The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Business Digest 10/16/2019

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Power Gals of Land O’ Lakes
This networking group for women meets on Oct. 17 at 11 a.m., at Pizza Villa, 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes. The group aims to give women, from all different walks a life, a place to support each other and to build friendships. For more information, go to PowerGals.net.

Hillsborough County job fair
Hillsborough County Commissioner Sandy Merman, in association with CareerSource Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Community College, will host her fifth annual County Job Fair on Oct. 18 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the HCC Dale Mabry Campus, 4001 W. Tampa Bay Blvd.

Employers with hundreds of positions will be at the job fair, which is free and open to the public. For more information, call Angela Lyons at CareerSource Tampa Bay at (813) 930-7836, or email her at .

Real estate seminar
Fitz Real Estate Services will host a free Real Estate Seminar on Oct. 19 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Blazing Saddles Ranch, 10219 Wirt Road in Dade City. The seminar will cover a variety of real estate topics. To RSVP and for more information, call (813) 468-0446, or email .

 East Pasco Networking Group
Cliff Martin, vice president/general manager of Jarrett Ford, Dade City, will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Oct. 22 at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City. For more information, call Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones at (813) 431-1149.

New craft brewery topic of talk
Anthony Derby, the founder/CEO of Florida Avenue Brewing Co., will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s economic development briefing. He’ll talk about the Seminole Heights craft brewery that’s expanding into Wesley Chapel. The Oct. 24 event is from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunters Green, 18101 Long water Run Drive in Tampa. For cost and reservations, call (813) 994-8534, or send an email to .

Ribbon cutting for Sports Clips
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will participate in a ribbon cutting celebration on Oct. 29 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., for Sports Clips of Terra Bella, 23683 State Road 54 in Lutz. The ribbon cutting is set for 5 p.m. Light refreshments will be served.

Zephyrhills Chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has its monthly business breakfast on the first Thursday of the month at 7 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6877 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Admission is $8 for members and $10 for visitors.

Christmas Parade applications
Deadline for entry in the Dade City Christmas Parade is Nov. 11. Applications are available online at DadeCityChamber.org. For more information, call (352) 567-3769.

Taxes on transient rentals
The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office soon will collect Tourist Development Taxes on transient rentals. The tax collector’s office began accepting registrations on Oct. 1 from all who are required to collect the 4% tourist development tax on transient rentals. Starting Nov. 1, the  tourist development tax must be reported and remitted to the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office online though the Tourist Express system, Pasco.county-taxes.com/tourist or by mail only, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

For detailed information regarding the tax, documents that must be filed and/ or any questions regarding the tax, visit PascoTaxes.com/tdt/ or call the tax department at (352) 518-5097, or email .

Tax implications
Learn more about the tax implications for small businesses at a seminar presented Oct. 26 from 10 a.m. to noon. The seminar discusses how to create federal and Florida business entities. It also discusses state and local licensing requirements, as well as employment, state and federal taxes. The session will be at the SMARTStart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19, New Port Richey.

Economic Development Summit
The East Pasco Economic Development Summit, focusing on agritourism and agribusiness is set for Nov. 1 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. The keynote speaker will be Holly Bell, director of Cannabis for the Florida Department of Agriculture. There will be a panel discussion on agribusiness and the other on agritourism. To register or for more information, go to NorthTampaBayChamber.com, and click on the Events tab.

E-marketing concepts
Find out about Internet marketing technologies, such as local search directories, email newsletters, blogs, search engine advertising and other tools to help your company reach customers and communicate your brand. The session is on Nov. 5 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19, New Port Richey. The same topic will be covered at a session on Nov. 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., Dade City.

 

Leveraging the power to do good

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The tables aren’t exactly round.

Instead, they’re set up in the shape of a giant square, and those seated around it are taking turns — talking about organizations they represent.

They share what they do day-to-day. They announce upcoming events. They identify current needs.

Some folks in the room are familiar with others. The rest are total strangers.

But all have come to Bridgeway Church, 30660 Wells Road, to attend the inaugural “Wesley Chapel Pasco Difference Makers” roundtable meeting.

