The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Lutz News

Marine Corps League Detachment forms in Land O’ Lakes

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A new Marine Corps League Detachment has formed in Land O’ Lakes.

The Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 has received its official charter, and the organization now meets on the third Monday of the month, at 7 p.m. at the Beef O’ Brady’s in the Village Lakes Shopping Center, 21539 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive in Land O’ Lakes.

The formal presentation of the detachment’s official charter took place at the Beef O’ Brady’s on Sept. 26.

The League detachment is open to active duty, reserve and honorable discharged veterans of the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy FMF Corpsmen and Chaplains who live in Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, Odessa, Wesley Chapel and surrounding areas.

  1. David Kirk, of Lutz, the commandant of the new detachment, led the quest for its formation.

He also organized the Marine Forever Veterans Group LLC, a social group of Marine Corps veterans and their wives, that has been meeting at the same Beef O’ Brady’s for dinner for the past four years. That group, which is primarily social in nature, will continue to meet for dinner on Monday evenings at 6 p.m., Kirk said.

Florida Commandant Ron Ashley holds charter document, while L. David Kirk, commandant of the newly formed Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1440 looks on.
Courtesy of L. David Kirk      Florida Commandant Ron Ashley holds charter document, while L. David Kirk, commandant of the newly formed Marine Corps League Detachment No. 1440 looks on.

Unlike the social group, the League detachment will have a 501-c4 status, meaning it can raise money for charitable causes, such as helping veterans in need, providing money for education and other endeavors, Kirk said.

The Land O’ Lakes detachment was needed because the closest one was 15 miles away, or more, Kirk explained, in a previous story published in The Laker.

Besides being more convenient, it’s also less expensive to belong because it doesn’t take as much gas to get to meetings, Kirk said.

Now that the new detachment is established, existing league members can transfer their membership.

So far, the detachment has 24 members, but Kirk expects about a half-dozen new members to join this month.

This isn’t the first time that Kirk has served as commandant. He previously served in that capacity at the Angus R. Goss Detachment in Tampa.

The Marine Corps League was founded in 1923 by World War I hero Major Gen. Commandant John A. Lejeune, and its congressional charter was approved by an act of the 75th Congress, which was signed and approved by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on Aug. 4, 1937.

The league’s mission calls for its members to “join together in camaraderie and fellowship for the purpose of preserving and promoting the interests of the United States Marine Corps and those that have been honorably discharged from that service that they may effectively promote the ideas of American freedom and democracy.”

The league’s mission also calls for “voluntarily aiding and rendering assistance to all Marines and former Marines and to their widows, and orphans; and to perpetuate the history of the United States Marine Corps and by fitting acts to observe the anniversaries of historical occasions of particular interest to Marines.”

For more information on becoming a charter member of the new detachment and to receive updates on upcoming meetings, email Kirk at

For more information about the Marine Corps League, visit http://mclnational.org//

For more information about Marine Forever Veteran Group, LLC, visit Marine4Ever.com

and Facebook.com/MarineForeverVeteransGroup.

Published Oct. 19, 2016

Pasco County to add tourism director

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Tourism in Pasco County is on a launching pad, as county officials prepare for what they hope to be an explosion of visitors — sampling the county’s shops, malls, restaurants, hotels and future sports complexes.

County commissioners are reviewing proposals for a sports complex at Wiregrass Ranch, with about an $8.5 million investment.

Florida Hospital Center Ice is expected to open in early 2017, and to become a draw for local, state and national sports competitions.

Bed tax revenues are estimated to push past the $1 million mark in 2016. And, under a tourism master plan, county officials anticipate the 2 percent bed tax rate to increase to 5 percent by 2019, with revenues reaching nearly $3 million.

To tackle upcoming challenges from this record growth, Pasco is looking to reorganize the tourism office, and hire a tourism director.

“It’s growing to a pretty big operation,” said Richard Gehring, the county’s strategic policy administrator. “We’re going to be on another plateau as we compete in the Tampa Bay region. This is the next step up.”

