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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Taskforce focused on homelessness in Zephyrhills

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They are taking care of their own.

Over the past year, local organizations, churches, charities and citizens, have formed The Hub Taskforce. It’s a coalition of like-minded individuals, either representing a place in Zephyrhills or Dade City or just themselves, that comes together monthly to discuss initiatives and how to get more resources to the homeless community.

“This is a group effort — a community effort,” Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer said. “When we started over a year ago, we just started meeting to talk about resources and where we wanted to go as a group. It has snowballed into something much more.”

The Hub Taskforce, made up of community representatives from the city, churches, businesses, charities and citizens, meets at Genesis Community Center in Zephyrhills, and discusses initiatives and resources to help the town’s homeless people. (Mike Camunas)

At first, the taskforce was small and it reached out to the Pasco County Coalition for the Homeless. However, Brewer says it was evident that that group was “stretched pretty thin” and the community, at large, was looking for ways to make an immediate impact on their streets.

“We’ve learned over the years that you can’t rush away homelessness,” Brewer said, “and we wanted a humanitarian approach to it.”

Brewer admits, especially in the meetings, that his officers will be the first line in meeting with homeless people. Which is why he wanted to address the issue in a way that doesn’t involve escalation or even incarnation.

So, the taskforce sets about finding ways to help the homeless, by either getting them the resources they need at the moment, such as a food bank or a shelter.

Backpacks, full of useful supplies for the homeless, were packed and donated by Mechell Alline, a local entrepreneur and life coach.

“We want to get them out of the situation, that way they’re not just sitting in jail,” Brewer added.

Over time, more and more organizations, charities and businesses have joined or attended the meetings. The August meeting was well-attended, and joining the Zephyrhills Police Department (ZPD) was the Zephyrhills Women’s Club, Meals on Wheels Zephyrhills, Pasadena Food Pantry in Dade City, United Methodist Women of Zephyrhills, Saint Joseph’s Catholic Church Food and Baby Pantries, Premier Community HealthCare, First Presbyterian Church of Zephyrhills, Pasco County Schools Students In Transition (SIT) Program, Healing Hearts Cafe, Palm Medical Center for Seniors, and Samaritan Project in Zephyrhills.

The roundtable discussions will present new or recurring issues and those attending will offer solutions. The goal is to find resources and ways to help the homeless, with potential options to improve their lives.

“There are new people every single month, and it’s about what they can offer us, what we can offer them,” Brewer said. “Someone has an issue, everyone jumps on top of it to help. That’s the goal.”

Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer addresses attendees of The Hub Taskforce during its monthly meeting at the Genesis Community Center.

Others are going a step further. Mechell Alline, a local entrepreneur, life coach and aneurysm survivor, has been putting together helpful backpacks that include supplies like snacks and water, but also resource materials that could lead the homeless person to charities and organizations that might help their specific need.

Members of the taskforce will take a backpack and hand it out to a homeless person. Alline made 12 backpacks at the most recent meeting, paying for them out of her own pocket.

“My intention (with the backpacks) was to make people feel like they are human beings by providing some comfort — it was something I really wanted to do,” she said. “It feels good to be a part of something that’s working toward helping the people in the community who really need it.”

Other members of the taskforce are looking for ways to involve the city more. For the police department, “it’s typical for law enforcement to be thrust into this because we’re the ones making contact with them,” Brewer says, adding “unfortunately we don’t have all the resources available to us.”

“As the officers are coming in contact with them, we want to be able to say, ‘I know who you can call’ and it doesn’t matter if they need clothing or food or shelter or even a backpack.”

However, the taskforce is hoping to get more city representatives to the meetings, as a way to get their feedback and suggestions on solutions.

“I would like to see a little more involvement from the city, especially if we’re addressing this as a city issue and not just a police one,” said Becky Finley, who represents St. Joseph’s Catholic Church Food and Baby Pantries.

In the end, the taskforce sees homelessness as a community, a city and a citizen issue. One that should be solved by their own in the community.

“This is a great group of individuals with the same goal in mind and that’s to help people,” Brewer said. “I didn’t realize the impact these individuals can and will make, until I started meeting with them. They are entrenched in the community, and really care about what happens here.

“They are Zephyrhills people trying to take care of Zephyrhills people.”

