Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Kyle LoJacono

 When St. Joseph’s Hospital-North opened in early 2010, it became the first new full-service hospital in Hillsborough County in 30 years and the first such facility in Lutz.

The BayCare Health System’s hospital recently achieved another first when it was given LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is the first time a Florida facility has received the honor, which recognizes environmentally sustainable business practices.

“We don’t give out this certification to just anyone,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the council. “Facilities have to demonstrate that they are doing everything possible to be a steward of the environment from the construction materials, to how the facility is run and future plans.”

Colleen Mackin, executive director for the council’s local chapter, said such eco-friendly hospitals have a positive impact on the overall health of the area.

“Research shows environmentally sustainable buildings contribute to improved health, so having a green hospital helps St. Joseph’s achieve its vision of creating a healthy environment for the community it serves,” Mackin said.

The 350,000-sqaure-foot, $225 million hospital, located at 4211Van Dyke Road in Lutz, was designed using energy-efficient materials with high levels of recycled content. The resources used also will not emit chemicals into the environment, according to St. Joseph’s Hospital-North chief operating officer Paula McGuiness.

Besides using more environmentally friendly building materials, the hospital:

–Selected refrigerants that minimize the impact on ozone layer depletion.

–Has water fixtures that use 20 percent less water than standard ones.

–Has lighting and heating controls to reduce energy use, reducing consumption by 12 percent versus standard equipment.

–Has a roofing system that helps reduce the heat effect and keep temperatures cooler.

–Uses only reclaimed water from retentions ponds to maintain its landscaping.

–Uses only low-emission paints, adhesives, sealants, fabrics and carpets inside the facility.

–Used only building materials produced within 500 miles of the hospital to reduce transportation.

–Offers preferred parking to low-emission and fuel-efficient vehicles.

The overall design of the hospital was also done in such a way to incorporate the trees and waterways around as a way to help protect the wildlife in northern Hillsborough. It also gives patients a view of nature instead of bricks and mortar within the facility’s rooms.

McGuiness said it was always the goal to eventually have the hospital LEED certified. She added they did not want to affect the health of the environment while working to improve healthcare in the area.

“Buildings are one of the largest consumers of resources and energy in this country,” McGuiness said.  “St. Joseph’s Hospitals and BayCare Health System believe in being leaders of environmental stewardship, innovation and corporate responsibility.”

McGuiness said St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has all the traditional health offerings of any acute care facility, including emergency care, surgical services, imaging, intensive care, obstetric and cardiac catheterization.

For more information on the hospital, call (813) 443-2046 or visit www.stjosephsnorth.com.

 

By B.C. Manion

Kenneth Malphurs and his wife, Freda, have been living on their spacious property at 17116 Hanna Road for more than 30 years.

It’s a peaceful place, with a huge backyard, a collection of trees and a pond. The couple enjoys a sense of serenity on its 2-acre plot and wants to keep it.

But now they’re worried that a soccer and futsal academy that is proposed behind them would destroy the tranquility that they enjoy and would disturb their neighborhood’s quality of life.

They plan to raise their objections at a 6 p.m. rezoning hearing Oct. 17 at Fred B. Karl County Center, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd. in downtown Tampa.

The rezoning is being requested by Jean M. Guillen and Charles B. Robinson.

It would allow a soccer academy at 17202 Hanna Road, a 20-acre site on the west side of Hanna Road, about a mile south of Sunset Lane.

The academy would provide instruction and practice to children ranging in age from 6-15 and would function as a local nonprofit organization, according to documents filed with Hillsborough County.

In addition to teaching soccer skills, the academy would also focus on introducing children to positive traits such as self-reliance, self-worth and respect toward others, the document says.

The plans call for playing soccer on outdoor fields and playing futsal indoors. Futsal is similar to soccer, but has just five players on each team, has a smaller playing area and has some different rules.

“The proposed soccer academy will have minimal impacts to the environment, transportation, drainage and infrastructure, and other community resources,” the application states.

It also notes the proposed use would have fewer impacts than would be caused by the single-family uses that are allowed under current zoning.

No outdoor lights or overnight camps or dormitories are proposed, and the academy would operate at nonpeak hours, according to the application. At maximum use, there would be 42 players on the outdoor fields and 24 players in the indoor facility, the application states.

No new buildings are planned on the site, except for a small restroom and concession stand, the application states. An existing metal structure would be converted into the futsal facility.

Robinson said he and Guillen are trying to meet a community need. They want to provide youths a place to learn to play soccer so they’ll have a wholesome place to go.