David West and Larry Guilford, of Make a Difference, are involved in efforts to make a difference in Pasco County, through a variety of efforts. One of those is called Wesley Chapel Pasco Difference Makers roundtable, which brings people together from a variety of charitable and service-oriented organizations, to create the potential for helping each other. Another roundtable is also held in East Pasco. (B.C. Manion)

The group an extension of the same kind of roundtable that has been meeting,  at the Make A Difference, Inc., headquarters at 12311 U.S. 301, in Dade City.

“Our goal is to bring our community together,” said Larry Guilford, founder of Make A Difference, Inc., which initiated the monthly roundtables.

“We don’t want to get in the middle,” he told those gathered. “We want to help you guys network together.”

Organizations tend to operate in silos, explained David West, who works for Make A Difference, Inc. The roundtables are intended to open lines of communication.

By sharing information, organizations can become aware of new opportunities, such as grants or training in a particular expertise, Guilford said. They also might tell each other about resources, such as  volunteers or equipment — that they need or can provide.

It didn’t take long at the initial session to learn that this assorted group of organizations had diverse immediate needs.

Bridgeway Church, for instance, could use some fill dirt.

It wants to use the dirt to help smooth out a field it would like to use for football and soccer games, said Joel Eason, senior pastor.

Diapers are in big demand at the locations operated by Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers, said Dave Dorsey, organization’s development director.

And, volunteers who can help build houses — especially on week days — would be greatly appreciated, said Jere Ferguson, director of volunteer services for Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco.

Todd Woodfill, executive director of Defeat Suicide Foundation, said he’s in search of a mentor who is especially good at raising money.

He said that he needs to raise $80,000 for some services he’d like to provide next year, and so far, he noted, with a self-deprecating laugh, he’s about $79,000 short.

Jody Armstrong, of Disability Achievement Center, said her group welcomes donations of wheelchairs, walkers and other durable pieces of medical equipment. It cleans up the equipment and gets it to people who need it, she said.

Those were among needs expressed during a roundtable session that offered a glimpse into the wide range of services being provided by multiple organizations operating in Pasco County.

Work being done ranges from providing diabetic testing to encouraging students to read; from providing clothing and personal items for foster kids to supporting athletes for the Special Olympics; and, more.

Guilford said he hopes the roundtable sessions will attract not only organizations that are doing good work, but also members of the community who want to provide resources to help.

“We’re here to help you fill your needs, and also show you other needs in the area that you may not be aware of,” said Guilford, a Wesley Chapel real estate agent, who has been involved in charitable giving for numerous years.

Before his current efforts, Guilford was involved many years doing charitable work in Ukraine, Colombia and the Philippines.

He decided to return home in 2015 to focus on selling real estate and helping people in Eastern Pasco, which has been so good to him.

Make A Difference focuses on serving Dade City, Zephyrhills, San Antonio, Lacoochee and Wesley Chapel.

Its services include a mobile food pantry that distributes food once a month in Dade City and once a month in Zephyrhills. It also provides new shoes to students in need at area schools.

Guilford said he has seen an incredible amount of need in Pasco communities.

Wesley Chapel’s growth and new development has boomed in recent years, making it difficult for some people to realize it has pockets of poverty, he said.

“We don’t see the needs because Wesley Chapel is so promising,” Guilford said.

The roundtables are based on old-fashioned concept of networking.

“We’re open to anybody who is trying to help people in the community,” West said.

And, it’s not limited to charitable organizations.

“There are businesses that are very involved in doing community support, so we’re hoping that we’ll have a pretty good representation of them, too,” West said.

He issues this invitation to them: “Come and listen to what everybody’s needs are.”

The whole point of having the roundtables, West said, “is to find out what people need and to try to find resources for them.”

Pasco Difference Makers roundtables
What: Various charitable and service-providing organizations share information about what they do, upcoming events and immediate needs
Where: There are two locations
The roundtable in East Pasco meets on the first Wednesday of the month, from 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Make A Difference office, 12311 U.S. 301.
The roundtable in Wesley Chapel meets on the third Wednesday of the month, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., the roundtable meets at Bridgeway Church, 30660 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel.
Info: Call (352) 437-3466.

Published October 09, 2019

Building a stronger local economy

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When people think of economic development, they tend to think of groundbreakings, ribbon cuttings and large companies generating lots of jobs, said Bill Cronin, president/CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc.

In reality, though, maintaining a strong local economy means attracting new job generators and helping existing businesses to grow stronger and add jobs,  Cronin said.

Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., said the elements of a strong local economy include attracting new employers, and helping existing companies to succeed. (File)

“The bread-and-butter is working with our existing businesses to make them more competitive, so they can go out and compete with the rest of the world. And, it ends up being the best commercial we’ve got. If we take good care of our existing business, other people will come. It’s a great testimony.

“It’s a lot easier to work with 100 companies that create one job than to recruit one company with 100 jobs,” Cronin said, during a recent East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting in Dade City.

Helping local companies grow means working with them “to either remove obstacles or help them make additional sales and create jobs,” Cronin told the breakfast crowd.

Attracting new companies is no simple feat, the economic development expert said.

“There’s 16,000 agencies in the United States that are all trying to recruit business. When a company is looking to locate somewhere, and they say, ‘Hey, I want to move to the Southeast’ —  there’s probably 200 choices that they can choose from.

“So, they’re not trying to add you, and say, ‘Oh, what a wonderful community Pasco is, I want to figure out how to add them.’ They’re trying to cut us out of that mix because ultimately they want to cut it down to two choices that will compete with each other, using incentives.

“Our goal in those types of searches is to be included, and then to stay in the game long enough — where we don’t get cut. And then, at the very end, you use tools like incentives and work force training and things like that to be able to locate a company here,” Cronin explained.

While attracting large employers with high-paying jobs is a worthy goal, the county needs to be sure to create opportunities at every level, Cronin said.

The county needs to be sure that it has tiers of opportunity, ranging from high-wage jobs to service jobs — to avoid creating a chasm between the haves and the have-nots, he said.

“Our goal is to diversify the economy, become more competitive, and ultimately create jobs,” Cronin said.  “We need to make sure we’ve got a robust economy for all of those different people.”

It’s also important to keep a pulse not only on what’s happening now, but on future needs, he added.

“Things have changed. The way we do business has changed.

“It behooves us to get a better understanding of what these changes are, so we can help businesses proactively,” Cronin said.

“Business used to come to us when they were hurting, or they had a challenge,” Cronin said.

Now, he said, “a lot of these changes are happening so rapidly, they’re (businesses) not in a position to simply respond. They need to be proactive,” he explained.

“Companies used to add jobs to become more competitive. Many don’t have that goal anymore. Some companies are actually looking to automate and cut jobs to become more competitive,” Cronin said.

Keeping abreast of the changing business needs and new workforce requirements are among the challenges that Pasco EDC addresses, as it continues to seek ways to expand opportunities for existing companies and to attract new employers to the area, Cronin said.

Published October 09, 2019

Having fun and helping others, at the same time

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Laughter echoes throughout the Lutz Community Center, as women — some donning purple spray paint in their hair — settle in for some friendly games.

These women have come to a benefit, organized by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, to support Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc., a domestic and sexual violence center.

Sunrise provides free counseling, advocacy, and support services to survivors of domestic violence and sexual violence. It also serves family or friends that have been affected by violence through its outreach program.

The ladies gathering for the event had fun playing games and socializing, while supporting an organization that helps survivors of domestic and sexual violence. (B.C. Manion)

Many of those attending the event came bearing bags of all shapes and sizes, filled with items intended to help those arriving at Sunrise’s shelter.

The donated goods included soaps, shampoos, hair products, lotions, fragrances, socks, toothpaste, cotton swabs, hand sanitizers and other items.

Annette Bellingar, first vice president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, said some women brought in bags filled with stuff. Others just brought in items off the list, and there were others who donated money or gift cards, she said.

Amanda Markiewicz, chief programs officer for Sunrise of Pasco County, Inc., said “we’ve had collaboration with this club and a lot of the other GFWC clubs in the area for a long time. We appreciate the support.”

The event was timed to coincide with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which is in October.

“We have a 40-bed shelter,” Markiewicz said. “We provide them (people at the shelter) with anything you would think is in a household. Basic hygiene items. Clothing.

“We’re able to help them with support services, crisis counseling, advocacy, help with finding jobs or housing or any kind of case management.”

Nearly all of the ladies at the brunch wore purple, in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

While raising $900 in contributions — including a $15 donation per person for the brunch, the ladies also donated enough items for the shelter to fill an SUV and another car.

