The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Pasco County’s annual online survey now open

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It’s survey time in Pasco County again, as government officials look to get feedback from residents and businesses about the future of the county.

The 2014 Citizen Survey includes questions about quality of life, speed of growth, crime and safety, public transit, recycling, and general services, according to a release from the county. It also asks questions about the State Road 54/56 corridor, where an unsolicited bid to build an estimated $2.2 billion elevated toll road has been proposed.

Data from the survey is combined from its random, scientific National Citizen Survey, and provides input for prioritizing planning efforts and budget allocations.

County Administrator Michele Baker wrote a letter promoting the survey, talking about the sampling size used in the national survey.

“There have been some previous letters and comments about the sampling size, albeit small (at) around 1,600, used by the National Citizen Survey,” she wrote. “This is a separate survey, using many of the same questions, to provide the county commissioners with valuable citizen input and feedback.”

The survey uses scientifically proven research methods to sample a cross-section of the population, Baker said, adding it was “just one additional tool to help our county commissioners better represent” Pasco County residents and businesses.

The survey is open online through May 31, and can be accessed at PascoCountyFl.net.

Visitors to the site can provide feedback at any time as well through the customer comment card available on the site, or by sending an email to .

A direct link to the survey is available at tinyurl.com/PascoCountySurvey.

There’s always time for a good meal at Grand Horizons

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On March 14 about 50 people met at Texas Roadhouse to enjoy a great meal.

Dora May and Jim were all decked out and ready to go for the St. Patty’s Day dinner. (Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)
Dora May and Jim were all decked out and ready to go for the St. Patty’s Day dinner.
(Courtesy of Helene Rubenstein)

The menu was filled with a variety of choices, and along with all the peanuts you care to eat, everyone was sufficiently fed. Many doggie bags were taken home as the meals were quite large.

Appetizers were given to every couple because of a slight mix-up. Al and Sandy Lindke, who hosted this meal, were able to get the appetizers for us. In addition to having the lunch run smoothly, our thanks go to them for the extra mile they went in obtaining this extra treat for us.

Then, on March 17, about 86 people enjoyed a St. Patty’s day dinner that included corn beef, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, onions, and roll and butter, with all the accompanying condiments. Desserts also were served, and there were two kinds of cake. All was delicious.

Vivian Sturdevant gave grace before the meal. Wayne Bloomfield was the host, and the helpers were Jeanne Bloomfield, Andy and Margaret Castonguay, and Chuck and Shirley Carlson. The people who attended this dinner had plenty to eat and they thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

On March 20, there was a lovely luncheon at Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club in Dade City. Helen Hardardt hosted this, and all who attended had a very nice luncheon.

From what Helen told me, approximately 15 women went to this function and they sat in the dining room overlooking the golf course. What a fantastic view they all had!  Helen also went on to say that there was a drawing for three lucky winners.

There was a variety of gifts that were given out including a stuffed rabbit. That means that three women went home with a memento of their luncheon. I had a previous engagement that day but have gone to Lake Jovita before, and every time is a pure pleasure.

During the week, residents were busy donating their rummage to the community center for the sale on March 29. The bakers also were busy getting goodies ready for the bake sale and the people who wanted something sweet to eat.

Once the day arrived, there were many homes that had sales plus a book sale, bake and rummage sale in the community center. There were a variety of treasures to browse through, and everyone seemed to have a good time. If you were too busy shopping to go out for lunch, you could purchase a bite to eat in the center.

On April 2, pool exercises have started once again. The instructor is Judy Ellsworth. They had these exercises last year, but when the cold weather came, they had to stop. Now that the weather looks to be promising, exercises have started once again.

This is a good way to get into shape once again, and it is very relaxing and good for your health.

On April 3, there were several residents in the community center for a monthly social club meeting. This is the place to go to discuss your concerns that are within the community.

I would like to mention there was a luncheon on April 10.  Sam Sage, who is the coordinator of this group, said, “The greeting card ladies of Grand Horizons have been invited to a volunteer dinner hosted by Zephyr Haven Rehab center. We have been making greeting cards for Zephyr Haven for about four years now. We also send greeting cards to our service personnel in the Middle East, as well as two other nursing homes in Zephyrhills.”

Good going to all who participated, as everyone is doing a good service, and I am sure the cards are appreciated.

By Helene Rubenstein

Published April 16, 2014

Harmony group sweetens the end of the season

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(Courtesy of Anne Astles)
(Courtesy of Anne Astles)

Leisure Days’ Women in Harmony gave their first public performance at the park’s 29th Strawberry Festival. Peggy Goodmurphy directed the group, and Marian Reece accompanied the ladies on the piano. Park residents enjoyed the fun-filled song ‘We Love Strawberries,’ along with other familiar tunes. The festival wrapped up the 2013-14 season at Leisure Days. Most of the residents are heading north, but activities will continue and year-round residents will be busy planning the Halloween Welcome Back Party for the seasonal folks.

