The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Business Digest 10/02/19

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Zephyrhills Chamber breakfast

Rodrigo Torres, chief medical officer for AdventHealth Zephyrhills, will be the featured speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting. He will be talking about how the hospital compares to other Tampa Bay hospitals, and what AdventHealth Zephyrhills is doing to continually improve patient experience.

The breakfast is on Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. The cost is $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers.

Grow your business
This free workshop helps take the mystery out of helping your business grow. It will meet on Oct. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

Chamber luncheon
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its membership luncheon on Oct. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Springhill Suites Tampa North-Land O’ Lakes, 16615 Crosspointe Run in Land O’ Lakes. For more information or to register, visit GreaterPasco.com

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.

 Women of Wesley Chapel
Women of Wesley Chapel (WOW) meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., on the first Friday of each month, at Beach House Assisted Living and Memory Care at Wiregrass Ranch, 30070 State Road 56, Wesley Chapel. The group is the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s women-only networking group. To RSVP, call (813) 994-8534, or email . Prepayment and registration are strongly encouraged.

Women-n-Charge meeting
Women-n-Charge, a networking group for women, meets on the first Friday of the month, from 11:15 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, at 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. For information or to RSVP, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Become a SCORE volunteer
Despite its acronym, (Service Corps of Retired Executives) volunteers do not have to be retired or an executive, they simply need the experience and willingness to be able to help small businesses succeed. Current local volunteers have backgrounds in human resources, engineering, accounting, sales, marketing, production and other fields. The needs of the clients the organization serves are even more diverse. To find out more, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

NTBC ribbon cuttings
October will be a busy month for ribbon cuttings involving the North Tampa Chamber of Commerce. These are scheduled through the middle of October:

  • Healthy & Fresco: Oct. 3, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 21539 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive, Land O’ Lakes
  • Canterbury Hall Private Chef: Oct. 4, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., 15102 Amberly Drive, Tampa
  • Haverty’s Furniture Co.: Oct. 10, 10 a.m., 26450 Golden Maple Loop, Wesley Chapel
  • Parks Ford of Wesley Chapel: Oct. 10, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., 28739 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
  • Bricks and Minifigs: Oct. 11, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., 28152 Paseo Drive, Suite 140, Wesley Chapel

Also, Dash of Salt N’ Pepper LLC will be celebrating its 10-year anniversary on Oct. 15 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 10353 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite G & H, Tampa.

Networking Group
Shane LeBlanc, director of public works for the City of Zephyrhills and Theresa LeBlanc, advertising manager for the Zephyrhills News, will be the featured speakers at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting on Oct. 8, 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.

Economic report
Gov. Ron DeSantis recently announced that Florida added 213,000 private-sector jobs during the first eight months of the year, while maintaining a low unemployment rate of 3.3%.

During August, Florida’s annual private-sector job growth rate of 2.8 %, compared to the national average of 1.6%

“We are continuing to make Florida the ideal location for businesses to grow and hire Floridians,” DeSantis said, in a news release.

Private-sector industries gaining the most jobs over-the-year were:

  • Education and health services: 62,800 new jobs
  • Professional and business services: 46,800 new jobs;
  • Leisure and hospitality: 23,500 new jobs
  • Trade, transportation and utilities: 21,900 new jobs
  • Construction: 20,900 new jobs
  • Financial activities: 18,700 new jobs

Cancer society ambassador
Jordan Whitehead, safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has partnered with the American Cancer Society as a player ambassador to support patients and their caregivers through their cancer journeys, according to a news release.

The fight against cancer is very personal for Whitehead. His former college teammate, Pittsburgh Steelers running back James Conner, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma during their time at the University of Pittsburgh, according to the release.

“Watching James go through treatments then to come to practice every day, changed my perspective, Whitehead said, in the release. “He never complained, that touched me and changed my whole outlook.”

As an American Cancer Society player ambassador, Whitehead will support the National Football League’s Crucial Catch initiatives. Through fundraising, education, and awareness initiatives, Crucial Catch focuses on the prevention and early detection of multiple cancers, including breast cancer.

 

Moffitt to add Pasco campus?

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A proposal by Moffitt Cancer Center to boost its share of the state’s annual cigarette tax money would support expanded cancer care and research, both in Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

The new location in Pasco County would be near the Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52, and is being viewed by local leaders as having the potential to be a catalyst that would transform the Central Pasco landscape.

Moffitt is asking for an increase to its current share of 4% up to 10%, with the increases coming in two phases.

Moffitt Cancer Center is seeking an additional share of state cigarette tax revenues, to support the project depicted here that would be built in Hillsborough County, and a new facility in Central Pasco County. (Courtesy of Moffitt Cancer Center)

The first phase would increase Moffitt’s share of the tax from 4%, up to 7%, which would generate $11 million in additional annual revenue, said Yvette Tremonti, executive vice president chief finance and administrative officer for Moffitt Cancer Center.

