Page 4 - Florida Sentinel 6-8-18

Features
Hillsborough MPO Meeting To Discuss Transportation Improvement Program
The Hillsborough MPO Board will host a meeting on Tuesday, June 12th, at 6 p.m. The meeting will be held in the County Center Building, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., on the 2nd Floor. The hearings begin at 4 p.m., and will continue until 8 p.m.
The purpose of the meeting is to discuss the adoption of the Transportation Improve- ment Program.
Christopher Vela, Presi- dent of the Historic Ybor Neighborhood Civic Associa- tion is encouraging residents to attend the meeting.
In a letter to Neighborhood leaders Vela said, “Our MPO is a decision-making board over all of our transit, roads, and infrastructure projects by prioritizing funding and adopt- ing governing policies. The Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), is a list of proj- ects which MPO uses to deter- mine where money is to be spent on county transportation and infrastructure projects. Due to legislative powers, the MPO board can change priori- ties to suit what matters to you!”
He further said, “At nearly 1.4 million people, our County is large and with numerous transportation problems that need to be addressed. And while the battle carries on against the legitimacy of spending billions on TBX/TB- NEXT, we still keep hearing and experiencing the same hardships that have impacted our quality of life. Such issues relate to road safety, air qual- ity, and our poor state-of-tran- sit.
“Sadly, we are the 2nd deadliest County in the entire nation, and as of 2018, have 264 pedestrian crashes... Our state-of-transit needs more at- tention. Recent bus service
cuts have affected 1000s lo- cally, and potential loss of 100s of jobs.”
“These are some of the im- mediate challenges we must address today. We cannot af- ford the same in 2019 and be- yond! This is the only time where you will have complete attention from the MPO board to weigh in on transportation priorities.”
He further said the Depart- ment of Transportation de- clared a portion of the proposed Express Lanes, north of downtown Tampa, removed from the interstate plan. How- ever, there are still other por- tions of the local interstate that do not need Express Lanes or to be widened. “Such widening will impact urban and historic districts, not offering any true transportation alternatives,” Vela said.
Also, during the meeting, a list of priorities will be consid- ered for any funding that may be available. Some of the proj- ects newly funded for this year includes: improving bus serv- ice, replacing old vehicles and equipment; traffic signal up- grades on Fowler Avenue, Hillsborough Avenue, and Dale Mabry Highway; improv- ing safety with railroad cross- ings, lighting, new sidewalks, cross walks, and bike lanes.
Other improvements in- clude: intersection improve- ments at U. S. 301 and Bloomingdale, U. S. 41 and Madison Avenue, and MLK and N. 50th Street.
Safety improvements will take place at Morris Bridge Road, from Fowler Avenue to Fletcher Avenue; Kennedy Blvd., from Westshore Blvd., to Woodlynee Avenue, and Floribraska Avenue from Tampa Street to Nebraska Av- enue, and many other loca- tions slated for improvements.
36 Teens Take Part In Summer Work Program
BY IRIS B. HOLTON Sentinel City Editor
On Monday, June 4th, 31 East Tampa teenagers began working for the City of Tampa. An additional 5 will begin next week.
The teenagers are enrolled in the City of Tampa Summer Youth Employment Program, funded by the East Tampa Community Rede- velopment Program.
Sal Ruggiero, Manager of the Neighbor- hood Enhancement Department said, “This is a great program for the kids. They have a chance to earn money, keep their neighbor- hoods clean, and see what it’s like to be in the workplace.”
In order to participate in the program, the teenagers between the ages of 16 and 17 years, were required to submit applications, undergo a background check and drug screening. Once they completed the process, the Human Re- sources Department selected the finalists. The students work a 32-hour work week during daytime hours from Monday to Thursday.
“They work beside regular city employees learning how to operate different types of equipment and they get to see the importance of keeping their neighborhoods in order and its
SAL REGURRIEO Manager, Neighborhood Enhancement Department
effect.”
Additionally, Ruggerio said they will also
attend life skills classes at the Corporation to Develop Communities, Inc.
The Summer Youth Employment Program has been in existence for the last decade.
PAGE 4-A FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JUNE 8, 2018