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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Donations being accepted for Special Olympics of Pasco

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s offices are accepting charitable donations for Special Olympics of Pasco during the month of February, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

Special Olympics of Pasco is a sports and training program for people with intellectual disabilities, and includes training in about two dozen sports, which is provided for free to about 1,500 participants, the release says.

Funds raised last year helped the Pasco team attend the 2022 National Special Olympics USA Games in Orlando.

At the event, the Pasco County flag football team, the Dolphins, won gold.

All funds raised during this charitable giving effort will support the improvement of athletic programs for participants and will help offset costs of trips to Special Olympics games.

“Fundraisers like Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s are essential for equipment and uniforms along with training for volunteer coaches who create joy on the court and fields,” Amy Selvey, director for Pasco Special Olympics, said in the release.

“We will be able to send athletes to county, area, and summer games over the next three months and with those experiences, our athletes will grow personally. We appreciate every donation, but we also appreciate the exposure to our Pasco programs. We don’t want athletes to miss out, so public awareness is how we reach them all.  We are grateful for the partnership with Tax Collector Mike Fasano,” Selvey added.

In the release, Fasano said: “Special Olympics of Pasco has long held a special place in my heart. I’m proud that our staff and our community supports this organization that helps bring purpose to so many lives. The athletes and the volunteers who work with them are some of the kindest, most positive people I have ever met. So many of the athletes have intellectual challenges that make life difficult. To see the joy on the face of an athlete as they cross the finish line is indescribable. Special Olympics of Pasco provides a respite from the difficulties many face daily. It also provides a place to be with others who also aspire to do their very best.”

For more details regarding the charitable giving program, or services provided by the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, call Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector at 727-847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com. For more information about Special Olympics of Pasco, call Amy Selvey, Pasco Special Olympics Director at 727-492-8413, or visit SpecialOlympicsFlorida.org/westcoast.

Published February 01, 2023

Cross-Bay Ferry announces promotions

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The Cross-Bay Ferry has announced it is offering two new promotions for riders on Wednesdays and Thursdays during February.

One deal, is a Buy One, Get One (BOGO). The BOGO special will allow one customer to get up to three free tickets with the purchase of three full-price tickets on Wednesdays and Thursdays, excluding days of Tampa Bay Lightning home games. This offer will be valid on Feb. 1, Feb. 2, Feb. 8, Feb. 15, Feb. 16, Feb. 22, Feb. 25 and Feb. 26.

To redeem the BOGO offer, customers must use the promo code “CROSSBAYWEEKDAY” when purchasing tickets online (TheCrossBayFerry.com/st-pete-tampa) or in person at dockside ticket booths in Tampa and St. Petersburg.

Another promotion, Kids Ride Free, allows up to two kids age 12 and younger to ride free with an adult on Wednesday and Thursdays, also excluding days of the Lightning home games.

The valid dates for this promotion are the same as the BOGO deal.

To redeem this offer, customers must enter the promo code “KIDSRIDEFREE23” when purchasing tickets online or in person. All children must have their own ticket and be accompanied by an adult.

These promotions will allow the ferry to better serve rider and customer demand for its mid-week service, build on its Community Partner Program, and mark another step in the ferry’s development as a long-term transportation option for travel across the bay, according to a news release.

Published February 01, 2023

Applications now being accepted for Spotlight on Talent

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Faith Phaller was named winner of the $1,000 Pasco Heritage Scholarship during last year’s Spotlight on Talent. (Courtesy of Heritage Arts Center)

Spotlight on Talent, a regional talent competition that’s celebrating its 40th year, is accepting applications for this year’s contest.

The deadline to apply is Feb. 9. Auditions have been set for Feb. 25.

The event, presented by the Heritage Arts Center Association, gives young performers a chance to show off their talents, as well as to compete for cash prizes, trophies, and a scholarship that is awarded to the most outstanding senior.

Hundreds of performers will audition in front of a panel of professional judges, who select the finalists. There are singers, dancers and instrumentalists, and competitors can enter as solo acts, as part of a group, or both. The competition also is divided by age groups.

Finalists from the audition will perform in two shows, set for March 25.

The performances typically attracts audiences numbering into the hundreds.

Over the years, the annual competition has gone on — even in the midst of COVID-19, without a stage or audience.

This year, the event is scheduled to take the stage at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, at 30651 Wells Road, in Wesley Chapel.

For more information, or to apply to compete, visit HeritageArts.org.

