The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kathy Steele

Mettler Toledo brings jobs to Pasco County

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Mettler Toledo celebrated the grand opening of its 270,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Northpointe Village, with tours, refreshments and a ribbon cutting.

The Swiss-based company is a global supplier of precision scales and services used in research, and the packaging and production of food and pharmaceuticals.

Mettler Toledo executives and local dignitaries cut the ribbon the 270,000-square-foot manufacturing plant. (Kathy Steele)

Mettler Toledo announced plans in 2017 to relocate its Town ‘n Country facility, and also to close its plant in Ithaca, New York. About 600 employees now work at the new plant at the Northpointe shopping center, off State Road 54 at Suncoast Parkway.

Nearly 170 people were hired in the past year, with most coming from Pasco County.

“We have a global leader now located in our county,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “It’s an amazing company. Opportunities like this one bring even more enthusiasm to our region.”

The facility will be home to four business units.

Currently onsite are Tampa-based Safeline Metal Detection and X-Ray Inspection, and Eagle Product Inspection.

During the summer, they will be joined by Mettler Toledo’s Hi-Speed Checkweighing, which currently is in Ithaca; and, Vision Inspection, currently in Aurora, Illinois.

Mettler Toledo opened its 270,000-square-foot manufacturing plant in Northpointe Village, off State Road 54. (Courtesy of Mettler Toledo)

The units offer a range of services, including the design and manufacture of systems that check for contaminants, provide quality control for products and packaging, and test for safety of foods and pharmaceuticals.

During tours of the plant, visitors walked through the sales and services departments, plant operations area, training room, and quality control area.

The campus also has an on-site fitness room, a recreation room with ping pong and foosball, a courtyard and the “Northpointe Café.”

In quality control, visitors got a demonstration of Mettler Toledo’s testing equipment.

The one on display is capable of checking 300 boxes of chocolates in 1 minute for contaminants, and missing pieces of candy.

In her remarks, Starkey singled out Mettler Toledo’s commitment to apprenticeship programs for manufacturing jobs. Because of its on-site cafes, the company also started a culinary program at its Switzerland headquarters that will be adopted in Pasco.

Visitors to Mettler Toledo are greeted in the lobby of the manufacturing plant, which produces equipment for the food and pharmaceutical industries. (Courtesy of Mettler Toledo)

Four students in Pasco’s AmSkills program — Melissa Fink, Alex Gerwe, Nikki Daniels and Josh Ortiz — attended the Mettler Toledo’s opening.

AmSkills is a Tampa Bay initiative that helps high school students, adults and veterans seeking manufacturing jobs. The program operates in Pasco, Pinellas and Hernando counties.

AmSkills instructor Dan Albright said he was able to place some of his students at Mettler Toledo.

Daniels, 36, was impressed with her tour. She is in the adult program at AmSkills.

“I’m very interested and excited that (Mettler Toledo) is close to this area,” she said. “It’s what we’re looking for.”

Ortiz, 19, also is in the adult program, which will last 17 weeks. “I want to be able to find a job,” he said. “Something I can go into, and be proud of and have a career.”

Published April 11, 2018

Business Digest 04/11/2018

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Chuy’s hiring and opening soon
Chuy’s Tex-Mex is hiring in all positions for its new restaurant in Cypress Creek Town Center, at 25750 Sierra Center Blvd.

Applications can be made at an on-site trailer.

Hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Opening day currently is scheduled for April 24. The first 50 customers will receive 12 certificates for dinner for two.

For information, call Chuy’s at (512) 367-9363.

North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its April 2018 Momentum Thursday on April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Brookdale of Lutz, 414 Chapman Road.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card at NorthTampaChamber.com or by email to the chamber at by 5 p.m., April 11, at the discounted rate of $15 (whether you eat or not).

After that date, the cost is $20 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180.

Hispanic leaders’ mixer
The Hispanic Business Leaders of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer April 17 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the White Room Bar & Lounge, 6472 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Enjoy two-for-one drinks, free soft drinks, refreshments and Latin music.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Coffee social
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its Monthly Coffee Social on April 17 from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Buttermilk Provisions, 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

This is a “no agenda” event with time for social networking.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534.

