The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Navigating resources for special needs kids can be tricky

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Having a child with special needs can create daunting challenges for families.

Beyond not knowing what to do, it’s also hard to know who can help.

It can be confusing for families when they move into a new school district, explains Stephanie Long, assistant director of student support programs and services for Pasco County Schools.

People arrive in the district and they say: “I’m new to Pasco, what do I need?”

“I don’t understand your programs. I’m coming from another state. I’ve never heard this terminology? What do I do?”

Parents of students with special needs from other school districts often aren’t familiar with the terms used to describe programs here, or with the varying types of programs. They can get an introduction to the district’s programs from information provided on the district’s website. (File)

Long directs new families to the public school district’s website, where there is a page that’s specifically built to give parents a step-by-step guide to information, covering all of the basic needs for all students.

Plus, it gives parents a good start to find out what the district’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services and programs are for students with special needs.

The district also shares information about other resources available in the community, or through state partnerships.

The best place to start, according to Long, is at the Parents tab on the district’s website (Pascok12.fl.us). Then, parents can scroll down that page to a link called SSPS Resources.

“It immediately opens up to all of the parent resources,” Long said.

If you click on the ESE Guide, for instance, you’ll find information to help you navigate the world of special programs.

“This basically gives the alphabet soup of all of the different acronyms that we throw around in our world. A glossary of all of the terms that we use,” she said.

It also explains the district’s continuum of services for its ESE students.

Special services can vary from place to place, so this gives parents an idea of what to expect in Pasco.

Another resource, provided through the district, is a quarterly meeting intended to give parents a chance to identify topics of need, or interest, and to work collaboratively with other parents and the school district to address them.

Jennifer Hykes, senior supervisor of special programs, runs that group.

Historically, participation has been lower than the district would like, but the numbers are improving as a result of marketing and outreach efforts.

“We really want these meetings to be collaborative. We want to hear what the needs are and what they (parents) want,” Hykes said.

Identifying needs is the first step toward developing a plan to address them, she said.

That group’s next virtual meeting is set for Feb. 21 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. To find out more, reach out to Hykes via email at .

The sessions give parents an opportunity to learn about various topics.

And, if they have specific questions, this is a good place to get them answered.

“We always have a Q & A session at the end,” Hykes said. “I stay on as long as needed.”

Another way to find out more about available resources would be to attend Superintendent Kurt Browning’s Family Forum on Safety and Security. (See accompanying info box).

Some students need special services and it can be confusing for parents to know where to turn for help. There are a variety of resources available, both within Pasco County Schools, through state partnerships and with community groups. (Mike Camunas)

The forum is set up to provide information on various safety and security topics, but there also will be representatives from various service providers and community organizations to answer questions and provide information.

Those representatives can help clue in parents regarding sources of help that may be useful to them.

Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin, who has extensive experience in dealing with issues relating to children with special needs, also provided some guidance that may be useful for parents of ESE students.

She shared those thoughts during a recent Laker/Lutz News interview involving her, Long and Hykes.

It’s no secret that many parents may feel overwhelmed as they try to figure out what’s best for their special needs’ kids.

Beaudoin suggested this simple way to get started: “If you have a concern, request a meeting with your school.”

Once a meeting is scheduled, it’s  good to be prepared, Beaudoin said. Take a notebook and any relevant documentation, she advised.

Keep a positive attitude, too, Beaudoin said.

“I think some parents do feel that they really need to go in (to a meeting about their child), in defense mode,” the school board member said.

One excellent source of information for parents is the Florida Diagnostic and Learning System, FDLRS for short, Beaudoin said.

Long agreed.

Families can submit questions and receive information, typically within 24 to 48 hours, Long said.

Hykes said it’s important to know that many questions and concerns can be answered or resolved at the school level. She recommends that families have a list of contact names and numbers, to know who they should call, if an issue arises.

At the school level, the list should include the teacher, the case manager (if there is one) and the principal. Beyond that, the district has a list of program supervisors, which is available on its website.

Another place to find some easy-to-understand information about Florida’s ESE services is the Florida’s MTSS. The acronym stands for multi-tiered systems of support for families.

The parent guide explains that school districts must provide a certain procedure to ensure that they’ve implemented intervention, and to ensure that the students had a poor response to that intervention, before the district says that a student has a disability, Long said.

She also pointed out a program called Project 10, a program that focuses on transition.

“For those students with disabilities, how do we help them transition to post-secondary opportunities? How do we provide greater opportunities for students with disabilities to have greater outcomes when they leave us and they go on to postsecondary?” Long said.

Superintendent’s Family Forum on Safety and Security
Where/when:

  • Pasco Middle School, 13925 14th St., Dade City, on Jan. 24, doors open at 5 p.m.; event starts at 5:30 p.m.
  • Fivay High School, 12115 Chicago Ave., , on Jan. 31, doors open at 5 p.m.; event starts at 5:30 p.m.

