Kathy Steele

Tampa Premium Outlets to have ‘Key West’ vibe

August 26, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Tampa Premium Outlets will have water, water, everywhere.

The mega-outlet mall will have a center court lagoon, five fountains, and buildings and interiors painted in soft pastels, to give shoppers a “Key West” experience.

Special events and celebrities will punctuate an opening weekend slated for Oct. 29 through Nov. 1.

Palm trees and a pastel color palette throughout Tampa Premium Outlets will give shoppers a ‘Key West’ experience. (Artist renderings courtesy of Simon Property Group) — Palm trees and a pastel color palette throughout Tampa Premium Outlets will give shoppers a ‘Key West’ experience.
(Artist renderings courtesy of Simon Property Group)

General Manager Stacey Nance gave guests at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast a peek at the soon-to-open mall, off State Road 56, near Interstate 75.

The breakfast marked the first formal event by Nance who was tapped as general manager in May. She began her career with Simon Property Group 18 years ago, as director of marketing at Muncie Mall, in Muncie, Indiana. She later moved into retail management, overseeing operations at Muncie Mall, Muncie Plaza and Northwood Plaza.

Nance also introduced her staff members, including Office Administrator Kelly Holmes and Operations Manager Dallas Stevens.

“We are very excited to be part of your community for many years to come,” Nance said.

The 441,000-square-foot mall will have 110 outlet shops, though not all will be part of the opening weekend. Among announced tenants are Adidas, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Fossil, Puma and Samsonite.

About 92 percent of the mall will be filled on opening day, Nance said. The extra open space is needed, she said, to allow room for the special events.

Details on the events and the as-yet-unnamed celebrities will be announced later.

A job fair for more than 800 jobs will take place on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Embassy Suites, at 3705 Spectrum Blvd., in Tampa. The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and Career Central at Pasco Hernando State College are event coordinators.

All of the announced tenants will participate in the job fair, Nance said.

Stacey Nance is the general manager of Tampa Premium Outlets that will open on Oct. 29. (File Photo) — Stacey Nance is the general manager of Tampa Premium Outlets that will open on Oct. 29.
(File Photo)

On opening day, shoppers can try out a valet service. Not all Simon properties have valet parking, but Nance said plans are to see how it is utilized.

Marketing is under way also for outparcels that could bring in more tenants.

“If you all come out and spend lots of money, there will be more development,” Nance said.

She anticipates opportunities for local businesses to bid for contracts including for special events, banners and lighting for the parking lot. Signarama, a Wesley Chapel-based company and a “podium sponsor” of the chamber’s breakfast, was among local businesses that provided items for the outlet mall’s groundbreaking.

“Basically, the sky’s the limit,” Nance said.

Published August 26, 2015

Business Digest 08-26-15

August 26, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, left, presented Lou Hollander with a plaque for his years of service. (Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector's Office) — Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, left, presented Lou Hollander with a plaque for his years of service.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

Lou Hollander retires
Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano announced the retirement of Lou Hollander, who has worked at the Land O’ Lakes tax collector’s office since 2003.

“Lou was well-liked and respected by both customers and co-workers alike,” Fasano said in an email announcing the retirement. “His knowledge and expertise of the complicated tax system, as well as his friendly and outgoing manner, all will be missed.”

During a farewell ceremony on Aug. 14, Hollander received a plaque commemorating his career with the tax collector’s office.

Breakfast network
East and Central Pasco Marketing Mania will take place Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the Commons at Pretty Pond, at 38130 Pretty Pond Road in Zephyrhills. A continental breakfast is provided. Please RSVP.

The event takes place every last Thursday of the month. Locations may change periodically.

For information, call (813) 779-4501.

New physician
Bayfront Medical Health Group will host a ribbon cutting for Dr. Paul Chakola, who specializes in pulmonology disease and critical care, on Aug. 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 38152 Medical Center Ave., in Zephyrhills.

For information, call (352) 521-1593, or visit BayfrontDadeCity.com.

Social mixer
SMARTstart Incubator will host a social mixer on Aug. 28 from 5:01 p.m. to 6 p.m., to celebrate the end of a productive week with other businesses and members of the community of SMARTstart Dade City Business Incubator. The event is at 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 103, in Dade City. Light refreshments will be provided, but BYOB (bring your own beverage).

