Kathy Steele

Pasco master plan seeks to improve parks and recreation

February 24, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A proposed master plan for Pasco County’s parks and recreation facilities would cost an estimated $222 million over 10 years, according to a needs assessment from consultants at AECOM.

About $112 million of that amount would be targeted at new amenities for the county’s growing population.

A 2001 master plan projected about 51,000 more people over 10 years.

The actual number was closer to 119,000.

As more people move into Pasco County, the amount of parkland shrinks, in proportion to its population. (File Photos) — As more people move into Pasco County, the amount of parkland shrinks, in proportion to its population.
(File Photos)

New projections peg population growth at about 204,000 more residents, also over 10 years.

How much of the master plan realistically can be implemented and where the funding will come from has yet to be determined. Pasco County commissioners, on Feb. 16, got an overview of the issues confronting the county’s parks and recreation — now and in the future.

Commissioners were asked to consider potential funding options through increased impact fees, user fees, matching grants, assessments, taxes, or through combining multiple sources.

One option could be taking the issue to voters seeking additional funding through a 2018 referendum.

“We really think it’s going to take a combination of a lot of these things,” said Matt Armstrong, the county’s executive planner for long-range planning.

County staff presented the information to commissioners to seek direction before scheduling public meetings to map out various scenarios for the county’s master plan for parks and recreation.

Inadequate parks funding is posing a challenge for Pasco County to keep up its parks.

However, commissioners requested a follow-up presentation, with additional details, as well as illustrations of potential projects.

“We’ll draft a community-engaged road show and bring it back to you,” said Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker. “Then, you can try it on for size.”

After years of sharp budget cuts during the economy’s downturn, the parks and recreation department lacks funds just to maintain and operate existing parks.

The current budget falls short by about $14 million a year to cover existing needs, according to AECOM’s assessment.

The county now has about five acres per 1,000 people for parks and recreation activities. As the population grows over the next decade, the acreage per 1,000 people likely will shrink by half, if the county does nothing to expand parks and recreation, according to AECOM’s assessment.

In a survey, about 80 percent of 621 residents put repairs and upkeep as one of the county’s priorities. They also wanted more trails and sidewalks, more boat ramps, ball fields, community centers and a more equal distribution of facilities countywide.

About $15 million in new construction proposed in the county’s 2001 master plan went unbuilt, largely due to budget cuts.

AECOM consultants looked at five market areas in the county. While all areas need additional ball fields or recreational facilities, the market areas in south, north and central Pasco had the greatest needs.

One possible solution to address the shortage of funding for Pasco County’s parks and recreation could be to ask voters to approve additional funding through a referendum.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey cited 2009 data from the nonprofit Florida Taxwatch, which placed Pasco near the bottom in per capita spending on cultural and recreation facilities.

Residents might want to pay more to see improvements, she said.

“There is no money for parks and recreation in our budget,” Starkey said. “Their budget has been slashed, and the current parks they have are falling apart. We’ll have to close parks if we don’t find a budget source. And, if you think we have it now in our general revenues, where? In the sheriff’s budget?”

On revenues for parks and recreation, commissioners appeared to have a consensus that voters should decide what they want, and have a say in how to pay.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore stressed a “think outside the box” approach that includes public/private partnerships. Past efforts seemed to rely too much on taxes, he said.

It comes down to what residents want and a referendum, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells.

“If the residents want it and want to pay a little more on it, that’s what they need to do.”

Published February 24, 2016

Pasco County moves toward wildlife corridors

February 24, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A proposed ordinance to create wildlife corridors in Pasco County is expected to be considered soon by the Pasco County Commission.

With some tweaking, county planners hope to bring a revised ordinance to commissioners in the next weeks.

Commissioners reviewed the ordinance proposal at a workshop on Feb. 16 in Dade City. Six months earlier, they postponed public hearings on the ordinance to gather additional input.

This fox squirrel is one of the kinds of animals that would have more options for getting around if Pasco County creates proposed wildlife corridors. (File Photo) — This fox squirrel is one of the kinds of animals that would have more options for getting around if Pasco County creates proposed wildlife corridors.
(File Photo)

The central issue is balancing conservation and property rights, and determining compensation for land acquired by the county from private owners.

The county needs to acquire about 2,500 acres of the roughly 7,000 total acreage needed to establish seven wildlife corridors, primarily in central and east Pasco County. Corridors would link proposed and built development projects, including those at Starkey Ranch, Crossbar, Connerton and Cypress Creek.

Portions of the corridor are wetlands that are not suitable for development, and the county previously has acquired some land through the Environmental Land Acquisition Management Program.

