The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Serving school lunches — at home — during a pandemic

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What happens when your home kitchen becomes your child’s school cafeteria?

That’s the situation many families are finding themselves in, as their children learn remotely from home, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whether you chose to keep your child at home, or the school district is beginning classes remotely, you may find yourself serving lunch to your students who are eating at home.

Here’s a twist to add some fun to traditional peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. The presentation makes lunch more interesting, and helps to ensure your kids are getting enough fruit in their diet. (Courtesy of Shari Bresin)

Although there may be options available to pick up school meals (check with your district), the chances are you’ll need more food that’s readily available if your children are home all day.

So, what should you feed your kids if they’re home, without access to school lunches?

Healthy food must be at the top of the list.

Avoid processed food as much as possible.

Why?

Because a child’s diet can make a difference in his or her academic performance.

A 2018 study from the University of California, Berkley, discussed the positive links between childhood nutrition and high grades.

Eating healthy food helps with concentration, memory, physical development and behavior.

The study also talked about the negative correlation between obesity and cognition — which includes being able to remember, solve problems, store learned information and so on.

Specifically, the study mentions how refined carbohydrates, refined sugars and a diet high in saturated fat all negatively impact cognition.

So, be sure to limit those in your child’s diet to help set him or her up for academic success and help them to maintain a healthy weight.

If you’ve been in your child’s school cafeteria, you may recall seeing pictures of MyPlate.

This is the revised version of the food guide pyramid that gives a visual of the five food groups.

If you haven’t already used this guide, it may be helpful as you think of meals to make for the kids.

The food groups are fruits, vegetables, grains, protein and dairy.

MyPlate has a few simple messages about the food groups:

  • Make half your plate fruits and vegetables

The typical diet in the U.S. is heavy in protein and grain, so be sure to make room on the plate to include more fruits and vegetables.

Doing this will ensure the recommended amounts of nutrients are being met.

  • Make half your grains whole grains

Grain food includes cereal, pasta, rice, bread, tortilla shells, crackers and so on.

As your kids consume grain products throughout the day, make sure that at least half of the time they are eating whole grain foods.

Some food your child may already eat, such as oatmeal and popcorn, are whole grains.

The packaging needs to say it’s a whole grain, not 100% wheat, honey wheat, or multigrain.

  • Eat low-fat or fat-free dairy products

One gram of fat has 9 calories.

When you switch to low-fat or fat-free dairy, you reduce your overall intake of calories that day.

  • Vary your protein routine

Animal proteins aren’t needed at every meal.

Plant-based proteins can replace animal protein, at times.

Beans, nuts, seeds, peanut butter and tree nut butters, such as almond butter and cashew butter, are plant-based proteins. Be mindful of all nut allergens.

  • You don’t have to have all five food groups in every meal, but aim to have at least three.

Here are some MyPlate-friendly lunch ideas:

  • Peanut butter and banana sandwich on whole wheat bread with low-fat milk
  • Hummus and veggies wrapped in a whole wheat tortilla shell with a side of fruit
  • Toasted bagel with egg, tomato, lettuce, and low-fat cheese
  • Tuna canned in water with whole wheat crackers and low-fat string cheese
  • Mashed hardboiled egg in whole wheat pita bread with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers
  • Taco shells with refried beans, lettuce, onion, shredded low-fat cheese, salsa, and avocado
  • Peanut butter and jelly sandwich on a stick: Make a PB and J sandwich on whole wheat bread. Cut into small pieces, place pieces on skewers and alternate with sliced bananas or jelly type fruits, such as strawberries, grapes, and/or blueberries.
  • Leftovers: many parents make large dinner portions so their kids can have the extras for lunch.

A snack should have at least two food groups.

Something simple like celery with peanut butter, or yogurt with berries should be readily available at home.

This school year may look different, but health messages remain the same: Make healthy food part of the routine for school success.

By Shari Bresin

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Published August 19, 2020

Oasis founder will assume new role

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Peter Castellani

Peter Castellani, founder and executive director of the nonprofit Oasis Pregnancy Care Centers, will semi-retire on Jan. 1. He will assume the role of founder and director of Church and Community Partnerships.

Castellani will continue to network, build and maintain relationships, and raise funds for Oasis, but the new position will allow him and his wife to spend more time together, doing things they’ve been dreaming of doing.

