The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

USAA among those honored with national award

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The more than 1,200 new jobs at New Tampa’s USAA location didn’t go unnoticed by the company’s development peers at the national level, as the United Services Automobile Association has helped Florida win another Silver Shovel award for job creation.

The award, which is given by Area Development magazine, recognizes state economic development agencies that drive significant job creation through innovative policies, infrastructure improvements, processes and promotions that attract new employers and investments in new and expanded facilities, according to a release from Gov. Rick Scott’s office.

The awards are presented annually to states that have achieved significant success in terms of job creation and economic impact.

USAA, which is expanding its existing Bruce B. Downs Boulevard campus into Brandon, will create an estimated 1,215 jobs through a capital investment of $164.3 million. Only Navy Federal Credit Union in Pensacola is bringing in more jobs — 2,200 after a capital investment of $206 million.

“Florida continues to draw the attention of business leaders and site selectors across the nation, and this recognition will certainly shine a light on the work we’re doing to tell the state’s business story,” said Gary Swoope, the president and chief executive of Enterprise Florida, in a release. “Florida’s resources and pro-business climate allow us (to) compete for community-changing projects, and we’re thrilled so many industry leaders have chosen to locate or expand in the state. The future is bright for business in Florida.”

All 50 states were invited by the magazine to submit information about its top 10 job creation and investment projects started in 2013. Those states were then rated based on direct jobs creation, new jobs per capita, amount of investment, number of projects creating high value-added jobs, industry diversity, and number of new facilities.

Based on its score, Florida won one of three Silver Shovel awards for significant job creation and economic impact.

Enterprise Florida, which received the award on behalf of the state, is a partnership between Florida’s businesses and government leaders, and is the principal economic development organization for the state. Enterprise Florida facilitates job growth for Florida businesses through recruitment and retention, international trade and exporting, sporting event promotion, and capital funding programs to assist small and minority businesses.

Summer Haul Pass makes it cheap for teens to take the bus

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Pasco County Public Transportation is offering students in the county a chance to ride the bus all summer for $20 in a special rate through Aug. 31.

“Students who have summer jobs can use the bus and save a lot of money this summer,” said Mike Carroll, PCPT’s transportation manager, in a release. “It sure beats spending their hard-earned money on gas, and if they can’t afford a vehicle. The student fare is a great choice to meet their transportation needs.”

Passes are sold at all county libraries as well as the Pasco-Hernando State College bookstore.

Fixed-route transit buses operate throughout east and west Pasco, and along State Road 54. PCPT also operates the county’s para-transit service for those unable to ride the bus because of a verifiable disability, environmental barrier or distance from a route.

For more information on the Summer Haul Pass, call (813) 235-6073.

Old-fashioned service for printing and shipping

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Terry and Jo Anne Moses moved their business to their current location in October 2013 and changed their name to Express Shipping and Business Solutions. Their former business was named Creative Printing, which they started in 1988. It was located just down the road in a building now housing a winery.

Terry and Jo Anne Moses
Terry and Jo Anne Moses

Since moving into their new location, they’ve expanded their printing and shipping services, put in private mailboxes and added a Federal Express drop. They’re working to add a UPS drop and also a U.S. Postal Service drop soon.

Express Shipping is a full-service printing company. They have wide-format printers capable of scanning, and printing blueprints up to 36 inches wide x 5 feet. They also enlarge prints and photographs and have created collages of photographs for both personal and professional customers. High-speed copying is available for color, and black and white, up to 11 x 17 two-sided. They have a graphic artist available to design custom artwork and logos.

“We’ve put lots of photographs onto wide-format prints for our customers,” says Jo Anne. They also design and print business cards, novelty items, signs, magnetic car signs and vinyl road signs. A notary service and fax machines make this a one-stop shop for all of your printing and shipping needs.

Packing supplies are available for customers who pack their own boxes. In addition, they will pack items for you. “We like to think of ourselves as an old-fashioned general store for printing and shipping,” says Jo Anne. “Come in more than twice and you’ve become a friend.”

Terry and Jo Anne go above and beyond to help their customers. The atmosphere is warm and friendly. They pride themselves on fair pricing and outstanding personal service. Many family members work in the store alongside Terry and Jo Anne. They bought their home in Land O’ Lakes in 1987 and started their printing and shipping business in 1988. Jo Anne says they don’t plan on retiring anytime soon. They expect to be servicing customers in the Land O’ Lakes area long into the future.

They are very involved in the local community and have contributed to numerous local organizations. Terry is a past president of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and has been the Chairman of the Board a number of times. They also sponsored Dancing with our Stars for the last two years.

