The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Passover continues through April 4

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The Jewish holiday of Pesach, or Passover, is an eight-day festival celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan.

This year, it runs from March 27 through April 4.

Passover celebrates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Following its various rituals and traditions allows the Jewish community to relive and experience the freedom of their ancestors.

This includes substituting matzah for leavened grains, from midday of the day before Passover until the conclusion of the holiday.

Passover is divided into two parts.

The first two days (March 27 and March 28) and the last two days (April 3 and April 4) are full-fledged holidays.

Holiday candles are lit at night, and festive meals (Seders) are usually enjoyed for one or two days. The middle four days are referred to as Chol Hamoed, or semi-festive “intermediate days.”

The seventh and eighth days of Passover, meanwhile, are celebrated as Yom Tov, holidays, capping the weeklong celebration that begins with the first Seder.

These final days of Passover begin before sunset on April 2 and end after nightfall on April 4.

It’s customary for Jews to not work during this time, aside from food preparation, reciting holiday prayers, lighting candles and some other special practices.

During morning services on the seventh day, Torah reading includes the biblical reading of the parting of the Red Sea and the exodus from Egypt.

During morning services on the eighth day, memorial prayers are recited for dead relatives.

Source: Chabad.org

Local synagogue information
Various in-person and virtual Passover services are being offered throughout The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Here is a listing of local synagogues and Jewish houses of worship:

Published March 31, 2021

Easter services are evolving, amidst pandemic

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There was so much uncertainty last year about COVID-19 that many churches changed up their Easter celebrations, to reduce potential spread of the disease.

A year later, many churches across the region continue to use a variety of approaches in celebrating Christianity’s most significant holy day.

Last year, for instance, Idlewild Baptist Church, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz, relied on online services to celebrate Easter. This year, it will be holding a number of in-person services.

The First United Methodist Church of Land O’ Lakes, at 6209 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., livestreamed its Easter service last year. This year, it will have an in-person service.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, at 2348 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, created a more personal touch for its online services last year, by attaching photographs of parishioners on chairs — so officiants could look at them, while saying Mass.

This year, the church will have in-person services — while limiting the size of the crowds.

Last year, Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, 2018 Riegler Road, in Land O’ Lakes had a drive-in Easter service and it will do that again this year, on April 4 at 10:30 a.m.

Meanwhile, Grace Community Church, at 7107 Boyette Road in Wesley Chapel, will switch from the drive-in service it had last year to an in-person worship service on April 4 at 10:30 a.m. After the service, families will be able to take advantage of a photo booth, to pose for their Easter pictures. Last year, families shot selfies in their cars.

AdventHealth Zephyrhills will have its 36th annual Easter Sunrise Service at 7 a.m., on April 4, virtually, via Facebook.com/adventhealthzephyrhills. The event was held virtually last year, too, after decades of conducting the service on the hospital’s lawn.

Meanwhile, across the Catholic Diocese of St. Petersburg, Bishop Gregory Parkes has kept protocols in place for the nearly 500,000 Catholics in Tampa Bay Area, according to a Diocesan news release.

Those protective measures include social distancing, sanitizing and the use of face coverings.

Church holy water fonts remain empty and collection baskets are not circulated, the news release says.

Bishop Parkes also has kept in place the general dispensation from Sunday Mass at this time.

If you’re interested in attending an Easter service, be sure to check your local church to get the latest details on services. Many places of worship require reservations, so be sure to check soon to reserve your spot.

Published March 31, 2021

Pasco County Good Friday closings

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Pasco County’s offices will be closed on April 2, in observance of Good Friday, and government offices will reopen on April 5.

The county’s parks, recreation and natural resources’ offices, recreation complexes and community centers will be closed on Friday, April 2, but the parks and beaches will stay open to the public from dawn to dusk, according to a Pasco County news release.

Pasco County Public Transportation will operate all fixed routes and paratransit on April 2, but the administrative offices will be closed to walk-in customers. However, the phone lines will be open.

All Pasco County Libraries will be closed on April 2 and will resume regular business hours on  April 3.

The Pasco County Animal Services Administration Office, Adoption Center, Intake/Reclaim Shelter and Field Services will be closed on April 2.  An animal control officer will be available for emergencies only. The Adoption Center & Intake/Reclaim Shelter will resume regular business hours on April 3.

The Pasco County Resource Recovery Facility, West Pasco Class III, and the East Pasco Transfer Station will be closed to the public on April 2, but will be open to Pasco County licensed commercial haulers.

