Special to The Laker/Lutz News

SR 54 work closes once-busy pumps at interchange

By Kyle LoJacono

The project to widen SR 54 has forced the closing of several Wesley Chapel businesses, including multiple gas stations. Drivers looking for fuel are out of luck from I-75 east all the way to Morris Bridge Road/Eiland Boulevard, a stretch of about seven miles.

“It hasn’t really been a problem for me because I make sure to fill up either in Zephyrhills or in Land O’ Lakes,” said Vonnie Mikkelsen, who frequents the road. “I imagine it could be a problem for those who drive it less frequently and don’t know where the stations are.”
Mikkelsen, executive director of the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, is one of an estimated 38,000 drivers who travels through that 3.5-mile construction zone each day, a drive that, until recently, took her past four gas stations. The Hess at SR 54 and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard removed its pumps this month.
But drivers will not have to worry for long, according to station manager Luz Breton.
“We are only shutting down for about two months from selling gas,” Breton said. “We’ll be selling gas again Aug. 1. We had to close because of all the construction going on. It wasn’t safe for customers with all the big equipment and with us being so close to the road.”
The Hess station was still opened for snacks as of June 24. Shepherd said the Citgo, Hess and Race Trac were being compensated by the county, but did not elaborate as to how much.
Pasco Chief Project Manager Robert Shepherd said, like Hess, two of the other gas stations are expected to resume fuel sales in the future, including the Citgo gas station at SR 54 and Boyette Road and Race Trac at SR 54 between Wendy’s and Walgreens. While Citgo remains open as a convenience store, Race Trac is boarded shut. Shepherd was unsure of plans for the Shell station on the north side of SR 54, the first of the four to close.
Gas stations are not the only businesses affected, as the county spent $74.2 million acquiring land for the long-awaited expansion of SR 54. A total of eight businesses had to move in order to complete to project, according to Pasco project manager John Chiarelli.
Heritage Ford, 928739 SR 54 W., did not have to move or redesign its facility, but the project did change one facet of the business, at least for now.
“We had an account with the Hess station to fill up cars we’re selling, but now we are using the Circle K west of I-75,” said Heritage general manager Rich Dearborn. “It was a little inconvenience, but nothing major.”
Dearborn said the problems have been minimal: “Really things have been business as usual for us at Heritage Ford. It’ll make things better once it’s done and the construction guys have been very accommodating. There’s good communication and they are trying very hard not to hurt business.”
The SR 54 project, which began March 29, is expected to take 21 months to complete. Add David West to the list of people who will happily endure the delay. West is executive director of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.
“I haven’t heard from people really complaining about it, but it is harder to pull into and see some of the businesses with the construction going on,” West continued. “They’ve put up signs for the businesses which helps, but it’s still sometimes hard to see them…In the end all the businesses will be better off once the project is finished and more people travel on State Road 54.”
And even if Mikkelsen cannot stop for gas on the torn-up stretch of road between work in Zephyrhills and home in Land O’ Lakes, the inconvenience is a small price to pay for the larger reward.
“I’m for connectivity of east Pasco. Zephyrhills has a fast growing economy and improved roads will bring businesses and clientele to this side of the county,” she said.
In the meantime, drivers can find gas on the west side of the interstate.

After $74.2 land buy, county plans ahead for future work
It cost the county $74.2 million to buy the land for the project, mostly because of the number of businesses on the property. The construction, which is being completed by Pepper Contraction Services of Clearwater, comes at a $28 million price tag while planning and design was $3 million.
The total project cost $105.2 million to complete, a record high for a Pasco County project, according to Pasco County Project Management Division. The project, which will make SR 54 six lanes from I-75 to Curley Road, is about 15 percent complete and is a little ahead of schedule.
“Row acquisition was expensive,” said Pasco commission chairwomen Pat Mulieri. “We’ve learned from our mistakes. We have a row preservation board now that requires row be given when business come in. In the future this will reduce costs.”
Mulieri said as development continues along, SR 54 will be widened further east toward US 301 in Zephyrhills. Future cost to widen the road should be reduced as future businesses along the highway will have to follow the row preservation ordinance and because development near the road east of Curley is light.
“Hopefully (it will) bring in jobs so people can work, live and play in their immediate area,” Mulieri said. “It will help us realize our mission, ‘bringing opportunities home.’”