Published February 01, 2023

Beware of warrant scams

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The Pasco Sheriff’s Office (PSO) has seen a rise in warrant scams recently, and has issued a warning to make the public aware of this increasing crime.

Here’s how the scam works, according to PSO: A caller poses as a representative of the PSO, using an agency member’s name and demanding payment over the phone.

Often, the caller may use a victim’s personal information that can be gathered from public record searches, according to a PSO news posting.

The caller states that if victims do not pay, an arrest warrant will be issued. The caller insists for payment with gift cards, wire transfers, credit cards or through money sharing apps, the PSO alert says.

The PSO wants the public to know: These calls are not legitimate, as PSO will never discuss warrants over the phone or request payment with these methods to clear them.

Here are some tips from the PSO to help citizens protect themselves from warrant scams and other potential scams:

  • Be leery of requests for unusual payment methods, such as using gift cards to pay for government business.
  • Do not provide or verify personal information with the caller.
  • Do not feel pressure to act due to the urgency of the caller.
  • End suspicious phone calls immediately.
  • If you receive a warrant scam call, immediately report it to local law enforcement

The PSO also wants you to know that scammers:

  • Often pretend to be from an organization you know
  • Claim there’s a problem or a prize
  • Pressure you to take immediate action
  • Demand you pay in a specific way

Here are some suggestions from the PSO to help you avoid scams:

  • Block unwanted calls and text messages.
  • Don’t give personal or financial information in response to a request you didn’t expect.
  • Don’t pay someone who insists you pay with a gift car or use a money transfer service.

Published February 01, 2023

Protect yourself from ID theft: Shred sensitive documents

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You can take action during a free event to help protect yourself against identity theft.

Cars lined up to drop off sensitive documents, which were shredded at Big Shred VI. The idea is to shred the documents, to prevent identity theft. (Courtesy of the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s office)

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles will present part two of Big Shred VI, on Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon, at the Robert Sumner Judicial Center, 38053 Live Oak Ave., in Dade City.

Those participating in Big Shred VI are allowed to bring three copy-paper size boxes or two tall kitchen trash bags filled with documents. Staples, clasps and paperclips do not need to be removed, but paper must be removed from three-ring binders, and electronics are not accepted.

The clerk and comptroller’s office already joined up with Keep Pasco Beautiful, Shred 360 and Covanta to provide the first part of the two-part event on Jan. 28 at the West Pasco Judicial Center in New Port Richey.

At the event in New Port Richey, 270 cars came through with people dropping off documents to be shredded, according to the clerk and comptroller’s office.

Each year, Big Shred is timed to be around Jan. 28, which is Data Privacy Day.

It’s no secret that identity theft is a widespread crime throughout the country.

The Federal Trade Commission reported that in 2022, there were 603,591 cases of identity theft nationwide. Florida claimed 101,367 of those cases, according to a news release from the clerk and comptroller’s office.

Published February 01, 2023

 

Pasco road projects included in tentative five-year plan

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT’s) proposed tentative five-year work program includes about $433 million worth of improvements in Pasco County.

That figure includes about $258 million worth of projects to expand roadway capacity, but it also includes resurfacing, pedestrian and bicycle safety enhancements and other work, too,  according to Jensen Hackett, of FDOT.

He highlighted some of the major projects included in the tentative work plan, during the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Jan. 12 meeting. The Pasco MPO’s board is made up of elected officials from the Pasco County Commission and the cities of Dade City, Zephyrhills, Port Richey and New Port Richey.

These construction barrels were a familiar sight on State Road 52, and will be again when future widening work is done. Widening projects planned on the road in Land O’ Lakes have been slightly delayed because of additional time needed to negotiate right of way acquisition. (File)

The Pasco MPO also is the chief transportation planning agency for Pasco County.

Here’s a rundown of major Pasco projects included in FDOT’s proposed five-year tentative work plan, which covers fiscal years 2024 through 2028.

Hackett explained how the process works: “This proposed tentative work program will be submitted to the Florida Legislature later this year. They begin their session in March and that goes until May, and that will be their review program from all seven districts and the Florida Turnpike.

Then it goes to the governor for his review, as part of the state budget.

After the governor signs off on the work program, the first year of the five-year tentative plan becomes part of the fiscal 2024 state budget, he explained.

Hackett also told the Pasco MPO board members that the plan calls for a slight delay on a pair of the board’s priority projects involving widening on State Road 52.

