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JUNE 18, 2014
Builders want compromise on signs By Michael Hinman
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Pasco County has strict ordinances against temporary signs, but the proliferation of tall advertising flags known as “feather signs” has some county commissioners looking to make those ordinances even more restrictive. However, Pasco County commissioners said they would wait at least long enough for the homebuilding community to weigh in — an industry that heavily depends on such temporary advertisement. “We’re hoping that you’ll allow us to put together a policy that provides us a pathway for compliance,” said Jennifer Doerfel, executive vice president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association, which represents
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO
Pasco County commissioners are looking to ban temporary signs like these, known as ‘feather signs,’ because of safety and aesthetic concerns. However, homebuilders have asked the commissioners if they can help craft a way to regulate the signs, while still allowing them to be effective advertising, especially for developing communities.
Two county commissioners face off over potential gas tax, page 9 homebuilders locally. “We do not want to see blight, and we certainly don’t want to see tattered signs, and we’re part of this community, too.We want to make sure this looks great, because that’s what attracts buyers to our homes.” The signs have become common in front of businesses, especially on U.S. 41 through the center part of Pasco, where retailers fight to grab attention from a heavily traveled highway artery. They are usually anchored into the ground like flags, and are See SIGNS, page 12
Town hall reveals VA problems hitting close to home By Michael Hinman
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Whether it’s overburdened, improperly run, or a combination of the two, veterans are struggling to get the health care they need from clinics and hospitals run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The issue has led to the resignation of the department’s longest-serving secretary, Eric Shinseki, and has been fodder in political campaign ads and debates. In his seat as vice chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, has earned national media attention in recent months as he digs into what’s causing delays at VA-run medical centers, and what can be done to fix it. The Palm Harbor Republican has since opened the door to hear from veterans themselves, inviting them to a town hall meeting June 5 in New Port Richey to find out other struggles facing those who have returned home from See PROBLEMS, page 12
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis listens to a veteran share his story about problems he had receiving medical care during a town hall meeting June 5 in New Port Richey.
Technology helps people hear the word of God By B.C. Manion
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At some point in life, most people know how it feels to be out of the loop. They’re sitting at a table in a restaurant, but they’re too far away to hear what is causing the laughter erupting at the other end of the table. They’re at the edge of a crowd and can’t hear what the speaker is saying. Someone is singing on stage, but they can’t make out the words. Imagine if that was an everyday experience. That’s the kind of social isolation that people with hearing difficulties often face. Even with hearing aids, it can be difficult for them to hear in acoustically challenging places, such as a restaurant, a concert hall or a church. But technology is available to help change that scenario in places where sound
systems are used. And recently, St.Timothy Catholic Church installed a hearing loop to help parishioners who have hearing difficulties become full participants in the liturgy. Charlie and Judith Reese of JC Audiology contributed the system components, which cost about $8,000. The Reeses are parishioners, and Judith is an audiologist with an office at 1541 Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 201, in Lutz. Keith Thal and his friend, James Weeks, volunteered their time and expertise to install and fine-tune the system.They both are professionals in the electronics field and knowledgeable in the science of sound, Judith said. Chase White, the director of music at St. Timothy, also played a key role. “St. Timothy is the first and only Catholic church in Hillsborough (County) that has this technology,” Charlie said. “I doubt that there are more than three other churches of any denomination in
Hillsborough that has this.” A hearing loop, for lack of a better description, is an antenna that is based around the perimeter of a room or a building, Judith said.The antenna is linked to the sound system, and a person with a hearing aid that has an active telecoil — or T-coil — can pick up the signal. “The person puts their hearing aid in the reception mode, and whoever is speaking on the microphone, it comes right into their ears,” she said.“Also, it’s appropriately set for them because it goes through their hearing aid, so it compensates for their problem areas for hearing.” Hearing aids cannot be retrofitted to include a T-coil, but many hearing aids have them already, and their wearers simply are unaware of that fact, Judith said. Those purchasing new hearing aids may want to ask about the T-coil, she added, so See HEAR, page 12