The Hub Taskforce
When: Every third Wednesday of the month, 4 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Genesis Community Center, 38112 15th Ave., Zephyrhills
Details: A monthly roundtable of Zephyrhills community, local organizations and citizen representatives that meet to discuss initiatives to help the homeless and poor, and to share other resources to contribute to the city-wide effort. Anyone from the community is welcome to attend.
Info: Call Beth Aker at 813-782-7859.

Published September 07, 2022

Billy Brown to receive special Pasco EDC honor

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Billy Brown, known for his philanthropy and leadership, will receive a special honor at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 34th annual awards ceremony on Sept. 8. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

The Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC) is honoring Billy E. Brown with its Leadership Award this year.

The economic development organization always singles out one person who has made extraordinary contributions and this year, it chose Brown, according to a news release.

Brown began his employment with Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative (WREC) in 1956 as a lineman making just $1.10 an hour, the news release says.

Over the years, Brown’s leadership skills were recognized and he rose through the ranks, being promoted into supervisory positions, executive vice president and general manager — a position he has held for 49 years.

During his half-century of leadership, he has contributed to the community in myriad ways.

Brown has made an impact on many local charitable projects including the Boys and Girls Club, the Lacoochee Project, and the Vincent House Project, as well as being instrumental in the development of One Pasco Center, which has served as a catalyst economic development project and provided pad-ready sites for companies looking to locate to Pasco County, the release says.

Under Brown’s leadership, WREC has awarded over $15 million in local scholarships, provided lighting for college baseball fields, and funded equipment and technology for the local school system, release adds.

“Mr. Brown’s footprint is forever embedded in Pasco County; he has touched thousands of lives and made a lasting impression on our community. We are privileged to honor Mr. Brown with the 2022 Leadership Award,” Bill Cronin, Pasco EDC president/CEO, said in the release. “He is an exceptional example of a leader and philanthropist making a difference in the local community.”

Brown will be honored with this award at the Pasco EDC’s 34th annual awards, accompanied by a tribute from family and friends.

The event is set for Sept. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Instructional Performing Arts Center (IPAC), 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel.

Tickets are available online, at PascoEDC.com.

Published September 07, 2022

Pasco cleanup needs volunteers

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Keep Pasco Beautiful is gearing up for its annual cleanup and is seeking volunteers to help out.

The annual countywide event aims to pick up debris before it has a chance to enter the area’s waterways.

Volunteers will work to pick up litter on roadways and in public spaces all around Pasco County, according to a county news release.

An estimated 80% of the trash that ends up in the county’s waters started out on land, so the cleanup efforts help to prevent pollution from entering the county’s stormwater system, which often leads to waterways and the Gulf of Mexico.

Here are the event details:
When: Sept. 17, from 8 a.m. until noon
Where: Various Pasco County locations.
Info: Visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org.

Registrations are being accept through Sept. 9.

Disposable gloves, trash bags and Keep Pasco Beautiful Cleanup T-shirts will be supplied while supplies last, the news release says.

“We’re excited to have the support of so many community organizations,” Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King, said in the release.

She also expressed gratitude to Rotary District 6950, in partnership with West Pasco Rotary Clubs of New Port Richey, Holiday, Hudson, Seven Springs, Trinity and West Pasco Sunset for providing grant funding to support this year’s event.

This event is part of the International Coastal Cleanup coordinated by Ocean Conservancy.  The worldwide event has collected more than 348 million pounds of trash with help from around 17 million volunteers – since 1986.

Published September 07, 2022

Pasco has a new chief correctional officer

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The Pasco County Commission has confirmed the appointment of Stacey Jenkins to serve in the role of chief correctional officer, effective Oct. 1.

Major Jenkins will be leading the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, as it transitions from being managed by the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office to a department operated by Pasco County.

Stacey Jenkins, the new chief correctional officer for Pasco County, thanks the Pasco County Commission on Aug. 24 for confirming her appointment to the role. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

She has more than 31 years of correctional operations experience as a corrections/law enforcement officer with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, according to materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Aug. 24 agenda packet.

She is experienced in developing policy and providing direction for the operation of the detention facility, ensuring adherence to federal and state law, as well as standards of the Florida Corrections Accreditation Commission.