One project calls for widening State Road 52 from U.S. 41 to Ehren Cutoff, and the second improvement calls for widening State Road 52 from Ehren Cutoff to Bellamy Brothers Boulevard.

Both of those projects had been set to be let out for contract in January of their respective years, but each has been delayed for six months, Hackett said.

“As you know, a lot of the area along (State Road) 52 has seen some cost increases for that project, as well as a lot of land speculation with all of the right of way that’s there, so we had to do a little bit more of negotiating there. So, we just needed to move these six months, for these projects for this cycle,” he explained.

Here’s a rundown of some other major Pasco projects included in the tentative five-year improvement plan:

  • U.S. 41 and State Road 54: From Wilson Road to Osprey Lane. Design funding is proposed for fiscal year 2024, right of way acquisition in fiscal year 2025.
  • U.S. 301, Gall Boulevard: From State Road 39 to County Road 54. This project involves a pair of one-way roads. The City of Zephyrhills and FDOT are collaborating on this improvement. Design is proposed in fiscal year 2024 and right of way acquisition from fiscal years 2024 through 2027. Construction has not yet been funded, but all other phases have been.
  • U.S. 301: From State Road 39 to State Road 56: This calls for adding lanes and reconstructing the road, along with a trail on the western side of the road. Right of way funds have been added into the tentative work program, in fiscal year 2028.
  • U.S. 301: Just south of Dade City to the Hernando County line: Adding lanes and reconstructing the roadway, north of Dade City. Construction funding has been included in fiscal year 2024, in the tentative work plan.
  • Interstate 75 (I-75) and Interstate 275 (I-275): This project adds lanes leading from the State Road 56 interchange heading south toward I-75 and toward I-275. When complete, the project will be similar to the lengthy exit from I-75 toward State Road 56. The idea is to make it easier for motorists to get over to I-75 or over to I-275. Right of way acquisition is proposed for fiscal year 2024 and construction for fiscal year 2026.

“It’s to get rid of a lot of weaving conflicts that led to a lot of crashes in that area,” Hackett said.

Pasco MPO Chairman Lance Smith is glad to see that planned improvement.

“I will say that that’s a very dangerous area —anything that we can do — because the cars are going everywhere,” said Smith, who sits on the Zephyrhills City Council.

Published January 25, 2023

Farming a great crop of students

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For the past 20 years, Academy at the Farm has put a lot of students out to pasture — which, in this case, refers to high school.

“Our focus has always been education,” said Ray Polk, the academy’s director for 13 years.

Soha Bajaj, a sixth-grader at Academy at the Farm, walks a cow during an agricultural learning session at the school in Dade City. Over the past 20 years, the school has grown tremendously, both in size and its participation in its award-winning 4-H and Future Farmers of America clubs. It also has become a much sought after school choice in East and Central Pasco County. The K-8 school focuses on six fundamentals: Responsibility, Fairness, Respect, Honesty, Citizenship and Caring. (Mike Camunas)

“We focus on our six traits and start that from kindergarten, right from the get-go. “We teach them life skills, which are our traits, and how they are responsible for their work, for themselves and even how they treat other people. We emphasize that,” he added.

“And we teach them that you’re the person that has to work on (those things), not the rest of the people in the school.”

Since Dr. Michael Rom opened the Dade City charter school in 2002, Academy at the Farm has grown leaps and bounds. The charter has become a sought-out educational institution for parents seeking an alternative, with empowered learning styles for their children.

At Academy at the Farm, every classroom has an instructor assistant (IA), which extends to the school’s four sections: Preschool/VPK, Primary (first and second grades), Intermediate (third through fifth grades) and Middle (sixth through eighth grades).

Each division has its own principal.

“We’ve been an A school for 18 years,” Polk said. “That’s not something that’s easy to keep, but we have been able to do that and we’re proud of that fact.”

Academy at the Farm, a Dade City charter school, has classrooms set up with alternative seating for grades K-8.

At Academy at the Farm, it all begins in kindergarten, with children learning these six character traits: Responsibility, Fairness, Respect, Honesty, Citizenship and Caring.

From the get-go, students learn to embody these attributes, which extend beyond the classroom.

Many of the school’s 650 students are members of the school’s 4-H Club and Future Farmers of America (FFA) program. And while every student will get agriculture education and lessons on the 35-acre property, those who join the clubs tend to be  heavily involved with the on-campus livestock, such as goats, hogs and cows.

