The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

On The Agenda 12-10-14

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Mulieri to speak at PACA
Former Pasco County commissioner Pat Mulieri will be the guest speaker at the next Pasco Alliance of Community Associations meeting, taking place Dec. 11 at 7 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

PACA is an organization that brings together 70 of the county’s homeowner associations, community development districts, and condominium associations, as well as individuals residing in Pasco County.

For information, call Ron Litts at (813) 475-4561, or visit MyPACA.org.

Utilities department moving
The Dade City utilities department will be closed to walk-in customers on Dec. 12, reopening at its new location at 38054 Pasco Ave., on Dec. 15.

The department’s mailing address and telephone numbers will not change, however. The mailing address is P.O. Box 1355, Dade City, 33526, and the phone numbers are (352) 523-5053 and (352) 521-1462.

Those wishing to pay their utility bills can set up an automatic draft from a bank account, pay over the phone with a credit or debit card, pay by mail, or use a drop box located on the right side of the building.

The department is typically open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Ananth Prasad leaving FDOT
Ananth Prasad, who has led the Florida Department of Transportation since Rick Scott was first elected governor, will step down from that job Jan. 2.

“Secretary Prasad … has been pivotal to making sure we could make a record investment of over $10 billion in our transportation system this year,” Scott said, in a release. “Secretary Prasad has also helped Florida become a major force in international trade because of his commitment to expanding our Florida ports and airports.”

The Florida Transportation Commission is being tasked with recommending Prasad’s replacement, which likely won’t come until early next year.

Lifetime hunting, fishing licenses reduced
Gov. Rick Scott is using his executive order powers to offer lifetime sportsman’s licenses at a greatly reduced cost for children and young adults.

Through the end of the year, Florida residents younger than 22 can purchase a lifetime license that covers saltwater and freshwater recreational fishing, hunting, and most associated permits, for $500.

A lifetime license is true to its name, giving the holder the of that license the ability to hunt and fish in Florida for the rest of the person’s life, even if they are no longer a resident of the state.

Licenses can be purchased at all Florida county tax collectors’ offices, or online at License.MyFWC.com.

For information, call (888) 347-4356.

Corcoran to lead appropriations committee
State Rep. Richard Corcoran has been appointed the chairman of the House’s Appropriations Committee for the coming legislative session.

Florida House Speaker Steve Crisafulli, R-Merritt Island, named Corcoran to the seat last month, to bring his “wealth of knowledge and expertise” to the position.

“His skills and experience will be well-suited in his role,” Crisafulli said, in a release.

With Corcoran in line to become the next speaker, Crisafulli said he was looking for a way to include Corcoran into the operations of the House the same way Will Weatherford did for Crisafulli when he was the speaker.

“I intend to follow the same model during my tenure,” Crisafulli said.

Corcoran, R-Trinity, won re-election without opposition this past cycle.

 

Business Digest 12-10-14

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(Courtesy of Ierna's Heating & Cooling)
(Courtesy of Ierna’s Heating & Cooling)

Introducing Cole Dair
Wendy Majetic of Wesley Chapel won $500 for naming the new mascot for Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. ‘Cole Dair’ was the winning entry she submitted, and picked up a check with her husband Shane Majetic. Ierna’s is located on U.S. 41 in Lutz, and can be reached at IernaAir.com.

Costco eyeing town center site
The world’s third-largest retailer is looking to set up shop in Pasco County, and become the first major store associated with the Cypress Creek Town Center.

Costco Wholesale Corp., is set to meet with county officials just before Christmas about opening a 153,000-square-foot store at the shopping center, located near the intersection of State Road 56 and Interstate 75. It is slated for an 18-acre outparcel, part of the overall property currently controlled by Pasco 54 Ltd., Pasco Ranch Inc., and JG Cypress Creek LLC.

This would be Pasco County’s first Costco store, and the first one to be built in the Tampa Bay area north of Brandon. The only other location in the region is in Clearwater.

Costco has the potential to make a tremendous economic impact on the county and the region. The average retail employee makes $20 an hour, nearly double that of other retail workers, according to a 2013 report by Businessweek. Employees at the company typically start out at $11.50 an hour, and after five years, can reach as high as $19.50.

