The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Easter services are evolving, amidst pandemic

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There was so much uncertainty last year about COVID-19 that many churches changed up their Easter celebrations, to reduce potential spread of the disease.

A year later, many churches across the region continue to use a variety of approaches in celebrating Christianity’s most significant holy day.

Last year, for instance, Idlewild Baptist Church, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz, relied on online services to celebrate Easter. This year, it will be holding a number of in-person services.

The First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes, at 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., livestreamed its Easter service last year. This year, it will have an in-person service.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, at 2348 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, created a more personal touch for its online services last year, by attaching photographs of parishioners on chairs — so officiants could look at them, while saying Mass.

This year, the church will have in-person services — while limiting the size of the crowds.

Last year, Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2018 Riegler Road, in Land O’ Lakes had a drive-in Easter service and it will do that again this year, on April 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, Grace Community Church, at 7107 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel, will switch from the drive-in service it had last year to an in-person worship service on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. After the service, families will be able to take advantage of a photo booth, to pose for their Easter pictures. Last year, families shot selfies in their cars.

AdventHealth Zephyrhills will have its 36th annual Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m., on April 4, virtually, via Facebook.com/adventhealthzephyrhills. The event was held virtually last year, too, after decades of conducting the service on the hospital’s lawn.

Meanwhile, across the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Gregory Parkes has kept protocols in place for the nearly 500,000 Catholics in Tampa Bay Area, according to a Diocesan news release.

Those protective measures include social distancing, sanitizing and the use of face coverings.

Church holy water fonts remain empty and collection baskets are not circulated, the news release says.

Bishop Parkes also has kept in place the general dispensation from Sunday Mass at this time.

If you’re interested in attending an Easter service, be sure to check your local church to get the latest details on services. Many places of worship require reservations, so be sure to check soon to reserve your spot.

Published March 31, 2021

Pasco board delays decision on land use change

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The Pasco County Commission has delayed a decision regarding a controversial request that would clear the way to consider commercial uses at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Estates.

The request is being vigorously contested by residents in Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines subdivision, in Lutz.

Opponents object to allowing a change in the land use designation that would open the door to a rezoning request that would allow a litany of commercial uses.

Kiddie Campus University Inc., the land owner and applicant, is represented by attorney Barbara Wilhite.

Two previous efforts to gain approvals for a day care at the site were denied.

The current effort is to first obtain a land use change to allow commercial uses, and then to get a zoning change for the 1.67-acre site.

It is not unusual for the sale of property to be contingent on the successful acquisition of land use or zoning change.

Sharon Hunnewell-Johnson, of 17300 Riverstone Drive, told commissioners she’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.

“I do know firsthand, I was called by the person that I believe Barbara (Wilhite) represents, and I was told this was going to be a gas station/car wash. We cannot have a gas station/car wash within our neighborhood,” Hunnewell-Johnson said.

Speakers told commissioners that they worry that contaminants from a gas station could seep into their groundwater supply. They said the neighborhoods rely on well water for drinking water, as well as watering their fruit trees.

The neighborhoods were represented by Todd Pressman, a private consultant, Patricia Ortiz, a private planning consultant and attorney Luke Lirot, in opposing the request.

Numerous neighbors — sporting red T-shirts in a sign of solidarity — appeared via a remote feed at the March 23 public hearing to voice their objections. A number of letters of opposition also were read into the record.

Ortiz said the request represents a commercial intrusion into an established residential neighborhood.

Neighbors told commissioners that they don’t oppose use of the site, but want the use to be less intense.

Pressman also presented petitions signed by more than 140 people opposed to the request.

Lirot said that neighbors oppose potential uses that could affect their property values and their quality of life.

“If it’s a doctor’s office, or something else that wouldn’t be open deep into the evening, with noise and smoke and fumes, and things of that nature — if it’s a professional type of development — there’s no problem whatsoever.

“Nobody wants to deny the property owner of the use and benefit of that particular property,” Lirot said.

He asked the county board to consider a restriction that will limit the options available only to uses that would not have an adverse effect on the neighborhood.

Wilhite told commissioners that the proposed use is in keeping with the county’s long-range land plan.

The location fronts on State Road 54, which is a six-lane arterial highway. The site also is at a signalized intersection, which is ¾-miles east of the Suncoast Parkway.

She cited a policy in the county’s land use plan that specifically directs where the board wants commercial land uses to occur, and this location meets that criteria.

Commissioners said they want to ensure that buffering is adequate to protect the neighboring properties.

