The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

East Pasco project calls for up to 100 homes and 5 acres of office

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a request that would allow up to 115 single-family detached residences or up to 100 residences plus 5 acres of office.

The request, known as the Deer Springs master-planned unit development (MPUD), seeks to convert the zoning on 38.29 acres of land now zoned for agricultural and agricultural-residential uses.

The proposed development is on the west side, and abutting, Crystal Springs Road, about 3,200 feet east of Gall Boulevard and about 4,700 southwest of the city limits for the City of Zephyrhills.

The planning board recommended approval, but not before increasing the proposed setbacks on the properties. Initially, the proposed setbacks called for houses to be set back only 10 feet from the property line.

But planning board members Jaime Girardi and Jon Moody questioned how landscaping requirements could be met, since that 10 feet of setback is required for utilities and trees can’t be planted in spaces where utilities are located.

Board member Chris Williams asked why the staff would allow a condition that is virtually impossible to meet.

Brad Tippin, the county’s development review manager, said the applicant would have to meet the county’s code requirements — regardless of the conditions listed in the zoning request.

The rezoning sets a maximum limit for the development. If it can’t be achieved while meeting all of the county’s requirements, it can’t be achieved, Tippin said.

In essence, it just gives the applicant more flexibility, said Shelly Johnson, the attorney for the applicant.

Those responses didn’t satisfy the planning board.

It recommended approval, contingent on conditions that increase the setback requirements and specify a maximum amount of lot coverage.

Moody asked the county planning staff what the setback and lot coverage requirements were for the Cobblestone development, an adjacent subdivision.

He then recommended that approval of the Deer Springs request be contingent upon matching the requirements imposed on Cobblestone.

His colleagues agreed, recommending approval of the request, based on Moody’s revision.

In other action, the planning board recommended approval of a comprehensive plan amendment from a category allowing up to three residences per acre to one that allows up to six residences per acre. In this case, the applicant is seeking a maximum of 240 residences on 61 acres at a location that’s east of Billmar Road and north of the Zephyrhills Bypass.

The site abuts the Chapel Crossing master-planned unit development to the west and Avalon Park West to the south. A separate rezoning request is being pursued, as well, and that must be approved before development could take place.

These planning board recommendations now go to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

Published November 09, 2022

Swamp Fest brings carnival atmosphere to town

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The 13th annual Swamp Fest was held from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6 at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. It was hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club to raise money for its athletic programs. (Mike Camunas)

Just as it does every year — minus one COVID hiatus year — the Swamp Fest rolled into town from Nov. 4 through Nov. 6, bringing in rides, games, food and entertainment.

Now in its 13th year, the three-day event once again was hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club to raise money for its athletic programs and school.

Organizers say the event, which was held at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., should bring in more than $25,000.

There were two dozen rides — all of the thrill, family and kiddie variety — plus plenty of carnival food stands and food trucks, a small midway of games, and entertainment featuring local performers.

Featured acts included Nicole’s Dance Academy, Nunes at Night, Kenneth Blakenship and Big Bong Theory.

Published November 09, 2022

Ali Toller, of Land O’ Lakes, enthusiastically enjoys a ride at Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park as her dad, Brian Ramirez, looks on in amusement on the evening of Nov. 4. Swamp Fest, a three-day carnival in its 13th year, is hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club to raise money for its athletic programs and school, and organizers say the event should raise more than $25,000.
Dre Williams, left, and Lauren Williams watch as their kids D.J., left, and Kash pick out their winning toys. The Land O’ Lakes family enjoyed the evening of Nov. 4, during the three-day carnival, the 13th annual Swamp Fest, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.
Twelve-year-old Land O’ Lakes residents Karynn Edouard, left, and Gianna Gygnard laugh and scream during a ride at Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thirteen-year-old Land O’ Lakes residents Alanna Talvera, left, and Julia Sankowski pose for a fun selfie in front of the Ferris wheel at the 13th annual Swamp Fest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park on the evening of Nov. 4.
Land O’ Lakes sisters Sophee, left, and Rylee Tomeo take one wild ride down the slide at the 13th annual Swamp Fest on Nov. 4.
Land O’ Lakes 16-year-old Tristan Marty, left, watches as fellow 16-year-old Abigail Encabo films their ride on the Ferris wheel during Swamp Fest.