Heatherton model home at Starkey Ranch (Courtesy of Pulte Group’s West Florida Division)

Pulte homes win
Pulte Group’s West Florida Division won two awards in the Grand Winner category at the Tampa Bay Builder’s Association Annual Parade of Homes.

Pulte’s West Florida division had four model homes open to the public. Two won grand prizes in their categories.

More than 95 model homes were open for tours for the 2018 annual event.

The Oasis model from the Centex Summerset at South Fork community in Riverview won the grand prize for homes in the $250,000 to $299,000 price range. The Heatherton model home from Pulte’s Starkey Ranch in Odessa won the grand prize for homes in the $700,000 to $749,000 price range.

For more information, visit Centex.com/summerset or Pulte.com/starkeyranch.

Meritage Homes breaks ground
Meritage Homes broke ground on a model home at Lake Hanna Preserves in Lutz, in March.

The site is located on the west side of Hanna Road, south of Sunset Drive.

Homes of four and five bedrooms are planned on large, landscaped lots in this gated community.

For information, call Marcelle Sebaali, marketing manager, at (813) 386-8747, or visit MeritageHomes.com.

Marketing seminar
SCORE will host a free seminar, “Results Based Marketing for Small Business,” April 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.

Learn how to cut through information overload to get the word out about your business.

For information, contact Sheila Neisler, of CatalystGetsResults.com, at (727) 842-4638, or email .

Uncle Maddio’s happy hour
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host Uncle Maddio’s April 2018 Happy Hour on April 18 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Uncle Maddio’s, at 3949 Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

The restaurant will offer $1 off any pizza, and buy-one, get-one free deals for house wine and draft beers.

The event is free, but RSVP for a headcount by April 17.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180, or email .

Economic development briefing
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly economic briefing lunch April 26 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Hunter’s Green Country Club, 18101 Longwater Run Drive in Tampa.

Guest speaker will be J.D. Porter, who will give an update on Wiregrass Ranch.

The cost is $15 for members and $20 for non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 994-8534, or email .

SONG Printing & Design moves
SONG Printing & Design will have a “new location” celebration and ribbon cutting April 26 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 38514 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Celebrate with a glass of beer or wine at this free event.

For information, call owners Mike and Sue Prenderville at (813) 715-2212, or visit SongPrinting.com.

Commissioners side with developer in road dispute

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The Pasco County Commission has sided with Wiregrass Ranch developers in a dispute with Pasco County Schools over covering the cost for a future road connection to Chancey Road.

Commissioners heard an appeal filed by the school district regarding a decision by the county’s Development Review Committee.

The committee had approved a new master road plan for Wiregrass that shifts Chancey Road to the south, and away from the anticipated access onto a proposed school site that is at least five years away from construction.

Scott Sheridan

The site isn’t within the borders of Wiregrass, but school district officials say construction costs would increase by $1 million, if the school board has to pay to build a road to link to Chancey Road.

The plan that was approved by the development review committee includes a compromise that would mean either the school district or developers would pay for the road work — depending on what comes first, the school or the Wiregrass development.

School officials said they had counted on the Chancey Road extension, within the original master road plan.

“Everybody liked it. It was a great plan,” said Ray Gadd, Pasco’s deputy school superintendent. “Now, we’re down to two access points, which I don’t think the commission will like. I don’t think the neighborhoods will like them.”

In the future, the school district will need the County Commission to approve a school site plan, including its entrances and exits for school buses, and other traffic.

Gadd said there are concerns the county might not approve access off Meadow Pointe Boulevard.

He also noted that English Turn Way, which is internal to Country Walk subdivision, will not appeal to homeowners.

The new school is expected to focus on mathematics and science, with appeal to students living in Wiregrass and other places, Gadd said.

The deputy superintendent also offered an unexpected compromise — which had not previously been considered.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey

If Wiregrass would grant the school system exclusive easement for the road segment linking to Chancey Road, the school district would build and pay for the road, Gadd said. But, when developers start building in the area, they would need to negotiate with the school district to buy the road.

