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April 2008 |
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| The Charlotte E-News is distributed by the Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners. If you have any questions or comments please direct them to the Communications & Marketing Department ENEWS@CharlotteCountyFL.com or call 941.623.1092.
HOT
TOPICS Conservation Charlotte - The County moved forward this month to purchase almost 1,800 acres of environmentally sensitive land. The three properties, Thornton key, Deep Creek parcels, and Ryals Ranch, were preserved through funding provided by Conservation Charlotte. Conservation Charlotte is a voter approved program whereby .2 mils of ad valorem taxes are dedicated to preserve environmentally sensitive land. The properties are prime examples of natural Florida habitat and will provide our residents access to native wildlife, pristine creeks and waterways, and open spaces for passive recreational opportunities. Sales Tax Extension - The current 1% local option sales tax will expire December 2008. The Board of County Commissioners voted to ask our residents if they want to extend the tax. The item will appear on the August primary election ballot. At their May 13 meeting, the Commissioners will address specific projects to be funded with the proposed sales tax revenue and the length of the extension. By Florida Statutes sales tax funds can only be used on infrastructure improvements and capital projects. If the extension is approved, the funds can only be used for the specific projects listed. Landfill to Generate Electricity - The County has begun negotiations with a firm to collect methane gas from the Charlotte County landfill. Landfills naturally produce this gas as part of the decomposition process. Once collected, the gas can be used to produce electricity, a source of revenue for the County that could generate $1 million a year, or more, over time. Students Receive Awards for Water Conservation Art - In recognition of Water Conservation Month, the County sponsored a student art contest. Twenty-eight award winning students, grades kindergarten through 12, attended a recent commission meeting with their parents, friends, families and teachers. The students' artwork can be viewed on the County website. Indonesians Visit Charlotte - Our Environmental & Extension Services hosted a group of Indonesian educators. The Charlotte County mangrove restoration project drew their attention as the Indonesians are trying to preserve mangroves in their own community. We are the only community in Florida that has such a program. The visitors spent the day with our Sea Grant Agent touring the restoration areas. The day culminated with a sunset cruise on the Harbor attended by a number of local dignitaries. Mortgage Scams - Mortgage fraud is on the rise in Charlotte County. This is partly the result of increasing problems with foreclosures nationwide as opportunists try to take advantage of those in desperate need. It is also the cause of foreclosures as fraudulent mortgage practices are forcing homeowners into difficult financial situations. If you or someone you know has been a victim of a mortgage scam, please contact the Florida Regional Office of Financial Regulations at 239-338-2445 or the local FBI office at 941-955-3325. To verify if the company you are working with currently has any claims filed against it for fraud, please check on the Florida Attorney General's web site at www.myfloridalegal.com/lit_ec.nsf/investigations. Fertilizer Ordinance Training for Commercial Applicators - Charlotte County recently enacted a Fertilizer Ordinance for the purpose of providing information and guidance on lawn and landscape maintenance for the conserving and protecting Florida’s water resources. All applicators of fertilizer (except homeowners on their own property) must receive training and certification in a Charlotte County-approved Best Management Practices (BMP) Training Program. The Charlotte County Environmental & Extension Services is conducting a Green Industries Best Management Practices Training on Thursday, May 15, 2008, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Charlotte County Eastport Environmental Campus, 25550 Harbor View Road in Port Charlotte (west of I-75 exit 167). If your company applies fertilizer to turf or landscape plants in Charlotte County, you must obtain this certification to be compliant with this new Fertilizer Ordinance. This is the first in a series of Certification Trainings that will be offered to accommodate this requirement. There is a $25.00 fee for the class which includes light refreshments, lunch, up to five CEUs, a certificate of completion, and two decals representing certification for your business. Pre-registration is required by Monday, May 12 as seating is strictly limited. To pre-register for the class contact the Charlotte County Environmental & Extension Service at 941.764.4340. Special Note on Boat Traffic - Due to the TriAmerica Triathlon, Manasota Beach Road and the Tom Adams Drawbridges will be closed to all boat traffic on Sunday, May 4 from 7:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
COMMUNITY EVENTS
TriAmerica Triathlon - The
TriAmerica National Triathlon Series
Tour has selected Charlotte Harbor & the
Gulf Islands as the kick-off location
for its eight-city 2008 Series. With two
days of events at Chadwick Park in
Englewood Beach on the weekend of May
3-4, 2008, the TriAmerica Triathlon is
expected to attract 500-600 athletes and
their family members. Building Safety Week - May 5th to May 11th - This year’s theme, “Building Safety: Where You Live, Work, and Play” encourages all Americans to increase their building safety awareness and take appropriate steps to ensure the places we live, work, and play are safe. During this week from Monday to Friday, May 5th to May 11th, the Building Construction Services Department invites all citizens to stop by their office located at 18400 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte or one of the satellite offices at 7000 Florida Street, Punta Gorda or 6868 San Casa Drive, Englewood and pick up information on all types Building Safety and Hurricane Preparedness. There will be activity books and stickers on safety for children too!
MEETINGS Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners holds its regular meeting at 9:00 a.m. on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month. Land use issues are addressed on the third Tuesday. These meetings are held at the Murdock Administrative Complex, 18500 Murdock Circle, Port Charlotte, Room #119. The Charlotte County Commission meeting room is accessible to the physically disabled. However, if you need assistance or require auxiliary aids and services please contact our office at 941-743-1392. FM Sound Enhancement Units for the Hearing Impaired are available at the Front Desk. If Sound Enhancement Units are insufficient for you, please contact our office TTY # 941-743-1234. To view the agenda for the Board meetings click here: Commission Agenda. The meetings can also be viewed live on CCTV-20, (Comcast Channel 20) or can be viewed via live stream on our website - Streaming Video. A variety of government meetings are archived for on-demand viewing. Check out our inventory here: On Demand Video. Charlotte County has dozens of official meetings and activities each month. For an itemized listing click here: Meeting Calendars.
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