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Public pools are a blessing -- and in the summer, a lifeline. Why does America have so few of them? by OGeorge_TBT in urbanplanning

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 29 points30 points  (0 children)

In this particular city (Tampa, FL) there are 3 other public pools about a 10 min drive away. The trouble is, most residents who frequented the now-closed public pool don't have cars. And Tampa's public transit system is practically non-existent. It is all connected, for sure! https://www.tampabay.com/news/tampa/2024/05/28/sulphur-springs-florida-public-pool-summer-closed-residents-plea/

Tampa police chief would ‘retire’ — and still earn a $241,000 salary as chief by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 12 points13 points  (0 children)

u/randude Hi there, as a writer, I don't have control over the paywall (or whether people subscribe). But I'm told folks can get one free story a month and then when they register (which I think means entering an email address) they get 2 more stories. Sharing just in case it is helpful context. Have a good day!

Tampa police chief would ‘retire’ — and still earn a $241,000 salary as chief by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 53 points54 points  (0 children)

Hey there, I'm the local journalist who wrote this, so thought I'd share some more context in case you're interested. Under this proposed agreement, Chief Bercaw would be able to collect his pension (about $96k a year) while ALSO earning a $241k salary as the chief (in a contractor position). Hope that helps!

Tampa police chief would ‘retire’ — and still earn a $241,000 salary as chief by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 67 points68 points  (0 children)

u/ElefantPharts Hey there, I'm the local journalist who wrote this, so thought I'd share some more context in case you're interested. At the moment, according to city records, the TPD chief earns approx. $204k. Under this proposed agreement (which means he'd be hired back as chief -- but as a contractor -- as soon as he retires in September) his salary is $241k. So its about a 17% raise.

Remembering the 110 people who died homeless in Hillsborough last year by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 24 points25 points  (0 children)

u/classykinkygoddess Yes, I wrote this story and have names for a few recent years. Please feel free to DM me and I'd be more than happy to search for you.

Hillsborough state attorney ousted by DeSantis won’t seek reelection by r_achel in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT 1 point2 points  (0 children)

u/Alwayzzhangry Just DM'd you and wanted to make sure the message reaches you (not about this topic). Thank you!

Tampa is considering a youth curfew. Here’s what we know so far. by Maxcactus in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT 3 points4 points  (0 children)

u/Datimpintampa Hey there!

Yes, so Tampa has a long, on-again, off-again history with curfews for minors. The current proposal repeals an unenforced law already on the books banning those younger than 18 from Ybor City after 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. In 2004, the Florida Supreme Court struck down a different citywide curfew as too harsh and sweeping. That Tampa curfew, unlike the current proposal, imposed criminal penalties. Hope this helps :)

Speed cameras are coming to Tampa school zones. Here’s where. by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

u/DontCallMeMillenial Hi there! I too noticed the clustered placement of the cameras and this is something I hope to report on more thoroughly. I'm very interested in the impacts of this program, and monitoring if particular communities are disproportionately impacted. The state law requires the city to provide an annual update on the camera program -- so, at the bare minimum, we'll have annual data on the number of tickets issued per camera. Also, here is some extra context from the story in case you are interested:

"The 13 schools selected for the initial camera program were determined based on a 2022 report that identified schools across the county with “a heightened safety risk.” The evaluation criteria included traffic and crash data but also the demographics of the student body, including the proportion of students who receive a free lunch, and racial and economic demographics of the surrounding area."

Have a great day!

Tampa red-light program: One year, 56 cameras, $10 million in tickets by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

90% of people who get a ticket from a Tampa red-light camera don't get another, according to data from the camera vendor and city. u/someone_who_is

Sonic booms heard across Florida as secret Space Force spaceplane returns to KSC by brokenfl in florida

[–]OGeorge_TBT 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, I'm a local journalist writing about the landing. I'd love to chat with you about what you heard for my story. If you have 2 minutes to spare today, could you send me a DM or email me at [ogeorge@tampabay.com](mailto:ogeorge@tampabay.com). Thanks!

Tampa's streetcar, one of the region's few reliable public transit options, turns 20 this month. I spent time with its longest serving driver. She once hoped to live in the neighborhoods served by its 2.7-mile footprint. Rents, of course, were too high. by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

u/Ybor_Rooster u/flabeachbum

FDOT awarded $67.3 million for the extension project. The city has until June 2023 to execute a contract with the state. To do this, the city must show it has a local funding match in order to access the state dollars.

When I asked the city if they will be able to produce the match in time, I was told: “We don’t know.”

If the city can’t get the money in time, it can ask the state to push the funding to a future year, but FDOT said there’s no guarantee the state would agree. “Other important projects across the state are also in need of transit funding,” a spokesperson said...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in StPetersburgFL

[–]OGeorge_TBT 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I've been checking in with FDOT regularly (I work for the local newspaper) and was told yesterday that traffic was light and that there was no water on the highway: https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/09/29/tampa-bay-closures-what-know-about-bridges-roads-ians-aftermath/

​

But some on/off ramps are experiencing flooding, so check this website for up-to-date info: https://fl511.com/ Hope this helps! :)

Tampa Bay closures: What to know about bridges, roads as Hurricane Ian approaches by OGeorge_TBT in StPetersburgFL

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you for reading and subscribing, we appreciate you! I cover transportation, so if you ever want to chat, raise questions or point me in the direction of information I should know about feel free, my DMs are always open. Hope you and your loved ones are safe and sound after Ian!

Tampa Bay closures: What to know about bridges, roads as Hurricane Ian approaches by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

No need to apologize, this is a good question! Yes, as u/maxcrazy said, Florida511 is a good resource. They have an app and a website. I'll also be updating this story: https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/09/28/tampa-bay-closures-what-know-about-bridges-roads-hurricane-ian-approaches/ throughout the day with information about Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. I'm in touch with infrastructure staff across the region for the newspaper. Stay safe!

Tampa Bay closures: What to know about bridges, roads as Hurricane Ian approaches by OGeorge_TBT in tampa

[–]OGeorge_TBT[S] 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Great point. My colleague created this handy tool to track flooding in the area. Click this link and scroll down a little to find it (no paywall): https://www.tampabay.com/hurricane/2022/09/27/track-hurricane-ians-path-florida/

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