Castellani will be passing the baton to April Beck, who will be promoted to executive director and will take over the ministry’s day-to-day operations.

The pregnancy centers offer pregnancy tests (no cost, lab quality), free ultrasounds (pregnancy confirmation), free counseling and parenting classes.

Oasis has several locations, including:

  • 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 108, Copperstone Executive Suites, Land O’ Lakes. Call (813) 406-4965.
  • 5854 Argerian Drive, Suite 103, Wesley Chapel. Call (813) 618-5037
  • 14630 N. Nebraska Ave., Suite C, Tampa. Call (813) 978-9737.

For information, visit OasisPregnancyCenter.org.

Published August 19, 2020

Get suspicious seeds in the mail?

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If you’ve received suspicious seeds in the mail, Hillsborough County’s Extension Service will take them off your hands.

The unsolicited seeds, which appear to have come from China, should not be planted or used in any way, according to a news release from Hillsborough County.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working closely with other federal agencies and state departments of agriculture to investigate the deliveries, the news release says.

The USDA believes at this time that the packages, reportedly sometimes containing other items such as silverware and fidget spinners, are a “brushing scam” where people receive unsolicited items from a seller who then posts false customer reviews to boost sales, the release adds.

Seeds of unknown origin may constitute agricultural smuggling, be invasive, introduce pathogens or toxins, pose a risk of foodborne illness, or threaten plant and animal health, according to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

The Hillsborough County Extension Service staff will accept the seeds on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Residents who are unable to drop off the seeds during these times can call (813) 744-5519 for additional instructions. The Extension Service is at 5339 County Road 579 in Seffner.

People in possession of unopened packages or packages containing other non-agricultural items should contact the USDA APHIS Anti-Smuggling Hotline at (800) 877-3835 or .

Published August 19, 2020

New theatre group created

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The Carrollwood Cultural Center recently announced the creation of OVATION, a new performing theatre troupe for teens and young adults, according to a news release.

“We have worked with a lot of amazing young talent over the years,” said event coordinator and MAS Theatre show director Aaron Washington. Many have “earned leading roles in large musicals at the center,” he said.

The original members of OVATION include Rhett Ricardo, Robbie Hipkins, Kaileen Barreto, Joseph Conrad, Brilee Gold, McKinnley Nelson, Rylie Nelson, Keira Osborne, Alexandra Sterling, Zachary Trenkle and Elijah Zurek.

“These young performers possess professionalism and passion beyond their years….they inspired us to create OVATION,” Washington said.

OVATION is more than a group of young adults who perform together. The members are encouraged to share their outside experience with school performances, auditions and other community/professional projects with the rest of the group.

Also, members will receive master class opportunities, and can receive hours toward Bright Future Scholarships. They also will be called upon to perform in various staged and outreach performances for the center.

“Needless to say, COVID-19 has made it difficult for these performers to get out and perform,” Washington notes, “but they’ve been in touch with one another and have recorded a few things while social distancing, which has kept them engaged.”

Washington said that the center hopes to “help these young performers build life experience that will be instrumental in pursuing a career in the performing arts.”

For more information, email Aaron Washington at .

To see OVATION’s recordings, visit CarrollwoodCenter.org and click on Clubs and Groups.

Published August 19, 2020

Pasco employees win state awards

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The Florida Sterling Council has recognized six Pasco County employees for work they performed as Sterling Examiners – including the Examiner Excellence Award – given to just one  Sterling Examiner each year, according to a county news release.

More than 150 Volunteer Examiners serve statewide, supporting the council’s mission of elevating organizational performance excellence.

The awards were presented during a virtual Examiner Recognition Ceremony on July 17.

The county’s team of examiners helps organizations across the state, while also helping the county to improve its performance, Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said at the Pasco Commission’s Aug. 4 meeting.

“The awards program for the internal Sterling program in the state almost was like Pasco County Day,” Biles said, noting that Amielee Farrell received the examiner’s excellence award for the year.

He praised all of the county staff receiving recognition.

“They’re doing an excellent job going out and examining private and public government agencies, not only helping them, but bringing their ideas back to Pasco County so we can do our jobs better, too.

“There’s a dozen on that team right now and they’re doing an excellent job throughout the state, and then bringing those ideas back to us, so we can become the premier county that the board wants us to become,” Biles said.

