The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Land O' Lakes News

Parking lot upgrades planned at rec center

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Florida Parking Inc., doing business as Yellow Dawg Striping of West Central Florida, has been awarded a bid to repair and resurface the existing parking lot at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center Complex, off Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The bid was awarded in an amount to exceed $249,516, according to agenda backup materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Oct. 12 meeting.

The county sent automatic email notices to 142 vendors, including 19 from Pasco County.

Additionally, 20 manually searched for and downloaded the solicitation, including two from Pasco.

The parks, recreation and natural resources department requested the bid be awarded to Yellow Dawg, and the purchasing department concurred.

There was no discussion by commissioners, who approved the bid award as part of the county board’s consent agenda.

The project will be paid for with parks, recreation and natural resources budget for fiscal year 2022.

Published October 20, 2021

Moffitt and Pasco Schools have big plans

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Pasco County Schools and Moffitt Cancer Center envision great possibilities of working together when the school district builds its planned 6-12 magnet STEAM school on land near Moffitt’s planned campus in Land O’ Lakes.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, recently updated the school board about a meeting between school district and Moffitt staff members.

“We had our first real, live, meeting with the administrative staff of Moffitt Cancer Center. And, it went really very, very well,” Gadd told the school board on Oct. 5.

“On the Angeline property, as the crow flies, is kind of back behind Land O’ Lakes High School, Moffitt is putting in a hospital and a big research center, and we have a school right across the street,” Gadd said.

“That school, we’ll start construction on that, I think, about mid-October. We’ll probably be the first building up out there. And, we are currently working with Moffitt and Pasco-Hernando State College to develop a very unique school setting.”

The campus will serve students in grades six through 12.

“More than likely, the upper classmen will have an opportunity to interact in the Moffitt hospital, with Moffitt researchers; (and) participate in apprentice programs and internships.

“It would be something that is very unique to the Pasco school system,” Gadd said, noting that Dr. Kim Moore, assistant superintendent who oversees the district’s career and technical programs, was at the meeting, as well as Dr. Monica Ilse, assistant superintendent for high schools, and Steve Hegarty, public information officer.

“We had a very, very positive reception from the Moffitt folks,” Gadd said.

In remarks to her school board colleagues, Cynthia Armstrong said it’s exciting “that we’re going to have a magnet school right next to their campus, which is going to be huge. So, we’re very excited about that.”

That meeting was a follow-up to a previous session between Gadd and Dr. Patrick Hwu, president and CEO of Moffitt.

Gadd previously briefed school board members about his meeting with Hwu.

During that briefing, Gadd told board members that he’d “heard through the grapevine that he (Hwu) was a big supporter of education, public education.”

But Gadd added: “My meeting with him was beyond expectations. I went there with a few ideas and he had hundreds of ideas about how our new STEM magnet in the Angeline area could be a partner with Moffitt.”

Gadd noted: “We’d have to work through all kinds of legal issues, as he and I discussed, but having students actually sit in, participate in procedures, surgeries, internships. Having graduate students and doctors actually come to the school building and teach courses and work with us, district-wide on virtual programs for kids, who are in nursing programs, health programs, biomedical engineering and those kinds of things.

“He was exuberant, and we made arrangements to connect my staff with his staff. I am really looking forward to the potential we have to work with Moffitt,” Gadd said.

Funding for the construction of the district’s planned 6-12 school in Land O’ Lakes was approved on Oct. 5, when the school board adjourned, then reconvened as the Pasco County School Board Leasing Corporation to approve $85 million in financing that will pay for the lease‐purchase financing of that school, and projects Hudson and Gulf high schools.

The new Angeline mixed-use community — which is being billed as a wellness-themed community — will be developed on thousands of acres of land, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52.

Moffitt plans to create a massive research and corporate innovation district.

Site entitlements for Moffitt’s project, which encompass 24 million square feet, include plans for a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multiyear, multiphase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.

