The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Business Digest 03/06/2019

By

NetFest 2019
NetFest, a networking festival presented by the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., is set for April 4 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at The Epperson Lagoon by Metro Places. The event gives business and community leaders a chance to network and have fun. The cost is $40 for Pasco EDC investors and guests, and $50 for others. For more information, call (813) 926-0827, or email .

County supports Gran Fondo
The Pasco County Commission has approved a sports event sponsorship agreement with Haute Route LLC, relating to the Gran Fondo Florida event. This year, the cycling event is scheduled to take place on March 23 and March 24 in San Antonio. The agreement calls for awarding up to $4,800 to support the event, which will be based on a rate of $12 per night per room, based on the actual number of room nights generated by the event in Pasco County.

The gran fondo format differs from other bike races, because it’s not a “start to finish” race. Instead, there are timed segments throughout the courses, which are used to calculate a rider’s competitive time.

Kevin Barber appointed
The Pasco County Commission has confirmed the recommendation from the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board executive committee and has appointed Kevin Barber, representing Iron Workers Local 397, to the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board.

Planning Commission terms
The Pasco County Commission has approved a resolution that specifies that the county’s Planning Commission will be appointed through staggered terms. The initial terms range from one year to three years, and two-year terms after the expiration of the initial terms. Members may be reappointed and member vacancies will be filled using the same manner as the original appointment. The resolution also establishes the annual election of a chairman and vice chairman for the planning board.

East Pasco Networking Group
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano and Madonna Wise will be the featured speakers at the March 12 breakfast meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group. The meeting, which starts at 7:30 a.m., will be at IHOP, at 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Pasco Schools job fair
Pasco County Schools is hosting a Spring Job Fair on March 7 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.

The district has openings for teachers, maintenance workers, bus drivers and other positions.

Applicants can get on-the-spot interviews and prizes for participating.

Positions are available at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in various areas, including:

  • Food and nutrition services
  • Plant manager
  • Intermediate elementary teacher
  • Child care assistants
  • Registrars
  • Sports coaches
  • Licensed practical nurse
  • Custodian
  • Bus drivers

For more information about the Job Fair and to register, visit PascoHires2019.eventbrite.com.

Visit Pasco.Tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx, to view job listings.

North Tampa Bay Chamber briefing
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce has a development briefing on the fourth Thursday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $15 if members prepay and $20 for members at the door; for non-members, the cost is $25. The group meets at Hunter’s Green, 18108 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa.

Zephyrhills Toastmasters
Zephyrhills Toastmasters is hosting an open house March 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Microtel Inn and Suites, 7839 Gall Blvd., in  Zephyrhills. The organization helps individuals develop public speaking and leadership skills. Food will be provided. For more information, contact Zain Nensey at (813) 951-3248 or .

 

Earth Fare enters Pasco market

By

Earth Fare, a North Carolina-based grocer, opened its 51st store with special deals and fanfare at Cypress Creek Town Center last week.

The 24,000-square-foot store, off State Road 56 and just west of Interstate 75, aims to promote the health and well-being of its customers by selling an assortment of healthy foods, said Frank Scorpiniti, president and CEO, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

Earth Fare’s opening festivities included a ribbon cutting. Shown here, are the dignitaries involved in that ceremony. They are second from left, is store manager Mike Hall; President and CEO Frank Scorpiniti; North Tampa Bay Chamber President /CEO Hope Allen; and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore; while others look on. (Christine Holtzman)

“We’re pretty enthusiastic that because we are a philosophy-guided company, when we look across the retail landscape, there are no other food retailers doing what Earth Fare does,” Scorpiniti said. Earth Fare plans to open a total of eight to 10 stores in the greater Tampa area.

The store which opened last week, at 25535 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz, has 107 employees. It is the fourth store that the company has opened in the general Tampa Bay area in recent years.

Earth Fare also has opened stores in Seminole, Oldsmar and Lakewood Ranch, and within weeks will open stores in Boynton Beach and downtown Orlando.

“We see an opportunity for our brand to fill a void in the marketplace,” Scorpiniti said.

“Americans, just generally, are seeking healthier alternatives to feed their families and their children,” Scorpiniti explained. “We have found that there is a lot of need of what we bring to communities.

“We don’t want to be preachy. That’s not our mission here. Our mission is to make health and wellness easy to come by, at Earth Fare,” he said.

“Our first litmus test is whether or not what we sell is healthy,” he added. If it’s not, it doesn’t make the cut.

The grocery chain’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Angela Hind helps assure that Earth Fare  meets that commitment, Scorpiniti said.

“She and I have become very close colleagues in helping refine Earth Fare’s assortment, and understanding that this is a journey. We’re all learning still. But, when we look across North America, no one else is doing this,” Scorpiniti said.

Earth Fare offers a wide assortment of local, fresh and organic vegetables.

