Kathy Steele

Sinkhole response: Fence and landscaping?

February 7, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County likely will opt to close off a sinkhole that swallowed two houses in Lake Padgett Estates with a fence and landscaping, to mimic, as much as possible, the appearance of a retention pond.

Consultants say that other options, including rebuilding Ocean Pines Drive, would risk additional environmental damage.

Consultants also recommend against building cul-de-sacs near the sinkhole, which Pasco County officials had hoped garbage trucks and emergency vehicles could use.

Instead, the county will determine if a “hammerhead” turn-around would be feasible if it is placed on an easement next to a residence, but at a safe distance from the sinkhole.

A sinkhole on Ocean Pines Drive in Lake Padgett Estates opened up in July 2017 and swallowed two houses. (File)

Kevin Guthrie, assistant county administrator for public safety, outlined those recommendations at a recent workshop with the Pasco County Commission.

No decision has been made yet, and Guthrie plans to meet with area residents to review the consultant’s report.

If the county installs the fence and landscaping, Ocean Pines would remain closed off at the site of the sinkhole.

On one side of the sinkhole, it would retain its current name. The other side would be renamed.

Estimates on fencing and landscaping were pegged at about $50,000 during an October workshop to review options.

According to consultants, rebuilding the roadway with sheet piles driven underground would create strong vibrations and risk unsettling the sinkhole and surrounding areas.

At any time, even 20 years into the future, the road could collapse, Guthrie said.

“We may put people in danger by doing so,” he said. “Even to put a cul-de-sac, we may do more harm to the environment.”

The sinkhole opened on July 14, 2017, at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive. It eventually swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat.

Seven additional houses have been condemned as unsafe.

The county approved $1.3 million for initial cleanup and stabilization of the site.

At an October workshop, county commissioners had reviewed a range of options.

Build a fence around the sinkhole with a cul-de-sac on each side, at an estimated cost of $1.7 million
Connect the sinkhole to Lake Saxon with a cul-de-sac to each side of the lake, at a cost of $2.5 million
Rebuild Ocean Pines Drive, which runs between the sinkhole, at a cost of $800,000

Published February 7, 2018

Bond issue for jail and fire rescue expansions?

February 7, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County commissioners are considering a possible referendum to see voter approval for a 30-year bond issue that would pay for a jail expansion, four new fire stations, and the expansion of five existing fire stations.

The $185 million bond issue, earmarked for public safety, would be placed before voters on the November ballot.

County commissioners got preliminary data on the bond at a Jan. 30 workshop in Dade City. The matter will be discussed again at a Feb. 13 workshop in New Port Richey.

If approved, households on average could expect to pay about $22.50 a year, based on a home value of about $100,000.

Station 22, at 9930 Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, is on a list of Pasco County fire stations that need to be upgraded, and potentially could benefit from a proposed bond. (Kathy Steele)

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco and Pasco Fire Chief Scott Cassin made their cases for why the bond is needed.

“We’re between a rock and a hard place now,” Nocco said.

The county’s detention center, in Land O’ Lakes, is overcrowded, and the situation is getting worse. The facility was built to house 1,432 inmates, but on Jan. 29 held 1,842 inmates, according to county jail records.

By 2020, projections peg inmate population at nearly 2,400 a day.

The bond issue would pay for a 1,000-bed expansion.

At the present time, some inmates sleep on the floor or on cots, as jail cells routinely are filled to capacity, Nocco said.

“The rate of growth is tremendous,” he said. “The need for public safety is there.”

Sheriff’s officials have looked at two options to relieve overcrowding.

One would involve agreements with other counties to house Pasco’s inmates. Of nine counties contacted, Polk and Seminole counties responded.

Polk would house up to 200 inmates daily at a cost of about $8.2 million a year. Seminole would house 50 inmates daily at a cost of about $1.4 million.

Those costs don’t include transportation or medical costs, Nocco said.

The second option would be to lease stainless steel trailers to place on jail property. More than 100 inmates could be housed in six trailers. A three-year lease would cost about $1.9 million.

Fencing, camera security systems, food, and additional staff would be needed as well, for an estimated cost of about $900,000, the sheriff said.

Both options would be temporary solutions until the existing jail could be expanded, Nocco said.

Pasco’s fire rescue department also has challenges in responding to emergency calls as the county’s population explodes.

“We’re responding to more calls every day as a result of population growth,” said Pasco Fire Chief Scott Cassin.

Currently, there generally are no new stations being built “where people are moving,” Cassin said.

