The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Pasco approval sets stage for massive development

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A massive development on 2,900 acres of ranchland in Land O’ Lakes is a step closer to reality.

(Mike Camunas)

The Pasco County Commission on April 4 approved transmitting a request by 4G Ranch PD to the state Department of Economic Opportunity and other state agencies for review.

This is a preliminary step that’s required before the county board can approve a change to the county’s comprehensive plan, and that change is required before new zoning entitlements can be granted.

Plans call for developing approximately 3,800 homes and 300,000 square feet of retail and office uses on the land.

The site is on State Road 52, about 2.25 miles east of U.S. 41. It is currently designated as a rural transition area on the county’s long-range planning map.

The request calls for changing the site’s designation from agricultural and  agricultural-residential to a planned development. 

The subject property is bisected by a Critical Linkage Ecological Corridor, in the name of Connerton to Crossbar. The applicant proposes amending the map to reduce the size of the corridor from about 830 acres to about 595 acres.

The county has no objections to the proposed changes in the eco-corridor because even after the changes, it would meet the intent of providing a connection between ecological conservation areas and supporting necessary habitat, according to materials that were included in the Pasco County Planning Commission’s agenda packet, from when it considered the request.

4G Ranch is owned by the Phillips family.

Published April 12, 2023

Pasco board sends Saddlebrook request to state for review

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A request to redevelop Saddlebrook Resort has cleared the first step in a lengthy county review process required before any redevelopment can occur.

The Pasco County Commission voted 4-1 to send a request by Miami-based Mast Capital to the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity and other state agencies for review. Commission Chairman Jack Mariano voted no.

The vote came after hours of discussion at the April 4 public hearing, where speakers offered testimony both for and against Mast’s proposed redevelopment of Saddlebrook.

During its prime, Saddlebrook was known internationally for excellence in its golf facilities, with its two Arnold Palmer-designed courses and for its tennis facilities and programs. But the resort, which opened in 1981, has fallen into disrepair and plans for redeveloping it have sparked debate. (File)

Saddlebrook, which opened in 1981, is situated off State Road 54, east of Interstate 75, in Wesley Chapel. It has been the training grounds of professional golf and tennis stars and was once widely known as a world-class resort.

But, by virtually all accounts, the resort has fallen into disrepair over the years and will need a significant infusion of capital to restore it to its glory days.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she’s pleased that Mast has stepped forward because other developers have looked at Saddlebrook and couldn’t get the numbers to work.

In broad strokes, Mast’s redevelopment plan has four parts: two areas are within Saddlebrook’s gated community and two are outside, flanking State Road 54.

Area 1 and Area 2 are outside of the gated community.

The plans for Area 1 call for 75,000 square feet of commercial retail/office, 465 multifamily units and 35 townhomes.

The plans for  Area 2 call for 25,000 square feet of commercial retail/office and 120 townhomes.

Area 3 and Area 4 are within the existing resort community.

Plans for Area 3 call for the preservation of the tennis courts and renovation of the clubhouse and resort area.

Plans for Area 4 call for the redesigned golf courses and relocation of the driving range, which currently fronts State Road 54.

Under Mast’s plans, development along State Road 54 would include a mixture of commercial and residential uses in a walkable area featuring neighborhood parks, patio seating, a wide boulevard and other amenities, according to the proposal.

Plans also call for dual left-hand turning lanes leading out of the resort’s main entrance. Plus, an additional right-in/right-out access would serve the new development along State Road 54.

The developer also has committed to extend Vision Road H, to provide another connection into Saddlebrook.

Those speaking in favor of Mast’s request said the company’s investment is needed to save Saddlebrook, and they praised the company for seeking to make Saddlebrook a competitive resort.

They also praised Mast for agreeing to a private deed restriction that guarantees the golf course land will be protected. 

Those speaking against the plan questioned its compatibility with the existing community’s character. They raised concerns about the disruption of the quiet nature of the resort community.

