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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Pine View Elementary becomes Primary Years program

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Pine View Elementary School has received its official authorization to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

The school, at 5333 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, has been working for three years toward attaining the authorization. It is the first public school in Pasco County to achieve the distinction.

Pine View Elementary Principal Kay Moore is delighted that her Land O’ Lakes school has achieved its official authorization to offer an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Pine View Elementary is only one of 504 schools in the United States authorized to offer the IB PYP, which uses an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning. (B.C. Manion)

As of May 1, there were 1,716 schools offering the IB PYP, in 109 different countries worldwide, according to the IB Organization’s website. In the United States, there are 504 public schools offering the IB PYP.

Pine View Middle School already is operating as an IB Middle Years Programme, and Land O’ Lakes High School offers the IB Diploma Programme, as well as a pre-IB programme for ninth-graders.

Pine View Elementary Principal Kay Moore said being a PYP candidate school has been a journey.

“One of the requirements to be authorized is that 100 percent of your staff has to go through International Baccalaureate training. So, we spent a lot of time and resources to train teachers,” Moore said.

Initially, the elementary school was looking for a way to provide a choice option for parents.

“We had declining enrollment over the past few years,” Moore explained, noting that Pine View was losing students to Sanders Memorial Elementary, a STEAM Magnet School, and charter schools, such as Imagine School and Classical Prep.

“We wanted to offer choice, and IB seemed to be a natural fit because of the middle school and the high school,” Moore said. “It completed a feeder pattern.”

While Pine View’s motivation was to be competitive, the experience has been illuminating for everyone involved, Moore said.

“We learned that this is a teaching style that’s good for kids,” Moore said.

It also “was a great growth opportunity for our staff,” she added, noting that as teachers became more familiar with the PYP, they embraced it.

Their attitude was: “This is the kind of teaching and learning we want for children.’

These attributes, painted on wooden boards beneath a covered walkway at Pine View Elementary, are qualities that prepare IB students to make exceptional contributions on campus.

“It was, ‘Wow, this is just good teaching’,” the principal said.

“So our staff buy-in was 100 percent because of that,” the principal said.

Moore credits Erin Greco, the school’s IB coordinator, as playing a pivotal role in the school’s transition to becoming a PYP.

She described Greco as being a catalyst.

“She’s been going through extensive training and studying, and is very self-motivated,” Moore said.

Teachers are pleased to be able to offer this educational approach, she added.

“One of the teachers got up at a parent meeting and said, ‘Just think, we’re going to offer your child IB, without the expense of IB,” Moore said.

Parents are enthused by the program, too.

“The IB team came in and interviewed the parent groups. They said that is our strength. Our parent support is truly our strength.

“I think a lot of them recognize that this is something special, that their children and they get to be involved with,” Moore said.

Besides achieving the PYP designation, Pine View is also a magnet school now.

Students within the school’s normal boundaries are automatically in, but others living outside the boundaries can apply to fill vacant spots. The vacancies are filled through a lottery.

When parents inquire about the program, they often have questions about the curriculum, Moore said.

“The curriculum is not different. We still do the state standards. The difference is we teach in an interdisciplinary fashion, where we integrate reading, writing, science, social studies — with a focus on connecting kids globally,” she said.

“Delivery is different because we try to do it on an inquiry basis, so that kids have choice and voice. When they do have choice and voice, they own it. We encourage them to go beyond the lessons that teachers may give and do their own inquiry,” she said.

There’s also more hands-on learning, Moore added.

The students aren’t the only ones learning in a new way, the principal added.

The teachers also are true IB learners, Moore said. “They’re inquiring, ‘How can I make it better? What can I read, what can I study — to make this experience better for kids?’”

And, they aren’t the only ones who are welcoming opportunities for new growth.

Moore, an educator for 38 years, said she feels invigorated.

“We are definitely not at the end of this journey. Every year, we are going to refine and make things better.

“The world is a lot smaller now, because of all the connections.

“This allows us to have that global perspective and really help children see and accept differences, and tolerate — and yet be discriminators of their own learning. That’s what excites me,” Moore said.

For more information, contact Pine View Elementary at (352) 524-0600.

What is the Primary Years Programme?
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a curriculum framework for young learners aged 3–12 designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Founded on a philosophy that recognizes a child’s natural curiosity, creativity and ability to reflect, the PYP generates a stimulating, challenging learning environment to nurture those assets and foster a lifelong love of learning in every child.

The PYP, like all IB programmes, is transdisciplinary, meaning students learn across subject areas, while investigating big ideas.

Does the PYP have a specific set of standards?
In the PYP, students learn about significant concepts through units of inquiry.

The six transdisciplinary themes that guide units of inquiry and compose a year of study are:

  • Who we are
  • Where we are in place and time
  • How we express ourselves
  • How the world works
  • How we organize ourselves
  • Sharing the planet

Units of inquiry interweave subject areas, such as mathematics, language arts, science and social studies.

This approach encourages students to make their own connections between what they learn in core subject areas and how it relates to the world around them.