Besides doing good, they had fun.

They played games and socialized. And, they dined on a homemade brunch buffet that included everything from French toast, to chicken salad sandwiches, to fresh fruit, hash browns, casserole dishes and more.

To learn more about Sunrise, call (352) 567-1681 or visit SunrisePasco.org.

Want to help? Here’s a list of items needed at Sunrise of Pasco County Inc.

Shelter items needed

Batteries

All-purpose cleaner

Foil

Baby formula

Body wash

Canned goods

Deodorant

Disposable gloves

Dryer sheets

Feminine pads

Forks, spoons, cups

Floor cleaner

Hair brushes

Hair ties

Hand soap

Headphones, ear buds

Ibuprofin (children and adult)

Pillows

Cushions

Lice treatments

Light bulbs

Long-handled dustpan

Mop

Pacificiers

Pepto Bismal

Petroleum Jelly

Phone chargers

Q Tips

Shampoo

Socks

Sponges

Stomach medicine

Tissues

Underwear

Vicks VapoRub

Ziploc bags

Published October 09, 2019

At just 11, he’s already found his voice

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Marcus Mitchell isn’t even a teenager yet, but he already knows how he wants to spend his life.

He wants to make music, and to perform it for others.

He’s already writing songs, and in November, the Land O’ Lakes Christian School student will be taking the stage with the Florida Orchestra to perform a solo part.

He will be singing the solo in Movement 2 of Chichester Psalms under choral composer/conductor Eric Whitacre.

Eleven-year-old Marcus Mitchell has been selected to perform a solo part with the Florida Orchestra. He will be performing the part in Hebrew. He also enjoys writing songs, singing songs and playing his ukulele. (B.C. Manion)

Chichester Psalms, a composition by Leonard Bernstein, must be sung in Hebrew.

Marcus sings with Lumina Youth Choirs, based at St. Andrew Episcopal Church, in downtown Tampa. The audition-based organization attracts singers from across Tampa Bay.

Marcus’ parents, Chad and Nereida, are delighted by their son’s selection to perform with the orchestra.

“When I first found out that he had the opportunity to be with Florida Orchestra, I was at a loss for words, but so excited at the same time,” Chad said.

“We thank God for the talent and the passion that he (Marcus) has.

“He’s so passionate. He loves, loves, loves to sing,” he added. “I knew this would be a great opportunity for him. I want his talent to be heard and seen,” Chad said.

Nereida added: “It’s just an honor. I’m thankful that he has this opportunity so young, at 11 years old.”

Marcus lives with his parents, and his brother, 9-year-old brother, Lucas, in Wesley Chapel.

The Land O’ Lakes Christian School sixth-grader said he has loved music for as long as he can remember.

When he was just a little boy, he went to a Justin Bieber concert with his mom. Bieber’s performance left an impression.

“I remember how he commanded the stage,” Marcus said. He said that’s what he wants to do.

While some young musicians need to be encouraged to practice, Marcus’ parents said they have the opposite problem: They have to urge him to stop to make time for other things.

Besides singing in the choir, he plays piano and ukulele and composes his own songs.

One day, not too long ago, Marcus was practicing part of a piece and his voice was somewhat hoarse.

He told his dad: “I just hope I’ll be ready for November.”

His dad told him: “You are going to be absolutely ready.”

Marcus is slated to sing with the Florida Orchestra in November, one performance each at the Straz Center in downtown Tampa, Mahaffey Theater in downtown St. Petersburg and Ruth Eckerd Hall in Clearwater.

Published October 09, 2019

Business Digest 10/09/2019

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Land O’ Lakes brochure exchange
Join members of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce at a business card and brochure exchange on Oct. 10, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Pizza Villa, 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes. A special priced  menu is available.

Career Source Pasco Hernando Job Fair
Career Source Pasco Hernando is having a job fair on Oct. 10, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hyatt Place, at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. This free event gives job seekers a chance to learn about full- and part-time job opportunities.

New Dennis Realty office
Dennis Realty & Investment Corporation held a ribbon cutting and open house on Oct. 1 on Oct. 1, at 37237 Meridian Ave., in Dade City. Dennis Realty, a family-owned real estate company, has been in operation for more than 45 years. It serves customers across Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, Citrus and Pinellas counties. The company specializes in residential and commercial real estate, as well as full-service Property Management. It has locations in Lutz, Hernando Beach, Brooksville, St. Petersburg and Dade City.

