The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pasco County’s COVID-19 cases surpass 10,000 mark

By

As Pasco County’s COVID-19’s positive cases surpassed the 10,000-mark, local officials continue to consider their best responses to the threats.

The Pasco County Commission and the Pasco County School Board were both scheduled to take up the issue during their meetings on Oct. 20, which occurred after The Laker/Lutz News’ deadline.

Pasco County commissioners were expected to hear an update on local COVID-19 conditions, from the health officer for Department of Health-Pasco County, during the board’s morning session.

Efforts continue to come up with a vaccine to provide protection from COVID-19. The United States has recorded nearly 8.1 million positive cases and more than 218,000 deaths. (Courtesy of metrocreativeconnection.com)

During a September update, Mike Napier, the public health officer for Pasco County told the board he realized there was significant interest on when it would be appropriate to lift mask mandates and social distancing restrictions.

At that time, he told them the best time would be when a vaccine was available, or medication was available to treat it.

From a practical standpoint, though, he told commissioners that the positive cases would need to be lower — and he said he would report back in October.

Napier also told commissioners that he’s on regular conference calls with health officers and county officials around the region, and they were leaning toward trying to come up with a regional response to the issue of face coverings.

The idea is to come up with a consensus on the numbers and benchmarks to use, and to consult with academics to determine the approach, Napier said.

Presumably, the presentation at the board’s Oct. 20 meeting provided an update on those issues.

Meanwhile the Pasco County School Board was set to take up the issue of masks and other personal protective equipment during its afternoon workshop on Oct. 20.

Board members were expected to consider a proposed rule change that would require mask or face coverings for everyone on a school campus, through the end of the 2020-2021 school, in the interest of protecting the health and welfare of students, staff and visitors.

The proposed rule also calls for observing social distancing, washing hands frequently and using other personal protective equipment, as may be necessary.

The workshop session is a discussion only, the issue will come back for a formal vote at a later meeting.

The local government boards are considering these issues at a time when Pasco County reported 10,238 positive cases and 224 deaths, as of the latest information available on the morning of Oct. 19.

Pasco’s public school district reported 170 student cases and 68 staff cases, requiring 3,225 students and 338 staff members to be quarantined, as of the same time.

Also, Hillsborough County reported 45,290 positive cases and 751 deaths, and its public school district reported 741 cases, including 337 staff cases and 404 students.

Meanwhile, the number of positive cases across Florida stood at 756,727 cases, with 747,183 being Florida residents. The death count stood at 16,021 resident deaths and 201 non-residents, according to the Florida Department of Health.

Nationally, nearly 8.1 million positive cases have been reported, with 218,511 deaths recorded, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Wear a mask
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you wear a mask in public settings, when you are around other people and not able to maintain a social distance of at least 6 feet.

  • Wear masks with two or more layers to stop the spread of COVID-19.
  • Wear the mask over your nose and mouth, and secure it under your chin.
  • Masks should be worn by people age 2 and older.
  • Masks should not be worn by children younger than 2, by people who have trouble breathing, or people who cannot remove the mask without assistance.
  • Do not wear masks intended for health care workers, for example, N95 respirators.
  • CDC does not recommend the use of gaiters or face shields. Evaluation of these face covers is ongoing, but effectiveness is unknown at this time.

The CDC also recommends you choose masks made of two or more layers of washable, breathable fabric. Be sure your mask completely covers you nose and mouth. Be sure that your mask fits snuggly against the sides of your face and don’t have gaps.

The best prevention is to avoid exposure.
Older adults and people with underlying conditions, such as heart disease, lung disease or diabetes, are at greater risk of a severe illness from COVID-19

Reduce your risk of becoming infected by wearing a mask, staying socially distant and frequently washing hands your hands with soap and water.

Source: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Published October 21, 2020

Dining and shopping options expand, near Wesley Chapel

By

Impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have forced businesses to shutter, and others to regroup — but activity continues to hum along at the Cypress Creek Town Center, near Wesley Chapel.

Crews are busy working on this massive store that offers a wide assortment of hard-surface flooring materials. A nearby sign says it’s coming soon. (B.C. Manion)

Located at Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 56, the outdoor mall features a broad array of shops, restaurants, stores and a hotel on the north side of State Road 56.