The school district’s new school in Angeline will be designed for 1,694 student stations, which at 90% capacity translates to about 1,530 students, according to a previous report in The Laker/Lutz News.

The school board hired Ajax Building Company at its Sept. 15, 2020 meeting to do pre-construction work at the 6-12 STEAM school site.

The school is planned on an 18.8-acre site within Angeline, south of State Road 52, north of the future Ridge Road extension and west of Sunlake Boulevard, according to Ajax’s website.

“Campus plans include a one-story administration area, a one-story dining and multipurpose area with a full kitchen, two-story media, band and art areas, and a four-story classroom wing, with all areas connected by a one-story and two-story atrium/central corridor, the website post says.

The site development also includes “walkway canopies, aluminum shade system, fencing, walking trail, sidewalks, chiller/generator plan, site lighting, underground utilities, landscaping and irrigation,” according to information posted by Ajax.

Harvard Jolly is the architect on the school district project.

Published October 13, 2021

Retired Land O’ Lakes pastor receives special diocesan honor

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Monsignor Ron Aubin, retired pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, has received the 2021 Father Luis de Cancer Distinguished Priestly Service Award.

The distinction was presented by Bishop Gregory Parkes during the annual convocation for priestly renewal, according to an item published by Gulf Coast Catholic.

Every year, since 1998, the Diocese of St. Petersburg, has honored one priest who best exemplifies selfless and dedicated service to the people of God.

Retired pastor Monsignor Ronald Aubin — or Father Ron, as he was known around Our Lady of the Rosary parish — recently received a special distinction from Bishop Gregory Parkes, of the Diocese of St. Petersburg. This photo shows Aubin celebrating mass to mark his 40th anniversary. Aubin said he was raised in an environment ‘where Christ was the center of our lives.’ (Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church)

This year, Aubin’s service was singled out.

During his active ministry in the St. Petersburg diocese, Aubin served as Parochial Vicar of Corpus Christi Parish, Temple Terrace (from 1986 to 1987); St. Jude Cathedral Parish, St. Petersburg (1987 to 1990); and Light of Christ Parish, Clearwater (1990 to 1994).

He was appointed pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Parish, in Land O’ Lakes, on July 1, 1994, according to the Gulf Coast Catholic report.

He served at Our Lady of the Rosary for 27 years, until his retirement on July 1, according to a profile about the pastor published by The Laker/Lutz News shortly before Aubin retired.

In that story, the pastor talked about his time in the parish, which he led through two relocations, construction projects, rapid growth, the Great Recession and the COVID-19 pandemic.

During Aubin’s time there, Our Lady of the Rosary grew from about 830 families to more than 3,000. It reached its peak in membership before the Great Recession, when many families were forced to relocate to find work.

Beyond high-profile events, Aubin tended to the more intimate — and more regular rituals — of being a parish pastor.

The First Communions he distributed. The homilies he delivered. The marriages and funerals that he officiated.

There were the visits, too, to nursing homes, hospitals and to the jail — where Aubin offered words of comfort and spiritual guidance to others, in a time of need.

He also was involved in a variety of roles in the diocese.

Aubin told The Laker/Lutz News, shortly before his retirement, that his moments of greatest personal joy as a pastor came when three of his parishioners — Israel Hernandez, Kyle Smith and Bill Wilson — were ordained into the priesthood.

Apparently, based on the recent recognition bestowed by Bishop Parkes, Aubin’s work did not go unnoticed.

Published October 13, 2021

Traffic concerns cause rezoning delay

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Saying they want to make sure they get the planning right, the Pasco County Planning Commission continued a rezoning request by Darrell A. and Karen Renner for a proposed 108-home development in Land O’ Lakes.

The request was continued until Nov. 4, when the planning board is scheduled to also consider another nearby rezoning request known as the Clark master-planned unit development (MPUD).

There’s a connection between the two because some right of way is available in the Clark MPUD that could help resolve a traffic circulation concern.