The options are to obtain the remaining corridor property through eminent domain or through an ordinance that focuses on buying land from willing sellers.

“This should not be implemented on the backs of landowners,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “Landowners should want to participate in this, because they are more than fairly being compensated.”

As drafted, the ordinance would apply only if a landowner sought to rezone property for land uses of greater density or intensity, and had some portion of the corridor within the property’s boundaries.

There are exemptions including existing development approvals.

The county and landowner would provide property appraisals and reach agreement on a sales price through negotiations. Landowners also could appeal if they disagreed with the price.

Five workshops were held over the past year to gather public input from residents, developers and landowners.

The issue, however, has lingered for more than 20 years since a court settlement mandated that the county create the wildlife corridors.

“This challenge is before my time. We’ve got to get off the dime and get this done,” said Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader. “I think there is real value in establishing the corridor. This thing has gone on way too long.”

The corridors are intended to preserve wildlife habitat by allowing movement between preserved lands for such species as the spotted turtle, gopher frog, osprey, American oystercatcher, fox squirrel and river otter. They also aid in preservation of water resources, wetlands and recreational opportunities.

The corridors will be a long-term asset, according to Apopka resident Richard Stauffer, who attended the workshop.

“I think it will mean a whole lot,” Stauffer said. “We might not appreciate it today, but someday in the future our grandchildren will appreciate the wildlife and what we have.”

The ordinance would provide two compensation methods. In one, known as fee simple, the county would buy the property outright. At an average value of $10,000 per acre, taxpayers would spend about $26 million.

In the other method, known as less than fee simple, the county would acquire use of the land, but would not own it.

Under this method, based on an average of about $7,800 per acre, taxpayers would spend between $19 million and $20 million.

However, those property valuations seemed too low to commissioners as fair compensation and likely will be revised upward when the ordinance is brought back to them.

If lieu of an ordinance, the most expensive route would be eminent domain, based on county estimates that the costs could be as much as $78 million.

However, when the ordinance is rewritten, Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore wants it to be in “plain English” that makes it clear what landowners can expect.

Some families, he said, have passed land down for generations.

“They depend on it as income producing property. It has to be spelled out.”

Published February 24, 2016

Business Digest 02/24/2016

February 24, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Costco ready to build
Costco Wholesale representatives filed permits for the warehouse shell and a Costco gasoline station on Feb. 19, according to Pasco County records.

This follows recent approval by a planning oversight committee for a large display sign for the membership warehouse, located on Grand Cypress Drive next to Tampa Premium Outlets. In January, the company received approval for the sale of wine, beer and liquor. The approximately 153,000-square-foot warehouse building will have a separate liquor store of about 2,100 square feet. Company officials have not announced an opening date.

Chamber mixer
Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce will host a mixer on Feb. 24 from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Wesley Chapel Toyota, 5300 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The gathering offers a chance to network and meet new members.

For information, call the chamber office at (813) 909-2722 or the mixer’s sponsor, Wesley Chapel Toyota & Honda, at (727) 772-3265.

Breakfast network
The Wednesday Morning Networking Group will meet March 2 at 7:30 a.m., at The Lake House at Hungry Harry’s Family 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 Dex Imaging. Sponsorships for future meetings are available.

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

Jersey Mike’s Subs opens
Jersey Mike’s Subs is opening a restaurant at 2081 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes on March 2 with a ribbon cutting, from 9:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The franchise owners Bill Atkins and Rick Barrett will hold a sub fundraiser from March 2 through March 6 to support Denham Oaks and Lake Myrtle elementary schools and Pine View Middle School.

The new restaurant is circulating 5,000 coupons through the schools and 5,000 throughout the community. The coupons offer a sub sandwich for a minimum $2 donation to one of three schools. The restaurant will collect the contributions and distribute them to the schools. Customers must have a coupon to be eligible. While donations must be at least $2, they can exceed that amount.

The restaurant is covering the cost of the sandwiches, so the schools get the full benefit from the fundraiser.

“We are so excited to be opening the Land O’ Lakes location and educating the community on what Jersey Mike’s is all about,” Barrett said, in a release. “Jersey Mike’s is not only a great sub shop, but a partner in the community.”

The restaurant’s hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., seven days a week. To contact this location directly call (813) 949-2929.

Networking forum
The third annual Open Doors Forum will be on March 3 from 9 a.m. to noon at the TPepin Hospitality Centre, at 4121 N. 50th St., in Tampa. The free forum is to help minority, women and small business owners connect to opportunities in government contracting.

Attendees will be able to meet government prime contractors and subcontractors with the goal of forming new partnerships. Business owners will be able to connect with small business loan specialists, representatives of government agencies, and learn how to do business with local government.

