The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Sign war pokes fun, prompts camaraderie

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What began as a ‘sign war’ between Zephyrhills Cinema 10 and Golden Corral, in mid-May, has evolved into a battle of wits among 70-plus Zephyrhills businesses.

Golden Corral, at 6855 Gall Blvd, advises Zephyrhills Police to skip the doughnuts and enjoy a steak, instead. (Kelli Carmack)

It seems like just about everybody is getting into the act.

The First Congregational Church of Zephyrhills took on Taco Bell.

The church’s sign declares: “Taco Bell sounds good, but ours has a real ring to it.”

Golden Corral took on Zephyrhills Police, while K & K Glass poked fun at Pin Chasers.

Lavish Lox teased The Gentleman’s Quarter, while others such as Axe of Kindness, Zephyrhills Brewing Company and Salon on 5th used clever gibes and poetry to convey their messages.

First Congregational Church of Zephyrhills, at 7900 Fort King Road, took on Taco Bell’s bell, as part of the ‘sign war’ fun.

Even The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce joined in, taking a universal approach to cheer on the community’s businesses — something it’s grown accustomed to, through the years.

Some of the signs are quite tall. Others, very small.

And, some, like the ones — at Sen. Danny Burgess’ office — aren’t even signs at all.

Who needs a sign to share a message? Not State Sen. Danny Burgess’ office, at 38507 Fifth Ave. — pieces of paper will do just fine.

At the lawmaker’s office, four pieces of paper are taped to the window, conveying this message:

“We don’t have a sign, but we wanted to play!

“So we want to take the opportunity to say …

“As we have been looking at all of the signs, while we drive around

“It makes us proud to represent

And live in this great little town.”

Published June 09, 2021

Forget hot girl summer! Sonny’s BBQ, 6606 Gall Blvd., wants you to have a hot grill summer.
Salon on 5th, at 38521 Fifth Ave, offers a witty response to the sign at Sonny’s BBQ.
Lavish Lox Beauty Lounge, 38440 Fifth Ave., tosses the ‘sign war’ challenge over to The Gentleman’s Quarter, a local barber shop.
K&K Glass, at 5938 Seventh St., challenges Pin Chasers to join in the community’s ‘sign war.’
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, at 38550 Fifth Ave., once again threw its support behind all of the community’s businesses.
Axe of Kindness, an entertainment venue that features axe throwing, at 38444 Fifth Ave. in Zephyrhills, is just one of scores of businesses having fun in a citywide ‘sign war.’
Hold their beer! Zephyrhills Brewing Company, at 38530 Fifth Ave., wants to create its sign.

More scholarships address increased need

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The GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club has announced a total of $23,950 in scholarship awards for 2021.

From left: Woman’s club scholarship chair Lucy Albury, Alexis Fernandez, Jadon Ferrance, Alissa Vani, Marian Suliman and woman’s club president Annette Bellingar. (Courtesy of Patricia Serio)

For more than a decade, the club has had the privilege of administering the Lutz Fireman’s Endowment Fund on behalf of the former Lutz Volunteer Fire Department.

Each year, two scholarships were awarded to students who are Lutz residents; however, the former Fireman’s Fund directors recommended that during this challenging pandemic year, the woman’s club double the awards, to four $5,000 scholarships, due to the exceptional need in the community.

From left: Woman’s club president Annette Bellingar, Kaitlyn Sheppard, Clayton Topdemir, Shannon Gordy, and Jay Muffly of the Lutz Fireman’s Endowment Fund.

The four recipients of the 2021 Fireman’s Fund awards are Shannon Gordy, Sunlake High School; Clayton Topdemir, Cypress Creek High; Zachary Maddox, Freedom High; and Kaitlyn Sheppard, Gaither High.

The woman’s club scholarship recipients are Alexis Fernandez, Land O’ Lakes High ($1,100); Jadon Ferrance, Steinbrenner High ($1,100); and Alissa Vani, Steinbrenner High ($1,000).

The club’s Lynn LaFleur Memorial Scholarship was awarded to Marian Suliman, Steinbrenner High ($750).

This group of graduates will soon begin their university studies at various schools, including Florida State University, the University of South Florida, Hillsborough Community College, George Washington University, the University of Florida, Florida A & M, the University of North Florida, and the University of Central Florida.

Published June 09, 2021

IPAC: A place to sing, to act, to learn and entertain

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When Lauren Murray heard about the opportunity to assume the leadership role at Pasco-Hernando State College’s new Instructional Performing Arts Center — she immediately recognized the possibilities.

She knew the position would give her a chance to use the knowledge and experience she’s accumulated through her professional life.

This sweeping roof is at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Instructional Performing Arts Center, also known as IPAC, at 8657 Old Pasco Road in Wesley Chapel. In addition to being a teaching facility, it is expected to offer a variety of performances for the community to enjoy. (Fred Bellet)

And, she understood the center’s enormous potential.

Not only will it prepare students for future careers in the performing and technical arts, but it also will provide a venue for performing arts groups and it will create a new place for the community to enjoy the arts, said Murray, a Tampa native with more than 20 years of administrative and academic experience in higher education and the performing arts.

To say she’s excited about her new job would be putting it mildly.

Although it will take some time to get the facility operating in full gear, the college has been giving tours to offer visitors a glimpse of the center’s features and talk up its potential uses.

Photographer Fred Bellet represented The Laker/Lutz News on one of those tours and Murray provided details about the facility for this story.

Dr. Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, offers details about the facility during a media tour. In the background, on stage, 16-year-old Brooke Herrera prepares to play guitar and sing. Herrera is a dual-enrolled high school and college student at PHSC.

The center, at 8657 Old Pasco Road, shares a campus with Cypress Creek High School and Cypress Creek Middle School, in Wesley Chapel.

