The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pioneer Florida Museum hosts a sweet and spicy event

By

Eleven-year-old Jonah Uilk, of Minnesota, enjoys a cotton candy treat. He was vacationing in Bushnell with his family. He and his mother, Heidi, and grandmother, Diana, were browsing the vendor booths. Ulik, who said he loves cotton candy, thought it was funny that the treat turned his mouth blue. (Christine Holtzman)

Whether they were tasting chili samples, watching syrup being made, or cuddling up with an animal at the petting zoo — there were lots of ways for people to enjoy themselves at Raising Cane, a Sweet and Spicy Event, held on Jan. 12 at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City.

There was a Chili, Chili Verde and Salsa Competition, sanctioned by the International Chili Society, which offered cash and trophies for the first, second and third place winners.

And, there were two local chili challenges, with the City Chili Challenge featuring police chiefs, chamber executives and other local dignitaries. Also, there was a local chili challenge, which was open to anyone who wanted to put their chili or salsa to the test.

Event-goers could pay $5 for a tasting cup to sample and vote on their favorites from the two local chili challenges.

Museum volunteer Marcus Copeland, of Dade City, skims out the impurities in the sugar cane juice that is boiling in a large kettle during the process to make sugar cane syrup. Around 80 gallons will boil for approximately 4 hours. When the process is finished — about 9 gallons of the sweet and sticky concoction will remain as viable syrup.

In addition, there was a Southern Syrup Makers Association Sugar Cane Competition, and there was a petting zoo, featuring baby chicks, rabbits, goats and a horse.

Those who enjoy music could listen to various bands, and could do a little dancing, too.

And, vendors offered a variety of goods.

In addition to the chili and syrup tasting, attendees could take a stroll through the Pioneer Museum to catch a glimpse of Florida life from a bygone era.

Chris LaBorde, director of research with the U.S. Sugar Corporation in Clewiston, and Wayne Davidson, an agronomist with the Florida Sugar Cane League, helped educate the crowd about sugar cane and passed out samples so people in the audience could compare texture and flavor.

Karen Brown-Blonigen, of Tampa, dressed in period clothing, plays a mountain tune on her Dulcimer inside the Pioneer Florida Museum.

Steve Melton, president of the Southern Syrup Makers Association, was there, sharing his knowledge about cane syrup.

Melton said that sugar cane syrup was the staple sweetener more than 100 years ago.

It was frequently used for cooking, and families usually kept a bottle on the table, he said. Its popularity waned over time because of the labor-intensive process needed to produce the finished product.

Perhaps the highlight of the day was a visit to the sugar cane mill to watch the labor-intensive process involved in making a batch of sugar cane syrup.

By Christine Holtzman

Published January 16, 2019

Nine-year-old Mariah Robinson, of Zephyrhills, gazes at a baby chick at the petting zoo. She was at the event with her grandmother, Anne Benedini, of Dade City.
Steve Melton, president of the Southern Syrup Makers Association, puts another log on the fire that is used to heat the large kettle, to boil the sugar cane juice into syrup.

 

Debbie Richter, of San Antonio, left, and Pamela Garrison, of Dade City, sample a taste of chili made by Veni Miller, of Bubba and Cha Cha’s Chili in Georgia. There was a professional chili cookoff and a local chili competition. Event-goers could purchase a sample cup and try up to 10 different types of chili.

Become a mentor, make life better for a child

By

The oldest and largest youth-mentoring organization in the nation, Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay, has launched a recruiting campaign in Pasco County to find caring adult volunteer mentors who want to change the life of a child for the better.

Big Brothers Big Sisters (BBBS) boasts great success with the youth in its programs.

According to a press release, the organization in 2018 served 3,014 children, in Pasco, Hillsborough, Pinellas, Polk, Citrus, Hernando and Sumter counties.

Of those children, known as “Littles,” who were matched with their mentors, called “Bigs,” for at least a year, 98 percent were promoted to the next grade level, and 98 percent had no involvement in the juvenile justice system.

The BBBS organization offers several programs to choose from in Pasco County, all which require only four hours to eight hours of volunteer work each month.

The community-based program enables the Big and Little to spend time together in the evening or on weekends to take part in an activity of their choosing.

The school-based program is for matches that would prefer to meet one hour each week at the child’s school during the academic year.

“This is a great opportunity to have a positive impact on our community,” said Deb Kristol-Irwin, director of partnerships for Pasco County.

She added, “For just a few hours each month, you can change the life of a child, build a lifelong relationship, and have a great time while you’re doing it.”

