-
- BREAKING
NEWS: JULY 28, 2009
- TECO
TO
CLEAN GAS LINES TONIGHT;
- BLASTS
MAY BE HEARD IN SCC AREA
- By Karen Ryan
- The
TECO Power Plant located on Big Bend Road in Apollo Beach will be
‘blowing out’ its natural gas line pipes this evening
beginning at 5:00 p.m. The gas lines will remove debris and soot
to make way for the install of the SCR System (see Tidbits in
August issue.)
-
TECO’s department of public relations said the blasts
will last anywhere from 5 minutes to one half hour, depending on
debris amounts, and will last until 9:00 p.m.
-
SCC residents should be aware of the possibility the blasts
will be heard within the area. TECO said the blasts sound similar
to sonic booms.
- BREAKING
NEWS-JULY 27, 2009:
- KINGS
POINT SECURITY DIRECTOR NEAL DESCH FIRED BY CRS/KPM; SIX YEAR
EMPLOYEE TERMED ‘INSUBORDINATE’ AMID OTHER ALLEGATIONS
- By Karen Ryan
- After
a two week, day-to-day suspension by employer KPM, Kings
Point’s management firm, Director of Security for Kings Point
Neal Desch was terminated this morning by Frank Surface,
president of CRS, the parent company of KPM.
-
According to sources, Desch met with Surface off-premise
and was given a list of infractions made by fellow employees and
residents. Additional allegations against Desch were made, which
Desch plans to dispute.
-
As Director of Security for 6 years, Desch instituted
KP’s Silver Alert program and revamped its security
department. SCC Free Press
spoke with residents and members of the Kings Point Federation,
all who expressed anger over not having the right to be heard
regarding Desch’s termination. Kings Point residents recently
purchased the property and the Federation hired KPM as the
management company.
-
Many residents stated they should have a voice with what
occurs within their community that they “own.” As one
resident told Free Press,
“We are being railroaded by CRS and KPM and it is unfortunate
that a single KPM employee’s ego got bent out of shape by
Desch and Neal was fired because of it.” Within hours of
learning of Desch’s termination, residents began spearheading
a legal campaign in support of Desch.
-
A contracted employee, Desch was offered a severance
package. The package does not add up financially to compensate a
full contract buyout. According to Free
Press sources, Desch has until 5:00 p.m. today to accept the
severance package.
-
- BREAKING
NEWS STORY: JULY 21, 2009
- KINGS
POINT DIRECTOR OF SECURITY REMAINS SUSPENDED;
- MEETING
DRAWS 200 RESIDENTS IN SUPPORT OF DIRECTOR
- By
Karen Ryan
- At
today’s RFEC meeting 200 residents were present to see if
perhaps they would be given an explanation as to why KP’s
Director of Security Neal Desch was placed on a day-to-day
suspension and to learn the fate of Desch’s future at Kings
Point. Desch has been director for 6 years and the security
department falls under the numerous committees headed by the RFEC.
-
Frank Surface, chairman of CRS and KPM (Kings Point’s
management company), told the crowd that he personally felt he
should be in attendance to explain the situation, but no clear
explanation would be forthcoming. Surface said, “I was asked by
the Federation Board to make a report on an employee. I usually
don’t do this as it is an internal matter. You must remember
that the 106 Kings Point employees are KPM employees, not
Federation employees.”
-
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-
- BREAKING NEWS: SUNDAY, JULY 19, 2009
- KINGS
POINT DIRECTOR OF SECURITY NEAL DESCH SUSPENDED;
- RESIDENTS
PLAN SUPPORT FOR DESCH AT JULY 21 MEETING
- By Karen Ryan
- On
Monday, July 13, 2009, KPM Management placed Neal Desch, Director
of Security for 6 years at Kings Point, on a “day to day
suspension.” Sources told SCC
Free Press Desch was not
given a reason for the suspension, and was told by John Laughman,
KPM’s Director of Human Resources, to vacate the premises
immediately. Witnesses said Desch requested he be allowed to
gather some personal items from his office and was denied access.
