Thank you, District 3 Constituents, for Two More Years, Commissioner Myers! | | Winners for November 3 General Election | | |
United States Senator
Ashley Moody
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Representative in Congress District 12
Gus Bilirakis
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Representative in Congress District 14
Kathy Castor
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Representative in Congress
District 15
Laurel Lee
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Governor and Lieutenant Governor
Byron Donalds
Bryan Avila
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Attorney General
James Uthmeier
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Chief Financial Officer
Blaise Ingoglia
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Commissioner of Agriculture
Wilton Simpson
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State Senator
District 14
Brian Nathan
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State Senator
District 20
Jim Boyd
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State Representative District 64
Luis Salazar
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State Representative
District 65
Karen Gonzalez Pittman
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State Representative District 66
Traci Koster
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State Representative District 67
Luis Viera
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State Representative District 68
Ryan Gill
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State Representative District 69
Ashley Hermann
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State Representative District 70
Michael Owen
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Board of County Commissioners
District 1
Harry Cohen
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Board of County Commissioners
District 3
Gwen Myers
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Board of County Commissioners
District 5
Neil Manimala
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Board of County Commissioners
District 7
Aileen Rodriguez
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Justice of Supreme Court
Carlos Muniz - YES
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District Court of Appeals
Drew Atkinson - YES
Morris Silberman - YES
Daniel Sleet - YES
Andrea Teves Smith - YES
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School Board Member District 2
Daniela Simic
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School Board Member District 6
Karen Perez
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Temple Terrace City Council
Alison Fernandez
Karen Michalski
Amber Treat
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No. 1 Constitutional Amendment
Budget Stabilization Fund
YES
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No. 2 Constitutional Amendment
Exemption of Tangible Personal Property on Agricultural Land from Taxation
YES
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No. 3 Constitutional Amendment
Increase Homestead Exemption, Lower Cap on Increase in Non-Homestead Property Assessments
YES
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No. 1 Hillsborough County Referendum
Providing for an Elected rather than An Appointed Superintendent of Schools
PASSED
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No. 2 Hillsborough County Referendum
Amending the County Charter to Increase the Number of Commissioners, All Elected from Single Member Districts
PASSED
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No. 3 Hillsborough County Referendum
One-Half Cent Sales Surtax for Public School Air Conditioning and Capital Improvements
PASSED
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Referendum to Increase the Special Assessment of County Run Special District
NO
| | Veterans Day is observed each year on November 11. The holiday began as Armistice Day, proclaimed by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 to mark the first anniversary of the end of World War I. Following World War II and the Korean War, veteran service organizations asked Congress to expand the holiday. In 1954, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed legislation changing the name to Veterans Day to honor American veterans of all wars. Under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed in 1968, the holiday was briefly moved to October. In 1975, President Gerald Ford signed a law returning the official observance permanently to November 11 due to its deep historical and patriotic significance. | |
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Our office will be closed on Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day.
Solid Waste
- Curbside and Solid Waste facilities will operate under regular business hours.
- Administrative offices will be closed.
Parks and Recreation
- Conservation parks - open.
- Parks & Recreation centers, sports complexes and athletic fields - closed.
- Staffed skate parks - 10 AM - 7 PM.
- Staffed splash pads - 9 AM to 6 PM.
| | Chamberlain High School’s Matthew Cohen was named the 2026 Outstanding High School Teacher. | | Tiffany Brown, a Science District Resource Teacher, was named the 2026 Outstanding Elementary Teacher. | | |
Hillsborough County Public Schools (HCPS) is proud to announce that two district teachers have been recognized among Florida’s top science teachers by the Florida Association of Science Teachers (F.A.S.T.).
Brown and Cohen are two of just five educators from across Florida recognized with 2026 F.A.S.T. Teacher Awards. The statewide honorees represent Hillsborough, Duval, Collier and Broward counties and were recognized for excellence in science education and their dedication to student learning.
Each F.A.S.T. Teacher Award recipient will receive $700 from the Florida Association of Science Teachers and an additional $100 from the Florida Science Education Leadership Association (FLSELA), for a total award of $800.
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TECO Hires Crystal Lilly Pruitt as
Regional Affairs Manager
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Tampa Electric has hired Crystal Lilly Pruitt as regional affairs manager to oversee its storm protection program, a multiyear effort to harden the grid through stronger power lines, tree trimming and undergrounding.