Published March 31, 2021

Pasco board delays decision on land use change

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The Pasco County Commission has delayed a decision regarding a controversial request that would clear the way to consider commercial uses at the southwest corner of State Road 54 and Meadowbrook Estates.

The request is being vigorously contested by residents in Meadowbrook Estates and Sierra Pines subdivision, in Lutz.

Opponents object to allowing a change in the land use designation that would open the door to a rezoning request that would allow a litany of commercial uses.

Kiddie Campus University Inc., the land owner and applicant, is represented by attorney Barbara Wilhite.

Two previous efforts to gain approvals for a day care at the site were denied.

The current effort is to first obtain a land use change to allow commercial uses, and then to get a zoning change for the 1.67-acre site.

It is not unusual for the sale of property to be contingent on the successful acquisition of land use or zoning change.

Sharon Hunnewell-Johnson, of 17300 Riverstone Drive, told commissioners she’s lived in the neighborhood for 30 years.

“I do know firsthand, I was called by the person that I believe Barbara (Wilhite) represents, and I was told this was going to be a gas station/car wash. We cannot have a gas station/car wash within our neighborhood,” Hunnewell-Johnson said.

Speakers told commissioners that they worry that contaminants from a gas station could seep into their groundwater supply. They said the neighborhoods rely on well water for drinking water, as well as watering their fruit trees.

The neighborhoods were represented by Todd Pressman, a private consultant, Patricia Ortiz, a private planning consultant and attorney Luke Lirot, in opposing the request.

Numerous neighbors — sporting red T-shirts in a sign of solidarity — appeared via a remote feed at the March 23 public hearing to voice their objections. A number of letters of opposition also were read into the record.

Ortiz said the request represents a commercial intrusion into an established residential neighborhood.

Neighbors told commissioners that they don’t oppose use of the site, but want the use to be less intense.

Pressman also presented petitions signed by more than 140 people opposed to the request.

Lirot said that neighbors oppose potential uses that could affect their property values and their quality of life.

“If it’s a doctor’s office, or something else that wouldn’t be open deep into the evening, with noise and smoke and fumes, and things of that nature — if it’s a professional type of development — there’s no problem whatsoever.

“Nobody wants to deny the property owner of the use and benefit of that particular property,” Lirot said.

He asked the county board to consider a restriction that will limit the options available only to uses that would not have an adverse effect on the neighborhood.

Wilhite told commissioners that the proposed use is in keeping with the county’s long-range land plan.

The location fronts on State Road 54, which is a six-lane arterial highway. The site also is at a signalized intersection, which is ¾-miles east of the Suncoast Parkway.

She cited a policy in the county’s land use plan that specifically directs where the board wants commercial land uses to occur, and this location meets that criteria.

Commissioners said they want to ensure that buffering is adequate to protect the neighboring properties.

Commissioner Mike Moore asked: “Any chance counsel on both sides could maybe get together, put their heads together a little bit, and come up with a compromise between the two and bring this back?

“Just a thought, a suggestion. I don’t know if both sides are willing to have those discussions,” Moore said.

Moore said he has concerns for the house that’s across the street and for the house that abuts the property. He also questioned if there is sufficient room to meet buffering requirements.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and Commissioner Kathryn Starkey also raised concerns about protecting nearby properties.

Starkey said “the devil is in the details” and noted there are plenty of examples of commercial uses adjacent to residential neighborhoods around the county.

Moore asked Wilhite if she was willing to meet with the other side.

She responded: “Commissioner Moore, you know I will always have conversations. I’m happy to have conversations.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed with Moore’s suggestion to ask the two sides to meet, to see if they can work something out.

Mariano told Pressman: “Mr. Pressman, I strongly recommend, take the opportunity to meet with them, otherwise, we vote on it now. We don’t know where it’s going to go yet.”

Pressman replied: “I hear you commissioner, and with that, I don’t think we have a choice but to meet and talk. But I’m going to say again, you’re putting the onus on the applicant for site plan and buffering. You need to put the onus on use.”

Starkey told Pressman: “I disagree.”

After both sides agreed to meet, the board voted to continue the land use request until April 20. The companion rezoning request also has been delayed. It is now set for May 18.