Two to three candidates were identified and interviewed. County officials now are making an offer, and negotiating salary and benefits.

The issue came up at the County Commission’s Oct. 11 meeting.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells expressed surprise at the creation of a new position of tourism director.

Ed Caum currently serves as the tourism manager.

Under the new plan, Caum’s title would become program manager and he would report to the tourism director.

Gehring said the change is a lateral move for Caum, and not a demotion. Caum agreed, saying he concurred with the decision for the new hire.

“I don’t feel it’s a demotion,” he said, adding that he will continue to perform his current duties.

Caum didn’t apply for the tourism director position.

He said his next move may be retirement, in two to three years.

Wells praised Caum’s efforts in developing and expanding the scope of the tourism council over the years.

Wells isn’t convinced about the county’s need for a tourism director at this time.

“I think we’re putting the cart before the horse,” Wells said.

“I’d like to see us hold off on this until we have a new county administrator. It doesn’t make sense to me,” Wells said.

Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker is scheduled to vacate her post in July 2017.

Gehring said it makes sense to get someone on board now.

“Let’s go ahead and reach out for another horse-power level person,” he said.

 

Lake Park reopens; sinkhole remains

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A popular 589-acre park in Lutz has reopened, despite the existence of a sinkhole that opened about a year ago and remains unfilled.

Lake Park, at 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway, officially reopened on Oct. 8.

The park, which annually draws about 300,000 users, was closed on Dec. 2 because of a sinkhole that spans 6-feet wide and 90-feet deep.

Lake Park reopened on Oct. 8. It had been closed since last December after a sinkhole formed. (File Photo)
Lake Park reopened on Oct. 8. It had been closed since last December after a sinkhole formed.
(File Photo)

The sinkhole, which formed along a park roadway last October, has since been secured with $4,900 worth of heavy fencing and locked gates.

Forest Turbiville, Hillsborough County’s director of conservation and environmental lands management, said there are no immediate plans to fix the sinkhole.

“We’re going to continue to monitor it,” he said, “and, if we see there’s a change of conditions in that area, then we’ll potentially revaluate it at that time.

He said the area is “more than adequately secured.”

A recent geophysical study by Ardaman & Associates Inc., found the overall risk of future sinkhole activity to be “low” at the park. However, the report did not definitively rule out possible future sinkhole activity.

“We’ve monitored the entire park now since December,” Turbiville said, “and there’s been nothing at all that’s popped up. Our park staff is out there on a daily basis, so if we see any change in the area, we’ll get the county’s consultant back out there.”

While most normal park activities have resumed, the sinkhole “might potentially affect” the park’s archery range, Turbiville said. As a precaution, the range may be temporarily relocated to the Northwest Equestrian Park, 9400 South Mobley Road in Odessa.

Beyond the sinkhole, other issues, too, persist at Lake Park.

Recent heavy rains have created high watermarks, which has limited access in some areas of the park, including its central road.

The sinkhole, which spans 6-feet wide and 90-feet deep, has been secured with $4,900 worth of heavy fencing and locked gates. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County)
The sinkhole, which spans 6-feet wide and 90-feet deep, has been secured with $4,900 worth of heavy fencing and locked gates.
(Courtesy of Hillsborough County)

The three-quarter-mile stretch of road — which Turbiville said is currently under a few feet of water — links the park’s front and back entrances. “It almost divides the park into two halves,” Turbiville said.

To access the park’s front picnic area and main playground, park-goers now have to enter via Dale Mabry Highway. Conversely, users will have to enter off Worley Road in order to access the park’s BMX and radio-controlled car tracks.

“We’re basically having two entrances into the park,” said Turbiville.

The road—which typically experiences flooding issues most of the year—will eventually have to be repaved and elevated, Turbiville said.

That undertaking, he said, may take several years.