She also has developed and managed budgets, set department goals, and has communicated operational needs to the staff and the public, the agenda materials say.

She holds a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, with a concentration in legal studies, from Saint Leo University.

The county board approved her appointment on a 5-0 vote.

In another action related to the shift of jail operations, the county board approved the expenditure of nearly $1.58 million to replace correction department vehicles, to cover some trainee personnel costs and to provide for IT services.

Some of the vehicle replacements will be delivered in fiscal year (FY) 2022 and some in fiscal year 2023, but all are being budgeted in the 2022 fiscal year. The money will roll forward, if the cars are not yet available.

The county also is responsible for picking up the costs of salaries and uniforms for 20 new trainees, for the remaining two pay periods of FY 2022, according to materials in the agenda packet.

The increase includes $514,799 for a separate IT system that is needed for the corrections department.

In other action, the county board:

  • Approved $371,910.08 for the purchase of a fire rescue landing craft boat
  • Recognized the need to provide $6 million more for the health insurance fund because a higher number of claims caused the county to exceed its estimated costs
  • Approved an interlocal agreement with Tampa Bay Water for The Florida-Friendly Landscaping Program, to provide a coordinated environmental education program that promotes responsible actions by homeowners, businesses, and schools to conserve water and improve the water quality by reducing polluted runoff from yards and other landscaped areas
  • Approved an agreement with BayCare Behavioral Health Inc., to provide mental health and human development services for indigent residents in Pasco County. The contract is for an amount not to exceed (NTE) $1,221,148 for fiscal year 2023; NTE $1,221,148 for fiscal year 2024; and NTE $1,221,148 for fiscal year 2025. The cumulative NTE is $3,663,444 for the three-year agreement.

Published September 07, 2022

Pasco Fire Rescue employee named ‘public educator of the year’

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Lisa Brekke, an employee of Pasco County Fire Rescue, has been the focus of attention lately — in a good way.

Lisa Brekke was honored during the Aug. 24 Pasco County Commission meeting. She received a resolution from the county board, recognizing her contributions and for being named the 2022 Public Educator of the Year by the Florida Fire Marshal and Inspector Association. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Most recently, she received a resolution applauding her work from the Pasco County Commission, during its Aug. 24 meeting.

The board acknowledged Brekke for her recognition from the Florida Fire Marshal and Inspector Association, which named her as the 2022 Public Educator of the Year.

The state association’s award recognizes “leadership for superior life safety strategies through inspection, investigation, public education, and code management,” according to the board’s resolution.

The distinction “signifies dedication and leadership in preventative risk education and fire safety,” the resolution adds.

Brekke joined Pasco Fire Rescue in 2018.

She has served as the lead contact for Pasco County’s Prom Promise, a program that educates high school students throughout Pasco County on the dangers of driving under the influence.

She also coordinates both Pasco County’s smoke detector installation program and the Knox Box program, which allows firefighters quick access into citizens’ homes during emergencies.

Brekke also is a program instructor for the Juvenile Fire Starter Intervention Program, according to the resolution.

The county’s commendation also notes that “Lisa does not hesitate to assist her coworkers in whatever way she can. She will do whatever it takes to ensure her team’s success, even if it includes working early in the morning, late at night, or on the weekends.”

The resolution goes on to credit Brekke’s “work ethic and spirit of cooperation” for bringing her team together, and it notes that beyond her work on countless safety events and programs, she also serves as “a preventative safety instructor in Pasco County Fire Rescue’s Community Risk Reduction division.”

Published September 07, 2022

285 dwellings approved at Old Pasco Road, State Road 52

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning for a development of 285 multifamily dwellings, on approximately 29.2 acres, at the southeast corner of State Road 52 and Old Pasco Road.

The development, known as Stillwell Pasco Station, will be maintained under a common ownership, said Barbara Wilhite, an attorney representing the applicant.

All of the structures abutting the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club will be a single story, Wilhite said, and all of the buildings within the development will be a single story or two stories.

“This will be a high-end, built-to-rent project,” she said.

The expected demographics for the development is roughly 60% retirees and 40% young married couples.

Commissioner Ron Oakley voiced support for the development.

“This actually is a very good project. It’s done very well. It fits the community,” Oakley said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also gave the project high marks for design: “I think this is the best one we’ve seen come through here, personally.”