Farrell, of the county’s Office of Management and Budget, was recognized for her  contributions in the areas of thought leadership, developing new software training and guidance, and her participation on two assessment teams, according to the county news release.

Pasco employees Nilda Meono received the Challenge Assessment Rookie of the Year and Courtney Cooper received the Governor’s Sterling Award Assessment Rookie of the Year.

Also, Zuzana Bobst, Courtney Cooper, Matthew Hicks and Nilda Meono were promoted from Examiner to Advanced Examiner.

Jeffrey Harris was promoted from Advanced Examiner to Senior Examiner, and Amielee Farrell was promoted from Senior Examiner to Lead Examiner.

The Florida Sterling Council was formed in 1992 as a not-for-profit, public/private partnership supported by the Office of the Governor, the county release adds.

To learn more about the Sterling Program and the role of Examiners, visit FloridaSterling.com.

Published August 19. 2020

Union seeks ‘online-only’ school option

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Pasco County Schools is continuing its plans to offer face-to-face instruction as one of its options when school resumes on Aug. 24 — but, the union representing teachers and other school district employees is continuing its efforts to block that.

In a posting on the United School Employees of Pasco’s website, union officials inform their members that they are continuing efforts to seek an injunction that would prevent a return to brick-and-mortar classrooms when school begins.

The union is waiting until this week for formal actions to avoid interfering with efforts by the Florida Education Association, which is pursuing legal action on behalf of educators across the state, the posting says.

This latest USEP announcement follows a rally by teachers and parents at school district headquarters on Aug. 4, seeking to persuade the Pasco County School Board to adopt an online-only opening of schools, until the number of positive COVID-19 cases declines.

Don Peace, president of USEP, appeared at the school board’s meeting that day, again urging the board to only open schools online.

“We are not saying we don’t want a return to brick-and-mortar. We are saying we don’t want to return to brick-and-mortar now,” Peace said.

“Pediatricians and CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) are saying that we should not be heading back to schools at this time.

“When the positivity rate shows a downward trend and is below 5%, which is the level that ironically triggered the stay-at-home order back in April, then and only then would it be prudent to have a conversation on returning in a face-to-face format,” Peace said.

Peace said the district should rely on the data, in determining if students, teachers and staff return to schools.

“We have the means to use technology, in order to save lives,” Peace said.

Speakers offering public comment also told board members that they don’t think it’s safe to return.

Patrick Connolly, of Zephyrhills, said that there will be significant problems with staffing, if staff members apply their self-screeners with fidelity. And, he said, “if we don’t apply these screeners with fidelity, we will have the virus running rampant in our community.”

Jeremy Blythe, a Pasco teacher for five years, said he wishes he was excited to begin a new school year. Instead, he said, ““I’m afraid, I am angry and I’m sad.

“Being a teacher has prepared me to do many things, but what I cannot prepare for is the idea that I will have to bury a colleague or a student. I don’t want my family to have to bury me, either, if we head back to campus before it is safe,” Blythe said.

Superintendent Kurt Browning reiterated the district’s stance of reopening, with three options for parents: bricks-and-mortar, mySchool Online and Pasco eSchool.

“We are between that proverbial rock and a hard place, where we find ourselves with that emergency order,” Browning said.

“There’s been a lot of discussion, comments made out there about funding.

“The fact remains that when you read the emergency order, it is very clear that funding is tied to the fact that school districts need to open with bricks-and-mortar.

“You have to truly connect the dots, but if you want funding, and you want to be held harmless from funding reductions, then the expectation is that districts will open bricks-and-mortar.

“If we do not get funding from the state, our teachers do not get paid. Our bus drivers do  not get paid. Staff, in general, does not get paid.

“It’s going to be tough to keep lights on,” Browning said.

Browning said district staff is doing everything it can to ensure safety.

However, he added: “We’re not going to prevent it, but we are in the business of trying to minimize the impacts, or the spread of COVID,” the superintendent said.

He noted: “Even after all of the news reports, the data that’s out there — we still have 66% of our families that are wanting to return to bricks-and-mortar.

“By virtue of that, we need to be able to staff and provide that for them,” Browning said.

School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin said one of her chief concerns involves the inability to provide social distancing in secondary classrooms.

