The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

These shelters run so seamlessly, it looks easy, official says

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While Pasco County was spared the death and destruction that Hurricane Ian left its in path, it didn’t escape massive disruptions caused by the hurricane’s threat.

As Hurricane Ian headed toward Florida, weather experts and local officials feared there could be a direct hit on the Tampa Bay region.

Bracing for that possibility, local governments issued mandatory evacuations for residents living in the most vulnerable areas.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning praised the school district’s staff and volunteers for the smooth operations of the district’s shelters for Hurricane Ian evacuees.(File)

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning closed the district’s schools and child care programs, and canceled school-related events.

The district was forced to close its schools because of the serious nature of Hurricane Ian’s potential dangers, Browning said.

The district also opened shelters to give evacuees a place to go.

The operations ran so smoothly that people often forget the massive amount of effort required to make that happen, Browning said, during the Pasco County School Board’s Oct. 4 meeting.

The superintendent complimented everyone involved in the shelter efforts.

He took a few minutes to detail the efforts required.

He thanked the staff and volunteers who were involved in getting schools ready to serve as shelters, then operating the shelters and then getting the schools ready for classes to resume.

The district had shelter operations at Cypress Creek, Sunlake, Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel and Fivay high schools; at Cypress Creek, Centennial, Weightman and Pasco middle schools; and, at the River Ridge Complex.

The superintendent told the school board, audience and those watching the board meeting on YouTube that he couldn’t let the day pass without expressing gratitude for the district’s incredible team.

“The folks that make it look seamless in this district are sitting before you today,” Browning said. “These men and these women, around this table, are the ones that make it happen.

“The problem with making it look so seamless is that people don’t actually understand the amount of work that goes into preparing to close schools, open shelters, make sure they’re staffed, make sure you have food,” Brown said.

“They make it seamless. They do. But I’ll tell you, the people who are sitting around this table today worked their tails off.”

The superintendent praised the efforts of Mary Martin and her human resources team, who ensured the shelters were staffed.

“Mary and her team just knocked it out of the park,” Browning said.

He singled out Stephanie Spicknall, director of food and nutrition services (FNS), and her team, too.

Browning said he suspects some evacuees are “somewhat shocked” when they arrive at a school-based shelter and are served hot meals, instead of cold sandwiches.

“That doesn’t happen by accident, it happens because the FNS teams are there in those schools and they are preparing meals for those evacuees,” the superintendent said.

Browning also highlighted the efforts of Gary Sawyer, transportation director, and his drivers for getting people where they need to go.

He gave a shoutout to the system’s maintenance and custodial crews for getting the shelters ready for evacuees, and then after those sheltering had left, getting the schools ready to resume classes.

Browning also had good words for Michael Baumaister, the district’s chief of safety and emergency operations, and for Lt. Tom Perron, on that team, who was at the county’s Emergency Operations Center.

School board member Allen Altman noted that during Hurricane Irma, district shelters had a greater influx of evacuees, and issues arose because they had not been staffed with security or medical teams.

Those issues have been resolved, improving shelter operations, Altman said.

The changes occurred because of suggestions made after Hurricane Irma, the school board member said.

Browning said he’s looking forward to the debriefing regarding this year’s shelter operations, to see what other improvements can be made.

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, told the board: “I know there are things that our shelter operations can do better, but I think, overall, we were very encouraged by what we saw.”

Kuhn was happy to see improvements implemented in this year’s operations, based on lessons learned from Hurricane Irma.

She expressed gratitude for the help by human resources, to manage shelter staffing.

“That was a huge lift,” Kuhn said.

She also mentioned the contributions from Chief Baumaister and Lt. Perron, of the safety and emergency operations team.

“Issues like this really show how people come together and how amazing of a team we have,” Kuhn said.

She described a moment that was particularly gratifying.

She said she was at a shelter and observed a principal checking in an evacuee.

“You would have thought this person was checking into the Ritz Carlton, the way this principal was treating this evacuee,” Kuhn said.

“It was just a very heartwarming thing to see that our team comes together in a crisis. No egos. Everybody pitches in, does the work and gets it done,” Kuhn said.

School board chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong also weighed in: “I can tell you what’s most meaningful to the evacuees … is the fact that they felt so welcomed and they felt so safe.

“That’s what our employees and our staff, and our teachers and principals were able to do — able to give those people a place where they felt safe and they felt welcomed,” the board chairwoman said. “If we can make them feel like that, then we were a success.”

Published October 12, 2022

Wisteria Loop residents ask for sidewalk near their homes

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Earlier this year, a developer agreed to build a road in a Land O’ Lakes neighborhood, to help handle area traffic.

The agreement regarding the road — which came after considerable discussion and compromise — was added as a condition for a rezoning to allow a 108 single-family subdivision on 50.5 acres, on the south side of Bexley Road, about a mile west of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Wisteria Loop.

As part of the conditions for approval, the county staff agreed that the developer could receive up to 66 certificates of occupancy before having to make roadway improvements.

Residents of Wisteria Loop near Bexley Road in Land O’ Lakes are asking for a sidewalk to connect with a planned sidewalk to the west. (Mike Camunas)

No additional certificates of occupancy will be granted before the improvements are made.