Maintenance employees changed the lock on Desch’s office door
and he is banned from the property.
- Residents
to Show Support for Desch July 21
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- BREAKING
NEWS – SATURDAY, JULY 18, 2009:
- SCC
Resident Dave Brown to Receive Senate Award;
- Ceremony
to take place July 24 in Sun City Center
- On
Friday, July 24, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. in the Atrium’s Caper Room
(prior to the South Shore Round Table meeting), Florida Senator
Ronda Storms together with the President of the Florida Senate
Jeff Attwater, will present to SCC resident and community activist
Dave Brown, The Senate Medallion of Excellence Award for
outstanding public service.
-
This prestigious award is based upon Brown’s public
service regarding a number of issues, including flood plains and
back flow valves, that not only affected SCC residents but State
residents, as well.
-
During the ceremony two awards will be bestowed by the
state. Mr. Dorsey from Valrico will be presented the award for his
community services.
-
The entire Sun City Center community is invited to attend
this presentation. Dave Brown has done a great service for
the residents of Sun City Center and is to be congratulated on
receiving this very significant award.
- BREAKING
NEWS, JULY 11, 2009:
- WCI
OFFERS THREE SCC GOLF COURSES FOR SALE
- By
Paul Courter
- Developer
WCI has put three of its Sun City Center golf courses up for sale.
Community Association President Ed Barnes told the CA Board of
Directors Friday he has been informed that WCI is offering for
sale the North Course, Sandpiper, and Caloosa Greens golf clubs.
- The
asking price is $3.9 million. The three courses are being offered
as a package. It is not known at this point whether WCI would
entertain offers for individual courses or facilities, Barnes
said. The Renaissance Club and golf course are not included in the
sale offer.
- Sandpiper
includes, in addition to the golf course, the facilities of the
former Golf & Racquet Club—the clubhouse, restaurant, pool
and tennis courts.
- The
Community Association has the right of first refusal on the North
Course and Sandpiper, but has not had time to consider a response,
Barnes said.
- The
SCC golfing community has been warily watching the North Course
situation, and a task force has been considering the ramifications
of the course’s potential closing or sale.
- The
CA recently offered to open the course to play by non-residents,
but has not yet had a response from WCI. The company is attempting
to structure a plan for survival under a Chapter 11 bankruptcy,
and is believed to be seeking to raise cash from every possible
source.
- SCC
FREE PRESS
will post further bulletins as this developing story unfolds.
-
- CHINESE DRYWALL UPDATE: JULY 11, 2009
- Senator
Bill Nelson: IRS says homeowners with damage from Chinese drywall
may be eligible for tax deduction
- WASHINGTON, D.C. - In response
to a letter by U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida, the Internal
Revenue Service has declared that residents whose homes have been
severely damaged by Chinese drywall may qualify for special tax
deductions.
- Homeowners
may be able to claim a casualty loss on their tax returns if they
have Chinese drywall that emits an unusual or severe concentration
of chemical fumes that causes extreme and unusual damage, the IRS
told Nelson in a letter.
- Generally,
the amount of such a deduction is the difference between the value
of the house before and after the sudden, unexpected or unusual
event causing the damage. In other words, qualifying taxpayers may
be eligible to claim tens of thousands of dollars on their tax
returns for the damage Chinese drywall has caused them.
-
Tainted Chinese drywall has been
found in homes in abundance in Florida and also in 20 other
states. It contains materials suspected of corroding electrical
wiring and components of air-conditioning and other household
appliances.
- The
drywall also is linked to health problems for homeowners and their
families, including respiratory problems and insomnia. Some
homeowners have been forced to relocate and pay for a new home in
addition to the mortgage on their tainted house.
- “This
is coming as some relief to these families,” Nelson said on June
10. “Considering the terrible circumstances they have had to
endure, it’s only right that they are given special
consideration.”
- While
the majority of reports about Chinese drywall come from Florida,
Louisiana and Virginia, problems have proved to be widespread with
reports coming from 18 other states and the District of Columbia,
according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC),
which began investigating in February at Nelson’s request.