Details:
Breakout sessions will include:

  • School safety in Pasco County
  • Data security in a connected society
  • Handling threats in schools
  • Suicide prevention for students
  • Accessing student services

Community resources available on:

  • Safety
  • Mental health
  • Student supports
  • Student services
  • Community supports

Free child care is available for children ages 4 through 10. Light refreshments will be provided, too. To register, visit SuperintendentsFamilyForum1.sched.com/.

Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Services
To help you acclimate to services and programs designed for students who have special needs, here are some places to go to get more information. Some services and programs are provided by Pasco County Schools and some are provided through partnerships or community organizations.

To get started, go to the Pasco County Schools’ website, at Pasco.k12.fl.us. Once there, click on the Parents tab. Then scroll down to Student Support Services.

Then, check out information provided in these categories:

  • Center for Autism Related Disorders (CARD)
  • ESE Parent Guide
  • ESE Parent Collaborative Network
  • ESE Programs and Resources
  • Florida Diagnostic and Learning Resources System (FDLRS), click on Parent Services link
  • FLDOE Exceptional Student Education, click on link for Parent Information page

Published January 18, 2023

Blue Triton Brands plans bottled water plant expansion

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Blue Triton Brands Inc., formerly known as Nestle Waters North America Inc., has secured permission to vacate a portion of platted right of way, to help accommodate the company’s planned plant expansion in Zephyrhills.

After hearing from county staff and a representative for Blue Triton Brands, the county board voted on Jan. 10 to unanimously approve the request to vacate a portion of Leaf Lane, which is a platted right of way, and to vacate portions of Camphorwood Lane and Breezewood Drive.

Zephyrhills Bottled Water Plant, at 4330 20th Street, will get an expansion through its parent company, Blue Triton Brands. (Mike Camunas)

Joann Ravida, a real property professional in the county’s Real Property & Planning Division, told the county board: “The purpose of the vacation (of the property) is to allow for the area to be utilized for parking and water retention, to serve the expansion of the petitioner’s existing plant.

“There were no objections to this petition and the team recommends approval,” she added.

Linda Pearson, a planner representing Blue Triton Brands, told the county that approval of the request was needed to accommodate the company’s plant expansion plans.

Pearson told the county board: “We’re not affecting anything or any access used currently, now or in the future, by the residents to the south that are currently in Pasco County.

“They have no access to it. There’s nothing there. Our company has owned that company for some time. It’s vacant,” she said.

Pearson also noted that the three homes that are affected are a considerable distance away.

The planned plant expansion will add 30 new positions and convert 45 of the existing 56 positions into full-time roles, Pearson said.

Salaries will generally range from about $44,000 to $64,000, in connection with the expansion, she added.

“Blue Triton Brands purchased the Nestle Corporation in April of 2021. They purchased all of the U.S. and Canadian plants, approximately there are 27 of them. And, they’re making their biggest capital investment this year, in this plant,” Pearson said.

Pearson told the county board that Blue Triton Brands has a pending application to annex into the City of Zephyrhills. She showed county board members a map indicating the only portion of its property that’s currently outside the city limits.

“We are being very careful in anything we do, to minimize the impact to the surrounding community,” Pearson said.

The landscaping and buffering provided will exceed code requirements, she added.

Commissioner Ron Oakley asked if the City of Zephyrhills could vacate the rights of way in question, if the land is being annexed.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said an argument could be made along those lines, but the original plat likely was recorded in the county records, and since the applicant had already gone through the county’s process, the board might as well take action.

Pearson agreed, noting the plan was recorded in the county and her company believes its best to have the county board take action, to ensure everything is legal.

The City of Zephyrhills is scheduled to consider the annexation, a comprehensive plan amendment and a zoning request on Jan. 23, Pearson said. Another neighborhood meeting is planned before then, she added.

Although no one spoke against the request during the board’s afternoon public hearing, Marlene Mann, a neighbor to the water plant, had voiced opposition during the morning public comment portion of the board’s meeting.

After Mann voiced her objections, Steinsnyder informed the board that her remarks were related to an item that would be heard by the board in the afternoon.

Mann signed up to speak during the afternoon session, but was unable to wait until the board took it up.

In the morning, she told board members: “I just want to go on record to say that I oppose the petition to vacate a portion of three platted rights of way by Blue Triton.

“I know it won’t do any good, but I speak on behalf of the neighborhood, that used to be a nice quiet neighborhood of 16 homes, dead-end street.

“We’re in the county, but right next to us used to be Nestle’s Zephyrhills Bottled Water, now owned by Blue Triton.