The second increase would boost Moffitt’s share from 7%, up to 10%. That increase also would generate an additional $11 million in annual revenue for Moffitt.

The first increase would take effect in 2020, and the second one would take effect in 2023. Both would last until 2053, Tremonti said.

The primary driver for the request is Moffitt’s need for additional space for both clinical care and research.

Moffitt is currently operating at or near capacity for both clinical and research purposes.

“We have patients that receive a cancer diagnosis that aren’t able to get into Moffitt, as timely as they need to be,” Tremonti said.

Revenues generated from the first increase would be used for a new clinical and research facility in Hillsborough County, with the goal to start that in July 2020, Tremonti said.

That project has been designed in two phases.

Moffitt will be spending about $332 million on phase one; and the increase in the cigarette tax would allow it to build out phase two, she said.

Revenues generated from the additional increase in Moffitt’s share of the tobacco tax funds would go for a clinical and research facility in Pasco County, Tremonti said.

That project is intended to meet future demand for cancer therapies and to create a research park. The goal would be to start that in July 2023, the Moffitt executive said.

Regardless of what happens with its request, Moffitt plans to pursue the new clinical and research facility in Hillsborough County, Tremonti said.

If Moffitt doesn’t receive its request to boost its share of the tobacco tax revenues up to 7%, it would not be able to build out phase two of its Hillsborough plan.

And, if the increased funding from 7% up to 10% did not happen, Moffitt would have to delay its expansion into Pasco County, Tremonti said.

Because of its research and the novel treatments it has developed, Moffitt serves patients from all of Florida’s 67 counties, from all 50 states and from other countries, too, Tremonti said.

Moffitt is ranked one of the Top 10 cancer hospitals in America and best in the Southeast.

Pasco County is attractive because of the area’s tremendous growth, Tremonti said.

The site’s proximity to the Suncoast Parkway and Tampa International Airport are pluses, too, she said.

Moffitt’s proposal is drawing a positive response from elected leaders and local officials.

State Sen. Ed Hooper, a Republican representing District 16, which includes a portion of Pasco County, said Moffitt’s request is “not an inappropriate ask.”

He’s not sure whether the Legislature will support Moffitt’s full request, but he said he would.

“I’m just a fan of Moffitt Cancer Center, and I want them to be able to have the tools necessary to be successful to find a cure for a variety of cancers,” Hooper said. “Cigarette revenue is the most appropriate of all funding sources, as a known cancer causer. How better to use that money to find a solution to that disease?”

Rep. Amber Mariano, a Republican representing District 36, also supports Moffitt’s request.

“I think it makes total sense,” Mariano said, especially using cigarette tax “to treat the disease those products create.”

She said Moffitt’s new campus in Pasco would be transformative.

“It’s going to open up that whole area,” Mariano said. “They’ll be able to bring in more companies, health care, startups.

“With the growth that we’ve already got going on, it’s just the perfect fit,” she said. “I couldn’t be more thrilled that they’re coming.”

Bill Cronin, president and CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., said the proximity to Tampa International Airport makes it a “wonderful ‘fly-to’ site for businesses all over America, as well as international clients and partners to visit their campus facility.”

Besides attracting additional companies to locate near them, Moffitt also can be a magnet for talent, said Cronin, via email.

State Rep. Randy Maggard, a Republican representing District 38, characterized Moffitt as “a great research institution” and said it “wants to bring jobs to Pasco.”

But, he said he needs more information before taking a position on the request.

“I’ve just got to really dive into it and just take a look at it, and make sure that this is good for the citizens of Pasco. That’s the bottom line, at the end of the day,” Maggard said.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said a new Moffitt campus in Central Pasco could have a profound impact.

“You hear the term ‘game changer’ a lot and it seems that, over the last decade, it seems to be overused,” he said. However, he added: “I don’t have another word to replace that.”

This is the kind of project, Biles said, that 50 years from now when people living elsewhere hear the name Pasco County, they’re going to think: “That’s where the Moffitt Research Center is.”

Published September 25, 2019

Ridge Road permit coming soon, administrator says

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A permit to clear the way for the construction of the Ridge Road Extension is expected to be granted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers within the next four weeks to six weeks, Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said.

That would signal the end of a two-decade effort to secure the federal permit needed to create a new 7.6-mile east-west connection from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

The only way for the county to be absolutely sure it will receive the permit is for the Corps of Engineers to issue it, Biles said.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles
(File)

“They won’t ever tell you that you’re going to get the permit until they sign the letter on the permit, giving you the permit. They’ll never tell you, ‘Yea, you’re going to get approval on the permit’ until then. That isn’t the way the Corps works,” the administrator said.

That being said, it appears that everything is lining up toward the county obtaining the permit, Biles told those gathered at Sept. 17 breakfast meeting of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce at Scotland Yards Golf Club, on U.S. 301 in Dade City.