RSVP to (352) 437-4861, or email .

Breakfast meeting
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will have its monthly breakfast meeting on Sept. 1 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, third floor conference center, Room B-303, at the Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost for chamber members is $15 in advance (register online by 3 p.m., Aug. 28). At the door, the cost is $20 for members and non-members.

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

Wednesday Morning networking
The Wednesday Morning Networking group will meet Sept. 2 at 7:30 a.m., at The Lake House at Hungry Harry’s Family B-B-Q, at 3116 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Each attendee will be able to present a 30-second commercial. The $7 cost includes breakfast. Sponsorships are available.

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

Ribbon cutting
Thurow Financial Services will have a ribbon cutting and fifth anniversary celebration on Sept. 3 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. Refreshments will be provided.

For information, call Chris Thurow at (813) 406-4436.

Annual banquet
The 29th Annual Pasco Economic Development Council Banquet will be Sept. 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. Registration deadline is Aug. 27. Sponsorships are available. More than 700 local and Tampa Bay business and community leaders attend each year.

The event includes an awards ceremony, an industry trade show and a brief report on economic development progress. Channel 10 reporter and news anchor Tammie Fields is the emcee.

For information, contact Suzanne Renczkowski at (813) 926-0827, ext. 226, or email .

Networking women
WOW, Women of Wesley Chapel, will meet on Sept. 4 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., in the second floor conference room at the Health and Wellness Center, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. The breakfast sponsor is Valerie Rudmin, owner of Everlasting Beauty.

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

Task forces looking for traffic solutions for State Road 54/56

August 19, 2015 By Kathy Steele

A private development plan to build an elevated toll road along the State Road 54 and State Road 56 corridor fell apart more than a year ago. But, the experience left lingering ill feelings because of a lack of public input on the project.

County officials now plan to start discussions again on how to deal with a major traffic headache on a corridor with exploding growth from rooftops to shops, especially from Land O’ Lakes to Wesley Chapel. More growth is anticipated from Wesley Chapel to Zephyrhills.

At the same time the county wants to give residents a role in the decision-making.

Motorists navigate the intersection where Wesley Chapel Boulevard meets the State Road 54 and State Road 56 junction. In the background, Tampa Premium Outlets is under construction, nearing the Oct. 29 opening day. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — Motorists navigate the intersection where Wesley Chapel Boulevard meets the State Road 54 and State Road 56 junction. In the background, Tampa Premium Outlets is under construction, nearing the Oct. 29 opening day.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

“There was no public engagement, no strong grassroots support,” said James Edwards, the transportation manager for Pasco’s Metropolitan Planning Organization. “We’re going to change that in this particular study.”

Two task forces will discuss options, with each presenting five to six recommendations to the Pasco County Commission.

One group will focus on State Road 54 from U.S. 19, in west Pasco, to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. Another will look at State Road 54/State Road 56, from U.S. 41 to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, east of Interstate 75.

In the future, a separate study will consider State Road 56 from Bruce B. Downs to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

Committee members are from the MPO’s Citizens Advisory Committee, local chambers of commerce, community leaders, developers or their representatives, and residents from west and east Pasco.

Their work is scheduled for completion within eight months to nine months.

The kickoff meetings, open to the public, will be on Sept. 24 (East Task Force) and on Sept. 29 (West Task Force) at 5:45 p.m., at Rasmussen College at the Land O’ Lakes campus at 18600 Fernview Street.

Two years ago International Infrastructure Partners LLC proposed building a 33-mile elevated toll road from U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills to U.S. 19 in New Port Richey at an estimated cost to the company of $2.2 billion.

The deal collapsed when company representatives later requested public assistance to build the toll road.

Pasco County commissioners recently approved about $144,000 for consulting services for the task forces from Tampa-based, Tindale Oliver. The funds are from grants to the MPO.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore queried Edwards on the role Tindale Oliver would play.

Edwards said consultants and county staff members are there in supporting, not leadership, roles.

“We want the committees to really drive this process,” he said. “We’re there to provide education and some direction.” Representatives of the Florida Department of Transportation are doing their own study and also monitoring the county’s efforts.

“They’re interested in having some documents to come out of this, giving them some guidance,” Edwards said.