Participating agencies are Hillsborough County, City of Tampa, Hillsborough Area Regional Transit, Hillsborough County Aviation Authority, Hillsborough County School Board, MacDill Air Force Base, Tampa General Hospital and Tampa-Hillsborough Expressway Authority.

Prime contractors will include Beck Group, David Nelson Construction, Kimmins Contracting Corp., and Skanska.

Hillsborough County’s Disadvantaged Minority/Disadvantaged Women Business Enterprise and Small Business Encouragement programs are the event’s organizers.

For information about registering, call (813) 276-2729. or visit HillsboroughCounty.org/OpenDoors.

Ribbon cutting
Aprile Chiropractic & Wellness will have a ribbon cutting on March 3 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 1932 Highland Oaks Blvd., in Lutz. The clinic is on the south side of State Road 54, just south of Livingston Road.

For information, call Aprile Chiropractic at (813) 909-1644, or visit AprileChiropractic.com.

Need skilled labor?
Pasco-Hernando State College will celebrate the graduation of 28 students, who now are certified production technicians through the National Emergency Grant program. They are ready for on-the-job training with local manufacturers. Each graduate comes with up to a $2,000 on-the-job training fund that goes directly to their new employer.

Also, stop in to visit the college’s Engineering Technology Lab and meet the new engineering technology faculty.

Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP by Feb. 25 to , or call (727) 816-3227.

Pasco’s global markets expand

February 17, 2016 By Kathy Steele

When people talk about the global economy, they’re not just talking about deals that take place overseas.

Florida already plays a sizable role in international trade, and Pasco County companies are showing an increasing interest in attracting global customers.

About 100 people turned out to learn more at “Growing Global,” a half-day international exporting conference hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council on Feb. 10.

More than 100 people attended Growing Global, a half-day international exporting conference, hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council. (Photos courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council) — More than 100 people attended Growing Global, a half-day international exporting conference, hosted by the Pasco Economic Development Council.
(Photos courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

The conference, held at the Residence Inn in Land O’ Lakes, featured speakers from international countries and business experts who provided information aimed at helping companies understand the markets, and also to help smooth the way for those interested in exporting goods and services.

Pasco County is increasingly part of the global market, said Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco EDC. “It (international trade) is not reserved to those big cities, like Orlando and Miami.”

The conference attracted business owners, Pasco County officials and representatives of the Small Business Development Center at the University of South Florida, Enterprise Florida, Tampa Bay Export Assistance Center and Pinellas County Economic Development.

Representatives from Canada, France, Germany and Mexico were there, too. They made sales pitches extolling reasons to do business with their respective countries.

They also shared data on imports and exports that already generate billions of dollars in global trade.

Louise Leger, acting consul general of Canada, reported that total trade between Canada and Florida is about $8 billion annually.

Max Stewart, regional manager of Enterprise Florida, encouraged business owners to take advantage of upcoming trade missions to Costa Rica and Mexico City.

Canada is the No. 1 source of tourism to Florida, Leger said.

About one in nine Canadians visit annually and spend a total of about $4 billion.

Canada employs about 27,000 Floridians in 300 companies located in the state, including Circle K and TD Bank.

With the exchange rate currently favoring the stronger U.S. dollar, Leger said now is a good time to invest in Canada. “We are there to help you be successful, whether it is here or in Canada,” Leger said. The consulate is located in Miami.

Max Stewart, regional manager of Enterprise Florida, touted the state agency’s upcoming trade missions to Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic and Mexico City.

“This is the time to be thinking internationally,” he said. “The U.S. is really, really strong in this market.”

Trade missions can open doors to foreign markets more quickly, Cronin said. “It allows our companies to get a lot more exposure than they would otherwise get,” he said.

While the focus often is on products, Cronin added that services also are a growing segment of global trade.

Not everything sold overseas has to be something that gets “thrown in a box. A lot of people don’t recognize that,” Cronin said.

A brief panel discussion highlighted some challenges of doing business overseas including paperwork, obtaining work permits and cultural sensitivities.

The panel showcased local businesses: Earthworks Environmental, in Safety Harbor; York Bridge Concepts, in Lutz; and TwinStar Optics, in Port Richey.

Bill Cronin, president of the Pasco Economic Development Council, welcomed participants to a conference highlighting opportunities for local companies to enter the global market.

“You need to have a strategy,” said Jonathan Brewer, owner of Earthworks Environmental, which specializes in soil cleanups. “It’s not going to happen overnight.”

Peter Thomas of TwinOptics makes opticals for laser-based weapons that require government approvals. “We worry about it being a weapon against the United States. A lot of time, we wait on (federal) government to get back to us.”

