The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco residents commute longer than Hillsborough drivers

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Pasco County residents take longer to get to work in the morning than their neighbors in Hillsborough County.

That’s according to numbers provided by the U.S. Census Bureau on its Census Explorer Map. Using 2012 data, the Census Bureau determined that the average Pasco County driver spends 30 minutes on the road commuting to work, compared to 26 minutes for residents living in Hillsborough County.

Those numbers are unchanged from more than a decade ago, but are quite different from the commute times tracked in 1990. Then, the average Pasco resident needed 24 minutes to get to work in the morning, while Hillsborough was just slightly less at 22 minutes. It shows a fundamental shift in where Pasco residents are choosing to work over the past nearly 25 years, as many continue to drive outside the county to collect their paycheck.

The counties with the longest commute, however, are not in Pinellas County (23 minutes) or even in South Florida (25 to 29 minutes). Instead, it’s to the north in Gilchrist and Clay counties, were the average commute is 32 minutes. But even in 1990, it took a while to travel those two counties, which are home to towns like Trenton and Orange Park. According to the Census, the commute times a quarter century ago were 28 minutes each, beaten only by Liberty County in the Panhandle at the time.

At 30 minutes a day, that means the average Pasco County worker spends 125 hours each year behind the wheel, or three full work weeks, and a little bit of overtime.

Florida drivers on average spend 26 minutes commuting to work, compared to 22 minutes in 1990. New York and Maryland have the worst commute times in the country at 32 minutes, while North Dakota has the best with 17 minutes.

Scott signs hurricane tax holiday bill into law

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Gov. Rick Scott signed H.B. 5601 into law May 12 that creates a nine-day sales tax holiday for hurricane supplies beginning May 31 and running through June 8.

“Hurricane season begins June 1, and Florida families need to get a plan,” Scott said, in a release. “While we always hope for the best, Florida families need to be prepared for anything.”

That includes having a family disaster kit with supplies and medications, being prepared to evacuate if advised, and knowing evacuation routes and where pets can be brought, Scott said.

During the holiday, shoppers will be able to purchase hurricane-related supplies like flashlights, batteries, weather radios and other essential items.

Among the items that are covered, according to the finalized bill sent to the governor:

• Portable, self-powered lights, selling for less than $20
• Portable self-powered radio, two-way radio, or weather band radio selling for less than $50
• Tarpaulin or other flexible waterproof sheeting selling for less than $50
• Self-contained first-aid kit selling for less than $30
• Ground anchor system or tie-down kit selling for less than $50
• Gas or diesel fuel tank selling for less than $25
• Batteries, excluding car and boat batteries, selling for less than $30
• Non-electric food storage cooler selling for less than $30
• Portable generator selling for less than $750
• Reusable ice selling for less than $10

The program overall will cost $3 million on the state level, and $700,000 locally, according to a Senate analysis of the bill last April. The back-to-school tax holiday has the biggest impact to the budget, costing the state $32.3 million in tax revenue, and local governments $7.3 million.

Local educators get year of MOSI for free

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The Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa is offering teachers and school district employees from three counties complimentary annual memberships.

The offer, MOSI officials said, was to thank teachers and school employees for “all they do,” according to a release. It will be open to those working in Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Any employee can get free admission to more than 450 exhibits and displays focused on science, technology, engineering, art and math education, or STEAM. The memberships are valid for 12 months from the date of registration, and are valued at between $45 and $75 for an individual, according to the facility’s website.

To redeem their membership, school employees must visit MOSI in person at 4801 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa, and present a valid identification and a recent pay stub.

“Teachers and school board employees are some of the hardest working people in the nation, and we wanted to show our incredible appreciation of them and their work,” said MOSI president Wit Ostrenko, in a release. “We believe it takes a village to educate the children in our community, and MOSI is an integral part of that village, as the only information educational institution in Tampa with the sole focus of STEAM learning. We want to make sure that MOSI’s resources are available to bay area teachers.”

Pasco County Schools superintendent Kurt Browning, in a release, praised MOSI’s recognition of “the important roles education professionals play in our community, and we appreciate this generous way of acknowledging their impact.”

The membership does not include IMAX Dome Theatre films, special engagement exhibitions, or specific rides.

The museum is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and weekends from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For information, call (813) 987-6000, or visit MOSI.org.

Humana offering up to $350,000 for nonprofits

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The Humana Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the insurance company Humana Inc., has relaunched its signature Humana Communities Benefit program, which awards multi-year grants totaling $350,000 to eligible nonprofit companies.

The program is now underway in the Tampa Bay area, as well as Chicago and San Antonio, Texas, for organizations focused on promoting healthy behaviors and relationships.