Published March 31, 2021

Jelly Bean Fling offers festivities, photos and fun

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Noah Yates, 3, is sitting high on his grandfather Todd Clow’s shoulders, as Clow is submerged under a cluster of suds released by Blaise Ryndes, the bubble magician. (Fred Bellet)

Hundreds turned out to the Jelly Bean Fling at the Pioneer Florida Museum and Village to take advantage of festivities that included free family photos, an Easter egg hunt, a petting zoo, live entertainment, games and crafts.

Event-goers could make Easter bonnets, too, enjoy a bite to eat, purchase items from vendors and check out the model train room.

And, there were bubbles — showers and showers of bubbles —during the Sphere’s Bubble Magic Show.

Four-month-old Gabriel Martinez isn’t quite sure about sitting on the Easter Bunny’s lap while his mom, Amanda Bower, of New Port Richey, waits her turn for the baby to be photographed by museum photographer, Laura Barthle.
From left: Damien Stippich, Morgan Stippich, Daniel Stippich, mom Heather Stippich, and Malayna Stippich, all of Spring Hill, check out the food and other items available during the Jelly Bean Fling.
Blaise Ryndes, of Land O’ Lakes, right, waves a huge bubble net over the crowd of children and adults waiting for the bubbles to pour over them during the Sphere’s Bubble Magic Show during the Jelly Bean Fling.
As museum photographer, Laura Barthle tries to get a picture, Caydence Leasure, 2, gets a little uneasy in the arms of the Easter Bunny at the Jelly Bean Fling at the Pioneer Florida Museum. His mom, Tisha Leasure, of Hudson, said: ‘He was better with Santa.’ Caydence was there with his sister Makenna Leasure, 7.
Nine-year-old Jawaun Washington, of Dade City, lowered his mask to munch on a hot dog at the Jelly Bean Fling.
Children and adults were showered with bubbles, at the Jelly Bean Fling.
Ty Seifert, of St. Petersburg, seems to be having as much fun as family friend 4-year old, Cami Brown, of St. Petersburg. They were enjoying the Sphere’s Bubble Magic Show during the Jelly Bean Fling.

 

 

Northeast Pasco Advisory Committee established

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The Pasco County Commission has approved the establishment of the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee.

The advisory committee’s role will be to recommend nonresidential design standards to the county board for commercial development located within the boundaries of the Northeast Pasco Rural Overlay District.

The northeast rural area is bordered by Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, the Green Swamp, State Road 52 and the Hernando County line.

The committee will be composed of 13 voting members, representing a diverse group of stakeholders — similar to the makeup of the group that was involved in the design of the development of the Northeast Pasco County Special Area Plan.

The county also has consulting firm Florida Design Consultants (FDC), to assist the county in creating the commercial design standards.

The county’s planning and development department has reached out to potential

candidates to apply to serve on the advisory committee.

Primary duties of the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee will include:

  • Evaluating and assessing all current policies and regulations related to the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District
  • Creating the vision and intent of commercial enclave development, identifying appropriate locations for commercial enclave development, and recommending commercial design standards and guidelines to the board

The planning and development department and Florida Design Consultants (FDC) will facilitate the virtual/hybrid workshops with the Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee and interested parties.

The planning and development department will be in charge of notifying the appropriate team members to update the Citizens Advisory Boards & Committees webpage and county calendar.

The planning and development department will update the Northeast Pasco Rural Area webpage at each step of the process, so that the webpage will include all workshop materials, summaries of all workshops, and all drafts/approved documents.

The board approved a resolution, which became effective immediately, relating to the creation of the advisory committee that says the committee will help in the development of commercial regulations in the rural overlay district.

The committee will have a limited purpose and duration, and will automatically be disbanded, once its recommendation is made to the county board.

The advisory committee will be made up of five property owners who are residents of the Northeast Pasco County Rural Area; five business owners in the Northeast Pasco County Rural Area; one land use; and, two at-large members.

Advisory committee members will not be compensated, and can be removed by a majority of the county board, with or without cause.

The advisory committee will elect a chairperson to preside at all meetings and/or workshops, and a vice chairman can be elected to preside and act on behalf of the chairperson.

A majority of advisory committee members must be present to constitute a quorum.

Notice of regular or special meetings/workshops of the NERAC and the time and location of each meeting shall be published to the public on the main Pasco County website, and the meetings will be subject to provisions of Florida’ open meeting laws.

Published March 31, 2021

Wesley Chapel native relishes second shot at ‘American Idol’

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Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio made his first brief appearance on ABC’s hit reality television show “American Idol” back in 2018.