“We’ll turn this beautiful road over to you, but if it costs us $500,000, we want $500,000,” Gadd said.

Scott Sheridan, representing Wiregrass Ranch owners, didn’t go for it.

“I’m not going to respond at the podium for some new proposal that popped up,” Sheridan told commissioners. “I think it’s inappropriate.”

Sheridan also pointed out that Wiregrass had met its obligations to the school district with plans for five schools within the Wiregrass Ranch community.

Three already are open, including an elementary, middle and high school. In the future, two elementary schools also could be built at Wiregrass, Sheridan said.

Sheridan agreed that the county’s compromise on who pays for the road wasn’t that appealing. But, he said, “We can figure it out and live with it. We have plenty of time to figure it out.”

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who has served on the school board, was conflicted. But, she eventually sided with Wiregrass.

“I do hope you (schools) don’t have to build the road. I do hope development comes in first and builds the road,” she said. “But, I think Wiregrass has met their school requirements.”

Gadd conceded that the county might eventually approve a site plan with access off Meadow Pointe and English Turn Way.

“We feel this is a fait accompli,” he said, of the county commissioners’ vote. “Its’ a done deal, but it’s a matter of the record now.”

Published April 4, 2018

Sinkhole to get turnarounds and a fence

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Pasco County has selected the solution it plans to pursue regarding the sinkhole that opened last year in Lake Padgett Estates in Land O’ Lakes.

The county plans to build two “hammerhead” turnarounds on each side of the sinkhole.

A six-foot decorative fence and an access gate also will be installed around the sinkhole on Ocean Pines Drive.

Kevin Guthrie, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator for public safety, has played a key role in addressing the sinkhole problem in Lake Padgett Estates in Land O’ Lakes. (File)

The estimated cost for the work is $242,000.

Construction is expected to begin within six months to eight months, following design work and purchase of right of way.

“We’ll move as quickly as possible,” said Margaret Smith, the county’s engineering services director.

The Pasco County Commission approved the turnarounds at its March 27 meeting in New Port Richey. Commissioners also agreed to get more information on the feasibility of linking the sinkhole to Lake Saxon, as a future project.

A geological survey deemed that connection to be risky, but Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said the option needs more study.

“That’s our premier lakefront community in this area,” he said. “We want to make sure property values stay up.”

The turnarounds are considered an immediate safety solution for a roadway that was severed when a sinkhole opened up on July 14, 2017.

The depression swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat. Seven houses in the area also have been condemned.

Currently, garbage trucks and emergency vehicles that drive down either end of Ocean Pines must back up to exit or back into private driveways to turn around.

“I saw a truck that had to be towed out because it was stuck in a ditch trying to go around another vehicle,” Moore said.

County officials held workshops with residents in recent months before they reached a decision.

Initially, five options were presented. However, the geological survey recommended against the Lake Saxon connection, and rebuilding Ocean Pines with supportive piles driven underground.

The lake connection would cost an estimated $2.5 million. Rebuilding Ocean Pines would be about $750,000.

Both were considered to have a risk of causing additional ground disturbances in the area of the sinkhole.

An option to only install fencing and a gate would cost about $65,000.

Commissioners decided unanimously to build the turnarounds now, but also agreed to discuss the lake connection with the Southwest Florida Water Management District. That’s the state agency that would issue a permit for the work.

Plans are to file a pre-application with the state agency, relying on data collected from the geological survey.

Pasco County attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder voiced concerns that even if a permit were approved, there could still be risks to the neighborhood.

Moore said, “Let’s at least have more in-depth conversations with Swiftmud, and have them give a report.”

Published April 4, 2018

Pasco cuts ribbon on kitchen to feed seniors

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Nutritious meals that are served to Pasco County seniors will now be made locally.

The meals previously were prepared in St. Petersburg and then trucked over to Pasco County.

Now, the food preparation will be done in a new commercial kitchen at the Land O’ Lakes Senior Center.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., center, holding scissors, helped cut the ribbon on the new commercial kitchen at the Land O’ Lakes Senior Center. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Pasco County officials cut the ribbon on the new kitchen, at 6801 Wisteria Loop in Land O’ Lakes, on March 26.

