Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

It’s that time of year again, when families start gearing up for a new academic year by shopping for new school clothes, shoes, supplies and backpacks.

Just in time for those back-to-school purchases, Florida is having its sales tax holiday.

This time – for the first time – personal computers and accessories, valued up to $750, are also exempt from sales taxes during the sales tax holiday, which begins at 12:01 a.m. on Aug. 2 and goes through 11:59 p.m. on Aug. 4.

Retailers are staffing up as families take advantage of tax savings and markdowns, Rick McAllister, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation, said in a news release.

Retailers expect the introduction of the computer sales exemption to give the popular tax holiday a significant boost, McAllister said.

Clothing items and shoes priced at up to $75 are exempt, and so are school supply items, sold at no more than $15.

McAllister thinks the new computer exemption will drive purchases.

“Most families in Florida own a computer of one type or another, and we expect that many will take advantage of the tax savings to purchase computers for their kids or upgrade their own,” McAllister said. “And you’ll see great deals on clothes, shoes and school supplies. It’s a winning proposition for Florida’s families and for our retailers, because we’ll see a good boost in commerce over the weekend.

“Stores are actively competing with each other for customers, and that usually means plenty of markdowns to attract shoppers,” he added.

Retailers in Florida are expected to boost staffing by about 20 percent during the tax holiday weekend to accommodate shoppers. In general, retailers expect an average increase of between 30 and 40 percent in store traffic over the weekend because of the sales tax holiday, McAllister said.

A National Retail Federation survey predicts that families with school-aged children will spend an average of $634.78 on apparel, shoes, supplies and electronics in 2013, down from $688.62 last year.

McAllister noted, however, that “because of the tax holiday, retail stores generally perform a little better in Florida than in states without a sales tax holiday.”

The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel historically sees more shoppers at its stores during August because of back-to-school sales and an uptick in activity during the sales tax holiday, said Debbie Detweiler, director of marketing.

It’s also a fun time, Detweiler said. “We enjoy seeing parents shopping with their kids for back-to-school.”

For more details on items that are exempt under the tax-free holiday, go to the Florida Department of Revenue’s website at http://dor.myflorida.com/dor/ and click on “Sales Tax Holiday, Aug. 2-4, 2013.”

 

Double Branch roundup

Double Branch Elementary will host its Kindergarten Rancher Roundup from 9 a.m. to noon on Aug. 1. Children must be registered at Double Branch for the 2013-14 school year to attend the roundup. Registration is $40 and a student T-shirt is provided. Double Branch is at 31500 Chancey Road in Wesley Chapel. For information, call assistant principal Scott Atkins at (813) 346-0400.

 

Stuff the Bus event

Walmart and Publix are hosting “Stuff the Bus for Teachers” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 2-4 at area stores in Lutz, New Port Richey, Hudson and Zephyrhills. Shoppers can stop by and pick up a shopping list at any of the 13 locations, buy what they can and stuff it in the bus. You can also volunteer for bus duty to help with supplies and hand out shopping lists. To sign up as a volunteer, visit www.tinyurl.com/StufftheBus2013 or call (727) 845-3030. For locations and information on the event, visit www.unitedwaypasco.org.

 

Back to School Fair

The Glazer Children’s Museum is hosting a Back to School Fair from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Aug. 10. The first 150 kids will receive a bag filled with back-to-school goodies. There will be live entertainment, informative speaker sessions, games, arts and crafts, face painting, balloon artist, kid and mom workshops, and more. Fair guests can also enjoy the museum for $5 per person. The museum is at 110 W. Gasparilla Plaza in Tampa. For information, call (813) 949-4400.

 

Plant City High reunion

Plant City High Class of 1978 is hosting a reunion from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 9 at Keel & Curley Winery, 5210 Thonotosassa Road in Plant City. There also will be a social hour, dinner and sharing old memories from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Aug. 10 at Embassy Suites Brandon, 10220 Palm River Road in Tampa. There is still time to register by emailing or go to the class Facebook page at Plant City Class of 1978.