“Our neighborhood was there before Blue Triton or Zephyrhills Bottled Water was ever built,” she said.

Nestle bought eight of the 16 homes and bulldozed them, she said.

She objected to Blue Triton Brand’s planned expansion.

“They’re going get rid of a lot of big oaks, over 200 trees. They’re going to bring this retention pond within 75 feet of our backyards,” she said.

“None of the neighbors want this. We don’t want our peaceful neighborhood destroyed, with mosquitoes close by, all of the trees, big oaks, disappearing, plus the big noise factor of the trucks, which are 24 hours a day, which’ll be right close to our backyards and the big lights.

“I know there’s probably not much hope because big city and big companies always win, but thank you for hearing me out,” Mann said.

Published January 18, 2023

Saddlebrook Resort redevelopment inches closer to approval

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The Pasco County Planning Commission voted 5-2 to recommend approval of a proposed change to the county’s comprehensive plan — as a first step toward the redevelopment of Saddlebrook Resort, in Wesley Chapel.

Despite the planning board’s positive Jan. 5 vote, members said they won’t support a needed companion zoning change unless it has a far greater degree of detail.

Saddlebrook opened in 1981 and achieved an international reputation for excellence in its tennis and golf facilities and programs. Through the years, premier athletes have flocked there to use the resort’s facilities — and its golf and tennis academies have helped prepare future champions.

There appears to be broad consensus that improvements are needed at Saddlebrook Resort, but residents and planning board members want myriad questions answered before a proposed redevelopment gains approval. (File)

Despite having a reputation as a crown jewel for Pasco County, there’s broad consensus that the 40-plus-year-old resort needs to be refreshed.

Mast Capital, based in Miami, is seeking approval to redevelop the property. But to do so it must gain approval from the Pasco County Commission to change the county’s comprehensive plan and also approval of a new master plan for Saddlebrook.

The planning board serves as an advisory board to the county commission.

Saddlebrook residents and attorneys packed the planning board’s public hearing, which lasted about four hours.

Residents expressed skepticism about Mast Capital’s intentions. They urged the planning board to protect Saddlebrook’s beauty, serenity, wildlife and legacy.

Greater clarity demanded
Two major sticking points centered on potential impacts from the proposed redevelopment and a lack of specificity in the plans.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing Mast Capital, said her client has been meeting with Saddlebrook residents through the resort’s five homeowner’s associations.

Wilhite outlined Mast Capital’s proposal and said changes have been made, based on community feedback.

For instance, Mast Capital dropped a request to add 60 single-family residences and 100 townhomes on land the current proposal designates for golf course and golf course-related uses.

Wilhite also noted she’s working with attorneys on private deed restrictions, which will legally bind future uses of the land — a highly unusual step that her client is willing to take.

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

The plan proposes combining the two 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf courses into a single 27-hole course.

“There are several holes that are plagued with terrible drainage situations that make them unplayable for significant amounts of time, throughout the year,” explained Eran Landry, a managing director for Mast Capital. “It’s going to take millions of dollars just in the golf course drainage improvements to change that.”

Landry said the company is in talks with two golf course designers.

Resident Patrick Hogan, who lives on Laurelwood Lane, told the planning board: “We’re on the Palmer course. It’s a Palmer course. There’s only one Arnold.

“It affects the value of our homes. That’s what we’re concerned about,” Hogan said.

Residents also want specificity regarding what “golf-related uses” would be allowed — and where the uses would be located.

They, and planning board members, also want to know where the tennis courts and driving range will be.

Mast Capital is seeking to increase the entitlement for commercial and retail uses from 100,000 square feet to 105,000 square feet; to 55 beds for the existing golf and tennis academy; to add a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse; to add 155 townhomes; and, to add 465 apartments.

The new development fronting State Road 54 will be a mixture of commercial and residential, in a walkable area featuring neighborhood parks, patio seating, a wide boulevard and other amenities.

Changes needed to reverse resort’s decline
“You want to create spaces that allow people to feel good, and obviously want to congregate and hang out, and enjoy their experiences at the resort. We intend to do that,” Landry said.

His company plans to spend millions to change the direction of the resort, which has been in decline, he said.

Mast Capital wants to add features such as a splash pad for kids; an ice cream shop for families; and, a coffee bar. It also wants to upgrade the pool area, which Landry characterized as “completely underwhelming.”

Plans call for a complete overhaul of existing resort rooms.

“Those resort rooms are just not competitive, relative to any other hotels nearby or other resorts. The occupancy and the rates have been in decline for a significant amount of time. We intend to change that,” Landry said.

A clubhouse is planned, too. Those are a common fixture at premier golf destinations, Landry said.

Wilhite said plans call for a dual left-turn lane and a dedicated right lane at the resort’s exit to improve traffic flow. A new right-in, right-out access onto State Road 54 also is planned to serve the project’s development along the state road.