At Walmart’s similar Sam’s Club stores, according to the same report, workers start at $10 an hour, and typically reach $12.50 after five years.

No official announcement has been made on when Costco would break ground, let alone open. However, work already has begun on Tampa Premium Outlets, slated to open late next year, not far from where the Costco is planned.

Dairy Queen wants to build in Land O’ Lakes
The Terra Bella area of Land O’ Lakes, where a new apartment community was announced just last month, could very well have a new Dairy Queen come in on its coattails.

Robin Kendall of EMK Consultants of Florida, was scheduled to meet Monday with Pasco County officials behind closed doors to help plan a new 3,076-square-foot Dairy Queen restaurant that would be located next to Christian Brothers Automotive on State Road 54. It would be just in front of the Dance and Gymnastics Academy of Tampa and Discovery Point Child Center, both located on Venezia Drive.

The project would involve several parcels along the north side of State Road 54 just east of Christian Brothers, land that is currently owned by K&B Flagship LLC of Orlando. It would be located between Via Bella Boulevard and Livingston Road.

If built, it would be the fifth such store in Pasco County, joining ones on Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills, on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, and two others in New Port Richey.

That area of Land O’ Lakes already is heavily traveled by commuters and residents using Interstate 75 and the Suncoast Parkway, but would have an even stronger local boost when Alta Terra Bella — a 311-unit luxury apartment complex — is completed just west of it near 20 Mile Level Road.

Plans for the Dairy Queen are still in the preliminary stages, and it’s unclear when construction would start.

Toy drive for farmworkers
The Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting a holiday toy drive party Dec. 11 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., at D&S Hall, 1914 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz.

Admission is $10, or free with a new unwrapped toy. For members, it’s also free with a toy, or $5 empty-handed.

The drive supports farmworkers, and also raises money for the chamber’s scholarship fund.

For information, call John Jay at (813) 296-3232.

Christian business group to meet
Christian Business Connections-Central Pasco will have its next meeting Jan. 8 at 7:45 a.m., at the Quail Hollow Golf & Country Club, 6225 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Laurie Hill, a member of the Christian Chamber of Commerce of Tampa Bay and author of the book “I Am in Business,” will be the speaker.

Admission is $9, which includes a buffet.

For information, contact Rene Van Hout at , or at (813) 300-7511.

New AT&T store in Zephyrhills
AT&T has opened a new authorized retail location in Zephyrhills to help meet what the company describes as the growing needs in Pasco County.

Cellular World recently had its grand opening at 7886 Gall Blvd., in the shopping plaza across from the Walmart.

Store hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Catholic Business Networking seeks members
The Catholic Business Networking group is looking for Catholic business owners, employees and supporters interested in joining it for regular meetings every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes.

The group has annual dues of $60, and there is a minimum attendance requirement of two meetings per month.

For information, call (813) 833-4737, or visit CBNTampa.com.

 

Clinton finds serious Florida challenge from Jeb

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If the 2016 presidential election were held today, Floridians would be ready to give the Sunshine State’s 29 electoral votes to former secretary of state Hillary Clinton.

That is, unless Jeb Bush decides to run.

A new survey by the Saint Leo University Polling Institute said that if both Clinton and the former governor end up representing their respective parties in the presidential race, voters in Florida, at least, would be split on whom to choose.

The poll, conducted between Nov. 25 and Dec. 7, gave 43 percent of support to Jeb Bush, while 42 percent picked Clinton.

No other early contenders did too well against the one-time First Lady. Clinton got 50 percent support against Kentucky senator Rand Paul, and 45 percent against New Jersey governor Chris Christie.

Clinton hit 51 percent against Texas senator Ted Cruz, and 48 percent against former Massachusetts governor and 2012 Republican nominee Mitt Romney.

Florida senator Marco Rubio held his ground a little better, however, earning 42 percent support among Floridians compared to 46 percent from Clinton.

Bush might be a favorite among Floridians, but at least one expert says it might be difficult for the two-term governor to gain momentum in the national spotlight.

“People perceive Jeb Bush differently in the rest of the country,” said Saint Leo University political instructor Frank Orlando, in a release. “Inside Florida, he’s Jeb. Outside of Florida, he’s George’s brother,” as in George W. Bush.

