Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission approved millions of dollars in financial incentives last week in a quest to entice Raymond James Financial to create a campus in Wiregrass Ranch.

The incentive package includes tax breaks, road improvements and other perks estimated at about $10 million from Pasco County and about $5 million from the state.

Improvements will include the construction of Wiregrass Ranch Boulevard, which would connect state roads 54 and 56.

In exchange, the internationally known financial services company, based in St. Petersburg, would build two 100,000-square-foot buildings. The company would bring 750 jobs to the county by 2024, with 100 of those jobs beginning in 2014.

Raymond James also wants to reserve up to 1 million square feet of office space for future expansion on all, or a portion of the property and adjacent lands.

The company has set a final due diligence period of up to nine months to examine geotechnical, environmental and other aspects of the property to ensure it is compatible with the project, Steve Hollister, a spokesman for Raymond James, said in an email.

A tentative construction date of 2012 has been set, with occupancy of the first building expected in 2013, Hollister added.

The financial services company decided to begin looking for a satellite location after conducting a comprehensive analysis last year of its current home campus in the Carillon office park in St. Petersburg. The analysis concluded that its headquarters would be at or near capacity within several years.

The 1 million-square-foot office complex also is in the level one area evacuation for hurricanes, causing the company to give serious consideration to the need to relocate critical data systems as first-tier protection, according to previously published reports in The Laker/Lutz News.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri applauded the county board’s unanimous vote.

“The incentives that Pasco offered shows Pasco is open for business,” Mulieri said in an email.

She believes that the Shops at Wiregrass served as a catalyst to bring an economic boost to an area where Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel is now under construction and a new Pasco-Hernando Community College campus, Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, is slated to open for classes in January 2014.

An independent report conducted for the Pasco Economic Development Council found that over the first 17 years, the project would lead directly or indirectly to the creation of approximately 1,200 jobs and provide total salaries to direct or indirect workers in the amount of approximately $600 million.

The deal, according to County Administrator John Gallagher, signals that Pasco County “is coming out of adolescence.”

For decades the county has been known as a bedroom community, with residents commuting to Tampa and back for work.

Hollister said “factors weighing in favor of Wiregrass Ranch include its minimized natural disaster risk, access, demographics, redundant power and fiber optics infrastructure and available incentives.”

If the deal goes through, Gallagher expects Raymond James to help attract other businesses to the county.

State Rep. Will Weatherford, who is in line to become the next Speaker of the House, characterized the deal as a “real game changer for Pasco County.

“This deal brings tangible benefits for the immediate future through an infusion of high wage direct and indirect jobs,” the Republican from Wesley Chapel said in a prepared statement.

“But equally important is what this deal means for the future of Pasco. This is the second major financial institution to locate in our area,” said Weatherford, who was instrumental in getting $4 million in state funding for road improvements for the project.

Jeff Miller, chairman of the economic development committee of the Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, said “I think it’s nice that the county and the state are really making the commitment to draw in employers. The growth of the region depends on jobs.”

By B.C. Manion

A hospital with an incredibly familiar name in Tampa has a new one now and that change is part of an even larger change announced last week by Adventist Health System.

University Community Hospital is now Florida Hospital Tampa and the Pepin Heart Institute has been renamed to Florida Hospital Pepin Institute.

They join Florida Hospital Carrollwood, Florida Hospital Connerton Long Term Acute Care, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, Helen Ellis Memorial Hospital and Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel to form the new Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division.

In total, the facilities represent more than 1,000 beds.

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, now under construction, has a planned opening date of October 2012, said John Harding, president and chief executive officer for the Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division.

“That facility is going up very quickly. It will be entirely enclosed by the end of the month,” Harding said. “That is a large economic investment in this community, to the tune of about $160 million.”

Overall, Adventist expects to have an economic impact of a half-billion dollars during the next five years in the Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division.

It expects to create about 400 new jobs within the next 12 months.

The name change signals a new initiative aimed at elevating healthcare for patients, Harding said.

“The research suggested that we needed to have a partner in academics,” Harding said.

