What's Tampa Bay Saying?

Gun Magazine Maker Eyes Tampa Bay?

The Tampa Bay Young Republicans say Colorado’s loss could be the Bay’s gain. What do you think about it?

As the Wild West gets milder due to gun control laws a manufacturer that produces high-capacity gun magazines is looking to move out of Colorado. The Tampa Bay Young Republicans want that manufacturer, Magpul Industries, to roll out of Boulder and land somewhere in Hillsborough County, according to the Tampa Bay Times. The company makes gun magazines that hold up to 30 rounds and has about 200 people on its payroll, the Times reported. Magpul's motto is "Unfair Advantage," according to its website. The passage of a law in Colorado that bans gun magazines that hold more than 15 rounds has made Boulder a rather unwelcoming place for the company. The Young Republicans want to capitalize on Colorado’s loss by turning it into what they see as a…

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Advertising Professional Hired to Market Rec Center

Beth Fregger brings 25 years experience in the advertising industry to the job.

Beth Fregger, executive director of Greater New Port Richey Main Street, was hired this week as marketing manager for the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center. The city council signed off on a contract to hire her on to work 20 hours a week for six months, for $3,200 per month Tuesday. The city has been talking for awhile about hiring a marketing manager to raise awareness of the recreation center, which has never been able to make enough money to cover its expenses. A past estimate from city officials projected the city government would need to subsidize $1.8 million in the coming fiscal year to compensate for the center’s operating losses and debt service payments. The agreement is only with with Fregger, not Greater New Port …

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City Brings On Longtime Redevelopment Expert

K. Michael Chen has decades of experience working with businesses and municipalities.

K. Michael Chen holds an official city title, will do work in New Port Richey City Hall and will be paid to spearhead the city’s economic development and redevelopment efforts. But he won’t be a full-time, salaried staff person. Chen, president of Urban Development and Mobility Solutions consulting firm in Tampa, was appointed by City Manager John Schneiger to be New Port Richey’s economic development manager this month. The newly created position is a part-time contract job that pays a lump sum of $5,000 a month. Chen’s agreement with the city calls for him to work at least 20 hours a week. His appointment took effect March 21. Chen’s duties include attracting businesses into the city, keeping them here, making progress on the city’s …

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City Ponders Funding Economic Development Director Job

The City Manager got the go-ahead to request budget money to create the new position.

The city manager has received the go-ahead to request funding for the employment of someone who would head economic development efforts in New Port Richey. The green light from the city council at a work session Tuesday came with caveats. One of the biggest? Don’t pay for the new job with the city’s annual subsidy for Greater New Port Richey Main Street, a nonprofit charged with downtown economic development. The new proposed job stems from an idea Deputy Mayor Rob Marlowe raised on August 9. He brought up the notion of creating a staff position to coordinate Greater New Port Richey Main Street and handle economic development. He asked that the City Council hold a work session on the subject. Council members cannot vote at a work session, …

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