookabuk Shares His Shovel is currently available at Amazon.com. For more info about Kookabuk, please visit Kookabuk.com.

Still Stuck In Traffic On Bruce B. Downs Blvd.? Here’s Another Update!

The Bruce B. Downs (BBD) Segment A widening projecting, for months just a long procession of work trucks, dirt and orange barrels, is now steamrolling towards completion, as drivers begin to notice the new lanes expected to relieve traffic on New Tampa’s congested main thoroughfare.

Segment A, which extends 3.5 miles from Bearss Ave. to Palm Springs Blvd. and has included the widening of bridges over Cypress Creek, is taking shape. The two additional lanes on each side of the road are now visible north and southbound, primarily between Cypress Preserve Dr. and Tampa Palms Blvd. in Tampa Palms (see pictures).

Drivers can now experience all four lanes of BBD northbound from Tampa Palms Blvd.

South of Tampa Palms Blvd., the widening is still taking form as the new lanes-to-be are visible but unpavedjust, although local businesses may soon be rejoicing. And, while there is still construction all along BBD, driveways into restaurants like Acropolis and Mr. Dunderbak’s and further north at businesses like Panda Hugs Child Care Learning Center which have been obstructed or closed for some of the last 10 months, are all but completed.

“There appears to be a light at the tunnel now,’’ said Panda Hugs’ Tom Driscoll. “It’s getting easier day by day. Now, they open it up for a week or two, then block it again. I have no reason other than my gut feeling to say this, but hopefully by the end of June it will be pretty much done.”

The $55.8-million segment is still on target for completion in August, says Jason Boulnois of the Hillsborough County Public Works Dept. Hillsborough’s largest current transportation project, BBD has required 33,000 feet of storm pipe and drainage inlets, 66,000 feet of curb and gutter, 24,600 linear feet of sidewalk, 3,450 feet of water main with 15 fire hydrants and 18,400 feet of wastewater pipe to date.

The remaining work in Segment A to be completed is finishing construction of the median and southbound inside lanes, landscaping, final grading and signs and pavement markings.

Segment D Update

With Segments B and C already completed, the final segment to wrap up the project to convert BBD from a four- and six-lane divided roadway to an eight-lane divided roadway to relieve the area’s infamous traffic congestion is Segment D, a 1.44-mile section stretching from Pebble Creek Blvd. to County Line Rd.

The least expensive portion of BBD to expand, Segment D is a $24.7-million project that is expected to be completed by July 2018 by Prince Construction, LLC.

The first major work has recently begun in the Wharton High area, installing the main stormwater culverts, which are the large cement tubes visible to travelers on BBD.

Now that school is out for the summer, workers may have an easier time with construction. But, the work schedule is unaffected by the school schedule. “Unfortunately, there is limited ability to change the sequence of operations for the work near the high school,’’ Boulnois says. “However, we are in constant contact with the school administration and will schedule work that interferes with traffic with minimal impact to school traffic.”

He adds that the next several months will focus on the installation of underground drainage and utilities. After that, construction of the new southbound lanes will begin, and will begin to show visible progress to BBD travelers.

Editorial: How To Make Driving In Our Area Better

Driving in the rain
Photo by Jannah McDonald

So, your favorite (or not) New York-transplanted editor is back for another rant about driving in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel — and really everywhere in Florida.

I’ve already complained about our self-deputized civilians who refuse to get out of the left lane (because they may be traveling the posted speed limit), despite the fact everyone who wants to drive a normal speed has to pass them on the right — and are still doing it despite Florida’s new law that says you can be ticketed for it. “Slower traffic keep right” isn’t just a slogan.

I’ve also previously explained why dedicated right turn exit and acceleration lanes when going from one major roadway to another are neither yield nor stop signs.

So, here’s Part 3 of this “helping you drive better” series — which I felt was particularly fitting as our recent drought ended and we began the rainy/hurricane season when the calendar turned to June — driving in the rain.

