Kathy Steele

Business Digest 06/29/2016

June 29, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Ernie Lashlee is Sierra Building Company president for Custom Craft Homes, an independently owned franchise of Arthur Rutenberg Homes.

Home building award
Custom Craft Homes, an independently owned franchise of Arthur Rutenberg Homes, is the 2016 Arthur Rutenberg Homes’ Builder of the Year. Franchise owner Stuart Sierra and Sierra Building Company President Ernie Lashlee accepted the award at ceremonies in Nassau, Bahamas. This is the company’s fourth win.

More than 40 franchises in six states were eligible.

Sierra and Lashlee founded Custom Craft Homes more than 20 years ago. Custom Craft builds in Hillsborough County in FishHawk Ranch subdivisions. In Pasco County the company builds homes at Sunset Lakes in Land O’ Lakes.

For information on Arthur Rutenberg homes built by Custom Craft Homes, call (813) 961-0047, or visit ArthurRutenbergHomes.com.

Award nominees
The Pasco Economic Development Council announced the 18 nominees for the 2016 Industry of the Year Awards.

Winners will be announced at the 31st annual Appreciation Banquet on Sept. 8 at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel.

Nominees are Bayfront Health Dade City, Bayonet Plumbing Heating and A/C, ComPark 75, Crestmark Pharmacy Services LLC, Dixie Belle Paint Company, First National Bank of Pasco, Global Electronics Testing Services LLC, Leggett & Platt Adjustable Bed Group, Marjorie’s Hope, Nicopure Labs LLC, Optimum Plumbing LLC, Premier Community Healthcare Group, Rogers Tower P.A., Southeast Bottling & Beverage Co., Southeast Personnel Leasing Inc., Trxade Inc., and USA Underwriting Solutions of America.

In the next weeks, members of the Pasco EDC Award Committee will complete interviews at each company, using a grading scale to determine scores.

The awards recognize top companies in Pasco County that excel in technology, innovations, job creation, growth, capital investment and community involvement.

Award categories are manufacturing, service/distribution, technology and nonprofits.

The annual awards banquet is attended by more than 600 business and community leaders, as well as elected officials.

For information on the event and to become a sponsor, visit PascoEDC.com/events, or call (813) 92600827, ext. 226.

Ribbon cutting
Chick-fil-A will have a ribbon cutting on June 30 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at 2349 Sun Vista Drive, in the Cypress Creek Town Center, at 2349 Sun Vista Drive, off State Road 56. However, doors will open at 6 a.m.

The first 100 adults in line will receive a digital offer card loaded with 52 free Chick-fil-A meals – a total of approximately $32,000 in free food. Participants must be 18 years of age or older with identification and may line up no earlier than 24 hours prior to the opening. If there are more than 100 people onsite at 6 a.m. June 29, a drawing will be held to randomly select the First 100. Those chosen are required to camp out until the grand opening on June 30 to secure their spot. This is a community event only open to customers residing in specific zip codes surrounding the restaurant.

Listing of eligible zip codes and rules can be found at www.chick-fil-a.com/Locations/First-100.

Chick-fil-A also will have a book drive on June 29 and June 30 to benefit students at Lutz Elementary School. Customers are asked to bring new or gently used book to donate. The books will be placed in a nearly 3-foot Book House hand-built from old and reclaimed wood and provided by the Chick-fil-A Foundation. In 2015 the foundation donated more than 10,000 books to 89 local organizations in 30 states and Washington, D.C.

Women-n-Charge lunch
Join the ladies of Women-n-Charge on July 1 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, at 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa. The meeting includes lunch and time to network. A “Member Bingo” event will give everyone a chance to get to know each other better. Bring lots of business cards.

The cost is $15 for members and $18 for guests. To register, visit Women-n-Charge.com.

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

Breakfast network
The Wednesday Morning Networking Group will meet July 1 at 7:30 a.m., at The Lake House at Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-BQ, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second pitch. The $7 cost includes breakfast. The sponsor for this meeting is Exit Prime Realty.