“We cannot ensure social distancing in every secondary classroom,” she said, noting district employees are aware of that, but she’s not sure that parents know that.

Beaudoin did call attention to Pine View Middle School’s efforts to maximize  the space between its students, by clearing the room of extra furniture, extra tables, extra filing cabinets — to increase the distance between desks.

Beaudoin also said that if at some point, the district was to go remote, she wants the public to know that the district staff has been exploring multiple options.

“None are guaranteed, but we have been looking into ways to support families with child care and tutoring, to be able to continue to feed our students and families, and keep our employees working,” the school board chairwoman said.

While Pasco plans to return to school campuses, the Hillsborough County School Board has voted to begin the school year with online-only instruction — a position being rejected by Florida Education Commissioner Richard Corcoran.

To be on the safe side, parents are encouraged to check for the most recent updates on the school district websites and social media platforms, to be sure they have the latest information. The Pasco school district’s website is Pasco.k12.fl.us.

The Hillsborough school district’s website SDHC.k12.fl.us.

Published August 12, 2020

Hillsborough reopening embroiled in controversy

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The Hillsborough County School Board last week voted to begin the school year on Aug. 24, operating online only for the first four weeks of classes.

Within a day of that decision, however, Florida Education Commission Richard Corcoran notified the district that “this blanket, district-wide decision directly contradicts the district’s reopening plan, which was approved because it was consistent with the state’s emergency order.”

In a statement shared with The Laker/Lutz News, Corcoran said, ““The Hillsborough County School Board needs to follow the law, it’s that simple.

“The whole reason the Department created the emergency order was to grant districts maximum flexibility to do what is right for parents and schoolchildren.

“We will not stand idly by while they trample over the majority of parents who want to do right by their children.

“What they did yesterday (Aug. 6) completely eliminated the flexible options for their families and students, and ignored how harmful it can be for students who are experiencing violence, abuse, and food insecurity in their homes, many of whom are already struggling to close achievement gaps. These are urgent circumstances and we cannot, and will not, ignore it,” Corcoran concluded.

Hillsborough County Schools Superintendent Addison Davis issued a response to Corcoran’s letter, indicating the district had received it and was reviewing it with its legal team.

Addison also issued this statement: “Yesterday (Aug.6), the School Board made an informed decision after receiving data and hearing from the Florida Department of Health in Hillsborough County, along with hearing the advice of other local infectious disease and public health authorities.

“The Board acted after serious deliberations and with all due diligence. Our district understood the possibility that such a response from the state might come and it has been clear that the district could face negative implications. We will use this information to have discussions about where we go from here,” Davis said.

Both Corcoran and Davis’ statements came after a special Aug. 6 Hillsborough County School Board meeting that included hours of public comment, and testimony from a panel of medical experts.

During that meeting, the board voted 5-2 to start the school year with online options only. The board also determined they would look at the issue again at its Sept. 8 meeting.

Board members Karen Perez, Lynn Gray, Stacy Hahn, Steve Cona and Tammy Shamburger voted for those actions. Board Chairman Melissa Snively and board member Cindy Stuart dissented.

The board’s vote came after School Board Attorney James Porter told the board it could not change the reopening plan submitted by Superintendent Addison Davis, but could delay its implementation.

Addison’s plan calls for three learning options: Face-to-face instruction and two online choices. After gaining initial board approval, it was submitted to the state and approved. When making that initial vote, though, board members said they wanted to hear from medical experts.

Passions run hot, on both sides
The issue of whether to reopen school buildings has been a flashpoint of controversy.

A parade of speakers urged the school board to either reopen school campuses for face-to-face instruction, or to keep them closed for now.

Speakers wore masks to the meeting, and a district employee disinfected the podium and microphone after each person spoke.

So many people showed up, their comments were limited to 1-minute each. Many exceeded the limit and there were instances when the microphone was muted when people talked too long.

Speakers were passionate on both sides of the issue.

Some staff members said they have medical conditions and are afraid to return to school. Others said they have family members who are medically vulnerable.

Many said the number of COVID-19 cases is simply too high to return to school.

But, those arguing against online only cited a digital divide based on family incomes. They said families need child care, and that mothers, in particular would be forced to quit their jobs so they can oversee their child’s online instruction.