Along those lines, the Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division will be working much more extensively with the University of South Florida. The partnership is expected to create new opportunities that will give Adventist patients access to the university’s physicians and its clinical research, said Michael Schultz, president and CEO of the Florida Region and executive vice president of the Florida Division of Adventist Health System.

“There will be more to announce in the days and weeks to come,” he said.

“Collectively, we want to bring value to the medical community in the north Tampa Bay area. By the north Tampa Bay area, I’m talking about north Tampa, Pasco and Pinellas counties,” Schultz said. “We wanted to bring value, or why do it?”

Adventist is aiming to provide integrated, coordinated care to patients, he said.

“What do I mean by integrated, coordinated care? To me, it means the right care, at the right time, at the right location for the best possible clinical outcome,” Schultz said.

Dr. Stephen Klasko, dean of the College of Medicine at USF, said the initiative will enable the university to have a stronger footprint in north Tampa and also in Pasco County, one of the fastest-growing places in the region.

“We’ll be able to combine some of the education and research and clinical services together into something very exciting over this whole north Tampa region,” Klasko said.

“Having an academic medical center in your area is only a good thing.”

The collaboration may prove particularly beneficial to Pasco residents, he said, “because of our relationship, these hospitals will have more of the subspecialists available, so you won’t necessarily have to go into Tampa or Orlando.”

Hospitals in the Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division “will have more of the clinical research,” he said, which will give patients access to more cutting-edge care.

“We think we can be the glue between a great hospital system, the community and the doctors in that area,” Klasko said.

The relationship between the university and Adventist Health System also will foster a new pipeline of physicians and other medical care providers for the Pasco communities, Klasko said.

As USF’s medical and nursing students spend time in the Pasco communities, Klasko said, some are likely to think: “ ‘Boy, this would be a good place to live and work.’ ”

“I think you’re going to be hearing a lot more about some of the synergies between Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division and USF,” Klasko predicted.

The Florida Hospital Tampa Bay Division completes Florida Hospital’s Central Florida network of care, which now connects 22 hospitals from Flagler Beach to Tarpon Springs, and all points in between, Shultz said.

Adventist has a long history of meeting healthcare needs for Floridians, Harding said. It has been in Central Florida for more than 100 years and its church has been in healthcare for nearly 150 years.

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, now in the midst of construction, has been designed with the patient in mind, said Brian Adams, its chief operating officer.

“You’ll be able to walk in the front door and literally in less than 50 feet be on the MRI scanner,” he said. That facility will open with 80 beds and is designed to grow along with the community, ultimately becoming a 288-bed facility.

“It’s designed to grow so you’ll never have to build in front of the front door of the hospital,” he said, eliminating the confusion that sometimes occurs when a hospital expands and what was originally the front door ends up being on the middle of the campus.

The idea is to make it easy for people to find their way around, he said.

“When people are receiving healthcare or they’re visiting people in a hospital, they’re at a level of stress. Not ever having to build in front of a front door helps provide some of the healing.”

 

By Kyle LoJacono

Pasco County’s march of progress has created a big stink in Dade City.

The county is building a new wastewater, or sewage, treatment plant on the southeast corner of Christian and Powerline roads to replace a small and outdated facility in Lacoochee. The Northeast Subregional Wastewater Treatment Plant will provide additional water capacity for northeastern Pasco, according to assistant county administrator for utilities Bruce Kennedy.

“It’s going to bring jobs to the area along US 301,” Kennedy said. “Right now there isn’t capacity to support any large businesses that might want to move into the area.”

Many residents in the area are not convinced the plant will be an asset. About 200 people voiced their objection at a public meeting on Sept. 13 meant to answer questions about the future facility.

One protestor interrupted Kennedy a few minutes into his opening statements, shouting out that the county staffer was “brainwashed” by his boss. Kennedy admitted he did not expect the kind of negative sentiment that was present at the meeting but is firm in his stance that the plant will help the community.

“The idea is to stimulate growth,” Kennedy said. “We need this robust system and infrastructure to show future employers and light industrial developers our potential for growth.”

The majority of the outrage revolved around two main points: most residents say they were never told about the plant before the site was selected, and a fear the untreated wastewater will find its way into the ground water.