They predicted that increased traffic within the community will pose hazards to people who are walking, biking or using golf carts on the area’s roads.

They also criticized Mast’s plan for lacking a specific timeline for the resort’s renovation.

Some also spoke out against Mast’s plans to replace the two 18-hole golf courses with three nine-hole courses. They said there would be too much distance between holes on the redesigned courses.

They disagreed with Mast’s assessment that a complete overhaul is needed to create a course that will attract today’s golfers.

Despite the disagreements, it appeared that Mast is making progress in building support for its plan.

More speakers stepped forward to support Mast’s plan than had done so at previous public hearings.

The transmittal of Mast’s request for state review is a preliminary step in the process.

Before Mast can proceed with the proposed redevelopment, it needs to secure approval of its requested comprehensive land use change and approval of a companion master-plan unit development (MPUD) zoning.

Each of those requests must go to a public hearing before the Pasco County Planning Commission and then come back to the county board for a final vote.

In voicing support for the transmittal at the April 4 hearing, Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman noted he would support the transmittal, but made it clear there are issues that need to be worked out.

Specifically, Weightman said he’s not “not overly enthusiastic” about the proposed multifamily units or the proposed density of Mast’s plan.

Published April 12, 2023

Rezoning will allow day care and restaurant in Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning to change residential zoning to commercial on 8.39 acres, on the south side of Catfish Lake Road, north of State Road 54.

The planned uses for the property are for a day care center and restaurant, according to the county board’s April 4 agenda packet.

The applicant has volunteered to record a deed restriction to prohibit these uses: car washes, gas stations, vehicle service stations, repair garages, stand-alone drive-thru restaurants and self-storage facilities and free-standing recreational vehicle and boat storage.

A 5-foot sidewalk along the northern property boundary also must be installed before the final building inspection of the first building, according to deed restriction.

Reima Investments LLC/Apple Enterprises Trust are listed as the applicants on this zoning.

In another agenda item, the county board approved a task order with Trias Construction to construct a new Pasco Fire/Rescue logistics building next to Fire Rescue Station No. 15, at 2036 Chesapeake Drive, in Odessa.

The project has been added to the 2015 Penny for Pasco Project List and the approved task order is in the amount of $744,840.

The task order covers the construction of a 60-foot by 80-foot metal building and concrete foundation. It also provides for the installation of metal pallet racks that will help organize the storage area, according to the county board’s April 4 agenda packet.

The county board approved the list of 2015 Penny for Pasco Projects on July 10, 2012, but additional funds were available and Fire/Rescue requested to add this logistics building.

The projected time of completion is 120 days from the notice to proceed. 

In other action, the county board:

  • Accepted the donation of a solar-powered public Wi-Fi hotspot with full installation, worth approximately $6,000, for Stanley Park, at 38724 Mudcat Grant Blvd., in Lacoochee. The donation was made by the Florida Engineering Leadership Institute Class of 2021, through its charitable program, “Connecting Communities.”
  • Approved Downs & St. Germain Research Inc. for the Visitor Profile and Economic Impact Study for Florida’s Sports Coast in the annual Not to Exceed (NTE) amount of $29,000 for Fiscal Year (FY) 2023; $73,000 for FY 2024; $58,000, for FY 2025; $73,000 for FY 2026; and $58,000 for FY 2027, for a cumulative total NTE amount of $291,000. The agreement is for a one-year contract term, with four automatic one-year renewal terms, unless canceled in accordance with the solicitation documents.

Published April 12, 2023

Connerton to add apartments, office space

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This sign indicates the zoning meeting that was coming up on a request for a new mixed-use development within Connerton, a master-planned community in Land O’ Lakes.

The Pasco County Commission unanimously has approved a request that will allow 10,000 square feet of office and retail uses, along with 56 multi-family units on a 2.4-acre site, south of Pleasant Plains Parkway, about 550 feet east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, in Connerton.