One exception is a new fire station at Overpass Road in Wesley Chapel in an area booming with new development, including master-planned communities of Epperson and Mirada. Construction is slated to begin in May or June, Cassin said.

The need for more fire stations is apparent from current data, he added.

On Jan. 22, Cassin said there were 265 emergency calls. Response time for 90 percent of those calls was under 15 minutes, but he said, “The (call volume) is going off the chart.”

In 2017, fire rescue responded to about 71,000 emergency calls. That is expected to increase to about 100,000 in the next eight years.

To cover the county, about 65 percent of the time, fire trucks are sent to locations outside their assigned zones, which impacts response times, said Cassin.

In the next four years, Cassin said four new stations should be built.

They would be located at Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52; State Road 52 and Majestic Parkway; Meadow Pointe, by State Road 56; and Bexley, off State Road 54. In addition, five stations need to be expanded and upgraded, he said.

They would be at U.S. 41 and Central Boulevard; Seven Springs Boulevard; U.S. 19 and Cross Bayou Boulevard; Shady Hills; and, Crystal Springs.

If the bond were approved, the county would still need to find money for operational costs.

“That is something we’d have to figure out how to do,” said Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles.

County commissioners also face funding needs for necessary repairs and upgrades at county parks, and improvements to county libraries.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey would like to include parks and libraries in the same bond as the jails and fire rescue.

“Can’t we get revenue for capital repairs for a few more dollars?” Starkey said.

During the economic recession, funding for parks and libraries were repeatedly cut.

“There’s no doubt the parks have been stripped and stripped,” said Pasco County Chairman Mike Wells Jr.

Biles said he would provide additional information on funding parks and libraries at the Feb. 13 workshop.

Published February 7, 2018

North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce makes debut

February 7, 2018 By Kathy Steele

A new chamber came into view last summer with the merger of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

Now a new name is representing the combined chambers, which will now be known as the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce, according to an email sent to chamber members from Zack Kalarickal, the chamber’s board chairman.

Zack Kalarickal, chairman of the board of directors for North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce

The name brings “renewed focus on the broader geography that is home to those we serve and consistent with the momentum of this evolving community,” the email states.

National and international businesses are seeking to invest in Pasco County’s growth, and the new name provides “a readily identifiable location,” as well as describing the inclusive nature of the merged chamber, according to the email.

The North Tampa Bay chamber has about 830 members and is the largest in Pasco County. It serves Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Trinity, Odessa and New Port Richey.

“We happen to be in a great part of the county with so much dynamic growth,” said Kalarickal, a dentist and owner of Wesley Chapel Dentistry.

The North Tampa Bay name acknowledges that growth, but Kalarickal said the chamber will “co-brand” the uniqueness of every community within its membership.

In his email, he cites the long history of Wesley Chapel and its chamber, which began in 1998 with only a small group of business owners.

It had grown in recent years to nearly 600 members prior to merging with the Greater Pasco chamber in July.

In January, the chamber moved to a new location at 1868 Highland Oaks Blvd., Suite A. The office is in the Highland Oaks Medical Center, off State Road 54.

In the next months, more transition work is needed, Kalarickal said.

The board of directors went from 17 to 24 members.

A day-long planning session was held to discuss an overall strategic plan. Standing committees were formed.

And, North Tampa Bay members were invited to participate in a logo design contest. The winning entry will be announced on March 8.

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

Published February 7, 2018

Business Digest 02/07/2018

February 7, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Connerton wins gold
Connerton, Pasco County’s largest master-planned, mixed-use community, won the 2018 Gold Award for Best Lifestyle Program for a Community at the National Association of Home Builders’ National Sales and Marketing awards gala, according to a news release from Connerton.

Connerton holds many events during the year for residents and the public. (File)

The gala was held at the Hyatt Regency in Orlando on Jan. 10. More than 1,000 real estate professionals from the International Builders’ Show attended the event.

The awards honor the best in the building industry for determination, integrity, creativity and endurance.

Over three days, a panel of seven industry professionals from across the country picked winners from more than 1,300 entries.

“Our Connerton staff works hard to provide our resident adults and their children with the exciting and rewarding activities that set us apart from the rest and make our community such a special place to live,” Stew Gibbons, Connerton’s general manager, said in a written statement.

Hundreds of people enjoyed a day of festivities at this 2016 Fourth of July celebration at Connerton.

