The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Botkins & Spoor Insurance LLC Gives Customers The Best Deals

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When Larry Botkins became Tom Spoor’s son-in-law in 2014, Botkins had no idea that one day they would be in business with each other.

Spoor, who had an insurance agency in upstate New York for 25 years, decided to sell his business in 2016 and retire to his winter home in Dade City.

Larry Botkins

In 2019, Botkins expressed interest in insurance, so together with his father-in-law, the two men decided to open Botkins & Spoor Insurance LLC, a full-service independent agency in Dade City.

“We thought there was a lot of potential here. We liked the small-town environment, and there’s a lot going on in Pasco county,” says Botkins.

Botkins and Spoor have a combined total of 30 years experience, and serve Pasco, Polk, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties.

The family-owned agency prides itself on face-to-face interactions, as well as being able to provide its customers with the best deals and service.

Tom Spoor

“It’s your duty as an insurance agency to make sure your customer is informed,” says Botkins.

The insurance agency’s customer service stands out against competition because of its ability to create real relationships with their clients.

“I think that all we have to offer is service,” says Spoor. “I like that type of relationship where you know the customer, where they live, and just their overall situation.”

According to Spoor, insurance in Florida is a tough market to do business in because of insurance fraud, and it’s especially hard for new agencies to get started. It’s also difficult for customers who are looking to get the most coverage for the cheapest price. Insurance carriers are continuously changing who they will write insurance for and re-evaluating their market penetration in certain areas.

“It’s very difficult on the client because they are constantly being hit with big increases,” says Spoor.

Despite the challenges, Botkins and Spoor are dedicated to finding their customers the best deals and rates. They can achieve this because they are an independent agency that has multiple insurance carriers.
 
For more information on Botkins & Spoor Insurance LLC, call 352-437-5305, or stop by their office at 37911 Heather Place, Dade City, FL 33525.

By Nicole Sanchez

Pasco County offers help to Olympus pool customers

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Pasco County is stepping up to help customers of Olympus Pools, according to a county news release.

Olympus Pools has pulled hundreds of permits for pool projects in Pasco County during the past two years, and most remain unfinished, the release said.
The pool company has ceased operations.

Pasco County now is offering a new tool to help customers whose projects are in limbo, due to open permits, and the county also is waiving fees associated with Olympus Pools permits through Dec. 31, 2021.

The county has launched a dedicated webpage to help customers navigate the permitting process and to answer questions they may have.

“We hope this action will help ease the financial burden on our customers who choose to seek other permitting options,” Assistant County Administrator Sally Sherman, said in the release.

Olympus Pools customers have three options for open pool permits:

• Oversee the project yourself
• Hire a new, licensed pool contractor
• Cancel your pool permit

For more information on options, visit bit.ly/OlympusPermits.

Published August 04, 2021

Renovations will limit tax collector operations

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Renovations at the Dade City Tax Collector’s Office at the East Pasco Government Center in Dade City will temporarily affect the office’s operations, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

The office will be offering limited services from Aug. 4 through Sept. 30, according to the release.

The renovations are being made to improve customer services.

During the work, the office will continue to provide automobile/ boat registrations and renewals, all title work (Florida title and out-of-state titles transferring to Florida), hunting and fishing licenses, property tax, business tax, and dealer drop-off and pick-up work.

The office will not be handling concealed weapons permit applications or driver license services, including road testing. Those services will be provided at the office located at 4610 Pet Lane in Lutz (referred to by the tax collector’s office as its Wesley Chapel location).

To find out more about services available at the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office, locations, hours of operation and other information, visit PascoTaxes.com, or contact the centralized call center at 727-847-8032, 813-235-6076 or 352-521-4338.

Published August 04, 2021

Library branch to reduce hours, then close for remodeling

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The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, will be operating on reduced hours through Aug. 13, then will close on Aug. 14 for renovations, according to a Pasco County news release.

The library’s hours through Aug. 13 will be:

  • Mondays and Tuesdays: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
  • Wednesdays and Thursdays: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
  • Fridays and Saturdays: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

During its renovation, the library will undergo a complete, floor-to-ceiling upgrade.

The work is being paid for through a General Obligation Bond (GO Bond) Referendum, which Pasco County voters passed in November 2018.

Each library in the county’s system is being remodeled to provide a better user experience.