Connerton is adding a mixed-use office, retail and multi-family project on a 2.4-acre site, south of Pleasant Plains Parkway, east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. (Mike Camunas)

The development site is behind the nearby Publix Super Market.

In approving the proposed change to Connerton’s master-planned unit development (MPUD), the county board also agreed to reduce the required parkland to .24-acre because of the site’s small size.

Staff recommended approving that request because the applicant, DR Reddy Commerce Center LLC, has agreed to increase the amenities within the park by adding three park elements and constructing a sidewalk extension on Pleasant Plains Parkway to connect to the existing multi-use trail, according to materials in the board’s April 4 agenda packet.‬

Because the site is small, the project will be a mixed-use, vertically integrated development.

The owner of the multi-family and residential site will be in charge of maintenance.

County staff identified 19,644 square feet of commercial entitlements within Connerton Village I MPUD, of which 10,000 square feet will be used for this project.

Published April 12, 2023

Prospect of new state law prompted avalanche of case filings

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In the days leading up to HB 837 becoming law, the number of civil case filings surged in Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Avlarez-Sowles’ office.

During the month of March of 2022, the clerk’s office received 911 civil case filings, compared to 3,572 during March of this year, according to clerk office figures. That represents a 292% increase.

“I don’t think anyone could have anticipated that law firms had so many cases pending that weren’t filed yet,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

She doesn’t think anyone — the legislators, the governor, the clerks or judiciary — would have expected that “there would have been such an influx of cases” in anticipation of the legislation becoming law.

“The numbers are astronomical,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

Nikki Alvarez-Sowles said a flurry of civil case filings is likely to create delays, until a solution can be found to address the unexpected backlog.

A legislative analysis of HB 837 describes it as tort reform, which will have impacts in numerous areas. Those impacts include: Reducing the statute of limitations for negligence actions from four years to two years; providing for distribution of proceeds where two or more third-party claims arise out of a single claim, exceeding policy limits; limiting applicability of provisions relating to attorney fees in certain actions against insurers; and, other changes.

The avalanche of filings occurred, as attorneys took actions to preserve rights that were enshrined in the previous law.

Even after the initial surge, delays are expected as the new cases generate pleadings and result in an uptick in trials, the clerk said.

Processing these cases as they work their way through the system is expected to create too much work for existing staff to handle.

She’s already tapped into her overtime budget and there’s a limit to how much is available, she said.

“With a circuit civil case, the lifespan is usually two to five years. So, this amount of cases coming in, in a brief period of time, is going to impact not just my office, but also the judicial system,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

“Once the case is created and the case moves on, there’s going to be a lot of pleadings that are going to be filed in that case. That’s going to create additional work, as the case moves through, to conclusion. So that workload is going to last for the next two to five years.”

“It’s a lot larger of a workload than we typically see,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

On average, her office typically gets about 12 circuit civil filings a day. But during the recent surge, on one day alone, there were 828 filings.

Beyond having her employees work overtime, the clerk said she’s also looking at the possibility of redeploying staff within her office.

“We can utilize and move teammates from our criminal department and from our records department and train them on the civil processes to docket subsequent pleadings, and that’s something that we are talking about as a team, in my office,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

But that, too, has its limits.

“That has a domino effect,” she explained, noting care must be taken to avoid creating backlogs elsewhere.

Clerks across the state, as well as the judiciary, are facing the same problem, she said.

She said she understands the chief judges have met to talk through the situation.

“They won’t feel it just yet, because my office is the one creating the case, but they’re going to feel it really soon.

“We only have a certain number of civil judges and those cases will be divided amongst those judges, and their workload will probably be too much for each one to manage, until those cases run their course, in our system,” she said.

She said the judiciary and clerks are going to need to work together to determine what the influx of cases means throughout the system, and how it can be addressed.

“It’s kind of too early to tell, just yet, what the impact is on all of our offices. “We’ve got to do a little legwork (to do) on our end, first,” she said.

The clerks and judiciary faced a similar situation when there was a flurry of filings during the foreclosure crisis, Alvarez-Sowles said.