For information, call the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722, or email .

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on July 7 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at Bayfront Health Dade City, at Medical Plaza 1, Classroom 108, at 13100 Fort King Road in Dade City.

Guest speaker will be Shauna McKinnon, chief executive officer of Bayfront Health Dade City.

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

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

Central Pasco meeting
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have a general membership meeting on July 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.

Members and guests are welcome.

Guest speaker will be Bill Cronin, chief executive office at the Pasco Economic Development Council

The cost is $20 if you RSVP by July 8, and $25 after and at the door.

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

A vigil to honor a life gone too soon

June 22, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A bouquet of heart-shaped balloons separated and floated skyward into the night air, carrying messages of love for Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz.

Below, candles burned brightly, held aloft by more than 400 people who filled the stands at Ron Allen Field at Gaither High.

Junior Sanfeliz, the older brother of Christopher Sanfeliz, is consoled by friends at a candlelight vigil at Gaither High School. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — Junior Sanfeliz, the older brother of Christopher Sanfeliz, is consoled by friends at a candlelight vigil at Gaither High School.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

They had gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the life of the 24-year-old Sanfeliz, one of 49 people killed during a mass shooting on June 12 at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

“Chris was taken way too soon from the world,” Stephanie Woychowski, president of Gaither’s Parent Teacher Student Association said during the June 15 vigil. “Remember Chris. Remember love.”

Besides killing 49 people, the lone gunman armed with an assault rifle, injured 50 others before he was killed by law enforcement.

The mass shooting, reported as the largest in the nation’s modern history, targeted a club popular among the LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) community.

The Gaither community responded immediately, with former classmates, current students and faculty coming together to organize the vigil for Sanfeliz, a member of the class of 2010.

“Once a Cowboy, always a Cowboy,” said Teresa Trumbach, a teacher at Gaither, known as the home of the Cowboys.

Trumbach met Sanfeliz when he was a freshman.

Friends and family dropped photographs into a memory box during a candlelight vigil for Christopher Sanfeliz, who was killed at the Pulse nightclub attack in Orlando.

“He was just one of those great guys,” Trumbach said. “I find it impressive that so many of you came back.”

Before filing into the stands, people stopped to pick up candles, drop donations into a box, or leave photographic mementos of Sanfeliz in a memory box.

Friends and family clung tightly to each other in long hugs. And, they shed tears.

Amid the sorrow, though, they found a way to share the joyous times and recalled Sanfeliz’ love of life.

They talked about a young man who was the friend that everyone wanted. He was loyal, funny and compassionate. He was always ready to do whatever it took to make his friends happy.

He also had his own way of doing things.

“Chris loved cottage cheese. He loved Disney. He would walk around the house and sing Disney songs,” said Ben Mercado. “He loved Selena (the movie).”

Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz (GoFundMe.com) — Christopher Joseph Sanfeliz
(GoFundMe.com)

Mercado said he and Sanfeliz came out as gay at the same time. Sanfeliz was Mercado’s first date with a boyfriend.

“He was just so comfortable with himself. It was such a privilege to have Chris as a friend,” Mercado said.

Brian Dell, former band director at Gaither, remembered Sanfeliz, who played in the saxophone section.

“He loved every minute of it,” Dell said. “He always had a smile on his face. He said hello every day.”

The Gaither marching band took to the field to play the school’s alma mater.

Cindy Stuart, vice chairwoman of the Hillsborough County School Board, and Anna Brown, assistant superintendent of Student Services, attended the ceremony.

“This weighs heavy on our hearts,” Brown said.

More than 400 people held lighted candles aloft to honor Christopher Sanfeliz, who was killed at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando on June 12.

The Sanfeliz family came from Cuba in the 1960s, with nothing, said Mike Wallace, a family friend.

Sanfeliz grew up in Carrollwood and attended Hillsborough Community College. About three years ago, he began working for JP Morgan Chase as a teller, and recently was promoted to personal banker.

