The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Libraries plan more outreach, programs and events

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The 2021-2024 Strategic Plan for Pasco County’s library system calls for more outreach, more programs and cultural events, to enhance the system’s services and to attract new users.

The Pasco County Commission approved the system’s 2021-2024 Strategic Plan during the county board’s Sept. 15 meeting.

The Pasco County Library Cooperative, also known as Pasco County Libraries, must create a new strategic plan every three years, and that plan must be approved by the county board, in order for the system to qualify for state aid for public libraries.

Candice Kyle, of Dade City, helps Kaizer, her 4-year-old son, to build a tower out of blocks. The mother and son were bonding during the playtime portion of the Preschool Storytime program, in January 2020 at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, before the pandemic. The library is now closed for renovations. (File)

Nancy Fredericks, a library administrator, told commissioners that the new plan was developed by the county’s library team, along with the help of Leon Donovan, a consultant, to obtain community feedback through planning sessions, focus groups and stakeholder meetings. The effort included two surveys, too.

Besides telling the board about efforts to develop the plan, Fredericks shared a video that outlined the key points.

The board’s agenda materials also spelled out the primary elements of the strategic plan.

In essence, it identifies three major focus areas: Community, Culture and Education. It also contains goals, and strategies to achieve those goals.

Priority area: Community
In this focus area, the library system plans to increase outreach opportunities for community members and for organizations to become involved with the library.

It has identified activities to help achieve those goals.

For instance, it plans to establish Pop-Up library services to expand access to resources and services. It also is planning to provide 20 hours of service per month beginning in the first quarter of 2022.

It will promote library resources at a minimum of 20 meetings per year for community groups, civic organizations, nonprofits, and government agencies.

And, it plans to coordinate with the Friends of the Library on an annual campaign to help increase membership and raise funds.

Priority area: Education
In this area, the library system has identified the goal of providing access to a collection of print, non-print, and electronic resources that support the diverse needs and interests of Pasco County residents.

Rebecca Jackson, of Lutz, enjoys helping her children, 7-year-old Joel, left, and 3-year-old Hope, as they create their paint-by-string artwork during an event held shortly before pandemic restrictions kicked in, in 2020. The activity occurred at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library on Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, which is now closed for renovations.

It also aims to provide resources and programming to support lifelong learning, and skill and knowledge development across multiple literacies.

To help achieve those goals, it plans to partner with the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco and Hernando Counties to provide four programs per year.

It also plans to develop an Adult Literacy/ESL training program, and to train 15 volunteers per year to teach basic literacy and ESL to Pasco County citizens.

Also, it will offer two digital literacy activities per quarter to increase skill development in finding, evaluating, creating and communicating information on digital platforms.

Plus, it intends to create a Library of Things to circulate nontraditional materials, with a focus on items that support makerspace activities. It aims to add three new items per year to the Library of Things.

Other activities include:

  • Selecting 15 new items per year to be added to the Adaptive Toy Collection
  • Providing at least one staff training session per quarter focused on skill development, which relates to content creation
  • Offering two programs per quarter that educate the public on how to produce professional content for various media platforms

Priority area: Culture
The library system intends to foster culture within Pasco County by offering a wide range of programs at its branch libraries and outreach locations. The programming and activities will support self-expression, innovation, and community-based well-being.

Activities will include:

  • Deploying the Mobile Makerspace three times per quarter, to provide hands-on learning experiences
  • Collaborating with local performers, artists, and experts, to expand cultural experiences and learning opportunities
  • Offering 20 cultural programs or events per year at any location in the county
  • Offering two programs per quarter that showcase cultural content created in association with the Pasco County Library Cooperative
  • Supporting the development of a cultural affairs advisory council in Pasco County by hosting at least four meetings per year and serving as a liaison/coordinator for the council

In addition to programming efforts, the library system also is in the midst of updating and upgrading its facilities.

The massive makeovers are being supported by a bond issue approved by voters.

The cooperative library system includes these branch libraries: Hugh Embry, New River, Land O’ Lakes, Starkey Ranch TLC, Centennial Park, South Holiday, Regency Park and Hudson. It also includes the Zephyrhills Public Library.

Published October 06, 2021

He tended to practical, and spiritual, needs

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Edward Grady Maggard Jr., better known by his nickname, Sonny, had a hand in the practical side of life for decades for countless customers at his appliance store in Dade City.

But he also was involved in helping others develop their spiritual life, once serving as a Sunday School director and growing the program from about 100 participants to more than 1,200.

His Sept. 23 memorial service, filled to capacity, was held in the chapel at Hodges Family Funeral Home and Cremation Center, on U.S. 301, just down the road from Sonny’s Discount Appliances Inc., a business Maggard founded well over a half-century ago.

The store has been a community fixture for people needing dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines, stoves, or other household appliances.