“When we had the foreclosures, they brought in senior judges — which are judges who are retired — and they brought them in to process some of those foreclosure cases.

“We may need to seek appropriations from the state — (for) maybe hiring some temporary employees to help us process these cases through the system,” she added.

The judiciary may need extra funding, too.

She expects the clerks and judiciary to work together to seek a solution.

“We’ll be able to show what it is that we’re going to need, and I think the legislators and the governor are going to be very supportive of that,” Alvarez-Sowles said.

Alvarez-Sowles said she’s not sure what to expect next because the new law also reduced the statute of limitations in these civil cases from four years to two years.

It’s too early to know how that change will affect the volume of cases, she said.

The Pasco clerk said her primary message is a request to the public to be patient, as efforts are made to resolve this issue.

“We’re working through it,” Alvarez-Sowles said. “But delays are going to be inevitable, at least until we can get a handle on everything.”

Published April 05, 2023

Taking a deeper look at causes of traffic deaths in Pasco

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When the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization discussed new performance standards for safety in February, they asked staff to bring back a more detailed look at traffic-related fatalities.

That’s exactly what happened at the board’s meeting in March.

Tina Russo, active transportation planner for the Pasco MPO, detailed causes for crashes in Pasco County, based on information gleaned from long-form crash reports completed by the Florida Highway Patrol (FHP) and local police departments.

Lane departures, distracted drivers, drowsy drivers, speeding, lack of seatbelts and other factors contribute to the number of serious injuries and deaths that arise from traffic crashes in Pasco County, according to statistics gathered by Tina Russo, who works for the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Collisions also frequently occur at intersections. (File)

The idea was to take a closer look at who is being killed on Pasco County roads, who is using the roads and what can be done to prevent crashes, Russo said.

The analysis also took a close look at crash types.

It’s important to know how the crashes are happening, to help prevent them from occurring, she explained.

Russo refuses to call the collisions “accidents,” instead referring to them as crashes.

Increased vigilance and changes in behavior are needed to reduce the death toll on Pasco roads, she said.

The data reveals that Pasco’s crash rate is higher per capita than the state average and higher per capita than in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, too, Russo said.

Pasco County’s population in 2020 was 561,000 in 2020 — nearly 100,000 more than it was a decade before, Russo noted. “Of course, we’re higher than that (now),” she added.

The crash reports show that most of the collisions are occurring on major roads — such U.S. 19, U.S. 301, U.S. 98 and Interstate 75.

“Little (Road) is becoming very similar to (U.S.) 19, unfortunately,” Russo said.

Pasco County Commissioner Gary Bradford cited an inherent problem with information contained on the long-form crash reports.

“There are five law enforcement agencies in the county. Do they all get the same training in filling out these forms? Yes.

“Would I absolutely 100% trust these forms? Absolutely not,” Bradford said. “You have to look at them, sometimes, with a jaundiced eye.”

Russo told the MPO board that while FHP and the local police departments fill out the long-form crash reports, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office does not.

She also detailed the types of behaviors that are killing motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists in the county.

The largest number of crashes in 2022 occurred at intersections, according to the report. There were 4,486 wrecks at intersections, resulting in 308 serious injuries and 33 deaths.

Lane departures are a significant cause of crashes, Russo said. The report shows 3,246 crashes involving lane departures, resulting in 236 serious injuries and 45 fatalities.

“Half of that number is someone driving off the road, with no seatbelt on, hitting a fixed object,” Russo said.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman said he’d like to see data involving the safety of roundabouts.

A memorial has been created on State Road 52 near Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

Russo offered this observation: “We do know there are less fatalities and serious injuries at roundabouts because of lower speeds. There may be more crashes, but they’re at much lower speeds.

“As a cyclist, I love roundabouts,” she added.

The age of drivers also plays a big role in Pasco’s crashes.

