Michael Hinman

Not here yet, but five-minute pizza could come soon

July 24, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Ever thought of pizza as a fast food?

A retired professional baseball player raising his family just south of Lutz is bringing such a concept to the Tampa Bay area beginning early next year. And it won’t be long before he has his eye on some potential sites in Pasco County.

Just a few years old, Pie Five Pizza has just a couple dozen locations in six states. However, that’s expected to explode to more than 200 in the next couple years. (Courtesy of Pie Five Pizza Co.) — Just a few years old, Pie Five Pizza has just a couple dozen locations in six states. However, that’s expected to explode to more than 200 in the next couple years.
(Courtesy of Pie Five Pizza Co.)

Matt LaPorta, a star prospect from the University of Florida baseball team who went on to play for the Cleveland Indians, has joined a group of investors to open 18 Pie Five Pizza stores throughout the region — nearly doubling the number of locations the chain already has across the country.

The concept is to serve made-to-order pizza … in less than five minutes.

“I was playing baseball down in Mexico, and I was talking to one of my business partners Josh Fields, who told me there was this pizza thing I needed to look at,” LaPorta said. “We flew out to Dallas, and met with everyone at Pie Five, and I was sold.”

LaPorta has only spent a few years in Major League Baseball, and despite a little bit of spring ball across the border, it looks like past hip injuries have most likely ended his career. Not even 30 yet, the former first baseman and left fielder is looking at life beyond the diamond.

While retirement might mean more time with his kids, and more regular trips to Grace Family Church in Lutz — where his father-in-law, Craig Altman, is the lead pastor — LaPorta was looking for something that could support his family for years to come, while also trying to make his mark in a crowded restaurant market.

The fast casual concept of Pie Five is more akin to places like Pei Wei and Chipotle, than it is to somewhere like McDonald’s or Wendy’s. The chain is an offshoot of Pizza Inn Holdings, which operates hundreds of Pizza Inn restaurants in the south, except in Florida. In fact, Pie Five would be the Texas company’s first foray into the Sunshine State, opening its first location in Port Orange last year.

LaPorta is gambling quite a bit on the Pie Five franchise taking off, despite the fact the brand is just 3 years old. Many franchising companies offer single store locations with a minimum investment. However, Pizza Inn took a lead from companies like Five Guys Burger and Fries which instead requires franchisees to buy entire markets, with a commitment to build a bunch of stores, not just one or two.

“They want to do regions,” LaPorta said of the company. “Instead of working with 100 owners, they can instead work with just 50.”

Fields, who introduced LaPorta to Pie Five, is a former baseball player himself, covering third base for teams like the Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. He’s also working with former Baltimore Ravens tight end Billy Bajema to open Pie Five restaurants in the Oklahoma City area.

The franchise area LaPorta bought stretches from Sarasota to Pasco. Where a store might end up, however, is still on the drawing board. The initial plan is to open in the heart of Tampa’s metro area, and then expand out from there.

“We want Tampa to be the epicenter of this whole region,” LaPorta said.

The idea would be to find prime business plaza-style space in the area, possibly in places like Wesley Chapel or Wiregrass Ranch.

“That is a great area for us, it’s a booming area,” LaPorta said. “I go up that way quite a bit, and I can definitely see the potential for a location there.”

How quickly a Pasco site happens depends on a number of factors, including when the space and location they want becomes available. LaPorta says he’s also being careful not to open too many locations at once, as he feels the region will need some time to be introduced to the concept.

Pie Five currently operates 21 locations in six states, but has 200 more locations under contract in 13 states and Washington, D.C. Joining LaPorta and Fields are restaurant operators Jeff Engle and Brandon Birdwell, the latter an Oklahoma businessman who has worked extensively with franchising Firehouse Subs locations among other pursuits.

Published July 23, 2014

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Business Digest 07-23-14

July 24, 2014 By Michael Hinman

New CEO at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel
Denyse Bales-Chubb is the new president and chief executive for Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, beginning Aug. 1.

She replaces Brian Adams, who filled a similar position at Florida Hospital Tampa earlier this year.

“Denyse is committed to our mission and growing the legacy of Seventh-day Adventist health care,” said Don Jernigan, president and chief executive of Adventist Health System, in a release. “I’m pleased to welcome her to our system, and look forward to seeing her contributions to both Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and Adventist Health System.”