The $18 million project includes the 36,000-square-foot facility, complete with furnishings and state-of-the-art equipment, Murray said. It’s a fully digital system, with the latest available technology in lighting and sound support.

“It gives our students the opportunity to experience very new platforms and the things that are just being brought out right now. These will be the kinds of systems that they’ll be expected to know how to run when they’re out there in the real world,” she said.

The campus includes the 444-seat Weatherford Theater, named for former Florida Speaker of the House Will Weatherford, who played an instrumental role in obtaining funding for the facility.

A spacious music studio gives music director Justin Baggett plenty of room for students. Here, he leads a quintet practicing a piece by Mozart.

Murray is pleased with the size of the theater.

“We can get a decent crowd in there, but it’s pretty intimate, so every seat is terrific,” she said.

It also has excellent staging capabilities, and a projection screen that can be used for movies and presentations.

“This is going to be a real performing arts program, where we’ll have instrumental and vocal ensembles. We will have theater productions. We will have dance recitals and productions, as well,” Murray said.

The center’s dance studio has sprung wood floor, a sound system and video system and full wall of mirrors and barres.

The music studio has two acoustical sound rooms, where the acoustics of the room can be adjusted. It also has recording capabilities for practice sessions, so singers can listen to themselves to evaluate how well they are performing, said Murray, who herself is an accomplished oboist and most recently served as the music chair at the Patel Conservatory at the Straz Center in Tampa.

The high-gloss surface of the baby grand piano in the new Weatherford Theater reflects the image of prospective student Dale Master, of Tampa. Master took the public tour of the new IPAC and was invited to play the new instrument. The theater has 444 seats.

The drama studio features a large rehearsal space, which can be used in many ways, Murray said. Additionally, there’s a stage, a full costume studio and two full dressing rooms.

“Our lighting in our dressing rooms is LED, instead of those old bulbs that are 1000 degrees, so that‘s nice — so, your makeup doesn’t melt off,” she said.

The digital production studio has a full lighting grid, state-of-the-art cameras, a sound board, a lighting board and multiple computers.

And, there are two computer classrooms — equipped to prepare students for both the Mac and PC worlds.

In addition to providing opportunities for students, the community also will benefit from being able to enjoy a professional theater experience without having to drive downtown, Murray said.

Kevin O’Farrell, provost of Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus, right, stops by the technology lab and converses with students Cinthia Morrabal, of Port Richey, left, and Gretchen Samter, of Spring Hill.

Much work remains to bring the programming vision to life, she said, adding: “We’re still building our curriculum.”

She expects it to take about a year before students will be staging public performances.

But there will be public rentals for outside performance groups, and that’s expected to begin around September, she said.

The college also is likely to bring in outside performers for a ticketed series, and Murray looks forward to creating multicultural programming, as well.

Future plans also call for staging some outdoor performances.

Beyond what’s happening at IPAC, Murray expects opportunities to develop for its students to land internships or part-time jobs, on their path to careers in the arts.

Murray is delighted with the prospects of what lies ahead.

“It’s quite a thing to open a performing arts center. It’s expensive. It’s different. There’s a lot of new things that you have to figure out,” Murray said.

Jonathan Tietz, assistant professor of digital media, sets up the production booth, which is part of the facility’s video production lab.

“A lot of places are like: We can’t do that. We don’t have time for that. We don’t want to fund that,” she said.

That’s not true for PHSC’s commitment to IPAC, she said.

“The support that this place and these programs have here is so exciting. It is going to make it a great program because everybody is on board,” she said.

She’s thrilled about the opportunities the center is creating for students.

“The arts are a viable place to make your living. You do have to work and you do have to be creative to find different ways to make a living in the arts, but it’s still a wholly viable living,” Murray said.

Want to know about available classes? Visit PHSC.edu/academics.

Published June 02, 2021

Panel discussion addresses challenges for women of color

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Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is leveraging its community connections to foster meaningful discussion on matters related to social justice and racial equity.

The area institution recently organized a virtual summit titled, “Equity and Advancement of Minority Women in America.”

Florida African American Student Association president Dernika David (Courtesy of Florida African American Student Association)

The Zoom event on May 10 included breakout sessions on topics such as leadership and mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality.

The event’s keynote speaker was Orange County Sheriff’s Office Master Deputy Ingrid Tejada-Monforte.

The daylong summit kicked off with a 45-minute discussion by a panel including college students, educators and professionals.

Boosting retention, graduation success rates
The issues of college graduation success rates and retention among minorities were among the primary topics during the forum.

Figures presented from Center for American Progress show spring semester undergraduate college enrollment nationwide decreased 4.5%, with larger declines among Black, Latino and Native American populations.

Ways to minimize the disproportion was a point of discussion.

Dernika David is president of the Florida African American Student Association, which represents over 200,000 students in colleges and universities throughout the state of Florida.

She underscored the struggles of a person of color navigating the college experience.

David explained many minorities — who may be first-generation college students — don’t have the financial backing or support from parents, grandparents and other family members.

She emphasized the importance of colleges and universities having Black student unions or related multicultural organizations. They provide an opportunity to connect with “a leader or someone that’s going to guide you and support you.”

Put another way, she said: “A lot of students need coaches and people to keep them on track, so I think that is an important thing we need on campuses.”

Higher education systems and other organizations must do better in promoting information and accessibility about scholarships and financial aid, added David.

“College is expensive,” she said. “I have a lot of students ask me like, ‘How did you get this scholarship?’ because they don’t know the resources or they want to be networked with someone that can go ahead and get them into a scholarship or be financed throughout college, so we need to have the resources ready for these students.”

Dorian Howell is student government president of PHSC’s Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel.