It may not be all that surprising that teenagers were involved in 1,504 crashes in Pasco in 2022, resulting in 104 serious injuries and 12 deaths, according to the Pasco MPO’s report.

But the numbers for aging drivers were even higher, with 2,624 crashes, resulting in 207 serious injuries and 23 deaths, the report shows.

Reducing traffic-related fatalities also involves changing behaviors, she said.

“It’s a scary trend to think that people aren’t wearing their seatbelts again,” Russo said.

Just two changes would result in far fewer deaths from traffic crashes, she added.

“If people wore seatbelts and helmets, our fatality rate would probably drop 50%,” Russo said.

Resolving traffic safety issues takes a collaborative commitment — involving traffic operations, project management, planning and public education, among other things, Russo said.

Improving safety also requires a shared effort by everyone who travels through the county — in vehicles, on bicycles, on motorcycles and by foot, she said.

“Our No. 1 goal is saving lives,” Russo said.

The Pasco County MPO is the lead transportation planning agency for the county and is made up of elected leaders from Pasco County, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port  Richey.

Published April 05, 2023

Lutz author wants to preserve stories of industrial America

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Jim Kissane began writing stories decades ago, but he didn’t publish his first book until last year.

Now, the Lutz man is wrapping up a second book and is planning to write a total of 13 books in his independently published series called “The Story of Industrial America, 1850s to 1950s.”

The first book, “Railroad Stories Volume One,” is a collection of short stories covering a broad range of topics.

(Courtesy of Jim Kissane)

The accounts range from the exploits of a gentleman train robber, to the creation of Swanson TV dinners.

He shares poignant stories. One tells the tale of a young mother and her baby, who froze to death after getting off at the wrong stop. Another shares the desire of a repentant criminal who wants to return to his mother, but can’t because law enforcement is looking for him.

The historical fiction book is arranged by stand-alone chapters.

The stories offer a human touch — while mixing in facts from the news of the day. Many stories provide descriptions of equipment found on trains and in rail yards and paint a picture of the overall role trains have played in moving people and freight.

One story offers a detailed account in the crucial role the milk trains played in bringing fresh milk to market. Another describes the meticulous nature of the work of a trail walker — who walked miles each day seeking out any potential hazards to keep the tracks safe.

Kissane said the stories aim to preserve a part of history he doesn’t want to be forgotten.

His planned series of books on Industrial America is also motivated by keeping alive stories that he heard in his youth from relatives and family friends, who often did dangerous work in railroads, mining, steel mills and construction.

He plans to include 13 books in his industrial America series, plus another book on America’s westward expansion.

He’s loved railroads since he was a kid
Kissane grew up in Elmira, a city in upstate New York that was a hub for five major railroads.

His dad worked for the Delaware Lackawanna & Western (DL&W) and his grandfather worked for the Pennsylvania Railroad (PRR).

They took Kissane to visit the rail yards, giving him an up-close view of the railroad life.

Because of his dad and grandfather’s connections, Kissane enjoyed rides in the cabs of steam and diesel locomotives, and got to ride in cabooses. He met conductors and brakemen on the trains, and hobos in the rail yard.

One of his early jobs involved working for the General Railway Signal Company, a 100-year-old manufacturer of railroad signaling and switching equipment — used by all of the railroads.

Later on, as a volunteer with the Railway Historical Society, he had a chance to help restore vintage locomotives and rolling stock.

He was involved, as well, in the restoration of an abandoned rail line running through the heart of Pennsylvania’s historic Oil Creek Valley, which culminated with the creation of the Oil Creek and Titusville Railroad (OC&T).

Plus, he and his wife, Nancy, served as conductors on steam locomotive excursions, helping people to enjoy a railroad experience that in today’s world, is not easy to find.

All of this serves as a backdrop, to explain Kissane’s deep desire to preserve the history of those early railroad days, as well as share stories about other industrial sectors that influenced the shape of America.

He began working on his books before he realized what he was doing.

“I’m a first-time author. I really didn’t know what it was that I was setting out to do,” Kissane said.