 

Elementary orientation at Oakstead

Oakstead Elementary will host Elementary Orientation Day, also known as Meet the Teacher Day, on Aug. 14. Parents can bring their children to school between 8:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. to meet the teachers, pay supply fees, get bus and car loop information, pay for lunch, join the PTA, and purchase school spirit shirts. Paperwork needed includes original birth certificate and social security card, proof of residency, current immunization records, physical record, and custody papers, if applicable. Oakstead is at 19925 Lake Patience Road in Land O’ Lakes. For information, call (813) 346-1500.

 

Thomas Rhoades makes Dean’s List

Thomas D. Rhoades, of Lutz, was among 332 students named to the Dean’s Recognized List at Benedictine University for the Spring 2013 semester.

The list recognizes part-time students who achieve a 3.5 grade point average or higher.

Benedictine University is an independent Roman Catholic institution in Lisle, Ill.

 

American Board programs

According to the 2012 Florida Vital Signs report, only 22 percent of Florida eighth graders have a math teacher who majored in the subject they teach. Only 43 percent of eighth graders have a science teacher who majored in the subject they teach. This summer, the American Board, a teacher certification nonprofit, is aiming to alleviate this issue by helping career-changing professionals bring their experience and expertise to local classrooms. The board assists career-changers, subject area experts, recent college graduates and others with a bachelor’s degree to earn full teacher certification by offering programs online so candidates can work at their own pace. The board is hosting informational sessions in August for those interested. To learn more, visit http://www.abcte.org/drupal/teach/events.

 

Social work program gets accreditation

Saint Leo University announced its Master of Social Work program has received accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of the Council on Social Work Education, just four years after the technologically innovative program was launched.

The accreditation assures workplaces, prospective students and the general public that the Saint Leo program meets the teaching and curricular standards established by the profession. Through the accredited program, Master of Social Work graduates are eligible to take the examination to become Licensed Clinical Social Workers.

 

Burdzinski appointed to national council

Ken Burdzinski, vice president of administration and finance at Pasco-Hernando Community College, was appointed to the National Association of College and University Business Officers Community Colleges Council. His term runs from Aug. 1 through July 31, 2014, and is renewable up to three years. The council serves as an advisory body to the council’s president and staff by providing suggestions, feedback and support for the association’s goals and activities as they pertain to the constituency.

Burdzinski has worked at PHCC for 16 years in the administration and finance division. He has a bachelor’s degree from Eastern Michigan University and a master’s degree from Baldwin-Wallace College.

 

Teacher appreciation contest

Ice Cold Air Discount Auto Repair, with locations in Zephyrhills and New Port Richey, is having its second annual Facebook “Cool For School” Teacher Appreciation Essay Contest. The grand prize teacher receives a $200 office supply gift card, $100 Visa gift card and an Ice Cold Air club card worth $762. The person who nominates the winner receives a $50 Visa gift card and $30 in Ice Cold Air bucks.

Facebook users can submit a short essay, poem or thank you letter sharing how a public school teacher has influenced their lives and the lives of others. Deadline for submissions is Aug. 9. The winner will be announce Aug. 15. Visit www.facebook.com/icecoldairdiscountautorepair and click on the contests tab to enter or vote.

 

Steinbrenner High fundraiser

The fifth annual Steinbrenner High Volleyball Golf Tournament and Silent Auction Fundraiser will start at 8 a.m. Aug. 17 at Heritage Harbor in Lutz. All proceeds will go toward the volleyball program’s expenses, to purchase equipment and to bring attention to local businesses and individuals that participate. For information, contact Deb McLean at or (813) 294-3322.

 

PHCC trustees elect new leadership

The Pasco-Hernando Community College District Board of Trustees elected a new chair and vice chair for the 2013-14 academic year. Trustee John L. DiRienzo was elected to serve as chair, succeeding Rao Musunuru, and Trustee Leonard H. Johnson was elected as vice chair.

DiRienzo, of Spring Hill, is an adjunct faculty member at Saint Leo University. He is a retired school principal with a master’s degree in special education and additional certification in educational leadership. DiRienzo is past president of the Board of Directors for Arc of Florida and Arc Nature Coast in Hernando County and currently is an active volunteer for the organizations. DiRienzo has served on the college’s board since July 2009.