James York, of York Bridge Concepts, said companies that want to trade globally should “bring something unique to the table and, at some point, they (trade partners) are going to say ‘Hey, we need that’.”

York Bridge Concepts specializes in timber-built bridges for golf courses, trails and residential developments. The company began more than 30 years ago in Tampa, but moved to Lutz in 2008.

“We work in a global environment,” said Gil York, the company’s director of international development and public relations. “It’s irrelevant where you are located. It’s how you market your business.”

Published February 17, 2016

New school buses to run on natural gas

February 17, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County school buses have the green light to run on natural gas.

School officials expect the shift to save money in the long-term, while ushering in a more environmentally friendly fleet of buses.

On Feb.10, the Pasco County Planning Commission approved a recommendation from the county’s planning staff to allow construction of a bus maintenance and storage facility, and a refueling station on Interlaken Road in Odessa.

Future buses transporting children in Pasco County Schools are expected to use natural gas for fuel. (File Photo) — Future buses transporting children in Pasco County Schools are expected to use natural gas for fuel.
(File Photo)

The approximately 24-acre site on the north side of Interlaken Road will have the capacity to accommodate about 120 school buses and 180 personal vehicles.

In the first year of the program, school district officials plan to buy 30 to 35 new buses that run on fuel known as Compressed Natural Gas, or CNG. Those buses could be in service by spring of 2017.

More buses will be added year to year, slowly replacing some of the 470 buses in the fleet. The shift will reduce reliance on gasoline and diesel-burning fuels in favor of natural gas, which burns cleaner and emits fewer toxins.

Upfront costs are anticipated at about $1.5 million per year to buy buses. However, the school district could be reimbursed $25,000 per bus, up to 10 buses, through a state rebate program.

Clearwater Gas System, which is owned and operated by the city of Clearwater will supply the natural gas.

The planning commission’s approval came with conditions to address concerns raised by nearby residents.

An 8-foot masonry wall will be built. Activities within the compound will be set back 40 feet from residences, and efforts made to keep noise levels low.

Roadwork on a newly-extended Interlaken Road is under way. When completed in June, the two-lane road will have 6-foot sidewalks and an 8-foot multi-use trail.

Published February 17, 2016

Efforts on to settle renaming dispute

February 17, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County officials are trying to search out the historical boundaries between Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel to help determine the name of a new road near Cypress Creek Town Center.

Finding out that information could help determine whether a new stretch of Wesley Chapel Boulevard should:

Be renamed Circle O Ranch Parkway
Be named something else
Keep the name it has

The roadway, south of State Road 56, is planned as a southern continuation of Wesley Chapel Boulevard that will connect with County Line Road.

According to county records, a compromise decision to name the road “Town Center Parkway” was considered, but then abandoned.

“I don’t think Town Center is historical, but at least it’s a new beginning,” said Sandy Graves, a long-time Land O’ Lakes’ resident and a member of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber requested the name change to Circle O Ranch Parkway in December. The name would recognize the King family, whose ranch now is a prime development area for Tampa Premier Outlets and the Cypress Creek Town Center.

In the next weeks, meetings with groups who are at odds over the renaming will be held. Interested parties are being asked to provide evidence in the form of documents, oral histories, videos or anything that might shed light on the matter.

“We’ll put this in a staff report,” said Matt Armstrong, the county’s executive planner for the long-range planning department.

He hopes to have that available to Pasco County commissioners in March or April.

The effort is to give everyone a fair shake, he added.

But, county officials also are trying to put the focus on more than drawing a line between Wesley Chapel and Lutz-Land O’ Lakes.

Settling the boundaries also will affect future decisions on vision plans for each community.

“It’s more important to focus on the heart of the communities,” Armstrong said.

Pasco County commissioners unanimously agreed to continue the public hearing on the road’s renaming.

“It would be really nice to have some resolution to this contentious issue,” said Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Renaming roads can be a delicate matter, said Commissioner Ted Schrader.

He had some concern, though, about road name confusion with Wesley Chapel Boulevard, State Road 54 and State Road 56 all converging at the same intersection. The entrance into the outlet mall, also at the juncture, is Grand Cypress Drive.

“What really resonated with me was the potential renaming and how four roads are at the intersection, all with different names,” Schrader said. “That really stuck with me.”

To date, county officials have met with area residents and members of the Central Pasco chamber.

A meeting is scheduled Feb. 19 with area residents and members of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

Developers with Sierra Properties, which is building Cypress Creek Town Center, also are participating in discussions.

“This isn’t a chamber issue to me,” said Graves. “It’s something the county did that was wrong and needs to be corrected.”