Community events held annually at Connerton include Eggstravaganza, Nation Celebration, Hometown Harvest, and Winter Wonderland. Weekly and monthly events for adults include Parents Night Out, Pops on the Patio, and Doggie Dress Up Pawty. Connerton has a resort-style water park and splash pool where children can enjoy Wiggles and Giggles fitness classes, and poolside snow cones and cotton candy.

In 2017, Connerton and Lennar Homes awarded a veteran and his family a mortgage-free home.

Connerton is a 4,800-acre community, located off U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes, about 30 miles north of Tampa.

For information, visit Connerton.com or Facebook.com/connertonfl.

Bexley best in living
Bexley by Newland Communities received a Best in American Living Award from the National Association of Home Builders, according to a news release from The Leytham Group.

Bexley is an award-winning master-planned community off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. (File)

Bexley won the highest honor of a Platinum Award in the category for Best Single-Family Community having more than 100 homes.

The Best in American Living Awards recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and designers in the housing industry, including single-family production, custom-built, apartments, affordable, remodeling and interiors.

Bexley opened in November 2016 off State Road 54, east of the Suncoast Parkway. It offers a variety of home designs, including single-family, town homes and villas, as well as luxury homes by six builders. The community’s amenities include Avid multi-modal trails, outdoor fitness stations, pools, a BMX bicycle pump track and dog parks.

The playground at Bexley is one of many amenities provided at the master-planned community, off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

The Twisted Sprocket Café is a restaurant open to residents and the public.

Bexley also received two Grand Aurora Awards from the Southeast Building Conference for Best Master-Planned Community and Best Recreational Facility in the Southeast.

Metro Study ranks Bexley as one of the Top 10 communities for New Home Starts in the Tampa Metropolitan Service Area.

For information, call (813) 425-7555, or visit BexleyFlorida.com.

North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its February 2018 Momentum Thursday on Feb. 8 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at St. Joseph’s John Knox Village, at 4100 E. Fletcher Ave., in Tampa.

Guest speaker will be Clinton W. Babcock of Sandler Training.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card or to the chamber office at by 5 p.m., Feb. 7, 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, or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.

Metro Places job fair
Metro Places, which is developing master-planned communities of Epperson and Mirada, will have its second annual job fair Feb. 13 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Epperson and Mirada are part of a special development district for the Connected City corridor, located in northeast Pasco County.

More than 30 employers, involved in developing these communities, will be at the job fair looking for applicants who want to be part of the Connected City development.

For information, visit JobFair.MetroPlaces.com.

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group will meet Feb. 13 at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Guest speaker will be Paula O’Neil, Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller of the Circuit Court.

For information, contact Chairman Nils Lenz at or (813) 782-9491; or Vice Chairwoman Vicky Jones at or (813) 431-1149.

Membership lunch
The North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly membership lunch Feb. 14 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity.

Guest speakers will be from the Pasco Economic Development Council. They will discuss the council’s SMARTstart Microloan Fund.

The cost is $20 in advance for members who register online by 3 p.m., Feb. 9. Thereafter, the cost is $25 at the door for members and non-members.

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

Uncle Maddio’s happy hour
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host Uncle Maddio’s February 2018 Happy Hour on Feb. 21 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 deal for house wine and draft beers.

The event is free, but RSVP for a headcount by Feb. 20.

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

Pasco joins lawsuit seeking opioid settlement

January 31, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County has joined the national trend for municipalities to fight back against distributors and manufacturers of opioid medications.

County commissioners voted to become one of several plaintiffs in litigation that seeks to replicate the kind of payouts attorneys won in the late 1990s against the tobacco industry.

Pensacola-based Levin Papantonio will represent Pasco County. The law firm is part of a consortium that is pursuing lawsuits in several states including West Virginia, Ohio and Kentucky.

At stake is money that could be made available to the county for drug addiction treatment and the costs to law enforcement.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco spoke in favor of the lawsuit, prior to the county commissioners’ vote on Jan. 23 in New Port Richey.

“We feel the epidemic every day,” Nocco said.

In 2016, Pasco County had 165 drug overdose deaths, and 120 were related to opioids.

This is a legacy of marketing strategies that promoted prescription opioids as safe and nonaddictive, the sheriff said.

“It’s actually a pill that made them addicts,” Nocco said. “Someone is accountable for it. They should be sued,” the sheriff said.

Nocco noted the unexpected consequences from the state’s successful closure of pill mills, which distributed the opioids. He said people addicted to prescription pain medications turned to other sources, including heroin and fentanyl.

