The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kathy Steele

The Shops at Wiregrass sold to QIC

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The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel is among 10 regional malls that will be sold by Forest City Realty Trust, Inc., for a total of about $3.2 billion, according to an announcement by Forest City.

The buyer is Australia-based QIC, an investment partner of Forest City. QIC currently owns about 49 percent of the Wiregrass mall, with Forest City holding 51 percent ownership, according to Greg Lenners, the mall’s general manager.

The Shops at Wiregrass is being sold, along with nine other regional malls, but it will be business as usual for shoppers and merchants. (File)

QIC has been a partner with Forest Realty for about two years, Lenners said.

“As far as merchants at Wiregrass and customers, nobody will notice anything different,” Lenners said. “You’re not going to see any changes other than ongoing improvements at center court.”

In other words, it’s business as usual.

The sale of six of the malls, including Wiregrass, is expected to close by the end of the year for about $1.24 billion. No information was provided on the value of the individual malls.

The remaining four malls will be sold for about $1.93 billion as Forest City “secures replacement assets,” according to a news release about the sale.

Many of the malls are in California, with others in Pennsylvania, New York, Virginia, Nevada and West Virginia.

Per the agreement, Forest City will transfer its retail operations, including most of its personnel, to QIC.

So far, leasing, marketing, tenant coordination, legal and human resources have been transitioned to QIC. Accounting, property management and other functions will transfer as closings are completed.

“We view the U.S. real estate market and the retail sector in particular as a strong investment opportunity,” said Steve Leigh, in a written statement. He is QIC’s managing director of global real estate.

QIC began its partnership with Forest City in 2013.

Once the sale of the 10 malls to QIC, and the company’s New York specialty retail centers to Madison International is complete, Forest City will no longer have shopping centers in its portfolio.

“We are very pleased to achieve this key milestone with our partner,” said David J. LaRue in a written statement. LaRue is Forest City president and chief executive officer. “This transaction is a win-win for all parties, as we continue to focus our business on urban residential, office and mixed-use assets, and QIC acquires full ownership of a U.S. retail presence with high quality regional malls in strong markets.”

For more information, visit Forestcity.net.

Published Oct. 11, 2017

 

Light rail is top Tampa Bay choice for transit

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A light rail system running beside Interstate 275 is the top choice for transit in a study that identifies potential projects in the Tampa Bay region, according to rankings from the Regional Transit Feasibility Plan.

The route would link Wesley Chapel to Tampa and St. Petersburg, with a stop at the University of South Florida.

The second choice would follow the same route but rely on “rubber tires” in a dedicated lane, most likely buses or self-driving vehicles.

The results are part of an ongoing study, which has included workshops, meetings and social media responses.

The study focused on the urban areas of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Light rail, alongside Interstate 275 or the CSX rail line, is a popular option for a transit project, according to a regional study. (File)

The approximately $1.5 million cost is being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, with support from local governments and agencies, including the three county governments and their transit agencies.

The study considered rail and rubber tire modes of transportation including express bus, bus rapid transit, light rail/modern streetcar, and commuter rail. A total of 15 projects were ranked based on technical merit, and public opinion.

The study’s findings were presented by HART on Sept. 29 at a meeting attended by the Tampa Bay Transportation Management Area (TMA) Leadership Group. The group includes members from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Previously, the study identified five potential transit corridors. They are Wesley Chapel to USF, Tampa, and St. Petersburg; downtown Tampa to USF; Westshore to Brandon; south Tampa to downtown Tampa; and Clearwater and Gateway to St. Petersburg.

No funding sources have been identified. The study is scheduled to conclude in September 2018 with a recommendation for a specific project that can attract funding and is “forward thinking.”

Other projects with top rankings in order are:

  • Light rail along the CSX rail line between downtown Tampa and USF
  • Rubber tire in a dedicated lane along the rail line, also between downtown Tampa and USF
  • Commuter rail along I-275 linking Wesley Chapel, USF, Tampa and St. Petersburg – tied for fifth
  • Commuter rail along CSX linking downtown Tampa and USF – tied for fifth

Commuter trains generally operate with heavier train cars at higher speeds, more passengers and fewer stops than light rail.

Light rail is closer to a modernized street car with quicker starts and stops, and fewer passengers than commuter trains.

The study also provided a county by county breakdown on preferred choices for transit based on public opinion.

Light rail along I-275 for Wesley Chapel, USF, Tampa, Gateway and St. Petersburg ranked first in Hillsborough and Pinellas.