Hope Allen, president of the Wesley Chapel chamber, declined to comment on the issue.

The Land O’ Lakes community crafted a vision plan and presented it to the county in 2003. The boundaries were Interstate 75, State Road 52, the Suncoast Parkway and the county line.

But in 2004, and Graves says without notice, the county renamed County Road 54 as Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

But, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes mailing addresses exist along the boulevard, north of State Road 56. The outlet mall and the town center have Lutz addresses, while Stagecoach and Grand Oaks subdivisions have Land O’ Lakes addresses.

“Lutz and Land O’ Lakes have been together forever,” Graves said. The King family had a Lutz address, but were ingrained in the Land O’ Lakes community, she said.

Still, she is hopeful that a resolution will soon be reached.

“The history of our community is very important,” Graves said.

Published February 17, 2016

Hunting for treasure in Webster

February 17, 2016 By Kathy Steele

If you can’t find the interesting and the unusual at the Webster Westside Flea Market, then you’re just not looking.

From a hog scraper, to a candlestick telephone, to a pair of 1950s roller skates with a key — the little flea market in rural Webster is a find all in itself.

Robert Borton recycles colanders to make table lamps, and sells them on Mondays at the Webster flea market. He’s a winter resident in Zephyrhills, but lives the rest of the year in Maine. (Fred Bellet/Photos) — Robert Borton recycles colanders to make table lamps, and sells them on Mondays at the Webster flea market. He’s a winter resident in Zephyrhills, but lives the rest of the year in Maine.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

In the pre-dawn hours, vendors arrive with their wares loaded in vans, pick-up trucks and car trunks stuffed to the max.

Then, they get to work setting up.

Some spread their trinkets out atop folding tables in the open air. Other arrange their items on rustic tables under covered sheds. Some scatter their goods on a plot of ground that is theirs for a day.

The ritual is the same every Monday, the only day of the week the market is open.

In winter — when the snowbird residents from up north migrate south — as many as 800 vendors stream in each Monday. Things slow down a bit in the summer season when the snowbirds reverse course. But, even then, 400 to 500 vendors unpack their goods at Webster.

With a 5 a.m., start time in winter, flashlights often light the way through rows and rows of vendors.

Bimmie Walters started out with a cardboard box of stuff that went unsold at her yard sale in Tampa. A friend suggested she take the box – probably some pottery knickknacks – and try Webster.

“I sold everything in the box,” Walters said.

That was 35 years ago.

“I fell into it,” she confessed.

Nancy Brennan, of Apopka, admires her old-style, trendy glasses in the mirror. She and husband, Shawn Brennan, were on their first shopping trip to the Webster Westside Flea Market.

And, now she and her husband, Ray Walters, are regulars at their permanent spot under a shed.

Webster can be as much about friendship as it is about sales.

Customers, especially the temporary snowbirds, stop by to get reacquainted.

“They expect to see you here,” she said.

Sometimes, Webster is about the thrill of the hunt.

There are things that one might expect: Picture frames, quilts, vintage clothes and Florida’s traditional pink flamingos.

And, there are less expected finds: A talking Pee-Wee Herman in his original box; a Grand Ole Opry Country Rose Barbie, collector’s edition, also in her box; and, a candlestick phone from 1915.

There are also doorknobs; buttons galore; a two-seater bicycle; a 1948 yearbook for Bowling Green State University; clip-on earrings; a Brownie camera; and, a photographer’s flash pan.

And, that’s just to mention a smattering of the types of items to be found at the Webster Westside Flea Market.

Anthony and Amy Ray hung around on Monday after a motorcycle swap meet at the market site on Sunday.

“It’s something to do,” said Amy Ray, who lives in Edison, New Jersey. “You don’t spend much money. You walk around.”

Good deals on hanging art, sculptures, rare books, toys, furniture, a talking Pee Wee Herman doll and old coins can be found at the Webster flea market.

Her husband searched for lanterns, fishing gear and thermometers.

“I like hunting for stuff and looking for good deals,” he said. And, he added, “I like talking with people.”

The New Jersey residents weren’t alone in finding Webster. Vehicles in the parking lots sport tags from nearby Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties — and from as far away as Ohio, Arkansas, New York and Michigan.

The little market with the big-time reputation got its start in the 1930s as a farmers’ market. Blue laws prohibited Sunday sales, so farmers came on Mondays.

Over the years, people added arts and crafts, collectibles and antiques.

Webster’s Westside Flea Market officially got its name in the 1960s. There is an East Side Market that is smaller, but it is owned and operated separately.

Alice Cushman and her late husband became owners of Webster’s Westside in 1992.

“We were looking for a good retirement nest,” said Cushman.