Michele Tweedle also works for JP Morgan Chase, but not at the same branch as Sanfeliz. Her 16-year-old daughter, Rayna Tweedle, plays in Gaither’s marching band.

“It’s a sad situation,” Michele Tweedle said. “The community has got to come together.”

Yunielquis Valdespino didn’t know Sanfeliz well, but saw him occasionally at nightclubs in Tampa.

“He loved to dance,” Valdespino said. “He’d get along with anybody.”

Love is the meaning Mercado hopes people take from Sanfeliz’s life, not the hate behind the action that led to his death.

Mercado honored his friend with words from a sonnet written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, winner of a Tony award for his Broadway musical, “Hamilton.”

“Love is love is love,” said Mercado. “And, we love Chris.”

Want to help?
If you would like to make a donation, visit GoFundMe.com/297mht34.

Published June 22, 2016

Budget talks start in Pasco

June 22, 2016 By Kathy Steele

The economy is picking up steam with new housing construction leading the way, and property tax revenues on the rise.

But, that won’t mean Pasco County commissioners will have an easy time figuring out how to spend tax dollars and hold the line on tax increases.

Commissioners face large budget requests including an increase of $6.5 million from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and smaller requests, including a circulator bus route in Land O’ Lakes. The bus route would cost about $365,000 in the first year and about $308,000 a year after that.

The county’s staff is not recommending a change in the millage rate, but homeowners could see an increase in taxes based on rising property values, officials said.

Commissioners met in a June 13 workshop to gather information about the upcoming 2017 budget. They heard multiple presentations from county department heads.

The largest dollar amount increase request is from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, which is seeking a 6.1 percent increase, which amounts to about $6.4 million in new funding. If approved, the sheriff’s budget would be $110 million in 2017.

This is the second consecutive year that Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco has sought a budget increase of more than $6 million.

Last year, commissioners approved $2.7 million to cover pay raises and benefits, as well as ongoing expenses for body cameras and helicopter maintenance.

Nocco is seeking another round of pay raises to make deputies’ salaries more competitive with other law enforcement agencies in Hillsborough, Pinellas and the City of Tampa.

Data from the sheriff’s office shows the area’s average starting salary is almost $46,000, while Pasco’s is about $41,000. Pasco’s starting salary is the lowest in the region compared to Hillsborough, Polk, Manatee and Pinellas counties and also lags behind St. Petersburg, Sarasota and Tampa.

The sheriff’s budget also includes money for 10 new positions for the sheriff’s office and 15 for other agencies.

There also is a request for about $700,000 for laptop computers, an item previously funded from the Penny for Pasco program.

Last year’s budget discussions surrounding the sheriff’s budget often grew contentious.

But after his presentation, Nocco told The Laker/Lutz News: “Everybody has been positive. Everyone is working together.”

Other department heads also made their case for new revenues to increase staff and add services.

Libraries administrator Nancy Fredericks asked for staff needed to restore operating hours for libraries to pre-recession years.

Currently libraries are open five days a week and one night a week per location. Fredericks hopes for nearly $500,000 more to operate libraries six days a week, and on two to four nights a week.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore asked Fredericks to give commissioners options on operating hours. “Maybe we can work our way toward this in two to three years,” he said.

Commissioners approved a master plan for the county’s parks and recreation facilities in 2015. It would take an estimated $222 million to implement the plan.

As a start, Kelley Boree, parks, recreation and natural resources director, proposed hiring a consultant to craft a pilot campaign to help launch the plan. That would cost $75,000, but Boree said many counties hire consultants for this reason.

There is no one on the county’s staff that has the skill set to perform this work, Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker said.

“To me this is critically important because our parks are so underfunded,” said Pasco County Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey. “I’m talking about all types of recreation…We’ve been lax in this forever.”

The county also is proposing to hire a lobbyist to promote Pasco’s interests in Washington D.C., at a cost of $60,000 a year.