The Renners have requested a rezoning that would allow a new subdivision on 50 acres, on the south side of Bexley Road, about 1 mile west of U.S. 41 and Wisteria Loop.

The site presently is occupied by a residence and some agricultural pursuits, and its current zoning allows a maximum of 19 residences, according to the county’s planning staff.

County planners have recommended approval of the Renner’s request.

They said the proposed density is in keeping with the county’s future land use designations for the area. They also recommend a number of conditions. One condition requires improvements on Bexley Road and Wisteria Loop — to bring both of these substandard roads up to the county’s standards.

Under those conditions, the improvements would be required on Bexley Road, from the project driveway to Wisteria Loop, and on Wisteria Loop, from Bexley Road east to U.S. 41.

Area residents, however, urged the planning board to require a different solution to traffic issues.

They want a realignment of Wisteria Loop, which they say is part of the county’s vision road map.

Ray Gadd, who lives on Wisteria Loop, explained the current scenario to the planning board and what area residents would like to see.

“As it stands now, they (motorists) come to the curve in Wisteria (Loop), and they can go right to Tower (Road) or out to Wisteria Loop,” Gadd said.

If the realignment is constructed, the traffic flow would change.

“What it (vision road) accomplishes is that it essentially makes Bexley a continuous road. So that people coming from the applicant’s property, people coming from the Bexley property, or the future Angeline property would hit Bexley and have a continuous route, without a stop sign, until they hit (U.S.) 41, where they would make a right turn,” Gadd said.

Requiring that approach would be “effective planning,” Gadd contends.

If the planning commission wants to recommend approval of the Renner request, it should require the developer to acquire the right of way needed to make that improvement, Gadd said.

That land is within the proposed Clark MPUD.

Gadd is deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, but made it a point to announce that his appearance was as a private citizen, not in his official capacity.

Jeremy Couch, another Wisteria Road resident, told the planning board: “I feel that the staff’s conditions are completely inadequate for what they want to do.”

He characterized the Renner’s requested development as being “premature.”

Chris Nocco, Pasco County’s sheriff, also spoke at the public hearing. Like Gadd, he announced he was there as a private citizen, not in his official capacity.

Nocco urged the planning board to take a long view when considering the application.

“We want the community, Land O’ Lakes to grow, but to grow smartly,” Nocco said.

“Start those vision roads,” he said, because without them, existing communities are at risk.

“As we start building out Angeline (a massive development planned in Land O’ Lakes), let’s start seeing how it’s going to affect everything else because we don’t want to destroy the communities that are already in place,” Nocco said.

Matthew McClain, who lives on a 3.5-acre property just east of the proposed rezoning, raised issues regarding compatibility.

“My concern is, this will destroy that rural nature. Everything around it is large lots,” he said.

With the proposed rezoning, McClain said, “You’re going to cram 100-plus homes on 34 (upland) acres, in an area where there’s 3-, 5-, 10-acre plots of land. It just doesn’t make any sense.”

Shelly Johnson, the attorney representing the applicant, said her client can make the improvements required in the conditions, or can complete the realignment that’s being proposed.

But it can’t do both, she said.

Johnson asked the planning board to recommend approval and to send the request to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

“From our perspective, we’re doing everything that we’re required to do that other developments do. When you have a road that’s substandard, you bring it up to standard, and that’s what my client agreed to do,” Johnson said.

“We are absolutely doing everything that we can, and that the code requires us to do, in terms of doing improvements to Wisteria Loop, which right now is our access. That’s our way in and out to (U.S.) 41.”

Planning Commission Chairman Charles Grey told his colleagues, the board needs to be sure “that when we do this, we do it right — we have the proper things in place.

“We can’t let an artificial date define how we handle these neighborhoods. I think traffic flow here, is extremely important,” Grey said.

Planning Commissioner Chris Poole agreed.

“We need to get the planning right on this. This is a particularly difficult area that we’re dealing with here,” Poole said.