But Elayne Ayan, who lives nearby on Princeville Drive, spoke in opposition.

“I, and dozens of my neighbors, oppose the Stillwell zoning application.”

She voiced concern about the rate of growth Pasco County is experiencing.

“There are six separate items for rezoning, just on today’s agenda, which creates over 7,000 new homes and millions of industrial/retail square footage, and that’s just today’s agenda.

“In just this year, within a couple miles of my house, dozens more projects have already been approved, tens of thousands of houses and millions more retail/office footage.

“The approvals seem to be done in a routine manner, like, ‘All is well,’ But I’m here to tell you something I think you already know ,and that’s that it’s not all well.

“Already, Pasco is the third-busiest county in the state for EMS calls. At the Aug. 9 board meeting, two people talked of the dangerously long response times for Pasco Fire EMS. One of the speakers said this has been brought to your attention a full year ago. Since then, has anything been done to fix this?

“How will this not be a catastrophe, when all of these approved projects are built and inhabited, adding tens of thousands of residents? The county’s firefighters have been asking the board for its help. This is a public safety issue, which should be a top priority.

“You’re not doing Pasco County residents any favors by building them new houses and inviting thousands of new people to move in, when our public safety infrastructure has not and cannot keep them safe.

“Pasco Fire EMS is struggling and has repeatedly asked for the board’s help. Instead, the board is approving thousands and thousands of new housing units every single month. It is inevitable the county will see an increase in traffic accidents, fires and medical emergencies.

“How is it responsible to continue to approve such rapid new growth without properly resolving the essential required Fire EMS/public safety concern?

“I urge you to pause rezoning approvals, at least in the Route 52/75 area  (State Road 52/Interstate 75). People’s lives are truly at stake and this is why I, and my neighbors, oppose the Stillwell rezoning,” she said.

Chairwoman Starkey asked interim County Administrator Mike Carballa to address the Fire Rescue question.

Carballa responded: “We have a number of new fire stations that are either under construction, under design or in process. We recognize that we’re catching up on a lot of that. We also are putting in a lot more money for additional apparatus and equipment for Fire Rescue, so those items are coming forward.”

He also noted that a big chunk of proposed budget involves investments in Fire Rescue.

Commissioner Mike Moore said the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, which is next to the planned development could prove to be an amenity that will provide enjoyment for retirees moving into the area.

Starkey also noted: “This area is going to be filled in, as time goes by. Because everyone wants to live in Florida right now.”

Published August 31, 2022

Voters approve school tax in Pasco, reject it in Hillsborough

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A ballot initiative by the Pasco County School Board was approved, with 58.66% of the total 94,230 voters who weighed in on the issue.

After the vote, in a video, Superintendent Kurt Browning assured voters “that every penny that is raised as a result of this referendum will go to improve non-administrative salaries for teachers, bus drivers, custodians, food service workers, maintenance workers and many, many more.”

A similar ballot initiative in Hillsborough County failed, by the thinnest of margins.

In Hillsborough, 111,076 voters cast “no” ballots, while 110,486 voted “yes.” The end result was a difference of 590 votes, or 0.26% difference in the total.

Voting on the issue was so close in Hillsborough, it triggered an automatic machine recount of the ballots. In the end, though, the negative outcome remained the same.

Prior to that recount, Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis addressed the issue on his blog, which is posted on the Hillsborough public school district’s website.

Davis wrote: “If the unofficial results stand, it will not change our efforts as we fight to increase education funding for students and staff. The following facts remain:

  • We are facing an alarming teacher shortage due in part to salary levels.
  • Florida is ranked near the bottom in education funding nationally.
  • Hillsborough County is ranked 45th in state and local per-pupil funding.
  • Twenty-three Florida school districts – many bordering Hillsborough County – now have an additional millage allowing them to enhance compensation packages for teachers, administrators, and support staff.”

Davis added: “Please know we will be back in 2024 to ask the board to place a millage referendum on the ballot, asking voters for additional funding to further support education. As the seventh-largest district in the nation, we must do everything possible to inform our community on how education is funded in Florida and push lawmakers to help us create the best educational system for our children.”

