Pebble Creek Family Dentistry: Five Years Of Keeping New Tampa Smiling

patel-webBy Anu Varna Panchal

During his long commute from his home in Dade City doing his undergraduate studies at the University of South Florida (USF) in Tampa, Vijay Patel, D.D.S (Doctor of Dental Surgery), says that he used to drive right through the beginnings of what was shaping up to be New Tampa and that he could tell it was going to be something special. And, sure enough, by the time he had become a practicing dentist and was ready to start his own practice, Dr. Patel knew exactly where he wanted to settle.Continue reading

Montelione Considers 2016 Run For Dist. 63 Seat

dist 63By Matt Wiley

Lisa Montelione’s second term as the District 7 Tampa City Council member has just begun, but murmurs have arisen about a possible bid to take on Dist. 63 Rep. Shawn Harrison (R-New Tampa, see story on page 4) for his seat in the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee in the 2016 election. Rep. Harrison also served two terms on the Tampa City Council representing New Tampa, before taking a run at what is now theΒ  Dist. 63 seat in 2010. He was followed by fellow New Tampa resident Joseph Caetano in 2007, who lost to Montelione in 2011.Continue reading

Rep. Shawn Harrison Recaps The Legislative Special Session

Dist. 63 State Rep. Shawn Harrison represents New Tampa in Tallahassee.
Dist. 63 State Rep. Shawn Harrison represents New Tampa in Tallahassee.

By Rep. Shawn Harrison

In the 2015 Florida Legislative Special Session, the State House and Senate came together to pass a $79-billion budget that includes $400 million in tax cuts, returning money to the pockets of hard-working Floridians, and of special note, extending the normal, three-day β€œBack to School” sales tax holiday to 10 days. The 2015-16 budget allocates a record-breaking $19.7-billion in funding to Florida’s public schools, approximately $7,097 per student. It was my pleasure to serve on the House K-12 committee, looking out for our New Tampa public school students.Β Continue reading