Now, some residents on Wisteria Loop are asking the county to figure out a way to build a sidewalk on Wisteria Loop, to link it to a planned sidewalk to the west.

Jeremy Couch, who lives on Wisteria Loop, appeared before the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 22, asking the board to require the sidewalk, as part of the proposed development agreement between the developer and the county.

“I’m not here in opposition.

“I’m here because I live on this street and how it is built is important to me, especially since the county is giving mobility fee credits.

“I’m very happy that the road is going to get fixed. It’s nice.

“My issue is what we’re building. So, we’re building this really big typical section. We’re leaving huge gaps in the sidewalk. The applicant is not required in the code to build a sidewalk along a substandard portion.

“On( U.S.) 41, there’s a multi-use path and a sidewalk. Then you have 1,000 feet across two parcels that has no sidewalk.

“A lot of kids use this to ride their bikes and go to Land O’ Lakes High, which is right there.

“Then in front of Arden Preserve, you have a 5-foot sidewalk.

“And then, as proposed in front of my house, for another 1,000 feet, you have no sidewalk. “And then, when you get down west of me, 1,000 feet, in the middle of nowhere you’ve got bike lanes, a multi-use path, a sidewalk and everything.

“I understand that the typical section shows bike lanes. But when you have bike lanes, a multi-use path, that’s completely redundant. It seems to me like the bike lanes should go away,” he said.

Instead of building the bike lane, Couch suggested allowing the applicant to build an off-site sidewalk and be granted mobility credits.

Planning board member Jon Moody saw Couch’s point.

“I’d rather have that pavement added to the multi-use path, or the wider sidewalk. There’s no need to pave 10 feet of extra roadway, when that’s not an 8-foot multi-use path, that’s a 12-foot multi-use path.”

But Deputy Chief County Attorney David Goldstein said: “To a certain extent, bike lanes probably shouldn’t be viewed (as) bike lanes. I think the engineers view them as effectively being a breakdown lane.

“Any road needs some area of shoulder, breakdown area, that can be used so people aren’t breaking down in the middle of the street,” the attorney said.

So, while it is called a bike lane, it’s not functioning only as a bike lane, Goldstein said.

“You’ve got to remember that, when you start getting rid of bike lanes,” he added.

At the same time, the idea of granting mobility fee credits for an off-site improvement can be considered, Goldstein said.

“It is a legitimate request, but I don’t know if anybody has looked at whether there’s sufficient right of way, sufficient drainage capacity,” Goldstein added.

Attorney Shelley Johnson, representing the applicant, said more research is needed to see if a sidewalk could be achieved there, but added that her client is willing to consider the possibility of building the sidewalk in exchange for mobility fee credits.

Ray Gadd, who also lives on Wisteria Loop, said Couch’s idea has merit.

“I’m an avid cyclist. I would never use a bike lane on a road that has a multi-use trail,” Gadd said.

He also submitted a drawing for the county to consider regarding a potential improvement.

The planning board recommended approval of the proposed development agreement, with the issue of the potential sidewalk not yet resolved.

Johnson told the planning board her client will look into the issue before the proposed development agreement reaches the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction over land use and zoning issues.

Published October 12, 2022

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church celebrates 70 years

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Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church celebrated 70 years of operations with special Rosary processions before each of its Masses last weekend.

The church is a mainstay in Land O’ Lakes, providing a spiritual home for families in many communities within The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area.

Besides conducting regular services, the church is known by many for its Lenten Fish Fry suppers, its active scouts programs, and for helping others in need through its St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, among other things.

In a recent interview, the church’s newest pastor, the Rev. Justin Paskert, recounted the church’s early days.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, located at 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, moved to its current 26-acre campus in 1999. (Mike Camunas)

“In ’52, there was a place called The Florida Bar, on (U.S.) 41,” Paskert said. “Back then, bars had to be closed on Sunday. We rented it out and had our first gatherings over there.”

Next, the church used the VFW Hall on U.S. 41 for its meeting space.

When Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church was formed, it pre-dated the Diocese of St. Petersburg, so it was a mission church, as part of the Diocese of St. Augustine.

To get it started, Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley, of the Diocese of St. Augustine, asked the Benedictine monks from St. Leo, to support the mission, Paskert said.

“So, the first handful of pastors — they were all kind of short-term — but they were the Benedictine Brothers,” he said.

Occasionally, Jesuits from downtown Tampa’s Sacred Heart Church would help out, too, he said.

Early on, just a handful of families attended the mission church.

The church bought land for a permanent building in 1957, began holding services there in 1958 and had a formal dedication ceremony, with Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley presiding, on April 26, 1959.

Monsignor Ron Aubin, who led Our Lady of the Rosary for 27 years, shared some of the big changes regarding the church, in an interview before he retired in June 2021.

When Aubin arrived at the parish on July 1, 1994, about 830 families belonged to the church, he said, in The Laker/Lutz News story, published on June 23, 2021.

At the time, the church was still located on the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and State Road 54, Aubin said.

Both of those roads were two lanes then, and there were very few stoplights, he added.

“There are two churches there now. One on the north side of the highway and one on the south side of the highway. Both were ours. Except the one on the north side of the street used to be on the south side of the street.