While the county awaits the permit, it is preparing to move ahead with the project.

The first phase of the project, which is funded, is from Ridge Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway. The second phase of the extension, not yet funded, will provide a link between the Suncoast Parkway and U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

Biles told the breakfast crowd: “The construction project is actually on the street today, so we can bid that and start work the day I get the call from the Corps.

“We’ve got it set so that, I get the call from the Corps, I call public works, I call the project manager. They get our consultant out there and start removing the gopher tortoises off the right of way.

“Our surveying crew is already working on surveying the right of way,” Biles added.

The contract includes three milestones, with bonuses available to the contractor if the work is completed within certain timelines.

The Pasco County Commission approved the approach.

“It’s pretty unique. It took a lot of work in the county attorney’s office to set it up,” Biles said.

The first milestone involves providing a secondary access to River Ridge High and River Ridge Middle, before the school year begins in August 2020.

To achieve that, Biles said he would need the permit in hand, and a contractor notice to proceed, by Dec. 1.

“That’s a goal to hit that, and we can do it,” Biles said.

The second milestone is to have two lanes of Ridge Road open to the Suncoast Parkway, and to have the interchange operational before Hurricane Season 2021, Biles said.

“So, we’re going to get there, open up two lanes, we’re going to breathe and relax for about 30 seconds, then they’re going to finish the other two lanes, finish the project by the next hurricane season,” the administrator added.

Biles said he wants to get the first two lanes open as quickly as possible, to get traffic onto it to the Suncoast Parkway.

That will provide another hurricane evacuation route, and will open up the west-central area of the county to within a “commutable distance” of downtown Tampa, Biles said.

It also would be good timing, in conjunction with a new $191 million expansion campus that Moffitt Cancer Center wants to create in Pasco County.

Moffitt recently announced it would be asking the state Legislature to increase Moffitt’s share of the state’s cigarette revenue from 4% to 10% to support an expansion of its facilities in Hillsborough County, and to provide for a new campus in Pasco County.

The project would allow Moffitt to meet future demand for cancer therapies, create a research park that would be a magnet for biotech partners, and expand its services in the Tampa Bay region, according to information provided by Moffitt.

Published September 25, 2019

Business Digest 09/25/19

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(Courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

Chamber breakfast draws crowd
County Administrator Dan Biles was the featured speaker at The Greater Dade City Chamber Commerce business breakfast at Scotland Yards Golf and Country Club. The San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union was the breakfast sponsor. Shown here, from left: County Administrator Dan Biles, Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and credit union CEO & President Tim Baldwin.

Economic briefing
Jamie Wilson, DBA vice president of government relations, will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s economic development briefing on Sept. 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s green 18101 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa. He has served as vice president of government relations for Moffitt since 2007. His responsibilities include local, state and federal government relations. To find out more and to RSVP, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Franchise opportunities
Learn about franchises and how to select the right one for you at this free seminar called “Opportunities in Franchises,” presented by Pasco-Hernando SCORE. The session will be on Sept. 30 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.

Zephyrhills Chamber breakfast
Rodrigo Torres, chief medical officer for AdventHealth Zephyrhills, will be the featured speaker at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce monthly breakfast meeting. He will be talking about how the hospital rates compared to other Tampa Bay hospitals, and what AdventHealth Zephyrhills is doing to continually improve its patient’s experience. The breakfast is on Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. The cost is $8 for members; $10 for nonmembers.

Wednesday networking
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its Wednesday morning networking meeting on Oct. 2 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at The Lake House at Hungry Harry’s Family BBQ, 3130 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. To register, go to the chamber’s website, GreaterPasco.com.

SWFMD appointments
Gov. Ron DeSantis has appointed Roger Germann and reappointed Kelly Rice to the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board, according to a water management district news release.

Germann represents Hillsborough County, and Rice represents Citrus, Lake, Levy and Sumter counties.

Germann, of Tampa, is the president and chief executive officer of The Florida Aquarium. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois. Germann is appointed to a four-year term.

Rice, of Webster, is the owner of Prime Property Resources Inc., and the president of Rice Cattle Company. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from the University of South Florida. Rice is reappointed to a four-year term.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

The volunteer governing board members set policy for the district, which manages the water and related resources of West Central Florida to meet the needs of current and future water users, while protecting the environment.

Growing your business
This free workshop helps to demystify the steps you can take to help your business grow. It will meet on Oct. 7 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

School district expands mental health services

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The Pasco County school district has been ramping up training and tapping into outside sources, in its quest to build a better mental health support network for students.

Statistics from across the school district underscore a compelling need for increased services.

District figures show that more than 1,200 suicide assessments were done last year of students in elementary, middle and high schools.

The breakdown showed that 463 suicide assessments were reported at the elementary school level; 408 at the middle school level; and, 308 at the high school level.

There also were nearly 600 threat assessments across the district, with 278 reported at the elementary level; 134 at the middle school level; and, 186 at the high school level.