He thinks the children most likely to use the facility would come from New Tampa, Lutz and Wesley Chapel.

He thinks the use will have minimal impacts on area residents.

Kenneth has his doubts.

He’s concerned that the development could increase potential for flooding in an area that has flooded in the past.

He’s also worried about potential environmental problems.

“When he fertilizes all of those fields, all of that runoff is going to go to 13 Mile Creek,” Kenneth said.

Area traffic is likely to increase and parking could become a problem, too, especially when there are tournaments, he added.

“Where are you going to park that many people?” his wife, Freda, asked.

Kenneth has some other concerns, too.

He shares a pond with the applicants and is worried that children attending soccer games may wander off and get into the pond, where they could drown.

Kenneth said he’s also killed two water moccasins.

“We think there might be an alligator out there,” Freda added.

“When you have three fields going with tournaments — say you’ve got 300 people, how can you control where they go?” Kenneth said.

Robinson said the most recent version of the rezoning application calls for building a 6-foot fence to keep people away from the pond.

Kenneth also questions how this kind of use can be consistent with the community’s comprehensive plan, when the area is clearly residential.

“We have no objections to progress in Lutz,” Kenneth said. “We don’t.”

“Reasonable progress,” Freda added.

Kenneth worries about what will happen if the application is approved.

“Why do you want to disrupt a community, that’s residential, single-family?” he asked.

“Where’s my peace and quiet?”

But Robinson said his facility would meet an important community need.

“We’re not trying to overrun people’s rights to peace and property,” Robinson said. “At the same time, we’re part of a community.”

By Kyle LoJacono

 Pasco County water bills will swell during the next four years, forcing residents to pay 20 percent more for H2O.

Pasco commissioners agreed to a new plan for water rates on Sept. 20 that will increase the price each year until 2015.

The typical household of four, which uses about 6,000 gallons each month, will pay $5.44 more monthly for the first year. The same family would pay $12 more by 2015.

“We didn’t want to have the price of water increase, especially now with people struggling to pay the bills they have,” said Commissioner Ted Schrader. “Tampa Bay Water showed us they couldn’t provide water to our county with the current rates. We looked at their data very closely, and we believe this is the only way to continue providing safe water for everyone.”

Schrader is also one of Pasco’s representatives on Tampa Bay Water’s board of directors, an unpaid position. The organization provides water to 2.4 million people in much of the Bay area, including all of incorporated Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

“The demand for water has gone down during the last few years,” said Michelle Rapp, a spokeswoman for Tampa Bay Water. “Because of that we haven’t been selling enough water to cover the costs of producing safe water.”

Rapp said the decrease has happened because more houses have been vacated after foreclosures. That combined with above-average rainfall this year and more people being conservation-minded has led to the reduction in water use.

The water rates spike comes about a year after Tampa Bay Water got an increase of $1.05 for those using 6,000 gallons per month. Schrader said the organization’s board gave them the minimal increase in 2010 to delay this bigger hike as long as possible.

“We wanted to see if this larger increase was going to be needed,” Schrader said. “We were hoping the revenue situation would get better. Now there isn’t a choice.”

Schrader represents Pasco District 1, which includes most of east Pasco. His district includes numerous orange groves and other agricultural production. Schrader admitted the increase will have a bigger effect on large businesses and farmers, which tend to use much more than 6,000 gallons per month.

The new rates took effect on Oct. 1, the first day of the county’s new fiscal year. The increase will also help pay for sewers and other services from the Pasco’s utilities.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

After months of debating, speculation and tough decisions, the Pasco Commission approved the county’s budget for next year.

The commissioners heard public outcry from those wanting to keep certain government programs going during the down economy, but the board’s final budget seems to have quieted down those critical voices.

In the end only one citizen showed up to the approval meeting, where he gave his compliments to the commissioners for their compromising efforts.

“We took care of the sheriff, we took care of the swimmers, and we took care of the veterans,” said Commissioner Pat Mulieri.

The new budget, which runs from Oct. 1 through September 2012, includes $83.3 million for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. The plan includes $1.6 million for 23 new staffers to specifically help fight prescription drug use within the county.

The sheriff’s office will hire 10 detectives and two sergeants to create two new squads to battle drug abuse, eight nurses for the Land O’ Lake Detention Center to help with inmate drug issues and three detectives to form a new intelligence-led policing unit to identify problem areas.

The $1.1 billion budget also includes $160,000 to keep the county’s last two public pools open. However, swimmers at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex and Veterans Memorial Park in Hudson will have to pay an additional $1 per day to use the facilities next year.