In Pasco, the same route with some type of bus or self-driving vehicle placed first. Light rail ranked in third place.

For information, visit Tbregionaltransit.com.

Published Oct. 11, 2017

Pasco County moves to speed up demolitions

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Pasco County has new rules aimed at speeding up the demolition of blighted, and unsafe commercial buildings.

The Pasco County Commission initially agreed in August to amend an existing ordinance to make the process faster, after Kristi Sims, a senior assistant county attorney, presented the ordinance.

The final ordinance, approved by commissioners on Sept. 26 in New Port Richey, requires demolition within 30 days of a posted notice that a building is unsafe or unsound, and must be torn down.

Previously, the ordinance required action within 60 days of the notice.

Pasco also will no longer publish demolition notices in newspapers. Instead, public notification will be posted on the county’s website and at the county’s government centers in east and west Pasco.

That change allows building inspectors to post notice at the targeted site and online the same day. Previously, they had to factor in the print publication date.

Appeals will be decided by volunteers serving on the Pasco County Construction Board. Previously, county commissioners heard appeals.

Appeals must be made within 30 days. The cost is $400.

Sims said committee members will receive a list of criteria to use as guidelines for reaching their decisions.

Committee members were consulted beforehand about their new role. Members come from the construction industry and already handle appeals related to licensing and permitting.

Some of their hearing duties will be reduced to allow time for demolition hearings, Sims said.

“They all seemed very comfortable with sitting as a quasi-judicial fact-finder (committee),” she said.

The construction board during appeals will consider plans submitted to rehabilitate properties. Plans must be specific as to how and when repairs will be made in timely manner.

Owners filing appeals also can contest whether the condemned building meets the county’s criteria for demolition, or whether demolition can be completed in a timely manner.

This latest tightening of code enforcement efforts is part of a long-range plan county commissioners have pursued in the past two years to reduce blight.

Their focus has been on neglected properties along major corridors including U.S. 19, U.S. 301 and U.S. 41.

Published Oct. 11, 2017

Business Digest 10/11/2017

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Pulte amenity center (Courtesy of Pulte Homes)

Pulte Homes opens amenity center
Pulte Homes will have an open house, and a grand opening for its new amenity center at Birchwood Preserve on Oct. 21, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The community is off North Dale Mabry Highway and Geraci Road in Lutz.

Residents, real estate agents and interested buyers who signed up for community updates are invited.

Pulte is building Life Tested single-family homes on 169 lots in Birchwood Preserve. The homes will be energy-efficient with three bedrooms to six bedrooms, up to six bathrooms and two and three-car garages.

There are 10 one- and two-story home designs with pricing from about $321,000 to about $454,000.

For information, visit Pulte.com/birchwoodpreserve.

Meopta U.S.A. brings new jobs
Meopta U.S.A., an optics manufacturer, will provide nearly 50 new jobs as it relocates from Long Island, New York, to the Trinity area of Pasco County, according to a news release from the Pasco Economic Development Council.

Meopta will rely on the Pasco County Job Creation Incentive Program in hiring for the new jobs. Salaries are expected to be about $49,000 a year, or about 125 percent of Pasco’s average wage.

Renovations will be completed at a building at 7826 Photonics Drive in Trinity. VLOC, Inc., also an optics manufacturer, formerly occupied the site but closed in 2014.

Meopta specializes in manufacturing and distributing precision optics, including binoculars as well as spotting and rifle scopes. Prisms, optical mirrors, periscopes for tanks and assemblies for the aerospace and medical industries also are made by the company, which has had its headquarters in Hauppauge, New York, for about 20 years.

The Pasco EDC assisted the county in recruiting the company to Pasco.

Newland Communities hires vice president
Aaron Baker is the new vice president of operations for Bexley by Newland Communities, according to a news release from The Leytham Group.

Baker previously worked in Newland’s office in Charlotte, North Carolina, as director of finance and accounting for the East region. He played a major role in project management and development for the company’s Mid-Atlantic communities.

As vice president of operations, Baker will be in charge of day-to-day operations at the Bexley community, providing leadership in areas including in finance, development and strategy.

Baker’s experience includes helping to secure about $155 million in land acquisitions for Newland.

He worked as a Certified Public Accountant for more than a decade before joining Newland Communities in 2012 as regional controller in Charlotte.

A Michigan native, Baker graduated from Grand Valley State University with bachelor degrees in accounting and finance.

Bexley is a joint venture partnership between North America Sekisui House, LLC, and Newland Real Estate Group, LLC.