Anyone interested in learning more about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister can attend one of the orientation and training sessions, offered three times a month throughout Pasco County.

For a complete schedule, visit BBBSTampaBay.org and follow the Volunteer links.

No reservations are required to attend.

Published January 16, 2019

Building a foundation for economic growth

By

Bill Cronin, the president/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has no shortage of ideas when it comes to pursuing ways to strengthen Pasco County’s economy.

He shared a few of those thoughts during a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

Cronin is entering his third year at the helm of the Pasco EDC, and recently was named the Florida Director of the Southern Economic Development Council.

Bill Cronin, the president/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., is in charge of the agency that seeks to expand Pasco County’s economic growth. He recently was named the Florida Director of the Southern Economic Development Council. (B.C. Manion)

The SEDC is the largest and oldest regional economic council in North America, with members in 17 southern states. Each state selects a member to serve with the elected officers on the board of directors, and Cronin was selected from Florida.

For decades, Pasco County has lived with the image of being a bedroom community for Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. That picture is changing, though, as more businesses and industries set up shop, or expand — generating more jobs in Pasco.

The Pasco EDC, in cooperation with Pasco County, continues to lay the groundwork for future economic growth, Cronin said. Funds provided through Penny for Pasco help with those efforts.

If a company is looking to grow, Pasco is an excellent option, Cronin said, spelling out some of the area’s strengths.

“We are right smack in the middle of the fastest-growing market in the United States — and that’s the southeast United States,” he said. “We have such a huge consumer market.”

Besides having one of the largest economies in the world in its own right, Florida also is positioned geographically so that it can penetrate the Latin American market, Cronin said.

But, to be competitive, Pasco must be aggressive in its recruitment efforts, and must work to secure sites and buildings that are ready for development, he said.

“When somebody is looking to locate a business here – there’s 16,000 agencies that do what I do,” Cronin said. “So, when they’re looking at a site, they’re probably looking at about 200 sites, initially. And, they’re trying to narrow it down, narrow it down, narrow it down. They’re not trying to add you.

“We can’t wait for the business to come to us. They’re not going to,” Cronin said.

It’s also important for Pasco to tell its story.

When someone looks at the county’s statistics, for instance, it’s easy to get the wrong impression, Cronin said. “If they’re not careful, they’ll look only at the industry that’s in Hillsborough or Pinellas and assume that we don’t have the work force,” he said.

“I have to remind them (companies) that those are our workforce — and they’re so good that other people want to hire them,” Cronin said, referring to the thousands of Pasco residents who commute to jobs in nearby counties.

The county has room to grow, but it needs more sites ready for companies and industries interested in moving here, he said.

Providing that requires an investment by the landowners, which is a shift in mindset from the days of the past, he said.

“Those landowners are used to people coming up to them saying, ‘I’m going to pay you top dollar, to be able to build my houses there,” Cronin said.

Industrial and commercial sites, however, must be prepared, he said.

“A site is not just a field with cows on it,” Cronin said. “A site has to have some known information, like ‘Where’s your utilities and how long will it take to get them there? Where are your highways? Where is the railroad? How far are you from your workforce? What type of wetlands mitigation is required? Do you have a wetlands delineation certificate?’

“Those types of things cost money.

“In this business, because we’re so competitive, they (landowners) have to go get the business, instead of waiting for it to come to them.

“So, when we have these conversations with the landowner, they say, ‘Well, nobody has ever come to me saying they want to put a factory in, but I’ve got residential knocking on my door every day.’

“So, we have to convince them that ‘Yes, there is a market out there, but you have to go get it,’ ” Cronin said.

Economic development helps everyone, Cronin said.

“For every dollar we get in property taxes, it costs us about $1.25 to serve residential. For every dollar we get from commercial, it costs us about 80 cents to service them. If it’s manufacturing, it’s about 20 cents,” Cronin said.

“So, it behooves us to get some more industrial-type activity, not just from a job creation standpoint, but also from a tax revenue standpoint,” he said.

Brian Fernandes contributed to this report.

Published January 9, 2019

Pasco County adds texting 911 as new option

By

In Pasco County, help during an emergency is now just a phone call — or a text message — away.

Last month, the county’s Department of Emergency Services launched its “Text-to-911” system.

Text-to-911 provides an alternative — and may be especially helpful to those who are hearing impaired and those involved in a hostage or domestic violence situation.

Pasco County is now one of 33 counties in Florida that offer the service to residents. More counties are expected to join, when it eventually becomes state law.