“Jeb Bush continues to struggle to separate his personality from the former president. However, inside the Sunshine State, he stands for himself. He’s his own man. He’s been the most popular figure in the state for a generation.”

Bush has a tremendous lead in Florida over other potential Republican nominees, carrying 34 percent support compared to 15 percent from Romney, according to the Saint Leo poll. Rubio had 10 percent support, while medical doctor Ben Carson is pulling 8 percent.

If their first choice decided not to run, Bush still lead among second picks with 18 percent, followed by Rubio at 15 percent and Romney at 13 percent.

Among Democrats, it might be impossible to topple Clinton. She has 63 percent support in Florida, with Vice President Joe Biden a distant second at 8 percent.

Biden, however, does lead among second choices with 25 percent, followed by Clinton with 13 percent and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren at 11 percent.

Saint Leo polled 500 Florida adults, including 420 likely voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percent.

POTLUCK PICNIC AT FIRST METHODIST

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The 2015 Wisconsin-Upper Peninsula Michigan Potluck Picnic is scheduled for Feb. 14 at First Methodist Church, 38635 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. Registration starts at 10 a.m., followed by activities at noon. Guests should bring a dish to share for 10 to 12 people, and your own place setting. A meat dish, coffee and dessert will be provided. No alcoholic beverages are allowed. The cost is $4 per person. For information, call Jim Leitzke at (813) 780-1549.

School district, union agree to 3% raise

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Teachers will get a 3 percent pay raise after Pasco County Schools and the United School Employees of Pasco union reached an agreement on new contracts.

For teachers, the cost to give pay raises will be $6.4 million, according to a release from the school district. Half of that raise will address cost-of-living expenses, while the other half will be for performance pay or equivalent agreements. Also seeing a 3 percent raise are school-related personnel, which will cost the district an additional $1.7 million.

“I want to thank the district’s negotiating team, led by Betsy Kuhn and Tom Neesham, for diligently representing the wishes of the school board, and negotiating meaningful raises for all of our hard-working employees,” Superintendent Kurt Browning said, in a release.

The raise, however, will come at a price. First, the district’s early retirement program will stop adding new members effective June 30, 2018. On top of that, smoking will be banned on all district property effective July 1, 2016.

In return, teachers also will get 150 minutes of uninterrupted planning time — or 2.5 hours — up from the 100 minutes they are currently provided by contract. The district also will increase its contribution to the Florida Retirement System by $1.4 million for all employees, and pay out another $1.2 million for increases to employee health insurance for the 2015 calendar year.

Both sides have agreed to create a compensation task force that will talk about proposed changes to how teachers are paid. The options being considered are teachers receiving 20 paychecks during the 10-month teacher work year, with five checks paid on the last teacher work day, and a last check two weeks later; or teachers receiving 26 equal paychecks, paid out every two weeks year round.

“Although this is one of the best pay settlements in the state, I wish we could have settled sooner,” union president Kenny Blankenship said, in a statement. “But due to the many issues that were brought up by the district, USEP needed to take the time to properly vet the language and process to ensure the contractual rights of all employees were protected.”

The district is paying out an additional $12 million toward employee compensation and benefits for the 2014-15 school year, officials said. The contract will take effect once it’s ratified by the school board during its Jan. 20 meeting, and after union employees vote to ratify it as well on Jan. 14.

If the contract passes both sides, then salary increases and retroactive pay will be reflected in paychecks by the end of February.

Pasco misses out on Affordable Care Act funding

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With nearly $1.6 million coming to Florida from the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, it was inevitable that at least something would come to Pasco County.

Instead, 42 health centers outside of the county — in places like Brooksville and Tampa — picked up individual funding to help with quality improvement achievements, and invest in ongoing quality improvement activities there.

“This funding rewards Florida health centers that have a proven track record in clinical quality improvement, which translates to better patient care,” said HHS secretary Sylvia Burwell, in a release. “It allows them to expand and improve their systems and infrastructure to bring the highest quality primary care services to the communities they serve.

“With these funds, health centers in Florida will continue to provide access to high quality, comprehensive primary and preventive health care to the patients that need it the most.”

