The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

New lawns: to fertilize or not?

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By B.J. Jarvis

Each fall, many Floridians replace their lawn or fill in bare spots. Often residents are confused about if they need to fertilize when sod is laid. Calls to the Extension Service are answered with “not yet.”
University of Florida researchers tested sod to find out if appearance or health were improved by fertilizing at the time of sod installation. Test plot results showed sod with no fertilization applied at time of installation was just as green and lush as sod that wasn’t fertilized until a month later.
There were differences though. The biggest was the immediately fertilized sod lost twice as much of the nitrogen to run off or leaching compared to fertilizing a month later. Applying fertilizer before roots anchor turf in surrounding soil allowed a far greater quantity of fertilizer to be lost.
Nitrogen can run off into swales or ponds or can move down through the soil to the Floridian aquifer, the source of the majority of our drinking water. Once there, nitrogen feeds algae that suck oxygen from fish, kills off other beneficial organisms and frequently causes a foul smell. Functioning waterways are used for recreation such as fishing and boating, but are impacted by too much fertilizer.
It is important that we all protect these water resources. Here are other ways we can provide protection while assuring a high quality landscape:
–Never apply fertilizer close to pavement or right up to water’s edge.
–Leave clippings on the lawn or compost yard waste to use as a great soil amendment.
–Always follow label directions for the amount and frequency of fertilizer application.
–Abundant watering will cause the nutrients to move away from the root zone, wasting your time, money and potentially damaging our environment.
A final tip to keep fertilizer where it’s needed is to use one that has at least 1/3 to 1/2 of the nitrogen in a slow-release form. Fertilizers with a higher percentage in a slow-release formula are fine too; it’s just more expensive. Slow-release fertilizers are encased to prevent the fertilizer from immediately becoming available to the plant. Each time it rains or the irrigation system runs, little bits of fertilizer escape through small pores providing measured amounts of fertilizer over a long period of time. This approach prevents burn from overdoses, and from an economic point of view, it keeps fertilizer in your landscape saving gardeners money also.
For a healthy turf, Floridians should not fertilize immediately upon installation of sod or plugs. To save money and the environment, wait at least one month before fertilizing.
For more information about fertilizing turf, visit the University of Florida’s turf website at Hort.ifas.ufl.edu/YourFloridaLawn. Or contact your Pasco Extension Service at www.Pasco.ifas.ufl.edu.
-B.J. Jarvis is Horticulture Agent and Extension Director for Pasco Cooperative Extension Service, a free service of Pasco County and the University of Florida. B.J. can be reached at .

Publix circular bellwether occasion for our papers

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By Diane Kortus

This week marks a bellwether occasion for our company.  For the first time ever, today’s paper includes the weekly circular from Publix Supermarket, the No. 1 grocer in Florida that has 11 stores in our market area from Lutz to Zephyrhills.

Landing the Publix account is good news for everyone. It brings Publix 80,000 readers in subdivisions surrounding its stores in Pasco and north Hillsborough counties. It prepares readers for Publix’s specials a day before its Thursday sales begin. And for the staff of The Laker and Lutz News, it means a premier account to toot our horn.

I hope you don’t mind my boasting of the addition of Publix to our customer list. I share this with you not to pump our egos or to be self-congratulatory, but because I want you to know that community papers are doing well and have a positive future.

Tooting our horn is something newspapers do not do enough of these days. Our industry seems to delight in reporting decreasing circulation and sales, as if we are the only advertising-driven business model that is facing decreased revenue and reduced audiences. Television, radio, cable TV, magazines, even on-line advertising are all seeing diminishing numbers. Unfortunately, newspapers seem to willingly take the brunt of the blame for problems all media outlets are facing.

It may surprise you to learn that community newspapers are the bright spot in our industry. Two trade organizations, The National Newspaper Association and Suburban Newspapers of America, report that weekly newspapers have been affected much less by the country’s economic problems than daily papers.

“Community newspapers certainly are not immune to the economic downturn that is affecting all businesses, but as the primary and sometimes sole provider of local news in a community, they remain strong and viable,” said NNA President John Stevenson, publisher of the Randolph Leader in Roanoke, AL.