Meanwhile, across the way, on the south side of State Road 56, Tampa Premium Outlets occupies a large chunk of real estate, but is surrounded by free-standing restaurants, big box stores, an entertainment venue and other things.

The assortment of places to eat, drink, shop and have fun continues to grow.

The newest development is a massive Floor & Décor, now under construction at 25737 Sierra Center Blvd.

Crews were busy painting an exterior wall recently, and a sign hung on a chain-link fence made this promise: Coming soon.

Floor & Décor, headquartered in Atlanta, offers a wide assortment of in-stock, hard-surface flooring, including tile, wood, laminate/luxury vinyl plank, and natural stone, along with decorative and installation accessories.

Hockey enthusiasts can get their gear at Pure Hockey, a sporting goods store that specializes in that sport.

A number of other new businesses have opened nearby, or are expected to open soon.

They include:

  • Pure Hockey, 25629 Sierra Center Blvd., sporting goods store that specializes in hockey gear
  • La-Z-Boy Home Furnishings & Decor, a 13,560-square-foot store at 25960 Sierra Center Blvd.
  • Five Guys, a restaurant specializing in handcrafted burgers and fresh fries, at 25598 Sierra Center Blvd.
  • Crumbl Cookies, a dessert shop offering specialty cookies, at 25922 Sierra Center Blvd.
  • European Wax Center, at 25914 Sierra Center Blvd., provides a range of waxing services for the entire body.
  • Woof Gang Bakery and Grooming, a specialty shop for pet grooming, pet food and supplies, at 25912 Sierra Center Blvd.
  • Charles Schwab, at 25926 Sierra Center Blvd., which provides a range of brokerage, banking and financial advisory services
  • IVX Health, at 25930 Sierra Center Blvd., offers biologic injections and infusions for patients with health care issues, including Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, lupus and multiple sclerosis.
  • Zukku Sushi, at 25916 Sierra Center Blvd., is opening soon, according to its Facebook page. It offers a menu of sushi burritos, curated pig bowls and curated sushi bowls, sashimi and nigiri.

Meanwhile, at the western end of Sierra Center Boulevard, Bloomin’ Brands plans to open a trio of restaurants.

Bonefish Grill, which is part of the Bloomin’ Brands family of restaurants, is expected to open soon, near Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 56.

The first of those, Aussie Grill, opened in May, at 25340 Sierra Center Blvd. It is the first stand-alone restaurant in this brand that the chain has opened anywhere.

A Bonefish Grill is expected to open this fall, and a Carrabba’s Italian Grill is expected to open early next year, according to the company website.

The three restaurants will be clustered together with a shared parking lot.

On the southern side of State Road 56, Rock & Brews is in the process of hiring, in anticipation of opening soon.

Rock and Brews has been busy filling positions, in anticipation of opening soon.

The restaurant, at 26000 State Road 56, will have décor that features rock n’ roll posters. Televisions will play music videos, and diners will be able to play shuffleboard, corn hole and foosball.

The restaurant’s menu includes burgers, pizzas and salads — made from scratch with locally sourced ingredients. Plus, there’s a large selection of craft beers and an outdoor patio.

Nearby, Cigars International, at 2691 Creek Grass Way, recently opened — offering a selection of 1,300 cigar brands, a full-service lounge, an outdoor lounge and other amenities.

This sushi restaurant, in the Cypress Creek Town Center, is expected to open soon, according to its Facebook page.

Another recently opened attraction, Main Event, at 2839 Creek Grass Way, is a 49,000-square-foot venue offering 22 bowling lanes, billiards, laser tag, gravity ropes, shuffleboard, games, banquet rooms and various food options.

Future plans in the development call for a 70-seat Zaxby’s restaurant and a 3,120-square-foot  Tidal Wave car wash, in the general vicinity of the Aldi grocery store, which opened earlier this year, at 2215 Sun Vista Drive.

Beyond what’s already been developed, there’s also room available for future growth, according to a marketing brochure prepared by Colliers International.