Bales-Chubb brings more than 25 years of health care experience, most recently serving as vice president and administrator of Adventist Medical Center Selma and Adventist Medical Center Reedley, both located in Southern California. She has worked for other organizations as well, including United WestLabs, Valley Baptist Health Plan, Tenet Health System, Columbia Healthcare, Lutheran Health Systems, and Arkansas Valley Regional Medical Center.

Bales-Chubb has a master’s degree in health care administration from Wichita State University in Kansas, and a bachelor’s degree in medical technology and biology from Fort Hays State University in Missouri.

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is an 83-bed facility located on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in central Pasco County.

A new restaurant?
The Laker/Lutz News is working on a story about new restaurants that have opened since the beginning of the year.

New restaurants in the coverage area interested in being considered as part of the story can call Diane Kortus at (813) 909-2800, or email her at .

RaceTrac coming to State Road 56
The State Road 56 corridor between Land O’ Lakes and New Tampa continues to grow, with a third major gas station getting ready to set up shop … this time to help eastbound travelers.

RaceTrac Petroleum Inc., out of Atlanta, purchased 4.6 acres of vacant land along State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel where it intersects with Northwood Palms Road last month for $1.4 million, according to county property records. It will be located across the street from Colonial Grand at Seven Oaks.

A RaceTrac spokeswoman told The Laker last week the company did indeed buy the property with the intention of building a store there, but details of when that might happen and what might exactly be there have yet to be worked out.

When built, it would become the area’s fourth RaceTrac, including one finished last year down the road near the intersection of State Road 54 and Livingston Road. Others are located at 3817 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., and 15474 State Road 52, both in Land O’ Lakes.

Consignment shop has new owner
Connie Whittington is the new owner of Our Little Lambs Children’s Consignment Shop, located at 1532 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Lutz.

The shop will host a back-to-school sale from Aug. 1-3.

For more information, call (813) 909-1881.

Sponsorship announced for SmartStart business incubator
In what officials are calling a surprise announcement, Florida High Tech Corridor Council president Randy Berridge announced his organization is offering a $50,000 sponsorship for the SmartStart Business Incubator program.

The announcement was made last week at the opening of the second incubator location in New Port Richey, joining the existing one in Dade City.

The council and the University of South Florida back “numerous initiatives that support small and growing companies, and the SmartStart program is a terrific program that is already beginning to show successful results,” Berridge said, in a release. “We are glad to help foster the entrepreneurial activity in Pasco County.”

This is the group’s second sponsorship of Pasco Economic Development Council’s SmartStart Program with USF. Last year, both groups announced it would provide a $50,000 sponsorship during the opening of the Dade City business incubator.

The SmartStart program has helped create 42 jobs, and has projected to create a total of 65 jobs over the next two years, officials said.

For information, visit SmartStartPasco.com, or email Krista Covey at .

7-Eleven store location sold
The 7-Eleven store located at 2400 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, has been sold to a New York-based property manager for $4.2 million, according to county property records.

Lakes Pooh LLC bought the property from Commercial Net Lease Realty, now known as National Retail Properties, which had originally purchased the vacant land at the corner of State Road 54 and Land O’ Lakes Boulevard for $965,000 in 1998.

Lakes Pooh is associated with Manhattan Skyline Management Corp., according to state corporate records, which manages “several thousand luxury apartments in New York City’s most desirable neighborhoods,” according to the company’s website.

The company did not release plans for any possible changes at the 7-Eleven location, and a request for comment had not been returned.

Political Agenda 07-23-14

July 24, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Pasco County Commission candidate Mike Moore leads a sign-waving event recently at the corner of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard and State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes. Moore is facing Ken Littlefield and Bob Robertson in the District 2 primary, with the goal of succeeding retiring Pat Mulieri.

Poll tackles Supreme Court bias
The U.S. Supreme Court recently wrapped its annual session, but a new poll by Saint Leo University suggests some Americans are still skeptical if the court truly uses the U.S. Constitution as a guide in making decisions.

A majority of those surveyed, 53 percent, believes the court is influenced by political considerations when it hears and decides cases, the university said. Only 30 percent said the court decides cases strictly on its interpretation of the Constitution.

The survey was based on 802 people who identified themselves as “likely voters,” and had a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percent. The participants were asked, “Which comes closest to your view about how the United States Supreme Court hears and decides cases?”

