Tampa Bay Times:  Proposal to raise bridge height stirs controversy in Hernando Beach

By Barbara Behrendt

April 22, 2014

HERNANDO BEACH — Harry Kasavich believes that when people scope out a waterfront neighborhood for a home, it’s their responsibility to make sure that the size of their boat is compatible — just as they would want to make sure their truck fits in the garage.That’s why the Hernando Beach South retiree is vocal in his opposition to a move by some of his neighbors, who own big boats, to build a new, higher bridge on Companero Entra and have everyone in the community foot the $2.36 million bill.Ballots on the question should be arriving in property owners’ mailboxes in the next few days. Kasavich is voting no. “Why would you dig up a perfectly good bridge?” he asks.  Actually, there are several reasons, if you ask those who support the construction of a new bridge. “This has been an ongoing issue for a long time,” said Diane Overbeek, president of the Hernando Beach South Property Owners Association, which has not taken a stand on the contentious issue.  Read more: