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Bay Crest Talkin' Taxes, Canals

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By ANGELA DELGADO

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 4, 2008

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - Property taxes, canal dredging and minipark dedications were the topics of the night at the quarterly Bay Crest Park Civic Association meeting.

More than 50 people attended the meeting Thursday night at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church Family Center, 6100 Memorial Highway.
Hillsborough County Property Appraiser Rob Turner spoke to attendees about Amendment 1 and how it affects homeowners' taxes, board member David May said.

"He's like a teacher," said meeting attendee and Bay Crest Park resident Jack Peel about Turner. "He explains things very slowly and carefully. He's always good to have. That was informative."

Sweetwater Creek resident Jack Berlin followed Turner with his plea for help from the community. Berlin has been going before county commissioners for years, seeking to get a waterway cleaning project started.

"He stressed that the more involvement from the community we have, the better chance we have of the board doing something," May said.

Along those lines, Save Our Canals president Brian Garry talked about the 39 inlet filtration baskets installed in the Bay Crest community and how the organization is seeking grants to acquire more baskets, May said.

In February 2006, after a two-year effort, the Save Our Canals group succeeded in installing the baskets, which prevent garbage and pollutants picked up by stormwater runoff from ending up in the canals that drain into Tampa Bay.

The baskets work on centrifugal force and hold up to 350 pounds of debris. The carbon fiber collar surrounding the rim of the baskets absorbs oil, grease and antifreeze.

The baskets were installed thanks to a Pollution Recovery Trust Fund grant for $41,000. They were maintained for the first year by Suntree Technologies, the company that installed them.

After those talks, the minipark at the end of Bay Crest Drive was dedicated. It will be called Peel Park in honor of residents Jack and Lynette Peel "because of all their years of hard work and dedication to our community," May said.

"They did surprise Lynette and me with that," Jack Peel said the next day. "Of course I was pleased. I just appreciate the recognition."

Association members learned that the community yard sale was a success, May said. This year it took place May 15, but May said it may be moved to the fall. Also, the Bay Crest Park Summertime Slam was a hit, with 24 boaters taking part in the event.

Reporter Angela Delgado can be reached at (813) 865-1501 or adelgado@tampatrib.com.

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