Reading labels not required
Earth Fare pledges that its foods are free of:

  • Added hormones
  • Antibiotics
  • Artificial fats and trans-fats
  • High fructose corn syrup
  • Artificial preservatives
  • Bleached or bromated flour
  • Artificial colors or flavors

The grocer also maintains a Boot List on its website, listing all of the food ingredients it has banned from its stores.

Besides the groceries it sells, the store has an organic juice bar, a  salad bar, a hot foods bar, a pizza station, a sandwich counter and packaged meals-to-go. It also has a café.

People might not view pizza as being healthy, Scorpiniti said. But, Earth Fare’s version is made with organic dough. It uses sauce with tomatoes from Italy, when the tomatoes are at their sweetest — foregoing the common practice of adding sugar to the sauce.

The cheese comes from Italy, too, and the pepperoni has no nitrates or nitrites, Scorpiniti said.

“Dare I say, it’s an amazing-tasting pizza,” he added.

On opening day, customers appeared to be enthusiastic about having a new grocery option.

“It’s proximity is really great,” said Lynn Pabst, who is retired and lives in Lutz. “To be able to get things that are fresh and healthy, and to promote that kind of style of living is very important, and it’s nice to have in our community.”

C. Walker, who lives in Wesley Chapel, likes the choices that the store offers.

“I’m a plant-based eater, and they have everything I need in this store,” she said, adding that now she won’t have to drive out her community to get what she wants.

Interest in the store was apparent in the early afternoon on Day 2, when it buzzed with customers. Shoppers perused shelves. They added fruits, vegetables, rotisserie chickens and other items to their carts. Others took a break to grab a bite, and ate it on the patio.

Earth Fare has come a long way since it debuted in Asheville, as a 1,200-square-foot store called Dinner for Earth. It was the city’s first health food store, and it offered a modest selection of organic dried bulk goods and wellness process.

Many varieties of apples, peaches and pears offer a bouquet of colors in the produce section of the Earth Fare supermarket.

Over time, it has opened locations from Portage, Michigan to Palm Beach Gardens.

Its assortment has evolved, but its commitment to healthy food has not wavered, Scorpiniti said.

The grocer promises its customers that they can shop in every aisle of the store without ever needing to read a label, and they can be confident that their food selection will be healthy, the executive added.

He also touched on what he considers to be a misperception when it comes to the price of healthy foods.

“I think health and wellness eating has sometimes created this connotation that you have to pay a lot more to be healthy in the food you buy,” Scorpiniti said.

Earth Fare thinks it can provide, with a curated assortment in a 24,000-square-foot store,

“a nice, bright, shoppable, friendly store,” and do it efficiently, in order to sell a 98-cent, non-GMO, baguette, every day, and a $5 rotisserie chicken, every day, Scorpiniti said.

As a newcomer to the area, the company also has reached out to learn what the community needs from Earth Fare, he added. It has a 19-member community advisory panel, which provided  suggestions regarding items to stock on store shelves, and offered input on what local cause the store should support. In this case, it is the New Tampa YMCA, which received a $3,000 check from the grocer.

When Earth Fare opens a new location, it’s a big day for the company, the president and CEO said.

He said he typically gives the new team a pep talk.

In essence, his message to them is this: “This is a different mission. It looks like we’re selling groceries, but we’re changing lives.”

Earth Fare, a 24,000-square-foot healthy food supermarket
Where: 25535 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz
When: Hours are 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., daily
Details: The store offers a wide selection of healthy fruits, vegetables, meats, fish and other foods. Its services include delivery and catering.
Earth Fare’s Lutz/Wesley Chapel location opened last week. It has 107 employees.

Earth Fare’s sustainable stores
Earth Fare:

  • Uses the heat generated from cooling its freezers and refrigerators to heat its water
  • Has polished concrete floors to eliminate the need for harsh cleaning chemicals
  • Is built with a reflective roof to reduce cooling costs in warmer months
  • Uses LED bulbs, which consume 60 percent to 75 percent less energy
  • Uses pure water, filtered through reverse osmosis, throughout the store — including in its produce misters

Christine Holtzman contributed to this report

Published February 27, 2019

Marilyn Wannamaker leaves a legacy of service

By

She was a fixture for years at Independence Day celebrations in Lutz, overseeing the annual Cake Bake Contest.

She was a regular, too,  at the Christmas House at the Old Lutz School, serving up hot chocolate and doling out cookies.

But, those are just a couple of the many, many ways that Marilyn Wannamaker served the community of Lutz.

Marilyn Wannamaker was known for her steadfast service to the community of Lutz, and her kind, caring ways. (Courtesy of Pat Serio)

She was deeply involved in the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, occupying nearly every office, including president for two terms.

She was devoted to helping young girls develop a heart for community work, as well as leadership skills, through her role as adviser to the Little Women of Lutz.