Commissioner Mike Moore asked: “Any chance counsel on both sides could maybe get together, put their heads together a little bit, and come up with a compromise between the two and bring this back?

“Just a thought, a suggestion. I don’t know if both sides are willing to have those discussions,” Moore said.

Moore said he has concerns for the house that’s across the street and for the house that abuts the property. He also questioned if there is sufficient room to meet buffering requirements.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also raised concerns about protecting nearby properties.

Starkey said “the devil is in the details” and noted there are plenty of examples of commercial uses adjacent to residential neighborhoods around the county.

Moore asked Wilhite if she was willing to meet with the other side.

She responded: “Commissioner Moore, you know I will always have conversations. I’m happy to have conversations.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed with Moore’s suggestion to ask the two sides to meet, to see if they can work something out.

Mariano told Pressman: “Mr. Pressman, I strongly recommend, take the opportunity to meet with them, otherwise, we vote on it now. We don’t know where it’s going to go yet.”

Pressman replied: “I hear you commissioner, and with that, I don’t think we have a choice but to meet and talk. But I’m going to say again, you’re putting the onus on the applicant for site plan and buffering. You need to put the onus on use.”

Starkey told Pressman: “I disagree.”

After both sides agreed to meet, the board voted to continue the land use request until April 20. The companion rezoning request also has been delayed. It is now set for May 18.

Published March 31, 2021

Northeast Pasco Advisory Committee established

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The Pasco County Commission has approved the establishment of the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee.

The advisory committee’s role will be to recommend nonresidential design standards to the county board for commercial development located within the boundaries of the Northeast Pasco Rural Overlay District.

The northeast rural area is bordered by Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, the Green Swamp, State Road 52 and the Hernando County line.

The committee will be composed of 13 voting members, representing a diverse group of stakeholders — similar to the makeup of the group that was involved in the design of the development of the Northeast Pasco County Special Area Plan.

The county also has consulting firm Florida Design Consultants (FDC), to assist the county in creating the commercial design standards.

The county’s planning and development department has reached out to potential

candidates to apply to serve on the advisory committee.

Primary duties of the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee will include:

  • Evaluating and assessing all current policies and regulations related to the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District
  • Creating the vision and intent of commercial enclave development, identifying appropriate locations for commercial enclave development, and recommending commercial design standards and guidelines to the board

The planning and development department and Florida Design Consultants (FDC) will facilitate the virtual/hybrid workshops with the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee and interested parties.

The planning and development department will be in charge of notifying the appropriate team members to update the Citizens Advisory Boards & Committees webpage and county calendar.

The planning and development department will update the Northeast Pasco Rural Area webpage at each step of the process, so that the webpage will include all workshop materials, summaries of all workshops, and all drafts/approved documents.

The board approved a resolution, which became effective immediately, relating to the creation of the advisory committee that says the committee will help in the development of commercial regulations in the rural overlay district.

The committee will have a limited purpose and duration, and will automatically be disbanded, once its recommendation is made to the county board.

The advisory committee will be made up of five property owners who are residents of the Northeast Pasco County Rural Area; five business owners in the Northeast Pasco County Rural Area; one land use; and, two at-large members.

Advisory committee members will not be compensated, and can be removed by a majority of the county board, with or without cause.

The advisory committee will elect a chairperson to preside at all meetings and/or workshops, and a vice chairman can be elected to preside and act on behalf of the chairperson.

A majority of advisory committee members must be present to constitute a quorum.

Notice of regular or special meetings/workshops of the NERAC and the time and location of each meeting shall be published to the public on the main Pasco County website, and the meetings will be subject to provisions of Florida’ open meeting laws.

Published March 31, 2021

Local chiropractor shares lessons from ‘life in a bubble’

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Like everyone, Dr. Timothy Bain, a chiropractor from Wesley Chapel, has had to adapt due to concerns about COVID-19.

Unlike the vast majority of people, though, Bain’s adjustments have been more extreme.

As the Tampa Bay Lightning’s team chiropractor, he was in a traveling party that spent a combined 65 days at hotels in Toronto and then Edmonton through the Tampa Bay Lightning’s  Stanley Cup title run.

Bain was “in the bubble” from late July through late September, while games were played without fans in attendance and measures were taken to allow teams to safely complete the NHL playoffs.