North America Sekisui House is the United States business unit and full subsidiary of Sekisui House, LTD., Japan’s largest homebuilder. Newland Communities is the development division for Newland Real Estate Group, and the master developer of Bexley, which is located off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

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

Sewing Center ribbon cutting
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host the ribbon cutting for the Sewing Center of Wesley Chapel on Oct. 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Suite 119, in Wesley Chapel.

The event is free.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 907-3256, or email .

North Tampa luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its October 2017 Momentum Thursday Oct. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Iavarone’s Steakhouse & Italian Grill, 3617 Humphrey St., in Tampa.

Guest speaker will be Preston Cook of the Office of Emergency Management.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card or to the chamber office at by 5 p.m., on Oct. 11, at the discounted rage of $20 (whether you eat or not).

After that date, the cost is $25 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the chamber office at (813) 563-0180, or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.

Wesley Chapel mixer
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly mixer Oct. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club, at 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The event is free. Bring plenty of business cards.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 907-3256, or email .

Uncle Maddio’s happy hour
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host Uncle Maddio’s October 2017 Happy Hour Oct. 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 a buy-one, get-one free deal for house wine and draft beers.

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

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

Lunch N Learn
A Lunch N Learn Business Forum is scheduled for Oct. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce Don Porter Boardroom, at 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd., Suite 105.

The program will be presented by MyTampa IT.

The cost is $15 including lunch. Registration is needed, as seating is limited.

For information, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com, or call (813) 994-8534.

Business seminar
Pasco Hernando SCORE will have a free “Focused Selling Tools Seminar” on Oct. 19 from 11:30 to 1 p.m., at the SMARTstart Dade City Entrepreneur Center, 37837 Meridian Ave., #309, in Dade City.

Instead of only trying to “sell” their products and services, sales people need to find out what buyers need to improve their businesses. Learn how to address old mindsets and learn “solution-based” processes of today’s buyer-savvy world.

Please register as space is limited.

For information, visit Pascohernando.score.org.

Sponsor a charity fashion show
Business sponsors are being sought for the Fashion Charity Show that will benefit Gulfside Hospice on Nov. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at Heritage Springs Golf & Country Club in Trinity.

The fashion show will feature guest emcee Deiah Riley, of ABC Action News.

Sponsorships are available starting at $300.

Sponsors will receive pre-event recognition on social media; email blasts; website, program and banner recognition during the event; sponsor tables at the event; and recognition, after the event, in social media posts and news releases.

Vendor opportunities to display and sell merchandise also are available.

For information, contact Christina Miller at (727) 845-5707 or .

Labor shortage delays debris removal

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Those piles of Hurricane Irma debris could be sitting near homes for as long as a couple of months, Pasco County officials have said.

That’s because there’s a shortage of work crews.

Pasco County homeowners may need to exercise patience, while they wait for debris from Hurricane Irma to be removed by subcontractors working for Pasco County. County officials say there’s a shortage of subcontractors available to get the job done. (Mary Rathman)

Officials hope that residents will be patient, as the county struggles to pull together enough work crews.

Pasco County Utilities, Solid Waste and Resources Recovery Department set the start of debris collection for Sept. 18. But, finding and keeping subcontractors who can do the work is proving difficult.

The problem is, Hurricane Irma took a swing through the entire state, stretching local government resources.

Financially, subcontractors are finding more lucrative contracts in South Florida, where Irma did the most damage. That has made it difficult for Pasco to secure and hold onto subcontractors.

“I’ve got a lot of complaints that we’re not getting anything picked up,” said Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano.

Working with the county’s consultant, Ceres Environmental Services, Pasco had hoped for 16 work crews. By Sept. 25, that number fell to eight. Then, one day later, the county could only count on four crews.

“There’s just not that many resources,” said John Power, the county’s solid waste facilities director. “At the rate we’re going now, we’re talking about a couple of months.”

Even as Pasco works to find its own crews to supplement county efforts, Power said other counties were calling Pasco to ask for manpower.

On Sept. 26, county commissioners approved inter-local agreements to allow Ceres Environmental Services to aid in securing cleanup services for Dade City, San Antonio and the Town of St. Leo.

Similar agreements are possible with New Port Richey and Port Richey.

Zephyrhills is the one city that has been able to do its own debris pickup.

Adding to Pasco’ cleanup task are suspicions that some residents are putting out more than storm debris curbside.