“When they widened the intersection there — widened (U.S.) 41 to four lanes, did the whole intersection — they were going to chop off the (smaller) church,” Aubin said.

Instead, the building was sold to the Episcopal Church, which paid $1, and moved it across the street.

Bishop Gregory Parkes (seated), of the Diocese of St. Peterburg, participated in the formal installation of the Rev. Justin Paskert (standing, facing the congregation), as the new pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, at 2348 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes. The installation ceremony occurred at the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sept. 18. (Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary Church)

Our Lady of the Rosary had already been using the larger building on the site on the south side of State Road 54. The structure later became home to Keystone Community Church.

Our Lady of the Rosary moved to its current campus at 2348 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, on Nov. 27, 1999.

Initially, the new site had a church and an office. Over time, it added an early childhood center and a youth center.

During Aubin’s tenure, the church weathered the Great Recession and shutdowns caused by COVID-19.

As Aubin departed, he expressed optimism that the new pastor would bring fresh energy and be able to revitalize the parish that had been forced to limit gatherings and personal interactions because of the pandemic.

In his previous role, Paskert ran the campus ministry for six years at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus. He believes that background will prove useful in his new role.

“With doing campus ministry, the entire focus is on evangelizing,” he explained.

He believes his outreach experiences will help promote growth in the Land O’ Lakes church community.

“It’s not just trying to take care of the Catholics who show up, it’s really kind of challenging our whole community to kind of get out and share who we are and what we’re about, and share the Gospel,” he said.

When Paskert arrived at Our Lady of the Rosary, “we still had limited capacity, and we had just stopped having to register if you were going to come on the weekend.

“The first thing I did was put all available chairs back into the church — which was way more than what we needed — but it was kind of a signal to everybody: ‘We’re going to fill this back up again.’”

The efforts are showing results.

“Last summer, after I first got here, after Fr. Ron retired, we probably had about 1,300, 1,400 people on a weekend. This past month, we’ve been about 2,400 people.

“That’s been a very good momentum.

“I think people are being excited, in coming back to church,” the pastor said.

He also shared this thoughts about the various influences the pandemic has had, on church attendance.

“You had some people, kind of regular and prayerfully participate in church. Then, everybody stopped going. People very strong in their faith came back right away, as soon as the doors were open,” he said.

(Mike Camunas)

Now, he added, “a lot of people who are coming are a lot of new people that we didn’t necessarily see before the pandemic and the shutdown.”

Some are likely newcomers to the area, Paskert said. But others are people, who during COVID, decided to find a church home.

“People were asking themselves what they wanted their life to look like. I think it was kind of a hinge-point, a lynch pin, for people establishing new priorities for themselves or their family, post-pandemic,” Paskert said.

“People aren’t just necessarily going back to what they were doing before. They might be trying some things that are different,” he added.

Paskert noted that it’s not enough to attract people to try out the church.

“It’s constantly the work of how to welcome people, how to integrate them into the community,” the pastor said.

That challenge is likely to continue, as Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church moves forward beyond its first 70 years.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church milestones
1952: The Mission’s first official Mass was celebrated on Oct. 5, at the VFW Hall on U.S. 41. The celebrant was Abbot Francis Sadler, O.S.B. The mission’s patroness, and title, is established because the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is Oct 7.
1957: Land is purchased of the south side of State Road 54, a quarter-mile west of U.S. 41. The groundbreaking ceremony happened soon after signing of contract.
1958: The first Mass celebrated at the new church building on State Road 54.
1959: A formal dedication ceremony is held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church on April 26.
1970: The last Benedictine pastor, the Rev. Edward Martineau, completes his assignment. The Rev. Peter Reynolds becomes the first diocesan-assigned pastor.
1979: The parish hall is constructed on the State Road 54 property.
1984: Our Lady of the Rosary Church purchases 26.75 acres, four-tenths of a mile north of State Road, on the east side of Collier Parkway.
1996: Planning and permitting begins for the new church, on Collier Parkway.
1999: Bishop Robert Lynch, of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, dedicates the new church on Collier Parkway. The dedication occurs on Nov. 27. The new location includes a multipurpose building, with the church, offices, rectory and a large parking area.
2001: An extension is added for a fourth living space for associate priest.
2007: Construction is completed on Immaculata Hall and the Early Childhood Center (Mary’s House).
2018: The Mater Dei building is completed, to be used for youth and adult formation.

Source: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

Pastors of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church:

  • Reverend Stephan Herrmann, O.S.B.: 1953 to 1955
  • Reverend James Hoge, O.S.B.: 1955 to 1956
  • Reverend Cassian Foley, O.S.B.: 1956 to 1958
  • Reverend Michael Leap, O.S.B.: 1958 to 1963
  • Reverend Aloysius Dressman, O.S.B.: 1963 to 1966
  • Reverend Edward Martineau, O.S.B: 1966 to 1970
  • Reverend Peter Reynolds: 1970 to 1972
  • Reverend John Bolger: 1972 to 1973
  • Reverend Stephen Dambrauskas: 1973 to 1994
  • Reverend Ronald Aubin, J.C.L.: 1994 to 2021
  • Reverend Justin Paskert: 2021 to present

Source: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

Published October 12, 2022

Pasco School Board continues to push for more sidewalks

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Months are passing since school began, and Pasco County and Pasco County Schools appear to be no closer to finding a solution for a lack of county sidewalks than they were on opening day in August.