Source: International Baccalaureate website

Published July 03, 2019

Using innovation to assess roads, needed repairs

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Pasco County is searching for a better way to catalog and repair deteriorating roadways and traffic signs.

Officials believe they’ve found the answer, via a $1.3 million road survey project.

The county’s public works department has enlisted the help of a consulting firm, Arizona-based Infrastructure Management Services (IMS), to use innovative data collection to map future infrastructure improvements.

It’s similar to how a Google Maps captures views of a neighborhood.

Pasco County public works director Branford Adumuah

Over the next several months, specialized IMS vans equipped with laser road surface testers, video cameras and GPS receivers will travel roughly 840 lane-miles in Pasco —  gathering inventory and assessing conditions along county-maintained roads and rights of way.

The information will be used to develop long-term strategies and schedule the rehabilitation and maintenance of roadways and right of way assets, such as street signs, traffic lights, road-related stormwater drainage systems, sidewalks and bikeways.

For instance, the 1-ton IMS van will measure the width and depth of cracks, pothole and other hazards on county-maintained roadways, while also capturing still images of damaged and obstructed traffic signs.

Each road will get a pavement condition index between 0 to 100, with higher values indicating better conditions of a road’s pavement surface. The study will also measure roadway foundations and subsurface conditions.

The data-gathering process began this month on the county’s arterial and collector roads. Local roads will be analyzed next, likely from September through the end of the year.

From there, the county will employ computerized pavement management software that will identify which roads it needs to repair first, based on inputted budget constraints. It will also identify best practices to repair a particular road —  patching, paving, micro surfacing, surface rejuvenation and so on.

The new, first-of-its-kind road survey ultimately gives Pasco a better picture of what is going on with its roadways, officials say.

Similar to how a Google Maps captures views of a neighborhood, specialized IMS vans equipped with laser road surface testers, video cameras and GPS receivers will travel roughly 840 lane-miles in Pasco — gathering inventory and assessing conditions along county-maintained roads and rights of way. Collected information will be used to develop long-term strategies and schedule the rehabilitation and maintenance. (Kevin Weiss)

Branford Adumuah, the county’s public works director, likens the process to a doctor correlating data from patient information to more proactively address potential health issues.

“It’s money well spent,” Adumuah said of the road survey. “It’s going to allow us to do really a lot of preventative maintenance.”

The entire process will save the county money in the long run and better extend the life of its roadway network, officials say.

“You’re saving the county a lot of money and through that prioritization of what comes first,” said IMS crew chief Brett Vierow, who’s working on the Pasco roadway project. “If you let a road go too far, it becomes much more expensive from there, so we give them a plan to get them the most out of their roads for the least dollars spent.”

Interestingly, failed roadways fall to the bottom of the list, Adumuah said.

“The first road to fix is not the one that is in the worst shape, it’s the one that is getting to be in the worst shape, because the one that is in the worst shape is always going to be in the worst shape,” Adumuah said. “Without this data, we can’t see that.”

Local governments in other states have also partnered with IMS to help manage and maintain its infrastructure.

The road survey program is currently being used in California, New Jersey, Washington and Canada, too.

Vierow said the procedure provides more reliable data and removes the subjectivity of which roads and right of way assets need to be fixed.

Because of that, Vierow suggested that more city, county and state governments will be using the technology in coming years.

He said the technology allows the county to make informed decisions, “instead of just going out willy nilly and picking out roads that look bad, like, ‘Yeah, this parking lot needs to be redone.”

Surveying on roads will occur 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The IMS collection vehicle will travel at normal speeds while recording road surface data; however, data collection below the roadway will involve traffic control and single-lane closures.

Published July 03, 2019

301/98/Clinton Avenue project in initial stage

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A realignment study of the U.S. 301/U.S. 98/Clinton Avenue intersection in Dade City has begun – with an eventual alternative corridor to be placed in the vicinity.

This comes as Pasco County has seen a need to ease the flow of traffic and to reduce the number of accidents where these roadways meet.

As a part of the study, the public is encouraged to weigh in with comments or concerns – which could help determine the project’s end result.

Efforts have been underway since April to seek an alternative corridor where U.S. 301 and U.S. 98 merge and intersect with Clinton Avenue in Dade City. The new roadway is aimed at easing traffic and reducing accidents. (Brian Fernandes)

An open meeting was held on June 20 at the Dade City Hall Council Chambers to initiate public feedback.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the H.W. Lochner organization are working together on the project.

The study areas that the two departments are looking at range from:

  • The U.S. 301/U.S. 98 intersection to the west
  • Clinton Avenue to the north
  • Old Lakeland Highway to the east
  • U.S. 98 to the south

At the meeting, department officials explained the aim of the project and encouraged feedback from citizens, as well as city and county officials.

“This is a two-part study,” explained Brian Shroyer, FDOT project manager. “Where (U.S.) 98 comes into (U.S.) 301, there’s about a 1,600-foot offset to (Clinton Avenue) and there are issues with that intersection.”