He feels there’s plenty of scholarships and grants available — at least through the PHSC Foundation. But, he said: “It’s also about getting the word out to the communities that really need it.”

Marsha Kiner, interim executive director and CEO of Association of Florida Colleges (Courtesy of Association of Florida Colleges)

Marsha Kiner serves as interim executive director and CEO of the Association of Florida Colleges, which represents Florida’s 28 public community and state colleges, their boards, employees, retirees and associates.

She explained women of color frequently have the added plight of attending college at an older age — while trying to raise a family and, at the same time, making other financial and personal sacrifices.

Mentors who have navigated such experiences are critical to the success of future generations, said Kiner, who holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism and master’s degree in educational leadership.

“Those of us who’ve already kind of been on the journey need to ensure that we are stepping up and reaching back and providing support,” she said.

Kiner otherwise provided positive words of encouragement to young females of color striving to earn an education and achieve success: “Understand your journey, and never, ever be afraid to use your voice.”

PHSC student Paloma Alejandro agreed with the idea of colleges offering mentorship and support groups to women of color.

She is seeking an associate’s degree, while raising a child and managing a full-time job.

“I think it’s important to meet to discuss our successes and opportunities,” Alejandro said. “I think it’s important for us to realize that others around us are struggling in the same areas, or others around us are successful in the same areas.”

Narrowing the gender wage gap
Finding ways to close the gender wage gap and economic inequity for females of color — was another talking point.

Various studies were cited from Lean In, a nonprofit organization founded by Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg. The organization aims to help women around the world to achieve their ambitions.

In comparison to white men, Lean In reports:

  • Asian women on average make 13% less
  • White women 21% less
  • Black women 37% less
  • Native American women 45% less
  • Hispanic women 45% less

Student government president Howell suggested that others follow the footsteps of his mother and start a small business where you can be your own boss.

Howell’s mom, who is Asian, ran a profitable nail tech/beauty salon in Pinellas County, earning wages that he said mirrored some medical doctors and surgeons in the area.

Dorian Howell is student government president of PHSC’s Porter Campus in Wesley Chapel. (File)

Howell also observed: “You can increase your income just by learning some new skills, going to college, or even getting a trade, but it takes a community of encouragement for females to grow from here.”

David, meanwhile, challenged fellow younger generation of minority females to “know your worth,” particularly when it comes to working for a large company or corporation.

“These capitalistic companies at the end of the day can replace you, and just know exactly what you’re going into, the pay that you want, because sometimes that can be negotiable in some companies,” she said.

David also advised women to take initiative, and learn about stock market and cryptocurrency investments to increase wealth.

Those arenas can be intimidating for some, she said, given “that it’s almost like a men’s club, but just for white men.”

However, the panelist detailed learning about such financial resources and tools of the trade from a white male co-worker.

“What I would say is just shadow and learn from others that may not even be in your same community,” David said.

“Because of him, I was able to invest in stocks and cryptocurrency, which is something that I never thought I would be able to do and understand, but I took that understanding and taught my siblings and taught my friends, so it’s using your resources and helping others with what you’ve learned, and not gatekeeping.”

Other panelists suggested researching various industry pay and then having the courage to step up and not accept anything less.

PHSC student Hope Henry stated: “We need to be comfortable with uncomfortable, and doing things you’d never thought you’d so, so in order to instill change, you must challenge yourself and the system in front of you.”

Uplifting women of color
Kevin O’ Farrell, provost at the PHSC Porter Campus, called the educational seminar “a very timely topic” in the midst of ongoing conversations regarding social justice and racial equity.

He then quoted Kamala Harris, the first woman, the first Black American and the first Asian American to serve as the nation’s vice president.

O’ Farrell said: “I’m often reminded of what now vice president Harris said when she was accepting the vote this last November when she made the comments, ‘I may be the first, but I will not be the last.’”

Published June 02, 2021

New River Library offers patrons a fresh look

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It’s not a brand new library — but it sure looks and feels like one.

The New River Library, at 34043 State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel, has reopened its doors after a massive overhaul that took longer than expected because of COVID-19 and material delays.

The red brick building, constructed in 1991, looks much the same. The inside, however, looks entirely new. (B.C. Manion)

The library officially reopened on April 30, but work is not completely finished yet on the outdoor garden spaces, and library staff is still awaiting the arrival of some furniture and materials.

Still, there’s an air of excitement as staff prepares to offer library patrons a more comfortable place to read, meet and take advantage of programming.

Most of the activities won’t kick into high gear until later this year, as the library continues to offer the vast majority of programming remotely.

Still, staff is eager for patrons to come in and take a look around.

“People are welcome to come in and they’re welcome to take our nickel tour, what we call a Sneak Preview,” said Angelo Liranzo, a regional manager for Pasco County Libraries.

The tour gives patrons a chance to see what’s there now and to hear about what’s coming.

Danielle Lee, branch manager at New River, is excited about the possibilities.

Those entering the library site now have two options. A driveway has been added on the east side of the library campus.

New landscaping has been added, too, with palm trees lining the sidewalk and flowering plants greeting visitors as they make their way to the front entryway.

Angelo Liranzo is a regional manager for Pasco County Libraries and Danielle Lee is the branch manager for the New River Branch Library, which was recently renovated.

“The outside is a lot more harmonious with Wesley Chapel, which has a lot new communities with beautiful entries into their subdivisions, and the library looks like it belongs in that area,” Liranzo said.

A giant mat at the front door gives patrons a chance to wipe off their feet before stepping onto the newly installed flooring in the library’s new lobby.

The space is much more open and brighter than the one it replaced, and there is seating available there. There are new restrooms, too, designed for individual or family use. Each restroom is ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act)-compliant.