- BREAKING
NEWS (JULY 8, 2009):
- STATE
APPROVES GOLF CART CROSSING
- By
Paul Courter
- The
Florida Department of Transportation has given its approval for
golf carts to cross US301 for access to the
Walmart
SuperCenter
. Sun City Center Community Association president Ed Barnes
announced at this morning’s CA board meeting that the FDOT
attorney’s office has issued an opinion that the traffic signal
north of SR674 is a legal golf cart crossing.
- Though
work remains to be done to make the crossing a reality, the action
removes legal obstacles that have prevented SCC residents from
driving their golf carts to the store since its opening in April,
2007.
- The
newly approved crossing is at the Cape Stone Avenue traffic signal
linking the Commonwealth Plaza Office Center, currently under
development, north of the Kings Crossing (Publix) shopping center
and a Hartline park-and-ride lot adjoining Walmart.
- BREAKING
MEDICAL NEWS: JULY 7, 2009
- FDA
Takes Actions on Darvon, Other Pain Medications Containing
Propoxyphene
- The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration is taking several actions to
reduce the risk of overdose in patients using pain medications
such as Darvon and Darvocet that contain propoxyphene. The actions
were taken because of data linking propoxyphene and fatal
overdoses.
-
The agency is requiring manufacturers of propoxyphene-containing
products to strengthen the label, including the boxed warning,
emphasizing the potential for overdose when using these products.
These manufacturers will also be required to provide a medication
guide to patients stressing the importance of using the drugs as
directed.
-
In addition, the FDA is requiring a new safety study
assessing unanswered questions about the effects of propoxyphene
on the heart at higher than recommended doses. Findings from this
study, as well as other data, could lead to additional regulatory
action.
-
“Physicians need to be aware of the risk of overdose when
prescribing these drugs. They should carefully review patient
histories and make appropriate treatment decisions based on the
warnings and directions stated within the drug’s label,” said
Janet Woodcock, M.D, director of the FDA’s Center for Drug
Evaluation and Research. “Prescribers and patients should be
aware of propoxyphene’s potential risks when used at doses
higher than those recommended. Therefore, the FDA is requiring
manufacturers to provide more information to help physicians and
patients decide whether propoxyphene is the appropriate pain
therapy.”
-
To further evaluate the safety of propoxyphene, the FDA
plans to work with several groups including the Centers for
Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Veterans Health
Administration to study how often the elderly are prescribed
propoxyphene instead of other pain relievers and the difference in
the safety profiles of propoxyphene compared to other drugs.
-
Propoxyphene manufacturers are required to submit the
requested safety labeling changes to the FDA within 30 days, or to
provide a reason why they do not believe such changes are
necessary. If they do not submit new language, or if the FDA
disagrees with the language the companies propose, the Food, Drug,
and Cosmetic Act provides strict timelines for discussions
regarding the changes. At the end of these discussions, the
FDA may issue an order directing the labeling changes as deemed
appropriate to address the new safety information.
-
Also today, the FDA denied a citizen petition from the
public interest group Public Citizen requesting a phased
withdrawal of propoxyphene. The agency said in its response that
despite the FDA’s serious concerns about propoxyphene, the
benefits of using the medication for pain relief at recommended
doses outweighs the safety risks at this time.
-
The FDA also noted that it plans to further evaluate the
safety of propoxyphene and will take additional regulatory action
if necessary. Details of this decision can be found at: DrugSafety
-
Propoxyphene has been on the market since 1957. It is a
widely prescribed member of a group of drugs known as opioids and
is used as a treatment for mild to moderate pain. The most
frequent side effects of propoxyphene include lightheadedness,
dizziness, sedation, nausea, and vomiting.
- Consumer
Inquiries: 888-INFO-FDA
- (SCC
Free Press publishes FDA news every issue under the Healthy Living
Section.)
- BREAKING NEWS: JULY 2,
2009
-
- AN OPEN LETTER TO THE
GREATER SUN CITY CENTER COMMUNITY
- Over
the past few months there have been numerous media references
concerning the use of contaminated drywall, particularly drywall
imported from China, in the construction of homes throughout
Florida.