Pasco County voters were urged to support a referendum intended to approve higher property taxes to support higher salaries for Pasco public school teachers, bus drivers, kitchen workers and other non-administrative personnel in the district. The ballot initiative passed. (Mike Camunas)

Meanwhile, in Pasco, on Aug. 24 — the day after the Primary Election — Pasco Schools Superintendent Browning issued a video expressing gratitude for the voters’ support.

Browning characterized approval of the ballot initiative as “a wise investment in our schools, our employees and our students.

“It’s an investment in the future of our community,” Browning continued. “It will enable us to be more competitive with surrounding school districts so we can recruit, retain, the best employees and make good on our promise to provide a world-class education. As superintendent of schools, I have to tell you that it is gratifying to see this kind of support from our community.

“Community support is essential to our success,” the superintendent said.

Don Peace, president of United School Employees of Pasco (USEP), played a key role in persuading school board members to place the measure on the ballot.

On a motion by Colleen Beaudoin and a second by Alison Crumbley, the board voted unanimously in April, to pursue up to a 1-mil tax. The additional tax will begin July 1, 2023 and end no later than June 30, 2027.

The proceeds, according to the ballot question, will be used “for essential operating expenses to maintain salaries competitive with the market, attract and retain high-quality teachers, bus drivers, and other non-administrative school support employees.

An oversight committee will be appointed to ensure that the revenues are properly spent, Browning previously announced.

Much like the Hillsborough school district, Pasco has hundreds of vacancies in the district, for a wide variety of jobs.

After Pasco voters approved the referendum, USEP president Peace shared his thoughts on the initiative’s passage in a posting on the union’s website.

Due to the referendum’s success, Peace wrote, “Pasco County will now be able to negotiate competitive salaries for our employees and keep the high-quality educators we already have working here in Pasco. It is our goal to see that the multitude of vacancies in this district are filled with competent, qualified people being paid a fair, competitive, and rewarding salary.”

Like Browning, Peace thanked the Pasco voters for their support.

He also thanked all of the people who played a role in helping to ensure the adoption of the referendum.

“Many of you joined with USEP and waved signs and had roadside conversations with drivers to push the information out. Thank you.

“Many of you spent some pretty warm hours outside polling places to greet and educate voters. Thank you!

“No matter how you helped, USEP wants to say a heartfelt thanks to you for working toward this cause,” Peace said.

He also expressed gratitude to a group of former educators and school district who formed a group called Lift Up Pasco, to help in the effort.

Peace also thanked Browning for his support.

Peace said the next step will be “collecting the funds and negotiating salary increases and doing it in a way to provide transparent information to all those voters who heard of our concern and stepped up to make something positive happen.”

The union leader characterized the vote’s passage as being “momentous” for Pasco County’s public school system.

“Long-term, both our students and our employees are going to benefit from this victory,” Peace wrote.

Published August 31, 2022

Hillsborough board will take one more step to block incinerators in Lutz

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Applicant Louis Geraci LLLP recently withdrew his application for two air curtain incinerators in Lutz, after infuriated neighbors and elected leaders rose up against it.

Now, the Hillsborough County Commission wants to be certain the request can’t surface again on the site at 1225 Crystal Lake Road. They are expected to modify the original rezoning that listed the incinerators as an allowable use in an agricultural zone.

The county board is expected to take that action on Oct. 11.

County board members, who also sit as the board of the Environmental Protection Commission (EPC), said they had no knowledge the incinerators were being planned because there had been no discussion of that possibility when the rezoning occurred.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Mariella Smith noted: “We have to count on the people who come and testify to us, to give us an accurate assessment of what is being approved in the zoning stage.

“In this case, we had the founder of the assisted living facility right up the road writing us a letter saying he was in support of this because it was going to revert back to agriculture, because it was going to reduce traffic. He was fooled into thinking this was going to be good.

“His clients at the assisted living facility were going to be at risk because of the fumes,” Smith said.

County Commissioner Ken Hagan thanked his colleagues for supporting his motion at the EPC board meeting, which called for halting the EPC staff from working on the application and communicating the EPC board’s objections to the secretary of the Department of Environmental Protection, to the governor and to members of the Hillsborough Legislative Delegation.

“I knew what I was asking for was unprecedented. Procedurally, this was supposed to be an administrative issue. It did not come under our purview.

