Caution! Widening Of Commerce Park Blvd. In Tampa Palms Is Under Way

By Matt Wiley

In anticipation of increased traffic at the Commerce Park Blvd. end of the New Tampa Gateway Bridge when it is completed in early 2013 (it will link New Tampa Blvd. in West Meadows to Commerce Park Blvd. in Tampa Palms), crews have begun work on the widening of Commerce Park Blvd. The lone roadway to both Liberty Middle School and Freedom High will be widened from two lanes to four lanes, from where it currently dead-ends at the student and staff parking entrance to Freedom to just south of Primrose Lake Circle, says City of Tampa transportation manager Jean Duncan, P.E.Continue reading

Editorial โ€” My Take On The Election & Floridaโ€™s Amendments

by Gary Nager

As Iโ€ˆdo every presidential election season, Iโ€ˆwatch and pay close attention to all of the candidate debates before making my choice of who Iโ€™d like to see (and endorse here to) become the next U.S. President โ€” and thereโ€™s no doubt that the three presidential debates between former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama, as well as the vice-presidential jousting match between current V.P. Joe Biden and Congressman/candidate Paul Ryan have given me a lot of food for thought.Continue reading

Editorial โ€” My Take On The Election & Floridaโ€™s Amendments

by Gary Nager

As Iโ€ˆdo every presidential election season, Iโ€ˆwatch and pay close attention to all of the candidate debates before making my choice of who Iโ€™d like to see (and endorse here to) become the next U.S. President โ€” and thereโ€™s no doubt that the three presidential debates between former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama, as well as the vice-presidential jousting match between current V.P. Joe Biden and Congressman/candidate Paul Ryan have given me a lot of food for thought.Continue reading

Know What Youโ€™re Voting For In November: Floridaโ€™s Amendments Deciphered

By Matt Wiley

As the Tuesday, November 6, Presidential Election approaches, registered voters in New Tampa have a lot to decide. In addition to voting again for U.S. President, a U.S. Senator and several other major local offices, there also are, according to the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Office (HCSEO), eleven proposed amendments to Floridaโ€™s Constitution that also will be in front of our local voters when they enter the voting booth, and it really is important to know what checking โ€œYesโ€ or โ€œNoโ€ really means when it comes to these proposed Constitutional amendments.Continue reading

Four Years After Hazing Death, Kowiak Family Raises Awareness In D.C.

By Matt Wiley

Itโ€™s been four years since the sudden, tragic death of New Tampa resident Harrison Kowiak, but his family continues to fight to end โ€œhazing,โ€ which they know to be the cause of Harrisonโ€™s death โ€” and the deaths of numerous other college students over the years. Harrisonโ€™s mother and sister recently brought their battle to Washington, D.C., to support legislation to help end hazing in fraternities nationwide, if possible.Continue reading