Elmer Mack Celebrates a CenturyBy Diane M. Loeffler Do you know a local resident who is one hundred or older? Twenty-two Sun City Center Community Association members have reached or surpassed that number with one born in 1914, one in 1915, two in 1917,...
New HART CEO Discusses Transportation Challenges
New HART CEO Discusses Transportation Challenges
By Bob Sanchez
The South Shore Round Table hosted new HART CEO Ben Limmer at its meeting at South Bay Hospital to learn about possible transportation improvements affecting Sun City Center and surrounding communities. SCC CA president Sam Sudman chaired the meeting.
Limmer said that the transportation surtax may generate from $100 million to $250 million to provide high-quality transportation and expansion of bus services. The surtax is being challenged in court, and he expressed optimism that the suit would be settled in the County’s favor later in the year. Meanwhile, he said, HART seeks public input on how best to meet the public’s needs. SCC CA director Larry Smith noted that all the tax money so far has gone into building bigger roads such as US-301, and Sudman said “wider roads are not the answer.” Ideas discussed included a “circulator system,” which means buses traveling in continuous loops; autonomous vehicles – that is, driverless buses – are being researched, but are nowhere near imminent; and designated bus lanes on highways. Meanwhile, HART has already placed an order for 90 electric buses.
HART cut its bus service to Sun City Center due to low usage, and as one attendee noted, it will take time to build up a ridership mentality. “Do you wait for the demand to be there?” Sudman asked. Contacted later, he wrote “I am optimistic that under new leadership, HART will implement policies that pave the way for better public transportation for the SouthShore area, and SCC in particular. The current population growth in the surrounding area will help drive that. However, the onus is on our members to avail themselves of the public transportation that we have. No agency can continue to fund a service if is not used.”
Elmer Mack Celebrates a Century
Kings Point Garden Club Celebrates Cinco de Mayo
Kings Point Garden Club Celebrates Cinco de Mayo By Paula Lickfeldt The residents of Kings Point have had space near the back entrance, for garden plots since 1990. The garden club has many members and boasts a lot of diversity in their membership. Kings...
May 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!
In this issue… The Photo Club members wow us once again, the SCCCA announces a very important Town Hall meeting; a local Club donates thousands for lifesaving equipment; we visit the reopened Tampa Theatre; make some local Family Connections;...
April 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!
In this issue… Visit the Arcadia Rodeo, laugh and learn with Phoney Baloney, marvel at the blue Angels, enjoy Gazebo concerts, celebrate local volunteers, appreciate Andy Ledoux, take a Nature Break, join a grief support group, explore the...
March 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS!
In this issue… Hear from the newly elected SCCCA Board Members, see who helped SCC residents get their COVID-19 vaccine, get away for the day at Apollo Beach Preserve, mark your calendars for a very special livestream theater event, enjoy a...
The February 2021 NEWS is HOT off the PRESS
In this issue… Get to know the SCC Beautification Corporation, discover who won the SCC Photo Club’s Best of the Best contest, get up to date on local infrastructure projects, stay on your toes with the Ballet Club, explore art and nature at...
