The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Fasano collecting weekend food for needy kids

By

The federal government provides food for disadvantaged kids through the school breakfast and lunch program, but Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano wants to make sure bellies are full on the weekends and holidays, too.

Fasano is teaming up with Pack-a-Sack 4 Kids in July, which provides a backpack full of food that each participating child can bring home on Friday afternoons that will get them through the whole weekend. More than 7,000 children in Pasco County alone lack adequate food during the weekends and school holidays, Fasano said.

Each tax collector’s office in the county will be a collection site for non-perishable food items such as single-serve cereal boxes, bowls, oatmeal packets, canned pasta, juice boxes, canned meats, crackers, pudding and applesauce cups, as well as other items like tuna or chicken packets.

Food will be picked up weekly as to allow fresh fruits and vegetables, but Fasano is asking that no items be donated that require refrigeration.

“There should not be a single child who goes to bed hungry each night,” Fasano said in a release. “Every item of food that is collected will go into the hands of young people throughout Pasco County to ensure that they have a full stomach during weekend and school holiday periods. I encourage anyone who visits one of our offices to bring in an item or two that a child would enjoy eating.”

Contributions can be made at the Land O’ Lakes and Dade City offices for the tax collector, as well as New Port Richey and Gulf Harbors, Fasano said. For more information about the food collection drive, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179.

Gas prices to slip a little for July 4

By

Fourth of July is coming, and drivers hitting the roads might get a patriotic gift of lower gas prices.

AAA says it expects to see the most cars on the road in seven years, with as many as 34.8 million Americans expected to drive 50 miles or more.

However, while gas prices might be coming off of some highs of recent weeks, this could still be the most expensive July 4 holiday since 2008.

“Market concerns about a supply disruption in Iraq are calming,” AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins said in a release. “The price of oil slipped last week, so motorists should begin go see some relief at the pump. However, the discount may only be a nickel.”

It was July 4, 2008, when gas prices were at the highest for the holiday, with the average cost for a gallon of gas in Florida topping $4.06. That was followed in 2011 with gas prices at $3.50 in Florida, and slowly dropped down to $3.43 last year.

This year, fuel prices are expected to hover around $3.63 in the state. While that might be 20 cents more than last year, it’s still a dime cheaper than what it was earlier in the year, Jenkins said.

“AAA doesn’t believe gas prices will keep people from traveling for the holiday,” he said. “Most plans have already been finalized and budgets allocated. If anything, travelers will cut back on costs in other areas like shopping, dining out or entertainment.”

Tax collector focused on Arc of Florida in July

By

The Arc of Florida/Center for Independence is the featured charitable organization for July by the Pasco County Tax Collector.

The goal is to raise funds to support those with developmental and other intellectual disabilities in the community. The Center for Independence is the Pasco County chapter of The Arc of Florida, and is a key provider of services to those with a variety of disabilities, according to a release.

Services there include residential, day-training, supported employment, and transportation assistance.

“Donations through the check-off program fund services that change the lives of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in Pasco County,” said Deborah Linton, chief executive of The Arc of Florida, in a release.

“There is probably not a person who does not know someone with a disability, whether a family member, friend or neighbor,” said county tax collector Mike Fasano, in a release. “The programs offered by the Center for Independence have made the lives of countless individuals better. Your donation of any amount will assist the center to continue providing the highest level of care possible.”

Customers who wish to support the charity can check off the box on their vehicle registration form to contribute $1 or more to the fund. Cash donations also will be accepted at tax collector’s offices around the county, like Land O’ Lakes, Dade City, New Port Richey and Gulf Harbors.

The promotion runs throughout July.

For more information, call Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

Terri Dusek Central Pasco’s new honorary mayor

By

The votes are in, and so is the money. Pasco County has a new mayor, and it’s Terri Dusek.