There were 110 crashes within the study area between 2013 to 2017, according to the presentation.

The report also showed the density of accidents that occurred at the U.S. 301/U.S. 98 intersection, which continued north along the offset before reaching Clinton Avenue.

However, the majority of accidents took place at the intersection with Clinton Avenue. It accounted for mostly rear-end and angular vehicle-to-vehicle impacts.

Kevin Connor is the senior environmental manager at Lochner. He said that under current road models, traffic on U.S. 301 between U.S. 98 and Clinton Avenue will only increase.

In conjunction with the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization, FDOT and Lochner are in the planning phase of development.

In this phase, an Alternative Corridor Evaluation is done to identify various corridor routes to take into consideration.

“We’re going to collect all the existing environmental and engineering data for the area,” Connor explained. “We’ll use that information to develop potential corridors.”

Possible impacts to residential and commercial buildings, as well as wetlands, will be a part of the information that’s collected.

Current FDOT findings show that environmental effects, due to the project, would be little to none.

The next phase, the Project Development and Environment Study, would look at the road width, number of lanes, sidewalks and trails that may be necessary.

At present, there are plans to widen U.S. 301 from four lanes to six lanes within the study area.

Bonnie Burton was one of the local residents at the meeting. While she stated that the installation of traffic lights at the U.S. 301/U.S. 98 intersection made her feel relieved, she still voiced concern about turning southeast.

“As a person who frequently makes that turn heading south on (U.S.) 301 and making a left onto (U.S.) 98, it feels a lot safer in a lot of ways, but it feels banked wrong,” the Dade City resident said. “Unless you’ve come to a complete stop and that light is on green, you attempt to make that and you’re often in the wrong lane.”

In response, Shroyer stated that the engineering study would analyze that issue. He also noted that additional traffic lights and roundabouts could possibly be factored into the project.

With designs and right of way acquisition yet to be planned, construction may not begin for another four years to five years.

Public feedback will be open and welcomed through the remainder of the year. Another meeting to update the public is expected in December.

For additional information or to send comments, contact Brian Shroyer by emailing or by visiting FDOTd7Studies.com/US301US98INT/.

Published July 03, 2019

Paula S. O’ Neil retires after decades of public service

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The Pasco County Commission recently honored Paula S. O’ Neil, who retired after three decades of public service.

O’ Neil’s final day as Pasco Circuit Court Clerk & Comptroller was June 30.

She had recommended that Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, her chief operations officer, be appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to complete the remainder of her term, which ends in 2020.

The Pasco County Commission paused recently to honor Pasco Circuit Court Clerk & Comptroller Paula S. O’ Neil, who retired on June 30, after more than three decades of public service. (Courtesy of Tom Jackson/Pasco Circuit Court Clerk & Comptroller’s office)

DeSantis had not made his decision as of last week, so Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino appointed Alvarez-Sowles to fill the post on an interim basis, pending the governor’s final decision.

O’ Neil was honored during the County Commission’s June 19 meeting, where Alvarez-Sowles read the resolution, lauding the clerk’s many contributions through the years.

The resolution provided background on O’ Neil’s life, as well as citing professional achievements and civic contributions, through the decades.

O’ Neil grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and played collegiate softball and graduated from Missouri State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree.

She began her professional life working for Charleston Air Force Base, and also began teaching, which she still does today. She also worked for Charleston County Parks and Recreation Department, before her family moved to Pasco County in 1987, where she joined the staff of the county’s parks and recreation department.

Her duties there included implementing a voter-approved bond referendum for parks and recreation — expanding the county’s parks system from 22 parks to 36 parks.

She later worked in the county’s community services department, as administrative services manager, where she oversaw numerous grants and special funding resources that provided services to citizens, through social services, veterans services, animal control and sexual abuse victims services. She also played a critical role in the automation of the Pasco County public transportation system, improving dispatch, scheduling and office administration, according to the resolution.

At the same time, she was continuing her education to earn a Master of Science degree and then joined Pasco-Hernando Community College as an adjunct professor.

In the fall of 2002, O’ Neil joined the Circuit Court Clerk’s office, where she swiftly rose to chief deputy clerk.

Meanwhile, she continued to add to her educational credentials, obtaining a doctorate degree.

She was elected to her first term as Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller in 2008, and re-elected to subsequent terms in 2012 and 2016.

She led the office in the implementation of numerous technological advancements, modernizing the office to improve efficiency and customer service.

She has served on numerous boards and worked with various committees, agencies and organizations. She continues to teach, is an author and a cancer survivor.

“Paula has been a tireless leader in community, civic and not-for-profit organizations, serving to make Pasco County a better place to live and raise families,” the resolution adds.

A large contingent of O’ Neil’s staff was at the meeting, demonstrating their support.

The clerk thanked the board and her staff for their help through the years.

“I have an amazing team. The executive team is amazing. They’re a dream team,” O’ Neil said.