Let’s take a quick quiz on the subject:

1. Whenever you’re driving in the rain, you should:

a.) reduce your speed, b) allow yourself additional braking distance between you and the vehicle in front of you, c.) turn on your headlights if they’re not already on or on auto, d.) all of the above. The answer, as most everyone knows (except those who refuse to turn on their headlights in the rain), is d., all of the above.

2. When are the roads at their slipperiest or slickest?

a.) When it’s been raining heavily all day, b. When it first starts to rain, c.) The roads are always equally slippery, d.) I have no idea.

The answer to that one is actually b., because the oils that build up on the roadway when it’s dry outside rise to the surface and make the roads slicker than when it’s been raining all day and those oils have all been washed away. Sadly, this means that for many people, the answer, until now, was d.

Now for the toughie/trick question (despite the hint in the photo above):

3. When it is raining so hard that seeing the vehicles in front of you becomes difficult, you should:

a) Pull off to the side of the road and have your hazard lights flashing, b) Continue driving, but turn on your hazard lights, c.) Continue driving, but make sure that your headlights are on, reduce your speed and use extra caution or d.) I have no idea.

The “trick” part is that if it’s so bad that you really can’t see the vehicle in front of you, the answer should be a., but very few of us will choose to do that when we’re in a hurry to get to or from work or to a meeting or event that we can’t afford to pull over and wait it out, especially because you’re something of a sitting duck if someone else swerves off the road.

The most practical answer, in that case, is actually c. Those of you who picked b. might as well have picked d., because you are truly clueless — a fact that is re-proven to me almost every time it rains more than a drizzle here.

But, here’s why you don’t turn your hazards on in heavy rain, McFly — your hazard lights are for when you and/or your vehicle are in an emergency situation — you had to pull off the road to change a flat tire, your car breaks down in the middle of the road, etc.

If you’re already driving with your hazards on and your car breaks down (maybe because you’re driving through deep water and your car’s electrical system goes bad), how will the vehicle behind you know that your car has stopped working? The answer is usually by smashing into you from behind, which is normally the rear-ender’s fault, but not in this case.

As indicated on the sign in the photo, Florida law says “Driving in the Rain: Headlights On, Hazards Off,” which means that if you have an accident while violating this law, you would be the at-fault driver.

So, please: read the sign and obey it. Driving in the rain is tough enough without drivers who make up their own laws because they mistakenly think it’s easier to see flashers than it is steady lights.

WCNT-tv Keeps Building!

Check out the ad for WCNT-tv — Wesley Chapel & New Tampa Television — on page 43 of this issue. You’ll see some numbers that I’m very proud of. As of June 9, a little less than a year since we debuted the show — we have reached very close to three quarters of a million people and been viewed more than 350,000 times on YouTube and Facebook.

Our recent Neighborhohood Dining News segments about Little Italy’s Family Restaurant & Catering and Fushia Hot Pot Buffet & Asian Bistro each garnered thousands of views and have generated some new business at both locations. And, I think our most recent News segment about the Diverging Diamond Interchange (see story on page 6) and most recent Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Featured Business segment about American Wood Flooring are among the best work we’ve done to date.

Please view, like & share all of our WCNT-tv segments on YouTube & Facebook!

New Tampa Residents Sound Off On Local Issues At Town Hall

Tampa City Councilman Luis Viera hosted a town hall meeting at the New Tampa Recreation Center in Tampa Palms that attracted roughly 75 local residents who came to discuss a number of issues., especially those related to the traffic in our area.

Town hall meetings are all the rage this days, with the operative word, in too many cases, being rage. Constituents are demanding answers from their representatives, especially regarding healthcare issues, and the disruptions and anger make national news on a seemingly weekly basis.

A New Tampa town hall, organized by District 7 City Councilman Luis Viera and held June 5 at the New Tampa Recreation Center, however, couldn’t have gone any smoother.