Area prepares for National Day of Prayer on May 1

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Former Zephyrhills mayor and current state House candidate Danny Burgess will lead National Day of Prayer activities in his town as part of several events taking place locally on May 1.

Burgess will open the Zephyrhills ceremony beginning at 7 p.m. with a prayer for the city as well as the state from Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St. The theme is “One Voice United in Prayer, based on the Bible verse from Romans 15:6: “So that with one mind and one voice, you may Florida the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Burgess is followed by the Rev. Robert McKinney of Westside Baptist Church will speak on the needs of the nation, and pray for national and local leaders. The Rev. Shelton Wood, president of Georgetown Wesleyan University of the Americas, will pray for the military. Pastor Mike Holm of Calvary Chapel of Tampa in Lutz will pray for the family, while Pastor Thomas Marino of Community Harvest Church, will speak on the condition of the church, and ask God for unity among Christians.

Alyse Merritt of Tendershoot Films will pray for Israel, and the Adventist Bell Choir will perform patriotic music under the direction of Stephen Herr.

Heritage Church, 1854 Oak Grove Blvd., in Lutz, will pray for the nation, church and personal needs beginning 9:30 a.m. Generations Christian Church, 1540 Little Road in Trinity, will host a self-guided event complete with soft music, slides and prayer guides from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The National Day of Prayer is held the first Thursday of May each year, open to people of all faiths. It was first signed into law in 1952 by President Harry S. Truman.

For information, visit NationalDayOfPrayer.org.

Petters, Davidson to speak at Saint Leo commencement

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The newest graduates at Saint Leo University will get a sendoff from a native brother and sister duo who have a lot to share about their experiences.

C. Michael Petters and U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Susan Davidson will deliver the guest commencement address at Saint Leo May 3 for graduate and undergraduate students at the university.

Petters, chief executive officer at Huntington Ingalls Industries, will deliver the afternoon message, while his sister, Davidson, will speak in the morning. Both are from Dade City, and grew up in St. Joseph. Both also served in the military, just like their other siblings in what has become a Petters family tradition.

Petters earned a bachelor’s degree in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 and served aboard the nuclear-powered submarine USS George Bancroft. He is now on the board of directors for the U.S. Naval Academy Foundation, and is on the board of trustees of the Naval Aviation Museum Foundation.

Davidson received her commission in 1983, and began active duty in 1986. In the decades since, she has commanded at the company, battalion and brigade level in both peace and war. That includes the 870th Transportation Company in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm in the 1990s, the 49th movement Control Battalion during Operation Iraqi Freedom, and both the 599th Transportation Group, and the 595th Terminal Transportation Group in Kuwait.

Although Davidson was committed to service and her country, she did delay her commitment to the U.S. Army for three months in 1986 so that she could help replant the family orange groves that had been damaged in a hard freeze.

She earned a chemistry degree from New Mexico State University, and holds master’s degrees in advanced military studies, and national security and strategic studies.

In June 2012, Davidson assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution, a leading provider of global distribution support to America’s military.

Saint Leo has 16,000 undergraduate and graduate students who attend either in St. Leo, from more than 40 teaching locations in seven states, or online from other locations.

Swiftmud hosting open houses to update floodplain maps

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The Southwest Florida Water Management District, commonly known as Swiftmud, is working to identify flood-prone areas in parts of Pasco County during two upcoming open houses.

The events will take place at River Ridge High School, 11646 Town Center Road in New Port Richey, on April 29 and May 1. Start time each day is 4 p.m.

The open houses are focused on residents who live within the Pithlachascotee River/Bear Creek watershed, which covers most of northern and western Pasco.

Courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District.
Courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District.

Swiftmud representatives will present preliminary flood information, explain the basis behind the findings, and gather additional information that may be used to identify areas that are prone to flooding. That information will then be finalized and presented to Swiftmud’s governing board, and could possibly be used for future updates to the Federal Emergency Management Agency digital flood insurance rate maps.

The information is typically 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 be used by residents in decisions about purchasing and protecting property.

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

In Print: Journey’s hospital journey, along with Easter plans across the area

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There’s nothing faux pas about Journey’s faux paw.

The 5-year-old Golden Retriever was born without a left paw and uses a prosthetic to get around — especially to visit patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North in Lutz.

Journey was born without a front left paw, and his prosthetic is a conversation piece when he visits patients with his owner, Ron Graff. (Photo courtesy of St. Joseph's Hospital-North)
Journey was born without a front left paw, and his prosthetic is a conversation piece when he visits patients with his owner, Ron Graff. (Photo courtesy of St. Joseph’s Hospital-North)

“Everybody enjoys a visit from a therapy dog,” Ron Graff told reporter Michael Murillo. “I get comments from patients all the time that many of them are missing the pets that they have at home, and it was just great to be able to spend a little bit of time talking to the dog or petting the dog.”