She offered a glimpse of what Pasco County was like when her family arrived.

“We lived in Wesley Chapel. I had to drive to Land O’ Lakes or Zephyrhills to get groceries.

“What a change it is today,” she said.

She also recounted attending Florida Retirement Seminars and thinking to herself: “I’m not going to be here that long.”

It turned out, though, “there was never anything better than Pasco,” O’ Neil said. “I appreciate all of the opportunities that I’ve been given here. It’s just been an honor to serve.”

Pasco commissioners lavished praise on O’ Neil.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told O’ Neil that the myriad accomplishments cited in the resolution “doesn’t begin to describe the value you have to this community, to this citizenry and this county.

“You know you will be missed, and you will always be a legend, here in this county,” Starkey said.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley added: “We’re all proud of you.”

Commissioner Mike Wells said he was honored to be able to share the moment with O’ Neil.

“Well, I’ve known you since literally, I was a kid. I really wish my father (Mike Wells Sr., former property appraiser and former commissioner) would be here, too.

“Who would have thought that I’d be sitting up here, with you? I don’t want to get choked up.

“You truly are a great leader,” Wells said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano recalled being on the campaign trail with O’ Neil, in 2008.

He told O’ Neil: “The presentation you put on, made you a completely impressive candidate.”

And then, O’ Neil went on to implement her vision, Mariano added, “Thank you so much. You’ve been a great asset.”

Commissioner Mike Moore also applauded O’ Neil’s accomplishments.

“You do so much good. You’re an inspiration for so many people,” he said.

Published July 03, 2019

Suggestions wanted for Burks playground improvements

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Dade City’s John S. Burks Memorial Park playground will be undergoing remodeling, and Pasco County wants its residents to have a say on ways to improve the play space.

The playground at the John S. Burks Memorial Park is set for renovation in 2020, and Pasco residents are being asked to help create the new look for the Dade City play area. (Courtesy of Angela Fagan-Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources)

A session is set for July 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., to give people a chance to  offer their ideas for the project. Kids too, are encouraged to brainstorm and bring fresh ideas for Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources to consider.

While the county department has potential plans in mind, any expansion or additional amenities to the playground may be factored in after public comments have been weighed.

The renovation will occur during 2020, but no completion date has been given.

The public meeting will be in the Hugh Embry Library conference room, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.

For additional information, contact the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department at (813) 929-2760.

Public meeting for John S. Burks Memorial Park playground
Where: Hugh Embry Library conference room, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City
When: July 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The public is invited to the library to offer their ideas for the remodeling of the Dade City playground.
Info: Call the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department at (813) 929-2760.

Published July 03, 2019

Region offers plenty of ‘Independence’ celebrations

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Residents within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area will have plenty of options for celebrating the nation’s independence this year.

With various Fourth of July celebrations occurring, one common event will be fireworks shows, illuminating the sky with much color. (File)

Some festivities are being held before the Fourth of July, some are scheduled on the holiday itself, and there are a couple being held at the end of the holiday weekend.

Whether you enjoy watching a parade, like to run, enjoy listening to live music or get a kick out of fireworks — you’ll be able to find a place locally, or within the region, to celebrate the way you like best.

Enjoy the festivities, and be careful out there.

Here’s a roundup of area and regional activities:

LAND O’ LAKES
Connerton’s Independence Day Party
Where: Connerton Community, 21100 Fountain Garden Way, Land O’ Lakes
When: June 29 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The public is welcomed to a pre-Independence Day celebration consisting of games, live music, local crafters, food trucks, bounces houses and fireworks.
Info: Call (813) 996-5800

Fourth of July Concert for a Cause Celebration
Where: Bexley by Newland Communities, 16950 Vibrant Way, Land O’ Lakes
When: July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The event will be comprised of a concert, food trucks, a kids’ bike parade and fireworks.
Info: Call (813) 425-7555

LUTZ
Red White & Blue Sunday
Where: CrossPointe Family Church, 919 Debuel Road
When: June 30 at 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: Tickets are $7 per person; $25 per family
Details: Celebrate Independence Day early, with a Sunday service followed by a barbecue meal.
Info: call (813) 949-7727 or email .

Lutz Family Fireworks Celebration
Where: Idlewild Church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd.
When: June 30 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Enjoy an evening filled with a choir and orchestra performance, a guest speaker, topped off with a fireworks show.
Info: Call (813) 264-1515

Lutz Independence Day Race
Where: Lutz Train Depot in front of Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
When: July 4 at 8 a.m.; yoga stretches will proceed the race at 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
Cost: Online: $25 for the 5K; $10 for the 1-mile; $27 for both 5K and 1-mile run
Same day registration: $30 for the 5K; $15 for the 1-mile; $27 for both
Details: Participants can either walk or run in the 5K run or the 1-mile sprint that follows.
Info: To register, visit  https://www.active.com/lutz-fl/running/distance-running-races/lutz-independence-day-run-2019.