Protect community’s character
Residents urged the planning board to protect the community they love.

“Driving home and entering the neighborhood has always felt like entering an oasis, a beautiful, quiet, natural haven,” said Judith Ranells, of Fox Hunt Drive, a Saddlebrook resident since 1988.

“The beauty within Saddlebrook is simply spectacular,” agreed Joann Barbetta, who lives on Fox Hunt Drive, too. “The expansive and dense collection of trees, the winding roads, the spacious driving range were all thoughtfully laid out.

“The homes are spaced far apart and there’s a lot of privacy and large, open spaces.

“The peacefulness and serenity of that can’t be overstated.

“Saddlebrook is also a place where you regularly interact with the best elite athletes in the world,” she added.

Her husband, Larry Barbetta, helped to form the Save Saddlebrook Coalition. The coalition seeks to protect the interests of residents throughout the community.

“We want to encourage investment enhancement in this community. We definitely do. But I cannot accept, and the coalition cannot accept, a complete lack of detail. There’s no idea where the (golf course) holes will go. There’s no idea where the driving range will go. That’s not written anywhere.

“This is really important to us. It’s incredibly important to us. It’s our lives,” he said.

Nancy Foster has lived on Saddlebrook Way for more than two decades.

“While living here, I’ve been privileged to watch pro tennis players practice and train.

“We have courts that provide for these players to play at Wimbledon, the French Open, the Australian Open and, of course, at home, at the U.S. Open. That’s why they come here.

“Keeping tennis courts and golf courses are important to the resort,” she said.

Foster cherishes the resort’s wildlife, too.

She described it this way: “There is a hawk who announces his arrival, as he flies over my house, every day. A coyote visiting my back porch, taking a nap. A bobcat checking out my backyard. Then the deer arrive. The many wild turkeys with their young, marching through. Let me not forget the otters, turtles and especially the owls keeping a watch over my pet bird, which is fortunately living in the house.”

Residents and planning board members raised question after question — and made it clear they want them answered before the next phase of the process, which involves the rezoning request.

After the planning board hears that request, both the land use and zoning change applications will be heard on the same day by the Pasco County Commission. That date has not yet been set.

Published January 11, 2023

The kumquat soon will be king for a day, in Dade City

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On the same day that ‘pirates’ take over downtown Tampa in that city’s annual Gasparilla invasion and parade, the city of Dade City expects to embrace a more genteel invasion of its own — with thousands of visitors arriving for the 26th annual Kumquat Festival.

The festival — which draws its name from a tiny, sweet and tangy citrus fruit — began more than two decades ago when Phyllis Smith, Roxanne Barthle and Carlene Ellberg were trying to find a way to inject new life into downtown Dade City.

All sorts of products featuring kumquats will be available at the 26th annual Kumquat Festival, in downtown Dade City on Jan. 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.(File)

They decided to have an event to celebrate the kumquat because the Kumquat Growers, based in Dade City, are the nation’s largest producers of the fruit, sometimes described as “the little gold gems of the citrus family.”

The festival began small, on the lawn of the historic Pasco County Courthouse.

Over the years, the event spread through the city’s historic downtown core, and it routinely attracts thousands of visitors from the Tampa Bay area and beyond.

Besides giving people a chance to sample the distinctive flavor of kumquats, the festival also offers them a chance to experience Dade City’s hospitality, at a family friendly event, according to John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

It’s affordable, he added. There’s no admission charge, and there’s free parking, entertainment and activities.

The event is set for 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Jan. 28. It will be held, rain or shine.

The event showcases Dade City’s “wonderful merchants and shops and restaurants” in the city’s historic downtown, Moors said.

Festival-goers who enjoy shopping can check out offerings from about 350 vendors — including an array of arts, crafts and other creations.

“It is a juried show, so the items that are being sold are quality items,” Moors said. Also, organizers “only allow certain amounts of various items in the show, which keeps it very eclectic.”

Entertainment will be offered at various locations around downtown, and there will be a vintage car show, children’s activities and other things to see and do.

Food and drink options will be plentiful.

Besides going to downtown restaurants, festival-goers also will be able to grab a bite to eat from food trucks and food vendors, too.

Those who enjoy adult beverages will be able to sip on kumquat beer or kumquat wine as they stroll from place to place, because on Kumquat Festival day, the entire downtown will be wet-zoned.

Of course, the kumquat is king at this event. And it will be available in myriad forms, including kumquat salsas, kumquat jelly, kumquat marmalade, kumquat marinade, kumquat salad dressing and kumquat barbecue sauce.

There’s kumquat ice cream and, of course, kumquat pie — which has been declared Pasco County’s official pie.