Pasco board wants faster action on plan reviews

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The Pasco County Commission is turning up the heat on its planning staff to get reviews done more quickly on planning and zoning requests.

They also are directing county staff to find ways to simplify the process — to avoid long delays as applications work their way through the system.

The comments came up during the board’s Oct. 25 meeting, where Commissioner Jack Mariano shared a videotape featuring Bob Koning, the director of the Contractors Institute, based in Hudson.

Jack Mariano

The videotape was recorded during a meeting between Koning, Mariano, County Administrator Mike Carballa and some other county staffers.

Koning said he’s been teaching inspectors and building code officials since the 1980s.

He said he believes that many of the complaints about building departments are a result of self-inflicted wounds.

“The building code, in Chapter 1 says, ‘Hey, these are the things you will submit plans, and those items will be reviewed by a plans examiner.’

“And that plans examiner will make notes of things they feel conflicts with the code.

“Plans examiners aren’t architects or engineers. They’re not to review calculations, or ask for calculations to be submitted.

“If you’re a plans examiner and you doubt something, ask it to be peer-reviewed.

“The plans examiner then approves those plans. Those plans then are stamped and are taken out to the field.

“The field inspector goes out there to see, in fact, what that plans examiner evaluated and approved, that it does in fact exist in reality,” Koning said.

The problem, Koning said, is that local government can amend and add more inspections — and that’s what Pasco has done.

“We’ve put a burden on our inspectors’ shoulders that we didn’t need to.

“Listen, there’s what the code says you check. There’s what you inspect. The rest is up to the builder,” he said.

If the builder isn’t doing it right, he can be sued, Koning said.

“We have inspectors out there measuring the shower slopes in the floor, for quarter-inch a foot — and stopping projects,” Koning said.

“Our duty, as code officials, is to see that items of public safety are done,” he added.

He thinks the county could improve its process by having a three-panel group of volunteers that works with the building department, to review items that are in dispute.

That would provide a speedy way to resolve issues, said Koning, noting he would be happy to be one of the volunteers.

“We really need to do a fundamental restructuring of what we’re doing here. Other counties have done it, with great success,” Koning said.

Mariano said the county needs to take action to address its backlog.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey agreed, noting she’s been bombarded with calls about logjams in the process.

Carballa told commissioners: “I think we realize that we are working on a number of challenges that have been with us for quite some time.

“We recognize, as we move through things methodically, that there are areas of improvement.

“Clearly, safety and compliance with the code is of utmost importance.”

The issue, the county administrator said, is: “Who are we protecting from what? I think that’s the fundamental question we have to ask ourself.”

Mariano added: “We can make the changes, if it’s our rules. We can’t change SWFMD (Southwest Florida Water Management District) rules, which by the way, I think we should take a close look at what we’re inspecting because if SWFMD is doing stormwater, why am I doing it? Let’s not duplicate anything SWFMD is doing.”

Carballa responded: “I think we understand. Simplification. I get it.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley added: “That’s where we’re at.”

Pittos told the board that his department is working on a number of initiatives to streamline processes. It also is expanding staff and hours of operations, to take aim at the backlog.

Mariano said his criticisms are not aimed at individual staff members.

“This has nothing to do with people, personalities, effort, etc. It’s not any lambasting. Let’s go listen to an expert, who’s been doing it. Who has watched this county from way back when, that has great historical knowledge of how we used to do things.

“There’s great potential in our people. I just want to put you guys in the right position to succeed, because when you succeed, we succeed and our citizens are going to be happier,” Mariano said.

Starkey agreed: “If we can lessen the load on our staff just by doing things a little smarter, it’s better,” she said.

Carballa said: “The ultimate aim is efficiency. We definitely want it to be easier to do business in Pasco County and we’re committed to working on that.”

Published November 09, 2022

With the holidays approaching, keep packages safe

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) frequently receives reports of package theft, especially as the holiday season approaches.