Dusek, a local real estate agent, ran a campaign of “Paying it Forward Through Music.” She was one of several people and businesses honored at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce annual dinner last week. Dusek also won Ambassador of the Year.

The dinner included the installation of the new chamber president, Charlene Ierna, of Ierna’s Heating & Cooling. She succeeds Denny Esber, who also is retiring from board along with director Gary Loman. Before he left, Esber handed out his President’s Award to Tony Masella of OurTownFla.com for his outstanding service to the chamber and the community.

Hungry Harry’s Bar-B-Que was the Large Business of the Year while All Smiles Tampa Bay won Small Business of the Year. A Focus on Fitness was New Business of the Year, while Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco was Non-Profit Member of the Year.

If honorary mayor and the chamber’s top ambassador wasn’t enough, Dusek topped a successful season as Chamber Member of the Year.

The Community Service Award was a tie between April Saland of A.L. Saland Insurance Solutions, and Pam Oakes of Pasco International Tourism.

Finally, the Central Pasco Chamber honored the lifetime service of Larry Delucenay, and retiring Pasco County commissioner Pat Mulieri.

To learn more about the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Restaurants, food trucks get new DBPR inspection schedule

By

Beginning Tuesday, the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation will implement a new inspection program officials say will lower the regulatory burden for businesses with a good inspection history.

Based on a law that passed last year, the new inspection program through the DBPR’s hotel and restaurants division, will focus more of its attention on businesses that have had problems with the agency in the past, especially those that pose a higher risk to public safety.

“Florida’s restaurants and food trucks not only serve the citizens of the state, but also those who are visiting on vacation, so ensuring public safety is crucial to Florida’s growing economy,” said DBPR secretary Ken Lawson, in a release. “This new inspection frequency program allows the department to hone our regulatory efforts, which makes great business sense for our licensees, and for Florida’s taxpayers.”

Under the new program, food service establishments will be categorized by risk levels rated one through four. Each number represents the number of inspections they’ll be required to have on an annual basis, so a Level One business will need just one inspection each year, while a Level Four would require four.

However, DBPR will continue to conduct an inspection each time a complaint is received, as it has before, no matter what level the business is.

DBPR will assign initial levels at the next inspection, or when a new business applies for a license. Then, at the beginning of each fiscal year, DBPR officials will reassess each establishment’s inspection frequency classification, and reclassify it if necessary.

The complete guidelines surrounding the risk-based inspection frequency can be found right here. Those with questions can call DBPR directly at (850) 487-1395, or visiting online.

Pasco County closes offices July 4

By

Pasco County government, including constitutional offices like the county clerk, as well as the courts will be closed July 4 in observance of Independence Day.

Government offices and courts will re-open July 7.

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s office will be closed both July 4 and July 5, re-opening the following Monday.

All libraries in the county will be closed July 4, but will reopen July 5 at regularly scheduled times.

The Pasco County Parks and Recreation centers will be closed July 4, but parks and beaches will remain open from dawn to dusk.

Pasco County Animal Services will be closed that Friday, including the adoption center and the intake/reclaim shelter. However, and animal control officer will be available for emergencies.

The adoption and intake center will reopen July 5 from noon to 4:30 p.m., and the administration offices will re-open July 7.

Pasco County Public Transportation will not run buses July 4, but will resume normal weekend service on July 5.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the general public on July 4, but will remain open to licensed commercial haulers. Both will re-open to the general public July 5.

 

Weatherford honored by statewide chamber of commerce

By

The Florida Chamber of Commerce has named outgoing state Rep. Will Weatherford its 2014 Most Valuable Legislator.

Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, was honored along with 40 members of the state Legislature during a recent meeting in Miami.

The Florida Chamber presents the awards to lawmakers it says fought for pro-jobs initiatives to help make the state’s businesses more competitive while creating more economic opportunities for Florida’s families.