But now Humana wants the online community to be involved, letting an online vote be a part of the overall judging process.

“This new approach with Humana Communities Benefit is a natural evolution for the program as Humana and the Humana Foundation work to improve the health of the communities we serve nationwide,” said Bruce Broussard, president and chief executive of Humana, in a release. “We have added several new features to the program, including the online vote, which provides an opportunity for each community to have a stake in which organization in each region is awarded our $350,000 grant.”

The new program will award nonprofits a three-year infusion of funds, enabling the winners to receive $200,000 the first year, $100,000 the second year, and $50,000 in the final year. The funds will be used to create new programs or enhance ongoing activities that have a positive, transformational impact on the organization and the community.

Tampa Bay was one of three locations chosen because it employs more than 3,500 employees here, more than in any other area outside of their Louisville, Kentucky, headquarters.

The foundation has given more than $8 million to nonprofits in 11 communities nationwide since starting in 2003. The previous program awarded one-time, $100,000 charitable grants, including one to Keep Tampa Bay Beautiful in 2013, which used the money to build the Humana Educational Pavilion at the Florida Learning Garden in Tampa.

Locally, the competition is open to local nonprofits in Pasco, Hillsborough, Hernando and Pinellas counties. Applications can be submitted to Humana.com/hcb, but must be completed by June 30.

Judging, including an online component, begins in August.

Look out for gopher tortoises on spring strolls

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A gopher tortoise strolling across a road or through a backyard or field is a common sight during spring in Florida.

Yet, as tortoises become increasingly active this time of year, they are vulnerable to being struck by vehicles, and injured or killed.

Don’t forget to look out for these slow-moving reptiles with their bony-plated shells and elephantine legs, state officials said. They leave their burrows in search of green plants to eat and a tortoise to become their mate. From now through the end of May, females will lay eggs the size of ping-pong balls in the sandy apron outside their burrows.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission encourages drivers to slow down on highways to help protect the state’s gopher tortoises. If a gopher tortoise is crossing the road, it is OK to pick it up and move it to safety. However, keep it pointed in the direction it was heading, and do not put it in the water.

People also can help by using a new smartphone app called “Florida gopher tortoise” that’s available for both iPhone and Android. When users of the app use it to take a photograph of a tortoise or its burrow, the photo and its GPS coordinates will be sent automatically to the wildlife group.

This data will help guide conservation of this threatened species, as well as provide information to the user on the biological makeup and even a quiz about the only tortoise making its home east of the Mississippi River.

The wildlife commission conducts regular prescribed burning to help maintain the sandy, open fields and forests as well as the soft-stemmed plants that tortoises need to survive. It’s part of the overall gopher tortoise management plan maintained by the wildlife commission, which can be accessed at MyFWC.com/Wildlife.

To report injured or dead gopher tortoises, call (850) 921-1030 during weekdays, or the hotline after-hours at (888) 404-3922.

Harming a gopher tortoise, its burrows or eggs is against the law.

Small Business Week comes to area

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The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is spotlighting small business, small business ownership and entrepreneurship during National Small Business Week, which begins Monday.

The chamber encourages everyone during that week to shop or purchase services from a local business.

“It is small businesses that are the biggest job creators locally, that contribute to local causes, and that have a vested interest in seeing our community prosper,” chamber executive director Vonnie Mikkelsen said in a release. “So the question becomes, why would we not support them by giving them our business?”

Since 1963, the U.S. Small Business Administration has taken the opportunity to highlight the impact of outstanding entrepreneurs, small business owners, and others from across the nation through its National Small Business Week. This year, events will take place across the country to engage the small business community, and highlight their importance as innovators and job creators who strengthen the nation’s economy.

The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will celebrate the week like it celebrates so many others, and that’s by introducing new businesses to the community. It will do just that on May 15 with a ribbon-cutting at Pure Health & Fitness Studios, 2206 Knight Road in Land O’ Lakes.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce has its own ribbon-cutting planned on May 12 at Continucare, 21507 Village Lakes Shopping Center in Land O’ Lakes. It will finish the week with its 28th annual golf tournament May 16 at Heritage Harbor Golf & Country Club, 19502 Heritage Harbor Parkway in Lutz.

Back in Zephyrhills, new mayor Gene Whitfield will present a proclamation at Monday’s city council meeting recognizing the contributions of small businesses in the community. The Zephyrhills chamber has then partnered up with the University of South Florida’s Small Business Development Center to offer free consultations by appointment in the chamber’s office, 38550 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.

For information the Zephyrhills chamber, visit ZephyrhillsChamber.org. For the Wesley Chapel chamber, visit WesleyChapelChamber.com. For the Central Pasco chamber, visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Wesley Chapel High to host Swiftmud flood meeting

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District is hosting a meeting May 22 at Wesley Chapel High School to gather information about flood-prone areas in Pasco County.