They also cited other issues, such as impacts on mental health, a need for personal instruction, a need to provide services for special needs students and the need to provide food for students who rely on schools for meals.

Members on the medical panel, however, told school board members that the positivity rate of COVID-19 is too high to safely return to school.

One medical expert said he would not support reopening schools as of that day, but might feel differently on Aug. 24, because he expects the positivity numbers to decline.

Dr. Douglas Holt, who leads the Florida Health Department in Hillsborough County, said he was at the meeting to provide technical assistance. He did not take a position on the issue.

School board member Gray said she’s not comfortable reopening campuses at the current COVID-19 positivity rate.

“I personally think that the spread rate of 10-11% is way too high and 3-5% is where we need to go,”” Gray said.

Chairwoman Snively said she didn’t want the board to only focus on the aspect of epidemiology. Having schools open helps bring to light issues such as children who are suffering from child abuse or have mental health, nutritional and other needs.

Because this situation continues to evolve, those interested in staying abreast of the latest developments should check the Hillsborough County School District’s website and its social media channels. Its website is SDHC.k12.fl.us.

Editor’s Note: The Laker/Lutz News received the following statement, after our newspaper went to press:

“Our district explicitly followed the state’s executive order. The order provides school districts the option of not opening brick and mortar “subject to advise or orders of the Florida Department of Health, (or) local departments of health”. Last Thursday, our School Board made an informed decision after hearing from the local public health authority and local infectious disease experts. The panel was asked if we should open our doors and not one medical professional could recommend opening today. The state’s order goes on to say the day-to-day decision to open or close a school always rests locally.”

Tanya Arja – Chief of Communications

Published August 12, 2020

Bilirakis fields questions, addresses concerns

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U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis fielded questions from constituents during a virtual town hall-style meeting hosted by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

The Aug. 6 online “Breakfast with Bilirakis” meeting, allowed the Republican congressman to share various updates from Washington D.C. It also provided a forum for Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th Congressional District, to listen to concerns and questions from East Pasco residents.

One pressing question involved the timeline of when the next COVID-19 stimulus package is coming.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis participated in a virtual town hall meeting hosted by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce on Aug. 6. He discussed COVID-19 relief, among other topics. (File)

Bilirakis attributed the lack of action by Congress to partisan politics between Democrats and Republicans. He pinned the bulk of the blame on House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, a Democrat.

“This could be done within a matter of hours if we take the politics out of it, but we all know it’s not realistic,” the Republican congressman said.

“Speaker Pelosi does not negotiate. Right now she feels like she’s winning politically, and she’s not putting the people who are really hurting, that need this assistance first, but, I think she’s getting closer and closer (to coming around).”

Republicans have called for $1 trillion in spending; Democrats have a $3.5 trillion plan.

One key difference in the plans involves the Democrats’ proposal to provide funding for large cities, such as New York and Chicago.

Bilirakis doesn’t agree with that.

His reasoned those cities, among others, “have been fiscally irresponsible for years and years and years,” long before the COVID-19 pandemic.

He put it like this: “Nothing against Chicago or New York City, I love those cities, but the management has been terrible, the leadership has been terrible in those particular cities recently.”

Even with ongoing differences between the two parties, Bilirakis is confident a second stimulus package will pass.

President Donald Trump has threatened executive action to break Congress’s impasse, Bilirakis said.

“I don’t blame him — people are suffering; they need help now,” the congressman said.

Bilirakis also is certain federal unemployment benefits will be extended, but doesn’t expect it be at the $600 per week rate.

“It might be a little bit of a different version,” Bilirakis said. He has co-sponsored a bill to ensure people receiving unemployment will not receive an amount that exceeds the amount they were getting paid while employed.

 

Need to help, but also to watch federal debt

Bilirakis also addressed the status of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) business loan program.

More funds will likely be added to program, he said, but he noted there is still $100 billion in loans available.

The next round of PPP loans should be geared toward businesses with 25 employees or fewer, he said. There also should be more flexibility to help the restaurants that are hurting, he added.

Bilirakis acknowledged the original $669-billion federal business loan program was put together hastily, during a state of emergency. Its language allowed some corporations, even charter schools, to take advantage of loans not meant for them.