- This
drywall problem has recently surfaced in our Greater Sun City
Center Community. A number of Property and Condo Associations in
both Sun City Center and Kings Point are reporting homes
inspected by WCI have tested positive for the presence of the
defective drywall.
- As
a service to the community, several individual’s representing
Greater Sun City Center have joined together to form the Chinese
Drywall Coordination Group (CDCG). The primary purpose of the
CDCG is to bring this issue to the attention of all homeowners
whose homes were constructed during the known period when
Chinese drywall was used by several builders. Approximately 90%
of the homes containing Chinese Drywall were built in the 2004
– 2007 period. However, there is evidence that Chinese Drywall
was used in the construction of some homes prior to 2004. To
date, there has been no evidence of the use of Chinese Drywall
used in homes constructed prior to 2001. To be on the safe side,
the Group has extended the investigation to include all homes
built after 1999.
- If
your home was constructed during the periods outlined above, the
possibility exists that your risk of having defective drywall
present in your home may be heightened.
-
Signs related to Chinese Drywall as per the Florida State
Department of Health (FDOH) include the presence of sulfur-like
odors, observed corrosion of copper plumbing, premature failure
of air conditioner evaporator coils, the presence of copper
corrosion on un-insulated copper wires, and premature appliance
failure.
- If
you are experiencing any of the signs noted above, you can
request WCI to thoroughly inspect your home (866-425-7880) as a
matter of record and your future protection. Certified
inspectors can also be employed at your personal expense.
-
This is an emerging problem within the past few months
leading to many questions with few definitive answers. The
CDCG’s immediate objectives are to heighten the awareness of
this problem within our community and to compile confidential
information on the distribution of Chinese Drywall.
-
Our purpose is not to recommend but rather to provide our
community with the facts needed to make individual decisions. We
are in the process of establishing a community communication
system for self-reporting and the compilation of information.
This system will also be used for providing updated information
from recognized national and state government agencies and for
providing Greater Sun City Center data on the distribution of
the problem, health and safety impact and issues related to
remediation, and liability. It is our goal to have this system
in place no later than July 15, 2009.
-
This is a problem affecting many aspects of our
community. We believe Greater Sun City Center is well ahead of
the State and National curve in defining the problem and arming
our residents with reliable information.
-
We welcome your support and understanding, and we will
continue to provide you with updates as we receive them. Thank
you.
- Sincerely,
- The
Chinese Drywall Coordination Group
- Jim
Enyart, Roy Glaum, Ron Iannazzi, Ray Glover and
Woody Nelson
- Governor
Signs Florida-Friendly Landscape Bill
- On
June 30, 2009, Governor Charlie Crist signed into law SB 2080. This
law allows homeowners the option to create Florida-friendly
landscapes. Further, HOA’s and ordinances cannot prohibit
homeowners from planting such landscapes.
-
The bill, in part, reads, “A deed restriction or covenant
may not prohibit or be enforced so as to prohibit any property owner
from implementing Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her
land…A local government ordinance may not prohibit or be enforced
so as to prohibit any property owner from implementing
Florida-friendly landscaping on his or her land.”
-
In an effort to conserve Florida’s water, the bill passed
the House and Senate with no objections. Plants that are
drought-tolerant, prevent water runoff, and listed as
“Florida-friendly” can be planted in any landscape setting.
Chinese
Drywall in Kings Point and Sun City Center;
- Homes
built between 2004-07 to Be Inspected
- By Judie McFarland and Karen Ryan
- In
June, the Environmental Protection Agency determined that Chinese drywall,
an inexpensive, imported brand of drywall, was used by WCI in construction
of some new homes within the Sun City Center area between 2004 and 2007.
Areas identified with potential drywall usage are primarily in the
Renaissance area, notably, Bayonne I, Bayonne II, King Leon Way, Siena
Vista Place and Toscana.
-
Another area of concern is Kings Point. Although there are not any
homes currently identified as constructed using the drywall, there are new
homes that fall into that construction timeframe. Two Kings Point homes
built in 2001, not directly related to this recent concern, were
previously identified as being constructed with Chinese drywall and those
homes were re-constructed.