Inside the library, patron will find staffers at the service desk, ready to help people find what they need.

There’s a new children’s room, where children can play with toys. Future plans call for having story time there. Older kids can use the room’s computers.

The space has large windows looking out onto the library’s front yard, which is landscaped with trees and flowering plants. There’s also a view of busy State Road 54.

This is the library’s new children’s room. It offers comfortable seating, room to play, computers and a view, too.

“This is my favorite room,” said Danielle Lee, the branch manager. “It’s relaxing.”

There’s also an enclosed space for teens, which also has large windows.

“They’re going to have gaming computers in there, so if they’re playing on the computers they can have a good time and not disturb anyone else,” Liranzo said.

“We have study rooms that we never had before. Those are very nice,” Liranzo added.

Lee noted: “Study Room C is large enough — where a group can study.”

It can accommodate up to eight people, she added.

Liranzo also noted: “We still have our big open space that we can do programs in. We have enclosed spaces, where people don’t feel they’re being disturbed by noise. That’s something we never had before.”

The large space, which can be used for events, can become even larger because the furniture and bookshelves, are movable, Lee said.

There’s a community meeting room, too, which is equipped to facilitate Zoom sessions and big screen presentations.

The room can be reserved, but a priority system is used, with library programs getting first dibs, followed by government programs, and then, local organizations, Liranzo said.

The meeting room also is the space used by the Supervisor of Elections for a voting precinct.

There’s a new drive-thru book drop behind the New River Branch Library, giving patrons a chance to drop off books from the convenience of their car.

Outside, on the east side of the library, crews are hard at work installing garden spaces.

When finished, there will be community garden plots. There also will be a butterfly garden, a native plants garden, a seasonal plants garden and a sensory garden.

The library expects to partner with the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County Extension to offer demonstrations and learning opportunities, Liranzo said.

Nearly everything at the library has been redone or replaced.

“The exterior brick is the same. The roof is the same. But everything else was gutted out,” Liranzo said.

“We’re very fortunate that the Go Bonds were approved by the public,” Liranzo said, noting the bond proceeds paid for the cost of renovations, furniture and materials.

The library is far more than a place to simply read and check out books, Lee and Liranzo said.

It’s also a place where people gather for story time, book clubs, knitting, card games and an assortment of other activities.

That all came to a halt because of the pandemic, but library staff can’t wait for the day when the library can come back to full life — as a place where people can gather, to learn and to socialize.

New River Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
Hours
Monday and Wednesday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Tuesday and Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Published June 02, 2021

Residents back Zephyrhills golf course

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The future of the Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course remains up in air, as city leaders continue to ponder the possible sale of the property for a Florida Army National Guard Armory.

In recent weeks, the National Guard has been scouting the 65-acre golf property situated on the southwest quadrant of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

This development comes as state lawmakers approved allocating $25 million in appropriations to the military organization, for future training grounds in Zephyrhills.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Golf Course is designed to provide a public, low-cost alternative compared to other courses in the area. The 18-hole, par 68 course is known as a haven for snowbirds and beginners alike. The course’s future may be in jeopardy if the Florida Army National Guard selects the location as its site for an armory expansion, and the City of Zephyrhills received a weighty offer for the property. (File)

But area residents have come out swinging in support of the 18-hole, par 68 course, at 39248 B Ave., in Zephyrhills.

Avid golfers and course workers alike voiced the need to keep the outdoor recreational amenity intact, during a public comment portion of a May 24 Zephyrhills City Council regular meeting.

The facility — established in 1957, then opened in 1978 — is regarded as a low-cost alternative compared to surrounding golf courses, where snowbirds and others flock to during the year.

Discussion about the course’s future originally came up during an earlier May meeting to approve a lease agreement with Under Par Inc., to continue to serve as course management operators.

But City Manager Billy Poe at the time disclosed how the National Guard had targeted the golf course property for purchase — likely to be a substantial offer — among other site alternatives and parcels throughout the city, following the wave of expansion funding.

Armed with that information, council members tabled the lease renewal for future discussion, given that the city’s present agreement with Under Par won’t expire until April 2022.

With no final decisions yet set, locals came out in full force inside Zephyrhills City Hall to put comments on the record.

Sixteen-year-old Wesley Chapel resident Jake Roberts spoke in glowing terms about his experiences at the course.

The teen, who was the first public speaker to weigh in on the topic, said he learned to play golf there with his father, when he was just 8 years old.

He described the course as “a cornerstone” of his life and “a very important place” for the entire East Pasco community.

“I have a lot of good memories from there,” Roberts told the council. “I’ve grown up there basically, around some of the best, kindest, and overall good people that you could meet.”

He urged council members: “Please allow these memories I will forever cherish to be experienced by more people in this community.”

Roberts’ father, Art, also stood up, wrought with emotion on the course’s uncertain future.

Choking up, the parent shared how course staff and members welcomed his family and rallied around his 12-year-old daughter’s battle with cancer.

Art added that the course was “a place to go” for the family during the traumatic times, then emphasized how the facility is accommodating and affordable for both young and older golfers, including retirees and winter residents.

“The value to our community is immeasurable,” Art said. “There’s a lot of folks that need that place.”

Zephyrhills resident Ken Fabiani can attest, as an amputee veteran who’s played the municipal course the past four years. “It’s about the only golf course that’s feasible for somebody that has, not a handicap, but a little difficulty playing the longer golf courses,” he said, also noting the pro shop offers a 20% veteran discount.

Fabiani also suggested the proposed armory project “be placed somewhere more convenient than taking away the city’s golf course, and let it be that everybody has a chance to play.”

Mike Murrell discovered the course about two years ago when he relocated to Zephyrhills.