Moors expressed gratitude for the event’s dozens of sponsors, including headline sponsor AdventHealth.

The chamber executive also noted the festival relies heavily on volunteers, estimating that about 200 are pitching in this year.

26th annual Kumquat Festival
When: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Jan. 28
Where: Downtown Dade City
Cost: Admission is free, parking is free, entertainment is free.
Info: Call 352-567-3769, or visit DadeCityChamber.org.

Kumquat pie is Pasco County’s official pie. Would you like to buy a slice? You can purchase one at the 26th annual Kumquat Festival, or, if you prefer, you can buy some kumquats and follow these directions to make your own.

Ingredients:
1 9-inch baked pie crust
1 can condensed milk
1 8-ounce container of whipped topping
2/3 cup of Kumquat puree
1/2 cup of lemon juice

Directions:
Beat condensed milk with whipped topping. Add lemon juice and beat until thickened. Add Kumquat puree. Pour in pie crust and chill for several hours. Garnish with Kumquats and mint leaves.

Source: Kumquat Growers website (Original recipe is from Rosemary Gude)

Kumquat facts
Kumquats have been called the ‘little gold gems’ of the citrus family. They are believed to be native to China and have a very distinctive taste. Kumquats are the only citrus fruit that can be eaten whole. The peel is the sweetest part and can be eaten separately. The pulp, which contains seeds and juice, is sour. Together, the peel and pulp taste sweet and sour. The seeds contain pectin, which can be removed by boiling for use in jams and jellies.

Source: The Kumquat Growers Association

Published January 11, 2023

Two new schools coming to Central Pasco

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Two new schools are planned to accommodate burgeoning growth in Central Pasco.

One is a K-8 school planned for a site on the east side of Skybrooke Boulevard, south of State Road 54.

The other is a charter elementary school that will be operated by Dayspring Academy. It will be built on a 5-acre site, on Sunterra Drive, in Land O’ Lakes, according to materials in the Pasco County School Board’s Jan. 3 agenda packet.

The school board approved agreements relating to each of those projects.

The school board approved an agreement with Zyscovich Architects relating to the new K-8, which is planned for a 22-acre site. The 170,000-square-foot school will be designed for a maximum of 1,800 student stations, according to materials in the board’s agenda packet.

Construction on that project is expected to begin in October of 2023, with substantial completion expected by June of 2025.

The project will include new buildings, retention ponds, landscaping parking and stormwater management systems, and other required site infrastructure and connections to off-site utilities, the agenda materials say.

The estimated construction budget for this project is $60 million.

The new charter school is a K-5 school that will have 600 student stations.

The school will be operated by Creation Foundation, doing business as Dayspring Academy.

The school is being built to serve the emerging community of Angeline, a new development spanning 6,200 acres, which is south of State Road 52 and east of the Suncoast Parkway.

Dayspring and the school board have agreed to fund the elementary charter school project through impact fees.

“Dayspring and the school board desire to partner with each other in this endeavor and as such will work to blend the charter school program and curriculum with the future board STEM 6-12 magnet,” according to an agreement previously approved by the school board.

Plans call for the charter school to own and operate the school beginning with the 2024-2025 school year.

The elementary school building concept proposed is a two-story building, of approximately 58,000 square feet, according to board’s agenda materials.

Dayspring has selected Creative Contractors to provide construction management services, and the school district and Dayspring entered into a contract with Creative Contractors, the school board approved at its meeting last week.

The contract includes the fee for the pre-construction services element of this project and the addition of the Angeline Athletic Facilities, to serve the 6-12 Angeline Academy of Innovation.

The 6-12 magnet is scheduled to open this August.

The off-site athletic facilities will include a one-story gymnasium building of approximately 28,166 gross square feet and a one-story maintenance building that will be approximately 1,648 square feet, according to the agenda materials.

Published January 11, 2023

Pasco Schools’ restroom use updated

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Pasco County Schools will be making a change in its practices regarding restroom use by students on the district’s campuses.

Superintendent Kurt Browning announced, at the Pasco County School Board’s Jan. 3 meeting, a ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th circuit is prompting the district to change its practice regarding student restroom use.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning informed the Pasco County School Board that within 30 days the district will require students to use restrooms based on their biological sex at birth. The change was prompted by a federal appeals court ruling involving a case that originated in the St. Johns County school district. Browning said the Pasco district and its elected officials must follow the law. (File)

The case — Drew Adams vs. the School Board of Johns County — involved if it was constitutional to separate school bathrooms based on biological sex and whether doing so violated Title IX.

The federal appeals court found that assigning restroom use based on biological sex “passes constitutional muster and comports with Title IX.”

The case involved a student who was born as a girl, but identified as a boy. The case challenged a school district policy requiring students to use bathrooms based on their biological gender or to use gender-neutral bathrooms. The district did not allow bathroom use based on gender identity.