Richard Gehring, the county’s strategic policy administrator, said Pasco would see benefits from a “closer relationship” with federal agencies, especially those dealing with transportation and environmental matters.

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader said he wasn’t opposed to the proposal, but said the county should avoid duplicating efforts already done by the Florida Department of Transportation.

“You’ve got to be specific on lobbying efforts on the federal level,” he said.

The building department wants about $403,000 to hire four new inspectors and a records clerk to implement a code enforcement ordinance approved amid controversy among Land O’ Lakes business owners.

The ordinance is meant to focus on cleanup efforts along major corridors including U.S. 41, U.S. 301 and U.S. 19. But, building officials now say they don’t have enough staff to enforce it.

In subsequent years, enforcement costs would be about $290,000.

Commissioners will meet individually with county staff in the next weeks to make their budget preferences known.

The budget will be presented on July 12, with final approval in September.

Published June 22, 2016

Preparing for industrial development

June 22, 2016 By Kathy Steele

It may not sound exciting, but a sewer line is one of the elements needed to help spur industrial development near Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

And, thanks to $3.2 million from Pasco County, the city will be able to pay for about 20,000 linear feet of sewer, as well as two lift stations.

The sewer line will serve about 600 acres.

It is the next step in a multiphase project to create a build-ready site that will appeal to developers.

Construction is expected to begin in September or October, and would take about 18 months to complete.

Zephyrhills City Council approved a cooperative agreement with Pasco County on June 13.

The City of Zephyrhills already has committed about $4.5 million to infrastructure at the site, including improvements to water lines to increase capacity and pressure. Dade City has participated, too.

“It’s a definite partnership, ” said Melanie Kendrick, Pasco County’s acting program director for the office of economic growth.

In 2015, Duke Energy and consultants with McCallum Sweeney completed a study and site assessment of about 480 acres around the airport. They found that about 414 acres at the site could accommodate aerospace, manufacturing, light industrial and assembly companies, and the plastics industry.

But, first the site had to be made market-ready with infrastructure including water and sewer lines. One selling point already is in place. A CSX rail line runs through the property.

The project will widen beyond the scope of the study to impact about 600 acres.

“It helps us build an industrial core,” said Steve Spina, city manager for Zephyrhills.

With infrastructure in the ground, the expectations are for the site to be marketed faster.

“We cannot attract anybody at this time because it would take up to two years to apply for permits, get the site ready and install remaining infrastructure on the site,” Kendrick said. “If we act now, with what the City of Zephyrhills has going there, we can piggyback on the existing contracts.”

The targeted land also is part of the county’s “pad ready” program, which seeks to promote industrial sites with similar infrastructure installations.

County commissioners last month approved the renewal of its contract with the Pasco Economic Development Council. Among the council’s goals is to use its $2.9 million budget to target 2,500 acres of industrial property for similar infrastructure upgrades.

“This is very exciting,” said Pasco County Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey. “I think it will be big for the county.”

Published June 22, 2016

Pasco has building permits backlog

June 22, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A construction boom has Pasco County receiving applications for building permits nearly at pre-recession levels, county officials say.

But, the required paperwork — coupled with the kickoff of a new software program — is straining the county’s capabilities.

At least right now.

“We think we’re on the bottom side of the problem and getting it under control,” said Don Rosenthal, assistant county administrator.

Part of the solution involves reshuffling duties within the building department and plans to hire five new employees.

The new employees will replace about a half-dozen staffers who left their jobs, often citing workloads.

“We’ve had some staff leave because of the pressure to turn things around quickly, and the overwhelming volume of work and the change,” said Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker.

Pasco County commissioners made clear they’re tired of the complaints they’re hearing from developers about having to wait too long to get permits approved.

“It is very, very frustrating,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader. “I’m getting overwhelmed with complaints,” he said, during the commission’s June 7 meeting in Dade City.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey agreed: “I think we’ve all been getting these calls.”