By Suzanne Schmidt

Every year children come from throughout the area to learn wakeboarding tricks like jumping the wake and doing 180s.
Land O’ Lakes Marine has hosted the wakeboarding camp for more than 10 years. Ben Hipps has helped to instruct the class in the past but this year he is the main instructor. Hipps is getting help to teach the class from Jake Nelson. Both have been wakeboarding for eight years.

“We are teaching them how to do tricks,” Nelson said. “It feels good to see them do a trick.”
Ben Hipps said when he sees the kids learn a new trick it helps him realize he is doing a good job.
“It is a big relief when I see it,” Hipps said. “They are so happy when they get it right and so am I. This is what the camp is all about.”
Some children attending the camp already knew some skills like 13-year-old Lutz resident Austin Yeloushan. He has been wakeboarding for a year-and-a-half.
“I like it,” Yeloushan said. “I like that I am learning new tricks like how to do a 180. I think it is really fun to get in the water. Being able to jump the waves is really fun.”
Others attended the camp to fine-tune the tricks they already know while learning new ones like Land O’ Lakes resident Tyler Minnick, 14. He has been wakeboarding since he was 10.
“I wanted to take the camp because I want to learn how to flip,” Minnick said. “I am learning to do a 180 but it is hard. I know how to jump a good distance now.”
Minnick said he has learned a lot.
“I learned that sometimes I don’t do a jump right,” Minnick said. “I think I am getting better at it though. It is nice to work with someone who knows what they are doing. It is nice to have someone who can teach me even when it gets to be frustrating.”
Jessica Minnick, Tyler’s stepmother, said she loves that Tyler gets to go to a wakeboarding camp to learn since he wants to be a professional wake boarder one day.

“He is so excited about the camp,” Minnick said. “He is learning new tricks. It is really good for his self-esteem and it is also a great overall body workout. I love that the camp is building his self-confidence.”

Savannah Fondrk, 10, came all the way from Clearwater to participate in the camp.

“I think it is really, really fun,” Fondrk said. “If I had to pick another summer camp, I would do this again. I have been wakeboarding four years and I can jump and do a surface 180. I am working on doing a 180 in the air and grabbing the board in the air.”
Land O’ Lakes Marine, 3208 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., will offer more camps in June and July. For more information, visit www.landolakesmarine.com or call (813) 909-9200.

By Suzanne Schmidt

An evening full of entertainment, fair food and a finale of fireworks will be in store for visitors to Sparklebration.
The Pasco County Fairgrounds, 37622 SR 52, will be full of vendors serving everything from candied apples, corn dogs and funnel cakes along with entertainment and lots of activities for children. The event starts at 4 p.m. July 4 and will end after the fireworks that are slated to start at 9:15 p.m.

Tracy Thompson is on the board of directors for the Pasco County Fair Association as well as the co-chair of the event. He said he loves to volunteer to organize the event because it is such an important celebration since it is the only place in Pasco County where people can see a professional fireworks display on the Fourth.
Visitors to the fair will be entertained by a magician show by Steven Marcus, an Elvis impersonator Kenn E. Grube and the animal show Amazing Animals Around the World in the Dan Cannon Auditorium. Also, parachutists will drop from the sky carrying American flags at 5:15 p.m.
“Ken and Greg Suarez will be showing animals from around the world,” Thompson said. “They will show how animals and people get along in the ecosystem. I think it is a good show to have because people need to learn more about the ecosystem with what is going on in the Gulf. You could say that is the going green part of the event.”
Ashley Shannon of Zephyrhills will be singing country at the event at 5:30 p.m. at the Dan Cannon Auditorium and at 7:15 p.m. on the outdoor stage. She said she plans to sing a few of her originals and some covers from her favorite country singers Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert.
“It is fun to go to Sparklebration and just hang out with my friends and family and eat junk food,” Shannon said. “I like singing where I can when I can. I like to sing at Sparklebration because I get to perform and see fireworks when I am done.”
Before the fireworks, The Dennis Lee Show will perform at 8 p.m. on the outdoor stage.