“A lot of people are using it for spring cleaning,” said Power, who said he was also waiting for debris at his home to be picked up.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore wasn’t so sure.

“We need to be careful about making determinations,” he said.

The furniture and other goods being tossed onto residents’ piles could be from actual storm damage, he said. “It’s a delicate situation.”

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said the county likely will follow with a second county sweep after completing the initial pickups over the next weeks.

Pasco County officials have issued guidelines for debris pickup:

  • All debris materials must be brought to the curb or roadside.
  • Do not block fire hydrants, mailboxes, electrical boxes or other structures.
  • Do not bag debris.
  • Contractor generated debris won’t be picked up.
  • Refrigerators should be empty, with the doors secured or removed.
Piles of debris from Hurricane Irma may be a common sight around Pasco County, possibly as long as a couple of months. The county is struggling with a shortage of work crews to remove the debris. (Kathy Steele)

Debris must be separated into the following categories:

Furniture: Mattresses; couches, sofas, chairs; dressers; lumber, if not pressure treated; particle board; laminated flooring; dry insulation (if wet, pile with construction); carpet and padding

Construction: Drywall, plasterboard, ceramic tile, concrete, lumber (pressure treated), wet insulation

Vegetation: Tree cuttings (must be no more than 5 feet in length, and all branches must be bundled)

White Goods: Appliances, metal furniture, metal shelving, bicycles, items that are more than 75 percent metal

Hazardous Waste – Delayed Pickup: Any household chemicals; oil, gas, flammables; lawn and garden chemicals; televisions; computer monitors, computer towers (CPUs)

Contractor-generated debris won’t be picked up.

Requests for debris pickup must be submitted to Pasco County Customer Service Center by emailing ">, providing the address where the debris is located.

Residents also can call customer service at (727) 847-2411.

Pasco County now has a map, an interactive tool to track hurricane-related storm debris pickup, available at arcg.is/2wSHdN5.

Yellow boxes on the map indicate the areas in which crews are working.

Published Oct. 4, 2017

Agreement reached on forensic research campus

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Pasco County commissioners approved a three-way agreement that sets up the framework for ownership and operation of a forensic research and training facility on county land next to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center.

One feature of the facility is a body farm to aid in criminal investigations, body identification and research into body decomposition.

Abigail Kennedy spoke at the dedication ceremony naming the Adam Kennedy Forensic Field for her husband, who died in January. Adam Kennedy, former principal of Crews Middle School, was the first body donated for research at the body farm. (File)

Florida F.I.R.S.T. (Forensic Institute for Research & Tactical Training), will be only the seventh in the nation. It is expected to become a national and international center for forensic research and its applications.

Pasco County, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and the University of South Florida are parties to the agreement.

“It’s really going to put us and USF on the map,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

At no cost, Pasco will lease a portion of the facility to USF for 33 years, with two extensions allowed, for a total of 99 years.

“We’re excited to get this rolling and move it forward,” said Chase Daniels, assistant executive director for the sheriff’s office.

The campus will have a laboratory, classrooms, a morgue and evidence storage space. Virtual autopsies with 3-D scanning and chemical isotope analysis will be done. Work also will be done in the fields of legal medicine, forensic intelligence, aviation reconstruction and cyber forensics.

A tactical training facility for the sheriff’s K-9 unit and the Pasco Unified SWAT team also is planned.

Dr. Erin Kimmerle of USF’s Institute of Forensic Anthropology & Applied Science (IFAAS) will be in charge of the university’s research and training.

Kimmerle and USF led efforts in identifying bodies found in unmarked graves at the former Dozier School for Boys in Marianna.

The forensic building at Florida F.I.R.S.T. will be the Thomas Varnadoe Forensic Center for Education and Research. Varnadoe’s body was among those recovered and identified at the unmarked burial sites at the Dozier school.

About 5 acres of the future campus were dedicated in May as the Adam Kennedy Memorial Forensics Field. It honors the memory of the former principal of Crews Lake Middle School, who died in a car accident while driving to work in January. His body was the first one donated to the body farm.

The price tag for the facility is about $4.3 million.

Legislators approved the money in the state’s 2017 budget, but Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the item.

The county’s legislative delegation will try again to win approval in the state’s 2019 budget. Conversations with members of Scott’s office already are underway, Daniel said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said he sent a letter to the governor’s office in support of funding. “It’s very important to the state besides us,” Oakley said.

If Pasco is unsuccessful a second time, Daniel said USF officials have offered to “tap into their donor lists.”