Starkey said commissioners were ready to do whatever is needed to help staff get things on track.

Baker said she would ask commissioners to approve new hires at their June 21 commission meeting.

The software program, known as Accela, allows for online applications and is intended to speed up the process and be more transparent. But Rosenthal said, as with any new technology, there is a learning curve and glitches to work through.

“That was no small task,” he said.

Employees are working through about a two-week backlog of applications. That is significantly less than it was, Rosenthal said.

Right before the launch of the software program, some developers brought in bundles of plans. One delivered 200 plans.

“We concentrated on these because we were told they were an emergency,” Rosenthal said.

That proved not to be the case, and about half the plans haven’t been picked up.

That was time and work that could have been directed toward other applications, Rosenthal said.

He added that many of the complaints being heard by commissioners already have been resolved.

However, commissioners want improvements in customer service.

“Give them some explanation, so at least they have some understanding,” said Schrader. “I think you get so much more with honey.”

Schrader suggested giving applicants a letter, with their payment receipt, that explains the software program and reasons why applications could be delayed.

Commissioner Mike Wells agreed.

“They need to find a way to say yes, not a way to say no,” he said. “I know they are busy, but they are in the customer service business.”

Baker said plans are underway to create a newsletter to provide information on what’s going on at the building department.

Published June 22, 2016

Business Digest 06/22/2016

June 22, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Doctor Weitzman joins Medi Weightloss
Andrew Weitzman M.D., has joined the staff of Medi Weightloss Clinics, at 24420 State Road 54 in Lutz. He is a doctor of medicine with a specialty in internal medicine and will be bringing his skills to assist the clinic’s patients. Medi is now open Monday through Friday for office visits. Stop by and welcome Dr. Weitzman.

Cancer fund
Customers at Lutz HomeGoods can support cancer care and research while shopping at the discount home fashions store from now through June 29. More than 365 HomeGoods stores nationwide will participate in the 15^th annual “Help Families Fight Cancer” campaign to benefit the Jimmy Fund. The fund supports pediatric and adult cancer care and research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

Customers can make a contribution at the check-out register, with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the Jimmy Fund. Customers also can buy reusable shopping bags for 99 cents, featuring artwork by Dana-Farber’s Jimmy Fund Clinic pediatric patient, 9-year-old Allisa Freiberger. HomeGoods will contribute 50 cents to the fund for each bag purchase2.

Career fair success
More than 20 employers and 100 job seekers participated in the Florida Manufacturing Career Fair on May 11 at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Spring Hill campus. The PHSC Florida TRADE Grant office, Career Source Pasco Hernando, the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity and the Upper Tampa Bay Manufacturing Association hosted the free event.

The fair provided specialized career opportunities in manufacturing for job seekers, including 15 veterans. Employers at the fair included Monster Transmission, and Leggett and Platt. Leggett and Platt recently hired more than 120 job seekers for its new manufacturing facility in Spring Hill.

For more information on upcoming manufacturing events or enrollment in manufacturing training, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com, PHSC.edu/floridatrade, or email .

Networking luncheon
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will host a network luncheon on June 23 at 11:30 a.m., at IHOP, 408 E. Bearss Ave., in Tampa. The theme is relationship building with business neighbors. Order from the IHOP menu. A senior lunch menu will be available to all. Minimum of $5 is required if you do not order food, plus you must pay for your drinks.

For information, phone TransAmerica at (813) 334-8998, or email Jenn Beaumont at .

Ribbon cutting
Alta at Terra Bella will host a ribbon cutting on June 23 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 23700 Viento Drive in Land O’ Lakes. The ribbon cutting will be at 5 p.m.

The apartment complex has more than 300 garden apartments, built by North Carolina-based Wood Partners. The complex is part of Terra Bella, a community of more than 250 single-family homes, off State Road 54.

For information, call (813) 895-3960, or email .

