The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Shuffle of road work priorities ruffles feathers in Zephyrhills

By

A project to address congestion near downtown Zephyrhills had been ranked fourth on the proposed Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) project priority list.

But it dropped to eighth place on the list after a discussion during the MPO board’s May meeting.

That action drew a response from the City of Zephyrhills during the MPO board’s meeting on June 8.

Lance Smith, a city councilman from Zephyrhills, said he’s not sure the Pasco MPO board should change the priority of projects that were ranked using a matrix to establish their place on the list.

Todd Vande Berg, planning director for the City of Zephyrhills, asked the board to reconsider its decision and restore the priority list to its original order.

“So, we heard there was some discussion about flipping the 301 rankings and placing some higher priority on the 301 project, south of town, down to 56,” Vande Berg said, during the public comment portion of the board meeting.

“The city has some concerns about this and we wanted to share some of those concerns.

“Not only has the project through town, through Zephyrhills, been on the project list for a couple decades, we’ve been patiently waiting for the State Road 52 project to get done,” Vande Berg said.

“Without these major road improvements, sidewalks, roads, lighting for safety, it’s kind of stymied our efforts for development and redevelopment.

“Meanwhile, the traffic through town has significantly gotten worse through the past couple decades.

“So, city staff, our city council and businesses are not excited about the ranking being changed,” the planning director said.

He noted that Zephyrhills’ city staff, the city council, the business community and the MPO’s technical advisory committee all recommend sticking to the original order.

Vande Berg also noted that the other project is expected to be addressed relatively soon.

“While there are traffic tie-ups at U.S.301 and State Road 56 during peak hours, Zephyrhills has congestion throughout the day,” he said.

Zephyrhills Councilman  Lance Smith suggested the ranking order could remain the same and that other interim improvements be made to lessen congestion at State Road 56 and U.S. 301.

Smith noted the original rankings were based using a set of criteria for prioritizing projects.

“Why are we changing it?” he asked.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said the Florida Department of Transportation wants to see both projects done, back-to-back.

“I think they’re both going to fly,” Mariano said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley observed: “Zephyrhills right now has three lanes going north and three lanes going south,” he said.

But U.S. 301 has just two lanes in the area near State Road 56, creating a bottleneck.

He’d like to see State Road 56 extended across U.S. 301, down through Crystal Springs and then around toward the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Besides improving the transportation network, it could address stormwater issues in the Crystal Springs area, Oakley said.

Oakley added: “I’m for both (U.S. 301 projects). I just think that bottleneck at the south needs to be opened up or it won’t keep jamming all of that traffic back up to the city.”

Justin Hall, director of transportation development for the District Seven office of the FDOT, offered assurances to Zephyrhills’ officials that FDOT is very interested in improving conditions on U.S. 301.

The Pasco County MPO is the lead transportation planning agency in Pasco County. Its board is made up of the five members of the Pasco County Commission and one elected official from the cities of New Port Richey, Port Richey, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Published June 21, 2023

Pasco wants to protect its voice in transportation planning

By

On the one hand, forming a regional transportation planning organization could put Tampa Bay in a better position for attracting federal dollars for projects.

On the other, Pasco County officials worry a regional board could put Pasco at a disadvantage in securing transportation dollars to address its needs.

So, for now, the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) is resisting any effort to become part of a regional MPO board.

Board members said they might feel differently if the composition of the new board is made up of equal numbers of county commissioners from Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough counties.

The Pasco, Pinellas and Hillsborough transportation planning agencies must participate in preparing a report that lists the pros and cons of creating a regional transportation planning agency, Carl Mikyska, executive director of the Pasco MPO said during its June 8 meeting.

That report must be submitted by Dec. 31 to the Speaker of the House, the Senate President and the Governor, he said.

Under the proposed regional board, Pasco County would have four representatives, Hillsborough County would have 12 and Pinellas County would have nine.

That composition did not sit well with the Pasco MPO’s Citizens Advisory Committee, Technical Advisory Committee or its Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee.

All three expressed concerns that the new approach would diminish Pasco’s voice as it relates to transportation needs and priorities.

The proposed number of representatives on the board is based on the April 1, 2020 U.S. Census figures, Mikyska said.