Jeannine Welch, Melissa Musselwhite and Vicki Papaemanuel are leading up efforts to expand mental health services within Pasco County Schools. (B.C. Manion)

District data regarding Baker Act cases reported 171 at the elementary level; 211 at the middle school level; and, 207 at the high school level.

Baker Act cases involve individuals who are deemed to be a threat to themselves or others who are referred for mental evaluation.

“We obviously have many students that need significant support from us, relating to mental health,” said Melissa Musselwhite, the district’s director of student support programs, during a school board session on mental health held this summer.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning pointed to the suicide assessments.

“Twelve hundred and sixty — 463 just in elementary school alone,” Browning noted.

He also observed there were more suicide assessments at elementary level, than in high school.

“The same with threats,” noted School Board Chairwoman Alison Crumbley. “It’s (threats) higher at elementary.”

Jeannine Welch, senior supervisor for student support services, told board members that it’s  difficult to pinpoint what the statistics mean. For instance, a suicide assessment could refer to a student who was assessed, but not in any danger.

Musselwhite also said more information is needed: “Do we have the same standard for kids we are referring, let’s say for suicide assessment?

“If the kid has scissors and says, ‘I’m going to stab you,’ or ‘I’m going to stab myself,’ do we have a common practice across the district how we respond to that?

“Those are questions. I don’t know. We really need to analyze the data more deeply,” Musselwhite said.

Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Schools David Scanga said the statistics are telling.

“It does reflect the stress level of elementary that probably 10 years ago we didn’t see,” he said. “So, the stress on the families, the stress on the communities, the stress within the building. I hear what Melissa is saying, but we also know and agree that there are things in elementary that we’re dealing with that are more frequent — not that they were never there — but they are more frequent than they were in the past.”

To help address the needs, the district has been collaborating with Central Florida Behavioral Health Network, which has allowed the district to expand its services.

Central Florida has worked out a memorandum of understanding with all of the providers, so the district doesn’t have to obtain a separate contract for a specialized service, Welch said.

Students receiving services are run through a voucher system.

That helps stretch the district’s spending capacity because if a child is eligible for Medicaid, or would be potentially eligible, those dollars are used first, Welch said.

The district has added key personnel and has expanded training efforts.

It has added mental health coaches to coach school-based student services staff regarding mental health initiatives.

The mental health liaison has been able to help analyze data, and also has provided “literally, someone to call instantly in order to be able to problem-solve with some of the situations we have within schools,” Musselwhite said.

The district is working to improve its supports for students.

When a student has been Baker-acted, for instance, the district wants to be sure it supports that student when he or sure returns to school.

“We want to make sure that it’s truly done as a safety net for them,” Welch said.

“We’ve had kids that have been gone for a week and come back, and said they’ve been on a Disney cruise. They weren’t on the Disney cruise,” Welch said.

The district has ramped up training.

“We are required to train staff and make sure they have first-aiders at schools. When this first came out, we had zero trainers,” Welch said. “This summer we’ve trained 688 staff members.”

The district continues to build on its capacity, she said.

“We spent this year building up trainers,” she said.

“It shouldn’t just be the administrator. It should be others that, these are embedded practices that live on, regardless of the leadership,” she said.

“The state has rolled out a new threat assessment  protocol that we’ll be training all student services and administrative staff, in the next month (by Oct. 1),” Musselwhite said.

“The majority of the day will be around the threat assessment, behavioral threat assessment that the state mandated, using a specific  tool and a training platform,” said Vicki Papaemanuel, who will be overseeing the training for the district.

“The second half of the day will be around threat to self or suicide assessment,” she said.

Threat assessments
Elementary: 278
Middle: 134
High School: 186
Total: 598

Suicide assessments
Elementary: 463
Middle: 408
High School: 308
Total: 1,260

2018-2019 Baker Act Data
Elementary: 171
Middle: 211
High school: 207

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published September 18, 2019

Area responds to Hurricane Dorian victims

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As the death toll grows and residents of the Bahamas continue to grapple with the devastation caused by Hurricane Dorian — local groups are stepping up to find ways to help those who are suffering.

Dorian made landfall on Sept. 1 as a Category 5 Hurricane, flattening homes and causing massive flooding, according to national news reports.

Jessica Cooper, who teaches in the Culinary Arts Academy at Land O’ Lakes High School, has been coordinating a supply drive to support victims of Hurricane Dorian. Her husband, LeRone, who grew up there, planned to deliver the supplies to family members and others suffering in the aftermath of the Category 5 hurricane. (B.C. Manion)

The official death toll stood at 50, with an estimated 2,500 still missing as of last week, according to national news reports. Officials expect the death count to rise, as search-and-rescue crews dig through the ruins of Grand Bahama and Abaco islands.

While recovery work continues, groups are rallying to do what they can here.