Awards banquet
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will have its Annual Awards and Installation Banquet on June 24 from 6 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., at Harbor Terrace Restaurant at Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club, at 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz. The 2016-2017 officers are Terri Dusek, president; Kurt Conover, president-elect; Rhonda Buckley, secretary; David Gainer, treasurer; Elayne Bassinger, past president; and board members John Jay Anglada, Suzanne Beauchaine, Jack Buckley, Cindy Caroline, Rocky Contreras, Larry Giannone, Sandy Graves, Ignacio Ruiz, Elena McCullough, Les Saland and Jorge Santana.

A reception and cash bar will be from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Cost at the door will be $60. Only 100 seats are available.

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

Rotary dinner
The Rotary Club of San Antonio will have a dinner and installation of incoming officers on June 24 at 6:30 p.m., at Community United Methodist Church, 32606 Michigan Ave., in San Antonio.

The 2016-2017 officers are Winnie Burke, president; Will Greif, past president and secretary; Terrie Grissom, treasurer; and Rick Behnke, sergeant-at-arms.

The club meets every Tuesday at 6:30 p.m., in the clubhouse of Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club. Visitors are welcome.

For information, call (352) 588-4444, or email .

Fitness opening
LA Fitness will have a ribbon cutting and all-day grand opening on June 25 from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 5225 Cypress Preserve Drive in New Tampa. The ribbon cutting will be at 10 a.m., with members of The Greater Wesley Chapel of Commerce in attendance.

Radio station HOT 101.5 will entertain from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Visitors are welcome to tour the club and enjoy free workouts, including a Zumba class at 9:45 a.m. A free personal training clinic will be at 2 p.m. A basketball free throw is from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. There also will be face painting from 9 a.m. to noon, and a grand prize giveaway of an Apple iPad.

For information, call (813) 337-0966.

Pet Depot opening
Seven Oaks Pet Depot will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting on June 25 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 27029 State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel.

The free event will have drawings, giveaways, a silent auction, and food and wine.

The pet store, next to Seven Oaks Pet Hospital, offers supplies, accessories, toys, grooming and more for pets.

For information, email , or visit SevenOaksPetDepot.com.

A graduation ceremony for one

June 15, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Some days don’t go exactly as planned.

Just ask Danielle Bunin.

The Land O’ Lakes’ resident was in line on April 30 waiting for the procession to start for her commencement ceremony at Saint Leo University.

While waiting, Bunin —six months pregnant at the time — stepped away from the crowd to get some fresh air. She passed out, fell down and landed on her stomach.

Bradley Bunin, left, holding 2-year-old Ashton Bunin, beams with pride as his wife, Danielle Bunin, holds the master’s degree given to her by Saint Leo University President William Lennox. (Courtesy of Ben Watters/Saint Leo University) — Bradley Bunin, left, holding 2-year-old Ashton Bunin, beams with pride as his wife, Danielle Bunin, holds the master’s degree given to her by Saint Leo University President William Lennox.
(Courtesy of Ben Watters/Saint Leo University)

After an ambulance ride and four hours in an emergency room, Bunin heard the good news that her baby would be fine. But, she had missed a graduation that meant so much to her and her family.

She had expected to receive her second degree from the university that day — a master’s in business administration in human resource management.

“She was really looking forward to making that walk,” said her husband, Bradley Bunin. “She was so upset that she didn’t make it.”

It turns out that the staff at Saint Leo wanted to make things right.

On June 6, Bunin received her degree at a commencement ceremony held just for her at Saint Leo’s main campus, off State Road 52 in St. Leo.

She received her degree from William Lennox, the university’s president.

Family members looked on, with pride.

Bradley Bunin’s brother, Matthew Bunin, flew in from Las Vegas to attend the ceremony.

“It’s inspiring to see what she has accomplished,” her brother-in-law said.

Danielle Bunin and Lennox stood in caps and gowns outside the president’s office, framed under an archway.

After receiving her degree, Bunin responded with gratitude.

“Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. It’s incredible that you were able to make this happen,” she said.