July 4th Parade
Where: The parade begins at the intersection at Lutz-Lake Fern Road and Crooked Lane heading east to U.S. 41. (Most spectators gather along the parade route, or near the Lutz Branch Public Library)
When: July 4 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The parade will consist of dozens of floats. There will be vendors, a cake/bake competition, snow cones and other foods. The winner of the title of the honorary Lutz Guv’na also will be announced. Trophies and prizes also will be awarded that day for runners and for winning parade entries.
Info: Call Jennifer Rankin at (813) 240-5492 or email

Fourth of July Celebration
Where: Cheval Golf & Athletic Club, 4312 Cheval Blvd.
When: July 4 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Celebrate Independence Day at the golf club with food, games, water slides, bounce houses, a live band and finished off with fireworks.
Info: Call (813) 949-4231

WESLEY CHAPEL
July 4th Picnic
Where: Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road
When: July 4 from noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: Call (813) 907-9081

Fourth of July Celebration at Avalon Park West
Where: Avalon Park West Community Center, 5227 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel
When: July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Guests can enjoy Independence Day with a bike parade, a pie bake-off, live performances, food trucks and fireworks.
Info: Call (813) 783-1515 or email

ZEPHYRHILLS
Fourth of July Celebration at Skydive City
Where: Skydive City, 4241 Sky Dive Lane, Zephyrhills
When: 8 a.m. July 6 to 9 p.m. July 7
Cost: Free
Details: The one-day event will have an open field for recreational vehicles to park. Patrons can enjoy custom-made hamburgers and adults will have special beverages reserved.
Info: Call (800) 888-5867 or visit www.SkyDiveCity.com/Event/4th-of-July-Celebration/

DADE CITY
El Cuatrofest
Where: Barrington Hill Farm, 16117 Lake Lola Road, Dade City
When: July 4 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: $30 per ticket
Details: At this outdoor event, guests can listen to live music while enjoying watermelon-eating contests, artisan vendors, food trucks, various games and topped off with a fireworks show.
Info: Call (727) 643-6128; for tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/el-cuatrofest-food-trucks-fireworks-fun-at-the-farm-tickets-61433026837?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

REGIONAL EVENTS
American Victory’s Freedom Fest
Where: American Victory Ship, 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa
When: July 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $13 for age 13 and up; $7 for ages 4 to 12; $10 for active military or veterans
Details: Aboard the historical World War II ship SS American Victory, guests can enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, a kids zone, games and view a fireworks show.
Info: Purchase tickets at http://bit.ly/2KnjcYh. For further inquiries, call (813) 228-8766 or visit www.AmericanVictory.org.

Tampa Red, White and Blue Fest
Where: Grand Central at Kennedy, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
When: July 4 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Celebrate America’s birthday with southern food, ice cream, a dog walk and prize giveaways.
Info: Call (813) 226-0988

Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Competition
Where: Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa
When: July 4 at 4 p.m.
Cost: $25 per ticket
Details: Hosted by local comedian Chuck Glass, the contest will offer both beef and vegan hot dogs to choose from. Contestants will have the chance to win a $500 gift card, a $100 gift card, a championship belt and t-shirts.
Info: Email . Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fourth-of-july-hot-dog-eating-competition-tickets-62875790181?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR3nKaUVDR3g1GMkBQjmHVaLhophgDf3EJISD78VSDw97DidaaO2fyiTRAA

Published June 26, 2019

Pasco MPO board approves new Wesley Chapel connections

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Wesley Chapel motorists would have more options, under connections approved by the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization board on June 11.

The first new connection calls for extending Wesley Chapel’s Meadow Pointe Boulevard, into Tampa.

The second new connection calls for extending the planned Wyndfields Boulevard, which would run from State Road 56 to K-Bar Ranch Boulevard, in Tampa.

Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel, may soon see an influx of traffic if extended into neighboring Hillsborough County to the south. On June 11, the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization board approved a proposal to lengthen both Meadow Pointe and Wyndfields boulevards cross county into Tampa. (Brian Fernandes)

The third new connection would link Mansfield Boulevard to Kinnan Street, but would only be used for emergency purposes and bicycle-pedestrian paths.

“We did a survey to try to gauge public input on the connections,” said Megan McKinney of the AECOM organization. “Today the goal is to get you all (MPO board) to make a recommendation on the connections to take forward to the (Pasco) Board of County Commissioners.”

AECOM had distributed surveys to Pasco residents to complete throughout last April and get feedback on the connection proposals.

The survey asked for the residents’ stance on four project options:

  • Mansfield Boulevard-Kinnan Street connection and Meadow Pointe Boulevard extension
  • Meadow Pointe Boulevard extension only
  • Meadow Pointe Boulevard and Wyndfields Boulevard extensions
  • Mansfield Boulevard-Kinnan Street connection, plus extensions for Meadow Pointe Boulevard and Wyndfields Boulevard

Bar graphs depicting the four options, showed overwhelming support for the two extension projects, while only a slight majority of those taking the survey favored the connection between Mansfield Boulevard and Kinnan.