Marilyn Wannamaker’s life was remembered on Feb. 23, during a Memorial Eucharist at St. Clement’s Episcopal Church in Tampa.

During the religious ceremony, she was eulogized by her sons, Mark and Scott Peterson; and by Annette Bellinger, a first vice president of the Woman’s Club, and Jane Mason, current adviser for the Little Women of Lutz. Her son, Mark, also shared some thoughts provided by his wife, Val Peterson.

Bellinger recalls feeling a little bit intimidated when she met Wannamaker, who was president of the woman’s club at the time — and had total command of club protocol.

But, Bellinger said her initial concerns were quickly erased, as she witnessed Wannamaker’s incredible warmth.

Wannamaker paid attention to people, and became aware of not only details in their lives, but in their loved ones’ lives, as well, Bellinger said.

Wannamaker led by example.

“She was always willing to work,” Bellinger said. “Even when she didn’t feel that great, she still turned up.”

Mason, who now works with The Little Women of Lutz, recalled Wannamaker’s passion for that group.

During Wannamaker’s tenure as its advisor, The Little Women of Lutz cooked dinner at the Ronald McDonald House, helped at the Lutz Branch Library, kept a stretch of road clear of trash; and helped a family at Christmas, and performed other acts of community service.

Working with the girls was a source of joy to Wannamaker.

“To me it’s wonderful to watch them grow and develop into wonderful young women,” she told The Laker/Lutz News, in a feature story about the group.

Wannamaker’s sons — Mark and Scott — were unabashed in expressing their affection at her memorial.

“Mom never missed an event,” Mark said. “She graded our homework.

“She was our life coach.

We have so many fond memories of our mom,” he said.

“Our mom volunteered for everything,” Mark added.

Over the years, she was active on the board of the Lutz Volunteer Fire Department, held the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na, was head of the St. Clement’s Altar Guild, and was a Salvation Army bell ringer, among other things.

Mark said her calendar was so crowded that he would have to call her weeks in advance to get a date to take her out to dinner.

He wasn’t complaining: He was proud.

Her son, Scott, said his mom was a good sport.

When he was playing Little League baseball, she’d put on a glove to go outside to play catch with him. And, she stepped up to become the official scorekeeper.

“She had immaculate penmanship,” he marveled.

She encouraged his love of music, even to the point of allowing his bands to practice at their house.

“I don’t know how many times that poor woman had to hear ‘Gloria,’” he said, drawing laughter from the crowd.

Wannamaker enjoyed traveling and had the chance to visit such places as Scotland, Australia and the Far East.

She enjoyed those trips, but she was always happy to return to Lutz, where she spent much of her time and energy working to improve community life.

After the service, her friend Pat Serio, another member of the Woman’s Club, described Wannamaker as “a very, very involved friend, and a dear, caring person.

“Marilyn will definitely leave a large void in my life, as well as in our club and the Lutz community,” Serio said.

Wannamaker was always thinking of others, even to the end, her sons said.

One of her final requests was that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Little Women of Lutz, c/o Lutz Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club, P.O. Box 656, Lutz, Florida 33548-0656.

Published February 27, 2019

Local performers win big at Access Broadway in Orlando

By

Graham Music Studios, from Dade City, recently competed at Access Broadway in Orlando, and came home the big winners.

“I am absolutely thrilled. It’s sort of a David and Goliath kind of thing because the other studios are just mega-studios,” said Alison Graham, who is the director of Graham Music Studios. “They come from cities where they have multiple performing arts magnet schools, and we come from a city where the big high school doesn’t even have a chorus.”

Front and center: Shelby Surratt; second row from left: Channing Romesser, Megan Phillips, Catherine Beard and Macy Pickerall; third row from left: Analiese Gallagher, Victoria Campos, Jasmine Kurz, Mikayla Mauradian, Kalli Keith and Emma Shireman; and, back row from left: Amanda Cloversettle, Genevieve D’Water, Lyndsey Furtado and Bernadette Richter. (Courtesy of Graham Music Studios)

“There were six top vocal awards for the whole weekend. We were entered in four of them, and won three of them,” Graham said.

“We were incredulous,” she said, referring to herself, the girls and their parents. “The first time, we were just jumping and screaming. The second Broadway Star, I just started bawling. And then the third one, I was like: “I cannot believe this.

“It was really, really exciting,” she said.

To understand how well they did, Graham said, “you have to see the mega-studios, with all of their props and money.”

Graham credits the singers’ success to their commitment, and the support of their parents and the community of Dade City.

“These girls, they work so hard,” Graham said.

One team, called Showbiz, won Platinum and took first place overall.

The team competed against 536 other acts from performing arts studios, and came out on top.

Another team known as Showstoppers — also received a Platinum rating and placed fourth overall in the competition, with their performance of “Up The Ladder To The Roof” from Everyday Rapture.