Published Oct. 4, 2017

Pasco County approves 2018 budget

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Pasco County commissioners approved a $1.3 billion budget for fiscal year 2018, which begins Oct. 1.

The budget is slightly less than the 2017 budget, but still has new expenditures for parks, boat ramps and the proposed Ridge Road extension.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano (File)

County commissioners had a final public hearing, and vote, on the new budget on Sept. 26 in New Port Richey.

There will be no change in the existing millage rate, which determines property taxes.

However, some homeowners could see a slight increase of less than $10 in their annual tax bill, based on a 2.1 percent increase in homesteaded property values.

Pasco saw about a 7.7 percent increase in assessed taxable property, with a value of about $24.6 billion. Much of that was fueled by new construction.

Expenditures for 2018 include $2.5 million to buy right of way needed for the Ridge Road extension, and $1 million for design and engineering of the interchange at Suncoast Parkway.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano was uncomfortable with the county bearing those costs, when the Florida Turnpike Authority previously agreed to pay for the interchange.

“Let’s make sure we’re getting the turnpike authority to pick up all this money, not us,” he said.

The Ridge Road extension is awaiting a decision from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a construction permit. The road project has lingered for nearly 19 years.

Pasco puts a high priority on the extension to create a new east/west route and a hurricane evacuation option. Environmentalists oppose the project for its intrusion into wetlands in the Serenova Preserve.

Other expenditures include about $8.1 million to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to pay for a third year of promised salary increases for deputies, as well as equipment and new job hires.

County employees will receive a 4 percent salary increase.

About $15 million is earmarked for the Wiregrass sports complex, which will be funded with a $20 million loan. The remaining $5 million of the loan will pay for boat ramps.

The county is relying on a 2 percent increase in the county’s tourism tax (for a total of 4 percent) as collateral for the loan.

There also is $4.5 million for a district park at the master-planned community of Connerton, off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

The Wesley Chapel District Park will get about $2 million for upgrades, including installation of bleacher canopies for baseball fields and the design of a community center.

The center would be built in 2019.

The $2 parking fee at county parks will be ended, with the county boosting the parks budget about $320,000 to cover the lost revenue.

About $1.5 million will be spent for upgrades and maintenance at county parks that are in danger of being closed due to disrepair.

A special disaster fund of $1 million will be created to take advantage of matching fund opportunities with the Federal Emergency Management Administration.

Such grants are geared toward projects that provide mitigation for future disasters, not current recovery efforts from Hurricane Irma, said Dan Biles, the county’s administrator.

Published Oct. 4, 2017

 

Business Digest 10/04/2017

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Emergency bridge loan assistance

The Florida SBDC Network, the state’s principal provider of business assistance, is aiding business owners with filing for emergency loan assistance. The loans are available for businesses damaged economically or physically by Hurricane Irma.

As a principal responder in the state’s Emergency Support Function (ESF) 18 for Business & Industry, the Florida SBDC Network is a key economic development organization that supports disaster preparedness, recovery and mitigation through its Business Continuation services.

Bill Burnham, a business consultant with Florida SBDC at University of South Florida, is available in Hernando and Pasco counties, to assist affected business owners in preparing disaster loan applications, including the Florida Small Business Emergency Bridge Loan. The maximum amount a business can borrow due to damage from Hurricane Irma has been increased to $50,000, while funds are available.

Burnham also can assist with other post-disaster challenges.

To schedule an appointment, call (813) 905-5800.

In Pasco, appointments are at the Pasco Economic Development Council, 16506 Pointe Village Drive, Suite 101, in Lutz. Appointments are available on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit FloridaDisasterLoan.org.

Federal assistance for businesses

Florida’s Virtual Business Emergency Operations Center is an online portal for private sector preparation, damage assessments and recovery.

Low-interest disaster loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration are available to individuals, businesses and nonprofit organizations. The loans can be used for loss and damages not fully recovered by insurance.

Applicants may apply online using the Electronic Loan Application (ELA) via the small business administration’s secure website. The filing deadline to return applications for physical property damage is Nov. 9. The deadline to return economic injury applications is June 11, 2018.

For information, visit Flvbeoc.org.

Zephyrhills breakfast

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast Oct. 5 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Golden Coral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

The sponsor is Humana.

The cost is $8 for chamber members and $10 for non-members.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 782-1913, or email .

Women-n-Charge

Join Women-n-Charge Oct. 6 from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in New Tampa. The women share their talents and resources, and they build relationships with other women in business.