Terry was on the board of directors for the United Cerebral Palsy Organization for almost 10 years.

Terry and Jo Anne are both long time members of Sertoma (which stands for Service to Mankind) and their clubs provide both volunteer service and raise thousands of dollars for local charities each year.

Terry and Jo Anne have been married for 32 years. Terry was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease 10 years ago, but that has not stopped him from actively participating in their business.

Next time you’re in need of printing or shipping services or supplies stop on in and talk to Terry and Jo Anne Moses at Express Shipping. You’ll be glad you did.

Express Shipping & Business Solutions is located at 4710 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 17. They can be reached at (813) 996-6530.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

Lower your insurance premiums

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Front row, from left: Jennifer Juranko, Mandy Stephens; back row, from left: Lisa Walker, Daryl Patrick, Ryan Southerland and Carmen Rairigh
Front row, from left: Jennifer Juranko, Mandy Stephens; back row, from left: Lisa Walker, Daryl Patrick, Ryan Southerland and Carmen Rairigh

Daryl Patrick, owner of Tampa Bay Insurance Center in Wesley Chapel, is confident that he can save you money on homeowner’s insurance. He is a property and casualty agent representing 37 homeowner insurance carriers, eight auto carriers, and 100 commercial insurance carriers. Every carrier is demotech A rated in Florida.

“We find ways to help save people money,” says Daryl. “There are ways to get credits for your home that many agents don’t tell their customers. Getting certain inspections will lower your premiums. We had one customer who saved $800 by getting a single inspection.”

Most inspections are good for five years, so the cost of the inspection will usually pay for itself many times over. Homes built in 2002 or later automatically qualify for wind mitigation credits. Anything older requires an inspection in order to receive a credit. Even condo owners can get wind mitigation credits.

Your agent should be asking you a lot of questions. Do you live in a gated community? Are you retired? Do you have an alarm system? These questions may lower your insurance premiums. Your agent should be working for you first.

“Most homes have credits in them,” says Daryl. “The homeowner may just not know it. We make sure they receive the credits available to them. For example, a single-entrance neighborhood gets you a credit.”

Anyone buying a home or with a renewal coming up should get in touch with Daryl’s office and either he or one of his wonderful staff members will be glad to assist you. It takes about five minutes over the phone. Daryl can shop for the best rate from all of his carriers and get you a quote in 15 or 20 minutes. The process is the same for auto and commercial insurance.

“There’s no risk in trying to save money,” says Daryl. “We get in touch with our customers at every renewal. We stay on top of changes in the industry that can save our customers money on their premiums. We can shop all of our carriers at every renewal if the customer wants.”

“We counsel new homeowners to get the proper inspections and make sure they’re submitting the necessary forms with the right information,” says Daryl. “Sending too much information or the wrong information can adversely affect your premiums and even delay your approval.”

Tampa Bay Insurance Center has been in business for five years. They moved to Wesley Chapel in November 2013 due to the phenomenal growth in the area. The employees love the area. They’re all very involved in community activities and events. They provide property and casualty insurance, specializing in personal coverage, and also provide commercial coverage for those who need it.

Daryl asks that anyone who has their homeowner’s coverage through Citizens Insurance call him immediately. “You have much better options,” says Daryl.

Tampa Bay Insurance Center is located at 3822 Turman Loop, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel. They can be reached at (813) 805-8740.

– Mike Matthew

This story is a feature of the advertising department.

In Print: Ice, summer school and young interns

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Last week was a big one for Pasco County, especially the Wesley Chapel area, when developer Z Mitch LLC unveiled its plans to build a 150,500-square-foot ice and sports complex just off State Road 56.

It shows how far this stretch of road between Bruce B. Downs Boulevard in New Tampa and State Road 54 on the edge of Land O’ Lakes has come in the past decade or so since it was first built. And it’s just one piece of a rather large and prosperous future for the area.

Pasco County commissioners Pat Mulieri, left, and Ted Schrader listen as commission chair Jack Mariano introduces the new ice and sports complex planned for Wesley Chapel. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
Pasco County commissioners Pat Mulieri, left, and Ted Schrader listen as commission chair Jack Mariano introduces the new ice and sports complex planned for Wesley Chapel. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

The new facility will feature four ice pads — two of them designed to NHL standards, while another will be at Olympic standards — as well as other courts for sports like basketball, a restaurant, and even a second neighboring hotel. It’s a way to bring in people from all over the region, just like what similar ice complexes in Brandon and Oldsmar do there.