Then he was a timid 17-year-old Wiregrass Ranch High School student who perhaps came away best known for his colorful sock collection, before being eliminated during the show’s “Hollywood Week” competition in Los Angeles.

Wesley Chapel native Zach D’Onofrio wowed ‘American Idol’ judges with his rendition of Billy Joel’s ‘New York State of Mind,’ during a March 21 episode to advance to the second round of ABC’s hit reality television series. The 20-year-old college student’s run ended shortly thereafter, during the duet challenge of the competition. (Courtesy of Gigi Stevens/Freemantle)

D’Onofrio’s second chance at stardom proved more fruitful.

Entering as a more seasoned and confident 20-year-old college sophomore studying at Florida Southern College in Lakeland, D’Onofrio aimed to advance farther in the competition and to have a more enjoyable experience overall.

Mission accomplished for D’Onofrio.

He made it to the second round of “Hollywood Week” thanks to his rendition of Billy Joel’s “New York State of Mind,” as part of the show’s genre challenge.

He also had previously impressed celebrity judges — Luke Bryan, Katy Perry, Lionel Richie — in a live audition broadcast March 14 singing “Golden Slumbers” by The Beatles solo, and “Falling” by Harry Styles with girlfriend and former “Idol” contestant Catie Turner.

However, D’Onofrio’s run ended in the show’s duets challenge on March 22, where showrunners paired him with Sloane Simon, a 16-year-old high school cheerleader from the Pittsburgh area.

Together, they belted out a cover of “You Make My Dreams” by Hall & Oates.

Following the aired performance, Perry said of D’Onofrio: “Listen, I believe in you. You really have grown and overcome.”

In the same breath, however, the Grammy-nominated pop star said both D’Onofrio and his duet partner “need more experience” and “it’s not the time” for them to continue in the competition.

But, she later added this of D’Onofrio on the broadcast: “Next time he comes back, he’s going to show us — the underdog always wins, always.”

Despite a rejection witnessed by millions of viewers nationwide, D’Onofrio came away pleased to have achieved more compared to his first go-round, thanks in part to countless choir and voice lessons taken the past couple years.

He also left with several friendships forged with other talented contestants throughout his appearance on the show.

He traded in his unique socks for showy, colorful sweaters, too.

“My whole thing the second time was getting out of my shell, and I really did think I got out of my shell,” D’Onofrio told The Laker/Lutz News in a recent phone interview.

“I definitely felt better the second time. I just didn’t want to get cut earlier than I did the first time. I just wanted to make it farther, that was my main goal, and I did.”

D’Onofrio acknowledged that he felt more comfortable this time performing in front of the daunting star-studded cast of judges — who are among the world’s all-time best-selling artists in their respective genres. After all, it wasn’t the first time he performed for them.

“I definitely was more confident, because I was like, ‘Yeah, they know me, I’ve done this before,’ like it really wasn’t that bad,” said D’Onofrio, who grew up in the Seven Oaks neighborhood in Wesley Chapel.

“I just saw (the judges) as people this time, instead of figures, because they really do give advice, and talk to you heart-to-heart and it feels real, because some things on TV are sometimes fake, obviously, but when you’re actually there in person and you can connect person to person, it just feels really nice.”

D’Onofrio began singing around his junior year of high school, making his talent known at Dreamhouse Theatre in Lutz, which was then owned by his family.

The budding singer-songwriter adeptly plays the piano, electric guitar and ukulele, and fancies himself an old soul at heart — with a passion for oldies and classics music dating to the 1940s era.

“It just feels right when I sing those types of songs,” said D’Onofrio, who lists Billy Joel among his favorites.

“That was kind of my goal with “American Idol,” to introduce the new generation of people that maybe aren’t familiar with that type of music…so it’s like taking older songs and just making them fun and new and that’s kind of my goal, just so people don’t dislike oldies.”

Newfound celebrity
While D’Onofrio said no music labels have reached out to him since his latest “Idol” appearance, he’s received offers to perform at some local piano and jazz bars in Tampa Bay.

His college also has been quite supportive of his career, hosting an “Idol” watch party and has “offered a lot of really cool opportunities,” such as on-campus performances.

He’s also acquired a certain level of fame — from getting verified on Instagram to having fans reach out to him on social media from Argentina, Brazil and Philippines, and other places.

Even former “Idol” contestant Clark Beckham, who finished runner-up on the show in 2015, reached out to him for words of encouragement.