However, he noted: “We have explosive growth here. We are the fifth fastest-growing county in the nation.”

The topic is expected to be discussed at a regional meeting on June 23, Mikyska said, asking the board to convey their thoughts on the issue.

Board members expressed concerns about Pasco County’s projects securing enough votes to make it to the top of priority lists.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Lance Smith said: “As a small city, my fear is getting lost in the shuffle. We may never get funds for anything, really. I would hope that it would be equitable, but who is the staff going to be?

“I think there’s a lot of questions that need to be answered, on who’s going to staff it.”

Smith also noted that it can be difficult to make it to the top of Pasco’s priority list, let alone a regional list.

MPO board chairman Matt Murphy, who is deputy mayor of New Port Richey, said he doesn’t think that having four votes will work for Pasco County.

Pasco County Commissioner Seth Weightman agreed: “I think we’re all a ‘Hard No’ for four votes.”

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said working together as a region could have significant benefits, in terms of having a greater regional voice and working together on regional transportation issues.

“There’s potential,” Mariano said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said he opposes moving forward with the proposed level of board representation.

“I definitely wouldn’t want this to go forward with this kind of membership,” Oakley said.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who was not at the meeting, previously has advocated for a regional approach.

She has said that previous efforts have failed to provide transportation solutions for the region and a regional perspective is needed to address issues that cross governmental boundaries.

David Gwynn, secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation’s District Seven office, also has previously said that establishing a regional MPO may bring more federal dollars to this part of the state.

“With 3.2 million people in an MPO, you’re going to be the largest MPO,” Gwynn said, during a meeting with officials from across the Tampa Bay region earlier this year.

He also said if that happens, then more improvements could be accomplished throughout the region.

The Pasco County MPO is the lead transportation planning agency for Pasco County. Its board is made up of members of the Pasco County Commission and an elected official representing New Port Richey, Port Richey, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Published June 21, 2023

It’s summertime, and the grilling is easy

By

If you’re getting ready to fire up your grill for some summertime meals, you might also want to get ready to make yourself some marinades and rubs, too.

Avoid cross-contamination if you plan on using a marinade on ready-to-eat food by either boiling it before reusing, or simply setting some aside prior to marinating. (Courtesy of Pixabay.com)

Whether you’re craving something that’s a little bit sweet, or a little bit salty, or a little bit spicy — chances are there’s a rub or marinade that can address that desire.

Marinade is typically used to tenderize and add flavor to meat, seafood, vegetables and fruits.

Be sure to marinate meat and seafood separate from fruits and vegetables.

The word marinade comes from the French word, mariner, which means to “pickle in brine.”

Marinade is the liquid used for soaking the foods, and marinate refers to the actual process of soaking the foods.

There are three components to a marinade: acid, flavoring (herbs and spices) and oil.  

The most common acids are citrus, tomato juices, and vinegars.  

The acid enhances flavors and breaks down the cells of the food, allowing the herbs, spices, and oil to permeate into the food.

The oil moistens the food.

Marinades can tenderize tougher cuts of meat and can add flavor — allowing consumers to stretch food dollars while enjoying meat that can be as flavorful as more expensive cuts of meat.

Some pointers for marinating foods:

  • Always be sure to marinate your foods in the refrigerator.
  • Tenderizing times vary based on the sizes and cut of the meat (dense meat such as beef, pork or venison can be marinated for up to 24 hours; chicken can be marinated for 2 to 24 hours; seafood, vegetables and fruits need to be marinated from 15 minutes to 60 minutes).
  • When food is already tender and you’re just adding flavor, you can marinate it from 15 minutes to 2 hours.
  • Do not marinate at room temperature, instead, increase the marinating time in the refrigerator to accomplish the same level of tenderness.
  • The general rule of thumb is to use ½ cup of marinade per pound of meat.
  • Be sure to marinate your meats, seafood or vegetables in a plastic or glass container or a resealable plastic bag.

Of special note, do not use metal containers to marinate your foods.

The acid can react to the metal and cause toxic metal poisoning or cause the flavor to be off.

What’s rub, here?
Rubs, either wet or dry, also add flavor — but they won’t tenderize food.

Rubs are a blend of herbs, peppers, spices or seasonings that coat the meat’s surface.  