Nevertheless, when the pursuit began to publish a book, he’d already written hundreds of stories.

“Several years ago, I started writing a little collection of anecdotes and short stories, and I felt this was information that was too important to let pass after my lifetime,” he said.

“I wanted to record it for posterity, exposing some of the amazing and interesting people and events and ideas that occurred during that period, 1850s to the 1950s,” Kissane said.

Of course, writing the accounts was just a start.

The work also involves editing and rewriting, deciding which stories should go in which book, additional research and so on.

He praised his wife, Nancy, for being vital in his writing pursuits.

He expressed that gratitude in the introduction to Volume One, when he wrote: “I could not have created this book without her guidance, encouragement and assistance in editing it and putting it together.”

He credited Robin Moore, a self-publishing consultant, who helped put him on the pathway of publishing for a worldwide readership, on the Amazon platform.

The twin goals of Kissane’s work are to share history and to create human connections.

He said he wants his stories “to make you laugh, or cry, or make you say, ‘Oh, my!’” 

He also hopes to stimulate readers’ imagination, encourage conversations and activate people to talk about things they hadn’t realized before, he said.

The accounts he writes welcome readers into a bygone era — revealing what people were like at that time, and offering a look into what they were doing.

“A lot of this is based on the stories that are still very memorable to me, that I heard when I was younger,” Kissane said. Other stories involve people he’s met along life’s path, or that he learned about during his research.

If you want to be a writer, write
Kissane is new to publishing, but he’s no stranger to hard work.

He belongs to a writing accountability club — where writers help each other keep focused. He estimates he writes 4,000 words  to 6,000 words every week.

When it comes to marketing though, well, he put it this way: “I will be the first person to admit, I am the world’s worst marketer.

“This is a whole new venture for me. I am just throwing myself on the mercy of the market and hoping that by word of mouth, people want to have me show up for museum events, or historical societies, or things of that nature,” Kissane said.

His measure of success won’t be the number of books he sells.

“I have had in my heart the desire to have my work published, ever since I was a kid,” Kissane said.

“I’ve always wanted to be a storyteller. I always wanted to write a book.”

If it’s not the number of books he sells, how does Kissane define success?

“It is the reality that I undertook something that’s been sitting on my heart for a long time, and I accomplished it and I did it well,” he said.

Author Jim Kissane is engaged in writing a series of books about Industrial America, from the 1850s to the 1950s. He set about the task because he was worried this history would be forgotten and lost forever, and he wants to do his part to be sure it isn’t.
The series is titled “The Story of Industrial America, 1850’s – 1950’s.”
The first volume, (Railroad Stories, Volume One) is available on Amazon.com. It costs $15 for paperback and is also available on Kindle.
Kissane is  planning 12 other books in this series, plus one about America’s westward expansion.
Kissane welcomes the opportunity to share stories about Industrial America, about his path to independent publishing, or both, for clubs or organizations seeking a guest speaker.
You can reach him at .

Published April 05, 2023

Should future Pasco transportation planning efforts include ‘Vision Trails?’

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Area Planning Organization’s transportation planning needs tend to focus mostly on needed roads and on ways to improve bicycle and pedestrian safety.

But at the board’s meeting last month, discussion turned to a potential way to better plan connections between trail systems.

Pasco County already has a Vision Roadway map, which indicates where the county may want to build new roads, to link parts of the existing network, or extend existing roads to establish better connections.

Pasco County already has a fair number of trails, but elected leaders would like to see better connections between trails, and to communities nearby. (Mike Camuans)

Now, the Pasco MPO board is talking about the value of creating a similar “vision” map for trails.

This particular focus would be on “stand-alone” trails because trails already are included as part of the plan for new roads.

Carl Mikyska, the transportation planning organization’s executive director, prompted the discussion about trails at the board’s March 9 meeting.

As the county works on its comprehensive plan update, it will be charting its course for the future, he noted.