“Not even a word to us,” said Max Sherman, who lives minutes from the plant’s future site. “Plus most of us are on well water around here. If the sewage gets into the ground, then we’re all in a lot of trouble.”

The future facility will take wastewater and turn it into a source useable for industrial and other commercial purposes. It will not go into the drinking supply for the area, according to Kennedy.

The plant will be on 10 acres, which is surrounded by 260 acres of Pasco-owned land to create a buffer preventing any waste from seeping into the group, according to Kennedy. He add that the location is the best for the facility because the densely forested environment will prevent residents from looking at it, keeping the rural feel of the area.

“The people won’t be able to see the plant,” Kennedy said. “If no one ever told them it was there, they won’t have any idea it even exists.”

Once completed, the plant will produce about 300,000 gallons of water each day, but could increase capacity to 600,000 if needed. Kennedy said most facilities put out 2-3 million gallons daily, making it relatively small.

The location of the plant has a long history of opposition. In 2006, residents opposed a plan to develop 342 acres of the property to build 85 high-priced houses. That neighborhood would have been called Trilby Estates, but the developer decided not to build it because of the locals’ outrage about it upsetting the rural atmosphere of the area.

The county bought the land after the Trilby Estates developer backed out of the project. Pasco can therefore use the land for whatever use it wants, such as building a park, community center or a sewage plant.

The Pasco Commission will eventually give final approval for the plant project later this year.

Commissioner Ted Schrader, whose District 1 covers most of east Pasco including Dade City, was not at the public meeting, but said he has been receiving “spirited” emails from residents.

“We expected the meeting would answer everyone’s questions about the plant and let them know it will help us all by bringing in business,” Schrader said. “It obviously didn’t go as planned.”

Schrader said he plans to have another public meeting, which he will attend.

“In the end they are the residents, and we need to address their concerns,” Schrader said.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Those who take advantage of Pasco County’s public transportation will soon see advertising as they board their buses.

Pasco County Public Transportation (PCPT) recently started selling advertising space on the sides of its bus fleet. The first companies to buy a spot are Farrell Roofing and also Greg Henry Restoration, both Pasco-based firms.

Both companies bought yearlong contracts for ads that fully wrap around the outside of one bus, which comes with a $5,000 per month price tag. Of that, the county will get $650 each month, according to PCPT director Mike Carroll.

Steve Farrell, owner of Farrell Roofing, said the chance to advertise on PCPT buses was one his company couldn’t pass up.

“Most of our advertising is our vehicles,” Farrell said. “The bus is a little bit larger than our vehicles, and I think that will work well.”

Those are just the first two ads that have been installed. County commissioners have already reached agreements that will result in about $1 million in extra revenue generated from the ads during the next five years.

The ads will be put on the buses by Black Jack Media, a Pasco-based company, which will pay for instillation and any maintenance. The group is also helping sell the spots for the county. Black Jack sales manager Regan Weiss said it takes about eight hours to finish adding ads to one bus.

The deal calls for Black Jack to sell ads on all 36 of Pasco’s buses by the end of 2012. By that time the county will start collecting more money for each wrap sold on the buses, up to $850 per vehicle per month.

Weiss said his company has already gotten interest from such businesses as the Tampa Bay Storm and Nike. The county will not accept certain ads, such as those for lawyers and politicians, alcohol, tobacco, adult entertainment, pawn shops and tattoo parlors among others.

Carroll said he plans on using the newly wrapped buses on some of PCPT’s busiest routes to “put them in front of the most eyes possible,” such as those that travel along US 301 and US 19.

Carroll said companies can also advertise on the inside of the buses, or with smaller ones on the outside.

PCPT joins the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART), which already sells advertising spots on its bus fleet.

For additional information on PCPT, visit portal.pascocountyfl.net.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Mikhail Reece stands out from the crowd no matter where he is thanks to his 6-foot-5, 245-pound body, but his mind and leadership abilities are what truly separate the Gaither senior from others.