At Land O’ Lakes High School, Chef Jessica Cooper — who teaches in the school’s Academy of Culinary Arts — put out the word that she was collecting supplies that would be delivered by her husband, LeRone, who grew up in Freeport, the main city on Grand Bahama.

Some of the supplies will be provided to LeRone’s family members who still live there, and the rest will be distributed in an open forum he will be having at an office building, Cooper said.

She let people know that she would be collecting supplies at the school from Sept. 9 to Sept. 11 and, by the second day, so many items had been donated, she had to rent a mini-van so she could transport the contributions to her South Tampa home.

The family also rented a Penske truck, so her husband could make the trip to South Florida, to load the supplies on a ship, which he would take along with the supplies to Freeport, and he lined up two trucks to help him transport the goods once he got there.

People who live in the Bahamas are no strangers to hurricanes, but the massive storms usually blow through the area in a matter of hours, Cooper said. This time, the hurricane stayed for 24 hours — something that’s never happened before.

Initially, family members went to Cooper’s sister-in-law’s house because she lived in the middle of the island, which had not flooded before. But that area flooded, so the family retreated to her niece’s apartment building.

This is just a fraction of the food, cleaning supplies and other items collected at Land O’ Lakes High School to help Bahamians who are struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Dorian.

“My sister-in-law lost her home,” Cooper said, and her brother-in-law’s home was damaged.

As of last week, there was still no water or power, and none of their family members had been able to return to work.

Cooper said the outpouring of help for her family and other Bahamians, has been humbling.

“To be completely honest, I am so overwhelmed with the generosity of everyone,” Cooper said, on Sept. 10. “The faculty here, the students who are helping, then the parents who started posting on social media to their communities.”

She appreciates help from other sources, too: “My godmother came over the night before last. I had another cousin come over last night. To organize and  pack.

“I didn’t expect any of this, to be this big. But, I am so grateful for it,” Cooper said, noting some people still want to help, and her husband is planning a second trip in October.

The supply drive at Land O’ Lakes High is just one of several efforts happening across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

At Sunlake High School, in Land O’ Lakes, the Junior States of America Club collected donations through Sept. 13. And, Wiregrass Ranch High School, in Wesley Chapel, collected donations through Sept. 12.

Saint Leo University, in St. Leo, has nearly 150 Bahamian students, with 64 members in the class of 2023, according to a news release.

The college had a candlelight vigil on Sept. 5 and a prayer service at Saint Leo Abbey, prior to the student Mass.

Saint Leo University has been responding to support its Bahamian students who lost family members, or whose family members lost their homes, businesses, personal possessions or suffered other losses from Hurricane Dorian. One show of support was a candlelight vigil at the university’s campus in St. Leo. (Courtesy of Eric Mutschler/Saint Leo University)

Some Saint Leo students have lost family members. And, some students’ families have lost businesses, employment, homes, cars and all of their personal possessions.

The college is providing individual counseling and check-ins with their Bahamian students, the release says.

The university also has placed donation bins around campus to collect supplies to transport to the Bahamas. Items they are collecting include: nonperishable food items, snacks, flashlights, batteries, diapers, baby wipes, water containers, disposable razors, lotion, work gloves, garbage bags, soap, deodorant and portable chargers.

The donations bins will remain on campus until further notice. Also, Lake Myrtle Elementary, in Land O’ Lakes, and Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, in Spring Hill, are hosting partnership drives, so the university’s donations will be able to help more people and pets in the Bahamas, according to Jen Shaw, vice president of student affairs for the university.

The Diocese of St. Petersburg also is raising money to help people affected by Hurricane Dorian.

Hillsborough County Public Schools and the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office partnered in their efforts to collect hurricane relief supplies.

Meanwhile, at Goodwill Industries-Suncoast stores, shoppers are being invited to round up their purchases to help raise money for Hurricane Dorian relief. The organization planned to launch the campaign on Sept. 5 and run it through Sept. 19, with the goal of raising $25,000 to help people in the Bahamas. The organization decided to collect cash, rather than items, because of the difficulty in getting donated items to people in need, according to a news release.

Others involved in Hurricane Dorian Relief efforts include The Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, in conjunction with Rotary District 6950 and AdventHealth Center Ice.

All of the supplies will be trucked to Miami on Sept. 30, then shipped to the Bahamas and distributed throughout the Island by Bahamian Rotarians, according to the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel’s website.

AdventHealth Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will be accepting donations from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., during the drive.