Maggard worked alongside his sons, Dale and Randy, and still came to the store long after his sons took over the day-to-day operations.

On the company’s website, the family attributes the appliance store’s longevity to this belief: “If you take care of the customer, the customer will take care of you!”

The Maggards experienced that firsthand when a fire destroyed the business on Nov. 28, 2001.

Dozens of firefighters tried to put out the blaze but were impeded by insufficient water supplies, according to news accounts at the time. Investigators said the fire began in some cardboard boxes in the back of the store, but did not determine the cause.

The 16,000-square-foot, one-story store, the warehouse and the buildings’ contents were destroyed.

But no one was hurt and no jobs were lost.

And, thanks to the business’ suppliers, and the community it had served for so long, Sonny’s started back up with a fledgling operation less than 24 hours after the fire, according to published reports.

In the midst of it all, Maggard told a reporter that he wanted to thank the more than 500 people — including competitors —  who had stopped by or called his home since the fire to express sympathies or to offer help.

Three years later, the store reopened on the same spot where the former store had been destroyed.

Throughout his life, faith was important to Maggard, the funeral home’s obituary says. He was a lifelong follower of Jesus, and devoted a lot of time and service to his church. He dearly loved his family and enjoyed spending as much time as he could with them.

The write-up also describes him as “a true southern gentleman, who never met a stranger.”

Besides faith, family and business, Maggard had other interests.

He was a dedicated cattleman, outdoorsman and lifelong, respected member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, his obituary says.

He was involved in the Second Amendment Club and supported gun safety lessons for youths. He was treasurer on the volunteer board of the CARES Zephyrhills Senior Center, according to news reports.

Turkey hunting was one of his greatest passions.

It was so important that he started the Gulf Coast Limbhangers National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) chapter in Pasco County in 1994, according to a post on the NWTF’s website. The chapter now bears Maggard’s name.

In recognition of his love for the pursuit, his hunting jacket was on proud display at the front of the chapel, during his funeral service.

Mark and Cornie Maffett, of Dade City, wrote about Maggard’s enthusiasm for hunting, on Maggard’s memorial page on the funeral home’s website.

“So many times over the decades he welcomed us into the store where not only purchases were transacted but hunting stories swapped.

“At times he was so proud to show a specimen waiting for taxidermy and the stories that went with it. Other times we exchanged (stories about) beloved turkey hunts.”

A former employee, Jim Miller, of Jacksonville, also shared his appreciation for the family on Maggard’s memorial page.

“I worked at Sonny’s in the ’90s. Sonny will always have a special spot in my heart along with Randy and Dale,” Miller wrote.

Kevin and Kim Eldridge wrote, in part, “A life well lived for his Savior and his family…what a wonderful legacy.”

Messages of sympathy were shared on the page, from people living as near as Dade City to as far away as Australia.

Maggard was born on Sept. 26, 1934, in Wise, Virginia. He was 86 when he died on Sept. 16, at his Dade City home.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Lorene, who died on Jan. 3, 2020  — shortly before the couple would have marked their 65th anniversary, according to her obituary. They met when they were 16, her obituary added.

Maggard is survived by his son Dale, and Dale’s wife, Ann; and, his son Randy, and Randy’s wife, Colleen. He also is survived by six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and another great-grandchild that is on the way.

Published October 06, 2021

Pasco County approves new mobility fee schedule

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Pasco County has adopted a new mobility fee rate schedule — with fees increasing in some categories, and decreasing or staying the same in others.

The proposed fee schedule calls for a sizable fee increase in the retail category.

It also proposes the addition of two new categories — one that provides a discount for locally owned small businesses and another that establishes a rate for accessory dwelling units.

Northbound traffic on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, also known as U.S. 41, stacks up and waits for the traffic light to turn green. (File)

Mobility fees are used to help pay for the impacts that new development has on people’s ability to get around — including drivers, walkers, cyclists and transit riders.

The new rate schedule, approved by the Pasco County Commission at its Sept. 28 meeting, was recommended by the county’s staff and was based on a study completed by Bill Oliver, a consultant. Oliver is a registered professional engineer, who has conducted a number of mobility fee studies for the county including this one.

The proposed changes also received a recommendation for approval from the Pasco County Planning Commission, at its July 22 meeting.

“The costs of implementing your mobility system have increased over recent years,” Oliver said, at the planning board meeting.

At the same meeting, Oliver said that costs for implementing improvements to the county’s mobility system have increased in recent years and are expected to continue to do so.

The Florida Department of Transportation has estimated that costs will increase by 3% a year over the next five years or so, he said.

To keep pace with those increases, Oliver said the county needed to increase its fees.