The brochure reports an estimated population of 112,600 within a 5-mile radius of the center, with an average age of 37.8 years old and an average household income of $99,937.

Those statistics may explain why the area has fared so well, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published October 21, 2020

COVID-19 might forever change the way we work

By

The COVID-19 virus era has changed the American workplace in the short term — and maybe in the long term, too.

Safety precautions are paramount.

Many employees are working remotely with new equipment, and a different process, overall.

‘Many of us are working at home and not going out as much as we did. For employees, this can create stress, anxiety and loneliness,’ said Sheri Bias, a Saint Leo University associate professor. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

The upside, of course, is skipping the commute, but a recent Saint Leo University webinar — “Workplace Reimagined/Human Capital and the Return to the Workplace’’ — pointed out unintended consequences that could extract a huge toll on productivity, the human connection and mental wellness, too.

“Most businesses had a contingency plan based on natural disasters, such as hurricanes, but based on the duration and magnitude of this pandemic, many businesses were not ready for something like this,’’ said Sheri Bias, a Saint Leo associate professor with a deep background in human resources. “Now that employees are re-entering the workplace, consideration must be given to a lot of different measures.

“Employers must be cognizant of continuity and the impact on people. They need to understand wellness from a mental standpoint. And, they must understand mental health concerns as they relate to new work demands.’’

Bias said World Health Organization (WHO) research indicates that for every dollar invested by a company in mental wellness, a $4 return can be expected through improved employee health and wellness.

“Employees are juggling multiple things during this pandemic,’’ Bias said. “They may have their own health concerns. They may be dealing with elder care or helping their children with a new online environment at school. And, this is all while balancing their own workload.

‘We know COVID-19 is highly infectious and we know it can stay longer in the air, like when a smoker leaves the room, but you can still smell the smoke,’ said Rafael Rosado-Ortiz, an associate professor of health care management in Saint Leo University.

“Many of us are working at home and not going out as much as we did. For employees, this can create stress, anxiety and loneliness. There’s Zoom (video conferencing) burnout. From an organizational leadership standpoint, you must show you care. Pick up the phone. Reach out. Ask what you can do for the employee. Those type of gestures can be resounding. It’s establishing that personal connection and, in times like these, that is so very important.’’

Brandy Policita, Saint Leo’s Instructor of Health and Wellness who was a corporate wellness manager for three Fortune 500 companies, said a new term has emerged in her field.

Digital wellness.

“Before the pandemic, we were already getting a mass amount of emails and texts,’’ Policita said. “Now, communication has gone through the ceiling. The manner of consumption has changed. We’re not engaging. We are numb to it all. Distraction can come into play.’’

Policita said there has been considerable research on the harmful effects of technology on children, but some of those factors are coming into play for adults in the workplace.

“The migration to mobile has been going on quite some time, and we like our mobility,’’ Policita said. “But, as we migrate away from the office space, the lines have been blurred. We thought we were always on before. Now we are really always on.

“It’s causing an array of issues. The multitasking tendencies and technology are leading to eyestrain. Most of us don’t blink enough because we’re always on tech. We’re seeing an increase in headaches, the next for physical therapy or occupational therapy, anxiety and depression. This always-on culture is going to affect employees.’’

Policita said technology has created adverse effects that impact focus, engagement, memory and resiliency. She added that multitasking is a myth, leading to feelings of being overwhelmed and the inability to complete job functions.

So what to do?
“The goal is to be in the flow in the workplace, in the zone, where it feels effortless with no distraction,’’ Policita said. “It needs to be intentional. You need to be in control and employers need to facilitate that.

‘If an employee comes to work and has symptoms or if they become ill during the workday, obviously the person should be sent home,’ Kathleen Van Eerden said. ‘But, it could also involve making sure they don’t use public transportation, rideshare or taxi that would put others at risk,’ said Eerden, an associate dean in Saint Leo’s College of Health Professions.

“We don’t do enough daydreaming, where we reflect and process the day. If we pause now, we probably check our phone. We need harmony and that could mean a digital intervention,” she said.