To help eliminate the opportunity for thieves to steal packages, the PSO offers these tips:

  • Have shipments made to a community office or a trusted neighbor.
  • Schedule a delivery day/time when you are available.
  • Leave specific instructions for delivery that include a location out of sight from the road.
  • Request curbside or in-store pickup from retailers.
  • Use delivery lockers if available near you.
  • Install a visible surveillance camera.

Following these safety tips can help to reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of theft.

For additional safety information, visit the PSO’s social media channels.

Paying homage to Pasco’s fallen law enforcement officers

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One day — perhaps sometime in May — visitors arriving at the square near the Historic Pasco County Courthouse will have a chance to pay their respects to Pasco County’s fallen law enforcement officers at a new memorial being built there.

A ceremonial groundbreaking was held on Oct. 27 to mark the special moment, as construction on the permanent monument is set to begin.

“It’s a very exciting day for a lot of us, who have been working on this project for almost 10 years,” said Craig Laporte, who serves on the board of the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Officer Memorial and Benefit Foundation Inc.

Dignitaries had a ceremonial groundbreaking for a permanent memorial for Pasco County’s fallen law enforcement officers. The event was on Oct. 27. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

Laporte offered a few remarks, along with Tim Hennigan, president of that board. Other board members are Skip Stone, Jeff Gray, Tim Marshall and Scott Humphrey.

Hennigan told those gathered how the project originally started.

“We all know there’s a memorial given by the sheriff’s office every year,” Hennigan said.

One year, it was windy and rainy, and the photos posted to memorialize those lost began to blow away.

Hennigan said his wife encouraged him to put together an organization to pursue the construction of a permanent memorial.

And, he did.

“So, then I got with my good friend Skip Stone, we sat down with an accountant, and here we are today, 9 ½ years later,” Hennigan said.

“We started off very, very small, just, I think, with our own contributions. Along the way, we picked up people to help us out,” he said.

Laporte was one of those people.

Laporte had been a deputy with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office before he became an attorney.

He knew there was a need for law enforcement families to have a chance to relax together, so he and his wife, Arndrea, organized a Family Fun Day for them. At one point, hundreds of law enforcement families attended the event.

Contributions collected to pay for that day always exceeded the cost, so remaining funds would go to the memorial fund, Laporte said. But COVID put the kibosh on the Family Fun Day and, funding for the permanent memorial remained short.

Tim Hennigan, left, and Craig Laporte, have been working for nearly a decade to get a permanent memorial for Pasco County’s fallen law enforcement officers. A groundbreaking for the new memorial was held on Oct. 27, on the lawn of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse. (B.C. Manion)

That’s where Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, acting as a private citizen, stepped in.

Oakley and his friend, Randy Blankenship, had seen the fallen law enforcement memorial in Polk County, and Oakley knew about the ongoing effort in Pasco.

He contacted Laporte to find out how much more money was needed and found out the fund was about $100,000 short.

“Randy reached out to his friends and I reached out to some of mine. Within a week and a half, two weeks, Randy and I were able to raise $100,000,” Oakley said.

After that, there were delays in obtaining necessary supplies.

But on the morning of the ceremonial groundbreaking, the sun was shining and the crowd was enthused.

Oakley addressed those gathered, noting the memorial will offer a permanent honor, on the courthouse lawn, near the corner of Seventh Street and Meridian Avenue — in Dade City, Pasco’s  county seat.

Besides paying respect for those who paid the ultimate price, the memorial also signals the community’s support for those who are willing to take that daily risk, as they head off to work, Oakley said.

“They never know, when they leave home that day — they may meet that time when they lose their lives in duty,” Oakley said.

When the memorial is completed, Pasco County will join the state’s other 66 counties that already have permanent memorials for their fallen law enforcement officers, Hennigan said.

Oakley said the public tribute is needed in Pasco.

“We need to make sure that we do not forget them,” he said.

Published November 02, 2022

Building on a prayer

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HOPE Services is now being built on hope.

Nearly literally.