St. Joseph’s-North began its program just last July, and has since reaped dividends in the form of happier patients and genuine anticipation of the pet visits.

“It cheers them up and boosts their morale,” said Karen Telfer, volunteer resources auxiliary coordinator at the hospital. “We’ve actually had one patient say they hoped they were still here the next week to see that dog again.”

Another morale booster, this time coming to shoppers around the region, is a new Premium Outlets mall planned for State Road 56 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, just off Interstate 75. The developers behind the project moved another big step forward last week when they filed revised site plans, meaning the project is just months — if not weeks — from getting underway.

But one question remains: Will the new outlet mall have the name “Wesley Chapel”?

“I think on one hand, we would love to have our local identity,” John Hagen, president and chief executive of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., told reporter Michael Hinman. “We would love to see that be more prominent, but we also benefit from our association with Tampa and Tampa Bay. It’s a mixed bag, but I see both things.”

The mall calls for nine buildings with 482,000 square feet of retail. Overall, the project is calling for 1.1 million square feet of retail space.

Finally, this Sunday is Easter, and there is plenty of ways Christians can celebrate the holiday, according to reporter B.C. Manion. And it’s important they do, said Mike Holm, a minister who lives in Zephyrhills, but leads Calvary Chapel of Tampa in Lutz.

“It’s because the Resurrection of Jesus is the central event of all humanity,” he said. The death and Resurrection of Jesus means “that death has been defeated,” allowing for “complete reconciliation” with God.

All of these complete stories and more are 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.

Area under strong thunderstorm, lake wind alert

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The National Weather Service has issued a strong thunderstorm alert for Southwestern Pasco, Northwestern Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Meteorologists for the weather service detected thunderstorms three miles southwest of Indian Shores, six miles west of Seminole, moving northeast at 30 mph.

Officials say to expect gusty winds 35 to 45 mph, and to slow down when driving through heavy rain. They also suggest to leave a safe distance between vehicles.

The weather service also has issued a lake wind advisory through 8 p.m. for several counties, including Pasco and Hillsborough.

Winds will increase to around 20 mph, with higher gusts as a cold front approaches the area, officials said. This could create hazardous conditions on area lakes.

Such an advisory is issued when sustained winds are forecast to be between 20 and 29 mph, with frequent gusts to near or above gale force for at least three hours. These winds can create rough conditions on larger lakes, which could produce damage to or flip small boats.

Officials say outdoor enthusiasts may wish to postpone lake-related activities until conditions improve.

Union helps Pasco County employees ratify first contract

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The Teamsters Local 79 union in Tampa is celebrating its first Teamster contract with Pasco County public employees the group says will represent 1,100 public sector jobs across the county.

A one-year contract was ratified by those employees late last week, according to the Teamsters, and covers workers ranging from road and bridge maintenance, to librarians.

“We fought to win a strong first contract for these hardworking public employees, and we won,” said Ken Wood, president of Teamsters Local 79, in a release. “The battle took almost four years, but our negotiators knew that they must bring the employees a contract that honored their job seniority, had just-cause provisions, and included wage increases. And that is just what they delivered.”

Pasco’s public employees are the newest ones represented by the local Teamsters group, who already work with similar employees in Hernando, Citrus and Collier counties.

Teamsters Local 79 is affiliated with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, which represents 1.4 million workers throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Coldwater Creek closing doors at Shops at Wiregrass, nationwide

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Coldwater Creek is closing its doors, not only at The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel, but everywhere.

The women’s apparel retailer filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on Friday, and announced to its investors that it would wind down operations and close more than 350 stores in May, including five in the Tampa Bay area.

It was founded in 1984 in Idaho, and quickly opened retail outlets across the country. Just a year ago, the company employed 2,500 full-time employes and 4,100 part-time employees nationwide.

The company did not release how many employees it had in its Shops at Wiregrass location.

Coldwater Creek executives told investors they looked at all other alternatives to closing over the last six months, including finding someone who might want to buy the company. However, finding a suitor was unsuccessful, as were attempts to find a loan or an investor willing to bankroll an effort to turn the company around.

Coldwater Creek says it will hold “going out of business” sales in the coming months, beginning as early as May.

“First and foremost, we are extremely grateful to all of our associates for 30 years of dedicated service to Coldwater Creek and to the millions of loyal customers who have enjoyed our award-winning customer service and beautiful and unique products,” said Jill Dean, president and chief executive of Coldwater Creek, in a release. “Our talented associates continue to impress, performing their duties with professionalism and grace during this period of uncertainty.

“We we begin preparing to wind down our operations, customers should know that our stores and website remain open for business, and we will be providing information about the tremendous values that will be available at our inventory clearance sales in the coming weeks.”