Guest speaker is Life Coach Laura White who will share basic tools and tips to foster positive communication, connection and relationships with present and future customers.

The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests.

Please register at Women-n-charge.com.

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

Oh My Donuts grand opening

Get your yum on at Oh My Donuts, which will have its grand opening celebration on Oct. 7 and Oct. 8, from noon to 3 p.m., at 7902 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

The shop offers delivery and pick up for its handcrafted mini-donuts that are baked, not fried. Oh My Donuts has vanilla and chocolate regular donuts as well as gluten free and gluten-free, vegan vanilla donuts.

Glazing and a variety of toppings are available.

Enjoy tastings, games, prizes and discounts at the grand opening.

For information, call (813) 575-9996 or visit m.Facebook.com/ohmydonuts.

New board for Pasco EDC

The Pasco Economic Development Council announced the members of its board of directors’ Executive Committee for the fiscal year 2018, which begins Oct. 1, according to a news release from the Pasco EDC.

Two new at-large members, who will serve on the board, are Staceyann Sinclair of Rasmussen College and Heidi Tuttle-Beisner of Commercial Asset Partners Realty.

Sinclair became the area director of Rasmussen College in January 2015. She serves the Tampa, Brandon, Land O’ Lakes/East Pasco and New Port Richey/West Pasco campuses.

She worked in business/management for more than 14 years, and has a bachelor of science degree and master of arts degree in organizational management. She has volunteered with the Pasco EDC since 2016, serving on the Talent Pipeline Task Force. Sinclair offers assistance with workforce development matters when needed.

Tuttle-Beisner is the broker/owner of Commercial Asset Partners Realty in Trinity. She has more than 20 years’ experience in the brokerage of commercial real estate.

She is recognized as a top real estate producer who is involved in the industry and legislative issues pertaining to the integrity of the profession.

Tuttle-Beisner has been involved as an investor with the Pasco EDC since 2006, serving many years on the Awards Committee and participating on task forces.

Other board members are:

  • Chairman Keith Appenzeller, King Engineering Associates
  • Vice Chairwoman Danielle Ruiz, Duke Energy
  • Secretary/Treasurer Mike Lawson, Metro Development Group. LLC
  • Immediate Past Chairman Jimmy Adcock, Tampa Electric/Peoples Gas

East Pasco Networking Group

The East Pasco Networking Group will meet Oct. 10 beginning at 7:30 a.m., at the IHOP, 13100 U.S. 301, in Dade City.

This is a new location for the group.

The guest speaker will be Daniel Martin, public relations manager for A Helping Rock Inc.

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

Central Pasco general meeting

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its general membership meeting Oct. 10 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Harbor Terrace Restaurant, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.

Guest speaker will be Dr. Ramos of Knox Medical.

Members and guests are welcome.

The cost for members is $20 if you RSVP by Oct. 5, and $25 at the door for members and non-members.

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

Business Link breakfast

Business Link will have its monthly breakfast Oct. 11 from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Saint Leo University in the boardroom of the Student Community Center, at 33701 State Road 52 in St. Leo.

The monthly gathering, held at various locations, provides networking and an information-sharing platform for the small business community.

A complimentary breakfast will be provided. The event is sponsored by the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union.

RSVP to Rebecca Gaddis at (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237, or email ">.

Sewing Center ribbon cutting

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host the ribbon cutting for the Sewing Center of Wesley Chapel on Oct. 11 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Suite 119, in Wesley Chapel.

The event is free.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 907-3256, or email .

North Tampa luncheon

The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its October 2017 Momentum Thursday Oct. 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Iavarone’s Steakhouse & Italian Grill, 3617 Humphrey St., in Tampa.

Guest speaker will be Preston Cook of the Office of Emergency Management.

For early bird registration, RSVP online with credit card or to the chamber office at by 5 p.m., on Oct. 11, at the discounted rage of $20 (whether you eat or not).

After that date, the cost is $25 (whether you eat or not), payable at the door by cash, check or credit card.

For information, call the chamber office at (813) 563-0180, or visit NorthTampaChamber.com.

Wesley Chapel mixer

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly mixer Oct. 12 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club, at 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The event is free. Bring plenty of business cards.

For information, call the chamber at (813) 907-3256, or email .

Rallying ’round the blueberry bushes

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Hurricane Irma blew across the landscape, uprooting and toppling about 100,000 blueberry bushes at Frogmore Fresh Farm, outside Dade City.

