The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Dogs trot out a few new tricks on their day in Dade City

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Dogs were lapping up good times during Dogs’ Day in Dade City, on a beautiful Saturday at Agnes Lamb Park.

Dr. Jayapriya Raj of Florida Hospital, Zephyrhills’ Critical Care Office in Dade City, holds Mario and Kylo next to her son, Danny Moses, 9. They live in Wesley Chapel.
(Richard K. Riley)

Fifty-one dogs joined the dog parade at 10 a.m., and nearly two dozen competed in individual contests.

Dogs’ Day in Dade City, now in its eighth year, is an event that’s aimed at giving dogs a chance to have fun, while their owners have a good time, too.

Dogs, and their owners, could take part in an assortment of activities, and seemed to be enjoying themselves.

It was an event that attracted Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez, Dade City Police Chief Ray Velboom, pageant queens, high school volunteers and pet owners from all sorts of places, including St. Petersburg and Boston.

There were also a variety of goodies on sale, both for pets and for their human companions.

Published March 22, 2017

Pasco, administrator agree to terms

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Daniel F. Biles has agreed to contract terms to become Pasco County’s next administrator.

The final step to hiring Biles is expected on March 28, when the Pasco County Commission will vote on Biles’ contract.

All five commissioners ranked Biles as their top choice on March 14, after a day of public and private interviews with the candidate.

Commissioners also authorized the board’s chairman, Mike Moore, to negotiate a contract with Biles.

Biles has signed off on the offer sheet, Moore said.

The new administrator will receive an annual salary of $220,000, under terms of the contract offer, Moore said.

Biles now works as deputy county manager in Jefferson County, Alabama, located in Birmingham.

Moore is delighted that Biles has accepted the offer.

“I’m definitely excited about it,” Moore said. “He’s going to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to our area, at a time when we are seeing a lot of great things happening in the county.”

Pasco is growing in both population and economic development, Moore noted.

The chairman also expects Biles to play an instrumental role when it comes to infrastructure and stormwater projects because of the knowledge that Biles has developed through his previous experiences.

Biles will replace County Administrator Michele Baker, who is retiring. She has been in the role since 2013, following a lengthy career with the county.

In addition to his work in Jefferson County, Biles served in the military and worked in private business.

Biles was among a list of 11 candidates recommended by the Chicago-based recruitment firm of GovHR USA. Commissioners decided to interview five of those candidates.

Both Moore and Commissioner Mike Wells said Biles stood out, among a pool of top-notch candidates.

Both were impressed by the combination of skills and experiences that Biles brings to the role.

Moore also appreciated the way Biles conducted himself throughout the interview process.

Biles appeared to be relaxed and engaged, Moore said.

“I watched how he interacted with folks, during the meet-and-greet period,” Moore said. “He just felt at home, to me, talking to people.

“Something else that stood out is that his spouse flew down with him, too. His spouse came to the meet-and-greet. She sat with him, while he was interacting with others. She also came and sat in the public interviews that we did, as a group, too,” Moore said.

“Obviously, you really take it serious if you make that decision to bring your spouse down,” Moore said.

That fact didn’t escape Wells’ notice, either, and it left a positive impression.

Wells said Biles obviously had done his homework and, he said, Biles clearly values the importance of customer service.

Moore also noted: “When I had my private interview with him, too, going one on one, he was very comfortable during that conversation. I never felt once that he was trying to oversell me.”

Besides being factual, “he (Biles) was bringing great ideas to the table,” Moore said.

After commissioners offered Biles the job, Moore said he was chatting with him, and Biles mentioned that today’s technology will enable him to be out and about in the county, while remaining accessible.

Moore thinks that’s important.

“When you’re a leader like that, your team needs to see you, and the community needs to see you,” Moore said.

Published March 22, 2017

Connerton hosts ‘stud’ parties

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Connerton is hosting three events to give people a chance to write a few words of encouragement and inspiration for retired U.S. Army Sgt. David Roca and his family, who will be receiving a mortgage-free home from Connerton, Lennar and Operation Finally Home.

Roca sustained several traumatic brain injuries in combat during his deployment to Iraq. One of those injuries occurred when an improvised explosive device hit his vehicle.

Construction is already underway at 8743 Savory Walk Drive. The family of four is expected to move in on April 30, thanks to an expedited permitting and review process by Pasco County.
(Courtesy of Grey Street Studios Inc.)