Chamber coffee social
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce invites its members to a no agenda monthly coffee social, held on the third Tuesday of the month. The next one is on Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Buttermilk Provisions, 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Florida Aquarium receives grant
TD Ameritrade has given Florida Aquarium a $15,000 grant. The grant will be used to support the aquarium’s sponsored admission program for under-served students in Tampa Bay. The program allows the aquarium to deeply discount its rates, as some groups do not have funds to visit the aquarium.

Anniversary celebration
Fresh Health Café is celebrating 10 years in business with some giveaways for customers. The event will be Oct. 16, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28139 Paseo Drive, Suite 170, in Wesley Chapel.

WOW Too features Kathryn Starkey
Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey will be the featured speaker at the WOW Too meeting on Oct. 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Holiday Inn Express – Trinity, 2125 Corporate Center Drive, in Trinity. The fee is $5 for members and $10 for nonmembers. Pre-registration is encouraged.

Cash King Realty supports Mainstreet Zephyrhills, Inc.
The staff at Cash King Realty Inc. has presented a $2,000 annual sponsorship check to Mainstreet Zephyrhills, Inc. “We are proud to support Mainstreet Zephyrhills, Inc., with this donation to help cover some of the costs of the many downtown events,” Marcus Price, founder and broker at Cash King Realty, said in a news release.

Window-decorating contest
Main Street Zephyrhills invites city businesses to join in a window-decorating contest by Oct. 13, to celebrate the spirit of Zephyrhills High School. Decorate your ground-level storefront window with as much orange and black Zephyrhills High School Bulldog swag, and email your business name, address and photos of your decorations by Oct. 14 to , with the subject line: Go Dogs Window. Main Street’s fans and followers will be asked to comment on and share their favorite window and the business receiving the most interactions will win a $100 Visa gift card. The winners will be announced Oct. 25. Businesses are asked to keep their decorations up through the school’s homecoming on Oct. 25.

Upcoming ribbon cuttings
The North Tampa Bay Chamber is involved with these upcoming ribbons cuttings:

  • Haverty’s Furniture Co., 26450 Golden Maple Loop, Wesley Chapel, Oct. 10 at 10 a.m.
  • Brick and Minifigs, 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 140, Wesley Chapel, Oct. 11, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, 26283 Tanic Drive, Wesley Chapel, Oct. 23, from 4 p.m. ribbon cutting; 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., open house. RSVP by Oct. 18.
  • Hampton Inn & Suites — Tampa/Wesley Chapel, 2740 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel, Oct. 24, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Dade City chamber breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting is set for Oct. 14, from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at AdventHealth Dade City, 13100 Fort King Road, Dade City classrooms 106 and 107. The cost is $10 for members; $15 for nonmembers. Must RSVP and pay no later than by the Thursday (by noon) prior to the breakfast. Go to https://chamberbreakfast.eventhut.com

Power Gals of Land O’ Lakes
This networking group for women meets on Oct. 17 at 11 a.m. at Pizza Villa, 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive, in Land O’ Lakes. The group aims to give women, from all different walks of life, a place to support each other and to build friendships. For more information, go to PowerGals.net.

East Pasco Networking Group
Cliff Martin, vice president/general manager of Jarrett Ford, Dade City, will be the featured speaker on the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Oct. 22, at 7:30 a.m. at the IHOP in Dade City, 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City. For more information, contact Nils Lenz at (813) 782-9491 or Vicky Jones, at (813) 431-1149.

School boundary workshop set

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Thousands of Pasco County Schools students will be affected by proposed boundary changes for the 2020-2021 school year.

Most of the boundary changes are related to the opening of Cypress Creek Middle School, which is scheduled to open next fall.

But there are also some changes being proposed that will affect schools in Central Pasco — but would not affect any current students in those schools. Those changes are being proposed based on future development, according to school district materials.

A public workshop is planned on Oct. 7, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, to detail the proposed boundary shifts.

The proposed boundary maps will be displayed and district staff will be available to answer questions.

The Pasco County School Board also will hold a public hearing on Nov. 5, at 6 p.m., at the district’s office complex, 2727 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. A final public hearing on the proposed changes is scheduled at the same location for Nov. 19, at 6 p.m.