“I want to thank each board member for standing with the neighborhood and doing the right thing, even though we knew it was unprecedented and it could have led to legal challenges,” Hagan said.

He continued: “The reaction was swift. That day I received a call from their attorney. At that time I encouraged them to rescind their permit application, as well as their site development plan.”

They did both.

It was, Hagan said, “a clear victory for the neighborhood.”

The commissioner added that the intense community opposition played a key role in the outcome.

“Very rarely have I ever seen a neighborhood come together so quickly and be so unified.

“With respect to Lutz, I think it goes back to the ‘80s, when it was the East-West road that wanted to go through Lutz,” Hagan said.

Smith pointed out that the EPC’s staff played a crucial role on the issue, too, because of the notice it provided to neighbors about application for state approval of the incinerators.

“Typically, the applicant in a case like this, just would have gone straight to the DEP (Department of Environmental Protection),” Smith said.

But Hillsborough has its own EPC staff and board, and its staff is under contract with DEP to process such applications.

The EPC staff recognized that the request was for a project of heightened concern, triggering public notice and a planned community meeting.

When word got out about the proposed use, hundreds of opponents bombarded county board members with emails, and more than 600 signed up for the planned community meeting.

The county commissioners, sitting as the EPC board, listened to more than an hour of public testimony against the request. Opponents raised issues about public health hazards, negative impacts on the quality of life, potential dangers caused by truck traffic in area neighborhoods, and a likely reduction in nearby property values.

“If we didn’t have EPC, nobody would have even know that this was happening. It would have gone straight to the state, and the state would have issued a permit. Boom,” Smith said.

Adam Gormly, director of development services, said that beyond modifying this particular rezoning application, the county also will engage in amending the county’s land development code regarding the location of incinerators and the types of operations.

For instance, the way the code is currently written, there’s no distinction between temporary and permanent incinerators, he said.

Gormly added: “This site is a good example of a location of where it would not be a good use for the community.”

Commissioner Pat Kemp said she’d like to pursue whether the county can charge a fee and conduct its own traffic studies on rezonings. She noted that Sarasota County does that.

“We should have had a traffic study for everything in here,” Kemp said, noting the county board had no idea that truck traffic might be coming and going to the Crystal Lake Road location.

Gormly told the board that having the county handle the traffic studies would add a significant amount of time necessary to process rezoning requests.

Published August 31, 2022

Who says play time is just for kids?

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A spot of tea turned into a cup of coffee. And a tearoom has turned into a cafe.

Parents of younger children and infants gather around and converse, while other children enjoy toys and making friends during Playdate Café, at First United Methodist Church of Lutz. (Mike Camunas)

That’s because Heather Kirk’s vision of the Pushchair Club — the kid-friendly time for parents to get out and meet other parents while their children play — has become the Playdate Café at First United Methodist Church of Lutz.

“Pushchair — that’s what they call a stroller in England, and that club was everywhere,” said Kirk, who is British and is married to Chris, the church pastor.

“So when I came to Florida and had younger kids, I was like, where can you go that isn’t a boiling park or pouring rain, where it’s not a day care — it’s about parents getting to know other parents while the children play and have fun.”

Toddler Bryant McKinney rides a Spider-Man airplane during Playdate Café, at First United Methodist Church of Lutz. The 2 ½-hour playtime gives children, and their parents, an informal venue offering opportunities to meet new friends and have fun.

Playdate Café, which began its second year on Aug. 17, is slightly different from Pushchair Club. It’s held in the morning and serves coffee and snacks, instead of being in the afternoon and with tea.

“It has more of a coffee-shop atmosphere,” Heather added. “Plus, they tend to nap in the afternoon.”

For 2 ½-hours, kids can run around, play with and climb on toys, and enjoy meeting other children, while parents have the chance to chat with parents.

Playdate Café is open every Wednesday during the Hillsborough County school year. It is free and open to anyone in the community, not just members of the church, , which is located at 960 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, in Lutz.

“If fact, we don’t know any of these parents or kids,” said Janell Lockhart, the church’s director of children and family. “Even right now, I think I’ve only seen two of our kids here. This is for the community — the parents looking to have something to do indoors with their children.”

Lutz grandma Barbie Pleus holds up her granddaughter, Aurora Brooks, with a smile, during Playdate Café, at First United Methodist Church of Lutz.

