May 2008

 www.CharlotteCountyFL.com
 

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

Sales Tax Extension: The local option sales tax has been placed on the August 26 ballot.  For information regarding the proposed extension, the projects to be funded, and a report on projects funded since 1994, visit the County website at www.CharlotteCountyFL.com and click on the penny.

Scrub Jay Areas Have Expanded:  As per the County's agreement with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the most recent review  by USFWS determined that the Scrub Jay areas in Charlotte County have expanded.  Our on-line Scrub Jay database has been updated with these new boundaries as created by USFWS.  Property owners and builders should check the database (click on Territory Search) to determine if special USFWS permitting will be required before construction.

County Supports Green Construction - We are very pleased to report that one of our Building and Construction Services (BCS) employees, Julia Galofre, Plans Examiner, has received certification in Green Construction from the Florida Green Building Coalition.  We understand that she is one of the first specialists in Southwest Florida to receive this certification.  Green construction encourages energy efficient and environmentally responsible building practices.

Mangrove Restoration Attracts Attention - Our Sea Grant agent, Betty Staugler, learned this month that she is the recipient of an award from the Florida Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (FANREP).  The Sea Grant agent will receive the Individual Program Leadership Award for her work coordinating the mangrove restoration project in Charlotte Harbor.  We are the only community in Florida that has such a program. In last month's E-News we reported that the County's Mangrove restoration project was visited by a group of Indonesian educators who hope to bring the techniques used in Charlotte County back to their own communities.

Hurricane Season Starts June 1 - Time to look over your hurricane supplies!  Replace water, batteries and other short-life items.  Know your zone, storm surge zone that is.  Be aware of your home's elevation and listen to local media outlets for evacuation information pertaining to your particular zones.  For complete hurricane information visit the County's Emergency Management web pages.

Your Thoughts?  -     What are your feelings about historic preservation?  Should we protect and/or restore our historical buildings and  archaeological sites? To help guide us in updating Charlotte County’s Historic Preservation Ordinance and the Historic Preservation Element of Charlotte County’s Comprehensive Plan please answer a few questions on our on-line survey.

United Way Campaign - Charlotte County employees have been recognized by United Way for being in the top three companies in the county for giving this year.

COMMUNITY EVENTS

School is Out - Summer Camp is In! - The Recreation Division provides an outstanding menu of programs for school age children held during the summer months. These age-appropriate programs offer activities that are designed to bridge the summer months and provide our children with intellectual and physical challenges to keep them sharp and active over the summer vacation. Registration can be done by eExplore found on the County website CharlotteCountyFL.com or a registration forms can be found at recreation centers and libraries andmailed in.  

Nature Walk: Amberjack Environmental Park - Join a guided nature walk at Amberjack Environmental Park on Saturday, June 7, 2008 from 8:30-10:30 a.m.  Amberjack is a 220 acre environmental park made up of unique oak scrub, pine flatwoods, marshes and other natural areas. Join our Environmental Specialist to explore the old growth hammocks and birds around Lemon Lake.  Amberjack is located near the end of Gasparilla Pines Boulevard off of C.R. 775 (Placida Road). Meet at the end of Gasparilla Pines Boulevard. Sturdy walking shoes that can get wet, sunscreen, and drinking water are recommended. For more information, call 941.625.7529.

Tampa Bay Rays - Join us at Charlotte County Day at Tropicana Field in Tampa.  Come out and enjoy the day as Charlotte County residents are given special recognition.  Free Rays backpack and back-to-school pack to the first 7500 kids 14 & under.  To purchase tickets at the special Charlotte County prices, go to www.RaysBaseball.com/CCDAY and enter promo code CCDAY or call 888-FAN-RAYS.

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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