162 Years Later, It's The Same Old Story

By JOYCE McKENZIE The Tampa Tribune

Published: May 7, 2008

TEMPLE TERRACE - Although Hillsborough County's overall character has changed significantly in the past century and a half, there has been little transformation in residents' concerns.

Following a question-and-answer session from audience members during the Hillsborough County commissioners' town hall meeting Thursday at the All People's Life Center, Commissioner Al Higginbotham proved that point.

"The same issues that were brought before us tonight have been the concerns of citizens for more than a century," he said, waving a copy of the minutes from an 1846 county commissioners meeting.

Taxes, growth and transportation, he said, are topics that have been discussed at county meetings decade after decade.

Pierre Mathurin of East Tampa, one of nine speakers from an audience of about 50 people, expressed his discontent over the progress made in mass transit.

"Hillsborough County is one of the most populated counties in our state and is the size of Baltimore and many other major cities in our nation," he said. "With our expected growth, we must make a commitment on how on we're going to handle the traffic here."

The challenge, Commissioner Mark Sharpe said, is the expense, but he told Mathurin that the county should be able to move forward on the issue by 2010.

"The conversation is being held more and more, but nobody has taken any action before," Commissioner Kevin White said. "But now we're trying to set aside funding for it, and I think we'll be seeing some positive movement forward in mass transit in the next few years."

Tessie Calta, who lives near King High School, asked commissioners why there was no bus transportation from there to Tampa Palms.

"It would open up a lot of opportunities for people to work in Tampa Palms, where there are a lot of restaurants," she said.

Commissioner Rose Ferlita, who is on the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority board, said that because gas prices continue to escalate, HART Executive Director David Armijo is taking a look at providing more bus routes.

Higginbotham, however, pointed out that there are 506 daily bus stops in southeastern Hillsborough County, but that most residents don't take advantage of the service.

"If we're going to have bus transportation, people have got to use it," he said.

The lack of emphasis on recycling, budget cuts and the lack of incentives for struggling farmers - issues not prevalent in the 1850s - were also among the topics of concern expressed by area residents.

Joanne O'Brien said she wants the county to be more aggressive in reusing collected waste, Gerald White would like a Web site created that lists county projects slashed because of the downturn in tax revenue, and Don Balaban suggested the county consider leasing Environmental Lands Acquisition and Protection Program property to area farmers.

"We get so many great ideas from you, so please keep your comments and concerns coming," said Commissioner Brian Blair.

Commissioner Kevin White concurred: "It's people like you who make our community a better place."

Reporter Joyce McKenzie can be reached at (813) 865-4849 or jmckenzie@tampatrib.com.