Independent voters were adamant the Supreme Court is too political, with 63 percent supporting that notion. More than 53 percent of Republicans believed that, but just 43 percent of Democrats. On the other side, 41 percent of Democrats believed the Supreme Court did rely on the Constitution, while only 26 percent of Republicans and 22 percent of independents supported that notion.

Meet the candidates on Friday
Wesley Chapel Nissan, 28519 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, will host a candidate forum July 25 beginning at 6 p.m.

The forum will include candidates from local races, including county elections and statewide elections.

Chambers to host candidate forum
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is joining forces with the Trinity-Odessa Chamber of Commerce to sponsor a candidate forum for both the Pasco County Commission and the Pasco County school board July 30 beginning at 6 p.m.

It will take place at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54 in Lutz.

Anyone wishing to ask questions of those running for the District 2 county commission race or the District 5 school board race can email them to .

District 2, which would replace the retiring Pat Mulieri, is a Republican race involving former state Rep. Ken Littlefield, Wesley Chapel entrepreneur Mike Moore, and Zephyrhills financial analyst Bob Robertson.

The District 5 school board race is between Steve Luikart and Marc Yacht.

For information, visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Mariano’s knee-jerk decision could kill gas tax increase

July 24, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Jack Mariano might be the chairman of the Pasco County Commission, but his popularity among fellow commissioners might be hitting an all-time low.

Pasco County commissioner Jack Mariano is now hinting he won't support a raised gas tax because a fellow commissioner won't be 'flexible' on the upcoming budget. (File photo) — Pasco County commissioner Jack Mariano is now hinting he won’t support a raised gas tax because a fellow commissioner won’t be ‘flexible’ on the upcoming budget. (File photo)

Mariano was hammered by commissioners Ted Schrader and Kathryn Starkey during Tuesday’s regular meeting in New Port Richey over his promotion of an expanded recreation park on the west side of the county. Starkey accused Mariano of going too far in how he mischaracterized the commission’s support of SunWest Park, and has wasted time by loading public comment periods at meetings with supporters of the project.

Later, however, Mariano was still wincing from the argument. When Schrader refused to adjust proposed millage rates for the coming year, Mariano then made it clear he would no longer be a potential fourth vote to pass an expanded gas pump tax that would help fund much-needed road projects in the county.

“This is taking away our flexibility,” Mariano told Schrader about not reorganizing the tax rates. “So don’t look for a fourth vote over here for the gas tax.”

The commission is proposing a starting tax rate at 9.3364 mills, although the hope among commissioners is to get the final taxation rate below 9 mills. One mill represents $1 of tax on every thousand dollars of taxable property value. So a $100,000 home with $50,000 in exemptions would pay $466.82 for the year.

Mariano had wanted to move some of the millage from a proposed transportation budget to help maintain roads to the operating budget. That would, in turn, make that money available to increase the hours libraries are open — hours that were cut when budgets had to be slashed at the height of the economic downturn.

The transportation millage of 0.3984 was put in place as an alternative to a 5-cent tax increase per gallon of gas, which would help raise $8 million to fund road improvements.

Schrader has supported doing only a 5-cent gas tax increase with no hike in property taxes. However, such a move would require the votes of four people, and Commissioner Henry Wilson already said he would not support it. That leaves Mariano as the swing vote, since Schrader, Starkey and retiring commissioner Pat Mulieri expressed support.

Shifting the millage numbers would give the commission a chance to start funding some slashed programs again, using set-aside money that would likely not be needed to fund roads if a gas tax was passed, Mariano said. But Schrader didn’t like the idea of moving numbers around.

“That is a slip-and-fall scam, and I’m absolutely not supporting that,” Schrader said. “That is not being fair or truthful to the residents. If you’re willing to raise property taxes for parks and libraries, just say it.”

Instead, Schrader wants the commission to work for a tax break, and look to start funding these struggling programs next year when higher property values mean potentially more tax revenue coming in.

“I think it’s a good idea to give the people a break,” Mulieri said. “I don’t think I have gotten a note about park fees or libraries.”

In the end, the commission voted to approve the preliminary tax rate at 9.3364 mills without adjusting any of the numbers.

The first hearing on the budget is scheduled for Sept. 9 at 6:30 p.m., at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City. The commission will have to figure out how to fund an expanded transportation budget — either through a gas tax or property tax, or a combination of both — before the summer is out.