About 1,000 meals a day will be produced on-site from the refurbished kitchen.

Some seniors will eat at that center, and some will be served at the other senior centers in Pasco. But, the majority of the meals will be delivered to homebound seniors.

A contract with St. Petersburg-based GA Foods calls for up to 1,600 meals a day to be prepared at the senior center’s kitchen. Pasco County commissioners approved the contract in September 2017.

State funds of about $250,000 paid for the project.

The upgrade in meal preparation and delivery is a public-private partnership with GA Foods, Pasco County’s Elderly Nutrition Division, Pasco County Schools, and area businesses.

The state-of-the-art commercial equipment is from in-kind donations from the school district, and businesses, including Welbilt.

“It’s a great collaborative effort,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr. “The goal is that no senior has to wait for service. That’s the goal for me.”

Wells cut the ribbon along with other county and school officials, and county commissioners.

With meals prepared locally, Pasco anticipates an annual cost savings of more than $120,000, and a decrease in the home-delivered waiting list.

Data has shown that one in six seniors in Pasco are food-insecure.

“The Land O’ Lakes kitchen project is an initiative that we’ve strived for several years to realize,” Gabriel Papadopoulos, Pasco’s community services director, said in a news release on the event.

Feeding Pasco’s Elderly is a nonprofit organization that supports funding to Pasco County’s Senior Services Division. The agency helped secure the state funds for the grant.

Gov. Rick Scott previously vetoed the funds in 2015, but the renewed request made it into the fiscal year 2017 state budget.

Published April 4, 2018

Smithsonian’s sports exhibit stops at local museum

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Jim “Mudcat” Grant is a Lacoochee native son who blazed a trail as the first African-American to pitch a 20-game winning season in the American League.

His 1965 win/loss record for the Minnesota Twins was 21-7.

Grant, now age 82, lives in California.

He won two World Series games, also in 1965, pitching for the Twins against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Stephanie Black, executive director of Pioneer Florida Museum, shows off the Smithsonian traveling exhibit, ‘Hometown Teams: How Sports Shaped America.’ (Kathy Steele)

During one of those wins, he powered a three-run homer over the fence. He was named The Sporting News American League Pitcher of the Year.

Grant’s career began in 1958 with the Cleveland Indians, about a decade after Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in major league baseball. He pitched his last game in 1971, pitching for the Oakland Athletics and the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Mudcat is a name given to Grant by another ballplayer who reportedly thought he was from Mississippi, and Mudcat fit.

Grant’s star quality as an athlete is now on view at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, in Dade City.

His career is part of the Smithsonian Museum’s traveling exhibit, “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shaped America,” which runs through April 28.

Baseball, and Grant’s achievements, are just one of the highlights of the exhibit, which covers every sport imaginable.

There are interactive videos and trivia on baseball, football, bowling, soccer, cheerleading, roller blading, basketball, surfing and much more.

“There are all different sports,” said Stephanie Black, the museum’s executive director. “Everybody can come in here and see something different.”

The interactive nature of the exhibit is meant to get conversations going about the impact of sports in American culture.

Items on display include a Wheaties box with soccer star Brandi Chastain; videos with marching bands and mascots; a mock-up of bleachers with seat cushions that reveal answers to baseball trivia; photographs; trophies; sports magazines; and, audio of athletes and fans talking about their favorite memories.

A lecture series is planned, too
On April 14 at 2 p.m., University of Florida history professor Steve Noll will be the featured speaker. Anyone wearing a sports team’s jersey or T-shirt will get a 25 percent discount on the museum’s fee.

Other lectures are tentative, but information can be found at PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

It’s a true traveling exhibit.

The Smithsonian traveling exhibit, ‘Hometown Teams: How Sports Shaped America,’ is the second Smithsonian exhibit to visit the Pioneer Florida Museum.

Once “Hometown Teams” leaves Dade City, it heads to the Dunedin Historic Museum, among other stops in Florida.