“It really shows that people are engaged,’’ Viera said. “The next one we have will probably be even bigger.”

Here are five takeaways:

1. This Was A Good Idea

If you’ve ever wondered what is really bothering people in New Tampa, the town hall, which attracted roughly 75 local residents, including many of the area’s Homeowner’s Association presidents, was a good place to find out.

Outside of the usual complaints about taxes and transportation, those who attended raised a number of issues like trash on Cross Creek Blvd, local commercial buildings looking run down, bank foreclosed property causing a blight in otherwise well-kept neighborhoods and even concerns about the ability of ethnic minorities to worship safely.

This is exactly what Viera says he had hoped for when he scheduled the event. With code enforcement inspector Fred George and Tampa Police Department District 2 shift commander Kevin Schoolmeesters in attendance, some of the simpler questions raised will undoubtedly be answered. Most important, Viera said, was that a majority of those who raised concerns seemed to be satisfied with the answers.

For the bigger, more complicated issues, like transportation and the city budget, it was a step in the direction of creating a unified front when it comes to lobbying city hall for changes. Viera has already formed the New Tampa Council with this idea in mind.

“We need a collective and unified voice,’’ Viera said.

Although Mayor Bob Buckhorn couldn’t make it, his chief of staff, Dennis Rogero, did attend. And, while he didn’t really have any concrete answers for those asking questions, he was certainly enlightening and honest, even if it meant telling people things they didn’t want to hear.

More on that later.

2. The Big Issue

To quote Bob Parker of Heritage Isles, the biggest issue in New Tampa is “transportation, transportation, transportation.”

While Pasco and Hillsborough counties remain at loggerheads over connecting the two at various points between Meadow Pointe and the K-Bar Ranch, traffic is a real concern for local residents along Cross Creek Blvd.

Bob Parker of Heritage Isles tells Luis Viera that trafiic, traffic and traffic are the big issues facing New Tampa.

The City Council recently okayed plans for 400 more homes to be built by M/I Homes in the K-Bar Ranch area. “You should be ashamed,’’ Parker scolded, considering there’s only two two-lane roads in and out of the area.

“I feel like I live on an island,’’ Parker added, “and there are two causeways, Bruce B. Downs (BBD) and Morris Bridge Rd.”

That lack of options is preventing people from getting to hospitals, and making the long drives to work in Tampa unbearable. “It’s killing New Tampa,’’ he said.

Rogero said the city is well aware of the issue. “You are right, you might as well live on an ocean,’’ Rogero said. “We hear the horror stories. That’s one of the reasons I live in South Tampa. We looked here. It’s beautiful up here. But, I didn’t want to add a couple of hours in commute time to my schedule.”

That might be unsettling  — to hear the mayor’s Chief of Staff confess to avoiding our area because of the traffic — but Rogero was honest and admitted he didn’t have any answers.

Viera didn’t expect answers. But the Hunter’s Green resident is advocating for some “incremental” changes.

One that should sound good to residents of Cross Creek “Island,” is a third left-hand turn signal onto Bruce B. Downs at the very busy intersection that Viera said he will propose.

Another possibility that was raised: Putting the controversial East-West Connector back in the MPO.

Jim Davison, who narrowly lost to Viera in the City Council runoff in December, applauded his former opponent for the town hall and the New Tampa Council, and suggested a second town hall, perhaps with a more narrow focus on one topic, like transportation.

Viera said he hopes to hold another one in December.

3. Getting The Short Shrift

Rogero got an earful from local attorney Tracy Falkowitz, who lives in Tampa Palms, about the plight of the New Tampa Rec Center.

Mayor Bob Buckhorn’s Chief of Staff Dennis Rogero explained that the New Tampa Recreation Center expansion isn’t high enough on the city’s priority list to receive funding, while Tampa Palms’ Tracy Falkowitz argued that it should be, due to the amount of money the area provides the city in property taxes.