Tampa Bay Lightning team chiropractor Dr. Timothy Bain celebrates the organization winning its second Stanley Cup in franchise history. The Wesley Chapel resident spent 65 days with the team in the NHL playoff ‘bubble’ in Canada from late July through late September. (Courtesy of David Miles)

The chief executive officer of B3 Medical shared some of the lessons he learned from the experience, and other insights he’s gleaned along life’s way, during a Zoom business breakfast meeting on March 2, with members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

One lesson Bain shared involves the importance of learning from failure.

“You’re going to fail. Everybody fails. Everybody fails a lot. You’re going to fail more often as a business leader and a business owner, I think than the average person — because we’re willing to fail.

“We look at, ‘How am I going to succeed?’ And, the answer is, ‘You’re going to fail — a lot of times,” he said.

In the season the year before claiming the Stanley Cup, the Lightning failed.

“We failed. Really miserably. In front of everybody,” the team’s chiropractor said.

“We won the President’s Trophy, which meant we had the best record in hockey. In fact, we had a historic season, then we went to Columbus and we just got swept right out of the playoffs.

“Nobody could believe it. We couldn’t believe it. I’m sure none of the fans could believe it.

“It was embarrassing.

“But we learned.

“Some of the things that we learned were: Maybe we brought guys back too quickly. Maybe we didn’t bring them back fast enough. Some of our rehab didn’t work as well as we thought it was going to. Maybe we needed some different characters in the room.

“Maybe we needed some different character,” he said.

Failure can be a valuable teacher: The important thing is to fail forward, Bain said.

“Every time you fail, make sure you’re moving forward. You learn something from it, and you move forward to your ultimate goal,” he said.

“With the Lightning, I think, the obvious ultimate goal is a big, shiny Stanley Cup — which is the most revered trophy in sports,” he said.

Lumps and bumps, along the way
The story of the Stanley Cup championship season didn’t start off well.

“The beginning of the season, was truthfully ugly for us,” Bain said.

But the team picked up Pat Maroon, who was a catalyst in breaking up team cliques, he said.

“Sometimes, it just really takes one person to get those cliques to start to work together, so you can start to move forward,” Bain said.

The team made some deals at the end of the season, to bring more grit to its game. It had to go into the playoffs with a different attitude, and style, and that was a hard adjustment for some players, he said.

“Guys wanted to play the old-style of Lightning hockey, which is fast, furious, move it around, score tons of goals. And, in the playoffs, really you can’t do that,” Bain said.

He said he knew the team had reached a turning point when it won a game that had five overtimes.

One moment, in particular, stood out to him.

“I remember at the end of the fourth overtime, the guys came in, I’m thinking: ‘These guys are going to be exhausted.’ The first thing I see, is somebody said, ‘This is fun, isn’t it? I can’t wait. I hope we have another one of these things.’

“That was cool. Right then and there, I knew we were going to win that game,” Bain said, because of the players’ mindset.

“Our identity now was: ‘We’re not going to lose this thing. We’ve got this.’,” Bain added.

In today’s business climate, COVID-19 brings a lot of fear and anxiety.

The Lightning overcame challenges.

“We dealt with adversity upon adversity. Guys getting hurt. We lost our captain.

“It didn’t matter what the obstacle was. We had a notion that failure was not an option this year,” Bain said.

“We created a plan. We worked the plan. We trusted the plan,” he said. “We had to adapt. We adapted better than other teams.”

“Every business creates a plan at the beginning of year. ‘OK, I’m going to execute on the strategy,’” he said.

But, it’s important to periodically check back on that plan: What worked? What didn’t work? What needs to change?

During COVID, employers and employees have faced a multitude of changes.

Some employees work at home. Some are dealing with child care issues. Some are sick, or have family members who are sick. Some have lost loved ones to COVID.

Employers need to keep a pulse on what’s happening with their staff, he said.

“So, there’s got to be an element that we bring into our businesses, of empathy and trust. And,  we’ve got to make sure that we’re there for our employees and our team members, because they’re going through stuff as much if not worse than we are. They’re fearful for their jobs, they’re fearful for their life, they’re fearful for their families,” he added.

It’s important to stay focused on the company’s ultimate goal, and for staff to have buy-in.

“In a company, everybody is a cog in the wheel, and without each piece, you can’t really get anywhere,” Bain said. “If you’re having one person who is inside your team, who doesn’t know their role, or doesn’t understand their role, inside of the bigger picture — or doesn’t understand the big picture — it can really derail what you’re trying to do,” Bain said.

With the Lightning, “the mission was really obvious,” Bain said. They had to make it to the last game of the season, or they had failed.