Every once in a while, D’Onofrio is even recognized on campus, or about town.

But, people tend to be timid about approaching him.

“At school, I get so many stares,” he said, noting he realizes it’s because of his American Idol appearances.

He doesn’t say anything, because he thinks that would make them feel awkward.

“People want to say something but they never do, and I’m like, ‘I’m not scary, I swear, it’ll be OK.’”

Music is the motivation
D’Onofrio continues to make music from his college dorm room — which he’s transformed into a makeshift studio.

He also collaborates on projects with a friend through FaceTime calls.

He plans to release a single titled, “Don’t Leave,” in late April, which he describes as “a pop piano ballad.”

He’s also working to produce and release an EP album by summertime.

Now the lingering question: Could the third time be the charm for D’Onofrio, on “American Idol” or another reality television singing competition?

At the moment, D’Onofrio is focused on finding success as an independent artist and pursuing a degree in music management.

But he hasn’t closed the door on music competitions.

“I’m sure I’ll audition again just to see,” he said.

But he doesn’t know if that will be to “American Idol” or “America’s Got Talent” or “The Voice.”

If he makes a return to “Idol,” he’d like to make it to at least round three.

While he’s exited the show this year, 19-year-old Alanis Sophia, of Dade City, remains active in the competition.

Published March 31, 2021

Access road to be built to serve future county facilities

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a task order for CPH Inc., to handle road design and permitting for an access road between Central Boulevard and Symphony Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The cost of the work is not to exceed $207,608, according to information contained in the board’s March 9 agenda backup materials.

The work is being done under a continuing professional services agreement with CPH.

The access road, which is included in the county’s facilities master plan, will be built on county-owned land that is slated to serve as the future location for several county facilities.

This road will allow access to county property south of Central Boulevard.

The initial facilities to be constructed will be for the Fire Rescue Training Center and Facilities Management Central Office & Warehouse.

The task order calls for services to include roadway design, drainage design, signing and pavement marking design, Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) Environmental Resource Permit (ERP), utility coordination design support services for road connections, permitting assistance, and a proposed gate near the Symphony Parkway entrance.

Published March 31, 2021

Local chiropractor shares lessons from ‘life in a bubble’

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Like everyone, Dr. Timothy Bain, a chiropractor from Wesley Chapel, has had to adapt due to concerns about COVID-19.

Unlike the vast majority of people, though, Bain’s adjustments have been more extreme.

As the Tampa Bay Lightning’s team chiropractor, he was in a traveling party that spent a combined 65 days at hotels in Toronto and then Edmonton through the Tampa Bay Lightning’s  Stanley Cup title run.

Bain was “in the bubble” from late July through late September, while games were played without fans in attendance and measures were taken to allow teams to safely complete the NHL playoffs.

Tampa Bay Lightning team chiropractor Dr. Timothy Bain celebrates the organization winning its second Stanley Cup in franchise history. The Wesley Chapel resident spent 65 days with the team in the NHL playoff ‘bubble’ in Canada from late July through late September. (Courtesy of David Miles)

The chief executive officer of B3 Medical shared some of the lessons he learned from the experience, and other insights he’s gleaned along life’s way, during a Zoom business breakfast meeting on March 2, with members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

One lesson Bain shared involves the importance of learning from failure.

“You’re going to fail. Everybody fails. Everybody fails a lot. You’re going to fail more often as a business leader and a business owner, I think than the average person — because we’re willing to fail.

“We look at, ‘How am I going to succeed?’ And, the answer is, ‘You’re going to fail — a lot of times,” he said.

In the season the year before claiming the Stanley Cup, the Lightning failed.

“We failed. Really miserably. In front of everybody,” the team’s chiropractor said.

“We won the President’s Trophy, which meant we had the best record in hockey. In fact, we had a historic season, then we went to Columbus and we just got swept right out of the playoffs.

“Nobody could believe it. We couldn’t believe it. I’m sure none of the fans could believe it.

“It was embarrassing.

“But we learned.

“Some of the things that we learned were: Maybe we brought guys back too quickly. Maybe we didn’t bring them back fast enough. Some of our rehab didn’t work as well as we thought it was going to. Maybe we needed some different characters in the room.

“Maybe we needed some different character,” he said.

Failure can be a valuable teacher: The important thing is to fail forward, Bain said.

“Every time you fail, make sure you’re moving forward. You learn something from it, and you move forward to your ultimate goal,” he said.