The site in total is 80 acres, with Westside claiming about 35 acres. But, there is room to add more vendor locations, Cushman said.

Over the years, she said, “It has grown like an old house.”

On weekends, the site is opened for a car and motorcycle show/swap meet. It is the largest monthly vehicle show in Florida, Cushman said.

A leather auction and a circus also drew crowds to the site on a recent weekend. Both could become annual events.

In Homosassa, Cushman owns Howards Flea Market, which is open Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Yolanda Burns, a Pennsylvania native and winter resident of Clermont, checks out an item that caught her eye in Bimmie and Ray Walters’ booth at the Webster Westside Flea Market.

The growth boom in new housing is changing the makeup of shoppers, with more snowbirds becoming permanent residents, Cushman said.

“We’re benefiting from that,” she added.

Robert Borton owns a home in Zephyrhills, but also spends time in his native Michigan. In his spare time, he made birdhouses as a hobby, and now he gets creative with lamp shades made from colanders.

He is a six-year vendor at Webster.

“It gives me something to do while I’m here,” he said.

Apopka residents Nancy and Shawn Brennan are longtime snowbirds, but had never visited Webster until recently.

“We just never took off on a Monday,” said Nancy Brennan, who glammed before a mirror trying on an old-style pair of sun glasses. “I had friends who talked highly of it. We’re just looking for the interesting and unusual.”

Gail Walker looks for hard-to-find books, especially on the British royal family.

“I’m hooked on the royals,” she said.

Harvey Finkle is an optician on most weekdays, but Webster vendor on Mondays. His mother gave him a taste for antiques and collectibles when she ran estate sales in the mid-1960s.

“I always helped her out as a kid,” he said.

He sells old toys, vinyl records, mostly from the 1960s, and optical equipment from the 1940s. Among his finds were a lens-o-meter and trial lens set.

“I do this for fun,” Finkle said. “I meet a lot of interesting people.”

Shopping at Webster is a 15-year pastime for snowbird resident, Sandy Probst, and an obsession for her husband, Lester. “He will not go anywhere, except to play golf before he comes here,” she said.

What: Webster Westside Flea Market
Where: 516 NW Third St., in Webster
When: On Mondays, from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m., in October through April; and from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., May through September
Cost: Admission is free.
For more information, call (352) 793-9877 or (800) 832-7396, or visit WebsterWestsideFleaMarket.com.

Published February 17, 2016

Business Digest 02/17/2016

February 17, 2016 By Kathy Steele

New day spa and salon
The belle ame Day Spa & Salon has opened at 21758 State Road 54, in the Osprey Cove Professional Park, in Lutz. The day spa and salon will feature organic and natural products. Both women and men are welcome.

Services include massage, facials and skin are, body treatments, waxing, hair styling, manicures and pedicures. The spa is open seven days a week.

For information, call the spa at (813) 949-8400, email owner Lisa Huston at , or visit BelleAmeDaySpa.com.

Open house
OTB Delight Café will celebrate its second anniversary with an open house on Feb. 18 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The event is free.

The café’s menu includes salads, sandwiches, burgers and desserts, made from farm fresh, free range and organic produce and meats.

For information, call (813) 973-8880, or visit OTBDelightCafe.com.

Breakfast meeting
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have its quarterly meeting – “Join Us for Java” – on Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m., at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, 7040 Gall Blvd. Come to the FHZ Creation Cafe on the first floor. Complimentary valet parking will be available for chamber guests at the hospital’s main entrance.

Guest speaker will be honorary lifetime member Cliff McDuffie, who will talk about how to “Match Expectations to Results.”

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

Burgess joins law firm
State Rep. Danny Burgess is joining the law firm of Lucas/Magazine, which is adding an office at 2533 Windguard Circle, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel. The firm specializes in personal injury and also other practices, including nursing home abuse, criminal law and estate planning.

Burgess is an east Pasco native who attended Pasco County schools. He served as mayor of Zephyrhills, and is captain in the United States Army Reserve as a judge advocate. He and his wife Courtney have two children.

Burgess was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2014, and represents the 38th District, which includes Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes, Zephyrhills, Trilby and Dade City.

Business training
Interested in doing business with Hillsborough County government and want to know how to start? Or, are you already doing business with Hillsborough but want to learn more?

The county now offers training to experienced vendors and new suppliers who want to learn how to navigate the self-service, iSupplier portal. The program allows vendors to directly access information and enter business transactions through the county’s procure-to-pay process.

A two-hour training session is offered on the second Tuesday of each month. Topics include navigating the Procurement Service website, registering in iSupplier, updating vendor profiles, submitting bids and reviewing business opportunities in Hillsborough County

Training sessions are from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Entrepreneur Collaborative Center, at 2101 Palm Ave., in Tampa. The sessions are free, but advance registration is required.