Dry rubs have mixtures of several dry herbs and spices and can be salty, savory, herbal, spicy or sweet.  

Rubs do not have to be applied in advance, but like marinades they can have an increased effect over time.

It’s up to you. You can apply a rub immediately before cooking, or several hours earlier — refrigerating your food until cooking time.

For food with a dry rub, do not wrap the food in plastic wrap, as that would trap moisture. Instead, use an airtight container in the fridge.

Wet rubs form a paste using some form of a wet ingredient, such as oil, vinegar, beer or other moist ingredients, such as mustard or yogurt.  

A web rub is essentially the same thing as a dry rub — with a liquid base.

If you want the dry ingredients to better adhere to the food, use a wet rub.  

Be careful when using a sweet-flavored rub because the sugar can easily burn instead of forming that caramelization you want.  

For this reason, use low and slow cooking methods for a sweet rub, as sugar can burn above 350 degrees F.  

Remember this, too, for the sugars in a wet ingredient like honey or alcohol.  

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science Agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Marinade Rub Recipes
Courtesy of beefitswhatsfordinner.com:

Simple Southwest Marinade
Ingredients
1/2 cup Italian dressing
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
1 Tablespoon honey
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Place beef steak(s) and marinade in a food-safe plastic bag; turn steak(s) to coat. Close bag securely and marinate in refrigerator 15 minutes to 2 hours, if steak is tender; 6 hours or overnight for less tender steaks. Turn occasionally.

Chili-Cilantro Marinade
Ingredients
⅔ cup prepared Italian dressing
2 Tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tablespoon chili powder

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. Place beef steaks and marinade in a food-safe plastic bag; turn steaks to coat. Close bag securely and marinate tender steaks in refrigerator for 15 minutes to 2 hours; marinate for 6 hours or overnight for less tender steaks. Turn occasionally.

Smoky Paprika Rub
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons smoked or Spanish paprika
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

Directions
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; press evenly onto beef steaks.

Espresso Rub
Ingredients
2 Tablespoons finely ground espresso coffee beans or finely ground regular ground coffee
1 Tablespoon garlic pepper
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon ancho chili powder or regular chili powder

Directions
Combine rub ingredients in a small bowl; press generously onto beef steaks.

Published June 21, 2023

A flagship celebration, history lesson

By

Every year in the middle of June, poles are surveyed.

That’s because the nation recognizes Flag Day, commemorating the adoption of the flag of the United States, or Old Glory, on June 14, 1777, by resolution of the Second Continental Congress.

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day; on Aug. 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday. (Mike Camunas)

The Flag Resolution was passed, and stated: “Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States be thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation.”

In 1916, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation that officially established June 14 as Flag Day and on Aug. 3, 1949, National Flag Day was established by an Act of Congress. Flag Day is not an official federal holiday.

On June 14, 1937, Pennsylvania became the first state to celebrate Flag Day as a state holiday, and several other states, such as Washington, Massachusetts and New York, have held flag parades for decades.

Throughout grade school, several lessons were taught, telling students the story that credits Betsy Ross for sewing one of the first flags from a pencil sketch handed to her by George Washington. However, no such evidence exists either in George Washington’s diaries or the Continental Congress’ records.

By her family’s own admission, Ross ran an upholstery business, and she had never made a flag as of the supposed visit in June 1776. That being said, researchers accept that the first flag evolved, and did not have one design.

The current design of the U.S. flag is its 27th and the design has been modified officially 26 times since 1777.

The national flag of the United States consists of thirteen equal horizontal stripes of red alternating with white, with a blue rectangle in the canton (referred to specifically as the “union”) bearing 50 small, white, five-pointed stars arranged in nine offset horizontal rows, where rows of six stars alternate with rows of five stars. The 50 stars on the flag represent the 50 U.S. states, and the 13 stripes represent the thirteen British colonies that declared independence from Great Britain and thus became the first states in the U.S.

Published June 14, 2023

 

Supervisor of Elections says Florida’s system is sound

By

As another election season begins to rev up, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley recently talked about election integrity at a North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

His talk came amidst the backdrop of persistent claims by some that the 2020 presidential election was stolen, continuing court cases involving that election and a $787 million settlement in the Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News.