Donations also may be dropped off at the Make A Difference office, 12311 U.S. 41, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, 38550 Fifth Ave., in downtown Zephyrhills. The chamber is open Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Hurricane Dorian relief items
Rubber gloves
Bleach
Cleaning supplies
Flashlights
Propane tanks
Matches
Coolers
Sheets and blankets
Hammers
Latex gloves
Clorox wipes
Brooms
Large garbage bags
Tarps, all sizes
Portable grills, lighters
Pillows
Roof paper, roofing nails
Portable cellphone chargers
Generators
Work gloves
Face masks
Buckets
Cleaning rags
Shovels
Sterno camp stoves
Candles
Portable cots
Towels
Feminine hygiene products
Adult diapers
Toilet paper
Soap
Shampoo
Diapers
Paper towels
Detergent
Baby wipes
Toothbrush/toothpaste
Baby formula
Canned goods
Can openers
Nonperishable food
Pet food

Published September 18, 2019

Business Digest 09/18/2019

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(Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

Bubba’s breaks ground
Bubba’s 33, 26340 Silver Maple Parkway in Wesley Chapel, had a ceremonial groundbreaking for its first restaurant in Florida. A December opening is expected. Shown here from left: Adam Thomas, marketing director for Experience Florida’s Sports Coast; Crista Demers-Dean, Bubba’s 33 marketing director; Jeff Dean, Bubba’s 33 managing partner; Mike Moore, vice chairman of the Pasco County Commission; and, Hope Allen, CEO of the North Tampa Bay Chamber.

New craft brewery coming
Double Branch Artisanal Ales (DBAA) is expected to open in December at 5956 Wesley Grove Blvd., in The Grove at Wesley Chapel, according to a news release from the company. The locally owned and operated brewery will provide a gathering place, a tap room of beers brewed on premise and food. The brewery and taproom also will provide a local option for events, entertainment and nightlife.

The brewery’s name relates to the original name for Wesley Chapel, which was named Double Branch, after twin creeks that ran through the Boyette land grant, the release says.

The brewery will operate out of an 8,400-square-foot space in the Mainstreet area of The Grove, combining a 2,100-square-foot production brewery; 1,900-square-foot tap room, a 550-square-foot outdoor patio; and, an 1,850-square-foot event space.

The principal members of Double Branch include: Shashank Mishra, of Wesley Chapel, owner and president; Ryan Clark, of Lutz, owner and managing partner; Cody Guyer, of Wesley Chapel, owner and head brewer; and Sam Guyer, tap room manager.

Marketplace grand opening
Vintage Marketplace, at 5155 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, will celebrate its grand opening Sept. 21 at 11 a.m. The 5,000-square-foot store features a wide variety of vendors. The event will feature refreshments and special offerings. Store hours are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday, and noon to 3  p.m., on Sunday.

Free class for insurance agents
A free five-hour law and ethics continuing education class will be offered for insurance professionals Sept. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at SpringHill Suites Marriott, 16615 Crosspointe Run in Land O’ Lakes. Register by going to Pasco.PaulDavis.com, or RSVP to .

East Pasco Networking
Bill Cronin, president/CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., will be the featured speaker at the East Pasco Networking Group breakfast on Sept. 24. The group meets from 7:30 a.m. to 9 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.

Economic briefing
Jamie Wilson, DBA vice president of government relations, will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s economic development briefing on Sept. 26, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s green 18101 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa. He has served as vice president of government relations for Moffitt since 2007. His responsibilities include local, state and federal government relations. To find out more and to RSVP, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Recession concerns
The NFIB Small Business Optimism Index fell 1.6 points to 103.1, remaining within the top 15 percent of readings, according to a news release.

Job creation accelerated, positive earnings trends improved, and quarter-on-quarter sales gains remained strong, the report said.

However, optimism slipped because fewer owners said they expect better business conditions and real sales volumes in the coming months, according to the report.

“In spite of the success we continue to see on Main Street, the manic predictions of recession are having a psychological effect and creating uncertainty for small business owners throughout the country,” NFIB President and CEO Juanita D. Duggan, said in the release. “Small business owners continue to invest, grow and hire at historically high levels, and we see no indication of a coming recession.”

For the full report, go to NFIB.com.

Franchise opportunities
Learn about franchises and how to select the right one for you at this free seminar called “Opportunities in Franchises,” presented by Pasco-Hernando SCORE. The session will be on Sept. 30, at the SMARTstart West Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 4532 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey.

Chamber awards gala
The 20th annual North Tampa Bay Awards Gala, set for Nov. 7, will honor local businesses, volunteer civic organizations, and company leaders for contributions they make to the regional economy and the community. The event will be at the Tampa Palms Golf & Country Club, 5811 Tampa Palms Blvd., in Tampa, and will include a VIP Reception and dinner. A VIP Reception ticket includes an hour of networking, two drinks, passed appetizers, and entertainment. The $75 dinner ticket includes a three-course meal and the awards presentation. For more information, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Pasco to open K-8 school in fall 2021

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The groundbreaking last week for Starkey Ranch K-8 School was celebrated in grand fashion —  at a gathering that included a high school jazz band and color guard, preschoolers, a private developer partner, elected leaders and government officials.

The school is the second phase of a partnership between Pasco County Schools, Pasco County government and Wheelock Communities, the private developers of Starkey Ranch, a community off State Road 54 in Trinity.