Reece currently has a 5.8 weighted grade point average (GPA), putting him on pace to be the Gaither salutatorian. His grandmother Nell instilled in him a thirst for knowledge, which endures to this day.

“My mom (Jaclin) would be working, so my grandmother taught me how to read and about math,” Reece said. “I knew my times tables at the age of 5 because of her. She gave me that extra push to get started. Now it just comes natural, and when I’m engaged in a class I want to do the work.”

Reece is also thankful for the free education offered in the United States. He was born in Kingston, Jamaica, a country where people have to pay $500-$600 a year just to attend basic schooling. Throw in money for uniforms and books, and most people on the island nation are not financially able to get a high school equivalent diploma.

“I know that it’s a blessing to have free schooling here through high school, and if you excel enough they will pay you to go to college,” Reece said. “It’s not like that in Jamaica or basically everywhere else, so I want to jump on that and take advantage of the education here.”

Reece came to the United States around age 4. He has gotten two Bs on his high school GPA, one in physical science while in eighth grade and another in English I.

“I didn’t know the science would count because I took it in middle school, but it did,” Reece said. “In English it was borderline and I didn’t turn in one worksheet. I still think about that B in English, and after that I told myself I wasn’t going to get a B again.”

Reece’s academic focus became apparent to teachers early in the school year. Danielle de Gregory teaches Reece Advanced Placement psychology and African-American history. She has only seen his work in the classroom for about a month, but already understands why he has been able to post such a high GPA.

“The bell rings and he starts his work,” de Gregory said. “We all have bell work in every class. Mikhail starts his work immediately. He doesn’t finish talking with someone or stand in the hall for a few more seconds. The bell rings and he knows it’s time to get down to business.”

Reece is also a defensive end and team captain on the Gaither football team. Cowboys coach Jason Stokes said he brings that same “down to business” approach to the gridiron.

“As soon as we blow the whistle he’s all business,” Stokes said. “When he sees kids in practice not focusing, he’ll say something before the coaches. He’s one of those special kids you don’t get to coach very often.”

Reece had 12 tackles, two passes defensed, one sack and one forced fumble last football season. Stokes said he believes he will have a huge impact as a senior.

“He has all the measurables to be a big-time player,” Stokes said. “He’s very coachable and puts in the work to get better. Plus he understands concepts very quickly and can see what other teams are trying to do to him.”

Reece isn’t just a brain. He also has leadership qualities as apparent as his intelligence.

“I met Mikhail last year because as student government advisor I had to pick four juniors to take to the West Point Leadership Conference,” de Gregory said. “Mikhail was a perfect person because they wanted student leaders and leaders on sports teams, and he is a leader on the football team and academically.”

When de Gregory was working to find the right juniors to bring on the trip, she asked student government members who they believed should go.

“They all said Mikhail Reece without thinking about it,” de Gregory said. “So not only do his teachers rave about him, but the kids think the same way about him. … I couldn’t find a more upstanding kid than Mikhail Reece. He is a fine young man.”

Reece’s efforts in the classroom and on the football field have one of the most prestigious Ivy League universities interested in him. He was officially given a scholarship offer to play at Yale.

“When I got the Yale offer, it’s an honor, but I know that I have the ability because both sides of my family have people who are very strong academically,” Reece said. “I have a cousin who went to Dartmouth, another Ivy League school. Then my father (Patrick) grew up very poor, like in tin houses, but he went to school and is an engineer. So I know if I don’t do well it’s only because I didn’t put in the effort.”

Reece thanked Gaither offensive line coach Jeff Ditman for helping him get noticed by Yale. Ditman attended the Ivy League school and also played football for the Bulldogs.

“I think it’s the perfect fit for him,” Ditman said. “I have to watch myself because I don’t want it to seem like I’m pushing him to go there, but looking at it objectively he’s a great fit. I know they like him athletically, and I think he can succeed there as a football player. Academically I know it’s a great opportunity for him, and I think his personality would fit perfectly there. I’ll support whatever he does, but it would be good for him and for Yale to have him.”

While Ditman never directly coached or taught Reece, he has still seen his intelligence shine through on the field.