Browning told school board members: “The full appeals court overturned the trial court’s decision, which has been the controlling law, until this newest decision was rendered.

“Due to this court’s ruling, the Pasco district will be updating our practices regarding the use of student restrooms to align with this new decision.

“As superintendent, I have directed staff to, within 30 days, update any existing procedures and guidelines; begin meeting with any impacted students and parents; meet with our principals and student services staff, regarding the revised use of restroom practices.

“The expectation moving forward will be that students use restroom facilities that correspond to the biological sex at birth.

“I also want the board to be aware that any student wishing to use an alternative restroom will be able to seek an accommodation to utilize a private restroom at their school.

“I realize that this change in practice may not sit well with some students and some adults, but it is important to note that we, as a district, and as elected officials, are required to abide by the laws of the state of Florida and those of the United States.

“This change in district practice and procedure does both of those.”

“I will continue to update the board, as to our progress in implementing these changes, but my hope is that over the next 30 days, most of those changes will be in effect,” Browning said.

On another topic, Don Peace, president of United School Employees of Pasco, informed the board that negotiations between the school district and union are approaching a conclusion and he hopes the proposed contract can be ratified soon.

He also told board members the union is eager to hold conversations regarding the distribution of funds raised through a referendum approved by voters to improve employee salaries.

“We are hopeful that the plan that we agree to will entice highly qualified individuals to come to work in Pasco County and can help fill the 230 or so jobs still vacant in this district.

“If we can agree on a plan that respects experience, loyalty and longevity, I do believe it will go a long way toward filling the vacancies that we still have,” Peace said.

“We must also be cognizant to respect employees’ time,” the union leader added. “There is far too much being implemented by either the state or the district which cuts into student instructional time.

“The primary reason that every true educator gets into the profession — yes, I said, profession — is to educate tomorrow’s leaders, today. Teachers are the foundation of all future job opportunities.

“We grow our students by delivering high quality instruction. We must get to a place, locally here in Pasco, and in our state, where we are attentive to the needs of those professionals when they speak out.

“Communication, as we heard from the Gallup Poll, can be and must be improved, at both the state and the local levels,” Peace said.

Published January 11, 2023

Business Digest 01/11/2023

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Pasco EDC luncheon
Registrations are being accepted through Jan. 12 for the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 22nd Economic Forecast Luncheon. The luncheon will feature two speakers, one focusing on the economic drivers for Pasco County’s economy and the other offering a national perspective. The luncheon will be on Jan. 19, with check-in and networking beginning at 11 a.m., and the lunch and presentation from 11:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. The event will be at the Heritage Springs Country Club, at 11345 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, in Trinity. The cost is $35. To register, go to PascoEDC.com, and click on the event.

Business celebrations
These events were announced by the North Tampa Bay Chamber:

  • Tampa Fine Arts Academy, 17888 U.S. 41, in Lutz: Ribbon-cutting and open house on Jan. 18, from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The academy will provide music lessons.
  • AllVitae Health & Chiropractic is having a ribbon-cutting and grand opening on Jan. 19, at 10:30 a.m. to noon. The event is at 17841 Hunting Bow Circle, Suite 101, in Lutz.

Florida growth ranks second
Florida is the No. 2 growth state for the second year in a row and a top-three growth state for the seventh consecutive year, according to information provided by U-Haul.

The statistics are based on the U-Haul Growth Index analyzing customer moves during 2022, a U-Haul news release said.

People arriving in Florida in one-way U-Haul trucks dropped 10% from 2021, but departures fell nearly 11% as overall moving traffic slowed.

Do-it-yourself movers arriving in the Sunshine State accounted for 50.7% of all one-way U-Haul truck traffic in and out of Florida (49.3% departures) to keep it a top-two growth state.

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

Pasco County Corrections receives high marks
The Pasco County Corrections Center received high marks from Florida Model Jail Standards (FMJS) inspectors following an annual inspection, according to a Pasco County news release.

After spending two days auditing the facility in November, inspectors noted the staff’s high level of professionalism and its positive morale, the news release said.

Inspectors found the jail to be compliant with their standards and reported no serious violations, the news release added.

Also, inspectors noted the cleanliness of the facility.

“We work hard in upholding the rules and regulations set forth by the Florida Model Jail Standards Commission and are proud of the inspection results,” Corrections Chief Stacey Jenkins said in the release. “I give credit to our dedicated corrections officers who keep our jail clean and safe — for both team members and inmates.”

Inspectors checked over the jail’s housing units, mailroom, programs area, training, armory, laundry, loading dock, maintenance area, kitchen, commissary, intake section, and releasing and classification.

Pasco County began operating the Pasco County Corrections Center on Oct. 1.

