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Activist Wants Bay Protection

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 26, 2009

SUN CITY - Gus Muench contributed to the tens of thousands of propeller scars that pock the seagrass beds in Cockroach Bay. He readily admits guilt.

As a blue crabber in the area for 32 years, the guilt finally got to him in 2006, he said. He hung up his traps and built himself a bully pulpit.

These days, he's a lone voice on the shoreline pushing for a new designation for the stretch of brackish water between the Manatee County line to the south and the Little Manatee River to the north.

He wants to call it the Uzita Reserve, after an Indian village that once occupied the shores there. Doing so, he thinks, could bring awareness to the bay and grant money for educating people about how to keep it healthy.

"We need to put more significance on the area," Muench said.

Not everyone thinks his plan would make a difference.

"The key to making anything work down there is enforcement," said Tom Ash, general manager of environmental restoration for Hillsborough County's Environmental Protection Commission. "Without that, I'm not sure a name change would accomplish anything. You can call it whatever you want."

Yvette C. Hammett

Bern's Park Plans Are Moving Ahead
HYDE PARK - City leaders have good news for people in this South Tampa neighborhood: Plans for Bern's Park finally are moving toward fruition.

The first phase of the project includes laying sidewalks, installing a fountain donated by David and Chrisi Laxer and placing 15 benches within the park. Work should begin in mid-March and be completed by August.

The triangular area at Howard, Hills and DeSoto avenues originally was named Luna Park. In 2003, then-mayor Dick Greco renamed it Bern's Park after Bern Laxer, the owner of Bern's Steak House, who died Aug. 31, 2002.

The city earmarked $220,000 for park renovations, including lighting, irrigation, a fountain and median landscaping on DeSoto. The Historic Hyde Park Neighborhood Association agreed to contribute about $20,000.

A second phase of work remains conceptual. Generally it includes columns, and a wall and sign similar to that of Kate Jackson Park, which was an inspiration for design elements for Bern's Park. It also has native plant landscaping in the park and in a right-of-way where some pedestrians now cross Howard Avenue illegally.

A bus stop at DeSoto and Howard remains in the plan.

Feedback on the project's second phase may be submitted by Jan. 30 to laurie.potier-brown@tampagov.net or faxed to (813) 231-1339.

Jamie Pilarczyk

A Feast Ahead Of FCAT Stress

TOWN 'N COUNTRY - If it smells like garlic and tomatoes at Pierce Middle School, it must be time for the FCAT.

Pierce, at 5511 N. Hesperides St., eases its students into the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Tests with a spaghetti dinner that has become tradition for families, teachers and school board members. This year's dinner is the 11th, and is from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday.

Tickets are $5 each, which benefits the school. Most of the food is donated.

Cooking begins earlier in the week, with Principal Victor Fernandez helping out in the school kitchen. Hundreds usually turn out, said Mary-Alice Kelley, Pierce's career specialist.

The dinner gets families together and educates them about the upcoming FCAT, which starts with a writing test Feb. 10 to 12 and reading, math and science portions in March.

For information, call Kelley at (813) 872-5344.

Courtney Cairns Pastor

Mentoring Class Offered Saturday

TAMPA - A free workshop to help those young and old become effective mentors to youth is planned by the Jim Walter Partnership Center.

The class, for ages 15 and older, will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the University Area Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St. It will include information on how to work with nonprofit boards and how to be an effective leader and listener.

Information and registration is available at www.jwpc.org or by calling Peggy Dorvil at (813) 974-5709 or e-mailing her at pdorvil@cas.usf.edu.

Lenora Lake

Nova Planning New Program

TAMPA - Nova Southeastern University plans to offer a new anesthesiology assistant program in Tampa. It's the first of its kind in the state, said Nova spokesman Ken Ma.

Anesthesiology assistants work as part of a team with anesthesiologists in hospitals and surgical centers. There's a high demand in Florida for professional anesthesiologists, said Richard Davis, dean of NSU's College of Allied Health and Nursing. Salaries start at $120,000.

The 27-month program will begin in June at NSU's education center, in Sabal Park, off Interstate 75 and Falkenburg Road. The center offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees in education, business, psychology, school guidance counseling and speech-language pathology.

For information, call (813) 740-2481.

Lindsay Peterson

Little Anglers Get Shot At Big Catch In Plant City

PLANT CITY - Children ages 5 to 15 are invited to participate in a youth fishing derby Saturday morning in a pond behind the Randy L. Larson Softball Four-Plex at 1500 S. Park Road.

The participants compete for awards in such categories as largest and most fish. There are no fees but participants must be bring their own poles and bait, and be accompanied by an adult.

Early registration is preferred and is available through Jan. 29 at the Planteen Recreation Center, 301 N. Dort St., or the recreation and parks administrative office, 1904 S. Park Road. Participants can also register on site from 7 to 8 a.m. the day of the event.

An information/registration form is available at www.plantcitygov.com, or contact Recreation Program Manager Deborah Haldane at dhaldane@plantcitygov.com or (813) 659-4200 ext 4343.

Dave Nicholson

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