“Dennis Lee is a favorite in the fair market,” Thompson said. “He plays pop, country and a little bit of rock and roll with some comedy in the show as well. He has been at the fair before. He really pulls a crowd.”
Fran Goh will paint faces and Fritzy Brothers, a one-man circus, will stroll the fairgrounds entertaining visitors.
There will be plenty of entertainment for children this year as well.
“We wanted to add something for the kids to do,” Thompson said. “We will have carnival games and bounce houses and slides.”
Carnival fare will be available including barbecue sandwiches, cotton candy, popcorn, candied apples, hotdogs, corn dogs, fried chicken, boiled peanuts, pizza, Italian ice, ice cream and kettle corn.
“We have added Mexican food this year as well,” Thompson said. “We have also brought back funnel cakes because they are so popular.”
One big draw is the eating contests.
“The apple pie eating contest, watermelon eating contest and the hot dog eating contests seem to be a big hit,” Thompson said. “We have five age categories and the first 15 to sign up for the contest get to compete. The winners get a trophy.”
The fireworks by Zambelli Fireworks are scheduled to launch at 9:15 p.m. Attendees are invited to bring chairs and blankets to watch the fireworks. Thompson said some people show up as early as 4 p.m. to just hang out and wait.
Thompson said the most important thing he wants people to know is that the event is funded by the nonprofit Pasco County Fair Association.
“We need people to realize we don’t receive any funding from the county whatsoever,” Thompson said. “We are a nonprofit organization and we are only able purchase the fireworks and pay for the entertainment because of our sponsors. We do this because it is our way of giving back to the community.”
The volunteers who do everything from work the front gate to the people coordinating the entertainment and the food make the fair possible. Thompson himself has been a volunteer for 12 years with the organization.
“It takes many volunteers to put this on,” Thompson said. “All the people that work the fair are volunteers. If not for the volunteers, we would not be able to put this on.”
The cost is $5 for parking and $3 for admission for adults. Children ages 10 and younger are admitted free. For more information, visit www.sparklebration.com or call (352) 567-6678.