The Pasco County School Board has sent a letter to the Pasco County Commission asking the county to put a priority on getting some sidewalks built.

But as of Oct. 4, there had been no response from the county board, according to Pasco County school board member Megan Harding.

A shortage of bus drivers and insufficient state funding for transportation prompted the school district to drop “courtesy” busing for students in grades six through 12 who live within 2 miles of school.

(Mike Camunas)

That action prompted an outcry from parents who are worried about their children’s safety, as they walk to school on roads that often have no sidewalks or street lighting.

Parents have appeared at school board members expressing their concerns and describing conditions they believe are dangerous to their children.

In many cases, parents said they are not able to give their child a ride to school because they have to be at work.

A suggestion was made at one school board meeting to allow children who are walking to fill empty seats on the bus.

But Superintendent Kurt Browning said the district can’t do that because it would be inequitable to similarly situated students the district could not accommodate.

Meanwhile, the school system continues to deal with a driver shortage.

“We currently have 54 vacancies for our regular 331 routes,” Harding reported to her colleagues.

Many students are still arriving late to school and are not getting home on time, she said.

“I am worried about those students who are missing first period,” Harding added, noting she’s heard that students are being given an unexcused absence when they don’t arrive on time to get to class.

Harding said she’s discussed the problem with Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services and it is being addressed.

School board chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong said work to provide additional sidewalks can begin soon.

“We’re seeing a lot of complaints with parents, having 11-year-olds, not having safe walking (conditions),” Armstrong said.

On another issue, the school board agreed with a plan to provide 2.37 acres of right of way in conjunction with a new townhome project across from Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills. As part of the project, the development is required to make improvement to Henry Drive, which runs along the south side of Woodland Elementary and Zephyrhills High.

In exchange, district staff has negotiated that a crosswalk, with pedestrian flashing beacons, be installed along Henry Drive at a location to be determined in the future.

The improvement will be made when the City of Zephyrhills develops its park site, adjacent to Woodland Elementary, which is expected soon.

In other action, the school board has selected the Williams Company, of Tampa, to be the  construction management firm to oversee the construction of a new classroom building at Starkey Ranch K8 School, in Odessa.

The preconstruction services component is established as a fixed fee in the amount of $39,659.52. In addition to these base services, there is an additional $2,000 in not-to-exceed allowances.

The guaranteed maximum price proposal for the project will be presented to the school board at a later date.

Published October 12, 2022

Big changes are being proposed in Saddlebrook, in Wesley Chapel

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A proposed large-scale comprehensive plan amendment has been requested for Saddlebrook Resort, a place that helped put Wesley Chapel on the map.

The request calls for amending the county’s future land-use map on about 420.5 acres of land, south of State Road 54 and east of Service Road.

The property has an existing master-planned unit development (MPUD) — Saddlebrook Resort — which has existing entitlements, development and infrastructure.

But a substantial modification has been requested to add acreage to the existing MPUD and to convert one existing golf course and the driving range into commercial/retail, multifamily, single family, dorm rooms, clubhouse and restaurant uses, according to information contained in the Pasco County Planning Commission’s Sept. 22 agenda packet.

Saddlebrook Resort, located in Wesley Chapel, is a hotel, spa, tennis and golf complex that opened in 1981 and is home to Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, Saddlebrook Golf Academy, Saddlebrook Preparatory School and two 18-hole, Arnold-Palmer designed golf courses. (Mike Camunas)

The Saddlebrook Resort currently contains a number of different uses including commercial/office, multi-family, single-family, recreational and hotel/convention center uses. The proposed use calls for converting the area which is the golf driving range into the town center for Saddlebrook, the background materials say.

But at the planning board’s Sept. 22 meeting, the request being considered was whether the proposed change to the land-use should be recommended for approval.

The request still must go through public hearings before the Pasco County Commission to change the long-range plan and to change the zoning to clear the way for the proposed plans.

The request had been on the planning board’s consent agenda — meaning it would be approved in a single action with other items, unless it was pulled.

Planning board member Jon Moody pulled the item for discussion.

He said he did that a matter of principal, reminding board members that he had previously expressed a concern about too many items being placed on the consent agenda, and noting it is not the role of the planning board to rubberstamp requests.

“The consent agenda is for the duplexes, Mrs. Jones’ variance for her shed, but not a large-scale comprehensive plan amendment,” Moody said.

“The second reason that I pulled this and want to discuss this has to do with public notice.

“Saddlebrook Golf Course — the proposal here is that we’re going to change the golf course to single-family homes, townhouses, multifamily dorms for a golf academy — and all of these things may be good things, and I’m not necessarily opposed to them.

“But I know this, if I bought a house in Saddlebrook on a golf course and paid $750,000 or a million dollars for that, my expectation is that’s a golf course.

“And, maybe I don’t have the right to have that expectation, but at least if someone is going to change it, they need to let me know what’s going on, so I can come out and exercise my right as a citizen, to speak for or against the proposal.

