Reservoir at popular park needs $2-million in repairs
By MICHELLE JONES and JANET ZINK
Published June 13, 2003
TAMPA - The Hillsborough County Commission on Tuesday agreed to explore ways the county can help pay for maintenance and necessary improvements to the Medard Reservoir. The 30-year-old structure needs more than $2-million in repairs, Southwest Florida Water Management District operations manager Gary Kuhl told commissioners at their land use meeting.
Swiftmud owns the reservoir, which is southwest of Plant City. Hillsborough County operates it and the surrounding land as a 1,200-acre park. It's the second most-used park in the county.
Kuhl asked for permission to meet with the Public Works Department about widening a culvert under Turkey Creek Road that would catch water in case of an emergency overflow. He also asked for the county to consider a "minimal but mandatory" entrance fee. Currently, payment to enter the park is voluntary.
Summit will prepare to map Riverview's future
RIVERVIEW - Preparation of a Riverview Community Plan begins with a planning summit from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday in the cafeteria at Riverview High School, 11311 Boyette Road.
The plan is intended to guide local development patterns and address quality-of-life issues in the Riverview area.
For details, contact Lisa Kramer at 273-3774, ext. 329 or at kramerl@plancom.org
Ruskin group meets for first time on local plan
RUSKIN - The Ruskin Community Plan Working Committee will hold its first meeting at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Ruskin Neighborhood Service Center, 201 14th St. SE.
More than 75 people volunteered to be on the working committee at the Ruskin Community Plan public meeting in May. The meeting is open to the public.
Military, rescue workers invited to flag ceremony
VALRICO - Military personnel, firefighters, rescue workers and anyone who has served or is serving in uniform is invited to a flag ceremony on Saturday.
The ceremony will be at 10:30 a.m. at the entrance of the Lake Shore Ranch subdivision on the corner of Wheeler and Seffner-Valrico roads.
Residents in the community combined their money with a $1,500 mini grant from Hillsborough County to erect the flag, which will be a permanent fixture at the entranceway.
Support came from Turf Grass for the landscaping around the pole, a discount from Florida Flag and Pennant on the flag plus a free flag pole and installation, assistance from Manatee Electric and Advance Rental Service loaned the community a trench digger.
"And, a lot of equity sweat from people in the subdivision for the digging of the trench for the electricity for the lighting," said Sean M. O'Neill who lives in Lake Shore Ranch.
According to O'Neill, homeowners submitted ideas - including using the money for a basketball court - but the flagpole won out.
"The flag was a unifying patriotic decision," he said.