She continued: “Employers and supervisors need to model proper behavior. They need to encourage weekends, vacations, work recovery. You can pause emails at 6 p.m., and turn them back on at 8 a.m. That could be policy. It would show that time away is not only encouraged, it is valued.’’

Beyond technology-related concerns, COVID-19 also has created heightened precaution and preventative health measures in the workplace. Most of them are related to common sense.

“To be in compliance and to protect everyone, it’s social distancing, wearing a face covering, washing your hands, the things we’ve been hearing all along,’’ said Rafael Rosado-Ortiz, an associate professor of health care management in Saint Leo’s Tapia College of Business.

Brandy Policita, an instructor of health and wellness at Saint Leo University, said there has been considerable research on the harmful effects of technology on children, but some of those factors are coming into play for adults in the workplace, too.

“We know COVID-19 is highly infectious and we know it can stay longer in the air, like when a smoker leaves the room, but you can still smell the smoke. You’ve got to do the right things and know things like hand sanitizer is not a substitute for soap and water. You’ve got to routinely clean and disinfect the routinely touched areas. In the classroom, it’s desks and computers. In restaurants, it’s the tables, the door handles, the bathrooms.’’

Kathleen Van Eerden, an associate dean in Saint Leo’s College of Health Professions, said employers must be vigilant.

“If an employee comes to work and has symptoms or if they become ill during the workday, obviously the person should be sent home,’’ Van Eerden said. “But, it could also involve making sure they don’t use public transportation, rideshare or taxi that would put others at risk.

“You want to follow all the CDC guidelines in terms of when an employee can come back because you don’t want exposure to other employees or customers. It’s just being aware and following through,” she said.

Being tuned in to employees — whether at the office or remotely — is part of keeping up with a very different workplace in the era of COVID-19.

By Joey Johnston

Published October 21, 2020

Improvements slated for County Road 54 in Zephyrhills

By

A congested roadway in Zephyrhills is set to receive some long-awaited and seemingly much-needed improvements to ease traffic patterns and enhance safety overall.

The City of Zephyrhills and Pasco County have come to a cost-sharing agreement for upgrades to a portion of County Road 54 which crosses both city limits and unincorporated county areas.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Ken Burgess (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The scope of the project calls for the following enhancements along a 1.31-mile stretch, east of U.S. 301 east to 23rd Street:

  • Additional signage and pavement markings
  • Left-hand turn lane at the Dairy Road intersection
  • Right-hand turn lane and new mast arms at Wire Road, turning onto 12th Street
  • Signalized intersection at 23rd Street
  • Pedestrian signals and ADA sidewalk ramps at the intersections of Wire Road/12th Street, 20th Street and 23rd Street
  • A 10-foot concrete multi-use path on the south side of County Road 54 adjacent to Zephyrhills High School, and a 5-foot to 6-foot path on the north side of the road, plus associated drainage

The Zephyrhills City Council on Oct. 12 unanimously approved an interlocal agreement with the county that calls for a 50/50-split on costs for the multi-million project.

An engineer’s estimate for the project’s entirety came in at $6,855,255.44, meaning the city and county each will have an estimated cost of $3,427,627.72.

The entire project will be constructed in one phase. How it’s actually funded will be handled a bit differently, however.

The county has agreed to fund all improvements east of 20th Street to east of 23rd Street, including a new signalized intersection. Any dollars leftover from their cost-sharing portion will be used to help Zephyrhills fund improvements from east of U.S. 301 to 20th Street, which is inside the city’s jurisdiction.

Also, under the agreement’s terms, the county will conduct construction engineering and inspections either by utilizing its workforce or contracting with a third party. The county has also agreed to be responsible for facilities maintenance after construction.

Initial plans outlined many years ago called for the stretch to be widened to four lanes. But, various infrastructure and logistical hurdles necessitated the project to instead feature turn lanes, traffic signals and adjacent multi-use trails.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Lance Smith (File)

Either way, any improvements to the roadway section are greatly needed, city leaders say.

Councilman Ken Burgess labeled the stretch “a nightmare to navigate for many, many years.”

Councilman Lance Smith similarly called it “probably one of the most congested areas, at times, in the city.”