“That is honestly going to be a long-term project,” said Turbiville. “You can’t just go in and build up the road — you’ve got to have design plans; you have to have permits. Of course, you have to have the money to pay for that work…so it’s not a small project by any means.”

Turbiville noted the county wouldn’t repair the main road until another long-term lease agreement is reached with the City of St. Petersburg, the owners of the park.

The existing lease agreement for Lake Park expires on June 3, 2019. Under that deal, Hillsborough County pays just $1 per year to the City of St. Petersburg to operate the park.

In a third draft of a new 10-year lease agreement, the City of St. Petersburg is requesting $3,000 per month, or $36,000 per year from Hillsborough County.

If approved, county staff expects to bring a recommendation to the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners sometime in 2017. Meanwhile, Lake Park will operate under the current lease agreement.

Based on figures from 2014-2015, the park typically nets about $10,000 per month in revenue from park-goers.

Also of note, St. Petersburg is requesting $2,000 per month from the county to lease Lake Rogers Park, 6016 Gunn Hwy in Odessa. The most recent lease agreement expired on Sept. 30, but the city has extended it through Dec. 31, as negotiations continue.

Lake Park
Where: 17302 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz
Fall hours: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Entrance fee: $2 per vehicle. Up to 8 people per vehicle. Rentals are extra.
Facilities: Rodeo, BMX track, playground, youth group campsite
Activities: Biking, bird watching, hiking, horseback riding, and canoeing/kayaking
Other features: Five lakes, cypress swamps, pine flat woods and hardwood hammocks
For information, call (813) 264-3806.

Published October 12, 2016

 

Keeping an educator’s legacy alive

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Luis E. Torres spent much of his life battling medical problems, but he never gave up on his education.

It took him 10 years to get his bachelor’s degree, but he persisted because that mattered to him, according to Iris Torres, his mother, who lives in Lutz.

He took occasional medical withdrawals, but carried on.

This is the last photograph taken of Luis E. Torres and his mother, Iris. His family keeps the educator’s spirit alive through an annual golf tournament to raise money for scholarships. (Courtesy of Iris Torres)
This is the last photograph taken of Luis E. Torres and his mother, Iris. His family keeps the educator’s spirit alive through an annual golf tournament to raise money for scholarships.
(Courtesy of Iris Torres)

“Education was very important to him,” Iris said, and in 1997, he obtained his diploma.

Luis went on to teach seventh-grade mathematics at Shields Middle School in Hillsborough County.

“That was one of his goals that he was able to accomplish,” his mother said.

But, the teacher’s medical problems weren’t over, and he died on July 2, 2011, at the age of 41.

His family refuses to let that be the end of his story.

At the time of his death, his sister-in-law, Genevieve, suggested that the family establish a scholarship fund, in lieu of receiving flowers.

Now, the Luis E. Torres Scholarship Fund is supported by an annual golf tournament, organized by Iris Torres, Luis’ mom.

She handles the planning and logistics of the tournaments, but other family members and friends step up to help on the actual day of the event.

The family wants to keep his spirit alive through the annual scholarship.

Luis was diagnosed with Lupus when he was just 9 years old, Iris said.

“Lupus can affect any vital organ, and in his case, it affected his kidneys,” she said.

He experienced complete renal failure when he was 21, and was on dialysis for 10 years. He underwent two kidney transplants, but rejected both.

Iris and her husband were not good transplant candidates.

Iris developed breast cancer, and her husband had suffered a heart attack.

Meanwhile, Luis was getting weaker.

His brother, Eric, stepped forward in 2000 to be a kidney donor for Luis.

Luis was 30 when he received the transplant. Eric was 26.

At the time, Eric said, the choice was clear: Donate a kidney or watch his brother die.

“It was scary. I never even had a cavity. So, to go from that to donating an organ, it was significant,” Eric said.

Iris added: “It was very difficult, me as a mother, seeing both of them in gurneys.”

The transplant was done at John Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland.

The family went there because, at the time, Johns Hopkins was offering a surgical approach not yet available locally.