Major retailers like Publix are starting to experience what local businesses in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City have always known. You can’t beat the local paper for hometown news and advertising efficiency.

It is our abundance of local news that sets apart The Laker and Lutz News in our market. We dedicate 60 pages every week to stories about local people, local businesses, local groups, local sports and local events. The key word here, obviously, is local.

And local is why Publix added us to their family — because no one penetrates deeper into our communities than The Laker and The Lutz News with local news and effective circulation.

As publisher, I can tell you that getting the Publix account feels a bit like our coming of age. It legitimizes our hard work of the past few years to bring you a well-written newspaper every week with stories and advertisements that make life here a little bit easier, more enjoyable and hopefully more interesting.

Please join me in welcoming Publix to The Laker and Lutz News, where (to adapt Publix’s  iconic tagline), we hope “reading is a pleasure” every week.

Pasco takes 9-Mile War 50-7 over Zephyrhills

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East Pasco rivalry more than just a football game

By Kyle LoJacono

Fans who packed Bulldog Stadium Friday night were treated to the 53rd 9-Mile War, the annual football game between east Pasco County and Class 3A, District 7 rivals Zephyrhills and Pasco high schools.

The Pirates (4-0) took the contest 50-7, the third straight victory in the matchup against the Bulldogs (0-4), to extend their lead in the all-time series 36-17. While the annual meeting started as just a football game, the event has become much more than that.

Zephyrhills quarterback Chris Reaves.

“This is like true America right here,” said Zephyrhills principal Steve Van Gorden before the game. “You’ve got two small towns that love their communities. The players out there have fathers and grandfathers who played in this game and now they’re watching their kids and grandkids play tonight. Really it’s what’s good about our community.”

Van Gorden became Zephyrhills principal at the end of the 2008-09 school year and was taking in his first home 9-Mile War as the Bulldogs leader.

“Honestly I don’t think there is anywhere else in Pasco County where you could have this rivalry,” Van Gorden continued. “It’s been going on for generations. I mean the kids didn’t even want to leave school today after the pep rally because they were so excited about the game.”

Many of the players had connections with the other team. Bulldogs running back Jacolby O’Neal attended Pasco last year before making the move nine miles south this season. Pirates quarterback Jacob Guy went to Zephyrhills as a freshman.

“I played with probably more than half their team on (junior varsity) when I was here my freshman year,” Guy said. “The score doesn’t say it, but they stepped up big and it was a rough first half for us.”

One family is even split by the rivalry. Reggie Roberts became Zephyrhills coach in January and graduated from the school in 1990. His father Ricky Giles is a Pasco assistant and his younger half brother Trey Dudley-Giles is a wide receiver and defensive back for the Pirates.

Even the school’s principals have ties to the other city. Van Gorden got his first teaching position at Pasco High and Pasco Middle after being hired by 12-year Pirates principal Pat Reedy, who started out at Stewart Middle.

The two friends decided to make a wager on the game. The losing principal had to wear the opposing school’s colors and appear on the other’s morning show and give a recap of the game, which turned out to be Van Gorden.

“We did this last year and the bet was a Blizzard from Dairy Queen,” Reedy said before the game. “He still hasn’t paid that one off and I reminded him of that. He came up with this one so he has to pay it off.”

A confident Reedy reminded Van Gorden before the game that Pasco beat Zephyrhills 56-0 in the spring game this year. He said the Pirates ran out of gunpowder for the cannon they fire after scoring.

The game started close with the two squads trading touchdowns on their first drive. Zephyrhills had a chance to take the lead after cornerback Adrian Sanchez intercepted Guy on the Pirates second possession, but the Bulldogs turned the ball over on downs. The Pirates then scored on their next three drives and stretched the lead to 36-7 at the half.

Pasco defensive back Trey Dudley-Giles gets an interception over Zephyrhills receiver Jamal Roberts early in the third quarter.

Guy finished 8-of-14 for 118 yards and four touchdowns. Wide receiver Mike Clower caught touchdown grabs of 23 and 33 yards, while Dudley-Giles had scoring catches of 12 and 29 yards. Dudley-Giles also added a pair of interceptions.