Whatever plan emerges will be done in phases over several years, he added. “Most (work) will be done with federal monies.”

Published August 19, 2015

Eatery trio in the serving line at Tampa Premium Outlets’ food court

August 19, 2015 By Kathy Steele

A trio of food court restaurants at the Tampa Premium Outlets is slated for completion by Oct. 5, about three weeks before the mall’s opening day.

Green Leafs, Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt, and South Philly Steaks & Fries are a package deal for Eclipse Building Corp. The South Florida-based company, with additional locations in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa, is a frequent contractor at malls built by Simon Property Group, the developers behind the outlet mall at State Road 56 and the Interstate 75 interchange.

Eclipse Building Corp. is in charge of construction of 40 percent of the food court at Tampa Premium Outlets including Green Leafs and Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt. (Courtesy of Eclipse Corp.) — Eclipse Building Corp. is in charge of construction of 40 percent of the food court at Tampa Premium Outlets including Green Leafs and Bananas Smoothies & Frozen Yogurt.
(Courtesy of Eclipse Corp.)

The mall will have 110 outlet stores including Michael Kors, Gymboree, J. Crew, Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren and PacSun.

Franchisee Raitom LLC hired Eclipse to build the three gourmet eateries in the mall’s food court, which represent about 40 percent of the mall’s food court.

The grouping of these particular eateries is a first for Raitom, which hopes to market them similarly at other malls.

“They all kind of complement each other,” said Todd Whalen, founder and president of Eclipse.

Green Leafs specializes in fast food, healthy dining with fresh made-to-order and signature salads, wraps, grilled paninis and homemade soups. Bananas Smoothies creates fruit smoothies and nonfat yogurt treats. South Philly serves a heartier menu with classic cheese steaks, salads, loaded potatoes and potato skins.

Eclipse is bidding on contracts for retail vendors at the outlet mall as well as an Asian-themed food court eatery, also part of Raitom’s franchises. With that contract, Eclipse would be responsible for 65 percent of the food court.

Other Eclipse clients include For Eyes, J. McLaughlin, Build-A-Bear, Fresh Healthy Café and Perfumania.

Whalen said his company takes a unique approach in its bidding by offering a two-year warranty including maintenance services. The industry standard generally is for one-year warranties, he said.

“We just keep the place looking brand new,” Whalen said.

The Oct. 5 completion date for the eateries allows time to stock the restaurants and train employees, he added.

“It’s going to be a very, very exciting shopping experience for everyone,” Whalen said.

Published August 19, 2015

Legislative delegation to weigh in on charter

August 19, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Fish or cut bait?

Members of the Municipal Association of Pasco County, which represents the six cities in Pasco, want a final decision on whether the county should alter its form of government.

Calvin Branche, a commissioner with the Metropolitan Planning Organization, told the charter panel during public comment that a charter government isn’t needed. (Photos courtesy of Richard K. Riley) — Calvin Branche, a commissioner with the Metropolitan Planning Organization, told the charter panel during public comment that a charter government isn’t needed.
(Photos courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

They likely will get their wish on Aug. 24 when the county’s appointed charter review panel has scheduled a vote on the matter. A previously scheduled vote on Aug. 10 was postponed until the charter panel could hear from Pasco’s legislative delegation.

State Representatives Richard Corcoran and Amanda Murphy, and State Senators John Legg and Wilton Simpson have confirmed they will attend the Aug. 24 meeting which will begin at 1 p.m., in the first floor board room, at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey.

Pasco’s cities have expressed opposition to a charter.

“We are very concerned at the implications a charter would have on our cities,” said Lance Smith, a Zephyrhills’ city councilman. He and St. Leo Mayor Pro Tem James Hallett addressed panel members at their Aug. 10 meeting in Dade City.

Among issues of concern, according to Smith, would be whether cities would retain control over establishing special tax districts, known as community redevelopment areas.

“We need this decision one way or another,” he said. “Fish or cut bait.”

Zephyrhills is one of six cities in the municipal association. Others are Dade City, New Port Richey, Port Richey, St. Leo and San Antonio.

The municipal association members met recently and approved a resolution opposing charter government.

The resolution urges panel members “to reconsider this…effort, and to provide for a more balanced and transparent review of our county government in the future.”