“It was a successful program and we helped out a lot of businesses, but I think we’ve learned that we need to narrow the scope because a lot of big businesses took advantage,” he said.

The lawmaker expressed sympathy for struggling restaurants and other small businesses, too: “My goodness, you have these restaurants that have been around forever and they’ve survived wars, depressions, recessions, and now they’re closing up for good, and we just can’t have that.”

At the same, as COVID-19-related spending packages are implemented, Bilirakis emphasized the need to be concerned about the government’s increasing debt. The national debt rose to $26 trillion for the first time in June.

“I know this is a crisis and we’ve got to help folks, but we’ve got to be cognizant of this national debt, because we’re passing it on to our children, our grandchildren, our great-grandchildren in some cases,” Bilirakis said.

One constituent questioned Bilirakis on why the Trump administration has denied new or first-time applications for the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, despite a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that blocked the president’s attempt to end DACA.

The DACA program grants protection from deportation of undocumented children brought to the country by immigrants.

Bilirakis responded: “I can’t explain it. Obviously, I’m not responsible for it, but what we can do is pressure the administration and (Attorney General) Bill Barr, to make sure that they follow up.”

The lawmaker expressed support for a single-subject immigration bill to protect DACA youth, but not one with amendments that offer similar protections for undocumented adults and illegal aliens — an ongoing point of contention between Democrats and Republicans.

With that, Bilirakis believes immigrant children will be granted protection at some point, but doesn’t foresee a piece of legislation to pass before the end of the year.

Said Bilirakis, “We should be passing a DACA bill to protect these kids, but the problem is everything’s political. They did nothing wrong themselves and they should not be punished. They only know the United States of America, in most cases.”

Another constituent probed the congressman about what types of COVID-19 safety measures have been put forth for active military and veterans.

Bilirakis explained the Tampa’s James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital and satellite facilities (like those in New Port Richey and Zephyrhills) are offering virtual appointments for primary care and other services. The program is “going pretty well,” he said.

Bilirakis said he is pushing to reopen or expand services at outpatient clinics for veterans, amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We’re trying to give them as much access as possible to health care,” he said.

Published August 12, 2020

Pasco County employees to get 3% raises

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Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles initially recommended a 2% raise for county employees, reasoning that was in line with the current rate of inflation.

But, Pasco County Commissioners overrode Biles’ recommendation, agreeing instead with Commissioner Mike Wells’ push to give employees a 3% raise.

When he brought up the issue a few weeks ago, Wells said a 3% raise was in keeping with what the county’s constitutional officers planned to give their staffs, and also in line with the 3% raise approved by Gov. Ron DeSantis for state workers.

Wells revisited the issue again, at the board’s Aug. 4 meeting.

“To give you an idea of the impact on the general fund, for increasing from 2 (%) to 3 (%), is about $560,000,” Wells said. He also noted that sales tax receipts in May exceeded the county’s expectations.

“So, we have the money,” Wells said, then proceeded to make a motion to increase the proposed raise by 1% — resulting in a 3% raise.

Commissioners approved the motion unanimously.

Later in the meeting, Biles briefed commissioners on revenues, in light of COVID-19.

“The general sales tax, as he mentioned, was above what we had actually projected in the 20 (fiscal year 2020) budget — the pre-COVID 20 budget number, not the post-COVID budget number, which is great news,” Biles said.

However, he added: “The good news only goes so far. The gas tax has still taken a pretty significant hit, across all elements of the gas tax.

“Of course, the tourist development tax is still down, and ambulance fees are still down, as well,” he added.

On a brighter note, building activity is up.

“We’re issuing a lot of permits. Building revenue is up 6%, and that’s taking into account that we reduced the fees 10% last year. So, if you compare like to like, it’s actually up 16% over ’19 (fiscal year 2019),  year to date,” Biles said.

Published August 12, 2020

Hercules Park upgrades under consideration

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As the Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) preps its budget for fiscal year 2020-21, city leaders are calling for more attention to Hercules Park, a 9-acre city-owned park land property off Gall Boulevard.

Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton on July 27 probed the CRA Board of Commissioners —chaired by Zephyrhills City Council members — on which types of projects they want to have the highest priority in the upcoming year, noting the agency appears in good shape with funding this coming year.

The answer was unanimous: Hercules Park improvements are well overdue.