By Suzanne Schmidt

When many people think of the Fourth of July, they think of fireworks.
At Sparklebration in Dade City, visitors will be treated to a high-intensity show by Zambelli Fireworks with all different colors and types of fireworks exploding in the sky.
Mason Meyer is the southeast regional office manager for Zambelli. He is also a trained firework technician at the 120-year-old company. With so many shows and options of different types of fireworks, Meyer said each show is different.
“It just depends on who the fireworks technician is,” Meyer said. “There will be a typical opening then the main body of the show will be high intensity and then there will be a finale. We pride ourselves in having the largest finale in the fireworks industry.”
He said he had to go to a lot of training through the American Pyrotechnic Association, a national group of advocates for the safety of fireworks.
“I had to do a combination of classroom and hands-on training,” Meyer said. “All of our technicians have gone through the training. I have two goals, keeping the technicians and the crowd safe. We always try to put on a good quality show, but not at the sake of safety.”
The southeast office he works at is in Boca Raton. He said his company will put on 500 to 600 shows the weekend of July 4, with 55 of those shows in Florida.
Even though safety is the first priority, quality is a close second.
“We try to select the best fireworks that will give the best effect,” Meyer said. “We work with different manufacturers to get specific colors and effects. We go to specific manufacturers for specific colors like red peony or blue chrysanthemum. We also shop around for the best effects like sparkling palm trees, hearts and smiley faces.”
Meyer said he tries to please the crowd.
“Some of the crowd favorites are the Saturn shells and the titanium salutes,” Meyer said. “The Saturn shells shoot up and they look like Saturn with the ring around it. The titanium shells are good for the people who love the noise. They send up brilliant white flashes and are really loud.”
Fireworks by Santore and Sons in Bunnell provides fireworks to Zambelli Fireworks as well as companies and organizations throughout the world.
Anthony Santore is the CEO and vice president of the company that his grandfather August Santore started in 1890. The company manufactures theatrical pyrotechnics for all different venues in the entertainment industry including theme parks and sporting events. The company also employs technicians to set off the fireworks.
Santore said many people do not realize the amount of work that goes into manufacturing a firework.
“It is a long process to a finished product,” Santore said. “We start with a chemical mixed with component parts. The chemical is then loaded into the casing. There is a long process to wrap the casings.”
Fireworks have not changed much through the years except in the way they are launched.
“Many modern pyrotechnics are based on a cannon style rather than a rocket style meaning they don’t have their own propellant,” Santore said. “The height and the burst time of the pyrotechnic is controlled by the time and amount of charge.”
The process of manufacturing fireworks is very complex.
“We have to follow a certain set of procedures to reproduce the same effects again and again,” Santore said. “It takes months and months of preparation for any holiday. We have some custom machinery that does a few of the pieces but all the fireworks are made by hand. It is no different than manufacturing other explosive materials.”
Santore said there are two different kinds of effects.
“There is the Saturn shell and the pattern shell,” Santore said. “Each one produces a different pattern in the sky, which is done by the casing. There are a lot of formulas and geometry involved.”
A popular firework is the weeping willow shell, which is made of a slow burning compound.
“It is made with a symmetrical break of stars that are designed to burn for a longer duration,” Santore said. “When the stars reach the outer position they start burning and continue to burn as they fall.”
Safety is the most important thing at Santore’s manufacturing plant.
“Our facilities are regulated by federal, state and on the local level,” Santore said. “We have our employees go through extreme background checks, drug testing and preemptive screening and training. Once a person is hired, they apprentice for a year before they are given their own task. Then after that they are paired up with a trained technician. It is a very long process before they can become the crew lead.”
For more information about Fireworks by Santore and Sons, visit www.santorepyro.com. For more information about Zambelli Fireworks, visit www.zambellifireworks.com.

By Kyle LoJacono

The Lutz Independence Day Celebration is set for July 3 at Bullard Park next to the Lutz Branch Library despite past uncertainty from the Hillsborough County government.
“Things will go like normal,” said Lutz Guv’na Suzin Carr, one of the event organizers. “All the festivities are set to go for the Lutz and surrounding communities to come and enjoy.”

The uncertainty came from the Hillsborough Parks, Recreation and Conservation Department’s policy to charge groups who use county buildings, but that fee has been waived for the annual Lutz celebration. The department operates Bullard Park, the Lutz Train Depot and the Lutz Community Center.
“That parade and celebration in Lutz is what we consider a core community event and therefore all the normal park fees to use the park don’t apply,” said department spokesman John Brill.
The 2010 event is the 63rd time the community has put on the celebration, according to Eleanor Cecil of the Lutz Civic Association.
“It really is a great community event,” Carr said. “My family have gone every year since we moved here seven or so years ago. I’m hoping we have a big crowd to take in the festivities.”
The event will begin with a 5K (5 kilometers or 3.1 miles) race starting at 8 a.m. at the community center.
“It’s a community center run,” said race director Terry Donovan. “It’s really nice because you get to run right by all the houses on (W.) Lutz-Lake Fern Road and Crooked Lane. The community is literally just all around you.”
There will be male and female divisions in various age groups. The usual 1-mile fun run for kids is at the same time, but that race will have age and gender divisions for the first time this year.