The update:

  • Continues to encourage office, industrial and lodging, and redevelopment and infill development in the West Market Area by charging zero mobility impact fees in those categories/areas
  • Increases most retail fees by 50% over 4 years, divided equally by year, due to cost increases and partial or full subsidy removal
  • Increases rates for apartments by 6% annually, for a total of 24% over four years due to cost increases and full subsidy removal
  • Creates a new category for locally owned small businesses, with a 50% discount in standard fees
  • Continues to charge full rates for mini-warehousing and mining
  • Increases other fees by approximately 3% annually, or about 13% over four years, to address cost increases
  • Creates a reduced rate for accessory dwellings, sometimes known as mother-in-law residences

Accessory dwelling units are defined as an ancillary or secondary living unit, not to exceed 900 square feet, that has a separate kitchen, bathroom and sleeping area, either within the same structure or on the same lot, as the primary dwelling.

Oliver also told the planning board that the schedule changes reflect the changes made in state law during the last session of the Florida Legislature.

The new law establishes that impact fee increases must be limited to every four years, with a maximum of a 50% increase in individual rates.

A 50% increase must be implemented over four years in four equal installments, Oliver added.

Pasco began charging transportation impact fees in 1985.

It later shifted to mobility fees and decided to provide mobility fee incentives to encourage growth in specific categories.

The discount for locally owned small business is based on a concern they could not absorb the increased retail fees, Oliver told the planning board. That change was included after individual conversations he had with members of the county board, he told planning commissioners.

For purposes of the fee schedule, locally owned small businesses are defined as businesses that are not chain operations, that have 25 or fewer employees and that are 51%-owned by people whose permanent household is in Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, Sumter or Polk counties

All other fees, such as single-family residential, institutional fees, recreational fees, and other land use categories, will be indexed over the next four years at about an increase of 3.13% per year, Oliver said.

The changes take effect on Jan. 1, 2022.

Published October 06, 2021

Feeding first responders

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(Courtesy of Misemer Marketing)

A business called Platters for First Responders delivered platters of food to Pasco County first responders in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the terrorist attacks that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001. Thirty local sponsors ordered several platters, which were delivered to all 33 Pasco County fire stations. Deliveries also were made to Pasco’s dispatch center, the Pasco County Sheriff’s district offices. Volunteers helping included West Wind Provisions Boar’s Head along with the local Krewe of Chasco and Krewe de Forti, as well as other community volunteers.

Grand openings/ribbon-cuttings

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Premier Martial Arts, 1934 Collier Parkway, in Lutz, recently had a grand opening. To find out more about this business, visit PremierMartialArts.com/LandOLakes, or call 813-693-5606.

Lufka Wesley Chapel, at 27221 State Road 56, had a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 23. This is Wesley Chapel’s first Zero Waste store. For more information, visit Lufka.com.

YogaSix Trinity, 12271 State Road 54, Unit 3, had a ribbon-cutting on Sept. 24.

Travel insurance purchases up

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New data shows that a growing number of travelers are turning to travel insurance to protect their vacation investments and health while traveling, according to a AAA Travel survey. That survey showed that 31% of U.S. travelers are more likely to purchase travel insurance for their trips planned between now and the end of 2022, specifically due to the pandemic. AAA’s travel insurance sales have increased more than double digits year-over-year, as members return to travel and see the value of protecting that investment, according to a AAA news release. Choosing the right policy is important, and increasingly travelers want policies that protect against commonly covered reasons for trip cancellations and interruptions, as well as other travel-related incidents including change fees, delays or lost/damaged luggage, to name a few.

Florida’s job growth

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The Florida Department of Economic Opportunity recently announced that Florida has experienced 16 consecutive months of job growth. In total, Florida has gained 990,400 jobs since April 2020. Florida’s unemployment rate of 5% for August 2021 dropped one-tenth of a percentage point from July 2021. For 13 consecutive months, the state of Florida’s unemployment rate has remained below the national rate, currently at 5.2%. Florida’s labor force also continues to grow substantially, increasing by 65,000 over the month. Over the last five months, Florida’s labor force has grown by 373,000. Florida’s unemployment rate also has lowered over the year, decreasing by 2.9%, according to the department of economic opportunity.

New dental office

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BayBreeze Dental, operated by Dr. Ronak Parikh, opened on Sept. 13 at 28868 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel. Services offered include restoration, cosmetic, dental implants, Invisalign, extractions, emergencies, sedation and pediatric. For more information, call 813-694-8242.

Outlets welcomes new stores

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Tampa Premium Outlets has announced the opening of four retailers at the center and will be welcoming two more soon. The new retailers that are now open are: Aeropostale, BOSS Huge Boss, Marc Jacobs and Perry Ellis. The two retailers coming soon are Nautica Factory Store and Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. Tampa Premium Outlets is located off Interstate 75 and the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor, in an area where Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel come together.

New Circle K completed

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Frontier Building has completed the new Circle K, at 7767 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The project includes a convenience store, fueling stations and carwash, according to a news release. Frontier Building is a design-build contractor.