“It was about putting the right team of people, on the ice. It was about putting the right team of people behind the people on the ice,” Bain said.

The same is true for companies that are in pursuit of a goal.

The shiny object may vary, but he said: “We all want to win our Stanley Cup.”

Published March 31, 2021

Approval sets stage for 325 more homes in Bexley area

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a change to the county’s land use plan to set the stage for additional residential development on the south side of Tower Road, south of Bexley Village Drive.

Board members voted on March 9 to change the land use designation on 77.21 acres from a maximum of three dwelling units per acre to a maximum of six dwelling units per acre.

The change clears the way for a potential rezoning to allow up to 325 units on the property, at 17370 Bud Bexley Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

A rezoning, which has been requested, also must be secured before the additional density can be achieved.

The Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning request during the planning board’s March 25 meeting.

The property is surrounded by Bexley South on the north; Suncoast Meadows on the south; Ballantrae on the east; and Sapphire Village on the west.

Besides getting a recommendation for approval from the planning board, planners also support the request.

County planners have described the site, which is currently vacant, as an appropriate location for the proposed development of single-family homes, at a maximum density of 4.21 units per acre.

The site has access from Tower Road.

The proposed development is expected to yield 59 students for Bexley Elementary School, 31 students for Charles Rushe Middle School and 40 students for Sunlake High School, according to background materials.

Published March 31, 2021

Forum explores economic security in Pasco County

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The Pasco unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County recently hosted a webinar aimed at raising awareness about the “Economic Security in Pasco County during the COVID Outbreak.”

Panelists provided a look into Pasco County’s and the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s response to those struggling individuals and businesses — due to COVID-19.

The panelists also discussed ongoing programs aimed at helping people keep a roof over their heads, helping the homeless secure housing; and helping people develop skills to lead to higher-paying jobs.

Chris Conn, voter services chair of the league’s Pasco unit moderated the session, which featured Marcy Esbjerg, director of Pasco County’s community development department; Brian Hoben, community services director in Pasco County; Don Anderson, CEO of the Pasco Homeless Coalition; and Mike Bishop, director of stakeholder engagement at the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

Besides discussing specific programs, the speakers fielded questions. One related to a perception by some that people receiving help might not truly need it, or are duping the system.

Esbjerg responded: “We need to be the voice for people who don’t have a voice. So many of our vulnerable citizens do not have a forum to have a voice.

“Let’s look at what the public narrative is. The public narrative is very quick to share about the people who have gamed the system. The people that are taking PPP (federal paycheck protection program) money, and buying Lamborghinis and yachts; the people that forged Publix memos so that they could get their rent paid — all of those kind of things.

“So, why are we not sharing the real need? The real true need of people? Why don’t they get as much time, if not more?

“The most important thing that we (program administrators) can do is make sure that we deliver our services effectively, efficiently and equitably — and we make sure they’re getting out to the right people, and the people that really need it,” Esbjerg said.

When it comes to ensuring an adequate supply of workforce housing and housing for the homeless, the government needs to intervene and subsidize, Esbjerg said.

It needs to encourage the development of workforce housing, she said. It also needs to help homeless people transition into stable housing.

A community needs a balance in its housing inventory, she said.

“Right now, Pasco County has a high percentage of single-family owner-occupied housing, it’s like 72% to 28% rental housing. That’s not balanced,” she said.

“Rental housing doesn’t just affect low-income people. It affects seniors downsizing. It affects millennials who saw their parents get burned by the housing market and they’re not willing to become new homeowners, at this point,” she said.

“We want a community that takes care of all members of the community,” she said, and that means having housing for those transitioning out of homelessness to market-rate million dollar homes, and everything in between.

Recognizing real need
Bishop observed that there are real needs in the community and they must be recognized.

“Big buildings and equipment are great in business, but that’s not what makes business happen. It’s the people. We need to take care of our people, and understand that people that have challenges need assistance, and that’s a real thing.

“We went through a very rough time. We’re still going through that right now. We’re all together. Divisiveness needs to stop,” he said.

Anderson said exposure to the struggle helps to build empathy.

“I think putting a face on homelessness, or those that are disenfranchised, is the best thing we can do. I think it leads to compassion and understanding,” he said.

Hoben and Esbjerg said the county is administering programs that provide rental assistance, utility assistance, housing rehab and property tax assistance. Details about those programs are available on the county’s website.

In Pasco, Esbjerg said, housing costs are not the problem. Low wages are the big issue, she said.