“I think there’s some necessary segments that we need to do,” Smith said. “I’m a little disappointed that we couldn’t get the four lanes in there, but hopefully, this will help with the traffic.”

The project’s sizable price tag — and how to split funding — had been a snag over the last several months between the city and county.

That in mind, the city does have the option to terminate the agreement should receive bids exceed cost estimates for its funding portion.

Council members acknowledged it’s quite possible that project bids will come in higher than anticipated, but they said they likely still will move forward with project — unless bids come in excessively greater than the engineer’s initial projections.

Smith put it like this: “Nothing is getting cheaper to build. I mean, as much as it’s a bitter pill to swallow, I think it’s something we should go ahead and do.”

Bid opening for the project is anticipated for some time in December, with Pasco County commissioners expected to award the bid/contract in February or March.

Once that happens, Zephyrhills will make an initial payment of $1.1 million to the county within a month of the bid award. From there, the city will pay installments (estimated at $581,906.93, plus change orders) to the county each of the next four years, through fiscal year 2024-2025.

Purchase thresholds upped for small projects
In other business, the council unanimously approved a first reading ordinance amendment increasing purchasing thresholds for when quotes and sealed bids are required.

It’s part of a move to streamline smaller purchases and projects, officials say

In a staff memo, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe and Zephyrhills Finance Director Ted Beason outlined how small projects have been stalled as they’re required to comply with lower, outdated thresholds ($2,500 for quotes; $20,000 for bids) instituted back in 2014.

To alleviate those issues, the altered ordinance raises proposed thresholds for quotes and bids to $5,000 and $50,000, respectively.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

As an example of the ongoing threshold issue, Poe explained how a somewhat routine purchase of a new city-operated pickup truck requires council consideration if it’s greater than $20,000 — which most new trucks are — even though it received prior approval in the regular budget.

The city manager outlined other examples, too.

A damaged handrail on Green Slope Drive cost about $3,600 to repair, but the project “took a while” to complete because the city was having trouble finding three separate quotes, Poe said.

Meanwhile, a pedestrian crossing on Simons Road estimated to cost slightly more than $20,000 is being delayed because it must go out to formal bid “as opposed to taking the plans and getting three prices, and getting the project done,” the city manager said.

“It’s just slowing things down a little bit,” Poe said of the current lower purchasing thresholds. “You know, staff does a great job of finding the most cost-efficient piece of equipment or tool as they can. This just helps…of reducing some of the search time.”

Council members expressed they are on board with the threshold changes. They added there’s still transparency in such purchases and projects, as they’ll still get listed as noted items in regular council meeting packets.

“I’m OK with what we’re doing here, because you don’t want to slow things down,” Councilman Ken Burgess said. “It’s just a formality of making sure that we’re aware of it.”

A second and final reading of the amended ordinance will be considered at an Oct. 26 regular council meeting.

Published October 21, 2020

Christmas parade in Dade City is unlikely

By

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce recently posted a notice on its website to clarify apparent myths regarding the Christmas Parade held in Dade City.

“The chamber has withdrawn the application it submitted in May, to operate, staff and insure the Christmas Parade for 2020,” the notice says.

“It takes a lot of time, effort and interaction for the entries to produce their floats, bands to practice and groups to meet and rehearse what they would be doing in the parade,” the post adds.

“A host of volunteers is needed to actually ‘run’ the parade – in some cases, folks are not yet ready to say ‘yes’ to participating in large, uncontrolled groups,” the post continues.

The announcement goes on, to make this point: “The chamber does not “own” a parade.  If another group would like to produce a Christmas Parade, they simply need to obtain a special event permit from the city.”

If any group is interested in pursuing the project of putting on the parade, the chamber would be happy to provide guidance or counsel, the posting adds.

John Moors, executive director of the chamber, invites anyone with questions to call him at (352) 567-3769.

Published October 21, 2020

Zephyrhills renews city attorney’s contract

By

Matthew Maggard will continue serving as the city attorney for the City of Zephyrhills, for at least three more years.

The Zephyrhills City Council unanimously renewed an independent contract agreement with Maggard, which is effective Nov. 1 and runs through the end of October 2023.

The contract terms remain the same as the existing city attorney agreement.