“In Florida, they were doing what they call a cadaver incision, which is essentially from the sternum to the small of the back,” Eric said. “Johns Hopkins actually pioneered the organ harvestation through the laparoscopic.”

It was a difference of “being almost cut in half” to a procedure which used tiny incisions, he said.

“If I would have done a cadaver incision, it would have been about a two-week hospital stay,” Eric said. Instead, he went in on a Friday and was released on Sunday.

But, it wasn’t smooth sailing for Luis.

“We stayed at Johns Hopkins for four months because of complications,” Iris said. “He had a really tough road.”

Within four days of returning to Tampa, Luis had fevers reaching 104.

It turned out that Luis had an abdominal infection, and had to be opened up again and cleaned up, Iris said. He was in Tampa General Hospital for another 40 days.

Throughout it all, Luis refused to give in, she said.

What kept him going, she said, was “the love that he had for life.”

In addition to his previous medical issues, he also developed diabetes as a side effect from the medication he took after the transplant, she said.

He had several good years after the transplant, but then he developed stomach cancer, which was not detected until it was too late for treatment.

During the first year of the scholarship fund, the family raised $3,800.

This will be the fourth year the family has organized the charity golf tournament. Last year, it raised $4,500.

“The whole mission is to help anybody who is looking to overcome medical obstacles,” Eric said, noting every dollar that is raised goes directly into scholarships.

“We have given out scholarships to people who have suffered from cancer, lymphoma, leukemia, lupus, seizures, diabetes, birth defects, paralysis,” Iris said.

The goal is to get 60 golfers to participate in the tournament. It costs $475 for a foursome and $125 for a single player.

The fee includes breakfast, lunch and prizes for various categories, such as hole-in-one, longest drive, closest to the pin and a putting contest.

This year, Buddy Shelton, a celebrity trick golfer will be performing at the event, which Iris hopes will help attract more people to the tournament.

Putting on the event and gathering items for the silent auction requires a lot of effort, but the family thinks it’s worthwhile.

“We do it out of love for my brother’s memory,” Eric said.

The proceeds help provide opportunities for students who need help, Iris said.

“One thing I want to relate to the students out there is not to give up,” she said.

Luis never gave up, she adding, noting that one of his favorite quotations was: “At the end of hope, is the start of perseverance.”

What: Luis E. Torres Scholarship Fund
Fourth annual Golf Scramble
When: Oct. 21 at 9a.m., golf scramble; trick golfer Buddy Shelton performs at 2:30 p.m.
Where: Lexington Oaks Golf Club, 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
How much: $475 for a foursome; $125 for individuals; donations accepted for those just wanting to watch Buddy Shelton’s trick golf show.
For more information, visit www.luisetorresscholarshipfund.org, or call (813) 417-3021.

Published October 12, 2016

Lutz company plans $30 million expansion

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TRU Simulation + Training has announced a nearly $30 million expansion of its Pilot Training Center in Lutz, along with the addition of 100 new jobs.

TRU Simulation + Training will expand and add 100 jobs over the next four years. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)
TRU Simulation + Training will expand and add 100 jobs over the next four years.
(Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

The new jobs will evolve over four years as TRU Simulation + Training expands its ProFlight Pilot Training programs. Construction will add about 30,000 square feet for classrooms, flight training devices and four new full flight simulators.

The company, with headquarters in Goose Greek, South Carolina, provides flight-training solutions, technical support, and customer service for commercial and military markets.

The expansion will be completed by November.

The Pasco Economic Development Council worked with Pasco County staff members on the site planning and permitting process.

This is the second expansion for TRU Simulation + Training.

In 2015, the company converted 15,000 square feet of existing space for training center operations. The company manufactures flight simulators and is an FAA-certified Part 142 OEM-supported pilot training center for aviation products from Textron, the parent corporation of TRU Simulation + Training.