“There are so many families that are cost-burdened, that are spending more than 30% of their income on housing,” she said.

Efforts are being made to improve that picture, Bishop said. The Pasco EDC and the county work to recruit companies that offer higher wages, he said. Plus, there are training programs, such as AMSkills, that aim to equip workers for better-paying jobs.

Anderson told listeners about the ALICE Report. The acronym stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.

These are the people who don’t own property or have other assets, he said. They are working, but have little income.

Their housing requires a large percentage of their income — making them vulnerable to becoming homeless, he said.

“If there’s any silver lining to the COVID pandemic, it’s the monies that are coming down that allow us to address homelessness,” Anderson said.

Right now, Pasco is focused on a Housing Surge.

“The county commissioners, via community development and Marcy and her team, allotted the coalition $3.8 million over two years, to house 225 households in a span of months,” Anderson said.

The downside is the lack of available rental units.

To combat the lack of rental units, Anderson said, “We’ve asked the community, when you see a ‘For Rent’ sign, whether it’s a room, an apartment, a trailer, a house — we want you to take a picture with your cellphone, and we want you to send it to .”

Esbjerg believes the Housing Surge’s success will boost the overall quality of life in Pasco County.

“All too often we connect economic prosperity, or stability, with higher-paying jobs and more money,” she said.

But, she argues that stability of housing is critical to improving the overall quality of life.

When people have a home, she said, “they’re able to engage in the community and shop at the local stores, and things like that.”

Housing 30% of the county’s homeless will have a significant impact, she said.

“I think will be transformative for our community, for the individuals that experience it, and for quality of life as a whole — which will extend to positive economic outcomes for the entire community.

“You’ll be able to see the difference in our community,” Esbjerg predicted.

Need help?
Check these resources:

  • Pasco County: PascoCountyFl.net (Click on specific departments), or call Community Development, 727-834-3450; Community Services, 727-834-3287
  • The Coalition for the Homeless of Pasco County: PascoHomelessCoalition.org, 727-842-8605
  • Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.: PascoEDC.com, 813-926-0827

Published March 24, 2021

This tiny baby’s brief life inspired others

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A celebration of life and committal services will be held for Brooklyn Rose Buzek on March 27 at Garden of Memories, in Tampa.

Brooklyn weighed 1 pound, 10 ounces and measured 12.5 inches long, when she arrived into the world on Aug. 20.

Her life was brief, but Brooklyn Rose Buzek was an inspiration for others. (Courtesy of the Buzek family)

She was born at just 24 weeks gestation, and spent 187 days at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, before going home with her parents, Amber and Dennis.

A GoFundMe page was set up by Donna Robinson, of Tampa, to help the family.

The page expresses how Brooklyn’s life affected others.

“At just 7 months old, Brooklyn had already taught us all so much about strength, perseverance and overcoming obstacles,” the page says. “With the odds stacked against her since birth we have watched in awe as the miracle baby continued to fight the good fight.”

It goes on: “During her short life she withstood more than any human should have to, but her fighter spirit, which was earned honestly from the parents who have been by her side each and every step of the way, rose to each challenge she faced.”

After Brooklyn’s release from the hospital, her parents dedicated themselves to her 24-hour care.

On the morning of March 15, they realized something was wrong with the baby, and called 911. Brooklyn was airlifted to St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, but did not survive.

The infant’s obituary describes the imprint she left on others.

“Brooklyn’s journey impacted many people from those who knew and cared for her to friends around the world who have followed her miracle story from conception. Brooklyn was loved deeply by so many and her memory will live on through all of the family and friends who have been there along the way,” the obituary reads.

In an interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Amber said she found out she was pregnant on Mother’s Day — which was a surprise because she and Dennis had been together 18 years and she didn’t think she could get pregnant.

They were excited by the news.

They had a baby shower on Aug. 16, at the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, in Land O’ Lakes.

Amber said she recalls feeling crampy and uncomfortable earlier on that day.

“But I had never been pregnant before, so I was just, ‘This is what it’s like to feel pregnant,’” she said.

Later that night, she asked Dennis: “Honey, can you take me to the emergency room around the corner. I just want to make sure everything is OK.”

They went to a 24-hour ER, but were advised to go to a hospital.

The couple went to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz, and from there, Amber was transported to St. Joseph’s Women’s Hospital, in Tampa, where Brooklyn was born on Aug. 20.