The sheriff recalled an instance when officers found a man beating on the chest of a homeless man. Initially, it appeared to be an assault. Instead, Nocco said it was a heroin overdose.

“He was trying to revive him,” Nocco said.

Pasco County deputies routinely carry Narcan, a medication that can help reverse the effects of an overdose.

In December, Pasco County commissioners heard a workshop presentation from attorney Jeff Gaddy, of Levin Papantonio.

The local law firm of Lucas/Magazine initially approached the county about the lawsuit proposal.

No upfront costs will be charged to the county. If a settlement is reached, attorneys would be eligible for a maximum 25 percent contingency fee from the county’s share of the settlement.

The lawsuits are filed against drug distributors and manufacturers. They allege that false claims were made about the safety of opioids, and excessive pill distribution that amounted to a “public nuisance.”

The lawsuits also allege that distributors failed to report suspicious orders to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration, as required by law.

Any settlement would seek to establish abatement funds that would be used to recoup public dollars spent battling the opioid crisis.

Published January 31, 2018

New Sienna Village office park approved

January 31, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Sienna Village, a small office park off State Road 54, is about to get a companion – Sienna Village II.

Pasco County commissioners approved a rezoning for the new office park, which will be on the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Sofia Drive. It is east of the existing Sienna Village, and about one-third mile from the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

The rezoning allows up to 150,000 square feet of professional office, and up to 30,000 square feet of commercial. The property, including the existing Sienna Village, covers about 15 acres. The undeveloped portion includes several dilapidated residences.

Sienna Village Office Park was built in 2008. Developers are planning a new office park, off State Road 54 and Sofia Drive. (Kathy Steele)

“Sienna Village I is just a lovely project,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “I’m glad to see it (Sienna Village II) coming here today.”

Businesses in the existing office park include the Merricks Law Group, Suncoast Skin Solutions, Lumina Dental, Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, and Caribbean Mystique-Massage & Wellness Spa.

Developers want to use Sofia Drive as access into the new office park. The roadway is privately owned, and unpaved, except where it intersects with State Road 54.

Issues related to Sofia Drive’s ownership must be worked out, but developers propose to pave and bring the roadway up to county standards.

Bus stops also would be accommodated, if the county makes public transit available there.

The office park’s proximity to the busy intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 also could have future impacts on the site, according to county records regarding the rezoning application.

Pasco currently is reviewing recommended solutions to resolve traffic gridlock at the intersection, which has about 100,000 vehicles a day passing through it.

A volunteer task force, working on the county’s Vision 54/56 project, recommended a variety of options, including elevated lanes, and a system of at-grade frontage roads.

The county also has requested a study to determine if an underpass is a practical and financially viable option.

Published January 31, 2018

Solar co-ops offer savings on solar panel installations

January 31, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Florida lags behind other states in producing clean, renewable energy from the sun. It doesn’t crack the top 10 in state rankings, even while being promoted nationwide as the Sunshine State.

But, Florida, along with other states across the country, is embracing solar power, and other clean energy sources, in ways that don’t always get noticed.

Workers install solar panels on a rooftop.
(Public Domain)

Solar panels, wind farms and electric-powered vehicles are among the technologies driving the alternative energy industry.

It’s often described as the quiet revolution, said David Sillman, coordinator for North Pinellas FL Sun, or Solar United Neighbors of Florida.

Sillman was the featured speaker on Jan. 22 at the Dade City Garden Club meeting. His topic was “Electrifying Future: Solar and Alternative Energy.”

The Solar Energy Industries Association has ranked Florida 13th nationally for solar capability, but also reported that the state has the third-highest potential for solar capacity.

Sillman said other rankings have put Florida as low as 18th.

“The good news is, we’re catching up,” Sillman said.

The Washington D.C.-based Solar United Neighbors and its chapters around the country are joining with other like-minded organizations and nonprofits, including the League of Women Voters and the Sierra Club, to promote solar power.

North Pinellas FL Sun and the local League of Women Voters, for instance, partnered in 2016 to launch the St. Pete Solar Co-op.

There also is the Hillsborough County Solar Co-op.

Currently, Sillman said he knows of no cooperatives in Pasco County.

But, solar cooperatives are simple to pull together. “All that is needed is volunteers,” he said.

It can be neighbors who want to install solar panels on their homes, or who simply want to learn more about the renewable energy industry. Joining a cooperative doesn’t require that a member install solar panels.

However, as a group, members can get bids from local solar companies that offer discounted rates on installation, Sillman said.

Costs over the past years have fallen, he added.