He has since become a regular course volunteer, where he’s met hundreds of people young and old — including some players in their 90s, who relish the smaller, beginner-friendly style course. “If it weren’t for that course,” Murrell said, “they wouldn’t be playing golf.”

Murrell also said, “I think it’d be a travesty if the course was shut down, because it’s enjoyed by so many people, especially the six months out of the year when the northerners are down here, it’s unbelievable.”

Longtime Zephyrhills resident Gary Kyle began playing the course about 11 years ago.

He likewise pleaded with city leadership to not compromise the course: “It’s a great place to go to unwind, it does a lot for the community. It gives people, young people especially, a place to go that’s safe, a good, safe environment, and I would really like for the council members and the city to keep the course open.”

In addition to other area residents who spoke up in favor of keeping the facility intact, course employees, like pro shop manager Craig Sexton, expressed concern about closing the course in favor of another development project.

“I don’t see why one company has to die for another to live,” Sexton said.

“I don’t understand why we need to destroy one company that’s functioning, not great, but we’re surviving, and for that to happen post-COVID, I’m confused, I’m not sure what is going on.

“I understand the city has to look out for the city, but I ask that you also consider us employees and just understand that we have something at stake, too.”

When questioned by council about course activity, Sexton said the facility can average upwards of 1,500 players per week and some 6,000 rounds per month, during the busy winter season between October through February.

“When we’re on and everybody’s in the groove,” he said, “it’s busy, it’s crazy out there, but they love it, and we make it happen.”

Sexton contrasted those figures with an undetermined number of National Guard soldiers and staffers who’d train and take base at the would-be armory unit.

He observed, “I mean, it’s really a substantial penalty to the community if we just wipe this golf course off the earth, you know.”

Zephyrhills golf course manager Ayako Burkhart also pleaded to keep the city golf course, describing it as an affordable recreational outlet for all ages and backgrounds.

Burkhart also detailed how the property is a haven for many seniors and winter residents, some who regularly stop by the clubhouse, not just for golf, but for coffee and conversations.

She also pointed out how the facility also is “a safe, comfortable environment” for golfers with disabilities, who may take a while longer to get around the course, by ensuring they aren’t harassed or yelled at for slow play. “People are appreciative of what we’re doing,” Burkhart said, “as a city golf course to everyone.”

Council addresses concerns
Following the barrage of public statements, council members further weighed in on the issue, while also thanking citizens for providing input.

Councilman Lance Smith, who grew up playing the course, acknowledged any final decision one way or the other will be tough given the course’s history and community role.

The councilman encouraged city staffers to visit the course to see its present condition and operations.

He also suggested the National Guard “look elsewhere” throughout Zephyrhills, instead of a golf course “that provides a recreational amenity to how many thousands of people every season.”

“Quite frankly, I’m going to have a very difficult decision to make, because that golf course is very dear to me, personally,” Smith said.

“When it comes down to it, I honestly can’t say which way I’m going to fall on it. …I know this (issue) is going to come before us, but I just want to put it out there that I have a strong attachment to that piece of ground out there.”

Mayor Gene Whitfield similarly advised staffers to best push other vacant sites to the National Guard for an armory.

“It’s been here a long time, it’s almost like a landmark here to many of us,” Whitfield said of the municipal course. “Personally, I’m kind of in the camp that says, ‘We need to keep looking and not make a hasty decision.’”

Councilman Ken Burgess said he’s confident administration “will do what’s in the best interest for the city overall,” then adding “we still have some things to find out before we even make a decision anyway.”

Added Councilman Charles Proctor: “Sometimes we do have to make tough decisions, but I think we can put a little common sense into it and maybe, hopefully, make everybody happy.”

City Attorney Matthew Maggard even chipped in his experiences participating in youth camps as a kid at the course.

It’s where he first learned to properly hit out of a sand trap thanks to an instructor’s memorable tip about envisioning swinging a shallow patch of sand about the size of a dollar bill under the ball. “I used that (tip) all the way through high school when I played on the high school team. That was the best trick I ever learned, and I learned it out there,” he said.

Altogether, Council President Alan Knight may have best summed up what most were thinking: “I have a big place in my heart for that golf course.”

Published June 02, 2021

Pasco County celebrates economic successes

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Despite unanticipated challenges of the COVID-19 crisis, Pasco County still had much to celebrate in terms of growth, tourism and economic development.

That was the primary theme of “TeamUp! Building a Strong Economy Together,” an event hosted by Experience Florida’s Sports Coast (FSC) and Pasco Economic Development Council — two marketing organizations charged with driving the success of the county’s economy.

The May 6 event was held at AdventHealth Center Ice in Wesley Chapel, with 175 socially distanced guests attending in person, and others taking part remotely.

Various awards were presented during the TeamUp! event. Congressman Gus Bilirakis, third from left, was the recipient of the Experience Florida’s Sports Coast Chairman’s Choice Awards, for his efforts in boosting tourism in the region and state of Florida. Also pictured, from left: Pasco EDC president/CEO Bill Cronin, Experience Florida’s Sports Coast tourism director Adam Thomas, and Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore. (Courtesy of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast Office of Tourism Development)

The evening ceremony highlighted accomplishments of both marketing organizations,  corporate businesses, entrepreneurs, hoteliers, attraction partners and restaurateurs.

The idea for the special gala was spurred from a conversation between Pasco EDC president and CEO Bill Cronin and FSC tourism director Adam Thomas, regarding the economic struggles both corporate businesses and tourism industry partners had faced in the previous year because of COVID-19.

Blending the two brands, TeamUp! featured a figure skating showcase, networking hour, awards dinner and joint economic presentation fronted by Cronin and Thomas, along with other speakers.

