Thanksgiving week is here already. The year has flown by.
I’m thankful to live in a community that is looking towards the future. There are so many projects, both public and private, on the drawing boards that it is hard to know where to even start. I had the opportunity to address the Leadership Pasco 2018 class on Friday. I told them that they needed to come back and visit us in three months and six months to see what has changed.
The last several weeks have been VERY busy. Highlights included our first ever Veterans Day Parade, an Upcycle event, and the monthly movie in the park.
The city got patriotic banners for Veterans Day. Because they were so flag-like, staff had to make sure to install them so they looked right side up.
The folks at New Port Richey Main Street commissioned a couple of bike racks. Those racks have now been installed right in front of Christina’s Restaurant.
The patriotic banners have now come down and holiday decorations are going up.
Christmas is a special time of year for me. The multiple opportunities to get together with family and friends between Thanksgiving and Christmas are the best part.
Work continues on re-imagining old buildings into something completely new. Workers are busy measuring the old IGA Food Store for its new life as the home for Wright’s Natural Market, Encore Music, the Cotee River Brewery and a jewelry store.
The old municipal building is also seeing renovations in advance of new businesses moving into it.
You can expect to see work starting on Orange Lake very soon. I’m looking forward to seeing what gets dredged up besides the golf balls and clubs that we should expect to see on the bottom of a lake that used to have a golf course around it.
The lighting of the Christmas Tree downtown will be at 6pm on December 1st. Look for the tree next to Orange Lake.
The Cotee River Christmas Boat Parade will be on December 2nd. It is presented by New Port Richey Main Street and the Bayou Business Association. It should be a great evening.
The West Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s 41st annual Holiday Street Parade will be on December 9th. You won’t want to miss this parade.
I hope to see all of you at the various events that will be held during the next month.
Here is wishing each and every one of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. If you are traveling, please drive carefully.
Rob Marlowe, Mayor