“With the Lightning, I think, the obvious ultimate goal is a big, shiny Stanley Cup — which is the most revered trophy in sports,” he said.

Lumps and bumps, along the way
The story of the Stanley Cup championship season didn’t start off well.

“The beginning of the season, was truthfully ugly for us,” Bain said.

But the team picked up Pat Maroon, who was a catalyst in breaking up team cliques, he said.

“Sometimes, it just really takes one person to get those cliques to start to work together, so you can start to move forward,” Bain said.

The team made some deals at the end of the season, to bring more grit to its game. It had to go into the playoffs with a different attitude, and style, and that was a hard adjustment for some players, he said.

“Guys wanted to play the old-style of Lightning hockey, which is fast, furious, move it around, score tons of goals. And, in the playoffs, really you can’t do that,” Bain said.

He said he knew the team had reached a turning point when it won a game that had five overtimes.

One moment, in particular, stood out to him.

“I remember at the end of the fourth overtime, the guys came in, I’m thinking: ‘These guys are going to be exhausted.’ The first thing I see, is somebody said, ‘This is fun, isn’t it? I can’t wait. I hope we have another one of these things.’

“That was cool. Right then and there, I knew we were going to win that game,” Bain said, because of the players’ mindset.

“Our identity now was: ‘We’re not going to lose this thing. We’ve got this.’,” Bain added.

In today’s business climate, COVID-19 brings a lot of fear and anxiety.

The Lightning overcame challenges.

“We dealt with adversity upon adversity. Guys getting hurt. We lost our captain.

“It didn’t matter what the obstacle was. We had a notion that failure was not an option this year,” Bain said.

“We created a plan. We worked the plan. We trusted the plan,” he said. “We had to adapt. We adapted better than other teams.”

“Every business creates a plan at the beginning of year. ‘OK, I’m going to execute on the strategy,’” he said.

But, it’s important to periodically check back on that plan: What worked? What didn’t work? What needs to change?

During COVID, employers and employees have faced a multitude of changes.

Some employees work at home. Some are dealing with child care issues. Some are sick, or have family members who are sick. Some have lost loved ones to COVID.

Employers need to keep a pulse on what’s happening with their staff, he said.

“So, there’s got to be an element that we bring into our businesses, of empathy and trust. And,  we’ve got to make sure that we’re there for our employees and our team members, because they’re going through stuff as much if not worse than we are. They’re fearful for their jobs, they’re fearful for their life, they’re fearful for their families,” he added.

It’s important to stay focused on the company’s ultimate goal, and for staff to have buy-in.

“In a company, everybody is a cog in the wheel, and without each piece, you can’t really get anywhere,” Bain said. “If you’re having one person who is inside your team, who doesn’t know their role, or doesn’t understand their role, inside of the bigger picture — or doesn’t understand the big picture — it can really derail what you’re trying to do,” Bain said.

With the Lightning, “the mission was really obvious,” Bain said. They had to make it to the last game of the season, or they had failed.

“It was about putting the right team of people, on the ice. It was about putting the right team of people behind the people on the ice,” Bain said.

The same is true for companies that are in pursuit of a goal.

The shiny object may vary, but he said: “We all want to win our Stanley Cup.”

Published March 31, 2021

Approval sets stage for 325 more homes in Bexley area

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a change to the county’s land use plan to set the stage for additional residential development on the south side of Tower Road, south of Bexley Village Drive.

Board members voted on March 9 to change the land use designation on 77.21 acres from a maximum of three dwelling units per acre to a maximum of six dwelling units per acre.

The change clears the way for a potential rezoning to allow up to 325 units on the property, at 17370 Bud Bexley Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

A rezoning, which has been requested, also must be secured before the additional density can be achieved.

The Pasco County Planning Commission recommended approval of the rezoning request during the planning board’s March 25 meeting.

The property is surrounded by Bexley South on the north; Suncoast Meadows on the south; Ballantrae on the east; and Sapphire Village on the west.

Besides getting a recommendation for approval from the planning board, planners also support the request.

County planners have described the site, which is currently vacant, as an appropriate location for the proposed development of single-family homes, at a maximum density of 4.21 units per acre.

The site has access from Tower Road.

The proposed development is expected to yield 59 students for Bexley Elementary School, 31 students for Charles Rushe Middle School and 40 students for Sunlake High School, according to background materials.

Published March 31, 2021