There also is concern that a charter “would infringe on the rights and duties of municipal elected officials and the citizens they represent,” according to the resolution.

Pasco County currently is governed under home rule with five districts, each with a representative elected by countywide vote.

Twenty of the state’s 67 counties operate with charters, including Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Commissioners appointed the 15-member panel in May after Corcoran lobbied them earlier in the year to establish a charter commission.

Dade City resident Judy Geiger spoke during public comment at the Aug. 10 charter panel meeting. She opposes charter government.

However, the Pasco commissioners’ nonbinding panel has the option of approving or rejecting a charter-style government.

In contrast, state law requires that a charter commission, once formed, must produce a charter that voters would accept or reject.

An activist group, the Pasco County Citizens Charter Coalition, announced in June that it would partner with Corcoran in a petition campaign to secure a required 45,000 signatures needed to establish such a commission.

Corcoran has said in the past that charters give more power to residents.

“That’s sort of the idea,” said panel member, Randy Maggard. “The people have more say.”

Maggard said the panel should explore specific elements of charters, such as single-member districts and term limits, before shutting the door on a charter.

“We’re going to make a decision without discussing these other things?” he said. “Everybody has made their minds up?”

If the panel votes on Aug. 24 not to pursue a charter, then the panel can disband. It would take 10 votes to support a charter, but if that is the decision then, members would have to buckle down for months of additional study and work.

They would have to produce a document detailing the operations of government including possible adoption of single-member districts, term limits, a recall process, an elected county administrator or elected county mayor. Pasco voters would approve or reject the panel’s recommendation in the November 2016 election.

Regardless of the panel’s decision, the grassroots charter coalition can move forward on its own to seek to establish the desired charter commission.

Residents who spoke during public comment at the Aug. 10 meeting were skeptical of a charter.

“Just because you could, doesn’t mean you should,” said Calvin Branche, a commissioner with the Metropolitan Planning Organization. “I think it’s a very wrong way to approach the citizens about this thing.”

Branche told panel members he had attended some meetings of the charter coalition group, and doubted that it would get the required petition signatures.

No one from the charter coalition spoke during public comment.

Dade City resident Judy Geiger worried that a charter with single-member districts would work against east Pasco, which has fewer residents than the more developed west Pasco.

“I believe the current government works very well,” she said “To spend more time on a charter I think would be a waste.”

Published August 19, 2015

Business Digest 08-19-15

August 19, 2015 By Kathy Steele

New Wawa
The Pennsylvania-based fuel and fresh food chain is poised to build a Wawa store at the intersection of State Road 56 and Trout Creek Road, west of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. The new Wawa will be near Tijuana Flats and The Shoppes at New Tampa. Company representatives met with Pasco County planners on July 31 for initial discussions on the project, according to county records.

A conceptual plan filed with the county shows a store of about 6,100 square feet and 16 fueling stations.

According to Wawa’s website, the business began in 1803 as an iron foundry in New Jersey. In the early 1900s, owner George Wood moved into dairy farming. His grandson, Grahame Wood, opened a store in 1964, selling dairy products. Today Wawa has about 645 locations in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware Virginia and Florida, with about half selling fuel.

The goose adopted for the Wawa logo is based on the Native American word for the Canada goose. The dairy farm also was in a rural area of Pennsylvania known as Wawa.

Business expansion
Jim Browne Automotive recently bought Marler’s Body Shop, at 9130 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, and opened a new facility – Jim Browne Collision Center. The former Jim Browne Pasco Body Shop, located behind the former Pasco Motors, is now vacated as part of the business consolidation to the new location. The new location, which opened Aug. 3, has 25,000 square feet of repair facilities.

For information, call the collision center at (813) 779-8816.

Chamber mixer at Skydive City
Join the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce for a social mixer at Skydive City, 9241 Sky Dive Lane in Zephyrhills, on Aug. 20 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Watch skydiving and snack on hors d’ oeuvres. Raffle tickets and drinks will be available for purchase.

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

The event takes place every last Thursday of the month. Locations may change periodically.

For information, call (813) 779-4501.

New physician

Bayfront Medical Health Group will hold a ribbon cutting for Dr. Paul Chakola, who specializes in pulmonology disease and critical care, on Aug. 27 from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at 38152 Medical Center Ave., in Zephyrhills.

