The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

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.”

Bilirakis to host veterans town hall meeting

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U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is inviting veterans to attend a town hall meeting for what he’s calling a “candid conversation” about their experiences with local Veterans Affairs offices.

The event will take place June 5 at 10 a.m., at New Port Richey City Hall, 5919 Main St., in New Port Richey. Although it’s focused on veterans, it is open to the public.

Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, said in a release that he wants to hear directly from veterans regarding access to care and any delays they may be experiencing from VA hospitals. That feedback will then be used to “inform his legislative approach” in trying to improve those conditions in the future.

VA hospitals have been under fire recently because of long delays in care, and reports of “secret waiting lists” where some veterans waited longer to see a medical professional than what was reported to the federal government. Bilirakis and other lawmakers, primarily Republican lawmakers, called for Veterans Affairs secretary Eric Shinseki to resign. Shinseki did that Friday, citing his presence to being a continuing distraction that could hamper efforts to correct many of the problems there.

The overburdened hospitals have dated back to before the Obama administration however, and have only become bigger problems with the influx of new patients stemming from wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.

“I have spent the past several months participating in oversight hearings in Washington regarding the failures of the VA throughout the country,” Bilirakis said, in a release. “Having spent a great deal of time at facilities in our community over the last several years, I know that there are many wonderful public servants at our local VA offices. However, I need to hear directly from those who matter most, our veterans and their families, in order to get the clear picture regarding how these systemic national problems may be impacting my constituents.”

Hillsborough offering mini-grants to communities

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Hillsborough County neighborhoods have a chance to apply for mini-grants up to $2,500 to fund projects that could improve their communities and increase civic involvement.

The grant’s purpose is to strengthen neighborhoods, associations and the communities they serve, according to a release. Applications should demonstrate community support in the application and implementation phases of proposed projects, and it should be submitted to the county’s Office of Neighborhood Relations by Aug. 8.

The grants are available to fund a variety of community projects both in unincorporated areas of the county, like in Lutz, as well as the incorporated areas, like New Tampa. There also are grants available year-round for unincorporated Hillsborough for projects like tree-planting, low-flow irrigation and clean-up projects.

Previous projects include shrub and flower planting, subdivision entrance signs, playground equipment, neighborhood festivals, crime watch programs, websites, newsletters, and education activities.

Applications will be reviewed by the Neighborhood Mini-Grant Evaluation Committee, and approved by Hillsborough County commissioners. Winners will be notified by Nov. 30.

Those interested in applying will need to watch an online orientation training video that explains the application process, grant criteria, and qualifying projects before applying. They are available at HillsboroughCounty.org/onr/minigrant.

Completed applications can be dropped off or mailed to Office of Neighborhood Relations, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., 21st Floor, Tampa, FL 33602. They also can be emailed to , or faxed to (813) 276-2621.

The Mini-Grant Program was established in 1988 by the Hillsborough County Commission to improve and revitalize communities, and strengthen neighborhood associations.

Summer travel heats up in Florida

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Summer is going to be a busy time for travelers, especially those who hail from Florida.

The majority of Florida residents — 81 percent — plan to take a leisure trip of 50 miles or more over the next three months, according to a new study by AAA. That is a jump of four percentage points from 2013.

“This marks the third consecutive year that AAA data shows a steady summer travel season in Florida — a positive sign for the travel industry,” said Jessica Brady, AAA Travel’s spokeswoman, in a release. “Although theme parks, beach getaways and city destinations top 2014’s summer travel list, the majority of people haven’t finalized their vacation plans.”

However, travelers who do wait until the last minute to book their hotel, rental car or airline ticket can expect to pay more than those who book weeks in advance, Brady said.

The majority of travelers, some 59 percent, say they plan to spend $1,500 or less on travel in the next three months. More than half, or 62 percent, say they will pay for a hotel during a summer vacation. Another 36 percent say they will cut costs by staying with family and friends.

Although only 35 percent plan to rent a car this summer, nearly 3-in-5 travelers, or 57 percent, plan to drive at least five hours to get to their destination, or for sightseeing.

“Floridians are fortunate because most destinations like beaches and theme parks are within a one-day drive,” said AAA spokesman Mark Jenkins, in a release. “Gasoline prices are beginning to let up just in time for the busy summer driving season. Pump prices are not expected to have a negative impact on travel plans.”

The AAA Consumer Pulse Survey was conducted online among residents living in the Southern Region of the Auto Club Group — Florida, Georgia and Tennessee — from April 14-21.

Some 400 Florida residents were sampled in the survey, which has a maximum margin of error of plus or minus 4.9 percentage points. The results also were weighted by gender and age.

7-Eleven selling Lutz location, 74 others

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Competition from a new RaceTrac location just next door may have sealed the fate of a long-time service station in Pasco Lutz. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
Competition from a new RaceTrac location just next door may have sealed the fate of a long-time service station in Pasco Lutz. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

The 7-Eleven store at 23434 State Road 54 in Lutz, is one of 75 stations across the country 7-Eleven Inc. is putting up for sale.