Those interested in running the race can sign up by visiting www.active.com, by calling Donovan at (813) 949-6659 or by going to Vanns Auto Shop in Lutz across from the community center and filling out a registration form. The 5K is $15 if people register before or $20 the day of the race. The fun run is $8 for those who sign up early and $10 on July 3.
Opening ceremonies will include a flag ceremony following the race at about 8:30 a.m. and the parade will start at 10 a.m. The parade’s theme this year is “Lutz Supports Our Troops.”
“We had a committee that included people like myself and members of the (Lutz-Land O’ Lakes) Women’s Club and the (Lutz) Civic Association,” Carr said. “When we came up with the idea for the theme everyone immediately voted for it…The Fourth of July is when a lot of people remember veterans and soldiers and we wanted to show our support for the troops as a town.”
The Lutz Patriots will have a float in the parade, which will end around noon.
Area vendors will be selling food and other Independence Day related items throughout the event. The patriots will also have a booth to collect donations to send to the troops, as will Treats for the Troops, an organization started by Land O’ Lakes resident Karin King.  King sends cookies and other treats to active soldiers serving out of the country.
Other events at the celebration include a cake contest, awards for the best float and the next Lutz Guv’na will be announced after the parade. Those in contention for the yearly position are J.R. Roche, Laurie Jennings, Stephanie Ensor and Colin Cook. The candidate who has raised the most money for area charities during the last few months will claim the title.
“For me it’ll be bittersweet,” Carr said. “It’s been tough realizing my time as Guv’na is coming to an end. It’s been terrific meeting so many people and being able to do so many things in the community.”
While the celebration can go on as scheduled, those organizing the event are still looking for volunteers to help with set up and clean up. In the past Hillsborough offered help with such duties with its special events team, but that group was cut during last year’s county budget crunch.
“We are absolutely still looking for volunteers, especially to help at the kids craft station,” Carr said. “We also need some people to monitor trash cans to make sure they don’t overflow. All those people have to do is take the bag out, tie it off and put a new bag in. Someone else will pick it up.”
Those interested in volunteering at the event should call Carr at (813) 453-5256 or e-mail her at .

Board votes 6-2 to raise rates $1.05 per month

By Kyle LoJacono

The average family will see its water bill increase about $12 a year as Tampa Bay Water’s board of directors voted to raise rates by 5.53 percent June 21.
It was not the increase first projected, but Tampa Bay Water will be allowed to raise its rates for the next fiscal year starting Oct. 1.
Tampa Bay Water’s board, which is made up of politicians from Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties, voted 6-2 June 21 to increase the price of water by $1.05 per month for those using 8,000 gallons. That is an increase of about 5.53 percent.

Michelle Rapp, spokeswoman for Tampa Bay Water, said the group had wanted an increase of $1.52 for every 8,000 gallons. The rate increase is needed because the supplier is not selling enough water to make its budget.
“People’s conservation has been part of the case, but it’s not all because of that,” said Koni Cassini, Tampa Bay Water director of finance and administration “We have also seen a decrease because of the very wet winter. People don’t need to water their lawns or plants because of the recent weather. On top of that, the down economy has unfortunately led to many foreclosures and obviously those houses aren’t using any water either.”
Tampa Bay Water is the wholesaler of water to public utilities in the three counties and also to the cities of Tampa, New Port Richey and St. Petersburg. Everyone in non-incorporated areas of Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas and residents of those three cities will see their rates increase.
Zephyrhills, Dade City, San Antonio and St. Leo have their own water supply. Also, those who get water from a well will not be affected.
The supplier’s board has nine members. Hillsborough commissioners Al Higginbotham and Mark Sharpe voted against the increase, while New Port Richey Mayor Scott McPherson was not present.
Pasco Commissioner Ted Schrader said he was against raising the price to $1.52 in April and said he wanted to see Tampa Bay Water work more on cutting costs before he would vote for any increase.
“I was in favor of it now for a couple reasons,” Schrader said. “First, Tama Bay Water has done a good job finding alternative water sources from ground water. That is the easiest and cheapest source, but to preserve the ecosystems in Tampa Bay they have developed surface water and desalinization sources, which are more expensive.
“Also we saw them reduce their budget to bring the cost done for the public,” Schrader continued. “The reduction was significant and they had to reduce the number of employees, but in the end they will be able to provide safe water to the public and maintain financial stability. I’m confident they did all they could to bring the price down.”
Schrader represents county district 1, which covers all of Zephyrhills, Dade City, San Antonio and much of Wesley Chapel. He has been on Tampa Bay Water’s board since 2000.
Cassini said the budget for Tampa Bay Water was projected to be $163 million for the 2010-11 year in April, down from $176 million from this year, but that number dropped again to $160 million for the final approval.
The increase is on the price of water only, not other expenses on water bills such as the cost of storm sewers. Those using exactly 8,000 gallons per month will pay $12.60 more a year.
Rapp said the increase is given for those using 8,000 gallons a month because that is what the average family of four uses. The amount will be different based on how much water is used, making it more expensive for those who use more water like the Pasco School District.
While the price of water will be a larger part of the school budget next year, the school board had already planned for the increase. They projected the price of water to increase by 10 percent, according to district spokeswoman Summer Romangnoli.
The six areas that buy the water from Tampa Bay Water together fund the development of new supplies, share in environmental stewardship and pay the same wholesale water rates according the utility’s Web site, www.tampabaywater.org. It provides 186 million gallons of water each day to about 2.4 million Tampa Bay residents and was formed in 1998.
“We are an extension of the member government and are a nonprofit,” Rapp said. “We only pass along our costs to the consumer. We don’t make money beyond what it takes to fund our facilities.”