Despite those controversies, Corley said voters in Pasco and across Florida should have confidence in the integrity of the voting system.

“Florida leads the nation in what we do,” Corley said. “For example, paper ballots — we’ve been using them since 2008. Worst-case scenario, we could always recreate an election.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley offers assurances that great steps are taken to ensure the integrity of election outcomes, during a speech at a North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon. (B.C. Manion)

“Some states, they don’t have early voting. Some states, you have to have an affidavit for why you can’t vote by mail. Vote by Mail has become so politicized,” he said.

Under Florida’s system, the ballot is sent at the voter’s request.

“And, when you request it, you have to provide the last four of your social (Social Security) and your driver’s license, so we can match it up. That’s very, very important,” Corley said.

Also, when ballots are mailed, they cannot be forwarded.

“Every election we send out a mass mailing of those who made a request to us, and it comes back to what I refer to as the ‘Trays of sadness,’” Corley said.

The elections supervisor was talking about the mail that returns to his office with yellow stickers on them, because the ballots cannot be forwarded.

People don’t think twice about notifying their bank, their utilities and others when they move, but he added: “I can tell you what they probably didn’t do, they didn’t notify their local Elections Office.”

That can result in a voter being registered in two states, which, in and of itself, isn’t a huge problem, Corley said. But it becomes a serious issue if someone tries to vote in two states.
Corley thinks the improved convenience of voting has helped the process.

“Having early voting, having Vote by Mail is just so, so huge,” he said.

He acknowledged, though, that it has been problematic in some states.

“I knew trouble was brewing in 2020.

“In October, I was talking to my colleagues in Michigan.

“Because of the pandemic, almost half of the votes that were cast were votes by mail,” he said.

His Michigan peer told him: ‘Yea, we’re at record numbers for us, but it’s going to be a problem.’

“I said, ‘What do you mean?’

“She said, ‘By law, we can’t start counting until Election Day.’”

Being unable to begin the count until Election Day meant it would take longer to report the vote, which aroused suspicions among some voters.

Even though Florida’s results weren’t close, Corley said he encountered some of that skepticism.

“I can’t describe the awkwardness of when you have family members that want to re-litigate the election,” Corley said.

He said a relative told him: “Brian, ‘I go to bed and Trump’s winning and I wake up, and Biden’s winning.

“What, in the middle of the night did they dump these votes when no one was looking?’

“I’m like, ‘No.’

“Elections are not over on Election Night. They never have been,” Corley said.

There needs to be time to count provisional ballots and ballots cast by men and women in the military, he said.

“By law you can drop off your Vote by Mail ballot to any one of our offices by 7 p.m. on Election Day,” he said. So, if a voter drops off a ballot in Dade City and it is taken over to New Port Richey, it takes some time to get there, to be verified and counted.

There are other reasons that votes are counted past Election Night, Corley said.

“If you don’t sign your Vote by Mail ballot, or the signature doesn’t match, you’ll have until that Thursday by 5 p.m. to basically prove why it should count.

“Or, if you show up to the polls and you don’t have your ID — we never turn voters away — you get to do a provisional ballot. By law, we can’t even look at those until Thursday at 5 p.m.

“Having those safeguards in place for Vote by Mail is absolutely huge,” he said.

There are other steps that Corley’s office takes to ensure the integrity of the voter rolls.

“We do voter list maintenance every single day,” he said. “People move. People die. People commit felonies.

“After every cycle, we reach out to people we think have moved.

“If you haven’t voted in two cycles, we will get with you and say, ‘What’s the deal?”

“If you don’t vote, you’ve got to return the form to us. If you don’t, then you get a second notice. Then, if you don’t do that form, you get put on inactive,” he said.

Before elections are held, election equipment is tested.

After votes are counted, it does audits to check results.

“We randomly select a contest. It can be the president, it can be a county commission.

“Then, we select a percent of precincts. Usually about four out of our 120 precincts, and we physically hand-count the ballots.

“It has been 100% accurate since August of 2008,” Corley said. “I’m not bragging. It’s supposed to be accurate.”

Published June 14, 2023

State sales tax holidays will yield savings for consumers

By

Bills passed by the Florida Legislature and signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis will help consumers save when purchasing essential items and while having fun.