Advisory council promotes expanded local food sources

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When Pasco County initiated its Food Policy Advisory Council, it was among the first in the state to create such a council, Dell DeChant, the council’s chairman said, during an annual report to the Pasco County Commission.

The advisory council was formed on May 19, 2015, DeChant said, “which makes us one of the oldest Food Policy Councils in the state.

“When we were originally established, we were only the second one in the state, so that’s a point of pride for this county,” DeChant added, during the county board’s Dec. 6 meeting.

But he noted that much work remains to achieve the council’s goals.

“We are very interested in developing resiliency within the county, which, as of right now, with all due respect, we don’t have,” DeChant said.

“We are also working to cultivate a local food system, which, again, with all due respect, is something that we don’t have,” he added.

“The vast majorities of food that is consumed in Pasco County is imported. It’s imported from other parts of the country, it’s imported from other parts of the state, and imported from overseas.

“To the degree we can localize the food system, we’re all better off and we’re stronger for it.

“To the degree that we begin to produce more of the food that we consume here, in the county, the better off we are,” DeChant said.

He reminded the county board that the advisory council’s purpose is to support an equitable, resilient and local food system in Pasco.

The council also aims to “provide credible, well-conceived community food policy advice that can dramatically reduce instances of chronic disease and obesity, preserve agricultural lands, promote agricultural uses throughout the county and assists in the development of new businesses in the food sector,” according to a slide in a presentation to the board.

DeChant and Sonide Simon, a planner II for Pasco and staff liaison to the advisory council, made the presentation.

DeChant was complimentary of Simon’s efforts to help the council.

“Whatever we’ve accomplished, the achievements that we’ve had, are largely the result of Sonide’s great work. We’re very appreciative of her and her leadership and caring,” he said.

The council seeks to connect economic development, food security efforts, preservation and enhancement of agriculture and environmental concerns, according to the presentation.

It also aims to:

  • Support the development and expansion of locally produced foods
  • Review proposed legislation and regulations that affect the food system
  • Make recommendations to government bodies

It also seeks to inform others by gathering, synthesizing and sharing information regarding community food systems.

The council has had some influence, with the backing of both the Pasco County Commission and City of New Port Richey, DeChant said.

Those government boards supported the food council’s recommendation to the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council to include an item in its resiliency plan relating to local food systems, DeChant said.

The advisory food council is made up of members representing academia, farmers, farmers markets, health departments, and the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Science.

The food council also is participating with efforts to update the Pasco County Comprehensive Plan.

It also is recommending that the county include fruit trees among the list of trees that would be acceptable to meet the requirements of the county’s landscaping ordinance, DeChant said.

“That would make a big difference. If we planted fruit trees, that would also be a ready source of food,” he said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told DeChant and Simon: “I’m so proud of the work you’re doing.”

She noted that she’s also interested in the possibility of tying agriculture and tourism together, and in doing more to market products that are produced locally.

“I think agritourism has a place in our county,” Starkey said.

For his part, DeChant would love to see the county provide a budget for the council, to enable the volunteer group to expand its efforts.

Published January 04, 2023

SMARTstart aims to help entrepreneurs thrive

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When Dan Mitchell sees entrepreneurs coming through SMARTstart programs in Pasco County, he says there’s one factor that gives him a good idea of whether or not that business creator is going to succeed or fail.

That ingredient, he said, is the individual’s level of grit.

“Are they willing to either figure out how to do it themselves, ask for help, pay for help?” asked Mitchell, program director for the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart program.

Dan Mitchell manages the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart program. (File)

“What doesn’t work is either making an excuse, or deeming it impossible, or saying that the circumstances are beyond their control,” Mitchell added.

Having a successful business isn’t just a matter of having an idea and figuring out a way to finance it, he said.

Businesses that survive and thrive have faced adversity and overcome obstacles, Mitchell said. 

SMARTstart, created in 2012, has a suite of programs intended to benefit companies of all sizes, from start-up to established businesses.

The program offers low-cost workspaces, educational resources, guidance, a collaborative environment for area entrepreneurs, and microloans to help businesses that can’t secure traditional financing.

The Pasco EDC program got its start with seed funding from the Florida High Tech Corridor, and then four years later received a boost when Pasco County dedicated a portion of its Penny for Pasco proceeds to support it.

“One of the  missions of the Pasco EDC is to build a diversified economy. We take that to heart, with how we’ve organized SMARTstart,” Mitchell said.

“We have not pigeon-holed ourselves. We’ve listened to the communities and we’ve changed how we deliver, and the spirit in how we deliver it, and the style in how we deliver it — while still maintaining the original objectives we set out,” he said.

“We just listen to the people we’re serving and see what they need.

“We don’t think we’re the arbiters of ‘Know-it-All-ness,” Mitchell added.