The Dade City studio also won the award for the best Broadway Vocal, for its performance of “Five Forever,” from Little Women. In that competition, Graham enlisted the aid of a boy singer to round out the group. She knew she had the right group of voices to compete well with that song, she said.

Showbiz is made up Sarah Atkins, Carly Bowling, Gianna Como, Isabella Como, Ellie DeLloyd, Lyra Lacson, Larkin Mainwaring, Kassie Miller, Mackenzie Robinson, Payton Rodgers, Analee Tomkow, Marlee Tomkow and Karis Williams.

Another team from the Dade City music studio — its oldest group of performers, known as Showstoppers, is made up of Catherine Beard, Victoria Campos, Amanda Cloversettle, Genevieve D’ Water, Lyndsey Furtado, Analiese Gallagher, Jasmine Kurz, Kallie Keith, Mikayla Mauradian, Megan Phillips, Macy Pickerall, Georgia Piersall, Bernadette Richter, Channing Romesser, Emma Shireman and Shelby Surratt.

Kassie Miller, Sarah Atkins and Bella Como celebrate.

The singers winning the best Broadway Vocal were Roman Ricardo, Macy Pickerall, Isabella Como, Megan Phillips and Shelby Surratt. They received a Platinum rating,  as well as first place.

Shelby Surratt and Megan Phillips also took home the award for the best duet/trio of the weekend with their performance of “You Love Who You Love,” from Bonnie and Clyde.  They received a Platinum rating, first place overall and are the title holders for best duet /trio vocal.

The youngest group from Graham Music Studios, Showtime, received a High Gold Rating for its performance of “You’re Never Fully Dressed Without a Smile.” They placed third place overall in their age group.

That group is made up of Katarina Carroll, Kennedy Eldridge, Kassidy Graham, Anabelle Harris, Sally Harper, Sarah Hoerbelt, Kaylab Kelly, Emeley Poblick, Sophie Poblick, Asha Queen-Badal, Rio Riccardo, Mackenzie Trenkle and Keaton Ward.

Winning in Orlando qualified the group to compete in New York, but it typically doesn’t compete at nationals because of the expense, Graham said.

However, this year, a group of about 30 will be traveling to New York, to take part in an invitation-only master class with the cast of “Anastasia.”

The students will get to take part in the master class, get to meet the cast members at a party and have their photos taken with them. Then, they’ll get to watch the play, too.

It’s an experience that Graham expects will leave quite an impression on the girls: “To get to go backstage in the warmup rehearsal hall of “Anastasia,” and have a master class, with the actual people in the show —it’s just incredible.”

The trip is planned over spring break.

And, it’s happening partially because of fundraising efforts and generous gifts to help defray expenses.

One of Graham’s former students has sponsored one of the girls, making it possible for her to make the trip.

Others have chipped in during fundraisers.

When they were seeking donations at a Publix store, a fire truck pulled up, Graham said.

“Five firemen jumped off and gave us like 20 bucks each,” she said.

That’s just one example of the community’s generosity, she said.

Published February 27, 2019

Business Digest 02/27/2019

By

Representatives for AJ’s Power Source in Land O’ Lakes present a check to Becky Bennett, director of development for Pasco Kids First. (Courtesy of AJ’s Power)

AJ’s Power Source helps Pasco Kids First
AJ’s Power Source, in Land O’ Lakes, presented a $777 check to Becky Bennett, director of development for Pasco Kids First. The company, established in 1987, has more than 40 employees. It promotes volunteering and giving back to the community. Pasco Kids First has been providing services to children and families in Pasco County for 30 years to address child abuse and neglect.

Central Pasco Chamber networking
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its Wednesday Morning Networking session on March 6 from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m., at the Lake House at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Pasco Schools job fair
Pasco County Schools is hosting a Spring Job Fair on March 7 from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey.

The district has openings for teachers, maintenance workers, bus drivers and other positions.

Applicants can get on-the-spot interviews and prizes for participating.

Positions are available at the elementary, middle, and high school levels in various areas, including:

  • Food and nutrition services
  • Plant manager
  • Intermediate elementary teacher
  • Child care assistants
  • Registrars
  • Sports coaches
  • Licensed practical nurse
  • Custodian
  • Bus drivers

For more information about the Job Fair and to register, visit PascoHires2019.eventbrite.com.

Visit Pasco.Tedk12.com/hire/index.aspx, to view job listings.

North Tampa Bay Chamber development briefing
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce has a development briefing on the fourth Thursday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $15 if members prepay and $20 for members at the door; for non-members, the cost is $25. The group meets at Hunter’s Green, 18108 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa.

North Tampa Bay Chamber business breakfast
Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s business breakfast meeting March 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Cost is $15 for preregistered; $20 at the door; $25 invoiced; and $35 for non-members. For more information, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

Zephyrhills Toastmasters
Zephyrhills Toastmasters is hosting an open house March 12 at the Microtel Inn and Suites, 7839 Gall Blvd., in  Zephyrhills. The organization helps individuals develop public speaking and leadership skills. Food will be provided. For more information, contact Zain Nensey at (813) 951-3248 or .