The commissioners and parks department had proposed closing both pools to save about $300,000 but changed their minds when the Land O’ Lakes Lightning swimming club agreed to take on some of the operating costs for the central Pasco facility.

So far no group has stepped up to help run the west Pasco pool. The commissioners agreed to close the facility if no one steps up to help run the site by the end of next year.

The commissioners had also planned to cut veteran’s services by $15,800 but agreed to keep funding at its current level.

In addition, the new budget keeps the current tax rate of $7.86 for every $1,000 of property value.

The county’s financial plan was passed by a 4-1 margin, with only Commissioner Jack Mariano voting against it.

“I couldn’t vote for a budget that includes the user fees for parks,” Mariano said.

The county put in a $2 fee last year to use several parks as a way to generate revenue to keep them open seven days a week. Mulieri chastised Mariano for his decision.

“If the people agreed with you — where are they?” Mulieri asked. “You have to know when to fold them. This is the time to fold.”

Mulieri later explained Mariano said he had heard from many people upset with the budget, but none of them showed up to the meeting to voice their concerns.

To view the entire county budget, visit portal.pascocountyfl.net.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 Hillsborough commissioners have identified 18 locations for the county’s revamped after-school program, including Nye Park in Lutz.

In July, commissioners voted 4-3 to eliminate the program run by the Hillsborough Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department to save $7.5 million but reversed that decision in August.

County parks director Mark Thornton came up with a plan to reduce the number of locations for the program from 42, while reducing the cost from $48 to $38 for one week.

“We wanted to find a way to keep the program,” Thornton said. “The number of kids has dropped from 6,000-1,880 during the last few years, and we hope centralizing locations and dropping the cost will bring the numbers back.”

The scaled-down program is called Rec2Six, which reflects the hours of operation from 2-6 p.m. and the focus on keeping kids active, according to county spokeswoman Kemly Green.

“Rec2Six is an evidence-based, outcome-oriented recreation component that improves a child’s quantity and quality of physical activity, motor skills, movement knowledge and peer interaction,” Green said. “The program measures fitness improvements throughout the year. The program also provides seasonal sports, fitness activities, art programs and special activities.”

The original plan was to have Rec2Six at 30 county sites, but the parks department decided against many of the locations because attendance was not large enough to warrant inclusion. The department can drop any center from the program if fewer than 25 kids are enrolled there.

The new program started on Oct. 3, the first day of the new fiscal year. Thornton said the operating cost for Rec2Six will likely be about half of the original program.

The commission has given the parks department until next June to make Rec2Six self-sufficient. It wanted to eliminate the program to help close a $50 million budget shortfall.

Commissioner Ken Hagan was one of the loudest supporters of cutting the program, stating it is “broken” and unable to exist without major taxpayer subsidies. He has since changed is opinion and believes the new scaled-down program will be solvent.

“You would save on staffing, maintenance, utilities and a lot of other things,” Hagan said.

The new price for the program is also $10 less than a week at the similar program at public schools or at the YMCA. He added anyone on free or reduced-price lunch at school is eligible for a discounted rate of $30 or $20 a week in the program.

“When we increased the fee to generate more revenue for the department, more people left,” Thornton said. “It had the reverse effect, and that’s been hurting the budget for the last two years.”

Thornton said two years ago 6,000 kids were in the park’s after-school program, a record high. At that time, the per-week cost was $20.

“We’ve talked with our parks director and looking at all the evidence we believe the cut in the cost will bring more kids to the program,” Hagan said. “If you have a program and you lower the fees, they’re going to come back in droves.”

Commissioner Kevin Beckner voted to bring the park’s program back for the year but remains skeptical it will increase its population enough to make it self-sufficient in less than a year. He does not want to use any of the county’s reserves to subsidize the service any longer.

“How long do you operate at a loss before you decide to pull the plug on an operation?” Beckner asked. “Another year? Two years? We’re laying people off, so we can’t afford to keep paying for a program not being used.”

For more information on Rec2Six, visit www.hillsboroughcounty.org/parks/rec2six.

 

Pasco-Hernando Community College gets grant

Pasco-Hernando Community College has received an Adult Education Career Pathways Grant for $243,410. The grant’s primary goal is to provide a clear set of educational steps that will give adult education students a direct educational path to jobs in the community.

Part of the project will emphasize how reading, writing and mathematics skills are used in the workplace.

The grant-supported program will run through June 2012.

Wesley Chapel rummage sale

The Wesley Chapel High Parent Teacher Student Association will have a rummage sale from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Nov. 5 at the corner of Old Pasco Road and Country Club Road.