Corley warns of ‘misleading information’ from voter group

July 18, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Some Pasco County voters say they are getting confused by mailings from a voter registration group asking them to submit an application to vote-by-mail, even though they’ve already signed up.

But the group responsible for the mailings say they made it clear it was not official, and if they had already signed up for the service, they wouldn’t need to do it again.

“The majority of the voters we are hearing from have already requested vote-by-mail ballots, and this is confusing to them,” said Pasco County elections supervisor Brian Corley, in a release. “It creates suspicion and mistrust about what happened to the vote-by-mail request they already had on file.”

The applications are coming from the Voter Participation Center, a Tallahassee group founded by Page Gardner that was originally known as Women’s Voices Women Vote. Corley said the group launched voter registration campaigns in 2008 and 2012 using outdated consumer data lists. Voters who already were registered received applications, which confused them and made them question their voter registration status, county election officials said.

Jim Popkin, a spokesman for Voter Participation Center, told The Laker/Lutz News late Friday that if there is confusion, it’s not the organization’s fault.

“We have gone out of our way in this mailing to make it clear that the Voter Participation Center is not a governmental entity,” Popkin said. That includes a sentence, outlined with a box, that said, “If you already submitted an absentee ballot request for the 2014 primary election… there is no need to submit another request. Please disregard this mailing.”

Popkin also included a copy of the mailing, which you can read by clicking here.

Voting registration is up for the county, with registered voters recently crossing the 300,000 mark for the first time since 2012, according to the elections supervisor’s website. That’s up 11 percent over the last decade, with independents getting the biggest boost with an increase of nearly 37 percent over that time, compared to a 6.5 percent jump for Republicans and a 1.1 percent gain for Democrats.

Those who are not sure of the status of their vote-by-mail ballot can call (800) 851-8754, or click here.

This story was updated 7/18/14 at 7:05 p.m. to reflect the response from Voter Participation Center.

Connecting Overpass Road to I-75 now up to county

July 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Seven months might seem like a long time to await a decision. But when it comes to building major roads, time isn’t always on your side.

Florida Department of Transportation District 7 secretary Paul Steinman announced to Pasco County commissioners last week that the Federal Highway Administration has approved a new interchange that will connect Interstate 75 with Overpass Road.

Overpass Road will finally get its connection with Interstate 75, the first step toward what could be Pasco County’s new hot spot with sports fields, schools and a massive community that could help fuel growth over the next 50 years. (File Photo) — Overpass Road will finally get its connection with Interstate 75, the first step toward what could be Pasco County’s new hot spot with sports fields, schools and a massive community that could help fuel growth over the next 50 years.
(File Photo)

The project will add yet another entry into the county in an area where Wesley Chapel District Park already exists and a new high school is planned, and could even alleviate current and future congestion on State Road 52 to the north, and State Road 54 to the south.

“The exciting part of that is that it does open up the east side of the county for you once it gets developed,” Steinman said at the meeting.

The Overpass Road interchange will provide additional access in the Wesley Chapel area as well as East Pasco County, where several developments have been approved, or are in various stages of planning or construction, such as Pasadena Hills.

That is a 22,000-acre project that will create more than a dozen high-density villages that could help the area manage growth for that region over the next few decades.

To build the interchange, that portion of Overpass Road near I-75 will be expanded to four lanes with the possibility of expanding into six in the future. Eventually, the plans are to extend Overpass to connect Old Pasco Road and U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills.

The cost for the project will be more than $55 million, and while federal money will eventually be available to the county, officials have to show initially they’re able to fund the overall work on their own. Funds could come from an expanded gas tax, Penny for Pasco funds, and even mobility fees.

“Whether the state or federal government will put in any money, you can’t depend on that,” county transportation planning manager James Edwards told The Laker last January.

But the clock is ticking, county planning and development director Richard Gehring told commissioners.

“Whenever you get this finally inked and approved, you have eight years to construct,” he said. If the county fails to do that, federal approval of the project is withdrawn, and both the county and the state would have to apply all over again.

Population studies have shown the number of people who live in the area Overpass would serve will explode 400 percent to 218,000 people by 2035. Right now, just fewer than 60,000 people live in the area.