The City of Zephyrhills has renewed its independent contract with City Attorney Matthew Maggard through October 2023. He has been serving the municipality since 2016. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Under those terms, the city is required to pay a minimum fee of $700 per month as a retainer, with attorney services rendered at $150 per hour, and staff services are $50 per hour. The city also will provide Maggard with health insurance on the same basis as it is provided to the council. Another perk: Maggard will be provided an education allowance to attend the Florida Municipal Attorney Association Conference, and an additional local government-related conference.

As city attorney, Maggard, 35, attends all council meetings and workshops, and provides legal counsel to the city council and city staff.

The lawyer represents the city in litigation, collects delinquent taxes, forecloses liens upon real property, prosecutes code enforcement violations, and is the legal advisor to the police and fire departments. He also prepares and reviews all resolutions, ordinances, contracts and legal agreements, too.

Recent undertakings have included: Overseeing consolidation of the city’s fire department with Pasco County; updating the public-private contract on the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and, helping the city facilitate a partnership with  a couple of litigation firms to seek damages in a massive federal lawsuit against companies who manufactured firefighting chemicals later found to contaminate some of the city’s groundwater, wastewater and water wells.

Maggard started working for the city in 2016, taking over for then city attorney Joseph Poblick, who held the position for over a decade until he was appointed a Pasco County Court judge.

Maggard also runs private practice in partnership with Danny Burgess, former executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs and currently a candidate for Florida Senate District 20.

The Dade City-based law firm, Maggard & Burgess P.A., handles most aspects of Florida law, including injury, family, business, real estate, banking and foreclosures, criminal defense and traffic, and landlord-tenant, as well as wills, trusts and probate.

Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe, who often works closely with the city attorney, expressed his appreciation for how Maggard goes about his duties.

Poe explained, “If ask him a question and he doesn’t know the answer, he doesn’t try to make something up. He says, ‘Give me a few minutes, let me go figure it out, let me go look it up,’ and he comes back with the right answer. …He goes and finds the answer and gets it to me.”

Council members similarly shared overwhelming positive reviews of Maggard’s performance thus far.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson praised Maggard’s responsiveness, whenever a need arises.

“I feel like we have a great working relationship with all of our staff, particularly (Maggard), and I’m hoping for many more years of success,” she said.

Added Councilman Ken Burgess: “I think he’s doing a really great job for us and we made the right decision there (to initially hire Maggard).”

Councilman Lance Smith acknowledged he was initially “a little concerned” about Maggard’s limited legal experience when the city brought the young attorney aboard several years ago. But, those concerns alleviated over time, Smith said, noting the attorney has “fit in well” with the city.

Maggard has some deep ties in public office.

He is the nephew of both Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley and State Rep. Randy Maggard.

The city attorney is a graduate from Florida Coastal School of Law and was admitted to the Florida Bar in 2013.

Published October 21, 2020

Community input sought on strategic plan

By

Pasco County is embarking on its five-year strategic plan and is seeking feedback from its stakeholders and the public in general to help shape the plan.

The county had planned to hold SWOT — Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats — analysis sessions before the COVID-19 pandemic put a halt to its plans, and now it is reviving the effort, according to a Pasco County news release.

A series of community meetings will be held to solicit feedback and ideas. The first session is  set for Oct. 22, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Cooperative Extension Office, at 36702 State Road 52 in Dade City.

The Pasco County Commission is seeking input on these topics:

  • Identifying Pasco’s competitive advantages in the Tampa Bay region
  • Exploring opportunities for increased levels of service
  • Preparing Pasco County for the next five years of growth
  • Identifying potential challenges
  • Improving operations and service delivery to the community

The SWOT strategic planning tool helps to clarify and summarize key internal and external issues and opportunities that affect Pasco County.

By conducting these sessions, the county is seeking to gain a better understanding of Pasco’s unique assets and competitive positioning in the Tampa Bay region, according to the news release.

This process will help develop the strategic plan — in areas related to capacity for growth, as well as cultural, economic, technological, intellectual and physical assets to promote Pasco County’s economic vitality.

