5 Things You Should Know Today, Oct. 17

1.     There will be a chance of rain through the early afternoon and thunderstorms after 2 p.m.

2.     The City Council will vote Tuesday on a proposal for New Port Richey to sponsor city support services for Chasco Fiesta  for no more than $40,000. The regular session meets at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

3.     At the same meeting, the council will also hold a public hearing on the first draft of a resolution to make most of the city a Brownfields Area, although the city deve;lopment director is recommending that it be called the New Port Richey Economic Incentive Area.  A Brownfields area includes real property that is tainted or perceived to be tainted “by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant”. The perceived or real contamination makes the redevelopment or expansion of these sites complicated. So cleanups and other investments in properties included in the Brownfields program can be rewarded with tax credits and other economic incentives. An assessment program would be used to see if individual properties in an area are brownfield sites.

4.      Whew, that was long. Important, too. I almost don’t want to list any more things after that. whistles. Oh wait, speaking of reuse, here’s a way for you to  reuse your canned food. Bring it to the West Pasco Government Center and see The Volunteer Way’s Canstruction exhibit, which showcases sculptures made of canned food containers. Visitors are encourage to donate a can of food or a $1, either  of which go to The Volunteer Way’s food bank. The Canstruction exhibit, which is a competition, runs through Friday.

5.    We’re looking for nearby Halloween haunts and fall hayrides. Send your tips to Alex.Tiegen@patch.com