After additional discussion, the board voted to continue the request until Nov. 4, the same day it is scheduled to consider the rezoning request for the Clark MPUD.

Published October 13, 2021

HVAC upgrade approved for jail

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The Pasco County Commission has approved spending an amount not-to-exceed $238,936 to design and build a heating, air conditioning and ventilation upgrade at the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center.

The medical isolation rooms at the detention center are not meeting the current standards to be considered negative pressure isolation rooms for medial quarantine. This project would replace an air-conditioning unit that is over 20 years old and will install additional venting to meet the required parameters for these rooms to meet current isolation room standards, according to backup materials for the county board’s Sept. 15 meeting.

Updating the system would allow the Detention Center to isolate inmates for COVID-19 purposes.

Published September 29, 2021

Busy intersection subject of public meeting

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Those interested in the future of the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54 are invited to attend a public meeting this week to discuss possible options for improvement.

The Florida Department of Transportation’s District Seven is hosting the meeting, which is set for Sept. 16 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Keystone Community Church, 21010 State Road 54, in Lutz.

Virtual attendance also is available, but registration is required to participate online.

To register, visit the project’s website: https://active.fdotd7studies.com/sr54/us41-at-sr54/.

This aerial view shows the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54. During morning and afternoon rush hours, there are significant backups at the busy intersection in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Florida Department of Transportation)

The FDOT is holding the workshop to give people who are interested the opportunity to provide comments concerning the traffic patterns, design, and social, economic and environmental effects of the proposed improvements.

In addition to the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41, the project study will include areas adjacent to the intersection along the two major roads, according to FDOT materials.

State Road 54 is one of two existing major east-west arterials connecting eastern Pasco County to western Pasco County.

The need for this project has been established based on future traffic demands, future population and employment growth in the area, according to FDOT materials.

Improvements at the U.S. 41/State Road 54 intersection are included in the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) 2035 Cost Affordable Long Range Transportation Plan, as well as the 2035 Regional Long Range Transportation Plan Needs Assessment, which was developed by the West Central Florida MPO’s Chairs Coordinating Committee.

The purpose of this study is to identify and evaluate various alternatives for the U.S. 41/State Road 54 intersection, which will improve the flow of people and goods through the project area by increasing roadway capacity and reducing traffic congestion.

The study will compare the effects each alternative may have on the environment and the surrounding communities, as well as the traveling public, according to FDOT materials.

Across Pasco County, State Road 54 provides connections to several regional north-south routes including U.S. 19, the Suncoast Parkway, U.S. 41, Interstate 75, U.S. 301 and U.S. 98, the FDOT materials note.

“The proposed improvements at the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54 will enhance the overall transportation network linking Pasco County with the Tampa Bay region,” according to FDOT materials.

The options being considered are:

  • Alternative 1: A single-point urban intersection (SPUI), providing an interchange with State Road 54, elevated over U.S. 41.
  • Alternative 2: A parallel flow intersection (PFI), providing displaced left-turns, in all four approaches at grade.
  • Alternative 3: A continuous flow intersection (CFI), with elevated lanes of State Road 54 over U.S. 41, providing displaced left-turns in all four approaches.

There also is a no-build alternative.

Department representatives will be available at the in-person public workshop beginning at 5:30 p.m., to answer questions and discuss the project informally.

Draft project documents and other project-related materials also will be displayed, and a PowerPoint video presentation will run continuously during the workshop.

State Road 54 runs east-west, and had an average daily traffic count of 63,000 in 2019, according to FDOT figures; U.S. 41 runs north-south, and had average daily traffic counts of 69,000 in 2019.

In addition to existing traffic, there’s significant growth underway in Central Pasco, with more on the way. Plus, State Road 54 is an evacuation route when hurricanes threaten.

In evaluating alternatives, the state looks at the improvements based on such issues as traffic operations, safety, right of way needs and environmental impacts, among others.