This is only the second Smithsonian exhibit for the Florida Pioneer Museum. The first was last year when the museum featured “The Way We Worked,” a look at the working life of Americans from the mid-19th century to the late 20th century.

The exhibits are part of the Museum on Main Street series, sponsored by the Smithsonian in partnership with state and local organizations.

The Florida Humanities Council selected the Pioneer museum to host Hometown Teams, and awarded a $5,000 grant. A portion of the grant will help sponsor a Dade City Little League team.

Host sites are encouraged to reach out locally for athletes who can be featured in the exhibit.

It was special to see Mudcat play
Most of the memorabilia from Grant’s career came from family members who still live in the area.

“We were fortunate that they were able to be so involved,” Black said.

A few items also are from the collection of artifacts on loan to the museum from alumni of Moore Academy, and the later schools bearing the names of Moore-Mickens.

“We’ve had a tremendous response from the community,” Black said. “Everybody is so excited about this.”

A life-size cutout of Jim ‘Mudcat’ Grant is featured in a display highlighting Grant’s career in major league baseball. Grant grew up in Lacoochee.

Grant’s twin sister, Johnnie Mae Lopey, remembers her first time watching her brother pitch professionally in Cleveland. She went there with their mother, Viola Grant.

A scoreboard announcement splashed her name onto the screen as Grant’s twin sister.

“That was special to see him play,” she recalled.

Through the years, Grant has left memorabilia with her, including a life-size cutout, which is part of the exhibit.

His nephew, Jamie Lopey, described Grant as a “family guy” who always encourages youth to play sports, especially baseball.

Grant is co-author of “The Black Aces,” a book that chronicles 15 black pitchers who had 20-game winning seasons in the majors. He also includes some who played in the Negro League.

Johnnie Mae Lopey said her brother had challenges even a decade after Robinson began playing for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

On one trip through Georgia, team members stopped for lunch, and Grant was told to go to the back door.

“His teammates said if he has to go to the back door, we’ll all go to the back door,” she said.

Grant has been back to Lacoochee on several occasions. Mudcat Grant Boulevard, near the entrance to Stanley Park, is named for him.

Local businessman Jesse Stanley, for whom the park is named, was an early booster of Grant when he played baseball at mini-camps, and was signed by the Cleveland Indians.

Johnnie Mae Lopey said her brother never let being from a small town hold him back. And, she said, that’s his message to youngsters still.

“Keep on practicing and try to be somebody,” she said.

What: Smithsonian Exhibit, “Hometown Teams: How Sports Shaped America”
Where: Pioneer Florida Museum, 15622 Pioneer Museum Road, Dade City
When: Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibit ends April 28.
Cost: $10, adults; $8, seniors; $5, students including college students with valid school identification. No charge for children under age 5, and for active duty military with identification (with immediate family).
Info: (352) 567-0262 or PioneerFloridaMuseum.org

Published April 4, 2018

Ridge Road extension is a step closer

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Pasco County is placing a future order to buy wetlands adjacent to the Connerton Preserve to offset wetlands that would be lost due to construction of the Ridge Road extension.

The Pasco County Commission approved a wetlands credit purchase agreement with Ecosystem Investment Partners Credit Co., for up to $4.4 million at its March 27 meeting in New Port Richey.

The item, part of the commission’s consent agenda, was approved with no discussion.

Richard Stauffer studied a map at the Serenova Tract at the Starkey Wilderness Preserve prior to a rally and nature walk by opponents of the Ridge Road extension in February. (File)

The total purchase price would be split between Pasco County and the Florida Turnpike Enterprise, which also needs wetlands credits for the project.

The county’s share would be about $3.2 million. The state road agency would reimburse for the remainder.

The agreement locks in a purchase price and ensures the credits will be available if, and when, the United States Army Corps of Engineers issues a permit.

The county has sought approval for the road project for nearly two decades. A decision from the Army Corps is anticipated in coming months.

The proposed project is for an 8-mile extension of Ridge Road which now dead-ends at Moon Lake Road.

The new road would link Moon Lake in west Pasco to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, across from an entrance into the master-planned community of Connerton.

