PAGE 2 - July 28, 2010
The Newscaster - Nature Coast News
Trial begins to allow dogs on walking
Pet Patrol
trails at  up the signs in two county parks to begin a 90-day trial
two county parks
County workers have put
program to let dogs be walked on leashes on walking trails in those parks.
The two parks are Central Ridge District Park on County Road 491 west of the
Holder/U.S. 41 intersection and Floral Park, just south of Floral City Park off U.S. 41. The
commission recently voted to allow a trial to let dog owners walk their dogs daily from 7
a.m. to 9 a.m. and from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the walking trails. Numerous citizens’
requests prompted county staff to propose a trial.
Parks and Recreation Manager Rafael Del Valle noted there are rules pet owners
must follow. Only dogs can be walked, and the dogs must be leashed at all times and remain
on the walking trails.
Most important to the success of the trial, he said, is the rule that owners clean up
“My name is Lola and I am a 5 yo s.f. ‘deer
after their pets. Also all dogs walked in the parks must be spayed or neutered, have their
type’ Chihuahua type. I am a classy, all
shots, and be properly licensed.
white with a beautiful dark colored head
Dogs are prohibited from fields, playgrounds, courts, restrooms and picnic facili-
and a spot on one side. I am a little shy at
“Tipper” is a 6 mo old female, Golden Re-
ties in the parks. All the rules are posted on signs on the trails next to doggie waste stations
first, then very friendly and an active little
triever / Black Lab mix puppy. She is black
where owners can get waste bags if they don’t have any, and where they can also dispose of
girl. I have been specially trained to papers,
with one white foot. She is wormed and
the bags. After a 90-day trial, county staff will report their findings back to the commission.
so my past elderly owner did not have to
current on her shots. She is still growing
Citrus County administrator cuts
walk me outside. If you are within these ,
and developing. She has lots of “lab” en-
please, phone my  AHSCFPRInc, foster
13 employeesThorpe new budget budgeted
in announced that 16 currently
ergy. For more information, contact us at
mom Donna, 352.527.9050.
our WAG telephone number 352-528-9888 .
FWC offers gator-hunting classes
Citrus County Administrator Brad
positions supported by property taxes are being eliminated from the various county commis-
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is offering al-
sion departments. The cuts are reflected in the new budget he has sent to commissioners.
ligator hunters no-cost, three-hour classes to help them prepare for the Aug. 15 - Nov. 1
The net loss in county personnel is 13. In Thorpe’s continuing reorganization of
statewide alligator harvest. Reservations are not required to attend a class.
commission staff, he replaced three of the 16 positions with new positions, while one was
Attendance is not mandatory for licensed hunters, but the FWC recommends that
moved over from the clerk s office, making it negligible to the total budget.
participants attend, especially if they have not previously hunted for alligators. Class topics
The reduction in positions was effective Friday, with the employees being given
include preparing for the hunt, hunting techniques and safety, harvesting and processing,
two week’s pay and a month of health insurance. Friday’s reduction makes a total of 76 posi-
caring for your alligator hide and alligator hunting rules and regulations. Also, persons who
tions supported by local taxes that the county has cut over three consecutive budgets. That
do not have an alligator harvest permit can attend if they want to learn what hunting alliga-
amounts to a 14 percent decrease in personnel over those budgets.
tors is all about.
Thorpe said, “It deeply saddens me again to have to cut more personnel, but we just
Classes will be offered at the following locations: July 31 (Saturday), 1-4 p.m.,
don’t have any choice with the reduced tax revenues.”
Dania Beach, IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way. For direc-
The employees terminated will have preference in re-employment for county po-
tions, call 954-922-4212. Aug. 4 (Wednesday), 6-9 p.m., Gainesville, Paramount Plaza
sitions that come open. The cuts are expected to save about $750,000 in the budget and
Hotel and Suites, 2900 S.W. 13th St. For directions call 352-377-4000. Aug.7 (Saturday),
were among a number of cost-saving measures used to balance the administrator’s proposed
1-4 p.m., Bradenton, Bradenton Municipal Auditorium, 1005 Barcarrota Blvd. Aug. 8
budget. The $217 million total budget for the fiscal year 2010-2011 that begins Oct. 1 is an
(Sunday), 2-5 p.m., Okeechobee, Okeechobee County Civic Center, 1750 U.S. Hwy 98
11.2 percent decrease over the current budget. The budget reduction was necessary as both
North. For directions call 863-462-5195. Alligator trapping “agent” permits are available
property tax and other revenues declined significantly for the second year. The gross taxable
for $52. Agent permits enable permit holders to assist a licensed trapper in taking alligators.
value of the county tax roll decreased for the second consecutive year -- 4.1 percent for the
upcoming budget -- necessitating another round of budget cutbacks. The decline has been
Pioneer Precision Metals
22.3 percent over the past three years. Ad valorem taxes have declined from $82 million in
fiscal year 2008 to $62 million for 2011.
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