For information, call (352) 521-1593, or visit BayfrontDadeCity.com.

Breakfast meeting

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will hold its monthly breakfast meeting on Sept. 1 from 8 a.m. to 9:15 a.m., at Pasco-Hernando State College, third floor conference center, Room B-303, at the Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost for chamber members is $15 in advance (register online by 3 p.m., Aug. 28). At the door, the cost is $20 for members and non-members.

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

Annual banquet

The 29th Annual Pasco Economic Development Council Banquet will be Sept. 3 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., at Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. Registration deadline is Aug. 27. Sponsorships are available. More than 700 local and Tampa Bay business and community leaders attend each year.

The event includes an awards ceremony, an industry trade show and a brief report on economic development progress. Channel 10 reporter and news anchor Tammie Fields is the emcee.

For information, contact Suzanne Renczkowski at (813) 926-0827, ext. 226, or email .

Networking women

WOW, Women of Wesley Chapel, will meet on Sept. 4 from 7:45 a.m. to 9 a.m., in the second floor conference room at the Health and Wellness Center, Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. The breakfast sponsor is Valerie Rudmin, owner of Everlasting Beauty.

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

Adventure park opens

TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park will open Sept. 5, at 27839 Saint Joe Road in Dade City. Come climb and zipline through eight different color-coded courses designed for beginners through advance adventurers. The courses offer 100 unique elements for ages 5 through adult. No reservations are required. Group rates are available. The park will be open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

For information, call (813) 381-5400, or visit TreeHoppers.com.

Priority highway projects focus on growth spots

August 12, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Growth is where the rubber meets the road when it comes to building, widening and re-aligning highways that crisscross Pasco County’s landscape.

Most highways in the county move north and south. It is the east to west connections that are often missing or out-of-date.

The recently approved 2015 Priority List of Highway Projects tapped into that scenario. The Florida Department of Transportation uses the list as a guide for its long-range planning, and in determining when and where to spend its state and federal dollars.

County officials say traffic improvements are high priority for the busy intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. A study is underway but no construction funds are available. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — County officials say traffic improvements are high priority for the busy intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. A study is underway but no construction funds are available.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Among 15 projects identified by Pasco’s Metropolitan Planning Organization, all but two are in central and east Pasco. The top choices take aim at State Road 52 from its intersection with U.S. 41 in central Pasco to Dade City in east Pasco.

“It’s going to rectify a situation of having more direct east-west local connectors,” said James Edwards, Pasco County’s transportation planning manager. “It is going to be a growth center for the county.”

Also on the list is the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41. The roads bisect Land O’ Lakes and serve as a clearinghouse for a high volume of truck and residential traffic.

The intersection is west of the retail explosion on State Road 54 and State Road 56, where Tampa Premium Outlets is slated to open in October. More shops, restaurants, hotels and rooftops are on their way in the next couple of years.

“What we’re faced with at the outlets (mall) will be congestion and future congestion,” Edwards said.

In September, the county plans to schedule workshops to get public input on the kinds of road projects needed to address traffic near the outlet mall, and between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

By placing emphasis on State Road 52 now, county officials are hoping to come out ahead of the development curve with road upgrades, before developers start digging dirt for rooftops and retail.

The proposed roadwork is part of ongoing efforts to widen and realign an important regional corridor that could eventually stretch across Florida from west coastal Pasco to the U.S. 98 junction, and on to Palm Beach.

The state roads department is completing a study for a four-year plan to build a new four-lane State Road 52, south of the current highway that passes through San Antonio, Saint Leo and Dade City. This project envisions construction of an approximately 8.5 mile, four-lane extension of Clinton Avenue. Pedestrian and bicycle lanes will be built on either side of the highway. When that project is completed, the old highway would become County Road 52.

The state roads department anticipates that design work and right-of-way purchase will be done over the next two years.

Construction is slated for 2019, according to the department’s records.

In west Pasco, a segment of State Road 52 had a makeover in 2007 when it was widened to six lanes from Moon Lake Road to the Suncoast Parkway. Going east past the Suncoast, State Road 52 narrows to four then two lanes as it approaches Shady Hills Road.