“We see a lot of growth from kids who have been in our program a long time,” said Robin Carter, the school’s agriculture teacher. “Because we have high expectations of them in 4-H and FFA, and definitely set the bar higher for them than the rest of the general school population.

“And they rise to it, because they want to work with animals and want to do a good job because they find it important and — I don’t know, maybe they want to shovel poop all day, too! (laughs).”

Sixth-grader Miriam Fehir, left, and eighth-grader Liea Kautz hold onto some of the baby goats that are cared for at the charter school.

Carter said working with animals puts an emphasis on the character trait of responsibility.

They know that animals rely on them.

But those involved in the agricultural program also get to experience something that’s not common at many campuses.

“We have baby goats being born,” Carter added. “How many kids get to see baby goats being born at their school?…

“You’ll see it, as our principals will say that our FFA kids don’t get in trouble because they know that they have responsibilities and have to be out there for the animals. … They know that their personal responsibility is to be great — they’re expected to be great and to do great things.”

And part of being great is knowing, and learning, that these animals are not pets, but a way of farm life. The school breeds its livestock, including certain animals that are sold for meat.

“It’s Academy at the Farm, not Academy at the ‘Pet,’” Polk said. “Which can be tough for kids, but it’s a life lesson about where you get your food, from farms, and learning how much agricultural farming comes out of Florida.

“The kids learn that they’re not pets.”

So what’s in store for this charter school after 20 years? Well, more expansion.

Academy at the Farm includes an outdoor hockey rink for students to play on during P.E. classes and recess.

With a waiting list of nearly 2,000 students to be a lottery pick to join the student body (when there is space available), Academy at the Farm wants to go from three to four classrooms per grade.

But the big move is even loftier, and one Polk already has tried to make happen four times previously.

A high school at the Farm.

“You don’t get a 2,000-kid waiting list in Dade City without having a good reputation on what kind of charter school we are,” Polk said. “I want to be here to educate kids, even as the director, I want them to know I care about their education, even if I’m not doing any direct educating.”

Polk estimates adding a high school — grades nine through 12 — will cost up to $15 million. However, through federal funding provided by the state, the school was awarded $13.5 million back in September 2022.

Yet, just weeks later, Hurricane Ian devastated parts of Florida and that funding, as well as funding given to several other local government agencies and projects, was redirected to relief aid.

“We’ll reapply,” Polk said of getting grant or federal funding again. “A new public high school could cost anywhere from $80 to $100 million, and even though we raise about $200,000 in fundraising each year, it’s just not enough for the kind of education level we have here.

“To have an IA in every classroom, that’s $350 ($350,000) to $400,000 a year, right there.”

Academy at the Farm
Where: 9500 Alex Lange Way, Dade City
Details: In its 20th year, Academy at the Farm is a K-8 charter school that focuses heavily on higher education, but also has several agricultural aspects, such as a working farm, livestock, crops and more. Any parent can apply for their child or children to attend Academy at the Farm; however, there is a lottery list that resets every March, and that list has nearly 2,000 kids waiting on it.
Info: Visit AcademyAtTheFarm.com.

Published January 25, 2023

Supply chain issues delay grand opening of VA clinic

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Construction has been completed on a new veteran’s clinic in Zephyrhills, but the grand opening isn’t expected until late Spring or early Summer.

It’s been a long road for the new Zephyrhills veteran’s clinic; however, the end is in sight.

Officials at Tampa Veterans Affairs (VA) at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, which oversees 16 clinics, including the one in Zephyrhills, said it’s just a matter of time before the 14,000-square-foot facility opens.

“The Zephyrhills team is working diligently to open by late Spring (or) early Summer 2023,” Tampa VA officials told The Laker/Lutz News. “We, at James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, are eager to provide expanded health care options to our Zephyrhills veterans.”

Construction has been completed on the new Veterans Clinic, at 37827 Eiland Blvd., in Zephyrhills, for some time. However, several other VA construction projects and national supply chain restrictions have delayed the grand opening until late Spring or early Summer. (Mike Camunas)

Like many construction projects nationwide, the clinic has been experiencing supply chain issues.

Additionally, the Tampa VA had unprecedented concurring construction activities that have swamped officials with a logjam of projects. The main hospital unveiled a Bed Tower of 240,000 square feet and 150 beds on Jan. 21, the VA clinic in New Port Richey expanded to serve up to 24,000 veterans and Lakeland broke ground on a new 93,000-square-foot facility in April 2022.

The new Zephyrhills clinic, at 37827 Eiland Blvd., broke ground on June 7, 2019 and cost $16 million to build.