Capacity on I-75 also will increase through that area from the current 51,000 vehicles daily between State Roads 52 and 54, to 165,800 in 2040. That kind of volume would create traffic nightmares for existing interchanges in San Antonio to the north and Wesley Chapel to the south. It could even back up State Road 56 just north of the Hillsborough County line.

The county may have been waiting for months to hear back from Washington, D.C., but plans to improve Overpass Road have been afoot for more than a decade.

In 2003, county officials first looked at how the road could be improved between Old Pasco and Fort King roads, without looking at any potential connection with I-75. That changed with a new study in 2006 that gained favorable reviews from FDOT and federal highway officials.

Because the interstate is a federal road, any connections to it would have to be approved by the federal government. To show the viability of such a plan, the county produced a project development and environment study and a preliminary interchange justification report, officials said.

The county already has started to put some funds aside for this particular project to the tune of $15 million. Additional money could come from the renewed Penny for Pasco when those funds start to come in next January.

Published July 16, 2014

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Extra money coming to help Land O’ Lakes center

July 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

After years of hard work and lobbying, the Pasco County Commission has taken the final step to expand and improve the Land O’ Lakes Community Center.

This stage could someday be a part of the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, which is the center of a $2.4 million expansion finalized by the Pasco County Commission. (Courtesy of Sandy Graves) — This stage could someday be a part of the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, which is the center of a $2.4 million expansion finalized by the Pasco County Commission.
(Courtesy of Sandy Graves)

In a unanimous vote last week, commissioners agreed to find an additional $500,000 for the project after bids came in higher than expected. The $2.4 million upgrades include expanding the existing building on the site to include the construction of a restroom, concession area and meeting room, as well as a picnic shelter, a small outdoor amphitheater, two softball fields, a hybrid football and soccer field, a basketball court, a mile-long trail and parking for 250 vehicles.

“Our park has waited a long time for this facelift,” said Sandy Graves, one of the community leaders who have championed improvements at the park, located at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. “Thanks for making that dream become a reality today.”

Last year, commissioners put aside $1.9 million to make the improvements, and put the project out to bid in February. When the bids came back, however, Construction Technology Group Inc. of Plant City had the lowest bid at $2.24 million. Trias Construction LLC of Lutz was not far behind with a bid of $2.27 million, while the highest bid came from Cleveland Construction Inc., of Naples at $2.6 million.

Impact fees collected from parks in the central part of the county were funding the improvements, and commissioners were told no more funds were available to meet the $519,000 shortfall.

Assistant county administrator Heather Grimes recommended through her department that commissioners borrow from the capital improvement fund reserves, and then pay it back with park impact fees over the next two years.

Graves, however, had a different idea.

The county is sitting on $3.7 million of impact fees dedicated to a proposed project for Raymond James Financial. Since that project has yet to move forward, some of those dollars could be directed to the Land O’ Lakes project, Graves said.

Commissioners, however, disagreed.

“I would hate to see us start changing an agreement that we have with Raymond James,” Commissioner Ted Schrader said.

The St. Petersburg financial company announced in 2011 that it planned to build two 100,000-square-foot buildings on Wiregrass Ranch property, bringing 750 jobs to the county by 2024. Although some of those jobs were expected to come as early as this year, no work has begun at the site yet.

In the end, commissioners stuck with their original plan to borrow from reserves, giving the thumbs up to let the work finally begin.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri is grateful for the final vote, as she said it will free up some of her phone time now.

“That Land O’ Lakes group is tenacious,” the retiring commissioner said. “And Sandy, you don’t have to call me anymore.”

Published July 16, 2014

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Learning more about the Moore you know

July 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Bob Moore is the kind of guy that likes to stay out of the way in the Paradise Lakes home he shares with wife Nancy. He paints, he sculpts. He collects stamps. And he makes regular trips back home to Canada to see his family.

Bob Moore, who retired to Paradise Lakes years ago, shows off a coat of arms he designed for the Regional Cadet Instructor School in Ontario, where he was a commander. This particular copy was signed off and approved by Queen Elizabeth II. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Bob Moore, who retired to Paradise Lakes years ago, shows off a coat of arms he designed for the Regional Cadet Instructor School in Ontario, where he was a commander. This particular copy was signed off and approved by Queen Elizabeth II.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

But Moore, however, has had a tough time staying out of the way of history. He served 39 years with the Canadian armed forces, signing up when he was just 17 just a few years after World War II. And along the way he ensured one Olympic Games in Montreal was properly supplied, and he designed a coat of arms for a military school that was personally signed off by Queen Elizabeth II.