“Two rinks would’ve been great, three rinks is phenomenal. But with four, everyone is going to want to come here and play this from all around the world,” Pasco County Commission chair Jack Mariano said during a press event last week attended by reporter Michael Hinman. “If you had to go to Canada or down here to play hockey, where would you want to go?”

The answer to that question seems obvious, but read the full story in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read the free e-edition by clicking here.

The ice complex is at least a year away, and summertime is here, and ice is the last thing on most people’s minds. Instead, some kids might have to think about summer school.

Those programs through Pasco County Schools will cost $1.3 million, but serve 6.580 students — including younger children.

“The need is there,” school board member Steve Luikart told reporter B.C. Manion. “We’re doing everything we can to help more kids.”

This year’s classes will include two pilots addressing literacy and mathematics, which will help nearly 800 students primarily from economically challenged neighborhoods.

To read more about the program, pick up this week’s print edition of The Laker, or check out our free e-edition right here.

This week, the Lutz News begins its profile series by reporter Michael Murillo looking at each of the candidates running for the honorary office of Guv’na.

This ceremonial role is a way for the Lutz community to raise money for charities. And candidate Jerome Smalls might not live in Lutz yet, but feels the community has given so much to him that it’s time to give back.

“The people are probably the No. 1 thing,” Smalls said of those residing and working in Lutz. “The people are really friendly and outgoing.”

What does Smalls have planned for his run at the Guv’na position? Find out in the print edition of the Lutz News, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Finally, Ashley Schrader is just 13 years old, but you wouldn’t know it by her professional attitude and excitement about jumping into a journalism career.

Schrader was an intern recently at The Laker/Lutz News through a program set up by Countryside Montessori Charter School — one of several eighth-graders checking out the real world from the business perspective.

“Internships are like an opportunity for us to see the real world,” Devyn Dacus, 13, told her classmate, Ashley. “Since we are not yet adults, internships are one of the few chances we have to see the work force.”

What else did these interns learn? You’ll just have to pick up this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read our free e-edition right now 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.

Animal shelter offering cat adoption for $15

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Throughout June, Pasco County Animal Services has reduced the adoption fees for cats and kittens to $15.

It’s part of a “Pasco Saves Lives” promotion to save lives and find homes for abandoned, and otherwise unwanted, cats and kittens.

“We are now in ‘kitten season’ when there is a surge of adorable kittens entering animal shelters that are already full with cats needing homes,” said Mike Shumate, director of Pasco County Animal Services, in a release. “With a goal of finding forever homes for the homeless cats and kittens in our shelter, we are encouraging people to seriously consider adopting their first cat or adding another to their family.

“We also have a shelter full of adoptable puppies and dogs just waiting for their new families to pick them up.”

Among the other adoption specials in June include those honoring Father’s Day and volunteers.

Pasco County’s adoption center is located at 19640 Dogpatch Lane in Land O’ Lakes. It’s open noon to 4:30 p.m., every Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Thursday hours are from noon to 6:30 p.m., to accommodate working families.

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

Tax collector looking for organ donors in June

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The Pasco County tax collector’s office is recognizing the need to add more names to the organ donor list in June with a special focus on license plates featuring the LifeLink Foundation/Donate Life.

One of the responsibilities of the tax collector is to help identify organ donors when they get their driver’s license or identification card, according to a release, but there’s always need to add more organ and tissue donors.

Right now, nearly 5,000 Floridians are on a waiting list for life-saving transplants. On a national scale, 117,000 Americans are waiting for the proper organ needed to continue living. Those interested in becoming an organ donor can visit the tax collector’s office, or visit DonateLifeFlorida.org.

Those who wish to support the LifeLink Foundation/Donate Life fund can check off the box on their license renewal or auto registration forms to contribute at least $1 to an education fund. The tax collector’s office also will accept cash donations.

“With more than 900 patients currently listed for lifesaving organ transplants at Tampa General Hospital, donation is a critical issue throughout the Tampa Bay area,” said Betsy Edwards, senior public affairs coordinator with LifeLink, in a release.

“Whether it is becoming an organ donor, or making a contribution to the fund, your help will go a long way towards saving the lives of people both locally and throughout our state,” Tax Collector Mike Fasano said, in a release.

Contributions can be made at all the tax collector’s offices in Pasco, including Land O’ Lakes and Dade City.

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

Tampa Bay Crisis Center launches men’s anti-violence initiative

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The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is launching a new program, “Men Stopping Violence Against Women,” the group hopes will engage men and boys in the effort to end gender-based violence.

The Crisis Center locally has been at the forefront of working with creating partnerships between men and women that address gender equality and the negative consequences of unequal power relationships.