Members of the Pasco County School Board join top district staff in a ceremonial groundbreaking for the Starkey Ranch K-8 School. (B.C. Manion)

One part of the project is the Starkey District Park, which opened its first phase in November 2017. Two additional phases are planned for the park.

Starkey Ranch K-8 School, located near the district park, is the public school district’s first school specifically designed for elementary and middle school students.

It is expected to open in August 2021, with about 1,000 elementary school students and 600 middle school students.

The school campus includes a gymnasium, athletic fields, a running track and sports courts that will be available during non-school hours to residents, through a shared-use agreement.

Additionally, there’s a third part of the partnership that involves construction of what’s been dubbed TLC, which stands for theater, library and cultural center.

Matt Call, project director for Starkey Ranch, talked about the collaborative attitude the partners have shared.

“It began as an idea to work together to create something great,” Call said.

The approach that’s been used, he said, “is something that we sometimes feel is missing in society today — just the idea of putting aside our own differences and our own desires, and really coming together and working to do something.”

His enthusiasm for the partnership was shared by Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning.

“We have looked forward to this day for a very, very long time,” Browning told the crowd.

The joint efforts will yield a community asset, he said.

“These amenities add, not only to Starkey Ranch, but also to Pasco County as a whole,” Browning said.

This is what the Starkey Ranch K-8 School campus will look like. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

And, because the facilities will be shared — instead of being duplicated, Browning said, “the taxpayers are winners on this project.”

The superintendent added: “We want it to be a community place. We want it to be a place where people come and gather, and socialize and learn.”

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells noted that “from the county standpoint, the last time we built a library, my father was a county commissioner. That was in 1982.

“This is a very, very exciting day. The TLC is the first of its kind in Pasco County.”

The center will accommodate public library patrons and students. It also will have a 250-seat theater and three maker spaces.

Like the other speakers, Wells praised the cooperative arrangement to pursue these facilities.

“It’s not very often that we all come together to do things,” Wells said, noting that government agencies have a tendency to operate in silos.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, a former school board member, said she hopes that Starkey Ranch K-8 School is so successful that the school district will build more in the future.

“I’m so excited for the residents that live here and for all of those lucky kids who are going to be able to experience this kind of school,” Starkey said.

She also talked about the TLC.

“We have worked really hard to make this facility different than the normal facility. We’re going to have outdoor space, where you can have cocktail parties,” she said.

She expressed gratitude that both the school board and the Pasco County Commission put in some extra money to make the TLC “exactly what we wanted.”

School board chairwoman Alison Crumbley said the project is exciting because of what the school will offer for students. She’s also pleased by the presence of the theater and cultural center because she’s a proponent of the arts.

Browning said the K-8 model will provide “opportunities for middle-schoolers to mentor elementary school kids, which is a great, great thing for us.”

No decision has been made yet on the boundaries for the new school, said Chris Williams, director of planning for the school district.

Beyond assigning students from Starkey Ranch to the school, various options are being discussed, including the possibility of a magnet school to fill the remaining spots, he said.

The school construction budget is $44.4 million.

Published September 11, 2019

Central Pasco project calls for 280 Class A apartments

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a project that includes 280 apartments and 49,500 square feet of commercial, on the north side of State Road 54, between Wesley Chapel Boulevard and Collier Parkway.

The site, approximately 25.4 acres, is about 2 miles west of the interchange of State Road 56 and Interstate 75.

The request received a recommendation for approval by county planners.

Attorney Clarke Hobby represents the A.G. Spanos Companies and the Aiken Trust.

“I’m very excited to be representing the Spanos Corporation,” Hobby told planning commissioners.

“My client tells me that they intend on building the nicest multifamily community that’s been built in Pasco County. It’s a very substantial company that’s built over 100,000 multifamily apartments. They’re all Class A around the United States for over 50 years.

“I feel it’s going to be a quality project, with quality people involved,” Hobby said.

The main access to the site would be from the intersection of State Road 54 and Oak Grove Boulevard, an existing signalized intersection.

The commercial portion of the request would be developed near the front of the property, to take advantage of the signalized intersection, Hobby said.

Hobby also noted that the applicant is seeking, In a separate action, an amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan, and the Pasco County Commission unanimously voted to forward that request to the state for review.

Such reviews are a standard part of the plan amendment process.

Hobby said his client wants to be a good neighbor.

“We realized there are about 10 or 12 houses that are adjacent to where the multifamily area will be back here, but we agreed to a 75-foot setback from our property boundary that effectively will create a 90- to a 100-foot setback from any home in here,” the attorney said.

“Additionally, this whole area already has mature oak trees on their side, and we’ll be planting  a large buffer on our end,” he said.

Karen Mason, who lives on Foggy Bottom Parkway told planning commissioners that she wasn’t there to speak for or against the request. However, she did note that within a 1-mile radius of the Twin Lakes community there are 1,659 apartment units of 1-, 2- and 3-bedrooms.