“So, that’s the issue and the reason that I brought it up,” Moody said.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, told the planning board: “Although the code only requires an ad, we did post three signs.”

She also noted: “My client has had communications with all five homeowner associations within Saddlebrook and made presentations to them.

Saddlebrook Golf Club, in Wesley Chapel (File)

“This is a pre-transmittal hearing. This is the only time that you’ll hear the comp plan amendment, but what you do is you recommend to the board.

“Then the board will have a transmittal hearing, where they send it to the state. We have an MPUD (master-planned unit development zoning request) pending, so it will be coming,” she said.

Under the MPUD requirement, letters must be sent to everyone.

Wilhite told the planning board that its vote on the request before it would merely get the process started.

The MPUD request will spell out the specifics, and when it comes back to the planning board it will be fully noticed, she said.

Moody reiterated the need to discuss projects, such as the Saddlebrook request.

“My concern is, when we put comprehensive plan amendments on the consent agenda, or we don’t hear the accompanying MPUD consecutively, we’re laying the groundwork for a legal argument in the future, if we want to deny the zoning, if they argue ‘Well, wait a minute, my MPUD is consistent with the comp plan amendment that you passed a month ago or two months ago.

“My particular concern in Saddlebrook is that a great number of the property owners, adjacent to the golf course, to which this comp plan amendment applies, live out of state, many of them live out of country, so they didn’t see the sign posted,” Moody added.

Moody said the county should require that written notices be sent to property owners whose rights could be affected by proposed land-use and zoning changes.

Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, told Moody a proposed change to the county’s land development code will require that notices of proposed changes be mailed, posted and published.

She expects that proposal to be back before the planning board in coming months.

No one from the public spoke for or against the proposed Saddlebrook changes.

Published October 12, 2022

Pasco approves new office building on North Dale Mabry Highway

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that will clear the way for Tampa Civil Design to build a new 10,000-square-foot office on about 8.5 acres, on North Dale Mabry Highway, about 1,900 feet north of the Hillsborough County line.

The action came after some area residents appeared before the county board, seeking assurances, on the public record that the new development would not be using a private road known as Preston Lane for access to the office, either during construction or after the building opens.

The county board’s action was in keeping with recommendations for approval by Pasco County planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission.

Jeremy Couch is the applicant on the request. He often appears before the county board in his professional capacity, on zoning issues.

The proposed site of a new 10,000-square-foot office sits on 8.5 acres on North Dale Mabry Highway, about 1,900 feet north of the Hillsborough County line. (Mike Camunas)

His attorney, Barbara Wilhite, told board members that the application is a straight-forward request for an office in an area that’s been designated for retail, office and residential development.

She also noted its access is off of North Dale Mabry Highway.

But area residents wanted to be absolutely certain that the office won’t use the private road they live on.

John Calamari, who lives on Preston Lane, reiterated concerns he raised at the planning commission’s public hearing on the request.

He told the county board members: “I am a professional engineer. I’ve been licensed in multiple states for over 40 years and in the state of Florida since 1998. Prior to that, I was in construction. I’ve made my living that way for 50 years. I’m not opposed to construction and expansion. However, there are some items that need to be clarified.

“Mr. Couch just stated that he will not use Preston Lane for construction purposes, meaning as a haul road for heavy equipment and materials.

“However, he did not make it clear that it will not be used as a means of entry and exit for the occupants of his building, so that needs to be clarified.

“Secondly, it has been established that Preston Lane is a substandard drive.

“Preston Lane is only 10-feet wide.

“The paved surface does not allow passing of two vehicles. Somebody has to back down 500 feet, 900 feet, or they have to pull off on somebody’s driveway or a lawn. So, we would need to absolutely establish that it would not be used for vehicular traffic from the proposed office.”

Philip Passintino, another resident of Preston Lane, told commissioners: “We’re talking about protecting Preston Lane as a private road.”

He then showed board members a photo of a mail truck driving down the road, to help them visualize the road’s width.

“As you can see, a mail truck has to do a K-turn just to turn around to do the other side of the street.”

“Why do we care? Because we had to pay for a resurfacing awhile back for $35,000. We need to do that again. We were assessed $14,000 to make the corrections to Lake Como Drive, which is a feeder road to ours,” he said.

Area residents want to be sure that the road is protected.

They also wanted assurances that the buffering requirements will be met.

Wilhite assured the county board that her client will meet the county’s buffering requirements for the property.

Because of questions raised by the residents, Pasco County Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey asked: “Will the applicant be using a private road to access his property?”

Commissioner Ron Oakley added: “I had the same question.”

Couch responded: “I swear, occupants of the building will not use Preston Lane for ingress and egress. I’m going to fence it off. I have no interest in using Preston Lane for anything. I’m going to put a fence on the perimeter and there will be no access to Preston Lane.”

He also told the board that the property is on North Dale Mabry Highway and he wants his business to have a North Dale Mabry Highway address.

After the board approved the rezoning, Commissioner Mike Moore remarked: “It is great to see more office, and congratulations on expansion because that means another Pasco County business is doing awesome things.”