“While we know that both men and women are perpetrators of domestic abuse and sexual assault, we can’t ignore statistics that indicate the majority of this abuse is committed by men,” said David Braughton, president and chief executive of the Crisis Center, in a release. “We know that targeted anti-violence education is key in reducing gender-based violence in our community.”

The program is a concentrated effort to build a network of leaders committed to engaging men in a community effort to end violence. It is funded by a grant from the Verizon Foundation that allows for six months of grassroots mobilizing.

To help launch the program, the Crisis Center has brought in consultant Ben Atherton-Zeman, a word-renowned advocate and educator in violence prevention. He is the spokesman for the National Organization for Men Against Sexism, and is a public speaker on issues of violence prevention.

His talks have taken place at military bases, colleges, high schools, public theaters, conferences, churches and juvenile detention facilities, according to a release. Atherton-Zeman also has worked as a prevention educator for rape crisis centers, domestic violence programs and state coalitions.

Those people and organizations interested in becoming involved with “Men Stopping Violence Against Women” can call the Crisis Center at (813) 969-4983.

When hurricanes come, don’t get scammed

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With hurricane season now under way, the Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation is reminding consumers, businesses and professionals to protect themselves following a natural disaster by hiring only licensed professionals to perform necessary repairs.

Among the many risks Floridians face during hurricane season is the increased potential danger of unlicensed activity scams, which threaten the livelihood of consumers.

“Hurricane season can take a hefty toll on Florida’s consumers and businesses,” DBPR secretary Ken Lawson said, in a release. “With the right disaster preparedness plan and knowledge of what to do following a hurricane, Floridians can prevent a natural disaster from turning into a financial disaster. Protecting oneself from unlicensed activity is among the most important steps to take after a storm, and DBPR is here to help make Floridians aware of the best ways to be proactive this hurricane season.”

In conjunction with hurricane season comes an influx of unlicensed contracting activity. Unlicensed activity occurs when an individual who is not licensed by the state provides or offers to provide services that require a license in the state.

Consumers can report suspected unlicensed activity by calling (866) 532-1440, or emailing .

Unlicensed activity is illegal, and when the governor declares a state of emergency, the penalty for unlicensed activity elevates from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony offense, according to DBPR.

Consumers should stay familiar with the types of work that would require a licensed contractor. That includes roof repairs, roof installations, window installations, plumbing and electrical repairs, and rewiring.

Common storm-related services that do not require a license include trimming or removal of fallen trees, removal of debris, or even placing tarps on roofs.

For the full list of construction services licensed by DBPR, visit MyFloridaLicense.com, or call (850) 487-1395.

Sheriff Nocco seeks 6.5% budget increase

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The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is reducing its publicly paid staff by nearly 90 people, but Sheriff Chris Nocco says he’ll still need at least $6 million more than he got last year.

Nocco’s total budget request for 2014-15 is $96.4 million, up nearly 6.5 percent from last year’s approved budget, according to a release. Most of that increase comes from giving pay raises to long-term deputies and employees who right now are watching new hires come in at the same salary, or sometimes more, than what they are making.

The 86 positions affecting the budget are not being eliminated, but instead many have been privatized, spokesman Kevin Doll said.

Nocco wants to raise those salaries by 1 percent for every year each employee has worked, capping it at 5 percent. In order for that to happen, however, he would need to raise his budget request to the Pasco County Commission by $2.6 million.

The move, however, is necessary, to help keep veteran employees on the staff, and not leave for higher-paying jobs with other agencies, Nocco said.

Nocco also wants to get rid of “flexing,” described as sending employees home instead of paying overtime because the sheriff’s office doesn’t have enough funds to pay overtime. Doing that reduces the number of deputies patrolling the streets and investigating crime, the sheriff said. To do it, however, he would need an additional $333,000 budgeted for overtime.

The budget would have to be approved by the Pasco County Commission, who received the budget Friday. County administrator Michele Baker said in a release that her staff would “look carefully” at what the sheriff is asking for.

“We have had good discussions leading up to the sheriff’s budget submission today,” Baker said. “I am hopeful that the discussions moving forward this summer will be just as positive.”

Nocco did note that some other increases were out of his control. Retirement funding, for example, jumped $345,500 as mandated by the Florida Legislature. Another $300,000 would go toward the sheriff’s helicopter for maintenance and to purchase a $94,000 night-vision infrared camera.

The sheriff also wants to hire three additional school resource officers to address population increase in schools.

“We are in position for tremendous growth in Pasco,” Nocco said, in a release. “The time to begin planning and addressing public safety is now.”