FREE
Riverview/Apollo Beach
Please Take One Have News? E-mail editor@ospreyobserver.com C E L E B R A T I N G
May 2017 Volume 15, Issue 5 Ph: 657-2418 1 5
Y E A R S
O F
P U B L I S H I N G
P O S I T I V E
Like Us On Facebook For Giveaways & Breaking News www.facebook.com/ OspreyObserverFans
C O M M U N I T Y
N E W S
TECO Cuts Ribbon On 106-Acre 23-MW Big Bend Solar Array In Apollo Beach
Community Emergency Response Teams (CERT) Seeks Local Support
Solar power took center stage during a recent ribbon cutting of Tampa Electric Company’s (TECO) newest array to serve the Apollo Beach community. TECO officials were pleased to welcome a group of local and statewide leaders, government officials and members of the media for the ceremony, which formally dedicated Hillsborough County Commissioner Pat Kemp, TECO senior VP the installation of the Tom Hernandez, TECO CEO Gordon Gillette, Port Tampa Bay President and CEO Paul Anderson and Hillsborough County company’s brand Commissioner Sandra Murman cut the ribbon on TECO’s brand new 23-megawatts new Big Bend Solar Array in Apollo Beach in late March. The projBig Bend Solar Array ects is TECO’s first full-size utility-scale solar facility. solar power facility. TECO officials said that befitting the For nearly two decades TECO has Sunshine State’s potential for a clean, been developing solar projects on a renewable-energy future, the array—consmaller scale, but nothing compared to its sidered the largest to affect West Central newest Big Bend project, which occuFlorida—which automatically tilts toward pies 106 acres of Tampa Electric-owned the sun has been generating power since land across Dickman Road near its Big February. Bend Power Station and Manatee The photovoltaic array includes more Viewing Center.“This project is the most than 200,000 thin-film solar panels that unique integration of multiple technologies track the sun and reportedly produce in the entire state of Florida,” said Tom more than 30 percent more energy than Hernandez, senior vice president of fixed solar arrays. TECO Business Strategy and According to TECO officials the array Renewables. “The design had to consider will provide environmental savings of up potential flood conditions, high-wind conto 30,000 tons of carbon dioxide daily, the ditions, the topography of the site itself equivalent of removing up to 6,000 cars and the fact that we’re using a new type from the road. of thin-film technology and single-access Hillsborough County tracking that maximizes the energy outCommissioner Pat Kemp presented put. It’s the most cost-effective way that Tampa Electric with a special commendawe’ve found to date to produce reliable tion on behalf of the community when she clean, reliable solar PV energy and comContinued on Page 5 plement our generating fleet.”
The Big Bend Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), LLC, a FEMA supported and directed organization, which serves residents in Apollo Beach, Gibsonton, Riverview, and other nearby communities are now gearing up for a busy summer season. Some of the members of the Big Bend Community Emergency Response Team (CERT), LLC, pause for a photo during a recent In harmony with training. its Motto; “Do the Most Emergency Response Neighborhood Good for the Most People” the 52-memTeam, which has joined forces with the ber team of dedicated volunteers that neighborhood watch program. local make up the group was formed at the While membership is strictly volunstart of the year and is focused on being tary, open to all area residents and ready in the event of a disaster where first requires no annual dues, all CERT memresponders are unable to respond. must pass Federal Emergency bers “We focus on being prepared to help Management Agency (FEMA) sponsored our families, our neighbors, and our comCERT training classes. munities that include Covington Park, The Big Bend CERT team meets the Waterset and Kings Lake, after any disassecond Monday of each month (Jan-Oct) ter,” said Big Bend CERT program coordiat 7:00 pm at the Covington Park nator Dale Peery. Clubhouse, 6806 Covington Garden Dr., Team activities and training of each in Apollo Beach. member is coordinated and supervised Visit www.bigbendcert.org. by the Hillsborough County Office Of Emergency Management and as a non profit 501 C(3) volunteer organization it is designed to complement professional Fire and Police organizations in disaster situations where uniformed fire, rescue, and medical services are overwhelmed. “Each member of our team is trained in a number of areas such as life saving medical treatment, fire fighting, light search and rescue, emergency communi28 cations, disaster preparedness and disaster psychology, just to name a few,” Peery said, but added that he hopes to see HOA HOT TOPICS ...............................PG 7 more local support. FALLEN HEROES RIDE.........................PG 8 “The mission of the Big Bend CERT Program is to harness the power of every SKYTYPERS .......................................PG 16 individual through education, training, and EYE ON BUSINESS ............................PG 25 volunteer service,” he said. With focus on protecting their families SOUTHSHORE LIVING ...............PGS 36‐37 and neighborhoods first, local CERT SUMMER CAMPS.....PULL OUT SECTION 3 teams are appropriately called NERT or
Osprey Observer 918 Lithia Pinecrest Rd. Brandon, FL 33511-6121
Postal Customer
ECRWSS EDDM
PRSTD STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TAMPA, FL PERMIT #2397
By Tamas Mondovics
Photo by Tamas Mondovics
A man fishing at the new 2-acre beach at the Apollo Beach Nature Preserve, located at 6760 Surfside Blvd. in Apollo Beach. Thanks to its popularity since its restoration Hillsborough County officials are planning additional improvements including more parking spaces at the preserve. Please read full story on pg.39 in this edition.
By Tamas Mondovics