Once a build alternative is selected, the next phase is the Project Design & Environmental (PD&E) Study phase, and then the design phase.

The PD&E would be conducted in 2021 to 2022; design, from 2022 to 2024; right of way acquisition from 2025 to 2026.

Construction of this project is not yet funded, according to the project web page.

For more information or to comment, please contact Kirk Bogen, an environmental management engineer for FDOT, at 813-975-6448, 800-226-7220 or .

Published September 15, 2021

Hitting the links for a few friendly rounds

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Idlewild Pastor Tim Hurlesss, left, was pleased with his drive off the first tee, a Par 5. Frank Mutz, director of recreation, is nearby. (Fred Bellet)

Idlewild Baptist Church ministers to both the body and soul, as seen through its recreation ministry, which wrapped up a coed summer golf league at Plantation Palms, in Land O’ Lakes, last month.

The league ran through Aug. 25.

Tee times at the golf course, at 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., began at 5:30 p.m.

Rounds involved a two-player scramble, consisting of nine holes.

There also was an optional free golf clinic, and a $15 buffet, available.

For more information about Idlewild’s recreation programs, visit Idlewild.org/recreation/, or contact Griffin Shollenberger at 813-264-8737 or .

Published September 15, 2021

Jim Willis, of Land O’ Lakes, watches as his ball comes up short while putting on the third green.
Jim Willis, of Land O’ Lakes, reacts to his putt on the third green. Tim Hoelle, Jeff Ennis and Wade Griffin played along with Willis.
Allison McCoy, of Tampa, reacts with a laugh after over-shooting the cup outside the practice green at the Plantation Palms Golf Course. Allison’s husband, Brad McCoy, a seasoned golfer, was lending tips to his wife, a newcomer to the game. The couple was practicing before the tournament began.
Tristan Kennedy of Land O’ Lakes works on getting more distance using a sand wedge during the Idlewild Baptist Church coed golf clinic and weekly golf match, at Plantation Palms Golf Course.

County office building in Land O’ Lakes to get upgrades

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The Pasco County Commission has awarded a task order for slightly more than $1.78 million to Bandes Construction Company LLC., to complete interior renovations at the David “Hap” Clark Jr. Building in Land O’ Lakes.

The work will be performed in two phases, on the first and second floor of the building referred to as the Hap Clark building, at 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Details of the project were included in the county board’s agenda materials for its Aug. 24 meeting.

Phase one will be done on the northern side of the building on the first floor, and will accommodate building construction services, veteran services, human services and conference suits.

The general scope of work shall be approximately 6,027 square feet of existing space,

including the surrounding restrooms and corridor.

Phase two of the renovation will be on the southern side of the building on the second floor, and will consolidate the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources team into one suite of approximately 6,250 square feet.

Published September 08, 2021

New irrigation system coming to recreation center

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Coastal Design Consultants Inc., has been hired by Pasco County to perform engineering and design services required to prepare construction plans for the replacement and expansion of the irrigation system at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

The engineering and design work involves providing plans for a system that will irrigate the ball fields, the soccer fields and common areas at the recreation center, at 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Coastal Design must work with the county to field questions regarding the construction plans and specifications. It also must perform a limited amount of observation, to ensure construction work is proceeding in a manner that it will conform with approved plans and specifications.

The Pasco County Commission approved paying Coastal nearly $50,000, as part of the board’s consent agenda on Aug. 10. Items on the consent agenda are adopted in a single motion, without comment, unless someone wants to pull an item from the agenda for discussion.

Funding for the project is coming from the General Obligation Bond funds, approved by voters, to support improvements at the county’s parks and recreational facilities.

Published August 18, 2021

At Wilderness Lake Preserve, here’s a man who really cleans up well

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Each day for the past three years, Russ Filsinger’s afternoon routine hasn’t changed.

After hopping on his bicycle for his daily exercise, Filsinger covers every corner of his community at Wilderness Lake Preserve in Land O’ Lakes and the nearby shopping plaza.