North Tampa Bay Chamber monthly coffee
The North Tampa Bay Chamber has a monthly coffee social at the Hilton Garden Inn Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz. There is no fee to attend the gathering, which is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., on the first Thursday of every month.

Pasco may lift exclusion on dock roofs on freshwater lakes

By

When Joe Steffens gazes from his backyard out onto Bell Lake, he can easily view the private  lake’s water — and his neighbor’s boat docks, complete with roofs — that he built himself.

But, his dock doesn’t have a roof.

And, even if he wanted to put one on, he wouldn’t be allowed to under current Pasco County regulations.

Joe Steffens, of Land O’ Lakes, stands in his backyard, overlooking Bell Lake. He’s been working to persuade the Pasco County Commission to change an ordinance to lift an exclusion over dock roofs on freshwater lakes. He said they’re a way of life in Central Pasco. (B.C. Manion)

Steffens, who is a marine contractor, has been pushing for a change — and has been discussing the issue with individual commissioners for the better part of a year to try to make that happen.

He appeared at the Pasco County Commission’s Feb. 5, to reiterate the request.

He told commissioners: “Everybody has a boathouse on all the freshwater lakes to protect their investments.”

When people buy lakefront property, he said, they see the other docks with roofs on the lake and expect to be able to get one.

Sandy Graves, of Land O’ Lakes, agrees with Steffens.

She told commissioners: “I’m a native Laker and this has never been an issue in Land O’ Lakes. I’m a member of a lake association of the second-largest private lake in Pasco County, and it’s never been an issue for us. These roofs are part of our scene, and they’re a beauty of it.

“These are freshwater lakes. They’re private lakes,” she said.

Denise Brand, of Ukulele Brand’s restaurant in Land O’ Lakes, said she and her husband also support the request to amend the county’s ordinance.

“Currently we have seating on a dock that goes out on a lake,” she said. “We would like to make changes to the dock, but we are afraid that we would not be able to put a roof over a new dock. “Currently our dock has three steps down, so it’s difficult for elderly people and people with disabilities to access the dock seating area.

“We did not realize until recently that if the existing dock was to be renovated that we might not be able to put a roof over the new one, and we would like for you to consider roofs being allowed on docks,” she said.

Commissioners now appear ready to make the change happen.

They instructed County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder to proceed with changes to the ordinance that would allow the dock roofs over man-made and freshwater private lakes.

This is a look at Bell Lake, which has some docks that have roofs.

Commissioner Mike Moore spoke in favor of the change.

“They’re right. It’s a quality of life issue,” he said, adding that he also would love to see the restaurant be able to renovate its dock.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey weighed in, as well.

“I’m totally in support for the people on the lakes have their (dock) roofs,” she said.

However, she continues to oppose roofs over docks on canals.

“I travel through a lot jurisdictions in the intracoastal and the vast majority do not allow any kind of coverage,” she said.

Steinsnyder said the prohibition of roof docks would remain in the ordinance, except for the lake issue that was raised in the Central part of the county.

The attorney also addressed two other changes that would be made to the ordinance.

One change would require property owners to maintain their seawalls.

That change “takes the operative language of the Hernando County ordinance” and adds it to the county’s ordinance.

The other change would allow more of a canal to be used for the dock, in the situation of a dead end canal, where there is not a different property owner at the end of the waterway.

The proposed amended ordinance will go through a public hearing before the Planning Commission and two public hearings before the County Commission.

Moore said he’s confident the amended ordinance will be adopted.

Steffens is optimistic.

If the ordinance is adopted, he’ll be able to work closer to home.

“I work in Hillsborough mostly now. I have to, because that’s where the work is,” he said.

But, that’s not the only reason he wants the change.

He wants to restore a way of life in Central Pasco, he said.

“This is just a small sample,” he said, indicating the dock roofs on Bell Lake.

“I mean Lake Padgett and East Lake and Lake Saxton and King Lake and Lake Thomas — all of these lakes — that’s the way it’s been.

“It’s been for generations. For years and years, people have been doing that. It’s just what they expect out here, on these freshwater private lakes,” Steffens said.

Published February 20, 2019

Political Agenda 02/20/2019

By

House District 38
Two Republicans and a Democrat are vying in a special election to fill the vacant seat in Florida State House District 38. Danny Burgess had been re-elected to the post, but vacated it after Gov. Ron DeSantis offered him the position of executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs. 

The Republican candidates that have qualified for the race are Randy Maggard and David “Mac” McCallister. Candidate Kelly Smith, a Democrat, also has qualified.