For details on exemptions and other information, check FloridaRevenue.com and search for the Sales Tax Holiday page.

Here is a rundown on the sales tax holidays that were adopted:

  • 2023 Disaster Preparedness Sales Tax Holiday: The first tax relief period ended on June 9 and the second one runs from Aug. 26 through Sept. 8. Items designed to help people and pets safe during hurricane season are tax-free.
  • 2023 Freedom Summer Sales Tax Holiday: Consumers can purchase qualifying recreation and outdoor items and admissions to entertainment and cultural events. The sales tax holiday began on May 29 and runs through Sept. 4.
  • 2023-2024 ENERGY STAR Appliances Sales Tax Holiday. Consumers can purchase qualifying ENERGY STAR® appliances, This sales tax holiday begins July 1 and extends through June 30, 2024.
  • 2023-2024 Gas Ranges and Cooktops Sales Tax Holiday. The tax relief applies to qualifying gas ranges and cooktops. The tax holiday runs from July 1 through June 30, 2024.
  • 2023-2024 Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. Consumers can purchase qualifying back-to-school supplies exempt from tax,  from July 24 through Aug. 6, and from Jan. 1 through Jan. 14, 2024.
  • 2023 Tool Time Sales Tax Holiday. Consumers can purchase qualifying tools and equipment exempt from tax from Sept. 2 through Sept. 8.

The list of exemptions also includes two that began last year and that are ongoing. They are:

  • 2022 Home Hardening Sales Tax Exemption. Consumers can purchase qualifying home hardening products exempt from sales tax from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024.
  • 2022-2023: Children’s Diapers and Clothing Sales Tax Exemption. Consumers can purchase qualifying children’s diapers and clothing exempt from tax July 1, 2022 through this June 30.

Published June 14, 2023

Pasco board honors Wilton Simpson for his leadership, contributions

By

If you’ve lived in Pasco County for a while, chances are you’ve heard Wilton Simpson’s name.

He’s the guy who grew up In Trilby, played football at Pasco High and went on to become president of the Florida Senate and is now Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture.

The Pasco County Commission recently cast a spotlight on Simpson, to thank him for his continuing contributions to improve the quality of life both in Pasco County and around the state.

Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson is honored by the Pasco County Commission during its June 6 meeting. The board noted Simpson’s many accomplishments through the years and members said they expect more to come. From left: Heather Grimes, chief administrative officer for the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office; Pasco Commissioner Seth Weightman; Pasco Commissioner Ron Oakley; Simpson; Kathy Simpson (his wife); Pasco Commissioner Kathryn Starkey; Lauran Monbarren (Simpson’s daughter); Kenton Monbarren (son-in-law); Caroline Simpson (daughter-in-law) Wilton Simpson Jr. (son); and, Pasco Commission Chairman Jack Mariano. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Simpson has used his influence to help bring state funding for needed infrastructure and health care projects in Pasco County and he has supported a number of programs such as PACE Center for Girls, Habitat for Humanity, and CARES, which stands for Community Aging and Retirement Services.

In fact, Simpson donated 1.7 acres of land in Dade City for a new 6,000-square-foot CARES Center there.

He and his wife, Kathy, founded the Simpson Breast Health Center, which is at AdventHealth Zephyrhills, and is led by an independent team of board-certified physicians, according to the county board’s resolution.

Simpson was singled out when ground was being broken for SperosFL, which is the Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco Campus.

In acknowledgement of his advocacy for Moffitt and for scientific research, in general, the first 75 acres of Moffitt’s Pasco campus will be called the W.E. Simpson Concourse for Cures, and the road leading into it will be known as Wilton Way.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, who sponsored the resolution, told Simpson: “You don’t look old enough to have done all of these things.

“Really, you’ve done a great job.”

Oakley also freely expressed his affection and respect for Simpson.

“Wilton, I cherish your friendship. I love and care for your family, as if they were mine.

“I just can’t say enough for all of the things you’ve done for Pasco County and I certainly want to thank you for every little bit.”

At the same time, Oakley said he thinks that Simpson will continue to do great things to benefit the people he serves.

“We have greater expectations for you in the future,” Oakley said.