It replaces the older clinic, which will help address the health needs of veterans in Zephyrhills, the county’s largest municipality.

“The new VA clinic in Zephyrhills will be a game-changer for veterans in East Pasco,” Zephyrhills native and executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs Danny Burgess said at the 2019 groundbreaking ceremony. “The expansion will provide increased access to quality health care. We are so excited for this commitment to our community by USDVA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs); and FDVA (Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs) looks forward to growing our strong relationship with our federal partners.”

The clinic is designed to accommodate people with disabilities, and will offer new services such as Podiatry and Physical Therapy. Additional services offered include Hearing Aid Repair, Social Work, Food and Nutrition, and Tele-health Services.

Each patient will have an assigned patient-aligned care team that will consist of a physician, nurse, social worker and a mental health provider.

Patients will be referred to and treated at the James A. Haley hospital for surgeries and extensive therapy.

Ten rooms are devoted to primary care, while six rooms are used for treating mental health, which is part of the VA’s efforts to provide more access to psychiatric care services.

Those without transportation will be able to take advantage of a service that will provide free rides to their appointments.

“I’m excited about the new clinic because it’s going to enhance the patient experience for our veterans,” Chief Medical Officer of Zephyrhills Community Based Outpatient Clinic Dr. Scott Knoeppel said in a statement to The Laker/Lutz News. “The new clinic will be nearly triple in size, so we now have the capacity to add some high-demand specialty care services, such as Physical Therapy, Podiatry and Hearing Aid repair. Additionally, our Mental Health providers will be seeing patients in the new building, as well. Offering these services in one building will be of convenience to our veterans. Lastly, we will be expanding parking capacity, which had been a challenge at the previous location.”

Published January 25, 2023

Isn’t it iconic?

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You’ve seen it.

If you’ve driven past or through Orlando, if you’ve visited any of the areas around Disney or Universal or SeaWorld, it’s highly unlikely you would have missed the giant marker indicating ICON Park’s location.

The centerpiece of ICON Park is The Wheel — the 400-foot-tall observation ride — that provides stunning views of Orlando, Kissimmee, Lake Buena Vista and beyond. One rotation will take about 18 minutes, giving riders plenty of time to snap picture after picture after picture. (Mike Camunas)

We’re talking about The Wheel, of course. It’s a giant Ferris wheel, as well as one of the tallest attractions in the outlying Orlando, Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista tourist areas.

But there’s more to ICON Park than just a Ferris wheel. In fact, there’s enough to do there to entertain you, and the whole family, for the better part of a day.

Which is what makes it Worth The Trip.

Free wheelin’
Without a doubt, The Wheel is the main attraction.

A view from the top of The Wheel at ICON Park, which is a stunning 400-foot high observation that gives 360-degrees angles of the surrounding areas of Orlando, Kissimmee and Lake Buena Vista.

As soon as you step into ICON Park, it’s hard not to immediately start snapping smartphone pics of the Ferris wheel. It’s huge, it’s a monument, it’s beautiful and it’s iconic.

Standing at 400-feet-tall, the ride moves at 1 mph, giving riders plenty of stunning views in 360 degrees. You’ll be able to see Spaceship Earth (a.k.a. EPCOT’s giant silver ball, as well as Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World, Volcano Bay (Universal’s water park) and more. There are 30 air-conditioned passenger capsules, each with a capacity of 15 people, and the rotation takes about 18 minutes. During the ride, there will be facts played over the intercom and passengers are welcome to bring drinks along.

The views alone make this worth the trip. However, as previously mentioned, it lasts just 18 minutes.

Luckily, there is a lot more at ICON Park.

Waxing the sea life
In all, ICON Park actually has a handful of attractions. There is also Sea Life Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Orlando, Museum of Illusions, a carousel, a small train and the 7D Motion Theater, which has a mirror maze and virtual reality experiences.

Sea Life Aquarium is an interactive, ecological experience that lets patrons view varying sea creatures, through the 360-degree ocean tunnel and touch tanks.

The Wheel has 30 air-conditioned passenger capsules, each of which can carry up to 15 people. The ride’s rotation speed is about 1 mph, so it makes for a seamlessly stable ride, unless one has a fear of heights.

Madame Tussauds is just like its other locations worldwide: a plethora of likenesses of famous people, from celebrities to musicians to athletes and presidents.