By Sarah Whitman

Medical testing can be scary, exhausting and overwhelming.
A new nuclear medicine technology offered at Pasco Regional Medical Center was designed to make patients feel more comfortable.
The hospital is now the only hospital in the county with the BrightView nuclear imaging system, or gamma camera, from Philips Medical Systems. With the BrightView system, technicians can perform noninvasive diagnostic tests faster and with greater accuracy.

“The speed is a lot faster so patients don’t spend as much time in an uncomfortable position,” said Patty Camunas, assistant director of diagnostic imagining and nuclear medicine supervisor for the hospital.
Pasco Regional Medical has used nuclear imaging since the late 1990s and has always remained determined to keep up with the latest advancements. They received the new BrightView machine in mid June. It was ready for patient testing June 22 and there were no problems with the system, which includes a table able to hold up to 450 pounds.
The BrightView is used for thyroid, cardiac, abdominal, neurological and bone scans. All of the images are recorded electronically and accessible to the doctors by computer, where the picture appears flawless.
“I’ve only been a technician for four years and even compared to what we were using when I was in school, this technology is so much better,” said nuclear medicine technician Kevin Judd.
Camunas said the new technology helps doctors determine the best treatment options and rule out serious, sometimes life-threatening, medical conditions.
“The new technology produces a clear, crisper image that is easier for doctors to read and interpret,” she said. “Because everything is electronic, the doctors can view the results whenever, even after the technicians have gone home, which makes it better for patients because they can get their results faster.”
Nuclear imaging allows doctors to see how a body part is working, so it is commonly used to diagnose problems like gallbladder and liver disease. It also provides more reliable results and treatment staging for diseases including cancer. The technology can help prevent patients from having to undergo invasive surgical diagnostic procedures and biopsies. This also eliminates the need for anesthesia and other medications with potentially harmful side effects.
“Because the technology is precise, we are able to cut down on patient discomfort,” said Katie Bryant, marketing coordinator for the hospital. “There are no known side effects from the machines and after the procedure, patients can return to normal activities.”

Depending on the type of exam scheduled, a patient can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to approximately three hours in Pasco Regional’s nuclear imaging department. Actual imaging time can range from 15 minutes to about one hour. The new technology has sped things up drastically.
“Our cardiac scans were 15 minutes and now they are a little under six minutes,” Camunas said. “Patients are happy about that.”
Pasco Regional Medical Center is at 13100 Fort King Road in Dade City. For more information, visit www.pascoregionalmc.com.