Oakley’s board colleagues also expressed their appreciation for Simpson’s efforts.

Commissioner Seth Weightman put it this way: “It’s amazing to see the work that you’ve done and to see how it’s going to carry on to another generation.

Board colleague Kathryn Starkey added: “When we had some others in the Senate that were reluctant to file for appropriations, we can always count on Senator Simpson, and now (Agriculture) Commissioner Simpson. He carried a lot for us that I think a lot of people in this county don’t realize.

“You saw what our needs are here, in the county, and they’re big. All of your help that you gave us during that time is greatly appreciated. Thank you.”

Pasco County Administrator Mike Carballa also weighed in: “From an administrator’s perspective, your team and yourself are just fantastic to work with. I really appreciate all of the support you’ve given to the county. You’ve really helped us get a lot of things done.

“It’s just been a phenomenal partnership, so we thank you for all of it.”

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano praised Simpson’s ability to make things happen.

“I want to say, commissioner, that you’ve been the most impactful elected official that Pasco County has ever had,” Mariano said, adding that Simpson’s overall thinking benefits the entire state.

In accepting the board’s honor, Simpson expressed appreciation for their tribute and also thanked his family, who accompanied him to the meeting, for their support.

Simpson told the commissioners: “It was such an honor to serve the last 10 years in the Florida Senate and to be the Senate President during the pandemic, and keeping Florida open and getting our kids back in school and making sure our businesses were able to run and operate.”

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson addresses a small crowd on Jan. 31 during the groundbreaking of the CARES Wilton Simpson Senior Center, in Dade City, which will be built on 1.7 acres of land Simpson donated. Simpson was surprised to learn his name would be part of the building’s name. (File)

He said he’s pleased with the work that has been done to ensure protection for the state’s wildlife and agricultural interests through the Florida Wildlife Corridor.

“It was one of my major priorities that we had, you know, in my last two years as president,” he said.

Simpson is also pleased by the opportunity to serve in his current role.

“To be elected Commissioner of Agriculture is clearly an honor of a lifetime,” Simpson said.

“Two weeks ago, in our Cabinet meeting, we approved almost $70 million — almost 40,000 acres of land to be preserved in the state of Florida. In this year’s budget, there’s over $30 million to preserve 1,000 acres of land in the Wesley Chapel area.”

He’s excited about the potential of Moffitt’s Pasco campus. 

“Moffitt is going to revolutionize cancer care in the world. The research facility that they’re building — not only will bring thousands of jobs to our area of the state, but the world will travel to the Tampa Bay area, now, to receive care,” he said.

He said he knows people are already traveling here, but he expects more to do so as Pasco’s new project comes online.

He doesn’t expect that to be too long down the road, either.

“In two or three years, I think, we’ll have some of the first buildings open,” he said.

His focus now is on “making sure our food supply remains robust, in the country, but in this state, in particular.

“As Ag Commissioner, it’s all about safe, affordable, abundant food,” Simpson said.

Published June 14, 2023

Nest Hockey Academy approved for up to 150 students

By

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley wasn’t pleased with the way Nest Hockey Academy got its start in the district he oversees, but ultimately he made the motion to support the unique new school at 9175 McKendree Road, in Wesley Chapel.

Oakley complained that the initial approach used by the school to set up operations didn’t have adequate oversight by the county.

“The main issue with this project — is No. 1 — it was put in a residential area,” Oakley said.

The Pasco County Commission voted 4-0 to approve Nest Hockey Academy, at 9175 McKendree Road in Wesley Chapel, for up to 150 students. The approval came despite concerns raised by some area residents over potential impacts the hockey academy will have on their neighborhood. (FIle)

The applicants built the academy, after receiving a special exception for a school. However, the use was restricted to no more than 20 people on the site.

County planners said the applicants, Russ and Leann Henderson, were informed they would need a master-planned unit development rezoning, in order to use the site for 150 students.

The Hendersons then filed an MPUD request.

Planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval of the request.

Neighbors, however, raised objections.

John Parlapiano, who lives on McKendree Road, told the county board: “I’m not against them, but I’m for my quality of life.”

He also noted that he’s a retired law enforcement officer and has concerns about the potential impacts of allowing alcohol sales at the site — which could be a possibility in the future.