For the second time in five years last year, the City Council voted to provide funds for a different project – the Cuscaden Park pool in Ybor City – instead of the rec center, even though a $1.5-million, 14,000-sq.ft. expansion of the facility was originally included in recent budget drafts.

Despite spending $3.2 million on renovating the Cuscaden Park pool and re-opening it last August, it was closed again in April for more repairs. It has since re-opened.

“This area has been short-shrifted every year,’’ Falkowitz said. “That money needs to come back. This amazing facility does so much with so little. We want our expansion. Every year that money allocated for here gets sent somewhere else, and it’s my understanding that this year it’s not even included in the budget.

She added, “It constantly sends the message: New Tampa, just send us your money, then sit down and shut up. That’s what we’re all being told. So as the budget guy, what are you doing to make sure the community gets what it deserves and was supposed to be given to us six years ago.” That statement drew the night’s loudest round of applause.

Rogero said, however, that it is a misconception that what an area pays in property taxes, it will get back in enhancements. It is a misconception, in fact, shared by quite a few residents.

“We allocate one big pot of general funding for the priorities of the city, city-wide,’’ Rogero said. “We don’t necessarily try to return dollar for dollar to any particular area. That’s simply not the way property taxation is set up.”

Rogero admitted that there is a need in New Tampa for the expansion — the dance and gymnastics programs have roughly 800 students and the waiting list’s cup runneth over — but as each priority is paid off, “by the time we get to the New Tampa Rec Center on the list, we’re out of money.”

Viera said he wasn’t surprised at all that people remain angry about the rec center. “It’s the reason we held the town hall there,’’ he said. “I think it’s symbolic.”

4. Did Someone Say Secession?

Falkowitz ended her comments by mentioning that instances like the rec center expansion being cut out of the budget is why the subject of New Tampa de-annexing from the City of Tampa came up in the last election (and continues to come up). “What would the city do without the funds from (New Tampa),’’ Falkowitz said, which got at least two people in attendance to clap. “We are very, very unhappy with how we have been treated by city of Tampa.’’ 

“From the city’s perspective,” Rogero replied, “we don’t feel that we’re mistreating New Tampa.’’

There were a few people in the room who didn’t agree with Rogero, including former City Councilman Joseph Caetano, a longtime proponent of New Tampa’s secession.

Viera is strongly opposed to the idea. “I’ve never thought that was a good idea,’’ he said, adding that if people knew what that entailed, they would be opposed, too.

5. Organize & Be Heard

Brad Van Rooyen, who is on the New Tampa Council, and Davison asked a simple question in regards to tax monies – how can New Tampa get the city to pay attention to its needs and to increases services to the area.

Rogero echoed what Viera has been saying, and really, the reason for town halls like this – make your voices heard.

“I have to tell you, it could be that some of you have shown up to the budget meetings,  but I can guarantee all of you haven’t,’’ Rogero said, “because there’s typically less than a dozen people there. I appreciate your emails, and your phone calls, but when it’s a billion-dollar budget and another half billion of capital improvement projects, your city council is looking at an empty room. I can’t tell you what prioritization comes to their minds. I can almost guarantee you, though, it won’t be yours.”

Talk of taxes, transportation, budgets and secession aside, most in attendance seemed to be looking for answers to simple problems, like beautifying Bruce B. Downs – Viera is already talking to officials about getting mowers out to New Tampa more frequently — and local commercial buildings and taking care of bank-foreclosed homes.

George, who admits his code enforcement department is understaffed, encouraged people to call in complaints to (813)-274-5545, because he can’t see everything.

Others remain concerned about the county’s plans to stop courtesy buses for students who live within two miles of their school, which will result in students having to cross over BBD by foot. (Walking pedestrian bridge, anyone?)

Residents seemed pleased with the TPD, and were complimentary about the service they receive, like the visits you can get from officers when you are on vacation just by calling (813) 931-6500. And code enforcement and police requests while on vacation can also be filed via TampaGov.net, the city’s website.