McKinney also presented a map with dots along the three projects, representing residents living in the region.

The blue dots represented residents who approved of the proposed projects; the red dots represented residents who were opposed.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, who sits on the board, was quick to point out the primary areas of resistance.

“If you look along Mansfield Boulevard, you’ll see the majority is in red,” Moore said. “So the majority of residents that live right along Mansfield Boulevard said they prefer not to have that connection.”

He said the residents’ concerns are warranted because Mansfield Boulevard cannot be widened to accommodate an influx in traffic.

Moore said there’s also concern about adding traffic to a street that has multiple schools, a recreational center and a day care.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley, who also sits on the MPO board, added: “They’re the people that actually live in that area and see that traffic each and every day. I don’t necessarily think they should have that added traffic – and most of it from another county.”

Wesley Chapel resident Brad Jorgensen echoed the commissioners’ opposition as he took to the podium during the public hearing.

“I’m one of those red dots that was firmly planted on Mansfield (Boulevard),” Jorgensen said.

He came as a concerned father because his two sons ride their bikes to school and visit their friends along the stretch of road.

“This is about the safety of our kids in this neighborhood,” the father stated. “This is about not turning our neighborhood into alternative Bruce B. Downs (Boulevard).”

Others expressed the same sentiments, but there were others who had a different point of view.

“The Kinnan Street-Mansfield (Boulevard) connection is in the interest of the public good,” said Jim Davison, an emergency room physician.

He is also the founder of the New Tampa Transportation Task Force which takes a vested interest in resolving roadway obstacles.

According to Davison, the connection would decrease traffic along State Road 56 from Interstate 75 to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

“It takes off 5 (percent) to 10 percent of all the traffic on major roads in Pasco County – east of I-75 and south of (State Road) 54,” he claimed.

He also noted that most people come to hospitals by way of private vehicles, not ambulances, so limiting the roadway to only emergency vehicles would be ineffective.

Ultimately, the board passed the option extending Meadow Pointe and Wyndfields boulevards into Tampa, allowing full-vehicular access. They also approved extending Mansfield to Kinnan, limiting access to emergency vehicles, bicycles and pedestrians.

Published June 26, 2019

Pasco County Farm Bureau advocates for agriculture

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Protecting the lush farmland in and near towns, such as Dade City and Zephyrhills, has been the focal point, for decades, of the Pasco County Farm Bureau.

The grassroots organization supports the needs of farmers and their produce.

The agency is just one within 60 statewide counties that fall under the Florida Farm Bureau – an organization that began more than 75 years ago.

During routine maintenance, Allen Altman of Dade City, checks one of his Bingo variety tangerine trees for any pests that may potentially harm the tree. This block of trees, designed to be resistant to the citrus greening disease, is one of only two blocks currently planted in Pasco County. Altman is agency manager for the Pasco County Farm Bureau, and a member of the Pasco County School Board. (Christine Holtzman)

Allen Altman is an agency manager for the Pasco County branch and has been with the bureau for almost 40 years.

“[The] Farm Bureau is out there making sure that farmers have the opportunity to remain viable economically,” Altman said. “We’re a membership organization that embraces all agriculture producers and the values that they stand for.”

In doing so, the bureau offers coverage policies to farmers for their equipment and buildings, as well as automobile, homeowners and life insurance.

This coverage is not exclusive to only farmers, but open to everyday consumers who are Farm Bureau members.

And, while the organization is independent of government, it does work with legislators in helping pass measures beneficial to agriculture.

In the past, it has been successful in helping to implement a statewide agricultural sales tax exemption.

This has saved Florida farmers and ranchers more than $2.3 million in annual tax exemptions for health and medical products used for livestock.

An additional $13 million has been spared in taxes for farm equipment, as well.

In its efforts to preserve the Everglades, the bureau was instrumental in reducing the cost to build a water storage reservoir, and has advocated for access to proper water distribution to maintain healthy crops.

Last year, the federal government had signed into law the Agriculture Improvement Act, which allocated $867 billion to help sustain farmers nationwide.

The bipartisan measure was in response to the United States trade tensions with China, which had a negative economic impact for U.S. farm producers.

A Hamlin orange tree damaged by the citrus greening disease.

The financial aid has benefited Pasco farmers, but not to the same extent as those in Midwestern states that tend to have more farmland, Altman said.

While there are issues that the Farm Bureau can readily address, others aren’t as simple.
Throughout the early to late 1980s, harsh winter conditions devastated Florida’s citrus crops – especially in Pasco County.

“The entire economy revolved around citrus production,” Altman said. “Two freezes combined killed 98 percent of the producing citrus in Pasco County. It has never been the same since.”
During the aftermath, the Pasco agency has tried to produce alternative crops that could bolster the farm market to the levels that citrus once did.

Farmers have turned to Florida peaches as a viable commodity. While they are plentiful within the county, there are economic obstacles, such as shipping and sales, that have yet to be worked out, Altman noted.