CRA board member Lance Smith was quick to declare it’s time to gather community input and organize an action plan for the vacant park land that once had a buzzing aquatic center and swimming pool.

He observed Hercules Park, adjacent to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools, is visibly nestled in “a very high traffic” intersection that includes a Wawa gas station and Culver’s fast-food restaurant.

Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) Board of Commissioners is calling for needed improvements to Hercules Park, a 9-acre city-owned park land property off Gall Boulevard. Ownership of the land was transferred to the city from the Pasco County School Board in June 2018. The property has sat mostly idle for years. (File)

“I think we should really work on Hercules some, because it’s been sitting there,” Smith said. “I don’t think we have to spend a tremendous amount of money on it, but I do think we have to put together a plan for it.”

Fellow board member Charles Proctor agreed Hercules Park fixes are “a longtime in the coming,” since ownership of the land was transferred to the city from the Pasco County School Board in June 2018.

Even minor improvements would make it a desirable passive park for residents, he said.

His general idea: “Make it simple, but usable,” so that upkeep isn’t an ongoing burden for the city’s public works department.

“I don’t necessarily want to go crazy with it,” Proctor said, “but I would like to make it usable, so if somebody wanted to have a picnic there or walk the trails, because it is a beautiful piece of property, and at least so that citizens can use it.”

Board chair Jodi Wilkeson added work on the park should be handled in phases, starting with some routine cleanup, then later on identify more specific long-term goals and objectives for the park’s future.

Board member Ken Burgess likewise agreed to have the property “spruced up enough where we can utilize it, until we come up with a better, eventual plan for it on down the road.”

All that in mind, Hamilton assured various park fixes are on the table for discussion.

The CRA originally planned to hold a community meeting for park input, but the COVID-19 pandemic caused it to fall by the wayside. Hamilton instead plans to meet with the city’s parks board for further input, then present it to the CRA board and city council.

Some early possibilities include underbrush clearing and designing a more welcoming park entrance, as well as installing a park fountain, benches, tree underlighting, and colorful sailcloth. Adding an art piece that pays homage to the history of the property is another idea, too, she said.

The park land is a legacy from about 80 acres once owned by the Hercules Powder Co.

The company, which converted pine stumps into resin and turpentine, had been the city’s largest employer.

“I think it needs to look nice when people drive by, (so) it looks like we care,” Hamilton said. “We’ll create a plan, and work that plan.”

A sign of how the property has languished over the years:  Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield pointed out trees surrounding the park are covered in poison ivy.

Other CRA priorities for this budget cycle include installing wayfinding and gateway signage, sidewalk repairs and developing a public art master plan, among others.

The Zephyrhills CRA is a dependent special district in which any future increases in property values are set aside in a Trust Fund to support economic development and redevelopment projects within the designated district. Although it functions within the City of Zephyrhills, the Zephyrhills CRA is a separate and distinct legal entity. The Zephyrhills City Council also serves as the appointed board governing the Zephyrhills CRA.

The CRA district encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street. Within those boundaries are the following historic neighborhood districts: Hercules, Historic Jeffries, Historic Abbott, Moore’s Estate, Zephyr Lake, Oakside and Plaza.

Main Street events suspended until December
Elsewhere, Hamilton also mentioned all Main Street Zephyrhills events have been canceled until the end of December, due to COVID-19.

Main Street Zephyrhills is a 501c3 nonprofit that generally facilitates new business and organizes large events within the historic downtown district.

One of the nonprofit organization’s most popular annual events, Music & Motorcycles, will likely be rescheduled at a later date, once events are back in the fold, Hamilton said.

Guidelines from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) will be followed in making a determination of when events with large gatherings are safe to resume, she said.

“We don’t want to have an event that’s going to cause problems, so at this moment we are still monitoring the situation,” Hamilton told the board.

The Music & Motorcycles event is typically held in September and features a live band, and a 10-class ride-in bike show along Fifth Avenue in downtown Zephyrhills.

Other events impacted included the Veterans Day Parade, National Night Out, Halloween Howl and Festival of Lights.

Main Street’s new events coordinator is Paxton McCullough, a recent graduate from the University of Georgia. She takes over for Anna Stutzriem, who resigned in March after more than two years on the post.

The coordinator position is the organization’s lone city-funded employee position.

Published August 12, 2020