County planners said the academy is an appropriate use for the site because it’s in the business core of Connected City — an area expected to attract a considerable amount of growth and a mixture of uses.

About a dozen students from the academy, dressed nicely, sat politely in the audience, while the county board deliberated the request.

During the public comment portion, one student told the board that this academy goes beyond teaching math, science, reading and social studies, and helps to shape students into good people.

The student’s mom, speaking on behalf of parents who support the request, said the Hendersons are providing a unique opportunity and she asked for the board’s support.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey noted that the area where the academy will operate is in the midst of massive change. 

In approving the request, the board also required the applicant to improve McKendree Road up to county standards, between the school and Tyndall Road.

The applicant also is required to provide right of way for a future vision road, known as Boyette Road.

Published June 14, 2023

What is the best path for the Orange Belt Trail?

By

The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) — Pasco’s lead transportation planning agency — is expected to get an update on planning efforts for the Orange Belt Trail in July.

As envisioned, the 37-mile Orange Belt Trail will stretch from Trinity to Trilby and will provide regional connectivity.

It’s also expected to enhance the existing and planned regional trail network by providing key connections to the Coast-to-Coast Trail, Starkey Trail, Suncoast Trail and Withlacoochee Trail, according to information on the Orange Belt Trail’s website.

As work continues on developing a plan for the Orange Belt Trail, a desire has voiced for amenities such as wayfinding, trail heads including restrooms and water fountains, and paths that are away from busy roads. (File)

The 12- to 14-foot multi-use trail is expected to link communities such as Trinity, Odessa, Land O’Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Dade City to help fuel economic transformation.

It will be open to pedestrians and bicyclists, and possibly for equestrian use in some areas.

Generally, it will follow the path of the Orange Belt Railway, but deviations are expected.

Although planners have not honed in on the exact path yet, there’s been considerable discussion on what should be included and there’s been pushback from some areas that do not want the trail.

Tina Russo, a transportation planner for the Pasco MPO, recently gave that board an overview of some of the thoughts that have been surfacing — including input from public meetings held in December and April. She also shared suggestions from the MPO’s Bicycle Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) and its Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

The project is being led by Sam Benick, a Pasco County project manager, along with county staff and consultants.

“We had an in-depth conversation with our CAC committee and our BPAC on this alignment,” said Russo, who devotes much of her time to seeking ways to improve safety for pedestrians and bicyclists.

Russo said she spent more than an hour discussing the issue with BPAC members.

“These guys have waited years to provide these comments,” she said.

She expects Beneck and the consultants to have an informal conversation about the Orange Belt Trail planning efforts during the MPO board’s July meeting.

“That (Orange Belt) rail line is what the Pinellas Trail is on and what the Coast-to-Coast is on,” Russo said. “That line has been on Pasco mapper for quite a few years and, now, we’re finally getting to study it.”

Providing access to natural areas is another thing that trail planners are keeping in mind, as they work on the alignment for the Orange Belt Trail.

During public sessions on the project in April, questions arose about the potential alignment in certain parts of West Pasco, Land O’ Lakes and Dade City, Russo said.

While the trail alignment is not yet clear, there’s obviously considerable interest in the project.

Russo estimated more than 150 people attended public meetings on the project in December and a considerable number of comments have been submitted on the Orange Belt Trail’s website.

Public input is being used to help determine such things as where trailheads should go and the locations of trail crossings, Russo said.

“We got a good idea of what people want and don’t want,” Russo said.

“We found out that people wanted a paved trail and they wanted it kind of in the woods,” she said.

They’d like to keep a separation between the trail and traffic, to help keep trail users safe.

In a perfect world, the trail users would like 100 feet of right of way, consisting of a clear zone and trees, Russo said.

“We can do that in some places,” the transportation planner said.

In some places, though, the right of way will be smaller.

There may be some places, where the trail is on a road, with a separation from cars, Russo said. That may be necessary, in order to make a desired connection, she explained.

For instance, there’s a trail in New York that traverses the entire state, but portions of it are on the road, Russo said.

Members of the public also have weighed in on amenities they’d like to see.

“They wanted trailheads with restrooms. That’s always a big one,” Russo said.

Other requests include water fountains, wayfinding (directional signage) and grade-separated crossings.