His costs in 2011 were about $25,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bath home. It might cost about $10,000 today, Sillman said.

According to Clean Energy Guide, costs for solar panels have dropped 99 percent, from $50 per watt in 1979 to 50 cents per watt in 2015.

Also, federal tax credits are available.

Typically, solar systems pay for themselves within 8 ½ years, and they come with 25-year warranties, Sillman said.

The life of a system can be from 30 years to 40 years, he added.

For information on solar energy and cooperatives, visit SolarUnitedNeighbors.org.

Published January 31, 2018

Ft. King ranch land too costly for conservation program

January 31, 2018 By Kathy Steele

A volunteer advisory committee had recommended that 17 parcels of the former Ft. King Ranch be added to a list of conservation lands worthy of purchase by Pasco County.

But, the Pasco County Commission balked at the potentially pricey cost of buying nearly 3,600 acres, and voted against the committee’s wishes.

The property, owned by the limited liability partnership of Secret Promise, is situated off State Road 52, near the Ehren Cutoff. It stretches from the northern boundary of Cypress Creek to the Crossbar Wellfield, near Bellamy Brothers Boulevard.

Florida Estates Winery is located on land offered to Pasco County for its conservation lands’ program. (Kathy Steele)

“That’s a very, very large purchase,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. “It could crush future projects. It’s almost to the point if we add this, we can’t add anything else.”

Currently, the county’s ELAMP, or Environmental Lands Acquisition and Management Program, has nine properties under review for purchase. The program’s budget has a balance of about $27 million from the Penny for Pasco program.

The total value of land and buildings for the 17 parcels adds up to about $14.3 million, according to the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s valuations.

The county has more pressing needs than buying land of which only 20 percent is environmentally sensitive, said Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley.

“I would rather see that money go to properties in other parts of our county that actually helps flooded areas, and helps a lot of citizens,” he said.

The late Dr. Crayton Pruitt, a noted heart surgeon from St. Petersburg bought the property in 1997 for about $3.1 million.

Peter Wallace, registered agent for Secret Promise, made an offer to sell the land to the county.

The 11-member advisory committee took up the matter last summer and requested an evaluation of the property.

Committee members in November voted to recommend its placement on the ELAMP list, and for a negotiated deal to buy part or all of the property.

The county would be able to buy the land outright or buy only the development rights.

The site meets the definition of agricultural reserve land, and includes pastures, wetlands, pine flatwoods, freshwater marshes, and wildlife habitats.

On a graded scale, it earned 52 out of 80 points, according to the evaluation report.

Moore pressed for an opinion from Keith Wiley, the county’s interim director for parks, recreation and natural resources department.

“I always maintain my neutrality,” Wiley said. But, he added, “At the least, it’s one of our lower priorities.”

Years ago, the land was re-zoned for future development of single-family homes and retail, with about 2,000 acres left as open space.

Currently, there are three small houses on site, as well as a working cattle barn and two workshops.

Florida Estates Winery also is located on site.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wondered if the winery owners would want to remain. She also had concerns about the county’s future plans to build a road through the property.

“I want to be real cognizant of the road system,” she said.

If the property were put on the county’s waiting list, Starkey said that didn’t mean the county had to purchase it.

“The devil is in the details of the deal,” she said.

After the vote to keep Secret Promise off the list, Oakley left the door open for reconsideration.

He asked Wiley to come back with new information, if it puts the land higher on the ranking scale.

Published January 31, 2018

Business Digest 01/31/2018

January 31, 2018 By Kathy Steele

Vistra acquires Marketing Associates
Vistra Communications LLC, with two offices in Lutz, acquired Tampa-based Marketing Associates USA, according to a news release from Vistra.

Marketing Associates is an award-winning marketing, promotional and branding agency specializing in strategies and services for major corporations and federal agencies.

Vistra, with headquarters in Tampa, serves corporate, government and nonprofit clients. Two of its offices are in Lutz, at 15961 N. Florida Ave., Suite C, and 18315 U.S. 41.

“This acquisition is part of our long-term strategy of growing our large corporate client portfolio, while extending our government services,” Brian Butler, Vistra president and chief operating officer, said in the release.

The merger became effective Jan. 2 on the 40th anniversary of the founding of Marketing Associates by Jeff Darrey, the company’s president.

Marketing Associates USA has been renamed Marketing Associates – A Division of Vistra. Marketing Associates staff members now are Vistra team members.

Butler and Darrey met while discussing their shared interest in Trinity Cafe, a nonprofit restaurant in Tampa that has served more than 1.3 million meals to the homeless.