Oh, and he won the Nobel Peace prize, too.

“I was part of one of the first peacekeeping operations in history,” Moore said, not minding at all that he’s shared this story many times before. “We were told that we would join a force of U.N. soldiers three days before Christmas. I barely had time to spend the holidays with my family.”

It was 1956, and Egyptian president Gamal Abdel Nasser had taken control of the Suez Canal, a 120-mile artificial waterway that allows ships to travel between Europe and eastern Asia without having to sail around Africa.

The United Kingdom and France didn’t take the naturalization well, since they had a 100-year lease, and they joined forces with Israel to try and take back the waterway.

The United Nations knew something had to be done to prevent all-out war in the Middle East. So it pulled together military troops from nations that weren’t directly involved in the conflict, like Canada, and sent them in to help calm the situation down.

“We got to Halifax, and we boarded the HMCS Magnificent,” Moore said. “It was an aircraft carrier, but there was no aircraft for this voyage. Instead, the deck was strewn with all this equipment, and about 6,000 soldiers from 11 different countries.”

When the Magnificent arrived at the Suez Canal, Moore said he was shocked at what soldiers found. Nasser had blocked access to the canal by sinking a large number of ships at the entrance.

“I got there and looked from the deck of the aircraft carrier, and counted 36 sunken ships,” Moore said.

He was part of a contingent of troops that made their way across the Sinai Desert, following retreating Israeli forces. The trip was hard through the desert, especially since Israel was destroying roads and buildings on its way back.

The Israelis spared an old British air force base, which Moore camped out in for some time. It was riddled with bullet holes, and did not have much of a roof. At night, it would get cold, so they would use debris from the building to keep the fire going.

“When we ran out of wood there, we ended up burning the chairs we were sitting in,” Moore said.

In 1988, the Norwegian Nobel Committee decided to give its Peace Prize to U.N. Peacekeeping forces. As part of that initial force, Moore received a small medallion celebrating the honor, which was later pinned to him in a ceremony that included Pasco County commissioner Pat Mulieri.

In his time traveling around the world, Moore picked up five languages, including Swahili, although he still doesn’t feel completely comfortable with French. He raised two sons on his own after his first wife died. Dwayne became a scientist and is now part owner of an environmental company in Maine, while Michael followed his father into the military, and is still there today.

Moore retired in 1991 when he was 57, and almost immediately found a home in Pasco County.

“I was always a nudist, and I was looking for some place where people lived who believed in the same,” Moore said.

He met Nancy while visiting Paradise Lakes from his then New Port Richey home, and they settled into their own condo at Paradise Lakes in 1998.

Moore may have accomplished a lot in his life, but he’s even prouder of what his children and grandchildren have accomplished, including one who just graduated from college.

“You’re nothing without education,” Moore said. “You got to have it, or you’ll be out there digging ditches and painting buildings. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with being a tradesman if that’s what you want to do, but it shouldn’t be what you have to do.”

He doesn’t actively sell his artwork, but if people want it, he’s willing to hear a price. Moore comes from a family with a strong artistic background; many of his siblings are artists, as well. In fact, a portrait painted by his brother featuring his mother and father, that had been on public display for years in Canada, hangs in his front foyer.

“Doing art was just a no-brainer for me,” he said. “It’s a way to express myself, and to share the beauty of the world with the world.”

Getting to know Bob Moore

Who was the world’s most influential military commander?
Alexander the Great was one of the most successful and innovative military leaders of our time. His strategies always surprised his opponents, especially where he was out-numbered and out-gunned.

What song will make you turn up the radio?
Gershwin’s “Rhapsody in Blue,” or really anything from George Gershwin. But opera always moves me to tears, where I have them splashing down my face.

If you could sit anyone in history for a portrait, who would you pick?
Charles Darwin, because he created an area of science that actually answered all kinds of questions that people never could figure out before.

Published July 16, 2014

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Business Digest 07-16-14

July 17, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Kaufman joins father’s practice
Dr. Jon Kaufman has joined the Kaufman Eye Institute, which has offices located in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Sun City Center and Bushnell.

He is the son of Stuart Kaufman, the medical director and founder of the institute, and is a Cornell fellowship-trained surgeon.