Johnson, a Dade City attorney, is a shareholder at Johnson, Auvil & Pratico, P.A., where he practices real estate law, business and banking law, construction law and estate planning.

Johnson received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida, and his law degree from the University Of Florida College Of Law. He also sits on the Board of Directors of Gator Boosters Inc., and has served on the college’s board since November 2011.

 

Lunch and breakfast program

Hillsborough County Department of Family and Aging Services will sponsor the National School Lunch Program for the upcoming school year. Eligible children will receive meals at no cost. As part of the free and reduced meal policy, an official with Family and Aging Services will review applications and determine eligibility. For an application or information, call the Administration Office at Dorothy Thomas School at (813) 975-7355.

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Michele Baker – Pasco County’s first female administrator – brings a broad range of experiences to her current post.

As a teenager, she was involved in Civil Air Patrol and then went on to become a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve.

Over the years, she’s worked as a waitress, a movie theater manager and a flight attendant.

It was a temp secretary job in the Office of Emergency Management in Miami-Dade County, however, that led her to a career in government work.

“I just found myself really attracted to public service. I fell in love with it. I like being able to do something that contributes to the community,” said Baker, who went on to become operations manager in the Office of Emergency Management.

She was in that role when Hurricane Andrew wreaked havoc on Miami.

“In Andrew, I could not do everything, be everything for everybody,” Baker said.

As a leader, she knew she had to rely on teams and procedures she had developed and to empower people to do their jobs.

“In a stressful situation – lots of new information comes in, and so a trusted agent says to you, ‘Hey, I’ve got this problem. I’ve got this recommendation.’ You develop a gut and you say, ‘O.K., that’s a good recommendation, run with it.’

“It was good training for this job — baptism by fire.”

Baker joined Pasco County’s staff in March of 1993.

She’d interviewed with John Gallagher – the county’s administrator for 31 years – on March 12. The following day the “Storm of the Century” also known as the “No-Name Storm” slammed into the county.

Baker had gone from her interview to a vacation in Atlanta.

“They tracked me down in Atlanta,” Baker said, and told her that if she wanted to work in Pasco it would be a good time to begin.

“I started on the Sunday after the storm, so I was here for the recovery from the storm,” Baker said.

She ascended through the ranks to become Gallagher’s chief assistant, and then served as the interim administrator when he retired after a 31-year-old career at the county’s helm on June 1.

Baker makes history

After a national search, commissioners voted to offer the county’s top job to Tomas “Tommy” Gonzalez, the city manager from Irving, Texas.

After those negotiations fell through, commissioners voted July 9 to make Baker the first woman to hold the county’s top job since Pasco was established in 1887.

In her new role, Baker oversees a staff of more than 2,000 county employees providing public services for about 467,000 residents living within a county that covers about 750 square miles.

She was hired at a salary of $170,000, plus a monthly car allowance of $450. Her contract calls for a $10,000 bump in pay, after a year on the job – contingent upon an evaluation by commissioners that she merits the increase.

“This is a really tough job. I’m willing to prove that I’m worth it,” said Baker.

She intends to draft performance measures for the board to include in her evaluation.

The goal is to base her performance on objectives the board deems important, Baker said.

“I will propose some measures to the board, based on their strategic plan. By putting the priorities out there, it makes me focus on what’s important to the Board of County Commissioners and not allow myself to get distracted by all of the fires that go on.

“We’re going to do that for the entire organization, so we’re working on what’s important, not just urgent,” Baker said.

She has identified some specific areas she intends to tackle immediately.

One top priority is to improve Pasco’s permitting system.

“What I hear from people is that it’s difficult – it has a reputation as being difficult,” Baker said.

She plans to streamline the system, making it more efficient and customer-friendly.

The changes will be based on recommendations from builders, contractors and county staff, she said.

Many of these recommendations will be put into place within 90 days.

“We’re a learning organization,” Baker said. “Those things that work, we’re going to keep using. Those things that don’t work, we’re going to swap out and try something else.”

The county also plans to introduce walk-through permitting, which will make it possible – in some circumstances – to pull a permit in a day.

Fostering employee engagement

Baker also plans to emphasize efforts aimed at maximizing the use of employee talents, Baker said.