Preregistration is required, face masks are required and social distancing guideline will be followed. Several virtual sessions will be offered for those who prefer not to participate in person.

To learn more about the process, view a complete community meeting schedule, and register to participate, visit bit.ly/PascoSWOT.

For more information, call (727) 847-8115, or email .

Published October 21, 2020

Wesley Chapel woman pens children’s book

By

A conversation Jessica Valentin had with her daughter, Isabella, inspired the Wesley Chapel woman to write her first children’s book.

Jessica said they were in the car on the way to an appointment, when she was encouraging her daughter to use her writing and drawing skills.

To make the conversation more concrete, she asked her daughter what kind of story she would like.

Jessica Valentin teamed up with illustrator Stephanie Richoll for the book, ‘Tony and His Mythical Friends.’ Valentin is already working on a second book, in what she hopes will become a series of books. (B.C. Manion)

Isabella responded: “Mom, I love unicorns.”

So, they began brainstorming about a story that would involve the mythical creature, and from that kernel of an idea, Jessica fleshed out the outline of a story.

They decided that Jessica would write the story, and Isabella would draw the characters.

“It became a family affair,” Jessica said.

Kayla, Isabella’s twin sister and the twins’ younger sister, Iliana, suggested names for the other characters in the story, and shared their perspectives.

They decided to try to publish the story, and Jessica decided to hire a professional artist to illustrate the book. She selected professional artist Stephanie Richoll to illustrate the book, and the two plan to continue the collaboration on future projects.

Jessica’s husband, Anthony “Tony,” a retired New York City police officer, has been a huge supporter, the author said. He’s the one who is covering the costs for the venture.

Initially, Jessica had hoped to find a literary agent and a publisher for the project.

But, when she wasn’t making any progress, she didn’t want that to be the end of the story.

So, she decided to self-publish the book, “Tony and His Mythical Friends,” and is selling the book on Amazon.

At one point, the book reached No. 59 on Amazon, in the Children’s Folklore and Myths category, she said.

The book tells the tale of a camping trip, where a boy notices a flickering light at a nearby campsite and decides to check it out.

He discovers a group of unusual-looking campers.

It’s a story that touches on the themes of kindness, inclusion, empathy and friendship.

Of course, publishing a book in the time of COVID-19 has its complications.

On the one hand, the pandemic gave Jessica time to work on her first book, and another one that’s in progress.

On the other hand, book readings she’d hope to give to help promote the book have been put on hold.

Meanwhile, she’s using social media tools — such Facebook, Twitter and Instagram — to help get the word out about her book.

She realizes that she is an unknown author, with much to learn.

She’s undaunted.

She wants to help children to develop a love for reading, and she hopes this book — and others she has planned, will help make that happen.

“They can escape their world or their stress,” Jessica said.

Surprisingly, the author did not enjoy reading or writing when she was young.

“I wanted something different for my girls,” she said, adding that she frequently read to them when they were small, hoping to help them appreciate the power of stories.

She has big ideas for where she wants to take her writing.

“I want to reach more kids. I’m just at the beginning,” the author said.

She acknowledges achieving her goals will take time and won’t be easy.

“You always start at the bottom. No one really starts at the top,” she said.

Even if her books never become No. 1 bestsellers, she thinks her efforts are worthwhile.

“It’s a love letter to my kids,” the author said.

To find out more about the book, go to Facebook: Tony and His Mythical Friends by Jessica Valentin; Instagram: @tonyandhismythicalfriends; or, Twitter: @TMythicalFriends

The author also can be reached at .

Published October 21, 2020

A chance to tell your neighborhood’s story

By

Hillsborough County’s Office of Neighborhood Relations is now accepting applications for the 2021 Neighborhood Mini-Grant Program.

During this application period, the program features new project categories that are aimed at bringing neighbors together and boosting community pride.

The program provides up to $5,000 of funding for neighborhood organizations that want to strengthen and engage their communities through innovative and creative community projects.

The new categories are:

  • Neighborhood Identification
  • Leadership Empowerment
  • Safety Opportunities and Education
  • Environmental Enhancements
  • Health and Wellness Engagement
  • Emergency Preparedness
  • Neighborhood and Community Innovation.