Proceeds will benefit the school’s Assist Believe Care program to help those in need of a Thanksgiving meal and other assistance throughout the holidays.

East Pasco Retired Educators meet

The East Pasco Retired Educators Associations will meet at the IHOP Restaurant, 13100 US 301 in Dade City at 10 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 20. All retired school personnel and friends are welcome. For more information call Joyce Snow, in Dade City at (352) 567-5050 or Joan Knowles in Zephyrhills (813) 788-4980.

Odessa Elementary events

Odessa Elementary is having a Bingo night from 6-8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at the school, 1874 Ketzal Drive in New Port Richey.

Other upcoming events include a Red Ribbon week beginning Oct. 24, health screenings on Oct. 27 and a fall carnival from 5-8 p.m. on Nov. 4.

Sand Pine PTA fall festival

Sand Pine Elementary’s Parent Teacher Association will hold its fifth annual Fall Festival from 6-9 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 4, at the school.

The family friendly event will include food, games, prizes, a decorating contest and more. If you would like more information or are interested in volunteering, please email or contact Chrystal Mueller at (813) 794-1900.

Sand Pine Elementary School is located at 29040 County Line Road in Meadow Pointe.

SAT participation rates increase

The percentage of 2011 seniors in Hillsborough County public schools taking the SAT test increased 15 percent over the previous year.

The College Board, publisher of the SAT, reported that 9,071 district 12th graders took the SAT in 2010-2011, an increase of 1,207 students from 2009-2010 (7,864).  This represents a 42 percent increase (an additional 2,688 students) over the number who participated five years ago.

GED graduates

Graduates who received GED diplomas were honored in the East Pasco County Graduation Ceremony on Aug. 25.

The 107 graduates represented students from Land O’ Lakes, Sunlake, Pasco, Wesley Chapel, Wiregrass Ranch and Zephyrhills high schools and also from Moore Mickens Education Center. They ranged in age from 16 to 57.

The ceremony was held at Pasco Schools Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

Long-time adult education teacher Allen Sweet was honored posthumously and a scholarship fund was established in his memory. He was lauded as a dedicated and talented teacher who helped thousands of students during his career.

Rushe Family Fun Night

Charles S. Rushe Middle School will have a Family Fun Night from 4-9 p.m. at Extreme Adventures on SR 54. Proceeds from the event will be used by the Parent Teacher Student Association to benefit the school in various ways.

Safe walk to school day

All Children’s Hospital will sponsor a Walk to School day at Woodland Elementary on Wednesday, Oct. 5 in honor of International Walk to School Day.

These locations have been identified as a meeting place to help assist in staffing volunteers. Teachers, volunteers and All Children’s staff will be at Zephyrhills First Christian Church on the corner of North Ave and Eighth Street or Zephyrhills First Nazarene Church on the corner of Henry Dr. and 12th Street.

The focus of the event is to emphasize bicycle and pedestrian safety, physical activity, improving air quality and ensuring there is a safe, walkable community.

The groups will be walking in shifts, with the first group leaving at 9 a.m. and the last one leaving at 9:20 a.m.

All students that participate will receive a prize and refreshments.

Students all over the world will be participating in the same time in the international wall. For more information, visit www.walktoschool.org

ACT says college and career readiness improving

College and career reading improved slightly among ACT-tested U.S. high school graduates, according to ACT’s yearly report, The Condition of College & Career Readiness 2011.

The findings also reveal that there is still substantial room for improvement.

Test results show that 25 percent of graduates in the class of 2011 who took the ACT exam met or surpassed all four of the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, suggesting they are ready to succeed academically in specific first-year college courses (English composition, college algebra, introductory social science and biology) without the need for remediation. This compares to 24 percent last year, marking the third consecutive year that overall college-and-career readiness has increased.

This year, 45 percent of test takers (compared to 43 percent last year) met or exceeded the ACT College Readiness Benchmark in math, while 30 percent (compared to 29 percent last year) met or exceeded the benchmark in science. In comparison, 66 percent and 52 percent met or surpassed the benchmarks in English and reading, respectively, both unchanged from last year.

Nearly three in 10 test takers (28 percent) in the 2011 graduate class failed to meet any of the four ACT College Readiness Benchmarks, unchanged from last year.

This year’s pool of ACT-tested graduates is the largest and most racially diverse in the 52-year history of the exam. More than 1.62 million 2011 graduates — 49 percent of the entire U.S. graduating class — took the ACT, an all-time record for the seventh year in a row. The proportion of African American and Hispanic/Latino test takers has grown from 19 percent in 2007 to a high of 26 percent in 2011.