The county puts a high priority on the Ridge Road extension as an evacuation route during hurricane evacuations.

But, environmental activists oppose the road extension, which would cut through a portion of the Serenova Preserve.

Community activist Dan Callaghan called the project the “zombie highway to nowhere” during public comment portion of the March 27 meeting.

Callaghan is a member of the Save Serenova Coalition. The Sierra Club is among 30 area groups included in the coalition.

Attorneys for the Sierra Club have submitted documentation to the Corps of Engineers opposing the Ridge Road extension.

Opponents maintain that the county isn’t being transparent on the final costs of the road work, which they contend could reach $150 million.

“Who will be the first to say enough to this boondoggle?” Callaghan said.

County officials have disputed the coalition’s data on the construction costs.

The wetlands credits would come from the Old Florida Mitigation Bank, located south of State Road 52 and east of U.S. 41, adjacent to the Connerton Preserve.

According to county documents, a construction start is scheduled for winter 2018, and a completion by winter 2021.

Construction would be in two phases, with the first phase from Moon Lake to the east side of Suncoast Parkway. The cost is estimated at $77 million, according to county documents.

Published April 4, 2018

Business Digest 04/04/2018

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Hair loss certification
Johanna Amarante, a New Tampa cosmetologist, completed a hair-loss certification course at the Hilton Garden Inn in Kennesaw, Georgia.

Johanna Amarante

As a certified hair-loss specialist, she can work with dermatologists and oncologists to provide services.

Amarante said she was encouraged to participate in the “Look Good, Feel Better” program sponsored by the American Cancer Society. The program helps women who have hair loss during chemotherapy.

Amarante is trained to aid men, women and children, by learning to measure and fit a client for a hair-loss system and/or unit.

Amarante works at the Fabulously Made Salon, 20707 Center Oak Drive, Suite 304, in New Tampa.

For information, call (813) 444-3229, email , or visit FabulouslyMadeSalon.com.

Business networking for women, minorities
The fifth annual Open Doors Forum will be April 5 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, 4121 N. 50th St., in Tampa.

A Government Contracting Panel will kick off the event at 8:30 a.m., with representatives from Hillsborough County, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority and Hillsborough Area Regional Transit. Exhibits for networking will open at 9 a.m.

The forum is part of Hillsborough County’s initiative to increase participation in local government contracts by minority-owned, women-owned, and small businesses.

There will be nearly 40 exhibitors from the Tampa Bay region.

Attendees will be able to meet with government prime contractors and subcontractors with the goal of forming new business partnerships. Small business loan specialists and representatives of multiple government agencies will be available to discuss how to do business with local governments.

Public agencies participating include the cities of Tampa and St. Petersburg, Pinellas County, Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida.

For information or to register, call (813) 276-2729 or visit HCFLGov.net/MWSBE.

Domino’s in Ballantrae hiring
Domino’s new “pizza theater” store, at 17792 Aprile Drive, is open outside the Ballantrae subdivision, off State Road 54.

The store also is hiring delivery drivers.

The new Domino’s offers free WiFi, open-area viewing of food preparations, a drive-thru, and a lobby screen indoors that tracks carryout orders electronically. Customers also can get creative or leave comments on a chalkboard.

Jerry Longen is the franchise owner. He began working at Domino’s as part-time pizza maker in 1987, and became a franchise owner in 1998. He currently owns six locations in the Tampa area.

More than 90 percent of Domino’s franchise owners began as part-time employees, according to a news release from the company.

For information or to apply for a job, visit Jobs.dominos.com.

To place an order at the new Domino’s, visit Dominos.com, or call (813) 670-2424.

Donate to Connections Job Development
Connections Job Development Program will be the featured charity at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office in April, according to a news release.

Since 1991, the jobs program has helped residents of Pasco County learn skills to prepare a resume, do interviews, operate computers and more. It connects job seekers and employees.

All services are free.

Anyone interested in helping Connections Job Development can make a contribution at any of the five tax collector offices in Pasco. All proceeds will go to the job program.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano highlights one charity a month as a recipient of donations.