Lennox said personally bestowing the degree to her meant something special.

“We know how much work goes into this. It’s important to do this,” he said.

Saint Leo has nearly 16,000 undergraduates and graduates who enroll in course work at more than 40 locations in seven states, and online from anywhere.

Lennox said the university reaches out in particular to students who are in mid-career seeking to expand their possibilities.

“That takes an awful lot of work from the family,” he said.

Danielle Bunin gave credit to her husband.

She works at home as a social media marketer. Bradley Bunin is a salesman with an IT company.

She often spent nights doing coursework and taking tests that had to be finished within specific deadlines.

Her husband would free up her time and watch after the couple’s 2-year-old son, Ashton.

“It was a team effort,” she said.

Danielle Bunin and her family might also qualify as “Team Saint Leo.”

Bradley Bunin is a Saint Leo graduate.

His wife received her bachelor of arts degree two years ago when she was then pregnant with Ashton. At that ceremony, Danielle Bunin’s mother, Lorene Mervis, also received her bachelor of arts degree in sociology.

The next order of business is awaiting the arrival of the newest Bunin – a second son.

The baby is due in August.

Published June 15, 2016

Lutz Cemetery Association seeks donations

June 15, 2016 By Kathy Steele

The Lutz Cemetery has been a landmark in the community for a century, but it often goes unnoticed.

There’s a group of dedicated volunteers, with the nonprofit Lutz Cemetery Association, who want to make sure that the grave sites within the cemetery off U.S. 41 are not neglected.

Donations help pay for upkeep, including mowing grass and maintaining gravesites.

Bill Garrison planted flags at the Lutz Cemetery to honor the many veterans buried there. (File Photo) — Bill Garrison planted flags at the Lutz Cemetery to honor the many veterans buried there.
(File Photo)

Many burial plots over the years were sold without perpetual care plans, according to Kathy Vanater, secretary/treasurer of the association.

The group raises money to help maintain the cemetery. It will have a booth at the annual Fourth of July festivities in Lutz, but donations are welcome any time, Vanater said.

About 1,600 people are buried at the Lutz Cemetery, including members of prominent families, past and present.

Among them are Fred Polen, a teacher at Myrtle School, and later a mail carrier; Herbert Vernon, owner of Vernon & Land Co.; and, three generations of the Goheen family.

It is also the final resting place of Oscar Cooler, a champion of Lutz youth sports; and Carolyn Meeker, former president of the Lutz Civic Association.

The hallowed ground is a legacy donated to Lutz residents by C.E. Thomas, who was president of the North Tampa Land Company in the early 20th century.

A group of Chicago investors bought about 32,000 acres, north of the city of Tampa. They sold vacant lots to some of the early settlers of Lutz, and made an offer that anyone who bought 10 acres could have a free lot in town or a burial plot in the cemetery.

For many years after its founding, Lutz residents would gather once or twice a year to clean up the cemetery. However, that practice ended long ago. In the 1950s, the nonprofit association stepped in to fill the gap.

For information or to make a donation, people can stop by the association’s booth on July 4. Or, donations can be mailed to Lutz Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 1353, Lutz, FL 33548.

Published June 15, 2016

Bids come in too low for Eve’s Garden

June 15, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Auctioneer Marty Higgenbotham called a halt to the public auction of real estate at Eve’s Garden when it became clear the bids were too low.

Auctioneer Marty Higgenbotham, left, and Evie Lynn, owner of Eve’s Garden, confer on price of a bonsai plant during public auction of real estate, plants and other inventory. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — Auctioneer Marty Higgenbotham, left, and Evie Lynn, owner of Eve’s Garden, confer on price of a bonsai plant during public auction of real estate, plants and other inventory.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

But, Higgenbotham and owner Evie Lynn say they will keep working to sell the property for the best price they can get.

“It was too soon, too quick,” said Lynn of the auction’s scheduled date of June 10.