Roca and his three children were surprised on a windy, chilly March morning when they found out they would be moving into a home in Connerton, a 4,800-acre mixed-used, master-planned community in central Pasco County.

Roca and his children, Alex, Amelie and David Jr., will be moving into a 2,065-square-foot, four-bedroom home, being built by Lennar Homes. The family is expected to move in on April 30.

Those who would like to extend their congratulations and well wishes will have a chance to write them on the home’s studs before the dry wall is installed, said Joan Stout, a Connerton marketing consultant. Those signings will take place at the home site, 8743 Savory Walk Drive in Connerton, on April 1, April 2 and April 8, from noon to 3 p.m.

Those unable to come during those times should visit Club Connerton, at 21100 Fountain Garden Way, where they can sign a heart. Those hearts will be stapled to the framing of the home, Stout said.

The Roca family will be able to read the notes, as they do a walk-through of the home before the drywall is installed. That walk-through is expected on April 9.

Grey Street Studios Inc., also will do a video tour to capture the notes of love so that the family will have a permanent remembrance of the wishes extended to them from the community.

This is the sixth home Lennar has provided to military families around the country, and the first in the Tampa Bay market.

Based in Texas, Operation Finally Home has provided more than 150 mortgage-free homes for veterans during the past 10 years.

Published March 22, 2017

Talented youths get time to shine

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Jessica Twitmyer received the top scores to win a $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship, during the 34th “Spotlight on Talent” on March 11 at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High School.

Because of its popularity, the talent contest is divided into two shows, said Barbara Friedman, the executive producer for the competition, which is put on by the nonprofit Heritage Arts Center Association.

Vocalist Jessica Twitmyer won the top prize during the 34th annual ‘Spotlight on Talent’ competition, receiving a $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship.
(Courtesy of Heritage Arts Center Association)

The afternoon performance features younger competitors and the evening show features older contestants.

More than 160 students auditioned on Feb. 28 for a chance to compete in the finals, Friedman said. Of those, a total of 140 competed in the two shows.

Friedman was helped by assistant producers Dr. Rebecca Groomes and Alicia Polk Guanio. Also, a 15-member board of directors worked on the project for three months, and a final production team, including 20 members of the community, pitched in to put on the competition, Friedman said.

Both performances drew audiences of hundreds of people, and performers competed for more than $5,000 in trophies, ribbons and cash prizes.

Contestants included musicians, singers, dancers and musical theater performers.

There were two masters of ceremonies, Tom Jackson, who works for Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil, and Mike Rom, principal of Countryside Montessori Charter School.

A panel of paid professional judges selected the winners.

The younger students competed in Act 1, and the older students competed in Act II.

The winners in Act 1 were:

Category 1:  Vincent Pham, piano, first; Samuel Wu, piano, second; and, Larkin Mainwaring, musical theater, third

Category 2:  Kasey Lang, piano, first; Angelica Drobny, voice and piano, second; Emma Shireman, musical theater, third; Isabella Como, musical theater, fourth; and Jasmine Villa, pointe dance, fifth

Showstoppers’ musical theater performance earned third place in its category at ‘Spotlight on Talent.’

Category 3: Agnes Hernandez, piano, first; Jadon Day, voice, second; Grace Williams, lyrical dance, third; Faith Phaller, contemporary dance, fourth; Sailor Wade, ballet dance, fifth

The winners in Act II were:

Category 1: Julianna Mazza, lyrical dance, first; Gracie Scaglione, contemporary dance, second; Allison Crump, contemporary dance, third; Victoria Conn, ballet dance, fourth; Nora Urbuteit, jazz dance, fifth

Category 2: Victoria Neukom, contemporary dance, first; Maria Hernandez, piano, second; Kaira Torres, voice, third; Kiersten Herman, musical theater, fourth; Hannah Knight, voice and guitar, fifth; Catherine Beard, voice and piano, sixth

Category 3: Jessica Twitmyer, voice, first; Courtney Graham, musical theater, second; Clare Hernandez, piano, third

Groups: Star Dancers 9 – 12, contemporary dance, first; Piano Nerds, piano duet, second; Showstoppers, musical theater, third

Published March 22, 2017

Negotiations underway for county administrator

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Pasco County Commissioners have selected Daniel F. Biles as their top choice for the next county administrator and his contract negotiations are underway.