The district is in the midst of constructing a new Cypress Creek Middle School, boosting the capacity on the Cypress Creek Middle High campus, at 8701 Old Pasco Road. That campus has been serving students in grades six through 12.

Initially, the district had planned to build both a high school and a middle school on the site, but lacked sufficient funding. So, it opened the high school, but used the buildings to serve students in grades six through 12.

Now, it is planning to open the new middle school in 2020 — shifting existing middle school students into the new school and adding additional students to fill it up.

The extra space in the high school also will be filled through boundary shifts.

The district plans to shift some students from John Long Middle School to Cypress Creek Middle, and also to shift some students from Wiregrass Ranch High to Cypress Creek High boundary.

But boundaries at Pasco High, Pasco Middle, Quail Hollow Elementary, San Antonio Elementary, Wesley Chapel High and Zephyrhills High also will be affected.

The additional proposed boundary adjustments are designed to align school feeder patterns and keep students together as they progress through the school system.

In addition to posting this information on the district’s website, district officials also are contacting potentially impacted families to share this information.

Besides the changes relating to Cypress Creek Middle and Cypress Creek High boundaries, the district also is proposing boundary adjustments to provide for future development.

These boundary changes would not affect any current students, according to information on the district’s website. But changes are being proposed that would affect future populations of these schools: Connerton Elementary, Dr. Mary Giella Elementary, Crews Lake Middle, Pine View Middle, Hudson High and Land O’ Lakes High.

Where: Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel

When: Oct. 7, 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Details: Maps of proposed boundary changes will be displayed and school district staff will be on hand to answer questions about the proposed changes.

More information: Go to www.pasco.k12.fl.us for additional information.

Published October 2, 2019

North Tampa Bay Chamber wins top state award

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The North Tampa Bay Chamber recently was named the 2019 Chamber of the Year for the state of Florida during the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals annual conference in Daytona Beach.

The chamber was honored for its accomplishments, including its acquisition of two chambers within the past five years that led to its official name change and logo, as well as its involvement in numerous initiatives.

Hope Allen, president/CEO of the chamber said the award is a testament to the chamber’s board, its ambassadors, its staff and the area’s vibrant business community.

Hope Allen is the president/CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, which recently was named the 2019 Chamber of the Year by the Florida Association of Chamber Professionals. Allen also received an individual award for her 15 years of service as a chamber professional. (File)

“This is something we’ve been working toward since I took over the organization,” said Allen, who joined the chamber seven years ago, when it was known as the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. “We had not been ready in the past because we did not have a strategic plan and we did not have an audit.”

But the organization achieved those goals and was able to apply for the honor this year, and proceeded to take home the top prize.

“We, essentially, as chamber professionals, build communities. This is validation that we are going, not only in the right direction, but we’re doing it extraordinarily well,” Allen said.

The application has nine different components, including such things as accomplishments, financial stability, governmental relations, membership, strategic planning, communications and special events.

In the area of governmental relations, for instance, the chamber had to describe its activity at the local, state and federal level, Allen said.

“We were able to speak to all of that,” Allen said, noting that she went to Washington, D.C., with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.

“What I took away from that summit is, ‘global is very local.’ As leader of this chamber, we need to make sure we understand that.”

It’s important, for example, to realize that tariffs have a local impact, she said.

At the local level, the chamber has advocated for increased transportation options, and at the state level, it has pushed for lower business rent taxes.

“We have an issue filter, here. If it doesn’t align with pro-business legislation, we are not dealing with it,” Allen said.

Only chambers that have been audited can apply for the chamber of the year award, which, of course, requires a financial investment, Allen said.

“We came back with a clean audit,” the chamber executive said, noting  that the audit covered not only budgetary issues, but also looked at employee records, crisis management, separation of duties, job descriptions and other organizational categories.

The state judges also consider a chamber’s strategic plan, its technology plan and its communications plan.

In the communications arena, the North Tampa Bay Chamber issues news releases, maintains a website, announces events, uses newsletters and varies its communications, based on the audience, Allen said.

For instance, “we have different messaging for potential members” than for existing members, she said.

The state honor also considers special events that are presented by chambers. That counts for 5% of the score, Allen said.