Stephanie Stevens, of Dade City, signs scripture she wrote on the building beams of HOPE Services’ Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which is tentatively opening in Land O’ Lakes in February. HOPE Services, a Wesley Chapel-based nonprofit that helps individuals with disabilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive and integrated employment, will provide job-training services and more through candidates from the Vocational Rehabilitation and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities. (Mike Camunas)

On Oct. 27, founder and CEO of the Wesley Chapel-based nonprofit Cindy Bray welcomed friends, family and residents to come write inspiring scriptures and well wishes on the two-by-four beams that will eventually support the organization’s Life Skills and Vocational Training Center in Land O’ Lakes.

The facility, at 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., tentatively opens in February, and will provide training services to those with disabilities in the fields of construction, retail, culinary arts, hospitality, computer skills and general GED education.

Bray founded HOPE Services in 2003 to help individuals with disabilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive and integrated employment.

“It was inspired by my daughter, Danica, who lives with disabilities,” Bray said, “and she needed help with services to become employable and before I knew it, I became a job coach, and being a job coach led to providing more and more services, and it led to all of this.”

This new, upcoming facility will be the first for HOPE Services, which will be open to anyone with disabilities looking to join the job force. According to HOPE services, people with disabilities are an overlooked and underused talent pool who are available, flexible and motivated. The training center will now be able to provide these potential employees with the skills needed to be hirable.

HOPE Services provides vocational evaluations, work incentive planning and assistance, on-the-job training, psychotherapy, employment services, pre-employment transition services and supported employment.

These services are provided, at no charge, as HOPE Services’ funding comes entirely from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Once a candidate is eligible to receive services from VR or the Agency, the candidate must ask to be referred to HOPE Services, which immediately begins processing them as a client.

While based in Wesley Chapel, and soon Land O’ Lakes, HOPE Services also serves Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, Polk and Citrus counties.

“This is our first life-skills center, and we want to open it up to the community,” Bray said. “We’ll teach them construction, we’ll teach them computer skills, culinary arts, retail, hospitality — all so they can get a job.

“And with (people writing on the two-by-fours), I wanted everyone to have ownership of the building, and give God the glory — that’s just me!”

For more information about HOPE Services, visit HopeGetsJobs.com.

Published November 02, 2022

Messages of inspiration and encouragement have been written on the beams of the brand-new HOPE Services’ Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which is tentatively opening in Land O’ Lakes in February.
Julia Anthony and her son, Evan, wish HOPE Services good luck by writing it on the beams of its brand-new Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which is tentatively opening in Land O’ Lakes in February. Julia’s husband and Evan’s father, Steven, is the general contractor for the construction.
A scripture of HOPE is written on a beam that will be part of HOPE Services’ Life Skills and Vocational Training Center, which is tentatively opening in Land O’ Lakes in February.

Pasco County spars with RADDSports

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Pasco County and RADDSports Pasco Wiregrass LLC are in a dispute over RADDSports’ operations of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County.

The county has engaged an attorney, and has given RADDSports 30 days to correct issues identified in a formal notice of default, overnighted to RADDSports’ officials on Oct. 19.

At its Oct. 25 meeting, the Pasco County Commission approved budget amendments of more than $2.8 million that would fund a county takeover plan of the facility, plus an additional $88,1000  and also authorized an additional $150,000 in purchasing authority for Carlton Fields, P.A., for its continuing legal services regarding issues involving RADDSports.

The 98,000-square-foot indoor field house is the cornerstone of the 80-acre Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County. (File)

The board’s vote on the issue came as part of the board’s consent agenda, which means it was approved along with a group of other items in a single vote, without discussion.

Before that vote, representatives for RADDSports appeared during the public comment portion of the meeting, urging commissioners to either delay action, or remove the item from the consent agenda.

Anthony Homer, of RADDSports, told the board: “We were pretty shocked and blindsided to find out that this drastic change to our relationship with the County of Pasco was on the consent agenda.

“We weren’t notified of this ahead of time,” he said, adding that it’s a good thing they looked at the consent agenda for things related to RADDSports.

When they consulted their attorney, Homer said, they learned “that this is essentially not a discussion, that it is a termination asking us to vacate in 30 days.”

Homer added: “We have a contract that probably could use some modification. We’d love to come to the table. We have said that repeatedly in every communication with the county. We’re happy to work things out. It has to be mutually beneficial.”