Biles emerged as the clear favorite in the selection process, and commissioners voted unanimously to offer him the position, said Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

If Biles agrees to terms, he will replace County Administrator Michele Baker, who is retiring. She has been in the role since 2013, following a lengthy career with the county.

Commissioners had planned a two-day selection process. Initially they intended to conduct public interviews with all five candidates, followed by one-on-one individual interviews between each commissioner and each candidate.

After that, they were set to reconvene on the first day to narrow the field to three finalists, with those interviews expected on the following day, March 15.

But when they got back together, commissioners received a score sheet to rank the candidates on a scale of one to five, with five being the best score.

Heather Grimes, assistant county administrator, tallied the sheets and announced the outcome.

Biles scored a 25, meaning each commissioner identified him as the top choice, Moore said. Commissioners then decided to drop the second day of interviews.

Biles currently is the deputy county manager of Jefferson County, Alabama, located in Birmingham.

He has 10 years of experience in engineering, including work on stormwater issues. He also has a military background and has family living in Florida.

Besides the public interviews and one-on-one interviews, the candidates also went on a tour of the county and attended a private meet-and-greet session on March 13.

Other candidates that were considered were:

• Mark A. Cunningham, assistant county administrator in Sarasota County

• David M. Ross, the first county administrator of Rock Island County, Illinois, which formed its government in 2015

• Theodore L. Voorhees, the former city manager of Fayetteville, North Carolina

• Dale M. Walker, the county manager of the Macon-Bibb County government, which consolidated in 2014

The five candidates who were interviewed were selected from a list of 11 candidates recommended by the Chicago-based recruitment firm of GovHR USA.

Both Moore and Commissioner Mike Wells said the county had a top-notch pool of candidates.

But, both also said that Biles stood out.

Both commissioners said Biles’ military leadership experience, his private business experience and his government experience equip him to perform well in the job.

Moore characterized Biles as being relaxed and engaged.

“I watched how he interacted with folks, during the meet-and-greet period,” Moore said. “He just felt at home, to me, talking to people.

“Something else that stood out is that his spouse flew down with him, too. His spouse came to the meet-and-greet. She sat with him, while he was interacting with others. She also came and sat in the public interviews that we did, as a group, too,” Moore said.

“Obviously, you really take it serious if you make that decision to bring your spouse down,” Moore said.

That fact didn’t escape Wells’ notice, either, and if left a positive impression.

Wells said Biles obviously had done his homework and, he said, Biles clearly values the importance of customer service.

Moore also noted: “When I had my private interview with him, too, going one on one, he was very comfortable during that conversation. I never felt once that he was trying to oversell me.”

Besides being factual, “he (Biles) was bringing great ideas to the table,” Moore said.

After commissioners offered Biles the job, Moore said he was chatting with him, and Biles mentioned that today’s technology will enable him to be out and about in the county, while remaining accessible.

Moore thinks that’s important.

“When you’re a leader like that, your team needs to see you, and the community needs to see you,” Moore said.

The board is expected to vote on Biles’ contract at its next meeting, scheduled for March 28.

Published March 15, 2017

Using the written word to help process grief

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While the journey through grief is a singular experience for those who have suffered a loss, there are tools that can help, said Tiffany Kring, a bereavement counselor at Gulfside Hospice.

One approach uses the power of the written word to work through the grieving process, said Kring, who will be leading a free workshop called “Journaling Through Grief.”

The session is scheduled for March 23 at 2 p.m., at the Gulfside Center for Hospice Care in Zephyrhills, at 5760 Dean Dairy Road.

It is open to the public, but the session is limited to 10 participants, so the seats will be given, based on the order of those signing up.

“Generally, it’s about a one- to two-hour workshop. It’s using some different writing and journaling techniques to help process thoughts, feelings and things associated with the grieving process,” Kring said.

“It’s especially helpful for people who have a hard time verbalizing, or sharing feelings,” said Kring, who has been a counselor for about 25 years and has used writing as one of her counseling tools throughout her career.

“I think it’s a very effective tool,” she said. “A lot of people don’t realize how beneficial it really is.”

Some exercises involve free-flow writing, others are more structured, such as asking participants to do some writing based on a writing prompt, or writing about a specific topic, she explained.