Robbie Radant, a vice president with the company, said 7-Eleven is cutting loose stores like the Lutz one not because it’s underperforming, but because it no longer fits with its overall goals.

“There are many nice sites in this package that simple do not fit 7-Eleven’s current business model,” Radant said in a release. “All of these stores have solid merchandise sales, and should provide good opportunities for the right buyers.”

However, it’s likely that last year’s opening of a competing RaceTrac just next door may have played a role in why the 7-Eleven is hitting the market, after decades of minimal competition on its stretch of State Road 54.

7-Eleven is looking to part ways with 31 stores in Florida, along with 14 in Virginia, six in Massachusetts and Illinois, three in Texas and two in New York, Delaware, New Jersey and Utah. The company is selling single stores in Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

The Lutz site will not include the 7-Eleven branding, but could include a fuel contract with SEI Fuels Inc., a subsidiary of 7-Eleven, the company said.

7-Eleven has brought in NRC Realty & Capital Advisors of Chicago to conduct the sale, which will accept sealed bids from groups looking to buy single or multiple locations. The bid deadline is July 29.

The Lutz 7-Eleven opened in 1987 with a 3,100-square-foot store along State Road 54 when it was still a two-lane road. It includes a 10-year fuel contract.

For information on the sale, visit NRC.com/1408, or call (800) 747-3342, ext. 1408.

In Print: Graduation is here for Class of 2014

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When you pick up your issue of The Laker or Lutz News this week, you’re going to find something we look forward to sharing with you each and every year.

GraduateMomHugHC1405_X_300_C_YOur graduation section honors the thousands of seniors who will walk across the stage and accept their diploma, all as part of the Class of 2014. And we don’t leave any school out in putting together our special pull-out section which we hope you will keep and enjoy for many years to come.

If you want to share the graduation section with family and friends through the Internet, we put together a handy guide that will take you directly to the e-edition related to your graduate. Just click which school you’re looking for below, and we’ll get you where you need to go.

The list for Land O’ Lakes High School is the correct list for the Class of 2014. The list appearing in our May 28 print edition was incorrect. We have updated our e-edition to the proper group of students, after an inadvertent error by the high school when submitting its graduation list.

The Laker will republish the list in its June 4 edition, but will also print a special four-page graduation section that will be available to graduates and their families at the May 30 commencement.

Academy at the Lakes
Bishop McLaughlin High School
Freedom High School
Land O’ Lakes Christian School
Land O’ Lakes High School
Pasco High School
Steinbrenner High School
Sunlake High School
Wesley Chapel High School
Wiregrass Ranch High School
Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Zephyrhills High School

Graduation isn’t the only thing we’re talking about this week. Get all the rest of the news for your community right here online. You can find the Wesley Chapel/New Tampa edition of the paper by clicking here. For Land O’ Lakes and Pasco Lutz, click here. For Hillsborough Lutz and Odessa, click here. And for our East Pasco edition, which includes Zephyrhills and Dade City, click 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.

PHSC project one of Florida TaxWatch’s ‘turkeys’

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Will Pasco-Hernando State College get that performing arts center it has been hoping for? Not if the governor is paying attention to political activist group Florida TaxWatch.

The $10 million project is one of more than $120 million in taxpayer “turkeys” TaxWatch says is in this year’s state budget. A turkey, according to the group, does not mean that the project isn’t worthy of funding. Instead, the list is designed to “promote transparency in public budgeting and encourage meaningful legislative review of all appropriations.”

Even with the Legislature looking to provide tax cuts to some payers, Florida TaxWatch warns that not every project has been properly scrutinized.

“It is understandable that lawmakers would like to share this year’s budget surplus with their local constituents through member projects,” said Kurt Wenner, the group’s tax research vice president, in a release “However, in order to ensure transparency during appropriations and that proper accountability standards are in place for these projects, the Legislature should establish a competitive selection process for them to receive funding.”

The PHSC project, according to the report, was not part of the college system’s three-year Public Education Capital Outlay program, and thus was not fully reviewed, TaxWatch said. It was the only Pasco County project to get noted in the report. Hillsborough County, on the other hand, had turkeys worth $33.2 million including $2.5 million for the Museum of Science & Industry.

The turkeys themselves make up a tiny fraction of the state’s total $77.1 billion budget, which Gov. Rick Scott will have to finalize before June 4. Florida TaxWatch has offered suggestions on other ways the $120 million can be spent, including ideas to slightly increase student funding, reducing the Agency for Persons With Disabilities’ wait list by more than 4,000 individuals, and increasing state employee salaries by more than $1,000.

To read Florida TaxWatch’s full report on this year’s budget turkeys, click here.