“He plays intelligently and he understands what he needs to do and what the other team is trying to do to him,” Ditman said. “I communicate that to my offensive linemen how much of an assist that is, and of course we have to deal with him in practice. We can’t outsmart him. It’s hard to fool him because he sees things in a different way.”

Reece said he is most interested in math classes and would like to become an engineer like his father —if things don’t work out with football.

“If I could go to the (NFL), that would be a dream,” Reece said. “That would be the ultimate goal and after that I could do a lot of other things with my mind if it happens.”

–All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches.

Experts worry some will miss deadline

By B.C. Manion

 

An earlier deadline for enrolling in Medicare plans could result in people missing out, experts say.

This year’s Medicare annual enrollment dates are from Oct. 15 through Dec. 7. That means the enrollment period is beginning a full month earlier than it did last year and ending three weeks earlier.

Volunteers who help people navigate the bureaucratic maze of Medicare say they’re concerned that people who are not paying attention will try to enroll too late.

That’s why they’re putting an emphasis on outreach programs – to get the word out and to provide assistance, said Randy Caldwell of Land O’ Lakes, who volunteers for the Serving Health Insurance Needs for the Elderly (SHINE) program.

“People just don’t understand the bureaucracy. It can be intimidating and confusing,” Caldwell said. “The need is so great,” he said, and they don’t always realize that help is available.

That’s where SHINE volunteers come in.

“We’re available. We have outreach programs with churches, social organizations,” Caldwell said. They also can provide one-on-one assistance.

SHINE volunteers realize it can be difficult and confusing to enroll in Medicare plans, to keep up with changes and to compare plans that are available, said Jan Rauer of Lutz, a volunteer who trains SHINE volunteers.

When helping people navigate the system, SHINE volunteers focus on helping people find plans that are suitable for their needs by presenting various options and explaining the differences.

The idea is to present information, not to advocate particular plans, Caldwell said.

To prepare for the enrollment period, individuals should ask themselves:

–Have your health needs changed?

–Are your drugs covered by the plan you are considering?

–Does your doctor accept the plan you are considering?

–Does your plan fit your budget? Be sure to compare all costs, including premiums, copays, deductibles and coinsurance.

Those who are approaching age 65 should also be aware that enrollment in Medicare is not automatic, Rauer said. There is a seven-month period for initial enrollment into Medicare, she said. That includes the three months before an individual turns 65, the month of the individual’s birthday and the three months following it.

Additional information, individual appointments and requests for public speakers can be made by contacting the local Area on Aging office at (800) 963-5337.

By Kyle LoJacono

In the Florida Shuffleboard Association’s (FSA) 83-year history, only one woman has ever scored 1,000 career points. Zephyrhills resident Joan Cook plans to soon make it two.

Cook has amassed 895 points since she started playing 16 years ago. Players earn points for finishing near the top of state-sanctioned events and Cook is likely to crack the 1,000-point mark in two years, especially considering how dedicated she is to the game.

“Other than shuffleboard, I don’t do a whole lot,” Cook sad. “It’s my life.”

The Betmar Acres resident takes a break from the sport each summer, but is a regular sight at the RV park’s shuffleboard courts. There is something about the strategy, clanging of the discuses and spirited nature of the game that keeps her coming back.

“I started because I thought I’d be good at it,” Cook said. “As it’s turned out, I have been. I’ve always been competitive, so I want to play something that I can win at. I love sports, and it’s a good way to stay active.”

Cook grew up playing baseball and bowling. She was born in Ontario, Canada and first came to Zephyrhills 25 years ago. She never expected to come anywhere near 1,000 points when she first picked up a shuffleboard cue.

“The goal wasn’t to get to 1,000 points,” Cook said. “It was to get to 200 points to get into the state hall of fame, which I did (in 2003). … There is the social part of it, but mostly I love to win. It certainly isn’t about the money, because it costs more to travel to the tournaments than you can get if you win.”

Cook has played in the state masters tournament, for only the top eight men or women in the state, 10 times and won it three times. She has also claimed eight national and three international championships.