Also, FSC and Pasco EDC screened their first collaborative video showcasing Pasco as an attractive place to live, work and play.

The six-minute video takes a bird’s eye and grounded tour around the county, stopping at popular destinations while delving into specific need-to-know information for those looking to relocate their businesses, travel to the destination, or host a conference or event in the area.

Recognizing excellence
Various awards were bestowed, as well, honoring those who have made a lasting impression on the county’s diverse and growing economy:

Experience Florida’s Sports Coast Awards

  • Chairman’s Choice Award: Congressman Gus Bilirakis
  • Lodging Partner of the Year: SpringHill Suites by Marriott Tampa-Suncoast Parkway
  • Tourism Legacy Award: Thomas Dempsey, founder of Saddlebrook Resort & Spa

Pasco EDC Awards

  • Leadership Award: Dr. Arthur Kirk Jr., president emeritus of Saint Leo University
  • Recruitment Project of the Year: Santander Consumer USA
  • Expansion Project of the Year: The Soule Co.

The evening concluded with a special keynote address by Mike Rayburn, who blended comedy, music and thought-provoking messaging — while sharing his story of going from playing guitar for seven people in a bar in Virginia to playing in Carnegie Hall.

New companies, new jobs
Speaking from a well-lit, lifted stage, Cronin detailed how area economic development efforts emerged strong even during 2020’s trials and tribulations.

This included welcoming $104 million in new capital investment and 15 new company projects adding more than 1,400 direct jobs.

In fact, Cronin said these figures yielded the private, nonprofit organization’s “best year so far, for investment and job creation in Pasco County.”

The Pasco EDC’s ongoing efforts required creativity and adaptations to get work done, given various limitations brought about by COVID-19, Cronin explained from the luminated dais.

“The pandemic pushed us all to find new methods to manage old routines,” he said.

“Economic development was no different, and I’m proud to say that our team at the Pasco EDC rose to the challenge and found innovative ways to bring new investment and new jobs to the county.

“Like so many other businesses, we turned to virtual platforms to accomplish things that we could no longer do in person. We hosted site visits, business workshops and special events, all virtually.”

Cronin highlighted other economic-related marks from the past year, including the opening of Pasco EDC’s third small business incubator location — SMARTstart Grove Entrepreneur Center in Wesley Chapel — designed to help entrepreneurs expand their business and turn ideas into realities.

Interestingly enough, desserts prepared for the event were concocted by a trio of SMARTstart restaurant entrepreneur members and alums — Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread in Dade City; Sweet Luminous Bakery in Dade City; and, Hillbilly Farms in Dade City.

Cronin also mentioned how the Pasco EDC partnered with Pasco County government to provide emergency relief to more than 1,200 small businesses struggling to meet the demands the pandemic placed on them.

“Despite the challenges that 2020 presented,” Cronin said, “we kept moving forward.”

Tourism on the rebound?
Likewise speaking to the sizable crowd, Thomas acknowledged Pasco’s tourism “took a hit” from the pandemic, and remains in recovery mode.

However, the county’s tourism brand leader presented a mostly upbeat outlook for 2021 — noting visitor numbers steadily increasing the second half of this year and beyond.

“After a year of strict restrictions, people are itching to get back on the road and back in the air,” said Thomas, also quick to point out tourism industry analysts reporting that nearly 80% of Americans are dreaming of or planning to travel this year.

Thomas added the CDC’s recent guidance indicating vaccinated individuals can now safely travel without risking their health brings “another encouraging sign from our tourism industry for the second half of this year.”

Though the pandemic put a dent into some of Pasco’s original grandiose tourism plans and projections for most of 2020, there were some wins from the prior year.

Among other entertainment venues, shopping and hotels coming online, Thomas in particular highlighted the opening of the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis and Wellness Center in Zephyrhills; AdventHealth Sports Arena at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County, in Wesley Chapel; and Widow Fletcher’s, a new waterfront restaurant in New Port Richey.

Thomas told the audience how FSC remained aggressive following the pandemic’s initial scare.

It was one of the first tourism agencies in the state to return to marketing after what Thomas labeled “a two-month industry blackout.”

The group ran an outdoor adventure-focused marketing digital campaign promoting the county’s 10-day summer scallop season along the Anclote River.

The campaign resulted in visitation growth of more than 60% and related economic impact, Thomas said.

Pasco, too, was one of Florida’s first to return to hosting sporting events amid the pandemic, Thomas said, with the TORHS 2Hot4Ice roller hockey national championships in July.

The event — with strict pandemic protocols in place — brought together 113 teams who played a staggered schedule over 10 days at AdventHealth Center Ice.

Thomas presented other encouraging tourism-related figures.

More than 25% of county visitors last year were first-timers who plan to return, he said.

Visitor spending was down compared to fiscal year 2019, but tourists still created more than a half-million dollars of economic impact to the county, saving every resident over $260 in their annual taxes, he said.

Though the FSC has mainly focused on youth and amateur sports and outdoor recreational offerings to attract visitation, Thomas indicated the agency next plans to branch into the business meeting marketplace.

The county in October will play host to the inaugural SMERF (Social, Military, Educational, Religious and Fraternal) Express conference — an overnight tourism-based trade show featuring social functions, community service, team building and one-on-one appointments between meeting planners and destination marketing organizations.

And, in January there will be a similar but sports-tourism focused conference called Sports Express-Indoor.

Thomas also discussed how FSC is building on in-state tourism drive markets of Orlando, Miami and Jacksonville, along with out-of-state drive markets of Atlanta and Raleigh-Durham.

The agency also is launching new promotions geared toward people in the New York, New Jersey and the Great Lakes region.

“When they’re ready to travel,” Thomas said, “we’re ready to welcome them.”