For information call (813) 272-5790, email , or visit HillsboroughCounty.org/procurement.

Lunch and learn
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will “Lunch N Learn” on Feb. 18 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the chamber’s boardroom at 6013 Wesley Chapel Blvd., in Suite 105, in Wesley Chapel.

The guest speaker will Dr. Bill Scheu from the New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center. He will talk about stress and techniques to use at work, to manage stress and become healthier.

The cost is $15, including lunch.

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

Ribbon cutting
Liberty Tax Services will have a ribbon cutting on Feb. 23 from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Towne Square Plaza, at 5522 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Light hors d’oeuvres and drinks will be served.

For information, call Liberty Tax office at (813) 540-1212.

Catholic Business Network
The Catholic Business Network of Tampa Bay meets every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., in Rosary Hall, Room 5 and Room 6, at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. The network is a nonprofit membership organization for local business people who want to incorporate their faith into the workplace, and network with other Catholics to foster personal and business relationships. All faiths are welcome.

For information, visit CBNtampa.org.

Free business seminars
Land O’ Lakes residents Ed and Ivonne Ortiz will host free business seminars on how to start your own business every Thursday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Classes will be at the Carrollwood offices of Primerica, at 8902 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Suite 117, on the west side of the highway, south of the apex in Lutz.

Topics include “how to begin and grow a business without cold calling,” “financial products that help people plan for the future,” and “license exam preparations for insurance and mutual funds.”

For information or to register, call Ed Ortiz at (813) 269-7400 or (813) 546-9060.

Business Digest 02/10/2016

February 10, 2016 By Kathy Steele

New hotel near outlets
The owner of Impact Properties is proposing a six-story, 130-room Hyatt Place hotel at Cypress Creek Town Center, according to Pasco County records. A conceptual plan filed with the county’s planning department shows the hotel at the west corner of State Road 56 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, and on the east end of the proposed Sierra Center Road. This section of the proposed town center is north of State Road 56, opposite Tampa Premium Outlets.

New restaurant and coffee
On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina and Starbucks are in the mix for retail on parcels located outside Tampa Premium Outlets. Pasco County records show Hunt Real Estate filed a pre-application and conceptual plan for On the Border, at about 6,000-square-feet, and Starbucks, at about 2,100 square feet. The location is 2257 Sun Vista Drive, according to Pasco County records. Other restaurants also under construction or planned for Sun Vista or Grand Cypress Drive include Cheddar’s Casual Café and Panda Express.

Donut shop planned
A Zephyrhills’ Dunkin’ Donuts is on the drawing board. Plans are to build the donut shop, with a drive-through, at State Road 54 between Dean Dairy and Seaberg roads, according to Pasco County records.

Pet paradise
Developers are proposing to build Pet Paradise Resort on the northeast corner of State Road 56 and Cypress Ridge Road, near the Interstate 75 interchange, according to Pasco County records.

Conceptual plans and a pre-application form show an approximately 14,800- square-foot building. The pet resort would offer daytime care, training, grooming, boarding kennels, indoor and outdoor play areas, a pet swimming pool and an overnight manager’s office.

For information or to register, call Ed Ortiz at (813) 269-7400 or (813) 546-9060.

General meeting
The North Tampa Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly general meeting on Feb. 11, with check-in at 11 a.m., at Brunchies Breakfast, Brunch, Lunch and Catering at 14366 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. Networking is until 11:30 a.m., when lunch will be served from a select menu.

For information, contact the chamber at (813) 961-2420, or email .

Ribbon cutting for CPA
FMA Fox, Martukovich & Associates CPA will have a ribbon cutting on Feb. 11 from noon to 1:30 p.m., at 1527 N. Dale Mabry Highway, on the west side of Dale Mabry, south of the apex, in Lutz.

For information, call Amanda at (727) 530-0036.

Luncheon
The Hispanic Business Leaders luncheon will be Feb. 16 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The event is hosted by the Hispanic Business Leaders of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. The sponsor is Rivera Chiropractic.

The cost is $20 for chamber members, and $25 for non-members, but only $18 if prepaid.

For information, contact John Jay Anglada, of Finest DeeJays, at (813) 298-3232.

The guest speaker will Dr. Bill Scheu from the New Tampa Chiropractic & Injury Center. He will talk about stress and techniques to use at work, to manage stress and become healthier.

The cost is $15, including lunch.