Potential buyers didn’t have enough time to review the site’s commercial potential and make an offer, she said.

Higgenbotham Auctioneers International handled the auction of real estate, plants and inventory at Eve’s Garden, 5602 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

After 33 years, Lynn is relocating her business to about 55 acres in Groveland in Lake County. She anticipates a grand opening in December.

About 20 people waited under an intense sun, as Higgenbotham kicked off the auction. Only two people bid on the real estate, and their offers climbed no higher than $445,000 for one parcel. Bidding started at $400,000.

“We sell mobile homes for $400,000. Are you kidding me?” Higgenbotham said.

Total acreage is about seven acres, with frontage on U.S. 41 and lake frontage to the rear of the site. The parcels, of 2.1 acres and 4.7 acres, could be purchased separately or together.

Susan Barreto and her brother-in-law, Frank Corradini, both of San Antonio, bid on several bonsai plants during a public action at Eve’s Garden.

The property includes the nursery, gift shop and warehouse. Inventory included bonsai, bamboo plants, koi fish, jewelry, nursery supplies and other gift items.

Local gardeners often came to Eve’s for bonsai and other plants and gifts. But, the vast majority of Lynn’s business has been on the wholesale side, nationwide, to gift shops, nurseries and brand name stores, such as Walgreen’s and Publix. Her bonsai nursery is one of the largest in the nation.

While the real estate didn’t sell, some plants and other inventory from Eve’s Garden and gift shop did sell.

San Antonio resident Frank Corradini and his sister-in-law, Susan Barreto, bid on several bonsai plants. Corradini has created his own bonsai for about 40 years.

He admired Lynn’s specimens.

“These are just so nice,” he said. “I want to expand my garden a bit.”

Published June 15, 2016

Upscale RV park rolling into Dade City

June 15, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Recreational vehicles and RV parks dot the landscape of rural thoroughfares surrounding Dade City.

But, just north of the historic downtown district, a very uncommon RV park is being planned. This project, an upscale RV gated community with amenities more often found in pricey single-family home subdivisions, is moving toward development.

Hill Country Estates is at 17151 U.S. 301, atop one of Dade City’s rolling hills.

Hill Country Estates has 37 ready-to-build lots for RV owners looking for homes with pull-through garages and amenities such as a guest house, garden, court yard and observation deck atop the garage. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — Hill Country Estates has 37 ready-to-build lots for RV owners looking for homes with pull-through garages and amenities such as a guest house, garden, court yard and observation deck atop the garage.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

“It’s a pretty unusual project,” said Jack Buckley, real estate solutions provider with Exit Realty in Land O’ Lakes.

The site has 37 ready-to-build one-acre lots.

Construction on the first site is anticipated within 45 days.

A standard feature will be a pull-through RV garage. Buyers will have several floor plan options ranging from about 1,200 square feet up to a more customized 5,000 square feet.

There will be one-bedroom, one-bath; two-bedroom, two- bath; and three-bedroom and two-bath houses.

Amenities can include an observation deck atop the garage, a pool house, garden and courtyard. The base price will be about $505,000. There also would be fees for a homeowner’s association.

“We like to think these would be a second residence,” said Buckley. Though for some, he said it could be a third or fourth home.

Interest in the homes has been high, Buckley said, with more than 90 inquiries. Developers hope to acquire an additional 98 acres from an adjacent golf course in order to build another 80 homes, he said.

The initial goal is to sell at least half of the existing lots, and then expand, Buckley added.

The project’s location is centrally located with easy access to Interstate 75, and trips to Tampa International Airport and downtown.

But, Buckley said there also is plenty happening now and in the future in Dade City. Potential projects could include a new golf course and a boutique hotel, he said.

The Publix grocery store that opened in late 2015 at the corner of U.S. 301 and Clinton Avenue is also a plus. It’s a short drive from Hill Country Estates.

“That’s a big feature for us, because years ago where would people go to do their shopping?” Buckley said.

Published June 15, 2016