When the renovations are completed, libraries throughout the system will have updated technology, new furnishings, high-efficiency air-conditioning and faster internet.

Materials on hold can be picked up at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, next to the library, on select days.

Answers to frequently asked questions about the remodeling can be found at PascoLibraries.org/lol-remodel/.

For additional information, in general, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Published August 04, 2021

Having fun and learning, all at once

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Children had a chance to get an up-close look at big pieces of equipment — and to learn about them at the same time, during a Touch-A-Truck event, put on by Pasco County Public Works and Pasco Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources.

Jason Farr, a heavy equipment operator for Pasco County public works, shows 12-year-old Marsello Cammarota, of Land O’Lakes, how to operate the vac truck. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The two county departments teamed up to give about 100 children a chance to see a grader, a grapple truck, a bucket truck, a vac truck and Gradall equipment, according to information provided by Ryan Hughes, of Pasco County’s media relations and communications team.

Robert Dingman, a heavy equipment operator, explained how the grader equipment works, and Josh Timms and Joel Terkovich, also equipment operators demonstrated the grapple truck for the children.

Bryant Fretz, an equipment operator for Pasco County public works, demonstrates how the lights on the bucket truck work to twin 9-year-olds Kharington Mitchell, left, and Honor Mitchell, of Land O’Lakes.

The kids cheered, as Terkovich picked up some branches.

Bryant Fretz, an equipment operator, and Tony Felice, a heavy equipment operator, showed the kids how the bucket truck works. The boom can stretch 65 feet into the air.

Jason Farr, a heavy equipment operator, explained how the vac truck is used to clean out storm drains and remove water from sites. The kids had a chance to press buttons on the equipment to move the vacuum.

Alan Jackson, an equipment operator, and Nino Rojero, a special equipment operator, showed the children the Gradall equipment, which is used to clean swales.

“The vac truck was my favorite. It is an interesting machine,” said 11-year-old Chase Christmas, of San Antonio. “This has been fun.”

Scott Denney, a labor supervisor said, “The kids have been awesome and have asked unique questions. They have all been attentive. It’s been a great group.”

Published August 04, 2021

From left: 11-year-olds Brian Pugliese, Jace Aguiao and Matthew Broderick, all of Land O’ Lakes, sit on a tree branch at the grapple truck station.

In-person public comments return to Hillsborough meetings

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The Hillsborough County Commission once again will allow in-person public comment, in a limited capacity, at county board meetings beginning Aug. 4.

The board sets aside 45 minutes at the beginning of its regular meetings to hear from the public.

Also, in order to maintain accessibility, the board will continue to allow a virtual option for public comment, according to a Hillsborough County news release.

COVID-19 coronavirus protocols have restricted in-person public attendance at the Hillsborough county board’s meetings, which are held in the second-floor boardroom of the Frederick B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., since March 2020.

Under the new rules, seating in the boardroom will be limited, with some overflow seating available in the first-floor multipurpose room. Speakers may address the county board from either location. Visitors are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings and to practice social distancing. Groups will be limited to four people.

Here are the guidelines for public comment:

  • All speakers, whether virtual or in-person, will be required to sign up in advance at HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp.
  • Online registration for both virtual and in-person public comment will open 48 hours before the meeting.
  • Sign-ups for both virtual and in-person public speaking opportunities for public hearings and public comments close at 9 a.m., on the day of the meeting.
  • Speakers, both virtual and in-person, will be called on in the order of when the speaker sign-up form is submitted.

Assistance will be available at the county government building between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

Unless the board chair designates otherwise, speakers are limited to 3 minutes.

Audiovisual presentations such as PowerPoints, digital photos, audio, and video files for public comments are not accepted at this time. However, presentations may be submitted to the clerk’s office for insertion into the official record. Please email any submissions to .

Presentations of proclamations, certificates, and other recognitions will continue to be virtual, for the time being.

For more information, visit HCFLGov.net/SpeakUp. For general county information, call the Customer Service Center at 813-272-5900.

Published August 04, 2021

Seeking first day of school photos

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The first day of school last year was anything but typical, as some students stayed home to learn and others headed off to traditional school campuses.

This is Rose Beckett, who had her picture taken last year by her family, as she marked her first day as a kindergartener at Bexley Elementary School. Her family shared her photo with us, so we could share it with you. (File)

While it remains unclear what impacts COVID-19 and the delta variant will have on this school year, the vast majority of students will head off to traditional brick-and-mortar schools for the 2021-2022 school year.