“It makes me feel good to get two touchdowns and beat my own brother,” Dudley-Giles said. “I played in the game last year but didn’t score, so this is special to come here and get two touchdowns.”

Zephyrhills quarterback Chris Reaves went 12-of-29 passing for 139 yards and a 19-yard touchdown to running back Jamal Roberts. Reaves also had 91 yards rushing, but was sacked four times and was picked off three times by the Pirates defense.

Reggie pointed out that the game was tied when senior linebacker and tight end Frank “Duke” Morrison went out with a head injury. When he went down the Bulldogs had to use younger players in his place.

“No excuses,” Reggie said. “My guys want to win. You see them crying. Those tears, I told them that’s not being a baby. That’s something inside them that wants it. Those are the kids I want. How they feel going into that locker room right now is desire to play football. They battled and that’s what I want from them. That scoreboard doesn’t say anything about these young men.

“We’re going to keep learning, we’re going to keep getting better and we’re going to win some football games,” Reggie continued.

Pasco next travels to play Gulf Oct. 8, while Zephyrhills will take on Mitchell at home the same night.

Warriors looking for more than just a district title

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By Kyle LoJacono

The Steinbrenner High volleyball team set the standard for athletics at the new facility by winning the first district championship for the school last year.

While another district crown is on the Warriors (8-4) to-do list, it is just one step toward their ultimate goal.

The Steinbrenner volleyball team after winning the first district title in the school’s history last year.

“We want to win at least 20 matches, win another district title, win the first regional championship for the school and get to the final four,” said Steinbrenner coach Staci Elias.

Everyone is reminded of the team’s accomplishment last year when they look at the banner in the Warriors’ gym, which helps fuel the squad.

“It was really cool to be the first team to have a banner,” said senior setter Erin McMurtry. “It was really big because we were a brand new school and we came out and showed that we’re new, but we have the power that huge schools do.”

One of the challenges in starting the program is many of the players came from different schools. Elias, who had never opened a volleyball program before, has had to use different methods to bring the separate players together as a team.

“She’s had us do teambuilding things to make us closer,” said senior outside and middle hitter Natalia Ortiz. “It’s helped us be more together out there.”

Ortiz played at Sickles High before coming to Steinbrenner, as did junior libero Cary Anne Bame. The Warriors lost a close match to the Gryphons last year, but avenged that loss in straight sets this season.

“It was fantastic,” Bame said of beating Sickles. “We came more prepared and were extremely mentally focused. We just knew we had to leave it all on the court. It wasn’t revenge, but it kind of was because we all think we should have beaten them last year.”

Warriors libero Cary Anne Bame leads the team with 112 kills.

While most of the older players on Steinbrenner already had their match against their first school this year, McMurtry is still waiting to do the same. She attended Gaither High before Steinbrenner, but the difference is the Warriors beat the Cowboys last year in straight sets.

“I still know girls on their team and I played with some of them,” McMurtry said. “I get to play against the varsity team I would have been on. It’s a big match.”

Steinbrenner plays at Gaither Oct. 14 at 7:30 p.m.

On the court, the action starts with Bame. As the libero, she is the first person to touch the ball and set up the offense, which she has done so far. Through the Warriors’ first 11 matches, she has a team-high 112 digs while adding 14 aces.

“I have a lot of passion playing libero,” Bame said. “I love the fact that I risk everything to dive and get that one ball and start the play off clean. If I don’t get to the ball it messes the offense up, so I have to go all out to get the dig … It’s kind of a part of me. I take care of the ball and give the others a chance to do their job.”

The next person to get the ball is McMurtry, who tries to put the ball in the right spot for the hitters to get an unblocked shot at a kill.

“We’ve got a great libero and setter and it makes things easier for us up front,” said senior outside hitter Kristen Liguori. “We count on them to get us the ball in a good spot.”

Liguori has taken advantage of the Warriors good passing, leading the team with 112 kills while adding six blocks. She also has 20 aces.

Ortiz is tied with McMurtry for most blocks on the team with nine. Ortiz also has 27 kills.

Elias said Bame, McMurtry, Ortiz and Liguori are the most vocal leaders on Steinbrenner, but another has done so more quietly.