After Brooklyn’s birth, the couple made daily trips to the NICU, and took photos to record their baby’s journey. They also learned how to use the equipment they would need to use in caring for their baby at home.

Amber’s grief at the loss of her daughter, is palpable.

“It’s hard because everybody is like, ‘Oh, God had better plans.’ But, I don’t understand how the plan for her — not to be here — could have been better than the life we could have gave her,” Amber said.

She said she’s not sure she will ever understand.

She is grateful, though, for the help of others, particularly Donna and Ron Robinson, who stepped in to make the funeral arrangements.

“I don’t know how I could have done it without them,” she said.

As for herself, Amber said she is just trying to pick up the pieces.

“I’m just trying to take it one day at a time,” she said.

In addition to her parents, Brooklyn is survived by siblings Brittany Buzek, Braily Buzek and Brandyn Buzek, grandmother Tena Frost, aunt and uncle Pam and Kevin Oliva and a large extended family, according to the online obituary.

The family welcomes all to attend Brooklyn’s Life Celebration and Committal services on March 27 at 1 p.m., at Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa, Florida, 33610.

To read more about Brooklyn, visit Brooklyn Rose Buzek’s Journey, on Facebook.

If you would like to help, visit the GoFundMe page, at Tinyurl.com/4tchjh77.

Brooklyn’s Life Celebration and Committal Services
When: March 27, 1 p.m.
Where: Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Garden of Memories, 4207 E. Lake Ave., Tampa
All are welcome to attend.

Published March 24, 2021

Business Digest 03/24/2021

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Darren Ghanayem

New chief information officer
Darren Ghanayem has joined the team at Gulfside Healthcare Services as chief information officer.

In this new position, Ghanayem will oversee the design, development, maintenance and reliable operation of efficient and innovative technology solutions for the organization. He will be charged with continually seeking opportunities for improvement, automation and insights to enable the business success by providing provide quality patient care, according to a news release.

“I’m passionate about leveraging technology solutions to improve business results and performance. Doing this with a mission around providing a valuable service to society is icing on the cake,” Ghanayem said, in the release.

(Courtesy of Tidal Wave Auto Spa)

Second Tidal Wave opens in Lutz
Tidal Wave Auto Spa has opened at 2209 Sun Vista Drive, next to the Costco, in the Cypress Creek Town Center, off State Road 56.

This is Tidal Wave’s second location in Lutz. The company has been washing cars since 2004, according to a company news release. It now has 62 locations in nine states.

The company offers customers an Unlimited Wash Club Plan, allowing customers to visit as often as they like for a monthly rate.

Board appointments confirmed
The Pasco County Commission confirmed these appointments to various boards during its March 9 meeting.

  • Appointed Hope Kennedy to the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board
  • Appointed Turner Arbour to the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board
  • Reappointed Mike Davis, Linda Mather, Ralph Acton, Kurt Conover, Jay Michlin and Les Stearns to the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Committee
  • Approved the appointment of Brenton Basinger and Alex Quinn to the Jobs and Economic Opportunities Committee

Become a HART registered vendor
The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit (HART) is hosting a virtual small business forum on March 25 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., to educate businesses about potential HART opportunities. HART procurement staff will share how to become a registered vendor and offer information about free small business certifications. To register, email . For more information about HART and TECO Line Streetcar service, visit GoHART.org.

Florida leading in business creation
A TOP Data study reveals that job losses and a changing business environment have contributed to a record-breaking number of Americans setting up a business since the onset of the pandemic. TOP Data’s study analyzed new business applications across the nation and found that Floridians are at the front of the list, with 50,972 business applications made in the state during February of 2021. To see the full report, visit TopAgency.com/report/business-application-report/.

Court ruling lowers Hillsborough’s sales tax
The Florida Supreme Court has struck down a 1% discretionary sales surtax, adopted through a ballot initiative of Hillsborough County voters.

As a result, the combined sales tax in Hillsborough County is now 7.5%.

The revised combined 7.5% rate is composed of the 6% state sales tax plus the 0.5% school capital outlay surtax, the 0.5% indigent care surtax, and the 0.5% local government infrastructure surtax.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce circulated information about the change, to keep its members up to date.

Glamorous Kitchens & Baths
Glamorous Kitchens & Bath Inc. and Matlock Custom Homes Inc., held a ribbon-cutting and grand opening celebration on March 16, at 16921 Gunn Highway, to celebrate the full-service home remodeling company. Its staff includes architects, designers and craftsmen, supported by production, procurement and service personnel.