Applicants are encouraged to be innovative and original, and to select a project that is creative, engaging, enduring, and unites the community.

Neighborhood, civic, homeowner, and crime watch associations in Hillsborough County that are registered with the Hillsborough County Office of Neighborhood Relations are eligible to apply. That also includes the associations in Temple Terrace, Tampa and Plant City.

Prior to submitting an application, applicants are encouraged to participate in a min-grant training session webinar, which is a comprehensive review of the application, grant criteria and projects that qualify for the mini-grant. Organizers also must answer questions about the program.

Webinars will be announced at a later date, online at HCFLGov.net/Neighborhoods.

The deadline to apply for a mini-grant is at 5 p.m., Dec. 4.

Visit tinyurl.com/yybu9ddc for more on the grant application process, the requirements, and to complete the application.

For information, call the Office of Neighborhood Relations at (813) 272-5860.

Published October 21, 2020

Upgrades coming to Zephyrhills CRA area

By

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board has approved a budget of $578,244 for fiscal year 2020-2021 — and identified a number of priority projects.

The project is an increase of $91,234 over last year’s $478,010 budget.

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) has approved a budget of $578,244 for the 2020-2021 fiscal year. That’s an increase of $91,234 over last year’s budget of $478,010. The CRA district includes more than 500 acres —generally encompassing the center spine of the city, between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. (File)

The increase is primarily due to greater revenues collected from ad valorem taxes from the city and Pasco County. Those revenues came in at $426,470, compared to $319,031 last year.

The remainder of the CRA budget is made up of reserves for future projects ($150,174) and miscellaneous revenue ($1,600) from interest and reimbursements from Zephyrhills Main Street Inc.

The CRA board unanimously approved the budget, which then was passed through the Zephyrhills City Council. (Although it is a separate board, the CRA board is made up of members of the Zephyrhills City Council.)

Funds will be allocated to projects within the city’s 500-plus acre CRA district, which generally encompasses the center spine of the city, between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street.

Priority projects include:

  • Hercules Park upgrades
  • Sidewalk improvement, in partnership with the city’s public works department
  • Lake Necessity improvements
  • Installation of public artwork and artistic connections, such as murals, from Fifth Avenue through downtown side streets
  • Incentives for development opportunities and growth in the CRA

Meanwhile, the budget funds existing grant programs and incentives, such as residential grants (façade, paint, homeownership) and commercial grants (façade, signage).

Zephyrhills CRA Director Gail Hamilton detailed the success of assorted grant programs, noting the agency last year distributed seven homeownership grants, which set a record for new homes purchased within the district in any given year.

The homeownership grant provides $5,000 to new homeowners in the district. It requires a homeowner to apply before purchasing and closing, and file for the homestead exemption for five years.

Funding also is allocated to continue the Saturday neighborhood clean-up improvement program, which was shuttered for much of this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff expects to restart the program in 2021, Hamilton said.

Downtown landscaping and public artwork opportunities are just some of the initiatives funded in this year’s Zephyrhills CRA budget. (Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills)

Elsewhere, the agency has multiple outstanding approved projects budgeted from 2019-2020 that simply will be rolled over to the new budget year.

That includes installing signage posts and frames along Fifth Avenue, from Zephyr Park to Ninth Street. The CRA initially struggled getting bids for the project, as manufacturers shut down or scaled back amid the pandemic.

“Factories are up now, so we can get that project finished,” Hamilton said.

In conjunction with that, the CRA agency currently is consulting with Kimley-Horn planning/engineering firm on developing concepts and modifications for gateway signage, hammering out desired styles and exact locations, such as the prime U.S. 301/Fifth Avenue intersection.

The idea is to give residents and visitors directions to shopping and dining “to draw people down Fifth Avenue,” Hamilton said.

The gateway signage requires the approval of the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), as it falls under CAF (Community Aesthetic Features) installed in or on the right of way, Hamilton said.

Sprucing up downtown landscaping is another ongoing project that shifted into this year. It involves tidying up circular medians and installing pots, benches and chairs that match existing light poles and trash cans throughout.

Published October 21, 2020