Homer also told the board: “We think we’re doing a good job in Pasco County,” and noted that some commissioners have indicated this is a chance for negotiation.

Homer said he hopes that resolution can be achieved.

“Like any relationship, we want to avoid that divorce. It’s going to get expensive and nasty. Nobody wants that,” Homer said.

Richard Blalock, also of RADDSports, also addressed the board.

“We understand there are some gaps and weaknesses,” Blalock said. But he added that RADDSports remains committed “to make sure that this asset for Pasco County is positive.”

Attorney E. Colin Thompson, representing RADDSports, told the board that his client is committed to making the sports campus a success during the more than 18-year term that remains on the contract, agreed to by the county board approximately five years ago, when the county turned over the management and responsibilities of the sports venue to the private enterprise.

Thompson also told the board: “We would like to talk to this body and this staff to make sure there is no issue as to default.”

Barring additional dialogue, the attorney added, “We will be forced into a situation where we have to file and move on to litigation.”

In response for comment on the issue, Pasco County’s Media Relations and Communications office released this statement: “The Pasco Board of County Commissioners opened the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County in Wesley Chapel in summer of 2020 with a vision of making Florida’s Sports Coast a premier sports tourism destination – attracting tournaments and talent from around the country and the world. That vision has yet to be fulfilled by the existing operator of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus (RADDSports). Our local hotels, restaurants and shops are not seeing the increased business they were expecting, and the impact to the county’s overall economy is not yet what the Board was anticipating.

“If RADDSports is unable to comply with the terms of its agreement, and fulfill the Board’s original vision, Pasco has a talented team of sports marketing experts and parks and recreation managers who can bring management of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus in-house. Our Florida’s Sports Coast team is prepared to focus on booking outside events and attracting outside visitors. Our Parks, Recreation, & Natural Resources team is prepared to manage the building and campus grounds. Our Parks team is prepared to honor all event contracts and work to ensure our local sports enthusiasts continue to have access to our world-class facilities.

“Pasco County looks forward to the future success of the Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus and the resulting economic boost from sports tourism the campus was designed to create.”

Published November 02, 2022

Students soar, in this Sunlake High program

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Talk about a different type of dual-enrollment program.

At the Aerospace Career Academy Program at Sunlake High, students can earn college credits, but they also learn about aviation and engineering — two very different careers that are very much intertwined.

Students learn how to pilot a plane and how to build an aircraft that works.

Cadet Technical Sgt. Brendon Riveria, a Sunlake High senior, left, flies an F-16 on a virtual reality (VR) flight simulator while Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University professor Mark Aragon, right, provides pointers for keeping it level. Aragon, the flight instructor at Sunlake, runs the school’s Aerospace Career Academy Program that allows students to get their pilot’s license and introduces them to aerospace and engineering careers. (Mike Camunas)

At the same time, they’re earning college credits from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

It’s possible to earn up to 30 college credits over four years — translating into the potential of $40,000 in tuition savings.

“We are building engineers who can fly and also pilots who know how a plane works from the engineering side,” said Joseph Fernandez, who teaches in Sunlake’s Robotics, Computer Science & Engineering Program.

“There’s one way to make a pilot: you put them in a plane, but we want to also have people who can repair a plane or who know how to design a plane from scratch. But engineers have to know that a person eventually has to sit down and fly the plane, and each pilot is going to come in all shapes and sizes.

“If you don’t fly a plane, you don’t think about where all the instruments and components go, and if you only fly a plane, you don’t think about all the work that goes into making sure it’s designed the most effective way,” the teacher said.

“Having both sides of the perspective help a pilot understand aeronautical engineering better and an aerospace engineer understand piloting better,” he added.

Students, as teenagers, go through this program, and they can earn their pilot’s license. However, it’s more than that — as a dual-enrollment program, they’ll be taking the same courses as a freshman or sophomore would at Embry-Riddle.

That’s where Mark Aragon, an Air Force veteran pilot and professor at the university, comes in. He took over the program three years ago and massively revamped it, knowing aviation and engineering had to go together for the program’s survival.