Published September 28, 2016

Local ombudsman receives district honor

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Ron Thiltgen spent nearly half of his life working in the nursing home industry, so when he retired and was looking for something to do — he naturally gravitated to an avenue where he thought he could do some good.

He decided to volunteer for the Florida Ombudsman Program.

Ron Thiltgen, of Lutz, spent 30 years working in the nursing home industry before becoming a volunteer for the Florida Ombudsman Program, which advocates for quality long-term care. (Courtesy of Florida Ombudsman Program)
Ron Thiltgen, of Lutz, spent 30 years working in the nursing home industry before becoming a volunteer for the Florida Ombudsman Program, which advocates for quality long-term care.
(Courtesy of Florida Ombudsman Program)

Thiltgen, who lives in Lutz, has devoted the past three years as a volunteer advocating for quality long-term care for people living in assisted living facilities and nursing homes throughout Hillsborough County.

Recently, he was declared winner of the West Central Council Ombudsman of the Year.

In making the selection, the council noted the 66-year-old’s patience and care for residents, and his ability to get results, according to a news release. He was also lauded for being an excellent mentor for fellow volunteers.

Thiltgen was delighted by the honor.

“It’s nice to be recognized. It feels good when someone appreciates you,” Thiltgen said. He also likes the work. “It’s enjoyable,” he said.

He worked in maintenance for decades, taking care of assorted chores and repairing sinks, toilets and other things.

“I had a lot of contact with people. They had problems. They didn’t know how to get solutions to them,” Thiltgen said.

He likes being able to help people who live in assisted care facilities or nursing homes who feel isolated and need help. He generally spends a couple of hours a week volunteering, but sometimes more, depending on the problem he’s trying to get resolved.

Many people living in assisted living and nursing facilities don’t have family nearby, he observed. “They don’t have anybody to turn to,” he said.

“Ombudsmen, we’re able to make contact with them and try to guide them to wherever they can find resolutions,” Thiltgen said.

In one instance, he helped a resident when her wheelchair broke and she was unable to get around.

“We were able to resolve that,” he said.

Many problems can be solved by better communication, he said. But, some problems are more serious, in which case, the resident is referred to other organizations or agencies that can help, he said.

While a resident’s problem may seem small to an outsider, it can become a source of frustration, he said.

“The seniors, they get stressed out,” the former maintenance worker said.

There are about 20 volunteers providing ombudsman services in Hillsborough County, he said, including those from all walks of life. There are retirees, like himself, but also people who still hold paying jobs.

It’s a satisfying feeling to help those living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, he said.

“Everybody ends up happy. It feels great,” he said.

Published September 21, 2016

Steinbrenner marching band director has ambitious plans

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Steinbrenner High School’s new marching band director has ambitious plans for the program.

Jason Allgair, who spent the past nine years teaching at Wharton High School, is striving to increase band participation.

He’s also looking to collaborate with the school’s other fine arts programs — orchestra and theater.

The Steinbrenner marching band is looking to raise upwards of $55,000 for a trip to New York City in January. Approximately 120 students are in the band. (Photos courtesy of Ingrid Babajanof)
The Steinbrenner marching band is looking to raise upwards of $55,000 for a trip to New York City in January. Approximately 120 students are in the band.
(Photos courtesy of Ingrid Babajanof)

“I believe that all the arts should be together in regards to doing concerts and performances, and supporting each other,” Allgair said. “I love doing full orchestra, I love the collaboration with theatre, and doing the musicals.

“I’m all about the community environment and the community feel.”

Steinbrenner’s musical faculty, including Allgair, is entirely new. Other first-year Steinbrenner teachers are Grace Jeon, orchestra director, and Corey Poole, choir director.

“All of us are just bonding together, and we want the students to feel like everyone is important, and everyone is involved with each other’s performances,” Allgair said.

At least one band member, James Wall, relishes the idea of more alliances and partnerships with other fine arts departments.

“I think it’s cool that we’re kind of expanding our horizons,” the high school senior said. “Doing more things, using other departments, working together — we didn’t do it that much in the past.”