The younger Kaufman grew up in Tampa, and is a graduate of Berkeley Preparatory School. He earned his bachelor’s degree in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Michigan, and his medical training at Rush Medical College in Chicago.

For information, call (855) 733-2378.

Dental office opens in Wesley Chapel
Drs. Johella Liguori and Sarina Bhole have opened a new dental office, Wiregrass Family Dental Care.

It’s a new full-service dental practice at 2066 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

For information, visit WiregrassFamilyDentalCare.com, or call (813) 528-8797.

Williams moving to Carrollwood
Gary Williams has become the market manager for the Carrollwood office of Bay Cities Bank, ending a long tenure in the Lutz and Land O’ Lakes area.

“My years at the Lutz office have been very rewarding, and I will miss seeing my clients on a weekly basis,” Williams said, in a release. “However, I will continue to be involved in helping the Lutz/Land O’ Lakes communities grow.”

Amy Underwood has been promoted to assistant vice president and market manager. She has been with the bank since 2003.

Nancy Gordon, who has worked both as a manager and a commercial lender, will also turn her focus full-time on commercial lending.

Williams will be based at 14877 N. Dale Mabry Highway, and can be reached at (813) 637-2420.

Dash to speak at Women-n-Charge meeting
Women-n-Charge will meet Aug. 1 at 11:30 a.m. at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive, in Tampa.

The meeting will feature guest speaker Kellye Dash, owner of The Busy Buddy, talking about how to manage email.

Cost is $15 for members who RSVP the Tuesday before the meeting, and $18 for all guests and after the deadline for members.

To register, visit Women-n-Charge.com, or call (813) 600-9848.

Grand opening for CareerSource
CareerSource Pasco Hernando will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting July 16 beginning at 10 a.m. at its new location, 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 303, in Dade City.

It is hosted by the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

For information, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com.

New builder at Silverado Ranch
Highland Homes has started to offer homes in the Zephyrhills community of Silverado Ranch off Eiland Boulevard.

The homes, which start at $170,000, range in size from 1,508 to 3,315 square feet, between three to five bedrooms, and two to three bathrooms.

For information, visit HighlandHomes.org.

Ribbon-cutting for Nana Jo’s
Nana Jo’s Café, 14748 U.S. 98 Bypass in Dade City, will have a grand opening and ribbon cutting July 26 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., hosted by the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

The event will include live music by DC Country, barbecue chicken and more.

Cost is $8 for adults, $6 for children.

Wesley Chapel chamber heading to Tuscany
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce is planning a nine-day trip to Tuscany, Italy.

The trip is planned to begin Oct. 20, and space is limited.

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

Marketing summit in Tampa
The Tampa Bay Marketing Summit will take place Aug. 8 beginning at 8:45 a.m., at Mainsail Conference Center, 5108 Eisenhower Blvd., in Tampa.

The event is hosted by EMSI in Wesley Chapel, which provides news content for print and online news outlets, as well as television and radio talk shows.

For information, visit TampaBayMarketingSummit.com, or call Marsha Friedman at (727) 443-7115, Ext. 201.

New RaceTrac coming to State Road 56

July 15, 2014 By Michael Hinman

The State Road 56 corridor between Land O’ Lakes and New Tampa continues to grow, with a third major gas station getting ready to set up shop … this time to help eastbound travelers.

RaceTrac Petroleum Inc., out of Atlanta, purchased 4.6 acres of vacant land along State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel where it intersects with Northwood Palms Road last month for $1.4 million. It will be located across the street from Colonial Grand at Seven Oaks.

A spokeswoman with RaceTrac told The Laker that the company did indeed buy the property along State Road 56 with the intention of building a store there, but details of when that might happen and what might exactly be there have yet to be worked out.

When built, it would become the area’s fourth RaceTrac, including one finished in 2012 just down the road near the intersection of State Road 54 and Livingston Road. Others are located at 3817 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., and 15474 State Road 52, both in Land O’ Lakes.

On its website, RaceTrac says that it looks for high-volume, high-traffic metropolitan areas where it can build 6,000-square-foot stores along with up to 24 fueling stations.

And while one convenience store is planned, another has changed hands.

The 7-Eleven store located at 2400 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, has sold to a New York-based property manager for $4.2 million, according to county property records.

The company did not release any plans for any possible changes at the 7-Eleven location, and a request for comment was pending return Tuesday afternoon.