A new Web site shows off the city's beaches and attractions. Promotions for other Pasco cities are on the way.
By MELIA BOWIE
Published June 2, 2003
HUDSON - When high school teacher Dave Tamm got a job in Pasco County a couple of years ago, he began the hunt for a home.
After enduring Michigan's frigid winters, he wanted something warm and by the water - and something he could afford on a teacher's salary.
He found Hudson.
"I discovered the community by accident," said Tamm, a geography and history teacher at J.W. Mitchell High in New Port Richey.
Now Tamm is working with Pasco County's tourism department to launch a series of custom Web sites to promote the communities of New Port Richey, Dade City and more.
"It's kind of like a full-color Yellow Pages," he said.
First to be finished is www.hudsonfla.com which has been endorsed by the county as Hudson's official Web site.
Working to develop the site with partner Mike Kill and students at Pasco-Hernando Community College, Tamm paid about $600 for the domain name and space.
The impetus for the site was the lack of a shared identity in Hudson, said Tamm, 25.
"The community doesn't have a city hall or a municipal administration and sometimes that makes people feel pretty disconnected. I want to link people up," he said. "Maybe it will become a touristy place."
The site offers photo illustrations and links to Hudson's canals and beaches and restaurants. It has sections detailing the community's history as well as a business directory.
"Some people in Pasco don't even know there's a beach here," he said. "When they see this, it shows them that if they keep it neat and clean, it can be really nice."
Resident home pages, community news and forums are featured as well.
Pasco County officials said Tamm approached them about the site a few months ago and has offered to do work on future ones for free.
Although cities such as New Port Richey and Dade City have municipal sites, they focus on issues like taxes and codes, Tamm said. His sites will emphasize the character and culture of each community.
"I want people to use it not only as a guide," Tamm said. "I want it to be something that people here who live here can call up their relatives and say: "This is where I live."'
- Melia Bowie covers business in Pasco County. She can be reached in west Pasco at 869-6229, or toll-free at 1-800-333-7505, ext. 6229. Her e-mail address is bowie@sptimes.com
