Ever Think of Merging Port Richey and New Port Richey?

With the new year approaching, we asked readers what they thought should be done to improve New Port Richey. We got many responses, but we thought one was particularly interesting.

Grace says:

Personally I'd merge New Port Richey with Port Richey and then with the savings from combining the police, fire depts and public services some of that money could be used to fix up both areas. Why nobody has suggested that so far, I don't know. I heard that Port Richey was even going to dissolve once and go back to becoming part of the county. That would be a shame. Fix up the messy neighborhoods, start fineing people who park 2-3-4-5 vehicles in their front yards and get some cash in. Then cut waste and encourage companies to relocate here.

What do you think of the idea, readers?

Want to know what other ideas others  on improving New Port Richey that others are talking about? Check out the rest of the comments, and upload your own here.

Gregory Digiovanni

I occasionally drive up to New Port Richey from Palm Harbor for client meetings and I think it's a great area. The perception though is not that great. I always hear people ask why New Port Richey? It's so far to get to, there's nothing up there, etc. I think if officials were able to capture more businesses it has the potential to thrive. With businesses, residents and their dollars will follow.

Sandi

The east of New Port Richey is very nice. However the west end, US 19 has been dubbed H & H HIGHWAY - which stands for HOOKERS AND HOMELES!!! RT 19 is our main thoroughfare. It should look like Little Rd. Instead, when you come in from the airport and Pinellas County, it looks like you've entered the Land Of The Dregs!

Tee Marcin

I do not live in the area yet but will soon relocate. the hookers and homeless give the place a seedy impression. I have a lot of empathy for the homeless, but when you go to a parking lot and have to run from them; it is a problem. The hooker problem could be cleaned up once the strip clubs are discouraged to open businesses there. A few policel cars greeting entry and exits would discourage many customers.

Bette MacDonald

I believe if the Main Street businesses would repaint their buildings with some exciting Florida colors and put some plants outside their doors it would liven up our wonderful Main Street. Plus if the city would put out nice wrought iron benches…along Main Street it would be a nice touch...we have the history of Holloywood..we should find a sculpture that would donate small life like statues (our small head pieces to plant around Main Street to have a Scavenger Hunt for "Stars on Main Street" of our Hollywood Stars that lived in New Port Richey...Gloria Swanson,Charlie Chaplin, etc...I think each store could have maps and check off places where people find the stars for the scavenger hunt!

Rob Marlowe

The nice benches are coming. There is agreement on council to replace the anti-terrorist barricades lining Main Street from 19 to River Road with nice benches like the ones in and around the park. The City will provide planters for in front of the stores. The store owners simply need to promise to water the plants and try not to kill them.

vincent gimble

if the only jobs available are going to be new convenience stores opening up, then New Port Richey and all of West Pasco will continue to be doomed as a place that is down and out and will never be revitalized. Two WAWA stores are just not going to cut it when it comes to jobs. If decent paying full time jobs cannot be attracted into this area, then many, as they do now, will never have the buying power to purchase things nor fix up their dilapidated homes and the entire West side of Pasco will remain in the deplorable state that it is presently in for decades to come.

Sharon Avila

I would recommend that the Board of County Commissions be held accountable for the actions of shelter director, John W. Malley. Mr. Malley has come under scrutiny in recent months for the mismanagement of animals under his charge and the BOCC has swept the problems under the carpet. Ms. Mulieri is the only commissioner who is taking positive steps to change the way that the shelter is run (through the use of volunteers) however, nothing has been done to eliminate the catalyst for those problems: JOHN W. MALLEY.

Lia Gallegos

These are all grand ideas, but what I'm not hearing here is "what *I* am going to do in 2013 to make New Port Richey a better place to live." We live in a country that was founded on the idea that we are responsible for creating our own destinies, we don't wait for government to fix all the ills in our world. US 19 is awful and we need more quality jobs in the area, which are the responsibilities of the government, absolutely, but what about all the small ways each one of us can contribute to changing the culture of our area now to make it a better place to live?

Get involved, lend a hand, make it a priority to visit the historic district at least once a week, use the public library-it's a hub of community activity & information-find out what's happening with your neighbors and right in your own backyard. It doesn't cost a lot to plant a pot of flowers & place it by your front door or clean up your yard-the city will even deliver free mulch to your home or biz. Go for a walk in your neighborhood, talk to your neighbors. Throw a bock party. Patronize existing businesses.

There are great people living in the City of NPR and surrounding areas who are all working toward the common goal of creating a vibrant, sustainable and connected community while advocating for the government to address systemic issues. You're welcome to jump in and roll your sleeves up too, the more people who do, the faster the results. Why not make 2013 a year of renewal for NPR, from the ground up?