The closest health center to Pasco receiving grant money is the Brooksville-based Florida Department of Health office, which was awarded a little more than $49,000. Tampa Family Health Centers Inc., was awarded more than $38,000, while Suncoast Community Health Centers in Ruskin picked up $28,500.

Those that received the money were recognized for high levels of quality performance in at least one of these categories, according to a release:

• Health center quality leaders received awards if they were among the top 30 percent of all health centers that achieved the best overall clinical outcomes, demonstrating their ability to focus on quality in all aspects of their clinical aspirations.

• National quality leaders received awards for exceeding national clinical benchmarks for chronic disease management, preventive care, and perinatal and prenatal care, demonstrating the critical role that health centers play in promoting higher quality health care nationwide.

• Clinical quality improvers received awards if they demonstrated at least a 10 percent improvement in clinical quality measures between 2012 and 2013, showing a significant improvement in the health of the patients they serve.

• Electronic health record reporters received funding if they used the technology to report clinical quality measure data on all their patients, what HHS says is a key transformational step in driving quality improvement for all health center patients across the nation.

The Tampa and Ruskin centers received all of their money from being clinical quality improvers, while the Brooksville provider not only was recognized as a clinical quality improver, but a health center quality leader as well.

The Laker expands East Pasco edition to weekly

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The future continues to brighten for community newspapers as The Laker/Lutz News gets set to expand one of its four editions into a weekly product.

LakerEP121014The East Pasco edition of The Laker, which serves primarily the Zephyrhills and Dade City areas, will become a larger, weekly publication beginning Jan. 7. It will join both the Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel editions of The Laker, as well as the Lutz News, as the weekly offerings of Community News Publications, coming out each Wednesday.

Diane Kortus, the owner and publisher of the newspaper group, shared the news in Wednesday’s print edition of The Laker.

“My staff and I are excited to take our East Pasco edition weekly in just a few weeks,” Kortus wrote in her column. “We recognize this big step for our business would not be possible without the loyalty of our readers and the support of our advertisers, and we thank you for that.”

The new East Pasco edition will be significantly larger than the current edition. It will run between 22 and 24 pages, and feature a B Section similar to what The Laker/Lutz News offers in its other weekly editions. That will mean more feature stories, photos, contests and puzzles. It also will include the grocery circular published by Publix Super Markets. It will join other circulars in the paper that include Publix Liquors, SmartSource coupons, Michaels Stores, and beginning in March, Lowe’s.

“It’s a big deal for most readers to get their weekly Publix circular inside their Laker so they can plan their shopping a day or two before the store’s weekly sales begin,” Kortus said. “We are thrilled to be able to provide this circular to our readers in East Pasco, especially since Publix is building its first store in Dade City in 2015.”

The expansion of the East Pasco section also means that some residents and business owners may see a different edition on their doorstep than before. The San Antonio and St. Leo areas, which now receive the Wesley Chapel weekly edition of The Laker, will instead start receiving the East Pasco edition, beginning in January.

The East Pasco edition of The Laker has been published for 10 years, beginning as a weekly and then changing to an every-other-week format in late 2011 during the height of the economic crisis.

“Back then, local businesses could only afford to advertise every other week, and we adjusted our business plan accordingly,” Kortus said. “But now, with our economy getting better every day, we’re ready to return to a weekly format.”

To read Kortus’ full column on the changes coming with the expansion of the East Pasco edition, read our free online e-edition by clicking here.

In Print: Big land buy in Wesley Chapel, magnet school going up

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What would you do with 1,000 acres of land if you had a chance to buy it?

A small group of owners are experiencing that first-hand in Wesley Chapel right now after a bunch of agricultural land just west of Quail Hollow was gobbled up in a $4.2 million land sale.

If more than 1,000 acres of land purchased last week west of Quail Hollow is ever developed into homes, roads like Mangrove Drive could require some upgrades. (Michael Hinman/Staff photo)
If more than 1,000 acres of land purchased last week west of Quail Hollow is ever developed into homes, roads like Mangrove Drive could require some upgrades. (Michael Hinman/Staff photo)

Will it become homes? A new commercial center? Or will it stay as grazing land. Bill Eshenbaugh, the owner of Tampa’s Eshenbaugh Land Co., wasn’t a part of this deal involving 1,000 acres off Mangrove Drive, but he knows the owners — Charles Bruck through his SoHo Dayflower company, as well as the Aprile family.