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- WCI
Plans To Leave Bankruptcy Behind
- By
Paul Courter
- WCI
Communities, Inc., has filed a reorganization plan designed to
bring it out of bankruptcy later this year.
- The
plan, filed with a
Delaware
bankruptcy court, would give secured creditors—those with debt
secured by collateral—a 95 percent stake in the company.
Unsecured creditors would own the remaining 5 percent.
- Secured
creditors include major banking institutions holding loans
totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. Unsecured creditors
include subcontractors and other companies who have done work for
WCI.
- “The
filing of our plan is a major milestone in WCI’s restructuring
events and our goal of emerging from Chapter 11 in the third
quarter of 2009,” said David L. Fry, interim president and chief
executive officer. “Under the plan, WCI will emerge as a
deleveraged lifestyle community developer and land holding company
with the flexibility to navigate its business during these
unprecedented times and beyond.
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County
to Hold South Hillsborough Transportation Meeting in July
By
Don Schings, SCC Community Association Director and Corporate
Secretary
Hillsborough
County's Transportation Task Force will be holding a meeting on
July 15 in Sun City Center, along with the Metropolitan Planning
Organization, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, Florida
Department of Transportation, and the Tampa Bay Area Regional
Transportation Authority.
The meeting is being held to discuss various transportation
planning efforts that are ongoing and how to implement and fund
them in Hillsborough County.
Meeting
Focus Transportation in South County
The meeting will be held in conjunction with the
Transportation Task Force’s current work on recommendations for
funding multi-modal improvements for the county. Improvements
being discussed include light rail, rapid bus transit systems,
roadway projects, and bicycle/pedestrian improvements.
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- Sewage
Pipeline Project Set for SCC
-
- By
Dave Brown
- Starting
in December, Hillsborough County will be constructing a major
sewage pipeline alongside SR 674 through Sun City Center. The
county has budgeted $4.8 million for the
pipeline's design and construction.
- According to the county's
project manager, Mark Dillman, the pipe will be a continuation of
a line coming down US 301 from the growth areas to the north.
Once it turns the corner at the intersection of SR674 and
US301, Phase I of the project calls for the 30-inch PVC pipeline
to run westward for about two miles to a lift station behind the
lake across from
South
Bay
Hospital
. A later Phase II
will continue with a 36-inch pipe on down to the sewage treatment
plant west of I-75. Currently,
there is a 12-inch pipeline along the north side of 674 down to
the plant.
- The pipe will be totally
closed for its entire 11,000 foot length.
Sewage will be pumped through it
at around 100 psi. There
will be no manholes or above the ground structures associated with
it.
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- Friends of Uzita Heritage Park
- By
Fred Jacobsen
- The first organizational meeting of the Friends of Uzita
Heritiage Park will be held Wednesday, July 15 from 6-8:00 p.m. in
the large meeting room at the SouthShore Regional Library located
at 15816 Beth Shields Way, off 19th Avenue in Ruskin.
Those interested in preserving the area’s shoreline and wildlife
are invited to attend.
-
The meeting will focus on creating a Hillsborough County Uzita
Heritage Park for all County and SWFWMD properties, plus
the Cockroach Bay Aquatic Preserve from mouth of Little
Manatee River south to HC-Manatee County Line on Tampa Bay. This
area is now managed by separate agencies consisting of the Tampa
Port Authority, Florida Department of Environmental
Protection/Aquatic Preserves/Florida Park Services, Hillsborough County
Parks & Recreation, Hillsborough Community College, Hillsborough
County Planning Commission, Southwest Florida Water Management
District, and Hillsborough County Environmental Protection Commission.
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- Backflow
Valve Notices Delayed
- By Dave Brown
- Several
Sun City Center residents with backflow valves have received
solicitations from valve testers advising them that their yearly
test is due. However, these same residents have not yet received a
notice from Hillsborough County that their test is due.
- The
explanation for the delayed notices is quite simple. There is no
need to panic that drinking water will be turned off before the
County notice arrives.
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