In 2012, Pasco County’s market value for crop and livestock products sold, amounted to more than $73.8 million – representing a 34 percent decline from 2007, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.

Also, the citrus greening disease has plagued many crops, both locally and nationally.

This disease infects the trees of this fruit family when exposed to the Asian insect, citrus psyllid.

Although the infected citrus pose no threat to humans, they are not suitable for consumption because the oranges remain green and taste bitter. This in turn, hurts the citrus market in the county, which has struggled to recover since the winter freezes decades back.

This is a matter of concern for many farmers, including Altman himself, who owns 6 acres of tangerine trees.

While there is no known cure, scientists are striving to find solutions to eradicate this disease.
One successful method of helping stabilize the market has been collaborating with other farm bureaus in different states.

John Blommel plants a high quality Tifton 44 hay on his Dade City field, where citrus once grew. Many farmers are planting hay to protect the soil and minimize erosion of their land.

Upon entering the Dade City bureau office, a refrigerator and shelves stocked with various edibles can be spotted.

Many of these foods come from other states, including jams, jellies, sauces and cheeses.
Florida’s Best is a name brand company that distributes products that the Sunshine State is known for – including orange blossom honey.

Currently the largest production distributed out of Pasco County is live cattle, Altman said.
The Farm Bureau also tries to bring awareness to the public and emphasize the importance of agriculture.

The agency’s members attest to its efficiency by word of mouth – as does its county board of directors.

“We try to find people from a diverse background of agriculture to represent that board and help develop policy,” Altman explained.

One such person on the board is State Sen. Wilton Simpson, of Trilby, who also is a poultry farmer.
As a legislator, Simpson articulates the needs of Pasco County farmers to implement policies in their favor within Tallahassee, Altman said.

The agency also has a presence at the annual Pasco County Fair, taking advantage of the venue in its quest to educate the public about the farm industry.

The Farm Bureau puts a heavy emphasis on educating youth, in particular.

“We focus most of our efforts on young people and trying to make sure that those students [who] want to go into agriculture have our support,” Altman stated.

The agency educates kids through youth programs, such as the local Head, Heart, Hands and Health (4H) club and Future Farmers of America (FFA).

It also goes into Pasco County classrooms to introduce teaching and reading sessions for the students, said Altman, who also sits on the Pasco County School Board.

In collaboration with the Pasco Education Foundation, the bureau also offers scholarships to high school seniors who have an interest in pursuing a degree in an agriculture-related field.

Whether buying from a farmer’s market or a commercial grocery story, Altman said he wants the average consumer to understand the effort that goes into making produce or poultry available.

“Don’t take it for granted,” the agency manager said. “Somebody somewhere has worked extremely hard to produce that commodity and put it on the shelf for your convenience.”

The Farm Bureau isn’t the only organization that encourages youths to become involved in the agricultural industry. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently launched a Youth and Agriculture website to connect young people and youth-serving organizations with department-wide resources that engage, empower and educate the next generation of agricultural leaders.
The website’s three key components include: classroom studies, experiential learning and leadership training.
Visit: USDA.gov/youth.

Published June 26, 2019

Changes coming to Pasco tourist tax collections

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The Pasco County Tax Collector will begin collecting Pasco County’s tourist development taxes, under a change approved by the Pasco County Commission.

Pasco County hotels, motels and other short-term rental accommodations have been remitting Tourist Development Tax collections to the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR).

The Department of Revenue received the collections, then returned them each month to Pasco County.

Under the change approved on June 19, Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office will be taking on those duties. The change will be effective once it is transmitted to the state, expected to occur within 10 days of the board’s meeting.

Fasano’s office also will be responsible for enforcement and audits.

The DOR could have charged administrative costs, but did not do so — meaning that the county received 100 percent of the proceeds, according to Pasco County officials.

Shifting the duty to Fasano’s office will result in some costs, as public education efforts get underway, and enforcement actions begin.

Under the previous system, the DOR collected the tax revenues and the county was entirely dependent on the state’s registration database and reporting methodology, according to background information in the board’s agenda packet.

Florida law has confidentiality requirements that prohibited the release of registrants’ information. Because of that, the county had no way to accurately confirm that all vacation rentals within Pasco were collecting and submitting the tax to state revenue officials.

Fasano has assured the Destination Management Organization, which oversees Pasco’s tourism activities, that his office — being privy to the Department of Revenue’s registrant database — will be able to ascertain if there is non-compliance and will be able to compel compliance.

Under state law, up to 3 percent of the tax collected may be retained by the collecting entity, which would be a new expenditure for the tourism office.

But the tax collector and county officials believe that 3 percent will be off-set, as Fasano’s office identifies non-compliant properties.

Adam Thomas, Pasco’s tourism director, said the switch will improve regulation and enforcement, and will result in a quicker remittance of the funds back to the county.

Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore, chairman of the Pasco County Tourism Development Council, advocated for the shift.

“Keeping this local, in my opinion, is what we want to do,” Moore said. “We’ll be able to manage this program better.”

