By MELODY JAMESON
…Skyview HOA
Sun City Center retirees in this long established homeowners association will not have to come up with $5,000, give or take a few hundred, to cover installation of a backflow valve on their master water meter – at least for the time being.
In January, the HOA, comprised of 14 single family homes along Council Drive built in the 1960s, learned its private residences had been labeled commercial property by Hillsborough’s Water Resource Services under WRS interpretation of the county’s backflow ordinance. The ordinance categorizes five or more dwelling units receiving potable water from the public supply through a single meter as commercial property, a provision long considered as describing apartment and condo developments.
Shocked to find their homes classified as commercial and lacking funds on hand to cover such high, unexpected expense, the seniors appealed to others for help, including The Observer which detailed the situation in its March 22 issues. The newspaper sought answers from county commissioners, emphasizing the highly questionable attempt to make an ordinance first drafted in 1994 retroactively enforceable on homes built 30 years earlier. WRS personnel have stated variously that the ordinance can and cannot be applied retroactively.
That same week, Paul Vanderploog, county public utilities director, announced no further enforcement action against the Skyview group and another HOA “until further noticed by the Public Utilities Department”. Vanderploog indicated that notice is contingent on re-consideration of ordinance provisions by his department, county attorneys and Florida’s Department of Environmental Protection.
…Operation Medicine Cabinet
Collection of outdated and unused prescription medications, conducted periodically in the South County by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, is scheduled for 9 AM to noon Thursday (April 5) at Community Hall, South Pebble Beach Blvd., Sun City Center.
Deputy Chris Girard emphasized that only prescription meds can be accepted for disposal by the law enforcement agency. He said the collection process does not apply to over-the-counter formulations or illegal substances.
Those making use of Operation Medicine Cabinet should follow signage to the exact collection site in the Community Hall complex, Girard said. The local semi-annual trade show will be ongoing at the same time in the complex.
…SCC Trade Show
Some 70 vendors are expected to take part in the spring trade exhibition sponsored by the SCC Chamber of Commerce from 8 AM to 2 PM Thursday in Community Hall, said Dana Dittmar, chamber executive director.
Those visiting the show will be able to register for a $10,000 cash award being put up by Air Rescue, an air conditioning and heating contractor, and for a weekend for two on Treasure Island, including hotel and meals, she added. The weekend get-away will be presented at the end of the exhibition and the cash award is to be made later in the year at the end of the area trade show season, Dittmar noted.
In addition, Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections personnel will assist newcomers with registering to vote in the upcoming local and national elections and the latest version of the local golf cart handbook with maps defining legal golf cart pathways will be available.
…Balm Post Office
Slated for closure a year ago as part of a U.S. Postal Service plan to save money by eliminating and consolidating facilities, the historic, century-old Balm P.O. has not been added to the agency’s hit list.
While the agency has named hundreds of postal stations across the country as potential closures and has eliminated a number of facilities in Florida, the little post office which has been the heart of its community business for many decades and was vigorously defended by Balm residents has escaped the budget axe to date.
Plus, USPS Spokesperson Debbie Fetterly told The Observer this week, a moratorium on closures now is in effect as the agency tries to work out an alternative plan to help it survive a heavy debt burden.
Copyright 2012 Melody Jameson