For much of its history, the chamber was “ very, very dependent on event income,” Allen said.

But in 2013, the board of directors decided to switch the chamber’s focus from presenting parties, pageants and parades’ to becoming the area’s connector, convener and catalyst, Allen said, during a recent talk about the chamber’s 20-year history.

That shift was a risk because it relied on investment by members, Allen said, but the organization was thinking ahead.

Now, the chamber focuses its energy on serving the business needs of its 739 members.

“We don’t sell the chamber,” she said. “The chamber is not something we feel is a widget. It’s an investment in your business. It’s a different pot of money from your branding and your marketing. It’s a business expense, in our opinion.

“Do you know who does sell the chamber? Our members. They sell it for us because they can see the return on their investment,” Allen said.

Published October 2, 2019

Pasco County’s budget tops $1.4 billion

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The Pasco County Commission has adopted a proposed budget topping $1.4 billion for fiscal year 2020.

The property tax rate did not change, but revenues collected by the county will go up because of an expanded county tax base due to new construction and property value increases.

Also, property owners will pay additional taxes to generate revenues needed to pay for four bond issues voters adopted to support a jail expansion, additional fire stations, park improvements and upgraded libraries.

The tax rates adopted by a 4-0, with Commission Chairman Ron Oakley absent, were:

  • Property tax: 7.6076 mills
  • Municipal fire service unit: 1.8036 mills
  • Jail (bond issue): 0.0277 mills
  • Fire rescue (bond issue): 0.0222 mills
  • Parks (bond issue): 0.0100 mills
  • Library (bond issue): 0.0096 mills

The aggregate millage rate is 9.3666 mills.

“The county realized a 9.3% increase in taxable assessed values over the past year,” said Robert Goehig, county budget director. Overall, the county’s budget is $1,465,713,041.

“Compared to the current fiscal year, the final general fund expenditure budget represents an increase of $44 million,” Goehig said.

This year’s budget includes a $20 million increase in the county’s reserves, the budget director said.

The budget also:

  • Fully funds the sheriff’s budget request
  • Includes a 6 percent wage increase for the board and constitutional officer employees
  • Includes $6.8 million for initiatives, including the restoration of library hours, an emergency generator replacement plan and other items.

Also, Goehig noted, there’s  $6.6 million for investments in infrastructure, such as the Starkey Ranch District Park baseball fields; two roller hockey rinks in partnership with the Tampa Bay Lightning; various information technology projects; and, the facilities master plan.

No transportation millage was levied last year and none was proposed this year.

The county’s Municipal Fire Service Unit Fund, which has a tax levy of 1.8036 mills, will generate an additional $4 million because of an increase in property values.

Those funds will be spent to support the negotiated firefighter wage increase and staffing for new fire stations.

No one spoke for or against the budget during the comment period of the public hearing.

Published October 2, 2019

Pasco County Schools secures $1 million grant

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Pasco County Schools is among a dozen school districts across the country selected to receive a Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation grant, as part of the Professional Learning Partnerships Initiative.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said a $1 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation will be used for professional development of teachers, to help them effectively deliver a new middle school mathematics curriculum. (File)

The school district will use the $1 million grant in partnership with the initiative to prepare teachers for a new middle school math curriculum, Illustrative Math (Open Up Resources).

The grant money will be used to provide teacher with professional learning to ensure that instruction is meeting the needs of all students.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said the district is honored to be selected by the Gates Foundation for the opportunity.

Browning said the grant will help the district to strengthen performance in mathematics at the middle school level, by ensuring teachers receive professional learning opportunities to help them effectively deliver the curriculum to students.

“Students will be able to make connections between what they learned in elementary school, to help them prepare for high school,” Browning said.

The district has already implemented a new mathematics curriculum at the elementary level, and this training will help teachers help students make a seamless transition at middle school, Browning said.

“My end goal is to make sure that when students graduate, they are prepared,” Browning said.

“It was a competitive grant,” Browning said. “We’re doing great things in Pasco. We’re thinking outside the box, and we’re thinking differently.”

Pasco has made significant efforts to provide teachers with resources to help them understand the Florida Standards and to deliver standards-aligned instruction, according to a district news release. The work will continue with this grant and the Professional Learning Partnerships Initiative.

Published October 2, 2019