Finding ways to connect with existing trails is another element being considered by planners of the Orange Belt Trail, which ultimately is expected to stretch across Pasco County, from Trinity to Trilby.

Planning can make a real difference in creating an effective trail system, Russo said.

“If we build a trail correctly, in a community, you need less trailheads.

“If we build this right, we want you to be able to ride from your house and not have to build trailheads, if possible,” she said.

Proper planning also can reduce the need for overpasses, Russo added.

“Overpasses are expensive. They’re about $15 million. And not everybody uses them.

“We want to try to actually design a trail that we can cross the road safely, without planning to build an overpass that might take 10 or 15 years to build,” Russo said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said property owners from Blanton to Trilby don’t want the trail to align with the Orange Belt Trail because portions of the former rail line are now on private land.

Oakley suggested looking at a different route, perhaps further to the east.

Oakley said he would love to see a trail that would accommodate equestrian users.

He also envisions the possibilities of having camp spots for equestrian trail users, on the west side of the county, on the east side and in the Green Swamp.

“We haven’t done much for equestrian, but we do have a lot of people who love horses and love riding horses,” Oakley said.

Orange Belt Trail
The Orange Belt Trail is intended to be a trail that crosses Pasco County, linking Trinity to Trilby and providing connections to the Coast-to-Coast Trail, the Starkey Trail, the Suncoast Trail and the Withlacoochee Trail. It also will link such communities as Trilby, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Dade City. For additional details on the Orange Belt Trail project, visit OrangeBeltTrail.com.

Published June 14, 2023

Hillsborough County’s parks and recreation get national attention

By

Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation is one of four finalists across the country for the quality of its parks and recreational facilities and programming. (File)

Hillsborough County’s Parks & Recreation has been named one of the top parks and recreation programs in the country, according to a county news release.

The program is one of four national finalists in the Class 1 Category for the National Gold Medal Award for Excellence.

This is the second consecutive year that the program has been singled out for its excellence, by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration.

Class 1 includes the nation’s largest parks and recreation departments, serving populations of more than 400,000.

Only one department will receive the highest award, the Grand Plaque, which will be awarded in September.

Here are some key facts about Hillsborough’s parks and recreation department and its programming:

  • It offers offers more than 1,700 partnered, athletic programs that have 503,000 visits annually.
  • It manages 167 parks, 223 sports fields, 118 playgrounds, 54 recreation centers, 47 athletic complexes, 10 dog parks, six cemeteries, and five splash pads.
  • It is estimated that these facilities result in nearly $50 million in increased property values.
  • Its $9 million Athletic Turf Initiative aims to ensure high-quality playing conditions for 40,000 youth athletes and a $3.5 million Americans with Disabilities Transition Plan assists in removing physical barriers.
  • Lucy Dell Community Pond, once an overgrown, littered water basin dividing two neighborhoods, has been transformed by installing a boardwalk, fitness station and walking trail, creating an urban oasis.
  • A $10 million investment turned a decommissioned wastewater treatment plant into a destination park, which attracts more than 603,000 visits a year.
  • A former landfill site has been converted into the county’s first drone racing park.
  • Hillsborough County Adaptive Sports (HCAS) is the only team representing a government agency in the USA Wheelchair Football League (USAWFL).
  • Hillsborough County Adaptive Sports hosted the USAWFL tournament at the Tampa Convention Center in August 2022.
  • A Wellness Access Pass was created to promote healthy lifestyles. For $10.75 per month, participants receive access to county-owned fitness centers and open gyms.
  • Move Hillsborough activities served more than 78,000 people in 2022.
  • The annual Hillsborough County Hiking Spree encourages residents to “Take a hike!’’ and highlights 22 trails that encompass everything from paved neighborhood trails to primitive treks.

Founded in 1965, the Gold Medal awards program honors park and recreation agencies in the United States and military installations worldwide that demonstrate excellence in parks and recreation through long-range planning, resource management, volunteerism, environmental stewardship, program development, professional development and community engagement. Applicants are placed into six classes, with five based on population and one class for Armed Forces installations. The award is given by the American Academy for Park and Recreation Administration in partnership with the National Recreation and Park Association.

Published June 14, 2023