The speaker also touted the reach and impact of FSC, which has increased its staffing levels and has received national recognition in the tourism industry for its various campaigns and efforts.

Thomas said: “We focus on telling our community story — the experiences that make Pasco County the best destination in Florida, and the place we all love to call home, whether we’re fishing in the gulf, skydiving in Zephyrhills, or hiking in our nature parks, or playing hockey right here at AdventHealth Center Ice.”

Published June 02, 2021

‘Unique subdivision’ meets resistance

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The idea of creating a subdivision in Land O’ Lakes for catastrophically injured veterans, and surviving families of fallen first responders and for Gold Star families has broad appeal — but even with the popularity of the cause, a proposed rezoning for the project is meeting resistance.

The Stephen Siller Tunnel to Towers Foundation has proposed the first neighborhood in the nation specifically designed to serve its recipients be located on about 75 acres, on the south side of Parkway Boulevard, about one-half mile east of Ehren Cutoff. The site is between the Panther Run and Dupree Lakes subdivisions.

The foundation was established 20 years ago by Frank Siller, to honor the sacrifice of his brother, Stephen Siller, a firefighter who laid down his life to save others on Sept. 11, 2001.

Matt Mahoney, executive vice president of the foundation, explained the concept of the project — via a remote feed during an April 22 meeting of the Pasco County Planning Commission meeting.

“Our recipients are all gifted these homes. These are mortgage-free homes,” Mahoney said.

“We have the financial wherewithal to do this. The land was donated to us,” Mahoney said. “We’re in a strong financial situation to move forward with this project.”

The foundation has a solid track record, said Cyndi Tarapani, a professional planner representing the applicant.

But residents in the adjacent Panther Run neighborhood and members of the Pasco County Planning Commission raised objections to the proposal.

Those concerns initially were aired during the April 22 meeting, which was continued until May, to give the applicant time to respond to the concerns.

At the May 20 planning board meeting, the issues were much the same.

Would-be neighbor Tim Robinson, of 6444 Paw Place, put it like this “I can’t say enough how much I like what Tunnels to Towers is doing for our servicemen and women and our first responders, a very admirable endeavor.

“My main issue is compatibility,” Robinson said. “We would have a bunch of homes butting right up to half-acre lots and I really don’t feel that is compatible at all.”

Planning Commissioner Jaime Girardi also expressed concerns about compatibility.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, told planning board members that the request seeks an R-4 zoning district, a Euclidean zoning that allows up to four houses per acre. The county cannot attach conditions to Euclidean zoning requests, Goldstein said.

Instead, the county can ask the applicant to voluntarily add deed restrictions.

The planning board asked the foundation to place larger lots on land next to the adjacent Panther Run lots. It also asked for one-story homes to be built there, to address privacy concerns.

Planning commissioners also wanted to guarantee that the land would be used by the foundation’s program beneficiaries.

At the May 20 meeting, Tarapani said the foundation has agreed to deed restrictions that call for fewer lots and larger lots, with one-story homes along the edge of the neighborhood adjacent to Panther Run.

However, she said her client would not agree to ownership restrictions.

Without that restriction, there is no guarantee that the foundation won’t sell the land to another developer, Goldstein said.

Panther Run neighbors reiterated their objections.

Shelby Carrero, of 6448 Paw Place, told the planning board: “After reviewing the deed restriction, I am disheartened to say the least, that our valid concerns we have expressed several times have not been taken into consideration by the applicant.

“The fact the applicant has ignored its future Pasco County neighbors, as well as the Pasco County Planning Commission, should speak volumes as to what their plan was this entire time.

“They have refused to put in their deed restriction that they will not sell the land to a developer, or that they will not sell the homes to people that are not military veterans, first responders, or their families.

“Therefore, the applicant’s narrative doesn’t hold true.”

She added: “It was an insult to see their updated site plan. The previous plan had 22 homes lining Panther Run. The updated plan has 19.”

Finally, she said, “We cannot treat them any different than a big developer because we now know that this is a possibility.

Sabrina Fernandez, 22402 Panther Run Court, asked commissioners to deny the request.

“The truth is that this applicant has ignored the request from this board, and I do appreciate you taking our thoughts into consideration a couple of weeks ago. This is very emotional for us because it’s going to affect our lives greatly.”

Other opponents said they don’t want two-story homes on smaller lots lining up behind their large lot. They also cited concerns about a loss of privacy.

Tarapani challenged the assertion that the proposed rezoning is incompatible.

“Single family, next to single family, is by its very nature, compatible,” she said. Plus, she noted, as part of its deed restriction the foundation has agreed to erect a 6-foot buffer wall between the new subdivision and its Panther Run neighbors, even though the county’s code doesn’t require it.

County planners recommend approval of the request, but the planning board voted to recommend denial, with Planning Commissioner Chris Williams dissenting.

The issue now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

Published June 02, 2021

Oakley: Pasco should build communities, not subdivisions

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As the Pasco County Commission was wrapping up a meeting last month, Commission Chairman Ron Oakley called for increased scrutiny on how Pasco is growing.

Developers coming into the county should build communities, not merely subdivisions, according to Oakley, who has deep roots in Pasco County.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said that developers should build communities, not just subdivisions.

“If we don’t start looking out for what we’re getting built here in our county, in large developments — if we don’t start watching it closer, then we’ll have developed land for houses that will just be houses,” Oakley said.

“And, I think what we all really want for our county is to have developed land that becomes a community for each project that we have, going forth,” he said.

He then went on to describe what those communities should include.

“One that has architectural design in it. One that has better landscaping,” he said.

Put simply: He said builders who want to be a part of Pasco County need to have a better product.

Oakley pointed to recent concerns raised by Commissioner Kathryn Starkey about a lack of landscaping.

