New Port Richey City Council voted to approve final changes to its alcohol ordinance at Tuesday’s meeting. Only Mayor Rob Marlowe voted against the measure, with Council members Chopper Davis, Judy deBella Thomas, Jeff Starkey, and Bill Phillips voting in favor of the changes.

The council also voted to approve changes to the property maintenance code–that vote was unanimous. We highlighted the changes proposed in a previous article. “I look forward to neighbors helping their neighborhoods look good again,” said  Councilman Chopper Davis just before the vote.

Last on the agenda was a proposed change to a prostitution ordinance which would outlaw those who have been convicted on prior charges of prostitution from waving at or contacting vehicles. That change was also approved by the council unanimously. Councilman Jeff Starkey praised the measure and claimed it would give the police a new tool to combat the issue. “We will eradicate the problem eventually,” he said. Police Chief Kim Bogart has promised a major operation to combat prostitution in New Port Richey if the measure were to pass.

by Jon Tietz