Pruitt previously led transmission stakeholder engagement at Duke Energy Florida and held public affairs roles with Sarasota and Hillsborough counties. A St. Petersburg native, she holds an MBA from Nova Southeastern University.
| | Hillsborough Schools Announce 2026 Assistant Principal and Principal of the Year | | |
Principal of the Year:
Jeff Cooley, Kenly Elementary School (District 3)
Since becoming principal of Kenly Elementary School in 2022, Jeff Cooley has led an impressive academic transformation grounded in high-quality instruction and a strong school culture. In 2024-25, Kenly jumped from a C to an A, earning the first A grade in school history, while 100% of students demonstrated learning gains in reading. Previously an assistant principal at Ippolito and James elementary schools, Cooley is known for being an intentional, strategic leader who creates the conditions for both students and teachers to succeed.
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Assistant Principal of the Year:
Natalie McClain, Mann Middle School
Natalie McClain is a dedicated school leader whose commitment to students, teachers and academic excellence has earned her recognition as Hillsborough County Public Schools’ Assistant Principal of the Year. Through her focus on strong instruction, collaboration and a positive school culture, McClain works to create an environment where students can succeed, and educators feel supported. Her leadership reflects a deep commitment to serving her school community and helping every student reach their full potential.
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Tampa Electric Reducing Bills Again in January | Tampa Electric is passing lower fuel costs directly to customers, reducing bills for everyone beginning in January. The 1.4% decrease comes just five months after Tampa Electric lowered residential bills roughly 11% to 12% when the company removed the storm recovery charge in August. | | BOCC Awards Ceremony 10/28/26 | | On behalf of the Board, Commissioner Cameron Cepeda presented the American Public Works Association's Accreditation to Kim Byer, Assistant County Administrator, Public Works; Josh Bellotti, Director, Public Works; Maritza Mariza Ramirez, Division Director, Business Operations; Juston Lafler, Director, Fleet Services; John Muller, Director, Facilities Management & Real Estate Services, George Cassady, Assistant County Administrator, Public Utilities, and Damien Tramel, Director, Solid Waste in the BOCC Quarterly Department Award category. | | On behalf of the Board, Commissioner Cohen presented a proclamation recognizing World Sight Month. | | On behalf of the Board, Commissioner Miller presented a proclamation recognizing Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Day | |
FAMU Homecoming
Commissioner Myers Celebrates Her 50th Year
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Commissioner Gwen Myers; Dorothy Flowers; Resealia McKinney;
Rosalyn Wise, and Rolanda Sirmons
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On Saturday, October 24, 2026, the Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University held their annual homecoming game at Bragg Memorial Stadium under the theme, "There's No Place Like the Hill." Drawing inspiration from The Wiz and the Land of Oz. The week-long celebration brought together generations of Rattlers for high-fashion storytelling, major alumni philanthropy, and historic cultural traditions. However, the festive morale was deeply tested by an unprecedented football loss and a heartbreaking community tragedy at the tail end of the weekend. Let this tragedy serve as a reminder to cherish our loved ones because tomorrow is not promised to any among us.
Being on the hill and celebrating my 50th year during homecoming weekend as a graduate of the School of Business and Industry (SBI) was a great time to reminisce and see colleagues from around the world.
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Commissioner Gwen Myers and
Santiago Corrada, President & CEO, Visit Tampa Bay
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On Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Visit Tampa Bay hosted their 2026 Annual Meeting in the Entertainment Hall of the Florida State Fairgrounds. The annual meeting is an opportunity to celebrate the people, partnerships, and accomplishments that moved Tampa Bay forward over the past year.
Thank you to Santiago Corrada and his team for an amazing event!
| | Station 15 Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting | | |
Commissioner Gwen Myers and
Jason Dougherty, Chief, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue
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On Wednesday, October 28, 2026, Hillsborough County Fire Rescue and County leadership celebrated the opening of new Fire Station 15 with a ribbon cutting in Palm River at 6212 12th Ave. S. in District 3
The new Fire Station 15 replaces an existing station located nearby. Funds from the American Recovery Act were used to build the new station. The new two-bay station will have five full-time professional staff per 24-hour shift. It will have a fire engine and rescue ambulance.
Station 15 will have individual bunk rooms for each of the firefighters. The station will also include a decontamination area, where showers and a laundry room are accessible to firefighters returning from fighting a fire before they enter the living quarters. These facilities help eliminate carcinogens, which is important in keeping firefighters healthy from cancer-causing smoke and residue common in modern fires.
The fire station also will have a modern alarm system to alert firefighters of an emergency. The modern system gradually increases its alert sounds to gently awake firefighters while sleeping. This approach promotes the physical and mental health of firefighters, as opposed to a loud and jarring alarm system.
Congratulations to Chief Dougherty and his staff on this new fire station in my district!
| | Law Enforcement Awards Gala | | |
Commissioner Gwen Myers;
Dr. Jeffery A. Johnson, Chief Strategy Officer, CDC of Tampa,
and Chad Chronister, Sheriff, Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office (HCSO)
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On Thursday, October 29, 2026, the HCSO Black Community Relations Committee hosted the 2026 Law Enforcement Awards Gala at the Regent in Riverview. Guests enjoyed live entertainment and a Mardi Gras themed menu. Elected officials, special guests, and law enforcement celebrated outstanding deputies, residents, and students. It was an amazing evening full of energy, connection, and community.
Thank you to Sheriff Chronister and the Black Community Relations Committee for another successful awards gala!
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Nancy Millan, Hillsborough County Tax Collector;
Dalia Dangerfield, Mistress of Ceremonies and Senior Reporter, Bay News 9;
Commissioners Gwen Myers, and Harry Cohen
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On Friday, October 30, 2026, Sisters Empowering Women (SEW) hosted their 2026 Awards Luncheon under the theme, "She is Strength". The luncheon was hosted at The Regent in Riverview. Tax Collector Nancy Millan served as the speaker and Senior Reporter from Bay News 9, Dalia Dangerfield, served as Mistress of Ceremonies. SEW is dedicated to giving women and girls of color a space to be heard and know that their voice matters.
Congratulations to this year's honorees: Keisha Wheeler, Chrissy Thompson, Yolanda White, and the 2026 Volunteer of the Year, Tiffany Humphrey! Kudos to Tax Collector Nancy Millan on giving an electrifying and inspiring speech!
| | Commissioner Gwen Myers with Young Michael Jackson Impersonator | | |
On Saturday, October 31, 2026, the Church of God in Christ invited community leaders, neighbors and friends to their annual Fall Festival, a free event that promoted a theme of fun, faith, family and community. I was honored to give remarks. Participants enjoyed music, face painting, a petting zoo, pony rides, craft stations, a trunk or treat, and more! I enjoyed the costume contest put on by the children.
Thank you to the church members and volunteers who made this event possible. It was a great success!
| | 37th Annual India Festival | | Wanda West, Legislative Aide, District 3, Sid Shah, Chair, India Festival, and Fentrice Driskell, Florida Senator-Elect | | |
On the afternoon of Saturday, October 31, 2026, my Aide, Wanda West, represented my office and attended the 37th Annual India Festival. This memorable event, themed “Unity with Devotion,” was presented by the nonprofit educational and cultural organization known as Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay. Sudhir “Sid” Shah (one of the festival chairs) invited the District 3 office to attend. The colorful and lively event, held at the Florida State Fairgrounds, featured authentic Indian food, traditional garb, jewelry, and competitions for more than 85+ dance teams. Proceeds from the festival support youth education and the preservation of Indian culture. It was an honor to attend such an amazing celebration and experience the vibrant traditions, talent, and community spirit.
Thanks to Sid, the dedicated group of community leaders, and the volunteers who bring this vibrant cultural event together each year.
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Iwan Choronenko Air Monitoring
Site Dedication Ceremony
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Family of Iwan Choronenko; Janet Lorton, Executive Director, EPC,
and Commissioner Gwen Myers
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On Thursday, November 5, 2026, the Environmental Protection Commission hosted a site dedication ceremony of the Davis Island Air Monitoring Station at Davis Islands Park in Tampa. The site dedication is in memory of Iwan Choronenko. As the Chair of the EPC, I was pleased to give remarks at this event.
Iwan Choronenko, a retired U.S. Air Force lieutenant colonel, took over the EPC Air Department in 1981 and transformed it into a professional, mission‑oriented organization. He was instrumental in improving local air quality in Hillsborough County, including addressing pollution from vehicles, open burning, noise, and industrial sources. He led efforts that resulted in Hillsborough County’s reclassification from an ozone nonattainment area to an attainment maintenance area in 1996. He also established operational procedures, accountability systems, and efficient management practices that allowed the AMD to grow into a first‑class environmental agency.
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