For more information on the tax collector’s program, visit Pascotaxes.com. For information on Connections Job Development, call Ann Wilkinson, executive director, at (727) 849-4724, or visit ConnectionsJobDevelopment.org.

Pet care business opens
Dear Madison, a pet care and pet boarding facility, will have its grand opening April 5 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 7180 Frances Drive in Wesley Chapel.

The location is off Old Pasco Road, a few miles from The Grove at Wesley Chapel.

Dear Madison caters to all pets from pocket pets to reptiles to cats and dogs.

The grand opening is free. Drinks and refreshments will be served.

Everyone who attends will get one free night of pet boarding.

For information, call Jean Ann at (727) 248-7874, or email .

Women of Wesley Chapel network
Women of Wesley Chapel (WOW), will meet April 6 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at the Beach House Assisted Living & Memorial Care, at 30070 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel.

Guest speaker will be Linda H. Hamilton, president of Bridging Freedom Inc. Her topic will be “Sex Slavery in Wesley Chapel: True or False?”

The cost is $5 for members or prospective members.

For information, call the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce at (813) 994-8574, or email .

Central Pasco membership meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its general membership meeting April 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Hilton Garden Inn Tampa Suncoast Parkway, 2155 Northpointe Parkway.

Guest speaker will be Bill Herrie of the nonprofit National Federation of Independent Business.

The sponsor is Emerald Inspection Services.

The cost is $20 for members who register by April 5. After that, the cost is $25 for members and guests at the door.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its April 2018 Momentum Thursday on April 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Brookdale of Lutz, 414 Chapman Road in Lutz.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card at NorthTampaChamber.com or by email to the chamber at by 5 p.m. April 11, at the discounted rate of $15 (whether you eat or not).

After that date, the cost is $20 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 563-0180.

County commissioners plan future road projects

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Pasco County commissioners favor a pair of road projects for segments of Curley Road and Prospect Road that are aimed at handling more traffic in a rapidly developing area of the county.

The roadwork is part of a network of projects, by the county and the Florida Department of Transportation, to improve connectivity with State Road 52, Clinton Avenue, Curley and Prospect roads.

Residents check out proposed road improvements in northeast Pasco County. (File)

In the next 20 to 30 years, traffic counts in the area are expected to triple, according to data from the road studies.

Road widening, realigned designs, and a roundabout are on the drawing board.

County commissioners reviewed two traffic studies and voted on recommended projects at their March 14 meeting in Dade City.

An open house for the Prospect Road/Happy Hill Road Route Study was held in 2017 and was attended by more than 50 people.

County commissioners considered four construction alternatives, as well as a no-build option.

One alternative shifted the road east; another went west; a third also went west, but with a roundabout. A fourth modified the westward option with the roundabout to avoid taking right of way from properties on the east side of Happy Hill Road.

The County Commission approved the modified option, as recommended by HDR, the study’s consultants.

The adjustment to Happy Hill eliminated seven parcels from a potential list of right of way purchases. Consultants said that was possible only with a roundabout.

An initial design with bicycle lanes striped off on the road shoulder and 5-foot sidewalks didn’t please Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

She asked consultants to consider a multi-use trail, on at least one side of the road, and to think about a link with the proposed Orange Belt trail. The bicycle lanes would be insufficient, she said.

“That doesn’t work for our families,” Starkey said. “They’re just not going to put their kids on the road.”

By 2041, traffic is expected to triple to about 24,000 vehicles per day, according to the study.

County commissioners also looked at two alternatives recommended in the Curley Road North Route Study.

The study was initially done in 2005, but was updated last year by URS Corporation Southern. It looked at Curley Road, from north of Wells Road to north of a realignment of State Road 52.

One alternative widened Curley Road to four lanes by acquiring right of way on both sides of the road, but generally follows the existing route. The second took a major share of right of way from the east side of Curley Road, from Wells Road to Kiefer Road. From there to McCabe Road, right of way would come from both sides of Curley, with the four-lane segment transitioning to two lanes north of McCabe Road.

Recommendations also were made on traffic signals versus a roundabout where Curley Road, Prospect Road and Mirada Boulevard meet.