The primary election between the Republicans will be on April 9, the same day as municipal elections in Zephyrhills, St. Leo and San Antonio. The general election for District 38 has been set for June 18.

Municipal elections

  • Two seats are open on the San Antonio City Commission. As of The Laker/Lutz News’ press deadline, these candidates had pre-filed: Mark B. Anderson, James Markley and Jody Lazzara.
  • Two seats are open on the St. Leo Town Commission. As of The Laker/Lutz News’ press deadline, no candidate had filed for Seat No. 2, and Curtis M. Dwyer has qualified for Seat No. 4.
  • Two seats are open on the Zephyrhills City Council. As of The Laker/Lutz News’ press deadline, Lance Smith had qualified for Seat No. 1 and Manny Funes had pre-filed for the seat; and, Kenneth M. Burgess Jr., had qualified for Seat No. 4.

The election is scheduled for April 9.

Other election news

  • James R. Cutting has pre-filed as a candidate for Pasco County Supervisor of Elections, challenging incumbent Brian E. Corley, who also has pre-filed as a candidate.
  • Brandi Geoit has pre-filed as a candidate for Pasco County Commissioner District 5.

Endorsements
Florida State Sen. Joe Gruters has endorsed Randy Maggard in the special election contest to fill the vacancy in State House District 38, according to the Maggard campaign. Gruters is the chairman of the Florida Republican Party and served as co-chairman of the 2016 Trump campaign in Florida.

Spotlight is always on Florida, Pasco elections supervisor says

By

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley recently spoke at the East Pasco Networking Group’s breakfast meeting, touching on a number of topics involving elections.

For one thing, Pasco is gearing up for a special election to fill the Florida State House District 38 seat, vacated by Danny Burgess, who was invited by Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve as the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Brian Corley, supervisor of elections in Pasco County, said it will be interesting to see what the turnout is in the special election for State House District 38. (B.C. Manion)

There will be a primary election on April 9 between Republican challengers Randy Maggard and David ‘Mac’ McCallister. The winner will compete in the general election on June 18, against Kelly Smith, the Democratic candidate in the race.

The April 9 special election primary will coincide with Pasco’s municipal elections. A number of seats are up for election in St. Leo, San Antonio and Zephyrhills.

Regarding the special election, Corley said, “the turnout should be interesting. We have about 110,000 voters in that district, and have record numbers of Vote By Mail. They’re going to get them. All they have to do is fill out that oval and shoot it back to us.”

If they do, Corley added: “Turnout would be through the roof.”

He didn’t seem as optimistic about the turnout for the upcoming municipal elections.

“You know, some of our city elections — the turnout is dismal, 5 (percent), 10 percent,” Corley said.

And, that clearly bothers him.

“I can’t help but think about our relatives who crossed oceans to fight for our freedoms — and other people won’t even fill in a simple oval. There’s no excuse for that,” Corley said.

He also touched on Florida’s role in national politics.

“Florida has a perennial spotlight on us. We’re the third-largest in the nation, but when it comes to presidential, we are the show,” Corley said.

“If you go back to 2016, California, Texas, New York, Florida.

“The exact moment we knew who the candidates were, you could have called California and New York for Hillary Clinton, that day.

“Honestly, Texas is always going to vote Republican, the way the demographics are.

“Enter Florida, and it’s always close,” he said.

And, because of the recount, he said, “the system was tested, like never before.

“We’ve never had a statewide recount. Bush-Gore wasn’t. People think it was, but it wasn’t. It was select counties,” he said.

The recount stress-tested the state’s election system, he said, “but it held.”

Now, planning is underway for 2020.

Approval may be needed for some additional early voting sites in Pasco because there’s a possibility that Pasco County could be renovating all of its libraries during 2020, Corley said.

“We use a good chunk of our early voting sites at libraries. We’re limited at where we can have early voting. Not to have South Holiday, New River — ooh, that’ll get the blood pressure rising.

“So, we have to work on some legislation to give us some more wildcard spots,” he said.

“We use the Florida (AdventHealth) Center Ice site in Wesley Chapel, which was very well-received,” Corley said.

He also touched on controversies involving voter registration.

He said there are many ways to register to vote, and he encourages people to take advantage of those options.

“Regardless of your views, 100 percent of those eligible — keyword, eligible — should register to vote, and then 100 percent of those should vote. And, the outcome is between the voters and the candidates,” Corley said.

Published February 20, 2019

Business Digest 02/20/2019

By

Hobby Lobby now hiring
Hobby Lobby is accepting applications for new store temporary setup help, with an opportunity to work full- and part-time positions in floral, crafts, art, custom frames, hobbies, fabrics and cashiers. Apply in person at Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills Room, 26640 Silver Maple Parkway, Wesley Chapel. Applications are being accepted Feb. 19 through Feb. 22, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Job fair set at Porter Campus on Feb. 26
The third annual Metro Job Fair is set for Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The job fair will be in the Building B conference center.