Pasco High senior ​Matt​ ​Gregory, 17,​ took a break and used a cane stake to stretch out his back.​ ​Gregory​ ​and​ ​senior​ ​Nathalie Sawczuk, 17,​ ​​(obscured​ ​by​ ​plant)​ were​ ​among​ ​students​ ​who​ ​volunteered​ ​at Frogmore Fresh Farm. (Fred Bellet)

In Irma’s aftermath, the farm’s general manager, Leonard Park, knew he had a narrow window to salvage as many of the plants as possible. He also knew he didn’t have enough labor to make that happen.

An unexpected phone call from Whitney Elmore offered some hope.

Elmore is the chief executive director of the University of Florida/IFAS Pasco County Extension, in Dade City.

“She wanted to know if she could send some volunteers to help,” said Park. “I thought she meant a van with maybe 20 people.”

Elmore had bigger ideas, and put social media to work.

“This went viral,” said Elmore. “It’s been all over Facebook and Twitter.”

Pasco County, the University of Florida and the extension service worked as a team to put out the word.

Land​ ​O’​ ​Lakes​ ​resident​ ​Tom​ ​Stewart​ ​staked​ ​fallen​ ​blueberry plants​.​ ​Stewart​ ​said​ ​he​ ​learned​ ​about​ ​the​ ​event​ ​at Frogmore Fresh Farm on​ ​​Facebook.

On a hot, Saturday morning, about 200 volunteers drove their cars and trucks down a narrow dirt lane, off St. Joe Road, to put in a day’s work and save the blueberries.

Volunteers focused on about 23 acres of the approximately 145-acre farm. That is where the youngest blueberry plants had either been uprooted or knocked down.

Farm employees were able to put their attentions on more mature plants elsewhere.

The turnout caught Park by surprise.

“It’s heartwarming. This is a tremendous benefit to us,” he said. “This (the young plants) is the future. We’re going to keep on, keeping on.”

It was all for a good cause, said Elmore.

Frogmore Fresh Farm benefits the county’s economy. The Sigety family, which owns the farm, does charitable work in Pasco, donating to food banks and providing internships to local students, Elmore said.

University​ ​of​ ​Florida​ ​graduate​ ​students​ ​Carlos​ ​Zambrano​, right, ​and​ ​Dario​ ​Racano,​ both​ ​of​ ​Gainesville,​ staked​ ​young​ ​blueberry​ ​plants​ ​at Frogmore​ ​Fresh Farm.

“It’s about being part of the community and making it better for everyone,” she said.

About 50 students and faculty members came from UF. Two sororities also sent volunteers.

“People have driven two hours basically on a call from social media, which is really interesting,” said Kevin Folta, UF professor and chairman of the university’s horticultural sciences department.

“But, this is what we’re supposed to do as a land grant institute. It fits our mission well.”

Frogmore’s blueberries are hybrids developed through UF research. Folta said the plants produce fruit after the harvests in other countries, such as Chile.

It opens markets for Florida blueberries that might not be available, he said.

Linda​ ​Dao,​ ​a​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Florida​ ​senior​ ​biology​ ​major,​ ​worked to​ ​fix damaged​ ​blueberry​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​fell​ ​over​ ​from​ ​the​ ​force​ ​of​ Hurricane Irma’s wind.

They are rooted in wood chip beds and hydrated with an irrigation system, sort of as a “big, crazy hydroponic garden,” Folta said.

“None of this would happen naturally,” he said. “It’s a system that works and brings millions of dollars to the state of Florida. Blueberry acreage is exploding.”

Elmore said Florida produces about 20 million pounds of blueberries annually, with a value of about $82 million to $100 million.

UF wasn’t alone in rounding up students to help.

Another 50 or so volunteers were from Pasco High School’s science club and student body council. There also were students from Saint Leo University, local residents, and church members.

The Salvation Army provided bottled water.

Margarita Roma, local migrant activist and executive director of Farmers Self-Help Inc., came with about 10 volunteers. Most were teenagers, wearing T-shirts in support of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Kevin Folta, professor and chairman of the University of Florida’s horticultural sciences department, relied on social media to recruit about 50 UF students to help salvage blueberry plants damaged by Hurricane Irma.

Those children, often referred to as Dreamers, are undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children before age 16, and who have lived here since June 15, 2007.

“It’s good for our kids to have visibility,” she said. And, good to show that they can help the community they live in, she added.

Jose Pedro Lopez, 14, wanted people to know that Dreamers are like everyone else. “They should be able to live a free life,” he said.

Volunteers headed into the field, one group at a time.