“Megan Moyer has the highest hitting percentage of any of our hitters,” Elias said. “She doesn’t have all the stats like some of the other girls and she is very quiet. We call her the silent weapon because a lot of teams don’t realize how effective she is until we put her in and she gets a big kill.”

Moyer, a senior middle hitter, has a 45.1 hitting percentage and 47 kills, 11 aces and eight blocks.

While the goal of the team is to win, they have secondary ones that are nearly as important to them.

“They want to be thought of as more than just a volleyball team,” Elias said. “They did a lot to raise awareness of breast cancer.”

Last October they wore pink ribbons, shoelaces and socks to raise awareness of the disease. Plans are not yet set for this year, but Elias said it will be as visual as before.

-All stats as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of Oct. 4.

Zephyrhills Christian Academy tops six-man football

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By Kyle LoJacono

After three straight third place finishes, Zephyrhills Christian Academy is looking for a six-man state championship.

Zephyrhills Christian Academy quarterback Mikey Smith has led the offense to an average of 52 points per game.

“We’ve had the talent to win it since we started in the league four years ago,” said coach Mike Smith, who is also the school’s principal and co-founder. “We lost in the semifinals by one, six and one points. Last year we were 9-1 in the regular season and I think we’re a lot better this year.”

The team has started 8-0 with the offense averaging 52 points per game while allowing just seven total points and recording six shutouts. One win was a forfeit over Genesis Prep.

Zephyrhills Christian’s quarterback and leader of that prolific offense is Mikey Smith, who has played the position since starting in the Zephyrhills Police Athletic League at age 8. He is also Mike’s son and an eighth grader at the school.

“We’re a strong team and we’re fast and athletic,” said the Warriors signal caller. “We should go all the way this year … Winning a state title was all of our goals coming into the year.”

Mikey said the key to that high scoring attack is the offensive line, which is known as the hog line and includes Tim Thurston, Dominic Ferrington, Devin White and Andrew Ivie.

“It’s satisfying to get so many points, but I wish it took more plays sometimes,” White, a junior, said. “We only get to play like one or two plays at a time. It’s fun though. It’s cool to see the score and know we helped that happen.”

Ivie is only in eighth grade, but is already one of the biggest players.

“We’re all like brothers on the line,” Ivie said. “We’re all together as one unit.”

Also playing a big part in the offense is running back and wide receiver Josh Roberts. He started playing in the eighth grade and is currently a senior.

Zephyrhills Christian Academy running back and wide receiver Josh Roberts comes down with a catch in practice.

“We usually fall apart at the beginning of the season, but this year we started really strong,” Roberts said. “We’ve been more together and also are much better players. I think we’ll go all the way.”

Six-man football becomes easier for athletic players like Roberts as there are few people and more space on the field.

“It’s a lost faster,” Roberts said. “If you break a tackle you can score real easily because there aren’t many levels to the defense.”

Mike’s brother, Dale, is the assistant on the team. Both went to Zephyrhills High and played on the football team. Dale set the Bulldogs record in the bench press with 420 pounds that stands to this day.

Dale’s son, Dale Smith Jr., is a linebacker on the team and one of the defensive leaders. He is a senior, but last played football as a freshman in Colorado.

“We don’t care what part of the field they’re on because we act like it’s the goal line every play,” Dale Jr. said. “We don’t ever want to give up a yard.”

Dale moved his family back to Zephyrhills after his father, Paul Smith, died of a heart attack in January. Paul handled the maintenance for Zephyrhills Christian and the football field is named after him.

Zephyrhills Christian has about 150 students, 44 in the high school. The team has 16 players, but the smaller talent pool does not seem to hurt the Warriors on the field.

“I have eight kids who could legitimately start in Pasco County public schools,” Mike said. “After those eight kids I’d still have a good junior varsity team in the public schools with what we have. So we have some depth that we didn’t have in the past. We had the same amount of kids last year, but it dropped from good athletes to kids that had never played football before.”

The tackle program at the school has been around for four years. Before that the Warriors played flag football. Mike said the team has players from mainly Zephyrhills, but also Dade City and Wesley Chapel.