The Metropolitan Planning Organization proposes construction along a major segment of roadway in central Pasco by widening it from two to four lanes from U.S. 41 to Bellamy Brothers Road.

Along with this, another priority is a north-south segment on U.S. 41, which would be widened to four lanes from Connerton Boulevard and the Ridge Road extension up to the intersection with State Road 52.

However, the caveat with all of the identified projects is that none has construction funds on the immediate horizon. County officials estimate the price tag for these projects is more than $750 million spread out over the next 25 years.

Funding will have to come from a mix of county, state and federal dollars.

These are the projects for central and east Pasco, according to county records:

State Road 52 from U.S. 41 to Bellamy Brothers Boulevard will go from two lanes to four lanes. Preliminary engineering is underway.
U.S. 41 from Connerton Boulevard/Ridge Road Extension to State Road 52 will go from two lanes to four lanes. Construction is anticipated in 2019-2020.
State Road 52 and Clinton Avenue extension adds four lanes from east of Uradco Place to Fort King Road. Construction is anticipated in 2018-2019.
State Road 54 at the U.S. 41 interchange is under study.
Interstate 75, at Overpass Road/interchange from Old Pasco Road to Boyette Road, is set for construction in 2019-2020, with full funding by Pasco County.
U.S. 98 at U.S. 301- Clinton Avenue intersection realignment. This is not funded.
U.S. 301- Gall Boulevard redesign at Sixth and Seventh streets, from State Road 39 to County Road 54, is being planned. This construction is unfunded.
State Road 56 at Interstate 75 interchange, from west of County Road 54 to west of Cypress Ridge Boulevard. Planning and engineering are scheduled in 2016-2017.
U.S. 301 – Gall Boulevard will go from four lanes to six lanes from State Road 56 to State Road 39. Preliminary engineering is underway, but construction is unfunded.
U.S. 301- Gall Boulevard from will go from four lanes to six lanes from County Road 54 at Eiland Boulevard to Kossik Road. Design is underway. Right of way and construction are unfunded.
State Road 54 at Collier Parkway interchange. Right of way is funded over a 10-year period.
State Road 56 will go from two lanes to four lanes from Meadow Pointe Boulevard to U.S. 301, near Zephyrhills. A state infrastructure bank loan is pending.

Published August 12, 2015

Residential recycling tosses blue bags

August 12, 2015 By Kathy Steele

That blue bag stuffed with household recyclables and plopped at the curbside is on its way out.

Beginning Oct. 1, residents must set sturdy containers at the curb if they expect haulers to pick up the cans, plastic bottles, yogurt cups, glass bottles and jars that qualify for recycling.

And more change could be coming down the road.

Pasco County plans to stop allowing blue bags to be used to contain recyclables for residential pickups, effective Oct. 1. (File Photo) — Pasco County plans to stop allowing blue bags to be used to contain recyclables for residential pickups, effective Oct. 1.
(File Photo)

The Pasco County Commission is expected to consider eliminating glass from the list of accepted recyclables.

Commissioners voted Aug. 4 to shift away from using blue bags to instead use plastic or aluminum containers. They put off a decision on glass while a solid waste master plan is pending. But, county officials say they are facing a new reality in the marketplace.

With the current contract set to expire Sept. 30, the county found no takers among recycling processors when it comes to the blue bags. Plastic bags can grind machinery to a halt.

There were three no-bids, and one bid that was deemed “non-responsive,” according to Jennifer Seney, Pasco’s recycling coordinator.

The county is looking at “piggy-backing” on a contract with another jurisdiction, which has not yet been identified.

“Nobody wants the bags,” Seney told commissioners. “That would be anybody processing the bags.”

And the news on glass is just as bad.

The cost of hauling away glass is a negative $17.50 a ton, Seney said.

“Glass has no value and might actually add a cost to recyclables,” she added. “Glass is going to have to come up in future discussions.”

Seney said she knows that will be a touchy subject with residents who want to recycle their glass.

“It’s a very popular item to recycle,” she said. “It’s not always dollars and cents that speak to the public.”

Recycling glass dates back decades. For some, returning empty soda bottles to a grocery store for nickels and dimes was a rite of childhood passage. Currently, 10 states have bottle laws that add refundable deposit fees to beverage containers. Florida lawmakers, on several occasions, have rejected bottle bills, which have not been popular with retailers.