It has become a tradition at The Laker/Lutz News to share First Day of School photos we receive from families, with our readers.

That’s where you come in. We need your help. Please send us your First Day of School photos.

The photos can be taken in your home, on your front porch, before or after school, near the school, at the bus stop, or at another location you prefer.

Your child could be heading to prekindergarten, or heading off to college.

We welcome group shots of siblings, but please identify each child in the photo, from left to right.

When submitting your photo, please tell us your child’s name and age, what community you live in, what school the student attends (or if the child is home-schooled) and the grade of the student.

Also, provide contact information, in case we have questions.

We’d like to publish our First Day of School photo collection on Sept. 1, so please submit them no later than Aug. 20.

Send photos to .

‘Fore’ the veterans

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(Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club recently attended a golf tournament at Innnsbrook Golf Resort, a fundraiser for veterans. The women gave each veteran present a star (removed from retired American flags), along with a patriotic verse in a pocket sleeve, meant to be worn close to one’s heart. The recipients were deeply moved and appreciative of the star packets. From left: Mary Jane Carrino, Dolores Tarafa, Lois Cohen, Dee Knerr, Nancy Taylor, Deb Cardona, Darlene Choe and Jan King. For information on the club, visit GFWCLutzLandOLakesWomansClub.org, or its Facebook page.

Keep Your Family Cool and Your Costs Low: Take Advantage of Current Pricing

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If you’re looking to update your air conditioning and/or water heater, and considering adding a home generator, Cornerstone Pros recommends you act now — before more price increases are passed on from manufacturers to local dealers.

Like manufacturing companies everywhere, plants that make mechanical systems for homes are faced with parts and labor shortages, which are resulting in higher prices on everything from air conditioning units, refrigerants, hot water heaters, home generators, and parts and material for all trades.

“We would like people to understand that these price increases are out of our control,” said Dana Spears, president and owner of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes. “We strongly recommend that homeowners stop putting off these home improvements, especially for new air conditioning systems, which you can buy now and pay low monthly payments with deferred interest for up to 12 months.”

Cornerstone Pros always recommends regular maintenance and planning ahead when it comes to taking care of your home. This will save you money, and allow you to budget for future repairs.

“Unfortunately, the current manufacturing environment is seeing pricing fluctuate daily, making it difficult to forecast 100% of future repair and replacement costs,” said Spears. “We already have received numerous price increases this year, and are being told more will be coming the next two quarters.”

The only thing worse than having you’re AC go out on the hottest day of the year, is not being able to get it repaired right away.

“We can help to prevent an emergency from happening at your home if you schedule a preventative maintenance checkup, which will allow us to catch a problem prior to the system failing on that hot summer day,” said Spears. “This is very affordable — we’re currently offering an AC System Maintenance Checkup at a special rate of $39.95.”

For homes needing a replacement system, one of the most popular AC systems Cornerstone Pros offers is the Daikin Fit series, which is so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside.

“Our AC equipment product line has the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty available for purchase. We also offer great financing terms and rebates, and work with local utility companies to qualify customers for additional rebates,” said Spears.

Generators and Surge Protectors
Families of all incomes and home sizes install generators and surge protectors to keep comfortable and safe if the power goes out during a summer storm or hurricane.

Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable home generators, and has low-interest financing. It installs Generac generators, the country’s largest manufacturer of backup generators that run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage.

“Choosing the right size generator is just as important as the quality of the generator. Our technicians do a full load calculation on every home we quote, and specify a generator that best meets a family’s needs and budget,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros.

Generators provide protection 24/7, whether you are home or away, and turn themselves off when utility power returns. A generator prevents almost all of the problems associated with power loss, including spoiled food, extreme temperatures, sickening mold, and no running water if a home is on a well.

The company also installs whole-home surge protection devices, which can prevent a power surge from damaging appliances and essential electronics if lightning strikes your home or nearby.

Cornerstone Pros is a one of the area’s largest and most established trade contractors offering air conditioning, plumbing and electrical services. It is proud to employ over 95 local, qualified people who provide prompt service and exceptional customer service seven days a week.

Cornerstone Pros phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call 813-990-0561 anytime. For more information, visit the website at CornerstonePros.com.

Published July 28, 2021