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Digest
Prepare To Pay More For Parking Fines
By TIMES STAFF
Published January 10, 2007
PREPARE TO PAY MORE FOR PARKING FINES Culprits who get caught parking illegally soon might be pinched more in their wallets. County commissioners told county lawyers to begin writing a new law that would raise the fine for residential violations from $10 to $40. Penalties for repeat offenders could also go up. The maximum fine of $260 for parking illegally in a disabled-only spot would stay the same. Jim Turtle, a Holiday neighborhood association leader, told commissioners Tuesday in a Dade City meeting that community groups think illegal parking is getting out of hand. Assistant County Attorney Kristi Wooden said 2,000 citations were written last year. "If that's not effective, then maybe it is too-low fines," she said. Transportation grant staying put Remember that $100,000 grant the city has and the county wants? The city has decided to keep it. City Manager Scott Miller wants to use the grant to help pay for a plan for a downtown parking garage and bike and hike trails. The state transportation grant requires a $100,000 match from the city. Miller said the city will cover it using money left over from the street assessment project. The city lost a $20,000 state grant that could have helped pay for the project. Officials did not realize they had the state funds until county transit officials pointed them out late last year. Because the city had no plan in place for the money, the county asked if it could go toward a proposed bus depot at Southgate Shopping Center. Health Department director confirmed David R. Johnson, a top physician in Florida's environmental health agency, got unanimous support Tuesday from the County Commission to become the county's next Health Department director. Johnson will succeed Marc Yacht, who will retire Feb. 28 after almost 20 years. Johnson said access to health care will be a priority. The 53-year-old has been a doctor for 23 years and has licenses in Florida and Ohio. Holy Ground opens doors for cold snap With temperatures dipping into the 30s and 40s midweek, people needing shelter may go to the Holy Ground Homeless Shelter at U.S. 19 and Denton Avenue. Hot meals and transportation are available. Call Holy Ground at (727) 863-9123. Correction Fitness instructor Nancy Garvey leads a Jazzercise class at World Gym on State Road 54 in Land O'Lakes. A photo caption Tuesday misidentified the gym. . tampabay.com Community news Visit community. tampabay.com for more news in Pasco County and news from around the Suncoast.
[Last modified January 10, 2007, 07:32:38]
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