There’s something about the writing process that frees thoughts and feelings, she said.

“Sometimes when they just sit down with pen and paper … they’ll find that it helps to release what’s going on,” she said.

“Even if they are in counseling for it (grief) or have friends, or someone, they’re talking to, it’s still a good way to get those things out, especially because it’s something people can use when they’re alone, or in those late-night hours when they get up,” Kring said.

Kring said if more than 10 people call in to sign up, she’ll keep a list of those she can’t accommodate, and she’ll reach out to them when she has her next “Journaling through Grief” workshop.

The deadline for signing up is March 17. Those interested should call Kring at (727) 247-7510.

Published March 15, 2017

This event gets dogs’ tails waggin’

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Dogs’ Day in Dade City, now in its eighth year, is an event that’s aimed at giving dogs a chance to have fun, while their owners have a good time, too.

Dog owners bring decked-out wagons, so their dogs can ride in style during the Dog Wagon Parade at Dogs’ Day in Dade City. This year the event is March 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
(Courtesy of Lucy Avila)

Rain put a damper on last year’s festivities, but event organizer, Lucy Avila, hopes this year’s Dogs’ Days will enjoy better weather.

The event is scheduled for March 18, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Agnes Lamb Park, at Meridian Avenue and Ninth Street in downtown Dade City.

Those attending the event typically come from Dade City and the nearby communities, such as Zephyrhills and Brooksville, but also from Tampa, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey and other communities.

Dogs must be kept on a leash.

There are all sorts of activities planned, including a dog wagon parade, a dog costume contest, a K-9 challenge, a Canine Got Talent contest and an ice cream/yogurt eating contest.

In the ice cream/yogurt eating contest, Avila said, “The dog gets the dog yogurt, the human gets the ice cream. When they say, ‘On your mark, get set, go,’ they take the lids off of their containers and the humans hold the one for the dog, and the humans hold their own, and they can only use their mouth, their tongue.

“It’s great. It is so much fun,” Avila said.

The K-9 challenge has been very popular, too, she said. Dogs compete in the small, medium and large categories.

This pup was having fun showing off a few moves at a previous Dogs’ Day in Dade City. The event, now in its eighth year, aims at bringing dogs and dog-lovers together to have some fun

They have to complete a course, which is timed. But, there are things along the way to sidetrack them, including treats, a ball and other distractions.

“That has been a hit,” she said.

“We are just really proud of our community to be able to put this on,” she said.

Another highlight of the event will be a 1 p.m. presentation by a speaker from Canine Partners for Patriots, of Brooksville.

“We are so proud to have them come to our event,” she said.

In that program, dogs and veterans are connected. The speaker will be sharing stories of those special connections.

“The dogs mean so much to these people. They just have made a better quality of life for them,” she said.

The “‘Canine Got Talent” portion of the event is always a big hit, as people show off dogs who can jump through hoops, bark along with music and do other fun pet tricks, Avila said.

Dogs’ Day in Dade City
Where: Agnes Lamb Park, at Meridian Avenue and Ninth Street in downtown Dade City (Across from the Edwinola on Meridian)
When: March 18, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cost: Free admission, free parking
Details: People and dogs can both have fun at this shindig. There will be a dog wagon parade, dog costume contest, a K-9 challenge, a Canine Got Talent contest, as well as vendors selling items meant for dogs and for humans.

Published March 15, 2017

Paulie Palooza rocks out at new venue

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When people gather this year to check out the music at the fifth annual Paulie Palooza, they’ll be arriving at a new event venue.

This year, the bands will be performing at the Zephyrhills Community Event Venue, at 5200 Airport Road.

Paulie Palooza will be playing at a new venue this year. The event is scheduled for March 18 at the Zephyrhills Community Event Venue. It will feature live bands, vendors, a silent auction and more. Proceeds benefit Gulfside Hospice.
(Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

The bands will start playing March 18 at 10 a.m., and performances will continue throughout the day, until 5 p.m.

The musical lineup includes:

  • Cold Iron
  • The Dade City Connection
  • David Teague
  • Backwaters Own
  • The Jase Randall Band
  • Ralph’s RV
  • White RV

But, there’s more than music at Paulie Palooza. The event also features local vendors, silent auctions, a car show, food and drawings, said Kirsty Churchill, of Gulfside Hospice.