Two of those titles came with Earl Ball, whose 15 national titles are tied for the most all time.

“We won two mixed doubles national championships in Hendersonville, N.C.,” said Ball, who lives in Betmar. “We also won the only two mixed doubles state tournaments two years in a row, and no other team has ever done that. So that makes four state championships. I’d say we were very successful together.

“She’s dead serious and a hard worker,” Ball added. “She expects the very best out of herself. If she isn’t playing well, everyone knows about it too. She doesn’t accept mediocre.”

Ball said Cook has benefited from playing in so many mixed doubles events.

“She comes and plays with and against men often, so her game is tailored to a man’s style of play,” Ball said.

Ball explained women shuffleboard players tend to focus on hitting their opponent’s discus out of the way. Men usually employ several game plans to win, such as setting up blocks or working to put people in the kitchen, the section of the court that deducts 10 points from their score.

“That means she has a lot of different ways to win when she plays against women,” Ball said. “They don’t know what to do when she has more tricks up her sleeve.”

Cook is back on the fast track toward 1,000 points, but personal heartbreak almost derailed her chance. Her husband Richard Cook died in 2009.

“That was the saddest thing that could have happened to me because he was my biggest supporter,” Cook said. “I took a year off after that, or I probably would have already had the 1,000 points.”

Cook said she and her husband played shuffleboard a lot.

“I actually got him into it,” Cook said with a laugh. “I had to teach him how to play. We played as a team together in amateurs and never won anything. He was the typical man doing whatever he wanted on the court. I’d get so mad at him sometimes because we’d have a match won, and then he’d do whatever he wanted, and we’d lose it in the end. He drove me nuts, but as soon as we were off the court, we’d love each other again.”

Once Cook gets to 1,000 points she said her focus will shift toward helping others improve their own shuffleboard game.

“Once I get the 1,000 points, I’ll help people get into the hall of fame,” Cook said. “I’ll team with some of those who are close and try to help them win enough points to make it.”

By Kyle LoJacono

 The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) set a new bus ridership record this year.

HART spokeswoman Marcia Mejia said 12.5 million passengers have ridden on the agency’s buses during the current fiscal year, already besting the previous record of 12.3 million set in 2010. HART’s fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.

“This year, more people are recognizing the value of public transit,” Mejia said. “We appreciate the trust our new and long-time customers have demonstrated by getting onboard in such record numbers.”

Ridership in August rose 11 percent compared to the same month last year despite HART cutting back some routes because of budget reductions. Despite those small cuts, Mejia said the agency has made several large capital improvements, as well as subtle changes to produce a better product.

“For instance, about every four months HART updates its route schedule to ensure transit service matches current and projected ridership demands,” Mejia said.

Mejia then added, “There is now one shelter for every seven bus stops, compared to one in 15 just a few years ago. Moreover, in August 2011 the HART board approved a contract for 41 new shelters throughout Hillsborough County over the next two years. With inclement weather conditions endured by this area, shelters are extremely important to protecting customers from the elements, and makes public transit easier and more convenient to use.”

HART also has changed its farecard program, where people buy passes good for a month of bus fare. Previously, the cards expired at the end of a month regardless of when it was bought, but now they are good for 31 days.

Mejia said the agency has several plans to improve service during the next few years to account for the record number of riders. One is MetroRapid North-South, which is designed to quickly take large numbers of people from areas around Nebraska and Fletcher avenues in northern Hillsborough into downtown Tampa. 

“MetroRapid North-South will feature transit signal priority technology, which will hold green lights longer and shorten red lights for HART MetroRapid buses at signalized intersections,” Mejia said. “This will provide for more frequency of service, travel-time savings and better reliability. In addition, MetroRapid includes passenger amenities, such as enhanced passenger shelters with real-time schedule information and ticket vending machines at major stops.”

MetroRapid is scheduled for completion in early 2013.

Mejia said while millions use HART’s services every year, many people may be “overwhelmed” trying to find the right routes and times. Those who want more information about HART can visit www.gohart.org. People can also read testimonials from others who use public transportation at http://www.gohart.org/ihearthart/.