“We have vision roads, currently. Do we want to expand that concept to other transportation facilities, whether it be trails, transit, or so forth?” Mikyska asked the board.

The idea would be to identify and protect corridors the county may need in the future, he explained.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey — who is a passionate advocate for trails — consistently pushes developers to either include trails through their developments, provide ways to link up to existing trails, or both.

Obviously, she likes the Vision Trails idea.

Commissioner Ron Oakley supports it, too.

He’s especially interested in expanding links to equestrian trails, particularly in the Northeast Rural Area.

“We want to be sure that those are included in that map, so that can go out to the Green Swamp and those areas, so they can be used by horseback riders, and (for) all, not just for walkers,” Oakley said.

He added that people who are riding horses or pedaling bicycles should be able to connect to other parts of Pasco County.

Dade City Commissioner Scott Black said there should be a checklist to make sure that trails are being considered, as part of future transportation plans.

Starkey said the stand-alone trails ultimately need to connect to other parts of the network.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano threw in his support for developing a Vision Trails plan, too, characterizing it as “a great idea.”

Besides taking a break from everyday routine, a hike along a trail through the woods can yield glorious views of the marvels of nature.

In other discussion relating to trails, Starkey urged the county’s road planners to provide more space along roadsides, to allow trails to meander, instead of being stuck up right next to the road.

She also asked transportation planners to plan for trees, between the trail and the road, which would provide shade and help protect trail users.

“My problem with that is that there’s no room for any plantings to shade a trail, to shade a path,” Starkey said.

“The other thing that a tree will do, if you put it between the street and the path, is protect you if a car goes off,” she said, reminding her colleagues of the deaths that occurred when a couple riding a tandem bicycle was killed when a vehicle went off the road.

“Most counties are putting much more space between their curb and the multi-use path,” Starkey said, listing Leon, Sarasota and Manatee counties as examples.

“I think we could do much better,” Starkey said.

Black said Starkey’s suggestions make sense.

Besides providing additional safety for users, adding trees along the trail would make them more attractive for users, he said.

Mariano noted that care must be taken, if planting trees next to the street and the trail — to prevent future root damage from the trees.

Black agreed: “I understand, you do have to be careful about that.”

Pasco board members also said they’d like to explore whether it makes more sense to put 12-foot trails on both sides of a road, instead of a 12-foot-wide trail on one side and a 5-foot trail on the other.

If it’s not considerably more costly, the board may want to make that its new policy, Mariano suggested.

Staff members said it would take some time to research the costs and other details. They plan to bring a report back to the board.

Published April 05, 2023

Business Digest 04/05/2023

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Social Media Growth Marketing
Shelly Cassin, president of Just Market It, will present a session on strategic social marketing on April 12, from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the SMARTstart Grove Entrepreneur Center, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 202, in Wesley Chapel. The session will focus on helping those attending to communicate their message in ways that create brand awareness, help establish you as a dominant figure in your community and generate leads for your business. Registration is free and available online at SmartStartPasco.com/thegrove-entrepreneur-center.

Chamber announces roundtable
The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce has announced a medical roundtable to take place on April 6 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., and the roundtable will be held going forward on the first Thursday of every month.

The meeting will be facilitated by Adam Shoemaker of HPH Hospice, at Chapter Health Services, at 6801 Rowan Road, in New Port Richey. The session will cover everything health care that affects the Greater Pasco health care industry. It also will offer a chance for those attending to interact with members of the health care community and discuss current topics in the industry.

Registration is free and available on the chamber’s website at GreaterPasco.com.

Moffitt and Saint Leo host community expo
Saint Leo University and Moffitt Cancer Center are teaming up to create jobs, internships and educational opportunities for Saint Leo students, as well as the community at-large.

The public is invited to join Saint Leo students and alumni for the Moffitt and Saint Leo University Community Expo, which will take place on April 14 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., at the university, 33701 County Road 52 (formerly State Road 52), in St. Leo.