“We love football, but the most important thing is remembering that God is most important and then comes school work,” Mike said. “We make sure they know if they want to play they need to take care of both those things first. Without God, football is meaningless.”

Warriors get first varsity win

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The Steinbrenner High football team picked up the first varsity win in school history in a 13-7 defeat of Bloomingdale High. The victory was a little more special for the Warriors (1-4) because it came in front of their home crowd.

Christian Carriere“It was great,” said Steinbrenner coach Floyd Graham. “The kids worked really hard for this and we got to do it with our fans … No one player made it happen. They all stepped up.”

For the majority of the season the Warriors defense had been ahead of the offense in execution, but that unit upped their play against Bloomingdale (1-4). Steinbrenner got on the board in the final seconds of the first half when quarterback Christian Carriere hit wide receiver Tobi Antigha with a five-yard touchdown pass. Carriere added a one-yard rushing score to put his team up for good.

“It was kind of a surprise that they stepped up so much,” said Graham about the offense. “We have a bunch of injuries on the offense and it was a lot of younger players doing the job.”

The Warriors defense held Bloomingdale to 78 offensive yards, 0 rushing.

Graham started the football program at Newsome High and knows how the first win can propel a team.

“Getting over that first win is a big step,” Graham said. “Things should get easier now because they don’t have to worry about when they’re going to get that first one.”

Steinbrenner next plays at St. Petersburg Catholic High Oct. 8.

Athlete of the week

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Lightning second in Border Wars tournament
Lutz Lightning

The U10 Lutz Lightning 2000 fastpitch softball team took second place in the NSA 2010 Ultimate Border Wars tournament at Oscar Cooler Park Sept. 25-26.

The Lightning went 5-1 in the tournament, losing only to eventual champion New Tampa Predators in the title game.
Front row from left are Melanie Rogers, Callie Turner, Rebecca Gaschler, Adyson Harvey and Lexi Whitehead. Middle row from left are Ashley Smith, Brianna Lindner, Megan McClellan, Nicole Robinson, Jennifer Bryant, Marina Deetz and Miranda Arroyo. Back row from left are assistant Jim Rogers, assistant Dianne McClellan and coach Ron Gaschler.

Lightning second in Border Wars tournamentThe U10 Lutz Lightning 2000 fastpitch softball team took second place in the NSA 2010 Ultimate Border Wars tournament at Oscar Cooler Park Sept. 25-26.  The Lightning went 5-1 in the tournament, losing only to eventual champion New Tampa Predators in the title game.Front row from left are Melanie Rogers, Callie Turner, Rebecca Gaschler, Adyson Harvey and Lexi Whitehead. Middle row from left are Ashley Smith, Brianna Lindner, Megan McClellan, Nicole Robinson, Jennifer Bryant, Marina Deetz and Miranda Arroyo. Back row from left are assistant Jim Rogers, assistant Dianne McClellan and coach Ron Gaschler.

Walk ‘pumps’ mammogram funding

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Heroes ‘N Heels needs a few good men to fight breast cancer

By Kyle LoJacono

Without a mammogram, Vivian Noland probably would not be alive today.
“In December of 2009, I noticed that my right breast had some redness, so I decided to go for a mammogram,” Noland said. “The mammogram report informed me that I needed to have a biopsy. I had no insurance and didn’t know what I was going to do. A dear friend told me about the Breast Care Center at (University Community Hospital), and I went there not knowing what was going to happen.”

Jim Hackman, vice president of human resources for UCH, displays the high heels he will wear in the event. (Photos by Kyle LoJacono)