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

Catholic Business Network
The Catholic Business Network of Tampa Bay meets every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., in Rosary Hall, Rooms 5 and 6, at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes. The network is a nonprofit membership organization for local business people who want to incorporate their faith into the workplace, and network with other Catholics to foster personal and business relationships. All faiths are welcome.

For information, visit CBNtampa.org.

Ideas clash for solving traffic woes

February 10, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A proposal for a flyover at State Road 54 and U.S. 41 got a big thumb’s down at a recent transportation task force meeting aimed at finding solutions for reducing congestion on one of Pasco County’s busiest east/west corridors.

In fact, the idea of a flyover anywhere along State Road 54 and State Road 56 between U.S. 19 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard met stiff resistance.

About 50 people, including members of two separate task forces, residents and Pasco County officials, met Feb. 2 at Rasmussen College to discuss options.

A heavy volume of cars and trucks makes State Road 54 and U.S. 41 one of the busiest intersections in Pasco County. (File Photo) — A heavy volume of cars and trucks makes State Road 54 and U.S. 41 one of the busiest intersections in Pasco County.
(File Photo)

Task force members pressed county officials to consider using frontage roads to ease congested intersections and to preserve access to local businesses and shops.

The task force also approved a motion to ask county planners to determine the feasibility of the frontage road option.

“Our solution is at grade, which is what the public wants,” said Tom Ryan, a task force member and economic development manager at the Pasco Economic Development Council. “It (flyover) infringes on their quality of life. There is no way around it. It will affect quality of life.”

Ryan was joined by task force member Robb Sercu who also tossed out ideas for at-grade alternatives rather than flyovers.

The meeting was the first joint session of East and West task forces, which began meeting separately in September. Each was appointed as an advisory board to the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization. Their task is to recommend up to five alternatives that the MPO can consider for future transportation projects over the next 20 years. One option is not to build anything.

The West Task Force is studying State Road 54 from west of U.S. 41, and the East Task Force, from east of U.S. 41.

However, discussion at the joint meeting quickly focused on the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 as a priority that likely will be the first road project to need funding.

“That is the most congested location at this time,” said Ali Atefi, a transportation engineer with MPO.

The Florida Department of Transportation held a public hearing in January to get input on two alternatives for elevated lanes over U.S. 41. Many who attended said they came away believing they would pay tolls.

“That’s what got a lot of people upset in our area,” said task force member Fred Knauer. “If I go to Lowe’s, I have to pay a toll?”

Atefi said tolls could be a source to pay for the roads, but that hasn’t been decided yet.

County officials also noted that even with elevated lanes, there would be at-grade through lanes at the intersection.

Some of those attending the meeting want tolls to be an option, to help reduce congestion.

“Toll roads do have a place,” said task force member Marilyn DeChant. “They take drivers off grade and put them up (on express lanes). They do have a place to be considered.”

But, task force member Susie Hoeller said toll roads could hurt elderly residents on fixed incomes and local businesses that do deliveries.

“People in government, they don’t look at the real impact on people’s lives,” she said. “I think it’s a bad idea.”

Whatever option that gains approval should be one that is feasible and reasonable, said Ryan.

And, any option that involves construction will cause disruptions including the purchase of right-of-way, he said.

“We shouldn’t hide away from discussing eminent domain. These are going to come up,” he said. “There’s a business or two that might have to move.”

Keystone Community Church, at 21010 State Road 54, also could be in the path of future road construction.

“We’re in a growth mode now,” said Wayne Hawes, chairman of the church’s board of directors. “Are we going to waste our money if we expand our facilities?”

Even if funds were available now, Atefi said construction could be between seven and eight years away.

Funding more likely won’t be available until after 2020.

Some people at the meeting expressed frustrations and skepticism about the planning process.

Dave Miller said the county’s long-range land use plan is too focused on increasing density.

“This is social engineering,” said Miller who lives in west Pasco, off Little Road and State Road 54.

“They are trying to force people into high rises on transit lanes. You need to throw this back at them (Pasco County and the state). This is not workable,” Miller said.

Others seemed skeptical that their efforts on the task force would be taken seriously.

“Ultimately it’s going to be what they want it to be,” said task force member Christie Zimmer. “I’m praying it’s not that, and we won’t get something stuffed down our throats.”

Her remarks drew some applause.

Task force members will complete surveys in the next weeks to identify up to five construction alternatives, plus a no-build option.

The West Task Force will vote on alternatives at its final meeting on March 28. The East Task Force will do the same at its meeting on March 31. Both of those meetings will be from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Rasmussen College.

The planning organization will do additional study on the top selections.

What: Town Hall meeting with Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, and county staff members
When: Feb. 18 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Where: Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 20735 Leonard Road, Lutz

Published February 10, 2016