The cost for admission is $5, and those attending are encouraged to bring a lawn chair.

Event proceeds support hospice patient care in Pasco County through Gulfside Hospice.

The event all began with Paul Correia’s desire to do something for Gulfside Hospice, which provided care for his father as he was approaching his death.

It started out as a birthday party, which has turned into an annual fundraiser, Churchill said.

Gulfside Hospice appreciates Correia’s work and generosity, Churchill said.

Paul Correia launched Paulie Palooza to raise money for Gulfside Hospice, who provided care to Correia’s father before his death. Since its inception in 2012, Paulie Palooza has raised more than $20,000 to support Gulfside Hospice.

Every penny helps, she said, noting that no patient is ever turned away from Gulfside Hospice because of an inability to pay.

Churchill said it’s not known yet how the new venue will affect attendance, but the venue is large — enabling the event to have more options for things to do for event-goers.

When the venue was used this year for the first time for the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival, it drew an estimated 11,000 — the festival’s largest crowd ever.

The 14-acre site has a 20-by-40-foot stage and enough stalls, equipped with water and electricity, to accommodate 48 vendors.

Gulfside Hospice serves patients living in Pasco County who are facing end-of-life illnesses.

The interdisciplinary care team provides medical care focusing on symptom management and pain control. It also offers emotional and spiritual care from social workers, chaplains and volunteers.

For more information about Gulfside Hospice, call (800) 561-4883, or visit GHPPC.org.

Paulie Palooza
Where: Zephyrhills Community Event Venue, at 5200 Airport Road
When: March 18, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Cost: $5 admission, free parking; proceeds go to Gulfside Hospice
Details: Live music, local vendors, car show, food and more
Info: To find out more, contact Ashley Thibedeau, special events coordinator, at (727) 845-5707 or , or visit Facebook.com/GHPPC.

Published March 15, 2017

Land O’ Lakes festival offers music, car show, food

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Things didn’t go exactly as planned.

The permanent stage event organizers had hoped to use remains under construction.

Soul Circus Cowboys were the headline act at the second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.
(Courtesy of Suzanne Beauchaine)

There were also some pre-event traffic snarls. And, electrical problems threw off the schedule, precluding Stonegrey, the first musical act, from being able to perform.

Those at the festival had the chance to hear performances by The Higgins Brothers, Shalyah Fearing, City Groove and Soul Circus Cowboys.

The event was presented by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, as a way to give back to the community.

David Gainer, the event chairman and president-elect for the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, was disappointed things didn’t go as smoothly as planned.

“With all the pre-planning and walk-through the day before, we somehow still had a couple of issues. It was disappointing not to have Stonegrey open the show.  We sincerely apologize to them and, more importantly, their fan base who came out to see them,” he said.

Overall, though, those attending the second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival seemed to be having a good time.

Gloria Dale and Rosie Heim were working a booth to try to drum up support for Heim, who is campaigning to become the new Honorary Mayor of Land O’ Lakes. Dale is the deputy honorary mayor a title she’s been given for life.
(B.C. Manion)

People were checking out the vintage Cadillac and old-school Nova, the Teslas, and the other vehicles that owners were showing off at the Al and Ida Silver Memorial Car Show.

Event-goers also were grabbing a bite to eat, including barbecued meals served by Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, hot dogs from D&R Specialty Dogs, and food and drink from other vendors.

And, the mood was generally upbeat, as people strolled up and down vendor aisles, checking out displays and picking up freebies at the March 11 event at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center and Park.

“This is a great day,” said Phyllis Bross, who was working at the AARP Land O’ Lakes Chapter’s booth to raise awareness about the organization. “People seem happy, and I see children with balloons. Everyone loves the food.”

Rosie Heim was at the festival trying to garner support for her bid to be the next Land O’ Lakes Honorary Mayor. She wants to win the race so she can make more people aware of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, a volunteer organization involved in countless community causes and events.

Heim was there with her sidekick, Gloria Dale, who has been named the deputy honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes for life.

The two ladies were selling “I love Land O’ Lakes” buttons and chances for prizes, to help raise money for Heim’s campaign.

Shalyah Fearing, a performer whose familiar to fans of the television program ‘The Voice,’ performed at the second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival on March 11.