In groups, volunteers carried batches of cane stakes and rolls of tape, and walked into the field.

Jim Moll, the extension service’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping program manager, gave tutorials on blueberry care.

Plants had to be stood upright, firmly replanted, and wrapped with tape to keep foliage from drooping.

“It doesn’t have to be a pretty knot, just effective,” Moll said. “You want it tight, but, not too firm. You don’t want to cut off circulation.”

Moll felt optimistic.

Pasco High School student, ​Roney​ ​Webster, 17,​ ​ties green tape​ ​around​ ​a​ ​​stake​ ​to support a damaged blueberry plant.

The plants “will be traumatized from being whipped in the wind,” he said. “The good news is they are all green. They aren’t limping.”

Samantha Acacio, 21, bent down to tie a knot around a blueberry plant. She felt a connection to the environment, as she worked to put the plants upright.

“These (plants) produce oxygen,” said Acacio, a pre-med student at Saint Leo University. “Why not have more oxygen in the world? It’s motivation. They weathered the storm, and we’re going to help them stand upright.”

Wesley Chapel residents Maleena Newcomb, 14, Allie Black, 14, and Ana Anderson, 24, might have been volunteering at an annual coastal cleanup, if not for Irma.

But, they were happy to find themselves being useful at the farm instead.

“It’s a good effort,” said Black. “You get community service hours. It’s all good.”

Gayle Womer and her daughter, Jenny Konow, attend First Baptist Church in Dade City. Konow is a 4-H leader.

Konow said they had some experience with blueberry plants. “We’re small hobby farmers,” she said. “We kind of know the struggles if you need help.”

But, it was her 11-year-old son, Archer Konow, who told his family that they had to volunteer. He loves everything about farming.

“It’s good to help people after hard things come through,” he said. If it’s a business, he added, “You need to help out.”

Roney Webster, 17, is a Pasco High senior. He volunteered around his community to help neighbors with cleanup.

This was one more chance to help.

“It’s just giving back,” Webster said. “I’ve been outside pretty much every day helping people.”

Published September 27, 2017

Pasco County boosts its stormwater fee

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Pasco County residents will be paying a higher stormwater fee, following a Sept. 19 vote by Pasco County commissioners to increase the rate.

Beginning in 2018, the annual fee will increase from $57 to $95 — a 67 percent increase.

A previous increase approved two years ago added $10 to the fee, raising the rate from $47 to $57.

Commissioners were divided over raising the fee during two workshops earlier this year, but they gave tentative approval to the increase to meet a deadline for providing tax information to the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s office.

There was some hope the increase wouldn’t be needed, or could be reduced, if state funds came through for several proposed drainage projects.

That didn’t pan out.

Only two projects, for a total of about $1 million, were included in the 2018 state budget, and both of those were vetoed.

So, the higher fees are intended to support projects that can ease the county’s chronic flooding issues.

There’s no doubt that Pasco residents have seen their share of flooding in the last two years, and most recently endured the wind and rain from Hurricane Irma.

County staff members previously told county commissioners of a backlog of 93 years of service and maintenance to clean drainage culverts. More projects for repairs and other services also would take decades. Total costs for all projects could add up to about $300 million.

The increased fee will give the county about $25 million for engineering and design of 10 priority capital projects, and for cleaning, replacing and maintenance of culverts and swales.

Southwest Florida Water Management District, known as Swiftmud, is being asked to contribute half of an estimated $38 million in construction costs for the capital projects.

Hurricane Irma is only the latest to add to Pasco’s flooding issues.

Tropical Storm Hermine in 2016 and torrential summer rains in 2015 caused extensive flooding to Pasco County homes. Much of the damage was in New Port Richey, Port Richey and Elfers, though some areas of central and east Pasco also saw flooding.

In separate votes, county commissioners also approved special assessments related to the purchase of two former golf courses in the Magnolia Valley and Timber Oaks subdivisions.

The purchases centered on easing flooding in those areas by creating additional drainage capacity.

However, Magnolia Valley and Timber Oaks residents through the special assessments will pay a share of the purchase prices.

Magnolia Valley residents will pay $28; Timber Oaks residents, about $61.

Magnolia Valley resident Judy Osteen spoke during public comment against the fee.

“You’ve selected a few people to pay for a project that the whole county is going to enjoy,” Osteen said. “That to me is the county dictating to a certain amount of people for a project they want done.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano said homeowners’ property values would benefit from the county’s efforts.

Published September 27, 2017