The Most Valuable Legislator award honors a single lawmaker for his or her outstanding legislative leadership and willingness to take a stand for free enterprise. The Distinguished Advocate award recognizes lawmakers who championed key business agenda legislation as determined by the Florida chamber.

“Early during the 2014 legislative process, the Florida chamber encouraged lawmakers to build on efforts to transition Florida to an innovation-based economy by putting the long-term health of Florida ahead of short-term politics,” said Mark Wilson, president and chief executive of the statewide organization, in a release.

During that session, lawmakers passed 17 Florida chamber-backed pro-business, pro-jobs bills, and defeated dozens of what the chamber said were anti-business bills.

Weatherford championed difficult, but necessary, issues like lawsuit abuse reform, pension reform and educational opportunities for students, the chamber said.

Local Distinguished Advocate award recipients included:

• Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, for championing digital learning, career and professional education academies, and school choice legislation as a means to improve the state’s school system.

• Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, for his work on state pension reform efforts, water policy initiatives and wage protection legislation.

• Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, for advocating Florida chamber healthcare priorities, including telemedicine and scope of practice reforms.

Ringworm, feline distemper found at Pasco animal shelter

By

Those who adopted cats or kittens from the Pasco County Animal Shelter in the last month may need to keep an extra close eye on their pet after ringworm and feline distemper were found at the shelter.

Officials there say the problems were discovered that could affect adoptions that took place between May 21 and June 24, although no symptoms of the diseases have been found on the dog side of the shelter.

The ringworm started in a litter of abandoned kittens brought in by an animal control officer, but it wasn’t diagnosed until after the ringworm had spread within the cat adoption isolation area. The shelter has since isolated those areas, and is undergoing a deep cleaning and disinfection, officials said.

Ringworm is not actually caused by a worm, but instead a fungus that can infect the skin, hair or nails. It starts as a red, scaly patch or a bump, and may grow to look like a ring. It is contagious, and can be spread by direct contact from pets to humans, and from human to human.

Anyone who suspects they have ringworm should consult their doctor.

The shelter also received a kitten this week which tested positive for panleukopenia, or feline distemper. The virus infection is usually found in kittens or young cats, especially strays or even shelter kittens because they have not had a chance to be vaccinated.

Feline panleukopenia is so widespread that nearly all cats are exposed to it within their first year of life. It’s a leading cause of death in kittens simply because their immune systems are often too weak to protect them, and the cats themselves are too young to receive the vaccine that would protect them.

The virus causes vomiting, diarrhea, high fever, and sometimes sudden death in cats. However, it does not pose any threat to humans.

Those with any questions should contact the shelter at (813) 929-1212. The facility, located at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes, is open Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m., and Thursdays from noon to 6:30 p.m.

Voters can ride the bus for free to polls

By

Pasco County Public Transportation will do its part to help get out the vote by offering free rides to the polls on election days for the upcoming cycle.

The deal was worked out between PCPT and county elections supervisor Brian Corley, and was approved by the Pasco County Commission earlier this week.

On both primary day Aug. 26 and the general election day Nov. 4, voters who present their voter information card will ride free to their local polling location. The goal is to encourage and promote participation in the election process, while also introducing public transportation as a viable option for travel throughout the county, said PCPT director Michael Carroll.

“I think providing an opportunity for citizens to exercise their right to vote is a worthy cause, and serves as an exemplary example of good government,” Corley said, in a release.

In return, Corley’s office will use available media advertising and respective websites to inform potential riders and voters how to access and navigate the transit system.

For more information about PCPT, click here.

 

Keeping it beautiful at Timber Lake Estates

By

(Courtesy of Jo Ann Buley)
(Courtesy of Jo Ann Buley)

Rosealee Brassard of Moss Hill Street in Timber Lake Estates accepted the award for Timber Lake Estates Home of the Third Quarter 2014. Residents work hard to keep their yards in tip-top shape. Honorable mentions were awarded to homes on Timberland Boulevard, Tree Lake Street and Countryside Drive.