A historical marker was dedicated to the Bealsville community May 13, sponsored by the Hillsborough County Historical Advisory Council. Bealsville was founded by freed slaves in 1865, after the end of the Civil War. Let’s take a look at two significant black communities in the Plant City area. We have recently come across a 2005 […]
Continue ReadingOWNER’S NOTE: ‘Buy local’ column misses the forest for the trees
In a recent column in Townhall Magazine, Managing Editor Elisabeth Meinecke published a column, titled, “Does Buying Local Hurt the Poor?” In it, she analyzed current proposals for the federal government’s dispensing of food aid to the poor who shop at roadside farmer’s markets. For the record, I agree with the 24,000 Facebook Likes Meinecke […]
Continue ReadingLETTER: Coyotes are not new to Plant City
Dear Editor: I recently read the article about coyotes. Good article, but it made it sound as if this is something new. You might want to update at some point to let the readers know there are lots of coyotes around Plant City, and there have been for years. We built a new house in 1994, at […]
Continue ReadingLETTER: Killing coyotes is not a solution
Dear Editor: I just read your article, “Coyotes sighted in Plant City.” I find it disturbing that one of the first solutions to a lot of people is to kill the animal. I have to agree with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Angeline Scotten that the animals are here to stay and that […]
Continue ReadingPERMACULTURE LIVING: Soil key to garden health
I have observed that many traditional gardeners over-emphasize the importance of fertilizers and chemical pest control when establishing their seasonal garden beds. This ritual of fortifying the bed with manufactured agents to feed and protect the young plants is common wisdom that has been promoted and passed around for quite some time. The gardener inspects […]
Continue ReadingLETTER TO THE EDITOR: WLPOA open to fence solutions
David Hubay’s Letter to the Editor, published Feb. 13, pointed out the shabby appearance of the fence between Alexander Street and East Walden Lake. The Walden Lake Property Owners Association could not agree more. We have been trying to deal with this problem for several years. Unfortunately, there are several issues hindering our efforts. These fences are not […]
Continue ReadingWelcome to the Sixth Annual Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival
It is my distinct pleasure to welcome you to the 2013 Tampa Bay Blueberry Festival. It seems like only yesterday that we hatched the idea for a Blueberry Festival to kick off our blueberry U-pick season here at Keel Farms. The seasons keep passing by, and, believe it or not, this will be our sixth […]
Continue ReadingOWNER’S REPORT: City manager provides sneak peek at luncheon
In a country founded on the premise of federalism, the organizational effectiveness and fiscal health of all levels of government are vital. Under federalism, the United States has three levels of government: national, state and local. Unlike many countries, we divide the important public functions among these levels, so each level can better focus on […]
Continue ReadingPAST & PRESENCE: The story behind HCC’s Plant City campus
The story of the Plant City campus of Hillsborough Community College begins in July 1967, when officials decided the new Hillsborough Junior College would consist of multiple campuses. The master plan for the creation of junior colleges throughout Florida was developed by the state government in 1957. The intent was to alleviate some of the […]
Continue ReadingTALLAHASSEE REPORT: New law would stiffen utility-theft punishments
The 2013 legislative session is under way, and we are hard at work representing District 58, in Tallahassee. I wanted to take a moment to tell you about one of the important issues we are working on this session, which deals with the theft of utility services. Over the years, theft of electricity has become […]
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