The Museum of Illusions is as if M.C. Escher opened an interactive, hands-on experience. Visually stunning and mind-boggling illusions are around every nook and cranny, but make sure to take a walk through the spinning tunnel, if your stomach can handle it.

Finally, younger kids will probably enjoy the carousel or the train that goes through the park, similar to the kind you see at our local outdoor malls.

Spin right round
But it’s not all fun and games.

ICON Park also boasts an incredible 40-plus restaurant options, from local fare to your nationwide chain favorites. Plus, there are plenty of stores to pursue while waiting for your turn on The Wheel or during a date night.

So, head over to ICON Park and take a spin on The Wheel, at the very least.

And, as you step off the slow moving ride, be sure to cherish those iconic views.

ICON Park
Where: 8375 International Drive, in Orlando
When: Open Sunday through Thursday, noon to 10 p.m.; Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 11 p.m.
Details: Entertainment park featuring rides, museums, an aquarium, restaurants, shops and more. Attraction combo packages available. The Wheel rides start at $24 for adults, $19 for children.
Info and tickets: Visit IconParkOrlando.com.

Published January 25, 2023

Orange Belt Trail won’t cut through homes, officials say

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Community meetings have begun regarding the proposed Orange Belt Trail, and even though the process is very early, officials are concerned that misinformation already is circulating concerning the plans.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) planner Tina Russo raised the topic during the MPO’s Jan. 12 meeting.

“We understand there’s some angst by some people who live out in the Dade City area because some of the people have bought the rail line corridor — we actually were auctioning it off — and now it’s their house or their driveway, and they think we’re going to come in with condemnation powers and bulldoze it and follow that trail literally,” Starkey said.

“That is not the intent, at all. I just want to make that clear.”

Starkey noted that she and Russo had met with the vice mayor of San Antonio and a presentation was planned for its town council, and presentations also were planned for the city councils in Zephyrhills and Dade City, too.

This map shows a generalized look at the planned Orange Belt Trail. The exact path of the trail has not yet been determined. Existing conditions will be considered before a final path is set. The idea is to generally follow along the former railroad corridors. Officials want the public to know there are no plans to go through existing structures. (File)

“So, we think with more information, we can allay everyone’s fears and actually show the benefits of having a trail come through,” Starkey said.

Russo said the county’s two public meetings on the Orange Belt Trail were well-attended and focused primarily on the portions of the trail that will be built in Central Pasco and East Pasco.

The county has been talking for years about building a recreation trail that mostly will follow the former Orange Belt Trail rail line, from Trinity to Trilby.

The trail will link communities such as Trinity, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Dade City, and will provide both recreational and economic opportunities along the way, based on numerous discussions at Pasco County Commission meetings.

Those planning efforts are ramping up, and the county began soliciting community feedback in the early part of the process.

In a previous interview, Sam Beneck, a project manager for Pasco County, told The Laker/Lutz News that the idea is to hear from people about what they’d like to see the trail do and what kind of character they’d like it have.

The trail is expected to be a 12- to 14-foot-wide paved multi-use trail, but also could incorporate sections intended for equestrian use. The map for the project shows an approximate path, but the alignment is not locked in.

Timing for the project will depend upon available funding, through grants and other sources.

Russo said she expects a presentation on the Orange Belt Trail project to come before the MPO board, likely in April or May.

At that point, the planners will have more information from all of the comments that have come in and are coming in, Russo said.

The MPO planner noted there have been some “very good public comment already, on this project.”

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, whose district includes East Pasco, interjected: “It’s not all positive, though.”

Starkey responded: “That’s because they don’t understand it.”

Oakley added: “I had one citizen that told me they couldn’t believe that I was for that trail. But yet, I am for that trail — not that it goes through their house, you know.”

Starkey noted the communities along the trail will benefit.

“What trails can do economically, for those little towns —and those are the gems on the trail — it’s huge,” she said.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Lance Smith said he’s glad there are planned presentations in Dade City and Zephyrhills.

“It helps get that information out there. You’re still going to have a level of disinformation, but at least we would know that the facts were out there.”

Russo also noted: “Once we start building these pieces that we have the funding already, it’s going to change that perception, as well. It’s a regional trail, it connects Pinellas to Titusville, basically. It’s huge.”

Dade City Commissioner Scott Black noted: “It’s got so much potential. It’s just a wonderful opportunity. It’s a great thing.”

Starkey concurred: “It’s received statewide attention when we announced it. Calls (came in) from all over.”

Those interested in learning more can visit OrangeBeltTrail.com.

Published January 25, 2023