Virtual veterans job fair
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis will host a virtual job fair for veterans, guard and reserve members, and military spouses from March 30 through April 1. To find out how to register and for any other information, contact Bilirakis’ office at 727-232-2921.

Free business plan webinars
Pasco-Hernando SCORE is offering these free business webinars:

  • April 12, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.: How to Start a Business. This will cover key issues for starting a business, including finding good people, structuring the business, understanding cash flow, finding the money and creating a business plan. Mike Lewis, a Pasco-Hernando SCORE member will present the webinar.
  • April 20, from noon to 1 p.m.: Learn about the Business Model Canvas, which provides an easier way to develop a business plan. This webinar teaches participants how to visualize in a single page all the building blocks of your business plan and still follow a detailed and rigorous process. This webinar is being presented by Jose Melgar, a Pasco-Hernando SCORE member.

To register for these webinars and to find out about other resources available through Pasco-Hernando SCORE, visit PascoHernando.score.org.

GrowPasco offers breakout sessions
Kevin Harrington, a Shark Tank original, is the keynote speaker at GrowPasco, a daylong event offering 12 breakout sessions for entrepreneurs and executives. The registration fee for the event is $40 per person, with a $20 per person rate for Pasco businesses and residents. The event will be on May 8, at Hyatt Place Tampa Wesley Chapel, at 26000 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz. To register, go to PascoEDC.com.

Pasco County’s budget forecast looks bright, budget director says

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Pasco County’s taxable assessed values are expected to increase 7% to 10% for the coming budget year, according to Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director.

He delivered that forecast during the Pasco County Commission’s March 9 meeting.

The budget director gave board members an overview of impacts from COVID-19 on the county’s economy, and the way looking forward.

“When the coronavirus and the pandemic first came upon us, we experienced the economic recession, which is defined, of course, as two consecutive quarters of negative economic growth,” he said.

The recession was much deeper than the Great Recession experienced from 2007 to 2009, but it was much shorter, too — lasting just two economic quarters, Goehig said.

“We’re expecting the economy to move along at kind of a very slow pace, until a substantial portion of the population is vaccinated, whether that be April, May, June, whatever that is. “Once we have that substantial portion of the population vaccinated, we expect the economy to grow at a very fast pace.

“Luckily, we’re in an area that’s expected to see growth even above the national average.

“If we’re expecting a national growth rate of 8%, we’re expecting the Tampa rate to be higher than that,” Goehig said.

Industries expected to have the most growth are construction, financial services and other services, which include repair and maintenance, personal care services and social advocacy, according to slides in Goehig’s presentation.

“We have some evidence to point toward the fast-growing Tampa region,” he said, noting that Tampa Bay startups raised $180 million in 2020, compared to $129 million in 2018.

He also noted that Tampa leads the nation in small business job growth.

Plus, more corporations from the northeast region of the country are relocating to Florida. And, more residents are moving here, too, he said.

All of this is having an impact on the region’s housing market.

“The existing home price in the past year or so took a sharp spike,” he said, which indicates a shortage in existing homes for sale.

“This partially explains the reason that so much new construction is happening in our region,” Goehig said.

Regional home values are on the rise, in both the resale and new construction market.

There has been a price appreciation of 8% for resale homes and 9% for new homes, while at the same time there’s been a 7% increase in new home sales.

Goehig offered evidence of Pasco’s hot market by noting “two of the top 50 planned housing communities in the United States, two of those best-sellers are right here in Pasco. That’s Starkey Ranch and Bexley,” the budget director added.

“Of course, all of this growth does come at a price, and that is inflation. Our area is more than double the national average in inflation,” he said.

Demand for construction materials is causing the price to go up, and the county is expected to feel the effects of inflation, in particular, during construction of roads and buildings, he said.

During fiscal year 2021, the county was very conservative because of the pandemic, and didn’t bring on much new spending, Goehig said.

This year, with a brighter outlook, the county can invest in some new initiatives, he said.

Plus, Goehig said the county will be waiting for guidance from the treasury department before recommending how to spend any funds coming from the recently passed federal stimulus bill.

Meanwhile, on the local front, construction of single-family homes has kicked into high gear.

“At the end of the year, we were seeing single-family home permits coming into the building department at record levels, at 600 homes per month.

“We thought we were at the peak, we can’t possibly get any higher. And, then we turned the calendar in January, had almost 900 single-family homes in January.

“So, we expect this to continue,” he said.

The permit value for commercial construction also is significantly higher, too, the budget director said.