Darrey is chairman of Trinity Café’s board, and its founding director.

Butler founded Vistra in 2007 after serving in the United States Army. His agency has about 70 employees.

Vistra was the 2016 Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business of the Year in the 21-50 employee category.

Optimal Performance
Optimal Performance & Physical Therapies is a new clinic in Wesley Chapel, at 26830 Ridgebrook Drive, Unit 102.

Office hours are Monday and Wednesday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Tuesday and Thursday, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The clinic’s services include injury rehabilitation, sports medicine/sports injury rehabilitation, joint replacement rehabilitation, pre/post operative physical therapy, and sports specific strength and conditioning programs.

Staff members are Clinic Manager Paul Frizelle and physical therapist Julie Tellefsen.

Optimal Performance is a private physical and occupational therapist-owned group of outpatient rehabilitation clinics. The company operates 13 facilities in the Tampa Bay area, with patients from Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

For information, call (813) 345-4915, or visit TheOPPT.com.

Women-n-Charge
Join Women-n-Charge Feb. 2 from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pebble Creek Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa.

The women share talents and resources, and build relationships with other women in business.

Guest speaker will be Liza Marie Garcia, of NOW SC PRESS, who will talk about “Perfecting Your Pitch.”

Please note the new costs are $15 for members and $18 for guests who RSVP by Tuesday prior to the meeting. Afterward, the cost is $20 for members and $23 for guests.

For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Networking breakfast
The Wednesday Morning Network Group will meet Feb. 7 at 7:30 a.m., at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second pitch. The cost is $7 for members, if preregistered by Feb. 1; or $10 for members and non-members at the door.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 909-2722, or email .

BNI breakfast
Business Network International, or BNI, will have a kick-off breakfast for the new Land O’ Lakes chapter Feb. 7 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

BNI is a networking organization with more than 8,000 chapters worldwide.

The kick-off breakfast is an opportunity for the area business community to find out about BNI.

Seating is limited.

For information and to RSVP, call Joey Zani at (813) 948-3584.

Guest speaker will be Clinton W. Babcock of Sandler Training.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card or to the chamber office at by 5 p.m., Feb. 7, 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, or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.

Mother of twins dies after casino boat fire; donations sought

January 24, 2018 By Kathy Steele

A GoFundMe account has been set up to aid the children of Carrie Dempsey.

The 42-year-old woman, who lived in Lutz, died Jan. 14, hours after a fire engulfed a casino shuttle boat ferrying about 50 passengers to a casino ship in the Gulf of Mexico.

She was the sole fatality among about 15 passengers who needed medical attention, according to news reports.

Dempsey leaves behind 12-year-old twins, Chad and Megan. Dempsey’s husband, Joseph Dempsey II, died in 2011, at the age of 33, according to an obituary.

The children are being cared for by their grandparents.

“We are reaching out to raise funds for Chad and Megan’s care and education, that their grandparents may not have been financially prepared for,” according to a written statement on the GoFundMe page. “Chad and Megan are two kind-hearted, athletic and academically gifted children who deserve a bright future. They have incurred so much loss and heartache in their short lives.”

Bridget Verrecchia is listed as the fund’s organizer. She is vice president of the ways and means committee of the PTA executive board for McKitrick Elementary School, according to the school’s website.

Segal Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements.

According to an obituary, Dempsey moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1985 from Cleveland, Ohio.

She will be “remembered for her sense of humor, quick wit and infectious laugh, but mostly as a devoted and loving mother,” the obituary states.

Graveside services are scheduled for Jan. 25 at 2 p.m., at Gan Shalom Cemetery, 3527 E. County Line Road in Lutz. In lieu of flowers, a college fund will be established for Dempsey’s children.

The cause of the fire aboard the Island Lady is under investigation, according to a spokesman with the U.S. Coast Guard.

About 50 people were aboard as the shuttle, operated by Tropical Breeze Casino, steered toward the gulf, and a casino ship in international waters.

The boat’s captain noticed the engine was overheating, and prepared to return to shore when a fire broke out, according to news reports.

The reports said the captain ran the shuttle aground in the Pithlachascotee River, about 100 yards from shore in Port Richey.

Passengers and crew had to jump into chilly waters. Rescuers included nearby neighbors, Port Richey police, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco Fire Rescue, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

The boat burned down to its hull, reports added.

For information, visit GoFundMe.com/the-dempsey-family.

An online guestbook is available at SegalFuneralHome.com.

Published January 24, 2018