When she got to University Community Hospital (UCH) she met breast center clinical navigator and Lutz resident Theresa Winsey.
“She was embarrassed because she couldn’t pay for her treatment,” Winsey said. “With the economy being the way it is and people losing their jobs, we’re finding more and more people without insurance. That’s why Heroes ‘N Heels is so important to us because we don’t want to tell people we can’t help them.”
The event started three years ago and has raised nearly $150,000 to give free mammograms to women without health insurance, according to UCH spokesman Will Darnall. He said every $100 raised by the event is another free mammogram for women who would not otherwise get one.
Winsey said other services also are provided with the money for those women. She said neither she nor anyone in her family has had the disease, but she faces it on a daily basis and has seen how the program has helped save lives.
“We’ve diagnosed nine or 10 with breast cancer from the free mammograms last year alone, so the donations really do make a difference in detection,” Winsey said. “… It’s very important to start getting tested because younger women are getting it. I have two women right now who are under the age of 40 being treated for cancer. Yearly screenings save lives.”
Despite the amount of money raised during the last few years, Darnall said “the well has run dry” and to continue to offer the free service, they need community support at the event.
To participate, men need to either donate or get people to donate money to sponsor their walk, which goes around the campus at UCH and the LifeHope building that houses the Breast Care Center. The event starts at 9 a.m. Oct. 2 at 3100 Fletcher Ave with registration at 8 a.m.
While it is advertised as “walking a mile in her shoes,” the actual trek is much shorter, but the catch is the men have to do it in high heels.
“I’ve noticed over the years the husbands and partners of women with breast cancer usually feel very helpless because they think they can’t do anything,” Winsey said. “This is a way to help in the fight. We don’t care how much people want to donate. We’ll take $5 because every little bit helps.”
Last year 60 men participated and Winsey expects about 75 this year. One of those walking is UCH vice president of human resources Jim Hackman. He said there are two main reasons he joined in.
“For one certainly it’s the right thing to do, and two my wife (Terra) is a breast cancer survivor,” Hackman said. “It’s been 12 years. So every opportunity I have to help in the fight against breast cancer I do it.”
It will not be the first time Hackman has worn high heels, but that is only because he has participated in the event the last three years.
“I have a whole new respect for women at this time every year because this is about the most painful thing that you can do to your feet,” Hackman said. “I have to be very careful to stay away from the cracks in the pavement so I don’t break a heel and I usually finish in the back of the pack.
Winsey said her husband, Paul, will also be in the walk, as are a lot of his friends.
“The day after the first time he did it his calves were killing him,” Winsey said. “He could hardly feel his feet. He’s a huge advocate for this though and gets everyone he knows to join in. He sees how it helps people.”
The pain is worth it to help women like Noland.
“I am most grateful for the love and attention that I received from the Breast Care Center, knowing that I did not have any insurance or money to pay for my care,” Noland said. “They treated me like I was a part of their family.”
To sign up for the walk or for more information, call Nikki Powers at (813) 615-7663 or e-mail . People can also show up with donations the day of the event.

If you go
What: Heroes ‘N Heels
Where: UCH’s Breast Care Center, 3100 Fletcher Ave.
When: Oct. 2 from 8 to 10 a.m.
To register: (813) 615-7663,

Foreclosures hit Pasco County hardest in bay area

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By B.C. Manion

Lake Front Drive, in the Pine Ridge subdivision of Wesley Chapel, offers a microcosm of what’s happening in today’s local housing market.
There’s a house in foreclosure that’s up for sale, and another being sold in a short sale. There’s a for sale sign stuck in the lawn in front of one house and a for lease sign planted in front of another.

These real estate signs help tell the story of today’s housing market. (Photos by B.C. Manion)