Plus, the county is benefiting from tourism — as visitors pay bed taxes and spend money in the local economy.

Goehig noted that “with the exception of the gas tax, revenue is on an upward trajectory.”

The county expects to receive information about its preliminary taxable values from the property appraiser on June 1 and the final assessed values on July 1.

The county is expected to set its tentative tax rates on July 6, which are reported in Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices mailed to property owners.

Once the TRIM notices go out, the board can choose to lower the rates, but cannot raise them, when adopting its final budget.

Published March 17, 2021

Lutz neighbors oppose commercial rezoning

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Residents of the Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines subdivision, in Lutz, are banding together to fight a proposed commercial rezoning at the entrance of their communities.

Kiddie Campus University Inc., is seeking to change residential zoning to general commercial on a 1.67-acre site, on the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Drive.

Area residents who oppose the change were represented by Todd Pressman, a private consultant, during a March 4 meeting of the Pasco County Planning Commission.

Pressman cited a report by a private planner, commissioned to review the request. The planner raised issues with the compatibility of a commercial use — in an area characterized by residential development.

“A request came through for this property for a day care and preschool in January ’11. That was denied 7-0, by this board. The same request came through one year later, for preschool, and that was denied,” Pressman said.

“This request would allow a gas station operating on this property. That would be nothing less than devastating for this community,” said Pressman, who presented petitions signed by 140 people against the request.

Residents from Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines voiced objections, too.

They said a driveway from the proposed commercial site would have access onto Meadowbrook Drive —  a street they claim is too narrow to handle the traffic a commercial project would generate.

One opponent also raised concerns about the potential long-term environmental damage — from droplets of gasoline that seep into the ground — if a gas station is allowed to locate at the site.

The communities rely on private wells for drinking water.

Other residents pointed out the problem of delivery trucks having a hard time getting out of the neighborhood, if they make a wrong turn, because the streets are so narrow.

Despite those objections, county planners have recommended approval of both a land use change and a rezoning. Both changes are needed to clear the way for a commercial use.

If the land use change is approved, the applicant will have to meet buffering requirements that exceed those normally required by the land use code, county planners said.

Barbara Wilhite, an attorney representing the applicant, noted that the site is at a signalized  intersection, on a six-lane arterial highway, three-quarters miles east of the Suncoast Parkway.

“I think the neighbors are clear that they will object to any use other than residential,” Wilhite said, but given the site’s location at the intersection, on a six-lane arterial highway, she added, “this is absolutely not the place for a residential use.”

Wilhite also noted that the county board has adopted a comprehensive plan that specifically directs where it wants commercial land uses.

“This application strictly complies with that direction,” Wilhite said.

Charles Grey, planning commission chairman, said “I try to always put myself in the position of both property owners. The residents and the person who wants to develop the property. It’s always a balance of property rights.”

“I’m a strong proponent of property rights.

“I do think we need to provide some type of protection for the residents who live in that area. They are very, very close to this property.

“I certainly wouldn’t want people walking back and forth, from a 7-Eleven, for example, to my home, walk across my property. I know how that gets. I deal with that all of the time,” Grey said.

Planning commissioner Peter Hanzel said he would prefer to see a less intense commercial use.

“When you go to a C2 (general commercial), you open a large variety of facilities that can go there. Perhaps that’s what the residents are concerned about, going to a C2. Is there a possibility that it could go to a C1,” he said, which would limit the potential list of uses.

Wilhite responded: “My answer to that is that they opposed the day care. They clearly said today that they want it to remain a residential use. This is not a place to underutilize property.”

Planning commission Chris Poole asked about what type of use was planned.

Wilhite said a gas station is one of the permitted uses in the requested zoning district.

Grey wanted to know if the planning commission could see the buffering plan before voting on the request.

Brad Tippin, the county’s development review manager, said buffering is typically determined during the site plan review process — after the use of the site is known and the orientation of the building, parking lot and other elements are known.

In this case, because of the land use requirement, a greater degree of buffering would be required, Tippin said.

But, Grey said he would like to see the actual plans.

Tippin said creating the buffering plan before sufficient details are known could result in a less-effective plan.

Poole suggested voting on the land use plan, but delaying the zoning request until more details are available on the buffering.

Wilhite said she would be happy to work with the county on a buffering plan, and could include language that would provide flexibility to adjust the plan, if necessary.

A board majority voted to recommend approval of the land use change. The board continued the rezoning request until April 1.

Published March 17, 2021