That philosophy spreads to Friday nights throughout the fall, where the band and Steinbrenner’s cheer squad will no longer be separate entities during home football games. Instead, they’ll be performing jointly — in the name of school spirit.

The band practices Tuesdays and Thursdays during the fall, in advance of Friday night football games. The band’s first major competition is the 20th annual Lion’s Pride Marching Band Festival on Oct. 15 at King High School. The district MPA (Music Performance Assessment) is set for Nov. 5.
The band practices Tuesdays and Thursdays during the fall, in advance of Friday night football games. The band’s first major competition is the 20th annual Lion’s Pride Marching Band Festival on Oct. 15 at King High School. The district MPA (Music Performance Assessment) is set for Nov. 5.

“I believe in the hometown feel,” said Allgair, “where the cheerleaders and the band and that whole atmosphere…is there for the spirit of the school.

“It’s all about the support of the football team and the whole feel of what’s happening on Friday nights at Steinbrenner,” he said.

Doubling the size of the marching band — which has approximately 120 members— is another objective, albeit more long-term, for the new director.

“My goal in the next four or five years is to build this program into a band of 220 to 250,” said Allgair, who’s also the district chair for the Florida Bandmasters Association, overseeing 70 high school and middle school directors. “When I was at Wharton, I started the program with about 49 or 50 kids, and I doubled the program to 110 by the time I left.”

He added: “I’m just excited to take what’s already been laid here as a foundation and build upon that. I have a really good relationship with the feeder middle school and all the surrounding feeder middle schools, and we’re going to try to get the numbers up.”

Allgair, too, has bold plans in store for the band’s ensembles — concert and jazz —over the next few years.

“I’d love for the kids to arrange their own jazz standards, and I can bring in guest artists to work with the ensemble,” explained Allgair. “With the concert ensembles, I’d like to commission new works, I’d like to have composers come in and join us, and actually be a part of the audience as we’re working on their pieces. I have a commission that I’m getting ready…for a composer to actually write a piece — dedicated for the Steinbrenner program — but, I don’t know if that’s going to happen this year or next year,” he added.

Also in the works for Steinbrenner’s band: a field trip to New York City.

Planned for the end of January, band members can expect to visit several of the city’s cultural institutions, including the Metropolitan Opera House, the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, New York Philharmonic, and the National September 11 Memorial & Museum.

They’ll also check out Broadway shows, and may get a tour of Yankee Stadium.

“We’re all really excited about that,” Wall said about the looming trip to NYC. “It should be cool.”

The trip north will ultimately tie in with Allgair’s curriculum, and the band’s marching show.

“I’m going to be bringing things that we learned culturally from New York City and connecting it as we go through the rest of the school year,” the band director said. The band’s marching show is Frank Sinatra and its last song is “New York, New York,” he said.

As opposed to just taking a select few band members to New York, Allgair’s goal is to send the program’s 120-plus kids to the Big Apple.

Approximately $55,000 will need to be raised for the excursion, the band director said.

The cost is around $1,000 per student. Students will be paying for part of it, but the rest will come from fundraising efforts that are already underway, he said.

The band is currently having a mulch sale through the end of September.

Other fundraising opportunities will follow that.

“We’ve got a lot going on,” Allgair said.

The band’s first major competition is the 20th annual Lion’s Pride Marching Band Festival on Oct. 15 at King High School. The district MPA (Music Performance Assessment) is set for Nov. 5.

For more information on fundraising and the marching band program, visit SteinbrennerBand.com.

Gaither High Wind Ensemble fundraiser
Gaither High School’s Wind Ensemble is trying to raise funds to help pay travel expenses for a trip to Manhattan to perform at Carnegie Hall.
Where: Gaither High parking lot, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33624
When: Sept. 24, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
How much: Vendor spaces are still available, at a cost of $20 for two parking spaces.
For more information: Contact Melissa Seaman at (786)-514-0128 or .
Want to help? Donations may be sent to Gaither High School, c/o Luis Alvarez, band director, 16200 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, 33618.