“That’s within a 1-mile radius. You don’t have to travel much further to find many more. We’re not privy to the number of entitlements approved for that area,” she said. At the same time, however, Mason said she believes the Spanos Companies will build a quality project.

John Pavka, who has lived in the community for 25 years, said he lives within 400 feet of where the apartments will be built. He opposes the project.

“If you approve this and this thing goes through, my neighborhood is going to take a hit,” Pavka said.

Planning Commissioner Peter Hanzel asked if there could be negative consequences if the apartment market becomes overbuilt, and the economy cools.

Hobby responded: “I do not believe we are overbuilt or over-planned on multifamily units, now.

“We commissioned a firm to do a market study and they showed the penetration rates, even with the ones coming online, they’re all leasing up.”

He also said his client wouldn’t invest in a project that’s in the ballpark of $60 million if there was uncertainty the market could sustain it.

Planning Commissioner Michael Cox supported the request, making a motion for its approval.

“I’m a big believer of the capital markets. What’s being built is what’s being demanded.

“Recessions are normal. We go through them periodically. It’s part of the business cycle,” he said.

Cox said the project is clearly in keeping with the intent of the county’s comprehensive plan.

Planning commissioners voted to recommend approval to the Pasco County Commission, which is scheduled to consider it at a public hearing on Oct. 22 at 1:30 p.m., in the board room at the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive in New Port Richey.

Published September 11, 2019

Residents battle 5-acre lots in their neighborhood

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The Pasco Planning Commission is recommending approval of a rezoning that will allow homes to be built on 5-acre lots, instead of 10-acre lots, on a 211-acre site, on the northwest corner of Trilby Road and Dowling Lake Road.

The applicant for the rezoning change, Massey Partners Limited, was represented by attorney Clarke Hobby.

Planning commissioners are recommending approval despite opposition by nearby neighbors.

County planners also have recommended approval.

Art Woodworth, who lives nearby, expressed concerns about the potential for public access to Dowling Lake, from the new homes that will be built.

Plans call for eight new lots to be situated on Lake Dowling, with other lots without direct access.

“They might want to have a common beach area or a dock — well, we have a problem with that,” Woodworth said. “I don’t want to have a dock across the lake from me where 34 homeowners can get together and have parties. I object to that.”

He also expressed concerns about adding more traffic to Trilby Road, which is a narrow road.

“There are curves on Trilby Road that have very little sight distance, at best 100 feet,” Woodworth said.

He noted: “Cars commonly encroach into the other lane because the lane widths are so narrow.”

Calvin Weese, a neighbor to the north, told planning commissioners: “They never came to us — asked us for our input, listened to our concerns, (to) hear other options or suggestions we may have.

“I haven’t heard anyone in the neighboring area say that they support this change,” Weese said, adding the impacts on the neighbors were not considered.

“It you can see through the smoke and mirrors, it’s simply a way of getting more value for this property,” Weese said.

Another neighbor, Chris Baker, urged planning commissioners to deny the request — in order to help preserve the area’s wildlife and serenity.

“It’s an amazing place,” he said. That lake is unique. It’s special. There’s a lot of wildlife there. There’s a nesting pair of eagles that hunt there, half the year.

“We see many eagles there, when they come back in season. We see a great deal of hawks, cardinals, every type of raptor that Florida has to offer, are there,” he said.

He said his fear is, “you put too much activity in there, it’s going to chase away some of these animals.”

Sylvia Kelly, another neighbor, also is worried about adding more traffic to Trilby Road.

“It’s a dangerous road for all of us that are out there,” she said. “There are deep culverts.”

She urged planning commissioners to retain the requirement for a minimum lot size of 10 acres.

Hobby said the applicant is willing to record a deed restriction that would limit the number of lots on the lakefront to eight. He also agreed to language that will prohibit a community dock, boat launch or beach.

“We are not in here seeking small lots. We are in here seeking the second largest lots in the county,” Hobby said.

“This project is going to have a negligible effect on Trilby Road and the surrounding network,” he added.

Planning Commission Chairman Charles Grey said, “For me, it’s difficult to deny someone something that other people have been granted.

“I don’t think they’re asking for anything that’s not permitted in the code,” he added.

Grey said initially he was concerned about potential impacts to the lake.

“I wasn’t happy with (the possibility of) having 35 people have access to that lake,” Grey said. “I know if I lived on that lake, that would ruin it for me. I wouldn’t vote for that. I wouldn’t allow that.”

Unlike the neighbors, Grey said, “I don’t think it’s going to spoil the rural nature of that area.”

Planning Commissioner Michael Cox noted the applicant is the majority landowner on the lake.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission for final consideration. A public hearing on the request has been scheduled for Oct. 7 at 1:30 p.m., in the board chambers at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, in downtown Dade City.

Published September 11, 2019