Employers from the public and private sectors, health care, hospitality, manufacturing and construction interested in promoting open and future positions will have the opportunity to meet with job seekers from the community and PHSC students seeking employment.

The job fair is open to anyone looking for a job. Job seekers also may have opportunities for on-site interviews with potential employers.

To attend, job seekers must preregister for the event at tinyurl.com/yd2b2gps.

 Who is your customer?
Learn how to identify your customer in this seminar, which is part of the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart Entrepreneur Education Series. This session, called “Who is My Customer?” helps businesses identify the “right kind” of customers for their specific business model.

The free session will be on Feb. 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at the Dade City Entrepreneur Center, 7838 Meridian Ave., Suite No. 309, in Dade City.

To register, go to the events calendar on the PascoEDC.com website.

For more information about the entrepreneur center, call (352) 437-4861.

Central Pasco Chamber community affairs
Pasco County’s Program Administrator for the office of Economic Growth, Melanie Kendrick, will be the guest speaker and give an update on the county’s mapping of Census Designated Places for the 2020 Census. The meeting will be Feb. 27 from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, 1903 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 16, in Land O’ Lakes. The meeting is free and all are welcome.

North Tampa Bay Chamber development briefing
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce has a development briefing on the fourth Thursday of each month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost is $15 if members prepay and $20 for members at the door; for non-members, the cost is $25. The group meets at Hunter’s Green, 18108 Longwater Run Drive, in Tampa.

East Pasco Networking Group
Todd Vande Berg, director of planning for the City of Zephyrhills, will be the featured speaker at the Feb. 26 breakfast meeting of the East Pasco Networking Group. The meeting, which starts at 7:30 a.m., will be at IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Small businesses’ share of U.S. economy dips slightly
While small businesses create two-thirds of net new jobs, and drive innovation and competitiveness, their overall share in the U.S. economy has gradually declined, says a new report released by the U.S. Small Business Administration Office of Advocacy.

The report says that small businesses account for 44 percent of U.S. economic activity.

U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) is the market value of the goods and services produced by labor and property located in the United States.

Across the 16 years from 1998 to 2014, the small business share of GDP has fallen from 48 percent to 43.5 percent. Over the same period, the amount of small business GDP has grown by about 25 percent in real terms, or 1.4 percent annually. However, real GDP for large businesses has grown faster, at 2.5 percent annually.

The full report, “Small Business GDP, 1998-2014,” and a summary of the research, are available on SBA’s Office of Advocacy’s website. The office has sponsored research on small businesses’ contribution to GDP since 1980.

North Tampa Bay Chamber business breakfast
Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning will be the featured speaker at the North Tampa Bay Chamber’s business breakfast meeting on March 5 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Cost is $15 for pre-registered; $20 at the door; $25 invoiced; and $35 for non-members. For more information, visit NorthTampaBayChamber.com.

North Tampa Bay Chamber monthly coffee
The North Tampa Bay Chamber has a monthly coffee social at the Hilton Garden Inn Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway in Lutz. There is no fee to attend the gathering, which is from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., on the first Thursday of every month.

Xtreme Adventures adds U-Haul services
Xtreme Adventures has signed on as a U-Haul® neighborhood dealer to serve the community of Lutz, according to a news release from U-Haul Company of Florida.

Xtreme Adventures, at 24810 State Road 54, will offer U-Haul trucks, trailers, towing equipment, moving supplies and in-store pick-up for boxes. Normal business hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., daily.

To reserve U-Haul products at this dealer call (813) 948-0715, or visit tinyurl.com/y2jgyhhp.

Land O’ Lakes Music Festival Bands & Brews
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is presenting the Land O’ Lakes Music Festival, Bands & Brews, on March 23 from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.  The musical lineup features Solar Exposure, Peace of Woodstock, Stonegrey and Bearded Brothers. There will be vendors and food trucks, too. Admission is free. Parking is $10.

Staff member retires from property appraiser’s office
The Pasco County Property Appraiser’s office has announced the retirement of William “Fu” Trinh, a Cobol programmer, who provided outstanding support to the appraiser’s team, according to a news release from the office.

Zephyrhills Chamber business breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has its monthly business breakfast on the first Monday of each month at Golden Corral, 6877 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. The admission is $8 for members and $10 for visitors. The next breakfast will be March 7 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.

New opportunities coming to Cypress Creek campus

By

Crews have begun work on Cypress Creek Middle School, being built on the site where Cypress Creek Middle High School now operates.

A new Instructional and Performing Arts Center, which will provide educational opportunities and entertainment, will rise on the same site.

This is what the new Instructional Performing Arts Center, to be built on the campus shared by Cypress Creek High School and the new Cypress Creek Middle School, will look like. The campus is at 8701 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Both are slated to open in fall of 2020.