Published September 14, 2016

Priorities set for sidewalk and road projects

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Board members of the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization have adopted a priority list for road projects that is largely unchanged from last year.

But, there is one exception: The list now includes a plan to widen U.S. 301 to a four-lane divided highway from the Hillsborough County line to State Road 56.

The five-year work program runs through fiscal year 2020-2021.

While there’s little change on the road list, the sidewalk list is a different story.

Nine new projects for 5-foot sidewalks are listed as priorities in the 2016-2017 work plan.

Six of those in the top 10 have jumped ahead of other longtime sidewalk requests.

Lutz residents on Leonard Road want sidewalks built along the two-lane road from U.S. 41 to Cot Road as a safety measure. (File Photo)
Lutz residents on Leonard Road want sidewalks built along the two-lane road from U.S. 41 to Cot Road as a safety measure.
(File Photo)

The shift in priorities prompted questions by Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano. Mariano wonders if the ranking system is fair to communities that have waited years for sidewalks.

“I’m very disappointed,” said Mariano at the Sept. 8 board meeting of the MPO.

Among sidewalk projects that Mariano hoped to see higher on the list were Ranch Road, Zimmerman Road and Majestic Boulevard.

Lutz residents also have lobbied over the years for sidewalks on Leonard Road.

That project sits in the 20th slot, near the bottom of 25 proposed projects.

Mariano said he planned to meet with MPO staff members to review the criteria used to rank projects.

MPO Vice Chairman Jeff Starkey also took issue with the criteria.

“What if we don’t agree with how you’re calculating this?” he asked.

The lists of road, transit, multi-use paths and sidewalk projects are updated annually and submitted to the Florida Department of Transportation so they can be considered in FDOT’s five-year work plan for federally funded projects in Pasco.

Sidewalks, multi-use paths and trails are ranked on a point system based on criteria such as speed limits, connectivity to existing sidewalks and trails, accessibility to schools and transit stops, improved mobility in low-income and minority neighborhoods, and the consecutive years a project has been on the list.

Mariano said communities aren’t getting enough credit for time waited. There also are situations, he said, where speed limits might be low, but safety is still an issue for other reasons.

Changes can be made, and projects aren’t automatically done in order of their listing, said James Edwards, the Pasco MPO director.

The availability of money is a factor, he added.

“You don’t follow it in lock step,” Edwards said. “Things will shift around.”

The new sidewalk projects are:

  • Ridge Road/Little Road to Rowan Road
  • Congress Street/north of Lomand Avenue to Ridge Road
  • Old County Road 54/Little Road to State Road 54
  • U.S. 41/Lake Bambi Circle to State Road 52
  • Darlington Road at U.S. 19 to Sunray Drive
  • Fort King Road/17th Street/Morningside to Coleman Avenue
  • Regency Park Boulevard/ U.S. 19 to Cherry Creek Lane
  • Darlington Road/U.S. 19 to Hama Drive
  • 17th Street/Meridian Avenue to County Road 41/Lock Street

For a complete list of the MPO’s 2016 priority projects, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Published September 14, 2016

Lowe’s collects teddy bears for a good cause

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The teddy bear drive at Lowe’s Home Improvement store, at State Road 54 and U.S. 41, started with a big, empty cardboard box, placed by the sliding door entrance.

“The empty box first started the conversation,” said Lowe’s store manager Derek Walter.

Just why was the box there?

From left, Doug O’Connor, Citizen’s Service Unit volunteer; Lt. Stephen Frick, District 2 road patrol; and, Lowe’s representatives Don McLachlan, Ray Peel, Jane Wyckoff, Sandy Fimbel and Derek Walter celebrate the completion of a teddy bear campaign at the store. (Courtesy of Lowe's)
From left, Doug O’Connor, Citizen’s Service Unit volunteer; Lt. Stephen Frick, District 2 road patrol; and, Lowe’s representatives Don McLachlan, Ray Peel, Jane Wyckoff, Sandy Fimbel and Derek Walter celebrate the completion of a teddy bear campaign at the store.
(Courtesy of Lowe’s)

A hand-drawn picture of a teddy bear quickly appeared on the side of the box, and employees began dropping huggable bears inside.