Published October 12, 2022

Business Digest 10/12/2022

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(Mike Camunas)

Melonie Monson honored for chamber work
Board members of the East Pasco Networking Group honored Melonie Monson, who has stepped away from her role as the CEO of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. Monson was the helm of the chamber’s staff for seven years and left the chamber to work in her family’s business, Bahr’s A/C. She received the newly instituted EPNG Platinum Award on Sept. 13, for her service to the Zephyrhills business community. Former Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neil presented the award during the ENPG’s meeting at the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center. ‘This is my town, and I graduated from Zephyrhills High, so I’m a Bulldog for life. I love this town and will always be a part of it,’ Monson told the group. Vicki Wiggins, is the chamber’s new CEO.This is just one of the showrooms at El Dorado Furniture that recently opened near the Cypress Creek Town Center, on State Road 54. The business ushered in its new location with an invitation-only grand opening, followed by two days of celebrations for the public.

Grand opening celebrations
The North Tampa Bay Chamber has announced these grand openings and ribbon cuttings:

  • Align Right Realty Suncoast is scheduled for Oct. 14,from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., at 17427 Bridge Hill Court, Suite B, in Tampa. Food and drinks will be served. RSVP to 813-512-2100.
  • Radiant Wellness Spa on Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to noon, at 33905 State Road 54, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel. The event will include food, drinks and prizes.
  • The Living Room at The Shops at Wiregrass, 2001 Piazza Ave. Suite, 100, in Wesley Chapel, on Oct. 12 beginning at 4 p.m. The event will feature a band, a photo booth, food and drink samples. RSVP to booking@tfgventures.

Epic marketing strategies
Learn more about marketing strategies that can benefit your business at this session called “Epic Marketing Strategies” with Regan Weiss. The session is set for Oct. 19 from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s East Pasco Entrepreneur Center, 15029 14th St., in Dade City. The free session is part of Pasco EDC’s Entrepreneur Education Series, which is part of its SMARTstart program.

This is just one of the showrooms at El Dorado Furniture that recently opened near the Cypress Creek Town Center, on State Road 54. The business ushered in its new location with an invitation-only grand opening, followed by two days of celebrations for the public. (Terri Williamson)

Furniture store offers myriad options
El Dorado Furniture, one of the largest furniture retailers in Florida, had its grand opening on Sept. 24 and Sept. 25, at its new location, 25171 State Road 54, in Lutz.

The two-story furniture story in the area of Tampa Premium Outlets. The furniture story has been helping families furnish their homes since 1967.

For more information about the company and its offerings, visit ElDoradoFurniture.com.

Business Recovery Center
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has opened a Business Recovery Center (BRC) to provide one-on-one assistance with submitting a disaster loan application for Florida businesses impacted by Hurricane Ian. SBA customer service representatives will be available to answer questions about the disaster loan program and assist business owners in completing their applications.

The Hillsborough County BRC is located at the Chloe Coney Urban Enterprise Center, 1907 E. Hillsborough Ave., in Tampa. The BRC is open Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and closed on Sunday.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) are available to businesses and residents in Florida following the announcement of a Presidential disaster declaration due to Hurricane Ian.

Businesses and private nonprofit organizations (such as charities, churches, private universities, etc.) of any size may borrow up to $2 million to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate, machinery and equipment, inventory, and other business assets.

For small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives, small businesses engaged in aquaculture, and most private nonprofit organizations, the SBA offers Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDLs) to help meet working capital needs caused by the disaster. Economic Injury Disaster Loan assistance is available regardless of whether the business suffered any physical property damage.

Disaster loans up to $200,000 are available to homeowners to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed real estate. Homeowners and renters are eligible for up to $40,000 to repair or replace disaster-damaged or destroyed personal property.

New chocolate shop
Leonidas Chocolate Wesley Chapel recently opened at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28163 Paseo Drive, Unit 105. A ribbon-cutting celebration was held on Oct. 6. The Shops at Wiregrass is located at the intersection of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and State Road 56.

Virtual construction inspections
The City of Tampa now offers virtual inspections for some construction projects.

Instead of scheduling an on-site visit with a city inspector, those inspections can now be done virtually on some projects, according to a city news release.

The Construction Services staffs approximately 30 inspectors who are assigned to specific regions of the city. The team averages approximately 500 inspections a day. While most projects will still require on-site inspections, by beginning to do virtual inspections for simpler projects, such as door and window replacements.

The new approach is expected to save time for both city employees and the people they’re serving, according to the release.

To get more details, go to the city’s website, at Tampa.gov, and click on permits, then click, online permits, payments and inspection.

Hurricane Ian pummels Florida, leaving a path of death and destruction

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The death toll continues to climb, as crews continue searching for survivors of Hurricane Ian — a hurricane of historic proportions that flattened downtown Fort Myers, knocked out the bridge connecting Sanibel Island to the mainland, and caused billions of dollars in damage.

In the days leading up to Hurricane Ian’s landfall, local officials feared a direct hit to the Tampa Bay region.

The tracking path showed Ian heading straight toward Tampa, and weather experts predicted that hurricane-strength winds, record storm surge and heavy rainfall would combine to create a worst-case scenario for Tampa Bay.