There are areas in Pasco, Oakley said, “that I think we’ve gotten housing developments — whether small or large, that they’re really not up to what we really need for our county.”

They don’t measure up to the county’s desire to be a premiere county, Oakley said.

“We need better than that,” he said.

He wants the county to have tighter controls over its master-planned developments.

“I’m not saying all of them are bad. Some of them are great. Some of them are so-so. There are some that I’ve seen lately, and Commissioner Starkey brought them up — showed us a picture — that when you look down a road and you see concrete sidewalk, concrete driveway and houses either all the same color, or just bland. No landscaping.

“There’s something wrong with us developing that kind of product and we need better than that in our community,” Oakley said.

He called on County Administrator Dan Biles and his staff “to bring something forward to us that will improve that look of Pasco County.

“I plan on being here until my last days. I don’t want to see some of the product that I’ve seen that’s terrible looking and not a good community for people to live in.

“I don’t want to just push houses. We all want to live in a place that looks better. We don’t want to live in a place where you don’t have any landscaping,” Oakley said.

Oakley added: “I’ve seen some residential areas, they’re just absolutely terrible. And they’re supposed to be new and I can tell you, they don’t look new.

“We want the best for the folks that live in Pasco and work here, and play and do all of the things that we fight to do the right way,” he said. “Mr. Biles, please bring that to us, sooner than later.”

Commissioner Mike Moore said he agrees with Oakley, but Moore is particularly concerned about development along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor.

“Let’s be very conscious of the things that we do approve along that corridor (State Road 54/State 56,” Moore said.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder sought some clarification from Oakley: “So, what you’re really asking for is amendments to the land development code — that this would be applied universally to MPUD (master planned unit development) projects, single-family, primarily.

“Pasco has traditionally taken the approach of a conceptual MPUD. You think the board may be looking for a little more detail, a little more permanency to that plan. So, regulation that creates a community versus a subdivision.”

Oakley agreed with Steinsnyder’s assessment.

The county attorney added that research being done now, during the county’s temporary moratorium on new multifamily applications, may be pertinent to issues raised by Moore.

Published June 02, 2021

Pasco County eyeing vacation rental rules

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Pasco County is looking to tweak its vacation rental rules, to make them more applicable to today’s times.

The issue came up during the public comment portion of the Pasco County Commission’s May 18 meeting.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said the county’s vacation rental ordinance is not working.

Nancy Thrower, who lives in Hudson, asked the board to amend the county’s ordinance that governs vacation rentals.

“I’m here today to request that you begin the process to amend the current Pasco County ordinance governing vacation rentals.

“As you know, the current Pasco County vacation rental ordinance, enacted way back in 1999, restricts vacation rentals to 30 days or more, unless community owners file a petition with 51% owner support to change the minimum to six days instead,” Thrower said.

“It would be to our whole county’s benefit to update this ordinance, as soon as possible, because right now, Pasco County is losing out on much-needed revenue.

“It is out of reach financially for most families to take 30 days off, in a row, for summer vacation.

“Pasco County businesses are also missing out on tourist revenue.

“We all know that COVID-19 really stressed our economy.

“The extra revenue generated from updating this ordinance would go a long way to helping local businesses continue getting back on their feet, and then prosper going forward.

“Our county businesses will definitely see an increase in customers, with this change, as it will help extend our tourist season.

“Third, investors are losing money.

“Many condo owners purchase their properties to enjoy themselves and use them as vacation rentals to help pay for them until they retire,” she told commissioners.

She said that changing the ordinance would be a step toward supporting local businesses.

“Passing an ordinance of no less than six days is sufficient to keep condo complexes and other associations from competing with hotels, while unburdening private businesses, so all can prosper.

“My ask is that you change the current 30-day Pasco County Vacation Rental Ordinance to a six-day minimum.

“Please empower homeowner associations and property owners with the right to propose a longer minimum stay for their own properties, if they so choose. Please amend this ordinance to make it less restrictive on our personal property rights, and help our local businesses thrive,” Thrower said.

Commissioners do not respond to speakers during the public comment period of their meetings, but later in the meeting, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said that the issues raised by Thrower are valid.

Starkey said there are vacation rentals all over the place in Gulf Harbors, and the county’s current ordinance is not working.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano wants the board to have a discussion regarding how it wants to proceed on the issue of vacation rentals.

“I don’t think we can code enforce our way out of the new reality of short-term rental. So, in my opinion, we need to have rules in place that we can enforce. But we can’t enforce anything, when they’re not allowed.

“I think our short-term rental ordinance needs to go and we need to put rules in place — fire, safety.

“We need to manage them, and right now we’re not.

“So, I think we should talk about short-term rentals,” said Starkey.

Commissioner Jack Mariano said: “It is something we need to address. I think we need to scrap the ordinance, start afresh. And start allowing people to do this, as quick as we can. A new set of rules.”

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told the board: “You’ve got a 1999 ordinance that predated when the Legislature changed the rules and said anyone that had an ordinance in place at the time that they passed their legislation could keep it. But once you start playing with it, you lose that grandfather.

“The Legislature has taken away your ability to adopt a new one (vacation rental ordinance).

“If you scrap the ordinance, you scrap it.

Starkey added: “Right, we lose our grandfather.”

One option is to simply get out of the business, Steinsnyder said.

Mariano suggested: “Maybe we need to do an agenda item and we can discuss it.”

Starkey added: “Get tourism involved.”

Commissioner Mike Moore agrees that the county’s tourism team should be involved in the discussion.

Mariano asked Steinsnyder: “Can you bring what the effect would be, if we went with just the state regulation? So we can all look at it ahead of time before the next meeting?”

Steinsnyder agreed to do so.

Published May 26, 2021