Customers soon noticed and began doing the same.

On Sept. 9, about 175 teddy bears were given to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to help deputies who respond to domestic violence situations and need a comforting toy to hand out to children under stress.

Employees initially began talking about a community outreach project when the teddy bears came up.

Once started, employees ran with the idea.

One day, Walter went shopping at Walmart and took an armful of bears to the check out line. A customer in line asked about the bears.

When he explained the teddy bear drive, Walter said she liked the idea.

And soon after, he said, “She came by (Lowe’s) with some bears.”

Store employees plan to repeat the drive at least once a year.

“It’s a different way to give,” said Walter.

September 14, 2016

Dale Mabry wastewater enters final installation phase

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Motorists tooling around the North Tampa area may have to take a few detours in coming weeks, as Hillsborough County completes the pipeline installation on the Dale Mabry Wastewater Diversion project.

The project requires the closures of both lanes and roads in portions of Carrollwood Village. The works is expected to be completed by early October.

These areas will be affected:

  • Salem Street will be closed between Waltham Avenue and Four Oaks Road, until Sept. 16.
  • Salem Street will be closed between Four Oaks Road and Pittsfield Avenue, from Sept. 19 through Oct. 7.
  • Pittsfield Avenue, from Salem Street to Lowell Road, will be closed Sept. 19 through Sept. 30.

Detours and lane closures will be clearly marked, and from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., flag crews will help direct motorists and pedestrians who reside within the closure zones.

Approximately 6 miles of 24-inch and 36-inch diameter reclaimed water pipeline is being installed to transfer wastewater flows from the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility. (File Photo)
Approximately 6 miles of 24-inch and 36-inch diameter reclaimed water pipeline is being installed to transfer wastewater flows from the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant to the Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility.
(File Photo)

The pipeline construction is being done by traditional open cut installation, which involves dewatering the area, digging trenches, installing the pipeline, backfilling and restoring the area.

The work marks the final phase of the $35 million diversion project, which will consolidate wastewater flow operations in northern Hillsborough.

Once the 24-inch and 36-inch reclaimed water pipeline transmission mains are installed, the 40-year-old Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant in Carrollwood Village will be retired, and wastewater will flow directly to the Northwest Regional Water Reclamation Facility, 10890 South Mobley Road in Odessa.

A pump station, as well as reclaimed water tanks, will replace the Dale Mabry plant, which will be demolished, likely in early 2017.

The Dale Mabry Wastewater Diversion Project is one of three components of the larger, $240 million Northwest Hillsborough Wastewater Consolidation Project.

The other phases involve expanding the Northwest facility to accept and treat additional wastewater flows, as well as retiring the River Oaks Wastewater Treatment Plant, where construction is expected to begin next spring.

Officials say the entire program will improve treatment efficiency, reduce power costs and minimize future rate impacts.

“It’s kind of like an old air conditioner. When you replace your old air conditioner, it’s like, ‘Wow, I really saved a lot of money,’” Thomas Rawls, program manager of the Northwest Hillsborough Wastewater Consolidation Project, said in February. “When we transfer that flow to the new plant, it’s like you’re getting better motors, better energy savings.

“Everything’s more efficient.”

The county expects the entire Northwest Wastewater program to save the county approximately $80 million over the next 20 years. Water rates will not rise for residents, officials say.

“As soon as we start transferring that (water flow), the county’s saving money,” Rawls said.

Once the wastewater facilities at the Dale Mabry site are removed, it will leave a majority of the site as a green space, which is likely to become a county park.

Published September 7, 2016