Sunlake High senior Isabella Eby works with a full hands-on flight simulator in the school’s Aerospace Career Academy Program. It offers students the opportunity to learn to pilot planes, as well as earn college credit through Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.

And, for the betterment of the students enrolled.

“The things we do, we get them through the pilot program. They take their FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) private pilot exam, so they can fly a plane. “They do it as a teenager — that’s unheard of in high school,” Aragon said.

He added: “Then, there’s the engineering side. They learn why a plane does this or how I can make a plane do that. When they’re using the (flight) simulators, we want them to be able to understand a plane better.”

The program has several simulators, including virtual reality (VR) headset apparatuses that put students in the cockpit of an F-16. The program also focuses on drone piloting and technology, as unmanned aircraft is a very sought-after career now.

Students use drones to do many things at the school. Such as, they were able to 3D map the parking lot by flying the droves over it, taking pictures and stitching them together. They also were able to assist in A/C repair when there was a leak and a drone was able to fly into the vent and find it.

“(The engineering side is about) problem-solving, thinking how to make things work and solve that problem. We want smart cars, then we want smart planes, smart rockets, everything to be able to control itself,” Fernandez said.

A very large flight crew checklist sits on the seat of a virtual reality (VR) flight simulator at Sunlake High and is used in the school’s Aerospace Career Academy Program.

“Everyone thinks it’s removing the pilot, but it still has to be taught how to fly. Not all drones are piloted with a remote control — they can be programmed to fly where they need to be. That’s where engineering, and programming come in.”

According to Aragon, this program can lead to careers, not just in aviation, aerospace or engineering, but also cyber intelligence and security, business administration and management, wildlife science, aviation maintenance, and meteorology.

Aragon also helps students prepare themselves for careers by having them create resumes.

In fact, with Aragon’s military background, he incorporated Sunlake’s Cadet Squadron into the program, as those students look to obtain their pilot’s licenses, too.

Not all plan on military careers; Aragon pointed out one student wants to become a commercial airline pilot.

“That’s a lot of fly time for a teenager to have,” he added.

That’s the case for seniors Isabella Eby and Matthew Santos, program students who are working toward becoming pilots, but learning as much as they can about aviation engineering, as well.

“I’ve been told by people that I’m better suited for engineering than aviation, but I do like the flying part, too,” Eby said. “A lot of these classes are hands-on, so seeing how the two go together and why they go together, it has allowed me to learn more on both sides of aerospace from the aviation and engineering aspects.”

“When I first got into (the program) as a freshman,” Santos added, “I took it because it looked like an elective that really interested me and could lead to a career. I’m very interested in aviation and started learning about the engineering side a lot more once in the program. I’m very interested in how those two work together and how it will help me as a pilot.”

Published November 02, 2022

Full services are back at tax collector’s office

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New and improved, the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office in Wesley Chapel now offers additional seating and windows for the customers’ convenience. (Courtesy of Greg Giordano)

The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office in Wesley Chapel as of Oct. 31 has relocated back to its original address at 4610 Pet Lane, Suite C-101, after a temporary move for renovations, according to a news release.

The key improvements include additional windows and more seating in the lobby for the customer service area, making the office more efficient and better able to serve its visitors.

“Our goal as an organization is to make a visit to our office as easy and as simple as possible,” said Tax Collector Mike Fasano, in the release.

“The changes made during this remodel will make the customer experience even better than before. We appreciate the understanding of residents who live in Wesley Chapel, Lutz, and surrounding communities over the past few months,” said Fasano.

The office, which has a Lutz post office address but is commonly considered to be in Wesley Chapel, again will be full-service and will offer the entire range of services expected.

For more information, contact the centralized call center at 813-235-6076, 727-847-8032 or 352-521-4338.

Published November 02, 2022

Voters are making big choices, in Pasco and Hillsborough counties

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Pasco and Hillsborough County voters have begun making their choices, through early voting sites and mail-in ballots, to decide the outcome of the 2022 General Election.

Voters will make decisions on a broad array of issues.

In Pasco, the races for Pasco County Commission already have been decided, with Seth Weightman claiming the District 2 seat being vacated by Mike Moore; and Gary H. Bradford winning the District 4 seat occupied by Christina Fitzpatrick. A write-in candidate for District 4 has withdrawn.