When he meets someone new to SMARTstart, Mitchell will ask: “What’s holding you back?’

“It’s usually the workspace, funding, education, guidance or collaboration.

“Those are the five areas that we offer support in,” he said.

SMARTstart schedules classes based on what people say they want and need.

Learning sessions it offers can cover topics such as cybersecurity, crowdfunding, YouTube and social media marketing.

It also provides an array of ways for people to learn.

“We recognize that not everybody necessarily learns well from the same voice. That’s why we offer so many different voices,” Mitchell said.

“They have the one-on-one coaching with us. Or they have the SCORE mentoring. Or they can work with our entrepreneurial residents. Or they can do a class or workshop. Or they can lean on each other at a roundtable,” Mitchell said.

The roundtables give entrepreneurs a chance to discuss business challenges and learn from each other.

SMARTstart also offers microloans to businesses that qualify but are unable to secure a traditional loan. But Mitchell is quick to point out that it takes more than an idea and financing to create a successful business.

“Funding definitely comes into play, but a lot of people aren’t ready for the funding until they  have a working proof of concept. You might want to open a coffee shop, but have you sold a cup of coffee yet?”

He advised: “Talk to some potential customers. See if there’s really a demand there.”

One of SMARTstart’s programs, called CO.STARTERS, provides both seasoned and aspiring entrepreneurs with the insights and tools they need to turn ideas into action in the pursuit of a sustainable and thriving endeavor.

Mitchell said that SMARTstart, itself, also is open to learning and evolving.

When it launched its East Pasco location, for instance, it began with a professional office, co-working space — much like the one it has established at the Grove in Wesley Chapel, he said.

But after learning more about the Dade City community, he said, it became clear that the primary interest of entrepreneurs was in food-related businesses.

That led to the SMARTstart commercial kitchen at its East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City.

The commercial kitchen initiative is a result of a partnership between the Pasco Extension Office, which is part of the University of Florida Institute for Food and Agricultural Sciences, Pasco County and Pasco County Economic Development Council Inc., with assistance from Welbilt, an industrial kitchen company.

SMARTstart at the Grove, another incubator location, is at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 202; and, there’s a new center under construction, as part of the AmSkills Innovation Center, in Holiday, at Darlington Road and U.S. 19.

Besides the other resources it offers, SMARTstart also opens the door to more business-to-business connections for its participants, Mitchell said.

Some of that networking occurs through entrepreneurs meeting each other in SMARTstart programs, but other connections may be made through Pasco EDC, which has ongoing partnerships with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, CareerSource and other organizations throughout the region.

NOTE: SMARTstart, a program which aims to help entrepreneurs succeed at every level, is offered through the Pasco Economic Development Council. The Pasco EDC is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes countywide economic development. Funding for Pasco EDC comes from corporate and public investors who are focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County.
To find out about Pasco EDC, visit PascoEDC.com. To learn more about SMARTstart’s specific programs, visit SmartStartPasco.com.

Published January 04, 2023

Pasco County steps closer to creating a regional park in Two Rivers

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a contract with Coastal Design Consultants Inc., involving work associated with the co-location of a county park and Pasco County school sites, within the Two Rivers master-planned unit development (MPUD).

Two Rivers is a new community in Wesley Chapel, off State Road 56 and Morris Road. Plans for the development envision a 3,405-acre community that offers a mixture of housing types, work opportunities, shopping, recreation and schools.

Pasco County Schools was out on winter break, but in previous interviews, Chris Williams, director of planning for the school district has said the school district likely would co-locate a future school site in Two Rivers with a regional park.

During that discussion, Williams said the district had identified a potential site, but had not purchased it.

Co-locating the facilities would allow sharing of athletic fields and parking, Williams said.

The county’s contract with Coastal Design indicates the proposed site for the co-location of the school and park facilities is at the future intersection of State Road 56 and Coats Road.

The contract with Coastal, in the amount of $75,900, was approved as part of the county board’s Dec. 6 consent agenda. Items on that agenda are approved in a single motion, without discussion, unless someone pulls an item to be placed on the board’s regular agenda.

The board previously approved a professional services agreement for architectural, engineering and related services for improvements to parks and recreation facilities, with Coastal for environmental engineering and consulting services.

The recently approved task order involves grading and drainage master planning services that are needed for the co-location project. The site is approximately 180 acres, with the school site making up 73 acres and the county park making up 107 acres, according to the agenda materials.

The services being provided will aid in preparation of a mass grading plan to calculate the cut/fill quantities to determine if the site will provide excess fill, balance out or require fill.

The school board has agreed to reimburse the county for 50% of the task order amount after the work is completed, the agenda materials say.

The completion date for the project is set for 120 days from when the notice to proceed is issued.

Published January 04, 2023