Fasano pointed to a mix-up that became apparent in January when Hillsborough County increased its sales tax. Some Pasco businesses inadvertently paid the Hillsborough tax “because the businesses and the Department of Revenue thought those businesses were in Hillsborough County,” Fasano said.

“Because of the tax collector’s office stepping up, working diligently with the Department of Revenue, they found $624,000 that was collected and given to Hillsborough County,” Fasano said, noting it was discovered that the problem had been happening for years.

Fasano also noted that a hotel in Wesley Chapel had paid its tourist development tax to Hillsborough. In that case, Pasco County received a check from the Department of Revenue for $58,000, the tax collector said.

Fasano said he believes there are short-term rentals — that should be collecting tourist development taxes, but are not doing so.

Fasano said he wanted to be sure that places which offer short-term rentals, such as RV parks, are collecting the tourist development tax.

“If there’s a short-term rental, that’s a business. That means they should have a business tax receipt,” Fasano said. “We want to be sure that people that are renting short-term, or renting a hotel — overnighters — that the tourist development tax of Pasco County is collected and paid, and I believe we can do that. We would be able to enforce, to put liens, garnish.”

To help track records, Fasano said, “we’re going to work with the Property Tax Assessor’s Office.  “We’re going to be able to find out these things,” he said.

The tax collector predicted it will take about three years for his office to break even, because of the costs incurred to perform additional duties the added responsibilities will require.

Published June 26, 2019

MPO eyes ways to boost transportation funding

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board is looking at ways to fund future transportation projects — including the possibility of increased revenues from the Penny for Pasco program or amendments to the county’s mobility fee program.

Under the current Penny for Pasco program, which expires in 2024, revenues are raised through a one-penny surcharge for every dollar of sales tax generated within the county.

Manny Lajmiri, senior planner for the Metropolitan Planning Organization, was one of several advocates for the new set of Penny for Pasco options. The proposals were presented to the MPO board at its June 11 meeting. (Brian Fernandes)

The tax revenue is divided among the Pasco County Commission, the school board and Pasco County municipalities. The county receives 45 percent; the school board, 45 percent; and the municipalities split 10 percent.

Of the county’s share, 18 percent goes toward transportation needs.

Existing revenue sources within the MPO’s 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan would amount to $3.2 billion, if Penny for Pasco was discontinued after 2024.

Under the 2045 plan, roadway needs are estimated at $7.6 billion – resulting in a deficit.

Wally Blain is a senior project manager at the Tindale Oliver company, which collaborates with the MPO.

Blain presented five scenarios, along with estimates of revenue they would generate, for the board’s consideration.

At a previous meeting, MPO board members considered options that would have allowed voters to renew the penny surtax, while at the same time, implementing an additional penny or half-penny on top. That idea was dropped because it was deemed to “not be a reasonable expectation” for voters to approve, the project manager said.

But, some MPO members expressed concerns about the new approach, too.

“For us to put that burden on future members is concerning to me,” said board member Mike Moore, a member of the Pasco County Commission. “I don’t think those scenarios should be there.”

However, Jack Mariano, also a board member who sits on the Pasco County Commission, had another idea: “I don’t want to cut the transportation down, but we want to look real closely at environmental lands. Maybe it’s time to build more trails [and] sidewalks.”

David Goldstein of the Pasco County Attorney’s Office stepped to the podium alongside Blain, to make a case for the new approach.

Goldstein affirmed that while the scenarios would not clear the deficit, they would result in substantial revenue growth.

MPO member Kathryn Starkey, another Pasco County commission board member, however, moved the conversation toward using mobility fees as a means of raising funds.

Mobility fees are charged to new development to help pay for the transportation impacts they create.

Starkey contends that the county waives fees for some commercial development that don’t need incentives to set up shop in Pasco.

“A source of revenue is to maybe not give discounts to fast food [restaurants] and only give it to targeted industries that bring high-paying jobs,” Starkey suggested.

But, Goldstein said the county commissioners should have taken that into consideration when working out the updates last year. The next mobility fee update is not scheduled for five years, he added.

Goldstein also said that removing incentives on restaurants and even hotels would not result in a significant boost in revenue.

The board took no action on the issue, and additional discussion is expected at the MPO’s August session.

Five scenarios for road funds

  • Scenario 1: Penny for Pasco extends through 2045, with current surtax kept in place

(That would yield an additional $335 million)

  • Scenario 2: Penny for Pasco extends through 2045, with a half-penny added in 2038

(That would yield an additional $398 million)

  • Scenario 3: Penny for Pasco extends through 2045, with a half-penny added in 2028

(That would yield an additional $818 million)

  • Scenario 4: Penny for Pasco extends through 2045, with one penny added in 2038

(That would yield an additional $796 million)

  • Scenario 5: Penny for Pasco extends through 2045, with one penny added in 2028

(That would yield an additional $1.6 billion)

These estimates reflect the accumulated figures from 2025 to 2045, providing the penny program continued past 2024.

Published June 26, 2019