But, the value of glass to processors is in decline. Industry experts place the blame on declining oil prices that can make it more expensive to recycle items, such as plastic, than to produce new product.

Glass presents its own unique problems.

Seney said the accepted practice is for single-stream collection of recyclables, rather than the old way of separating out glass from other items.

That method is considered more efficient and safer, she said.

Pasco County accepts clear, brown and green glass.

But, as part of a stream of waste, broken and crushed glass becomes a contaminant, embedding itself into everything it touches. It becomes what Seney describes as “broken three-mix glass” that is difficult and expensive to extract.

Glass also is much heavier to ship, increasing the costs of recycling.

Strategic Materials Inc., based in Texas, is the country’s largest glass recycling company.

Seney said the company only recycles about 50 percent of the glass it receives because of contamination. Some of what they recycle is used to produce Fiberglas, she said.

The blue bag program is more than two decades old. But, two years ago, the county began reducing use of the bags through its “choose and use” program.

Residents still could use blue or clear bags. But they were encouraged to buy a container or use an existing one, and identify it to haulers with a sticker.

That program began with an educational awareness campaign. And county officials plan to do the same for the blue bag’s demise.

County officials anticipate rolling out a social media blitz on Facebook and Twitter. Advertisements, media press releases, cable television and Pasco TV also will get the word out, Seney said.

“I think we’ll be able to transition to no bags pretty quickly,” Seney said.

Also, area grocers that are selling the blue bags have been notified so they can consider whether to keep selling them or not. “We have no control over them,” Seney said. “But, I think we’ll get their cooperation.”

Published August 12, 2015

Wesley Chapel teenager paddles dragon boat for USA

August 12, 2015 By Kathy Steele

A field trip with her Girl Scout troop brought an unexpected opportunity for 13-year-old Kaitlyn Robinson.

Kaitlyn Robinson, 13, kneels as she prepares to board the dragon boat for an hour-long practice on the Hillsborough River. Her coach, David Nelson, watches. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — Kaitlyn Robinson, 13, kneels as she prepares to board the dragon boat for an hour-long practice on the Hillsborough River. Her coach, David Nelson, watches.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

The John Long Middle School eighth grader also found a passion – a love for dragon boat racing.

On Aug. 15, she and her mother, Dawn Robinson, will fly to Welland Ontario Canada where Kaitlyn will compete in the World National Dragon Boat Championships from Aug. 19 to Aug. 23.

She is a member of the youth dragon boat team.

Her coach, David Nelson, plans to use her, at least for some races, as a drummer. She will sit in the front of the boat, beating a drum in rhythm with the paddle strokes of her teammates and cheering them on to victory.

At a feather-light 72 pounds, Kaitlyn is a natural choice for chief cheerleader in a boat that must skim over the water swiftly.

But she’ll have to do something that doesn’t come easily to this shy — at least with first-time strangers — and soft-spoken teenager.

“You’ll have to get loud,” Nelson told her at an afternoon practice at Rick’s on the River in Tampa.

The trade-off is a promise that she also will get the chance to paddle in other races. Paddling is what she likes most.

“I kind of like the water,” Kaitlyn said. “I’m looking forward to doing my best and helping my team finish well.”

Kaitlyn had never been in a dragon boat when her Girl Scout troop set out on a field trip two years ago, from Wesley Chapel to Rick’s on the River. She took to the water sport with a purpose.

She paddled in her first race in 2014, and is an active member of the Blade Runners Youth Dragon Boat Team of Tampa.

Kaitlyn Robinson, 13, partially hidden, paddle in unison with the dragon boat crew as they get ready for a power stroke. She is near the rear of the boat.

The Girl Scouts who went to Rick’s on the River were all children adopted from Asian countries. Kaitlyn was adopted from China when she was eight months old.

Her mother said troop activities sometimes highlighted cultural connections, such as dragon boat racing or Chinese cooking.

“It was something we wanted to do, and we thought it would be fun,” Kaitlyn said.

Dragon boat racing dates back 2000 years, to southern China and folk rituals, as well as to religious ceremonies. Dragon boats had ornate dragon heads painted on the front of the boats with the tails in the stern. Paddles represented the dragon’s claws.

In the past 10 years, modern dragon boat racing has zoomed in popularity.