A massive tree toppled over near baseball fields at Oscar Cooler Sports Complex in Lutz, however, did not damage any structures. (Mike Camunas)

Instead — just like Hurricane Charley in 2004 — Hurricane Ian shifted to the south.

It made landfall at Cayo Costa Island at 3:05 p.m., on Sept. 28, as a Category 4 hurricane, with an estimated wind speed of 150 mph.

The scope of devastation is almost unimaginable.

Footage from national and local television coverage reveals the destructive forces of Hurricane Ian, as it traveled through areas including Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, Cape Coral and other places to the south of the Tampa Bay region, and then headed across the state of Florida, before entering the Atlantic Ocean and making another landfall in South Carolina.

The news footage has shown heroic rescues, and search and rescue teams going house to house looking for survivors and crews.

The coverage has captured the human emotion of people being rescued, and others dealing with the loss of homes and businesses.

Television news crews also shared images of destruction.

Boats were piled in stacks in marinas, or carried onto nearby roadways.

Roads turned into rivers. Cars and trucks floated down streets.

High winds tore through mobile home parks.

Floodwaters filled up houses. High winds sheared off roofs.

Trees toppled.

Those toppled trees damaged homes, cars and other properties.

A large tree fell into part of Corvette Generation, located at 16541 US-301, Dade City, damaging a part of the business and knocking down power lines.

At one point, millions across Florida were in the dark, as a result of high winds that snapped utility poles and downed trees. Transformers exploded, too.

Power outages were the most widespread problem within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area, along with trees that fell, and additional damages.

Other disruptions occurred, as well, because schools, businesses and government offices closed, too.

But local officials were grateful the area was largely spared. At the same time they expressed empathy for Floridian communities that are dealing with Hurricane Ian’s destruction, and pledged to send support to help other communities reeling from the storm’s devastating impacts.

The scope of the state and federal response has been massive.

In the days leading up to the hurricane’s landfall, Gov. Ron DeSantis declared a state of emergency, setting the stage for rapid deployment of emergency personnel to wherever the hurricane hit.

President Joe Biden has pledged to help the state, as it deals with rescue, recovery and rebuilding efforts.

The Florida Division of Emergency Management has been coordinating the state’s hurricane response.

The efforts include activating more than 5,000 Florida Guardsmen to help in Hurricane Ian operations. Up to 2,000 National Guardsmen from neighboring states also have been activated to assist.

Two massive tree limbs were knocked down by Hurricane Ian, bringing down power lines and blocking Fifth Street between Florida Avenue and Coleman Avenue in Dade City. Residents say the trees came down around 4 p.m. Wednesday, creating a loud explosion and leaving them without power for as late as Thursday afternoon.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s mutual aid team is coordinating the deployment of more than 1,000 law enforcement officers statewide from more than 30 agencies.

Incident Management Teams from Ohio and Colorado stepped up to provide additional support for response and recovery efforts after the storm.

Efforts to restore power has involved 42,000 linemen from numerous states, who have been working around the clock to get the lights turned back on.

The state’s effort have been widespread and far-reaching, dealing with everything from providing supplies to organizing manpower.

For instance, the state has shipped more than 4,000 gallons of diesel to Lee County to provide power to water plants that provide water to nearby hospitals.

It also provided 500 traffic barrels to Charlotte County to safely modify traffic patterns. It sent more than 400 bottles of oxygen to Charlotte County.

And, those are just a few examples.

Officials say it will take time to assess the full scope of Ian’s destruction, to clear out the debris, and to find a way forward.

In the meantime, those who have suffered losses are encouraged to file insurance claims, and if they qualify, to seek assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Small Business Administration.

Also, if you know someone who is missing, or you want to report someone safe, visit these websites:

There are a number of ways you can help, such as through local groups, the American Red Cross at RedCross.org, or The Florida Disaster Fund, which can be found at FloridaDisasterFund.org, or text, DISASTER to 20222.

Published October 05, 2022

Some tips to help storm victims navigate a way forward

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Although Hurricane Ian did not make a direct hit, as was feared, it’s always good to have some pointers on how to respond if your area suffers substantial harm from a natural disaster.

Here are some pointers we have compiled that we hope will be helpful to our readers, in case this type of information is ever needed.

After the storm, what hazards should I watch for?

  • Keep an eye out for fallen power lines.
  • Do not walk through standing water. It could be electrically charged. It also could contain harmful contaminants. It could have a strong undercurrent. It also may be deeper than it looks.
  • Keep an eye out for wild animals that may have been driven out into the open.

What should I do if I smell natural gas?
If you detect an odor that smells like rotten eggs, it could signal there is a gas leak. Natural gas has no odor, but gas companies add a harmless chemical to make it smell like rotten eggs.

If you detect that smell, do not light matches, turn on light switches or use the telephone — any of those actions could ignite the gas and cause an explosion.

Go to a phone that is away from the odor and immediately call your local gas company. If the scent is strong, leave the property before making your call. Be sure to tell others to leave and warn others not to enter the building.

Did you need to evacuate? If so, when re-entering your home:

  • Look out for standing water. If you do, turn off the main power switch. Don’t cross standing water to access the switch. Call an electrician, instead, to check out your home’s electrical system before turning the power back on. Also do not use electric tools or appliances while standing in water.
  • If the house has been closed up for several days, enter briefly to open doors and windows to let the house air out for a while (at least 30 minutes) before you go in to stay for any length of time.
  • If your home has been flooded and has been closed up for several days, assume your home has mold. Hire professionals to dry out your house, or get guidance on how to do it yourself.