He picks up litter.

He gathers the trash, whether it’s candy wrappers, soda cans, fast-food bags, straws, empty alcohol bottles, dog refuse, or even COVID masks (he’s up to 500 of those).

Russ Filsinger spends about two hours each afternoon picking up litter at his Wilderness Lake Preserve community in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Joey Johnston)

He collects it all and disposes of it properly, recycling, if necessary.

The work usually takes about two hours, each day.

For three years.

“Russ is one of those kind people who cares about the earth and wants to keep his neighborhood clean,’’ said Franca Carlino Anderson.

She’s Filsinger’s neighbor and got to know him because she was curious about why he continually picked up trash.

“He’s an amazing part of our community. He’s not looking for accolades or even to be noticed. He just cares,” the neighbor said.

“I think it makes him happy to see the earth clean, the way God intended,’’ said Filsinger’s wife, Jeanne. “His dedication is something. I pick up things, too, if I’m walking by. But I’m not on the bike making sure every little thing is picked up. It makes our whole area look so much better. People love what he is doing.’’

Filsinger, 71, is a retired social worker from New Jersey. He has worked with homeless, gangs and drug addicts. He retired due to health reasons and moved to Florida, where he toured with a Christian rock band, then became a minister. He has been a prison chaplain and a hospice chaplain. He has volunteered as a guardian ad litem for children.

“My bio is kind of interesting,’’ said Filsinger, who now ministers at Grace Family Church.

It’s mostly about helping.

“It’s such an easy concept, but we all can do something, even if it’s a very small thing … and small things can add up,’’ Filsinger said.

Three years ago, Filsinger grew weary of incessant litter around his neighborhood; maintenance workers weren’t quick about removing it. So Filsinger took matters into his own hands — literally — and began sweeping through the area with his trash bags.

“Instead of getting mad at the people who litter, I’m determined to beat them,’’ Filsinger said. “And the best way to beat them is if I can pick it up faster than they can throw it out of their car windows.

“It became a challenge to me. You can throw out whatever you want — a box, a carton, a Big Gulp cup — but I’m going to pick it up and dispose of it properly. Everyone wins and you lose.’’

Filsinger was riding his bike anyway for fitness. He’s dealing with various physical woes, such as foot neuropathy, severe osteoarthritis and lack of function in his hands and fingers. No matter. He keeps going.

“Doing this has made my bike ride longer, but more meaningful,’’ Filsinger said. “And it’s not just trash. I take dead animals off the roads. I don’t want kids going by on their scooters, seeing these carcasses being taken apart by buzzards. I just want people to see green, bushes and flying birds, not this endless plastic stuff that’s all over our roads.’’

In addition to the area’s roads, sidewalks, pathways, ponds and green spaces, Filsinger has taken his work to Wilderness Commons, a shopping plaza at the front of Wilderness Lake Preserve. The store owners are appreciative. Filsinger combs the parking lot and also makes sure things are securely in the dumpster.

“It only takes a few minutes to get it all straight,’’ Filsinger said. “Now there’s nothing there, not even one straw wrapper. I’m pretty proud of it. This is very satisfying.’’

All the neighbors know about Filsinger now.

Cars honk their horns and people wave.

He gets thank-you wishes from passersby.

The Wildness Lake Preserve newsletter did a short write-up on Filsinger.

The final line: “His efforts are to be applauded!’’

Filsinger isn’t stopping or even slowing down. If anything, he’s picking up speed.

“I think littering is getting worse,’’ Filsinger said. “One of my goals is to get all people to care about picking up litter. We can really make a dent.

“My philosophy has been, ‘If I don’t do it, who’s going to do it?’ So the job never really stops. If I can do this at my age while having fun doing it … maybe others can get the same type of satisfaction.

“I’d love others to join in. If we all did a little something to help our world, wouldn’t this be a much better world?”

By Joey Johnston

Published August 11, 2021