“The Apriles are good dairymen, and they can work that land just the way it’s been for the past few decades,” Eshenbaugh told reporter Michael Hinman. “They really have nothing to lose on this. It’s one of the lowest prices I’ve seen.”

However, Bruck is known for his development work, originally planning to build a 260-acre corporate park on State Road 54 near the Suncoast Parkway that is now part of the Bexley Ranch project.

What do these owners have planned? And are there clues in the recent past on what could go there? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker, available now on newsstands and driveways throughout the region. Or you also can read the full story online for free through our e-edition, available right here.

Not terribly far from this land purchase, Pasco’s first magnet school continues to come together quickly.

Sanders Memorial STEAM Magnet School — which focuses on science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics — already is being flooded with applications from potential students, and even more are expected before the Jan. 15 deadline.

“As a district, we know we must compete for the students we serve,” Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning said, as reported by B.C. Manion.

The campus is being built on the site of the old Sanders Memorial Elementary School at 5126 School Road in Land O’ Lakes, and is expected to be open for the upcoming school year next fall.

Want to see and learn more about the new magnet school? Then check out this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available for free now. Or read it online in our free e-edition: just click here.

And not every school needs to be new to get attention. The Old Lutz School is back in the news, thanks to its annual celebration of Christmas.

The 18th annual event will have everything: music, cookies, hot chocolate, trains and plenty of Christmas-themed decorations, including nutcrackers and trees.

“We never miss it,” Suzin Carr, a two-time Lutz Guv’na, told reporter Michael Murillo. “We make it part of our holiday.”

How can you make it a part of your holiday? Read this week’s print edition of the Lutz News, available now. Or check out our online e-edition by clicking here. And yes, it’s free.

And finally, photojournalist Fred Bellet has some great pictures to share from the 35th annual Lutz Arts & Craft Fair hosted by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club. See it online by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Free animal adoptions in time for Christmas

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Ever wanted to find a kitten in a stocking on Christmas morning? You might have that chance, thanks to an upcoming free adoption event through Pasco County Animal Services.

Because the animal shelter on Dogpatch Lane is over capacity, and working to find pets loving homes, the county animal shelter is hosting “Home for the Holidays on Dec. 20. Running from noon to 6:30 p.m., the event features a chance to have pictures taken with Santa Claus or the Dr. Seuss character the Grinch, as well as adopt a pet for free.

Although all adoption fees are waived, the shelter will accept donations.

Pasco County’s animal services division is dedicated to promoting and protecting the health, safety and welfare of animals and people.

The shelter is located at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes, and is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 5:30 p.m.

For additional information, or volunteer opportunities, visit PascoCountyFl.net/PAS, or call (813) 929-1212.

Creating a nice Christmas for seniors

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There are many programs helping to make sure kids have a good Christmas season. But what about senior citizens who might not have the circle of family and friends many others enjoy?

For them, it can be a lonely holiday. And that’s where the Be a Santa to a Senior program steps in.

Sponsored by Home Instead Senior Care, the program is designed to help get seniors exactly what they want or need for Christmas. Organizers talk to various nursing homes and other professionals dealing with older people who may not be looking forward to a merry Christmas, find out what they want or need, and then generate lists they distribute through gift tree locations throughout the area.

Those wanting to participate find out about some of the items seniors need, purchase them, and those items are then given directly to the senior citizen just before Christmas.

Many trees are located at local businesses, and continue looking for gifts through Dec. 15. There’s no need to wrap the gifts, volunteers will take care of it. All they need is someone willing to pick up an ornament with a small wish list, and to fulfill that list.

Speaking of wrapping, Home Instead will host a wrapping party for volunteers Dec. 17 beginning at 1 p.m., at the company’s office, 29149 Chapel Park Drive in Wesley Chapel.

For more information on the Be a Santa to a Senior program, and see where you can find a gift tree, visit BeASantaToASenior.com.