The Official Unofficial Seminole Heights Blog

There is more develoment happening in Seminole Heights. The old Sugar Daddy’s,
Coffee Bean, Spanish Restaurant, Rigo’s and how many other restaurants located
at Osborne and Florida is being remodeled. Yes, you read correctly. It is not just a
wash the windows and mop the floor remodeling. they have actually painted, cleaned
and posssibly even performed some construction. From the street, it looks like
it is going to be very nice. The only question is…What will it Be?
Does anyone know? Has anyone heard?

TAMPA ( from BayNews9.com) – A pair of stolen bikes was the cause of an overnight shooting in Tampa, police said.

According to reports, shortly after 1 a.m. Tuesday, 40-year-old Robert Brown
and 33-year-old Charles Lawson were watching TV in Lawson’s house at 1405
East Palifox Road when they discovered their bicycles were missing. Police
said the two men noticed three other men walking with two bicycles and
approached them.

Police said one suspect, 18-year-old Darrielle Williams, fired at least two
shots at the victims, one of which hit Brown in the left shoulder. He was
taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he was listed as being in stable condition.

Officers arrested Williams, who they said admitted to the shooting. They are
still looking for the two other men who ran away with the bikes.

When I moved to
Seminole Heights it was many years ago. Back when most
homes were priced in the $30’s. My neighbor had just purchased their almost
3,000 sq. ft. bungalow for only $17,000! We purchased our home because it
was all we could afford. Back then a $300 house payment was a stretch. But
with saving money, cooking meals at home and hard work, we felt it was the
high end, but well worth it. We could walk to the river, hang out with neighbors
on the front side walk, and most importantly be anywhere in Tampa within a
matter of minutes. Oh sure, we would have loved to have had a house in
Hyde Park or just about anywhere in South Tampa, but reality put us here.
Now that we have been here for so long, there is nowhere else we would
rather be. Now we see the pendulum change and those that lived down
south are being priced out due to rising insurance and taxes and those from
the north unable to afford the long commute. Thus the eyes are upon us.
What’s your story? How have we changed since you moved here?

If you don’t know where to vote click here
http://www.votehillsborough.org/PrecinctFinder.aspx

Often times, I have noticed that many of the comments become quickly heated
when the topic turns to volunteering for your neighborhood associations and
neighborhood committees. Many posters have said that they do important work
on their own. Many felt that it was more important to apply your talents and time
to the work through the association. For neighbors throughout
Seminole Heights
the question becomes “what needs to be done?” Many do not feel that many
committees are “worthwhile” or useful work. To those, I ask –What does it
take to get more to volunteer and make a difference. If you feel that what you
are currently doing is truly worthwhile, is it something that can be organized
into a powerful, organize group of people? What are your thoughts?  Can
we organize and unite to be a more productive group?

Friday  when I arrived home I found a disheartening notice in the mail box.
According to the Hillsborough County Property appraiser office, our home
values are going down! What is more staggering is the market value was down
a whopping 14%. While for   those of us that have no plans of pulling out, this
can be overcome. For those looking to move on, this can be quite painful.
Unfortunately, while the market value declined, the assessed value (that which
you are taxed) continues to climb. Therefore, your taxes continue to increase.
Fortunately, the 3% cap can keep our political leaders in check. While it is easy
to hate this time of year, it is also something to hear what those neighbors to the
North and South of us are paying. Be thankful you are in the City’s best
neighborhood at time to lock in and protect your taxable value.