Mirada Road is a new road that is part of the master-planned community of Mirada, which is within the Connected City corridor.

More than 60 area residents attended an open house in 2017 to look at maps, and offer public comment.

County commissioners opted for the second alternative, and the roundabout.

Published March 28, 2018

Pasco projects win big in 2019 state budget

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Gov. Rick Scott signed off on an $88.7 billion state budget for fiscal year 2019, and had a light touch with his veto pen.

He cut about $64 million in contrast to the $410 million that was axed from the previous year’s $82.4 billion budget.

Gov. Rick Scott

Pasco County got most of the items on its wish list, including $15 million for the Overpass Road interchange at Interstate 75, and $4.3 million for the Thomas Varnadoe Forensic Center for Research and Education located at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center.

The city of Zephyrhills also will receive $1 million for the proposed Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center, $5.9 million for upgrades at the municipal airport, and $750,000 for a road study.

“They are a great boost to us in improving our area,” said Zephyrhills City Manager Steve Spina. “It’s very helpful. We’re just really pleased.”

Overall, Pasco County did much better in 2019 than 2018. Several projects that were cut previously made it safely through the budget process this year.

The new budget becomes effective July 1.

The redesigned Overpass Road interchange is a high priority for Pasco as part of an evolving road network to handle growth along the Connected City corridor. The 7,800 acres within the corridor’s district includes new developments, such as Epperson and Mirada. But, more residential and commercial projects are expected to bring new residents, and a more urbanized landscape to northeastern Pasco.

A monument sign was unveiled on May 12, 2017 at a dedication ceremony for the Adam Kennedy Forensics Field. The ‘body farm’ is part of a project to build a forensics research and training center next to Pasco County’s jail. Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a funding request for the project last year, but approved it this year. (File)

The forensic center is a joint venture with Pasco County, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco-Hernando State College and the University of South Florida’s Institute for Forensics and Applied Science.

Construction on the multi-building campus is expected to begin in late summer or early fall, according to Chase Daniels, assistant executive director at the sheriff’s office.

Research already is underway at the Adam Kennedy Forensic Field, also known as a body farm.

The city of Zephyrhills will receive funds for several projects, including the planned regional tennis center. A management company for the facility is in place.

The approximately $3.4 million project is in planning stages. The city’s city council was expected to approve a contract for the design at its meeting on March 26.

The funds for the airport will help pay for extending the runway, building an internal road and expanding hangar capacity.

A planning and engineering study will look at extending State Road 56 to U.S. 301, State Road 39 and Chancey Road.

“That would make it kind of a bypass,” said Spina.

The biggest loss in the governor’s veto items is the $4.7 million requested for the Morningside Drive extension in Dade City. Scott cut the funds, citing in a budget letter that the project didn’t go through proper evaluation protocol.

This rendering of the Zephyrhills Tennis Center shows 10 courts (eight clay, two hard surface), three mini-courts and one exhibition court. The tennis center is also expected to feature a pro shop, a multifunctional community room, and two office spaces. A second level, if added, will contain an observation deck, players lounge and concessions. (File)

It was one of a handful of road projects rejected for the same reason.

Officials with Bayfront Health Dade City are eager to see the extension built. Funding hasn’t been available through Dade City’s budget, so state funding was sought.

The project would link U.S. 301 to King Fort Road, where the hospital is located. Hospital officials have said the extension would improve access to the hospital’s campus.

State Rep. Danny Burgess said funding would be requested again for fiscal year 2020.

“It is a critical game-changer for the Dade City community,” said Burgess in a text message to The Laker/Lutz News.

Other Pasco County projects included in the 2019 budget are:

  • $1 million for a planning and engineering study for the U.S. 301/U.S. 98/Clinton Avenue intersection realignment.

The goal is to improve east-west traffic from I-75 to the west and Interstate 4 to the south.

  • $250,000 for the Veteran’s Alternative which aids veterans with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and Traumatic Brain Injury
  • $50,000 for AmSkills, a program that aids high school students, adults, and veterans seeking manufacturing jobs

Published March 28, 2018