By Eugenio Torrens

 

In March, Heidi Bernaldo saw a blog on the Girl Scouts of the USA website that piqued her interest. The blog mentioned how after Sept. 11, 2001, Girl Scouts in Japan had sent over cranes to Girl Scouts in the United States. The blog was asking for the favor to be returned in light of the earthquake and tsunami that devastated Japan on March 11.

Bernaldo, the troop mom of Girl Scouts Senior Troop 457 in Wesley Chapel, passed along the blog to one of her scouts, Dana Lawson, and suggested the troop make and send cranes.

The girls were interested, Bernaldo said: “They all agreed to do it, no problem.”

Lawson, 14, is one-fourth Japanese and has family in Sendai, Japan. She was in her first period history class when she her teacher told the class there was an earthquake in Japan. She didn’t learn the extent of the disaster’s damage until later that day.

“I thought it was a really good idea, making the cranes,” Lawson said. “I know how much the idea of making 1,000 cranes as an expression of goodwill toward someone and how much that’s valued over in Japan.”

She also was unable to establish any contact with her family in Sendai. She still hasn’t been able to firmly see if the dozen members of her family in Japan is OK, though she believes they are.

“It’s been hard since so many people are uprooted and we haven’t heard from my family in a while before the quake,” Lawson said.

She went to Temple Terrace to get the origami paper in approximately 20 colors. The money came from funds raised last year by selling cookies. The rest of the money is aimed toward a senior trip for the troop, whose six members are all in high school.

“Girl Scouts worldwide are sisters,” Bernaldo said. “When they heard about the disaster that their sister troops had had in their country, they wanted to make something to make them feel better.”

The girls took to YouTube to learn how to fold the origami cranes. The folding started in June, with the magic number at 1,000 cranes.

“Apparently 1,000 cranes is good luck in Japanese,” Bernaldo said. One thousand cranes, divided by six girls meant each troop member would have folded 166 cranes. Every meeting, the troop would spend the first 15-20 minutes in a crane-making session.

“Girls took paper home and made cranes at home, also,” said Bernaldo, who tried to make a few cranes, but left it to the pros.

“They could whip them out really quick,” she said. “I would find my daughter up at like 1:30 some mornings making cranes.”

Bernaldo said all 1,000 cranes are accounted for and she is just waiting to hear for an address to send them to.

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The extension of Collier Parkway past Hale Road has made travel easier for residents in the surrounding Land O’ Lakes neighborhoods, but soon after its opening Pasco County started getting complaints.

The problem was drivers did not seem to know what to do at the new four-way intersection of Collier and Hale. Pasco Chief Engineer Jim Widman said when the $2.5 million, 1.8-mile long extension of Collier opened earlier this year the county opted to make the newly formed crossing a four-way stop.

“We evaluated the amount of traffic that moves through the area while the construction was going on, and we found it too low to warrant adding a traffic signal,” Widman said. “When traffic volumes are low, a light isn’t needed, and it can actually slow down the people who are driving through if they get caught by the light.”

Widman said the county is monitoring the number of vehicles that pass through the intersection to see if levels increase to the point where a traffic signal is necessary.

Widman said people called and complained because many people traveling on Hale were not stopping at the new intersection. Widman said that confusion probably resulted from the way the roads were formally constructed.

Collier had ended at Hale before the extension opened and travelers had to stop at a stop sign to turn either left or right. Drivers on Hale did not have to stop where Collier ended, and Widman said those who had gotten used to that traffic pattern probably had been oblivious to the new four-way stop.

“It made a dangerous situation,” Widman said. “We’ve taken steps to add more signage to make the stop more visible to all drivers.”

Widman said the county also removed tree limbs and other plant growth that was blocking drivers’ view of the upcoming intersection.

There had also been complaints about drivers traveling in excess of the posted speed limits. Widman said the county monitored motorists for several weeks and found people were driving near the legal limits.

“People wanted speed bumps and other traffic control measures put in, but we couldn’t find much abuse of the posted speed limits,” Widman said.

For more information on the intersection improvements, call the Pasco Engineering Department at (727) 847-8140.