“This is our gift to the community where we felt there was a need,” Heather added. “There is no obligation to be a part of the church or even have the same faith. We want it available to anyone who wants to come as a way to meet people and have something to do outside the house.”

Bonnie Quintana watches with a smile as her granddaughter, Justice Gomillion, rides down a fun slide, during Playdate Café, a kid-friendly environment held every Wednesday at First United Methodist Church of Lutz.

Heather said when the weekly outing first started, there were just four children, but by Christmastime last year, it grew to 50. That was helped by Facebook groups and word of mouth.

“Oh, and us ‘accosting’ moms at Target to give them an invite and let them know about it,” Heather said with a laugh.

Playdate Café also does some themed weeks, such as a Mother’s Day photo op or a Halloween event where kids can get candy. Additionally, Pastor Chris has added Story Time in the Book Nook to read short stories to kids.

Parents seem to be glad to have this option, as the Playdate Café is well-attended,  with new parents and kids arriving each week.

“This was our first time and not our last time we’ll be coming,” said Lutz mother Stephanie Meyer, who brought her twin girls to the church. “I found out about it from my Tampa Bay Twin Mom group, and it’s just amazing, especially meeting parents that know what you’re going through and have something in common with.

“And then hearing from the pastor’s wife, who is from the UK, tell us how there are hundreds of these over there — that’s amazing, and this is amazing because we need more of these!”

Playdate Café
When: Wednesdays 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., following the Hillsborough County school year calendar
Where: First United Methodist Church of Lutz, 960 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road, Lutz
Details: A kid-friendly playtime environment with toys and more for preschoolers. There’s a story time and refreshments, and volunteers are on hand to help with kids, so parents and grandparents can have a chance to relax. Parents and children are not required to be church members.
Info: Call 813-949-1751, or visit FantasticFirst.org.

Published August 31, 2022

Massive Pasco Town Center project gets OK

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The Pasco County Commission has given a greenlight to a rezoning that clears the way for the Pasco Town Center — a development planned on 997 acres at the southeast corner of Interstate 75 and State Road 52.

Project plans call for 4 million square feet of industrial space; 725,000 square feet of office space; 3,500 housing units, 400,000 square feet of retail and 300 hotel rooms.

The development has been the topic of numerous discussions during the past several months, with conditions and details being worked out at meetings.

The Pasco County Commission voted 5-0 to approve the rezoning, at its Aug. 24 meeting.

During that session, Rob Park, who lives on Ehren Cutoff, raised concerns about how the project’s traffic on State Road 52 will be addressed.

Joel Tew, an attorney whose client owns the property, told the county board that extensive efforts have been underway to work out plans for his client’s property and adjacent properties to gain access on and off State Road 52, at the I-75 interchange.

“Everyone is collaborating. They’ve formed basically a task force to try to get DOT (Department of Transportation) to approve a better way of access on and off of (State Road) 52, east of that interchange.

“We think it’s very close to being resolved. The good news is thanks to the input of your county administration and all of the different stakeholders, it seems to be headed in what all of the parties think is the right direction, at DOT,” Tew said.

Commissioner Ron Oakley wanted to make sure there are no plans to change the name of McKendree Road to Boyette Road, as has been shown on some plans.

Tew assured Oakley: “Pasco Town Center was not trying to rename McKendree to Boyette.

“We received an edict from the county administrator’s office that that (McKendree Road) will continue to be McKendree Road, so we stated that on the record (at the Pasco County Planning Commission meeting).

“Obviously, we’re going to call it what the county tells us to call it. And, we’ve been told to call it McKendree. We love McKendree. We’re going to call it McKendree,” Tew said.

Oakley responded: “Well, that will make my citizens very happy.”

The board previously approved an economic incentive deal related to Pasco Town Center with Columnar Holdings.

Terms of the agreement, approved on June 7, provide a $55.8 million package for Columnar, funded mostly through property tax rebates, as specific milestones are met.

The development company also will install key roads and utility connections beyond the Pasco Town Center Property – providing $70.1 million in public infrastructure, with no direct cost to taxpayers, David Engel, the county’s director of the office of economic growth, said the day the agreement was approved.

Published August 31, 2022