The race for District 1 of the Pasco County School Board finds Al Hernandez facing James M. Washington.

Voters will be casting their ballots by mail, through early voting, and at the polls on Election Day, Nov. 8. Those heading to precincts likely will encounter signs like this one. (Mike Camunas)

A judge had determined that Hernandez was ineligible, ruling that he did not meet the residency requirements, but Hernandez appealed that ruling and was granted a stay — enabling him to remain on the ballot, pending the outcome of the appeal.

Whoever wins that race will fill the seat being vacated by Allen Altman, who is retiring from public office. Incumbent school board members Cynthia Armstrong and Megan Harding already have been reelected for additional four-year terms.

Pasco voters also will decide if they want to extend Penny for Pasco for 15 years. If adopted, this would be the third time that voters found favor with the voluntary tax.

Proceeds from the 1-cent sales surtax would be split among Pasco County, Pasco County Schools and the county’s six municipalities. The money goes for a broad array of uses, including such things as school construction, road improvements, environmental lands acquisition, police vehicles and other public safety enhancements.

In Hillsborough County, voters will decide who they want to represent them on the Hillsborough County Commission.

In District 1, incumbent Harry Cohen faces challenger Scott D. Levinson.

In District 2, incumbent Ken Hagan faces Angela Birdsong.

In District 5, incumbent Mariella Smith goes up against Donna Cameron Cepeda, and in District 7, incumbent Kimberly Overman faces Joshua Wostal.

Hillsborough County voters also have the opportunity to express their position on a proposed 1-cent surtax to support transportation projects.

The ballot initiative had been nullified by a circuit court judge, but the Hillsborough County Commission appealed that ruling, and because of that appeal, the issue remains on the ballot.

If the tax ultimately passes, it would last 30 years and would pay for transportation improvements throughout Hillsborough County’s incorporated and unincorporated areas.

Meanwhile, local voters also will have their say on statewide and federal races.

They will help determine whether incumbent Gov. Ron DeSantis will return for a second term, or if he will be replaced by challenger Charlie Crist.

They will choose whether incumbent Jimmy Patronis serves another term as the state’s chief financial officer, or challenger Adam Hattersley assumes that post.

They will select either Wilton Simpson or Naomi Esther Blemur to serve as the state’s commissioner of agriculture, filling a seat vacated by Nikki Fried, who made an unsuccessful bid for governor.

Voters also will choose a number of state lawmakers to serve in the Florida Senate or the Florida House of Representatives.

And, voters will decide the fate of three constitutional amendments.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1, which would take effect Jan. 1, would authorize the Legislature to prohibit consideration of any improvement made to residential property to resist flood damage, in determining the property’s assessed value, for taxing purposes.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2 would abolish the Constitution Revision Commission, which meets at 20-year intervals, to submit proposed revisions to the state’s constitution. The next meeting is scheduled for 2037.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3, which would take effect Jan. 1, would authorize the Legislature to grant an additional homestead tax exemption for non-school levies of up to $50,000 of the assessed value of homestead property owned by classroom teachers, law enforcement officers, correctional officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, child welfare services professionals, active duty members of the United States Armed Forces, and Florida National Guard members.

Voters also will be making some big decisions at the federal level.

They will determine the outcome of races in the U.S. Senate and in the congressional House of Representatives. The outcome of those races will have an impact on which party garners more seats in the U.S. Congress, which will influence the future direction on spending and policy issues.

In Florida, specifically, voters will decide if incumbent Marco Rubio should remain in office, or if he should be replaced by challenger Val Demings.

Voters also will cast ballots in their congressional districts to select members of the U.S. House of Representatives.

EARLY VOTING

  • Hillsborough County has 26 early voting sites operating, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., now through Nov. 6.
  • Pasco County has 12 early voting sites open, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., through Nov. 5

For specific early voting locations in each county and for additional information about the Nov. 8 General Election, visit PascoVotes.gov or VoteHillsborough.gov.

Both websites offer a wealth of information that may prove useful to voters.

Published November 02, 2022