Did your property sustain damage?
Call your insurance agent. Take photos to document damage. Make repairs to prevent additional damage. Keep receipts of the supplies you used to make repairs.

A toppled over tree sits pushed away from Hale Road in Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

If you have or had to leave your home to stay elsewhere keep receipts for hotels and meals. Insurance policies often cover “loss of use” expenses.

Is your car damaged?
Check with your auto insurance to see if it is covered.

Car flooded? If the car has been flooded, avoid turning it on right away. If there’s water in the engine it can cause more damage. Unfortunately, flood waters can do serious damage to a car, especially to the electrical system. Repairs can become so expensive they can outstrip the value of the car.

Are you using a generator?
If you are using a generator do not use it in the house and don’t plug it into your home’s electrical system. Be sure the generator is kept outdoors and is well-ventilated. Fumes from generators can be deadly.

If power’s out, how can I preserve my food?
Open the refrigerator only when necessary and close it quickly. Keep your refrigerated foods cold longer by move food from your refrigerator into coolers.

Tightly pack the coolers with ice to keep food from spoiling. Prioritize foods you’re trying to save.

If you’ve lost power, be careful about eating food that may have spoiled.

Once your perishable food reaches room temperature, many experts say it’s safe for only two hours. Don’t assume it’s safe simply because it looks and smells OK.

Also, if you cook food and it has a questionable odor, throw it out.

What should I do if I see a fallen power line?
Report it to the local utility company.

Use care not to touch anything that’s in contact with the power line. Be especially careful around standing water that may be carrying an electrical charge.

Do you need repairs? Avoid unlicensed, fly-by-night operators
If you have roof damage, need tree trimming or removal or require another type of repair, be sure to secure bids for the work and require proof that the contractor is licensed and insured.

Get a written contract detailing the work to be performed, the completion date, the types of materials to be used, warranties for the work, the start and finish dates, and who is responsible for cleanup and trash removal. Do not pay upfront for the work, although partial payments sometimes are a reasonable request. Be sure to check references.

Do you need more help?
Check with your local government and local elected officials. Often they have staff who are familiar with community resources and can find the help you need.

Don’t forget to confer with friends and family who also may know who can provide the services you need or where you can go to file complaints.

Published October 05, 2022

Local area spared lasting impacts from Hurricane Ian

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Local officials braced for Hurricane Ian — ordering evacuations in vulnerable areas and closing schools and government offices.

Many businesses locked up, too, as a precaution.

A damaged sign on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard hangs on to the remnants blowing in the wind left by Hurricane Ian. (Mike Camunas)

But instead of making the direct hit on the Tampa Bay region, as looked likely on hurricane path models, Hurricane Ian veered south, causing death and destruction.

While the communities of Fort Myers, Sanibel, Cape Coral and others reel from the losses, life in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area is back to normal routines.

But there are efforts to help being spearheaded.

Local government officials have pledged to send support to the regions hardest hit by Hurricane Ian.

Local groups also are stepping up.

Chris Casella, district governor election for Rotary District 6950, shared the group’s efforts, via an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

“As of this morning, every club president has received their flyers and directions for the Supply Drive. We encourage everyone to share the flyer to your social media and/or media outlets,” he said, in an Oct. 1 email.

Rotary District 6950 is collecting monetary donations and donations of items for those affected by Hurricane Ian. Visit Rotary6950.org/IanRelief for more information and to donate.

“A few emails that we received on people, ‘thinking outside the box,’” Casella wrote are these:

  • Wendy Rosario, wife of Rotarian Tony Rosario, posted on her neighborhood social media site and set up a temporary collection spot at her home.
  • Rotarian Mandy Williams plans on encouraging staff and clientele of her salon, Shear Joy Salon, to bring in supplies.
  • Rotarian Kyymara Rose Scott is planning on opening her shop, Esthetics813, as a temporary drop site for her clientele and neighborhood.

The club has identified seven drop-off spots for donations, including these within or near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area:

  • Maus Nissan of New Port Richey, 3939 U.S. 19, New Port Richey
  • Maus Nissan of North Tampa, 11011 N. Florida Ave., Tampa

The Diocese of St. Petersburg also planned to collect donations at its 79 parishes and missions this month, to help people affected by natural disasters, including Hurricane Ian.

In a Sept. 30 letter sent to all parishes in the diocese, Bishop Gregory Parkes wrote: “Our hearts are moved with compassion for all those who suffered damage and destruction due to Hurricane Ian, especially the Diocese of Venice.”

There are all sorts of individuals stepping up, too.

In one social media post, a local woman was asking people to lend her gas cans, so she could fill them up and deliver them to people who are having to wait for hours to get gas to power their generators.

In her post, she assured those lending the gas cans that she would return them, if they labeled them with their name and address.

In coming weeks, other efforts to help are very likely to happen, if the communities, organizations and individuals within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area demonstrate their habitual practice of helping their neighbors.

Published October 05, 2022