The meeting is geared toward people who live in the New River/Upper Hillsborough River watershed, which encompasses a good portion of southeastern Pasco County. Representatives of the agency, more commonly known as Swiftmud, will present preliminary flood-prone area information, explain the basis behind the findings, and gather additional information that may be used to identify areas prone to flooding, according to a release.

There also will be time for public comment.

The area in question is not part of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Digital Flood Insurance Rate Maps that were made public a year ago, but Swiftmud officials said the information they collect at the May 22 meeting could be used in future updates to those maps.

Otherwise, the flood information is used by local governments for land use and zoning decisions, to help manage development in and around floodplains and wetlands, to reduce flood risks, to preserve land and water resources, and for emergency planning.

It also can provide information to the public for decisions about purchasing and protecting property, Swiftmud officials said.

The high school is located at 30651 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

For information on how to find out which watershed you live in, visit WaterMatters.org/FloodRisk, or call Swiftmud at (352) 796-7211, ext. 4297.

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Governor to settle Lake Jovita, St. Leo battle

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The fate of St. Leo and its relationship with the Lake Jovita neighborhood is now in the hands of Gov. Rick Scott.

The Florida Legislature has officially presented H.B. 1401 to Scott, which would de-annex a portion of Lake Jovita that happens to be inside the town limits of St. Leo. Without the bill, it’s been suggested that the members of the St. Leo town commission who also are Lake Jovita residents could push to dissolve the small Pasco County municipality completely in order to reduce their taxes.

Scott now has 15 days to consider the bill. His signature would make the bill become law immediately. He also could decide not to sign the bill, but as long as it’s not vetoed, it would still become law without his signature by May 23.

Even if Scott vetoed the bill, only one person voted against the bill in either the House or the Senate, so there is a good chance the Legislature could override that veto in the next session. Scott has not indicated publicly what his plans are for the bill.

The Tallahassee action was required because a town cannot de-annex an area that meets all the conditions that would’ve allowed the town to annex it otherwise. To make such a change, it requires both the Legislature and governor to undo it.

The new St. Leo will see see its population drop from 1,369 to 1,173, according to a House committee report. The expected financial impact of the move would decrease the town’s revenue by $50,000, or 15 percent. It also would reduce the number of rooftops by 85.

Lake Jovita is a planned 871-home development that broke ground in the late 1990s, and is located primarily in unincorporated Pasco County. Once H.B. 1401 becomes law, the entire community would be located in the unincorporated part of the county.

Feds offering loans, grants for rural economic expansion

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Zero-interest loans and grants are now being offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in an effort to promote long-term economic growth and community vitality in rural areas.

The funding programs, administered by the USDA Rural Development department, includes $30.6 million in no-interest loans, and $9.2 million in grants to establish revolving loan funds that finance business and economic development activities in rural areas.

Applications for these funds will be accepted through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant Program, federal officials said. That would include rural utilities eligible for USDA financing under the Rural Electrification Act who wish to help administer the funds locally.

The funding is designed to help with business startup and expansion, business technical assistance and job training, and community facilities projects that support economic development.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through state offices of the USDA and are evaluated monthly.

The Rural Business Opportunity Grant Program is looking to improve conditions in designated Rural Economic Area Partnership Zones, and for members of Native American tribes in rural areas, for grants up to $100,000.

Funding can be used to support business incubators, feasibility studies and business plans, long-term strategic business planning, leadership and entrepreneurial training, and other related efforts.

USDA also has two other grants available from funds put together for the Rural Business Enterprise Grant program, including a $500,000 grant for rural transportation projects, and a $250,000 grant for federally recognized Native American tribes. Those funds can be used to provide technical assistance and training to help rural communities improve passenger transportation services or facilities.

For details, visit USDA.gov.

Altman officially files for school board re-election

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The District 1 seat for the Pasco County School Board finally has a candidate … and it’s the incumbent, Allen Altman.

Altman, whose district includes primarily schools in eastern Pasco County — including Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel and Pasco high schools — made his re-election campaign official Wednesday.

Three school board seats are up for grabs this election cycle, with Cynthia Armstrong the lone candidate for her District 3 seat, and Marc Yacht challenging Steve Luikart for his district on the west side of the county.

Altman ran unopposed four years ago, raising $22,000. He originally won the seat in 2006, beating Cathi Compton and Willie Broner Jr., out-raising both $112,000 to $36,000.

Altman is an agent with Pasco County Farm Bureau Insurance, which maintains a local office at U.S. 301 in Dade City.

Candidates have until June 20 to qualify.