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Fasano says appraisal may lower rate

By Times Wires
Published December 21, 2006

Feeling like Citizens Property Insurance Corp. is charging you too much? State Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, says the answer might be a new appraisal. State-run Citizens sometimes sets the value of insured property too high, he said, causing rates to go up more than they should. Fasano said consumers could obtain a certified appraisal, and if it's lower than Citizens' value for replacing the house, their rates could be lowered accordingly. In one case, it saved a man hundreds of dollars by having the replacement cost set $45,000 lower, Fasano said in a letter to lawmakers and staff members Wednesday.

Vote is today on Target expansion

The county's Development Review Committee will vote today on Target's expansion plan for its Port Richey store. The retail chain wants to add 12,000 square feet to its store at Scenic and Tacoma drives, just off U.S. 19. It won't be a SuperTarget, store officials said in May, just an addition to its current 110,000-square-foot retail space and garden center.

Man gets break on code violations

It's not often that a $15,000 lien is a break, but it was Tuesday for David Lorentsen of Hudson. That's because he racked up $586,800 in fines and interest on building code violations dating to 2000. Small additions and repairs were done as required by 2003, but the fines continued to add up at $100 to $200 daily with interest. Lorentsen blamed the problems on an architect and asked the County Commission for a break. His attorney, Stephen Booth, described him Tuesday as destitute, living on disability and needing a loan to cover any fine. County staffers said they put in 300 hours on the case averaging $50 an hour. So commissioners, noting the waterfront property is valued at $380,000 decided that a $15,000 lien made sense - this time, without interest.

Raffle will benefit community groups

The Little Everglades Steeplechase is extending the reach of its charity arm with a new raffle drawing benefiting several community groups. Tickets cost $10, and winners will be drawn at the March 11 steeplechase. Prizes include a sunset cruise on a yacht, a diamond watch, a steeplechase lawn box and a football and jersey autographed by Buccaneer Ronde Barber. Charity groups will keep $2.50 of every ticket they sell. They include Downtown Dade City Main Street, Saint Leo University athletics and the Pioneer Florida Museum. For information or to sign up a group for fundraising, call (866) 770-5954.

[Last modified December 21, 2006, 07:05:46]