Baker, who describes her management style as being collaborative, said the county’s employees are its most important resource.

“What we do is, we deliver services, and we do that through our frontline personnel. They are most critical,” Baker said.

Noting that employees haven’t had a raise in several years, Baker said she’s pleased the board has built a 3 percent raise for employees into the proposed 2013-14 budget.

“It’s been tough,” Baker said, noting that shrinking revenues has caused employees to take on more responsibilities, without additional pay.

“We have amazing employees,” Baker said. “They’ve really doubled down.”

One change calls for employees to have their evaluations completed at the same time, Baker said. That will provide a better understanding about how well employee teams are functioning, she said. By looking across a team, it will be easier to identify areas of strength and those needing to improve, she explained.

The county administrator said the county has challenges, but she’s enthusiastic about its future.

“When we say — ‘Pasco County, Florida’s premier county’ — we mean it.”

“We have great bones. We’re in the right place. We have good infrastructure. We have good housing. We have good people. Fabulous things are going to occur here,” Baker said.

She credits Gallagher for taking the county from its infancy through its turbulent teen years. She’s eager to help it reach full maturation, she said.

She said she’s also pleased to be working with a team of professionals who care about creating a thriving community.

“It’s really nice to be able to work, shoulder-to-shoulder, with people who share a common mission,” Baker said.

They share values, too, she said.

“People who choose to work in government are not in it for the money, they’re not in it for the personal glory,” Baker said. “You’re not just making a widget, you are contributing.”

 

 

Proposed district park deal involves partnership between Pasco County, Pasco County Schools and Wheelock Street Capital

 

By B.C. Manion

 

A deal that’s being discussed could lead to the creation of a district county park that shares facilities with a potential kindergarten through eighth-grade public school.

The partnership would also include a private developer, who would cover initial operation and maintenance fees in exchange for being allowed to use about 20 acres of land for houses, instead of park land.

Details of the potential public-public-private partnership were discussed at a July 16 workshop of the Pasco County Commission.

Pat Gassoway, of Heidt Design, an engineering firm in Tampa, told commissioners that the new owner of the Starkey Ranch Development of Regional Impact, wants to include an active sports park.

He said Wheelock Street Capital wants to help the county get the park up and running, and it is willing to pay the operation and maintenance costs for a period of years.

In exchange, Wheelock wants the park and school designs to be compact, freeing up land for development.

Proceeds from that development would cover park operation and maintenance costs for a period of time, Gassoway said.

The specifics of the deal have not yet been negotiated.

The school district is interested in making this concept work, said Assistant Superintendent Ray Gadd.

The park would be built next to 22.5 acres, set aside for a school.

The location would provide opportunities for the school district and county to share resources and would benefit the public, said Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. She envisions the potential for allowing the school cafeteria to be used for public events.

Gadd said the school board needs an elementary school and a middle school to accommodate future growth.

Initially, children living in the development would attend Longleaf Elementary or Odessa Elementary, but the school district anticipates the need for another elementary school around 2018.

Gassoway said the proposed plans are a result of a planning exercise, where professionals gathered to consider the pros and cons of various sites and offer their thoughts of how to lay out the park to include the desired features.

In the end, Wheelock Street took the work accomplished that day and refined it, Gassoway said. It is proposing a two-phase project that includes multipurpose fields, baseball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, a playground, a picnic pavilion, parking and other amenities. The project would cost slightly more than $17.2 million.

“In my opinion, it’s a remarkable opportunity,” Gassoway said.

Commissioner Henry Wilson, who took part in the planning session, is impressed by what Wheelock Street Capital wants to do.

“He wants a park built before he builds the houses,” Wilson said, and the developer is willing to pay operating and maintenance costs for a number of years, as well.

Gadd said the school district supports the effort.

“We’re committed to finding some kind of design that we can fit in there,” Gadd said. “Hopefully it will be a K-8 (kindergarten through eighth-grade school). That would be my desire,” he said.

Now that the general concepts have been worked out, it’s time to iron out the specifics, said Michele Baker, Pasco’s new county administrator.

Baker said she supports using private-public partnerships in the quest to improve the quality of life in Pasco County.