Pasco County Schools gave Pasco-Hernando State College the land where the performing arts center, IPAC, will be built. The state college is paying the construction costs for IPAC, and will oversee its use.

But, the new facility will benefit middle school through college students, through the programs it offers.

In a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News, representatives of the state college and the school district provided details relating to IPAC and the new middle school building.

The middle school project — at roughly 190,000 square feet, will take much longer to build than the 35,000-square foot performing arts center.

At the middle school, “they’re working on the site work. The foundation work is ongoing right now. Everything is on schedule for completion in July of 2020 for an August 2020 opening,” said Mike Gude, the school district’s director of construction services.

Cypress Creek Middle will have a capacity of 1,691 students, making it the largest of the district’s middle schools.

Safety and security will be first and foremost, with a single point of entry, controlled access and a fence around the school, Gude said.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, envisions opportunities for education, entertainment and growth for the local economy through the collaborative project involving the school district and state college.

“We designed our middle school to be very much compatible with the IPAC (performing arts center),” added Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools. “We have a black box theater. A beautiful state-of-the-art black box theater. We also have an orchestra room. Dance. Chorus,” Gadd said.

Dr. Stanley Giannet, vice president of academic affairs and faculty development at PHSC, said the performing arts center will serve an important academic role.

“It’s called the Instructional and Performing Arts Center, the IPAC. The reason we have instructional there first is because in addition to a community-type events space and a performing arts space, the primary responsibility is to provide educational opportunities for our students, both dual enrollment students, students who will pipeline from the school district to PHSC, and community students, who wish to partake in the program,” he explained.

The state college will be using space within the performing arts center to provide courses to support a new Associate of Science degree in digital design and multimedia technology.

That new program was based on a needs analysis, and takes advantage of the fact that some programs are already offered in these areas at Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass and Cypress Creek high schools.

“It’s a natural extension,” Giannet said. Plus, there’s a documented need in the community for employees with these skills.

“This is a high-wage target industry,” Giannet said. The skills learned in this program can be applied to the performing arts, but also transferred to jobs in other industries, he said.

In the fall of 2020, Pasco County Schools is scheduled to open Cypress Creek Middle School. It is being designed for 1,600 students, making it the district’s largest middle school. The middle school will join Cypress Creek High and Pasco Hernando State College’s Instructional and Performing Arts Center. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Students also will be able to take courses to support an Associate of Arts degree, which they can transfer to a four-year degree, he said.

Students will be able to take dance, theater and music classes as electives toward their associate’s degree, Giannet said. To get the associate’s, students would need 36 hours of general education, but the remaining 24 could be acquired at IPAC, focused on the performing arts.

Campus could draw regional events
The performing arts center is considered to be an extension of the state college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, which will be under the direction of an administrator who will report to Kevin O’ Farrell, provost of the Porter Campus.

The community also will have access to a new performing arts venue, and the campus could attract national or regional thespian festivals, or other kinds of performing arts events.

The 444-seat performing arts theater, the 150-seat black box theater at the middle school, and the arts classrooms available on campus provide a set of resources that could be attractive for such events, Gadd said. Plus, the site has plenty of parking to support such events, after school hours.

The black box theater might prove particularly popular with local theater groups, Gadd said.

“One of the advantages of the black box in the middle school is that it might be more amenable to some community theater activities, because I think the IPAC center is going to be like an anthill — it’s going to be very busy,” Gadd said.

The combined state college and school district resources on the campus create the potential for increased economic development, additional educational programs, and a new entertainment venue for the community, Gadd said.

Dr. Stanley Giannet, vice president of academic affairs and faculty development at Pasco-Hernando State College, said the new performing arts center on the Cypress Creek campus will offer a broad array of educational opportunities.

Gianett noted that the center will be a source of revenue for the college, too.

“We’ll have professional troupes, professional shows that we can bring in,” he said, and there will be opportunities for groups to rent the facility for events.

The theater also will provide another place for the school district to offer plays and other events.

Working together on this project has helped the district and state college develop a greater level of collaboration, said Gadd, who not only serves as the school district’s deputy superintendent, but also sits on the state college’s board.

The dual role offers a vantage point that allows him to see areas where the district and college can leverage the resources of the individual organizations, through collaboration.

Construction is expected to begin on the performing arts center around June of this year, and the project is expected to be completed by July of 2020, said Tony Rivas, associate vice president facilities management and administrative services for the state college.

O’ Farrell said a request is being made to the Florida Legislature for some additional funding for the project.

“One of the final pushes that we’re making this legislative session is for an additional $2.5 million,” he said.

“We had $15.5 million for the facility,” he explained.

Because of the partnership between the state college and the school district, the site for the arts center has been secured, and it is almost ready for construction, O’ Farrell said.

If additional money can be secured for this project, it would go to enlarge the interior space in the arts center’s foyer to accommodate breakfasts, receptions and community gatherings.

Published February 13, 2019