Parking is available in the university’s parking garage, located on the east side of campus. Register to attend online at Moffitt.org/SaintLeoCommunityExpo.

The focus will be on careers and education for most of the day.

Partner named at Schifino Lee
Schifino Lee, a leading national advertising and branding agency, has announced that Jeff Philbin has been named to the role of partner.

He joins agency founders Paola Schifino and Ben Lee and is the first partner to be named since the founding of the agency, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Philbin joined the agency in May 2021 as director of business strategy and initially was responsible for new business development, according to a news release.

He quickly expanded his role at the agency, becoming a senior account manager for select clients, then adding talent recruitment and management of strategic agency partners, and also taking on the role of media spokesperson for the agency and for tourism industries across the Tampa Bay area, the news release says.

“Jeff has been named a partner because he earned it,” Ben Lee, co-founder, Schifino Lee, said in the release. “Since joining our agency almost two years ago, Jeff has re-energized our new-business outreach, strengthened our pipeline of prospects, landed several major clients, and taken on agency management responsibilities. On top of this, he’s an incredibly fun and positive person to work with.”

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group meets on the second Tuesday of the month (except for December), at 7:30 a.m., at IHOP, at 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City. The group’s meetings feature speakers from a wide array of backgrounds. 

Upcoming speakers are: 

  • April 11: Christopher Dester, founder of the Academy of Spectrum Diversity, and Col. Jeff Harrington, of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office
  • May 9: Mike Moore, former board member on the Pasco County Commission, now with The Southern Group

For more information, contact Nils Lenz at 813-782-9491 or

NTBC Coffee Connection
The North Tampa Bay Chamber has its Coffee Connections networking session every third Friday of the month, from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Coffee Speaks n Tea Talks, 19651 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Tampa. Coffee Connection provides a chance to mingle with other chamber members and community leaders, and to make friends and exchange ideas.

Business planning help
If you need help with handling business issues, you may be able to find the support you need through SCORE.org — an organization that provides workshops, a library of resources and business mentors. Visit the website to find out more about the free help that is available.

Pasco EDC seeks nominations
Nominations are being accepted by the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) for its 2023 annual awards, which recognizes companies that are having extraordinary economic impact on their community. The deadline for nominations is the close of business on April 28.

This year, Pasco EDC will recognize the achievements of top companies in Pasco County for their economic excellence in company growth, workforce improvement, and community involvement, according to a news release. Finalists are interviewed by a committee of volunteers, and the winners will be announced at Pasco EDC’s 35th Annual Awards event on Sept. 7.

Nominees should be a “for profit” business-to-business company operating in Pasco County, excluding municipalities or affiliates. If you know of a company outside of those parameters that has gone above and beyond their mission to show excellence, they may be nominated for consideration through the Special Contribution category.

Nominations can be submitted online at PascoEDC.com/events/details/35th-annual-awards. 

This year’s categories are:

  • Pasco Establishment Award: The winner in this category must have established its Pasco County operations between January 2022 and December 2022.

This award will recognize a recently established company that is demonstrating substantial progress and/or has the potential for a significant community impact.  

  • Economic Excellence Award: This award will go to a company that established its business in Pasco County between January 2022 and December 2022. It will recognize a business that has made a commitment to improving the overall economic health and quality of life in Pasco County, creating a diverse workforce, and providing exceptional value to customers, all while demonstrating ingenuity, integrity, and leadership. 

Other award categories:

  • International Achievement Award: This award will recognize a business that has demonstrated outstanding achievements in international relations, global leadership, and export growth through its relationship with Pasco EDC, Enterprise Florida, or Global Tampa Bay. Nominees will be scored based on company growth, international program participation, workforce improvement, and community involvement. 
  • SMARTstart Entrepreneur of the Year: This award will recognize an entrepreneur who has engaged in numerous SMARTstart programs. Through their experiences and education, they have turned their passion into a thriving business. Nominees will be scored based on company growth, SMARTstart involvement, and community impact as a leading start-up.