“Anyone can paddle. I don’t care how old you are,” said Nelson, Kaitlyn’s coach.

The races often are linked to fundraising for good causes, he said.

Last year St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation was beneficiary of the Tampa Bay Dragon Boat Classic. This year’s races, on Oct. 10, will benefit the Lowry Park Zoo.

In Ontario, about 4,000 competitors from around the world will battle for top speeds in the World Championships. Race divisions include youth, senior, coed, men and women.

Kaitlyn will be in the division for ages 12 through 17. Nelson will be the youth team coach and also will compete in the senior U50 division, from ages 40 to 49.

There will be three heats in the 200- and 500-meter races, and “one-and-done” races in the 1000- and 2000-meter races.

Kaitlyn briefly took up golf, but the camaraderie of team sports, and water, is more to her liking.

“It’s a great experience for her especially being in a dragon boat because it’s a true team effort,” her mother said.

Published August 12, 2015

Following the yellow brick road to Oz

August 12, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Three Dorothys, a pair of witches, a pink munchkin and an acrobatic flying monkey adds up to a trip to the Land of Oz.

That is, if the trip is imagined by instructors from Nicole’s Dance Center and 15 young performers, ages 6 to 14, at summer camp. The Tin Man, The Scarecrow, The Cowardly Lion and the “great and powerful” Wizard of Oz also traveled down the yellow brick road.

Glinda, the Good Witch, far right, tells her fellow performers to ‘break a leg.’ It is a superstitious way of wishing ‘good luck’ right before actors take the stage. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — Glinda, the Good Witch, far right, tells her fellow performers to ‘break a leg.’ It is a superstitious way of wishing ‘good luck’ right before actors take the stage.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

And they were having fun — precisely what Nicole Bouchard wants her students to have.

“It’s not only learning about dance but also about family,” said Bouchard, who opened her dance studio, at 3934 Lake Padgett Drive in Land O’ Lakes, nearly two years ago. “It’s not all about pointing your toe or how high your leg goes. You learn something in the process about yourself.”

On July 31, Bouchard’s troupe of summer camp dancers performed for a standing room only crowd of proud parents, siblings and friends. They had worked for a week to learn their parts and build the scenery to create the imaginary world of Oz. Only three of the students had experience as stage performers.

But Bouchard said, “They took ownership. They were all part of it.”

In auditions, 14-year-old Tiffany Bassett tried out for the role of the Wizard.

“He’s green,” said Bassett, costumed in a sparkly green dress and green streaked hair tresses. “I like green.”

Alice Stryker, seated left, gets a makeup touch-up from Brandy Gold as Dorothy and The Scarecrow watch.

Behind the scenes, volunteers and moms, Leesa Fryer and Brandy Gold, applied finishing touches to makeup for Glinda, the Good Witch; The Scarecrow; a “flying monkey”; and a crew of pink, green, yellow and orange Munchkins. The women also were co-directors for the production.

Gold and Fryer each have dance and musical theater chops. Fryer has taught dance; Gold was a musical theater major in college, and was the arts and cultural director for the Tampa Jewish Community Center in Tampa.

“I have a blast as a mom,” said Fryer. “It’s a joy to be able to do this with my daughter.”

But she added, “They are all like my babies.”

Fryer’s daughter, DeLaney Fryer, was one of the three Dorothys. Gold’s daughter, Brilee Gold, was the loose-limbed Scarecrow.

Other performers were Ashley Vandiver, Noelle O’Parka, Erin Vandiver, Tabitha Vinson, Elise Labutis, Emma Sarhaddi, Kalyn Day, Alice Stryker, Isabella Robbins, Margo Armstrong, Mia Campione and Neena Setia.

Bouchard choreographed the 30-minute production.

The studio is her dream-come-true.

Dorothy’s dog, Toto, guards the diploma that proves The Scarecrow has a brain.

She went solo after more than 30 years of dance experience, and about two decades of teaching with other dance troupes including Florida Dance Masters, Dance Masters of America and New York Dance Alliance.

Enrollment at her studio has about doubled within two years. Bouchard currently is expanding a second room to accommodate about 100 students.

“I’ve been really blessed,” Bouchard said. “I’m supported by imaginative people.”

Published August 12, 2015