Hillsborough sets new rules for crematories

By Times Staff Writer
Published December 14, 2007

TAMPA

It took eight months, but Hillsborough County has settled on how to make crematories better neighbors on Thursday.

County commissioners have approved new rules for crematories during an Environmental Protection Commission meeting. They require operators of crematories (of which there are nine in the county) to be trained by certified professionals and for the businesses to maintain their units in a manner prescribed by the manufacturer.

Also, commissioners approved giving residents better notice when a crematory plans to move into a neighborhood. The board opted not to have the county test equipment and emissions. The leaner regulations pleased Commissioner Jim Norman, who said he had been "frightened we were going to build another arm of the agency."

CLEARWATER

For first time in years, mayor has opponent

The race to become Clearwater's top elected leader kicked off Wednesday night with the city's first mayoral forum in almost a decade.

Former Clearwater Mayor Rita Garvey and incumbent Frank Hibbard spent two hours at the Clearwater Beach Recreation Center answering questions about the waterfront, downtown, Scientology, taxes and the Community Development Board.

The Jan. 29 election marks the first time a Clearwater mayor has been challenged since Garvey faced two candidates in 1999.

After years of being out of the political spotlight, Garvey, 62, conceded she had a lot of catching up to do on city issues.

Hibbard, 40, who is seeking his second three-year term, said the city has "unfinished business" and faces "interesting times as far as the budget goes."

[Last modified December 13, 2007, 23:13:02]