Tim Clayton Sr., and his son, Tim Clayton Jr., were there working the Knight Pest Control booth. The presence of a life-size replica of a knight in shining armor helped draw attention to their booth.

“We go to all of the chamber events,” said Tim Clayton Sr., whose company is a member of Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, and has offices in Pasco, Hernando and Pinellas counties.

He was particularly pleased that the event featured a car show, in addition to the music and vendors.

“There are a couple of Teslas over there,” he said. “They’re beautiful cars.”

There were scores of other businesses and organizations with booths at the event.

Lowe’s Home Improvement had a booth and so did Holy Trinity Lutheran Church. Seal Swim School was there, and so was Connerton. The Laker/Lutz News had a booth, too.

Organizers estimate attendance at about 1,000. Admission was free, except for reserved seating at the concert. Parking was $10.

Gainer said the experience “was definitely a learning process for us (event organizers), but it will help us with the planning of our future events.

“Overall, we believe it was a success, and we can continue to build from this. We understand that it takes time to grow an event such as this, and we intend to see it become a signature event that the Land O’ Lakes community can look forward to annually,” he said.

Published March 15, 2017

Growth continues to transform Wiregrass Ranch

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Once known for its cattle and citrus groves, the Wiregrass Ranch area of Wesley Chapel is now being viewed as a place where people can live, work, shop, learn and receive medical care.

During the past decade:

  • Pasco-Hernando State College opened Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, giving Wesley Chapel students their first opportunity to seek a four-year college degree in their own backyard.
  • Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel opened, and the demand was so great that the hospital expanded — well ahead of expectations.
  • Florida Medical Clinic opened, on land situated near the hospital.
  • North Tampa Behavioral Health opened, and has been so successful that it is already undergoing an expansion.
  • Financial services giant Raymond James closed on the purchase of 65 acres of land and is expected to break ground later this year on a satellite campus, across from the college.
J.D. Porter, president of sales and development for Wiregrass Ranch, talks over projects that have been completed, or are on the horizon — at Wiregrass Ranch, a development of regional impact that covers thousands of acres in Wesley Chapel.
(B.C. Manion)

And, that’s just part of the story, according to J.D. Porter, president of sales and development for Wiregrass Ranch, in Wesley Chapel.

Besides the health care, education and commercial projects, residential growth is going strong, too, Porter said.

Wiregrass Ranch — with 340 housing starts — was No. 1 in housing starts in the period ending Dec. 31, 2016, according to a report by MetroStudy.

FishHawk Ranch, in southern Hillsborough County, was second on the list with 324 starts.

Other Pasco County developments among the top five were Long Lake Ranch, at fourth place, with 227 starts; and, Starkey Ranch, at fifth place, with 219 starts.

Porter expects residential growth to continue to flourish in Wiregrass Ranch.

He pointed to a contract on a large tract of land for a new active adult community that’s expected to close this year.

The development, which will have around 1,000 units, will fill a niche in the market, Porter said. “Nowhere in Wesley Chapel is there really an age-restricted community,” he said.

It will be “highly amenitized,” he said, and will be designed for people who are 55 and older.

Another residential development will offer row houses, and will appeal to people who are looking for a maintenance-free lifestyle, he said.

More commercial growth is on the horizon, too, Porter said.

North Tampa Behavioral Health, on State Road 56, is in expansion mode.

A 15,000-square-foot medical office is going up next to Florida Medical Clinic, he said, noting the bottom floor will be occupied by an orthodontist.

He expects that to open within the next seven months to nine months.

“They’re turning dirt like crazy right now, which is fantastic,” Porter said.

The medical office market is hot, Porter added.

“We probably get five to 10 calls a day,” he said.

It’s possible that another 100,000 square feet to 150,000 square feet of medical office could be added, he said. “It’s going to be limited by size.”

Porter also noted that his family is actually doing a strip center of its own on State Road 54, which will include restaurants and businesses which cater to local needs.

And, while there’s been a considerable amount of interest about when Raymond James will break ground and bring new employment opportunities, Porter said other major players are also eyeing the Wiregrass Ranch area.

Wiregrass is also on the shortlist of a couple of other companies that have equal, if not greater, name recognition as Raymond James, Porter said.

“Now that we have these foundations, it just ramps up to a different level, which is exciting,” Porter said.

Published March 8, 2017