In neighborhoods scattered throughout Pasco County, the story is much the same. There are houses being offered for sale or for rent. And overgrown weeds in front of houses —on blocks of otherwise neatly manicured lawns — announce that whoever once lived there no longer does.
RealtyTrac, a California-based company that tracks foreclosures recently reported that Pasco County had a 60 percent increase in foreclosures, compared with August 2009. The number of foreclosures increased from July to August of this year by 43 percent, according to company figures.
By comparison, Hillsborough County fared better — with a 30 percent increase in foreclosures in August, compared to the previous year’s figure for that month, and an increase of less than 9 percent from July to August.
In actual figures, Hillsborough had one foreclosure in every 171 homes, while Pasco had one in every 136. Florida had one in every 155, a rate of 2.5 times the national average, according to RealtyTrac.
RealtyTrac’s report incorporates documents filed during all three phases of foreclosure, default notices, scheduled auctions and bank repossessions.
Local real estate agents said there are a lot of dynamics at play in the rising foreclosure rates.
“It’s complicated,” said Carl Stratton, of Dennis Realty & Investment, 1022 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. in Lutz.
“We have people from all around the country who bought here,” Stratton said, but many of those investors are letting the houses go through strategic foreclosures.
“In this market, it has become almost common place that people aren’t paying,” Stratton said.
Russell Adams, of Russell Adams Realty, 2502 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, has noticed the same trend.
“These are people who have the ability to pay. It’s a business decision,” Adams said. “It’s going to mess up their credit for awhile,” he said, but that doesn’t seem to bother them.
Unemployment is also playing a role, Stratton said. Families with two wage earners may be down to one, or none — making it impossible for them to meet their previous mortgage payments.
Tougher credit requirements are also making it harder for people to get into the market, Stratton said.
While the economy continues to struggle, Stratton said his office has seen sales improving slowly.
Both he and Adams think it is an excellent time to invest.
“The best time to buy real estate is right now — this very second,” Adams said. The price of real estate and excellent interest rates make for great deals, he said.
“The interest rates are at historical lows. In the 4s. It’s phenomenal. It’s unspeakable,” Adams said. He also noted that the quality of home construction is better than it has ever been because of strict hurricane standards.
Both Stratton and Adams said the demand for rental housing is hot.
Home ownership is decreasing and rental demand is up, Stratton said. Part of the demand is because poverty — at its highest rate since 1994 — qualifies more people for government subsidized housing, he said.
Adams said that people are wary about the real estate market, but said that prices are stable to improving, based on the multiple listing services for 2008. Adams predicts there will be even more improvement after the November election.

Rasmussen College plans new campus in Land O’ Lakes

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By B.C. Manion

Pasco and Hillsborough county college students will have another option next year, when Rasmussen College opens its Central Pasco Campus at SR 54 and Sunlake Boulevard.
The 25,000-square-foot building, now under construction, will offer both traditional and online courses. It is expected to open in July 2011.

Rendering of East Pasco Campus of Rasmussen College

The campus will offer bachelor’s and associate’s degree programs through the college’s schools of business, technology and design, nursing, justice studies, education and allied health.
The college pays close attention to what is happening in the marketplace, to ensure that its curriculum is relevant, said Claire Walker, campus president for the Pasco County campuses of Rasmussen College. It works with the community to prepare graduates to be ready to enter the work force, in fields where there is a demand.
The college deliberately selected the SR 54 location because of its convenient location. It is easily accessible from Interstate 75 and from the Suncoast Parkway, Walker said. It also will provide a straight shot into Hillsborough County when the Sunlake Boulevard extension is completed in future years.
The college also liked the location because it is close to a 72-acre site where T. Rowe Price plans to build an office complex that may one day employ up to 1,600 workers.
T. Rowe Price bought the site at the southwest corner of SR 54 and the planned extension of Sunlake Boulevard on July 1, 2009 for $13.5 million, said Brian Lewbart, spokesman for the investment management company, based in Baltimore, Md.
“We did purchase the property with an eye toward having that site for a future expansion in the Tampa area,” Lewbert said.
Economic conditions have put that plan in a holding pattern for now.
“The timeline for our expansion is not certain,” Lewbert said. The company initially would construct one or two buildings of 150,000 square feet and would have room to grow, he said.
The project would represent the first time the company owned land for an operation in Tampa, he added. The plan would be to shift employees working at its leased office space in Tampa to the Pasco site.
The college would like to establish a relationship with T. Rowe Price, Walker said, especially for students in its business programs.
Tuition for Rasmussen College ranges from $395 to $420 a credit hour, with programs requiring about 180 hours for completion, Walker said. Scholarships and financial aid are available for students who qualify, and the college attempts to work with students to help them arrange a schedule that accommodates work and family life.
Walker said she expects the new facility to open with a staff of about 10 people and to gradually add students and staff members. At full capacity, she expects it to have about 1,000 students and 50 to 60 staff members.
Besides opening the new facility, Rasmussen is moving its Rasmussen College West Pasco facility, now located in Holiday, to a new location in New Port Richey. It expects the New Port Richey facility to be open for students in January.
For additional information about the Rasmussen College, go to www.Rasmussen.edu.