Using his smartphone, Capt. Dan Olds of Pasco County’s Department of Emergency Services demonstrates how the Text-to-911 service works. The county implemented the service last month. (Brian Fernandes)

“There is legislation that is going to make it a mandatory thing by a certain point,” explained Capt. Dan Olds, director of Emergency Services in Pasco County.

While the new option is seen as an asset, law enforcement still encourages the public to call 911, if possible. In essence, they say, call if you can, text if you can’t.

With telephone calls, 911 dispatchers are better able to assess a situation with any background noise, Olds said.

Those texting a call center are asked to deliver “clear, short, concise messages,” Olds said.

Be direct, he advised. Do not use emojis, abbreviations, acronyms or slang, he added.

Olds also noted that photos and videos cannot be sent through to dispatchers.

The service may be offered under an individual’s phone carrier, but authorities still encourage texters to contact their provider to inquire about their data plan.

To reduce delays, dispatchers already have a pre-typed response to a texter’s initial message — which asks about their state of emergency.

Glenda Harris is the operations manager for Pasco’s Department of Emergency Services.

From its beginning stages, Harris has been working with county officials, including Olds, to make sure the service benefits the public.

“As soon as you dial 911, we have a good idea (within) several hundred yards of where you are,” she said, through GPS. In certain subdivisions, she said, the call can be pinpointed to the specific area of a home where the text came from.

The department runs practice drills to ensure that texts are being traced efficiently.

Pasco County’s dispatchers are cross-trained in handling multiple situations whether it involves a fire department, hospital or police station.

With an average of 600 emergency calls coming in each day, time is of the essence.

The dispatchers have direct lines of communication to facilities — which avoids the need of transferring calls, thereby reducing delays.

Within minutes of receiving a text, they can send out an ambulance while keeping the caller occupied.

What’s more, each dispatcher is equipped to handle three incoming texts at a time.

Once texted, their screen will show the phone carrier of the person, plus a general vicinity of the person’s location.

Dispatchers will still ask the location of the texter, to make sure they have the precise information needed.

The system will automatically disconnect after there has been 20 minutes of no communication, but can be resumed with just another text.

Text-to-911 was first launched in 2014 using four major phone providers – Sprint, Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile.

It initially began in several counties in at least 12 states and has gradually expanded across the country.

Since the service was implemented in Pasco County, its call center has seen less than 100 emergency texts in the span of a month.

Harris attributes this to the strong emphasis on using phone calls as a first priority when necessary.

Despite its preference for those with emergencies to call 911, the county hopes that adding the texting option will increase the safety of its residents.

Published January 9, 2019

Zephyrhills class addresses cognitive disabilities

By

Raising a child with developmental issues can be a complex situation for many parents.

Understanding a child’s physiology, as well as health needs, can help parents in making favorable accommodations.

Helping to increase that understanding was the mission set out by Dr. Christopher Schriver during a class last month at the Creation Health and Wellness Center in Zephyrhills.

Dr. Christopher Schriver, far right, explains the physiology of the brain and how it relates to attention-deficit disorder and autism, during a class at Creation Health and Wellness. (Brian Fernandes)

The course, open to the public, was geared toward helping the community to have a clearer understanding of attention-deficit disorder (ADD) and autism.

Both are neurological disorders, which can hinder a person’s cognitive skills beginning at infancy.

Schriver, a chiropractor at the Frank Clinic of Chiropractic in Zephyrhills, thoroughly explained these conditions to the audience.

He used slides to display areas of the brain affected by these disorders, such as the limbic region, cerebellum and prefrontal cortex.

Attention-deficit disorder affects someone’s ability to concentrate for long periods of time.

Autism involves a broad spectrum that may affect such issues as attention, language skills and social behavior to various degrees.

“I almost look at ADD as a very minor form of autism,” said Schriver.

He reasoned that both tend to affect the same areas of the brain, such as the frontal lobe.

When this lobe is suppressed, those with ADD are not able to focus properly, while those with autism may be disturbed by bright lights or loud sounds.

A person’s reflexes to touch can be delayed as well.

While it’s typical for children at 4 months old to 6 months old to respond by turning their head when gently stroked on the cheek, those afflicted by these conditions may not demonstrate any response.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 5 percent of children in the United State have ADD.

One in every 59 children is diagnosed as autistic, and it is four times as prevalent among boys as it is among girls.

While Shriver was growing up, he played football and frequently sustained injuries, which led to trips to a local chiropractor.

His affinity for sports and an interest in aiding the body led him to a medical career.

“I started learning more about what chiropractic can do,” Schriver explained, noting he learned more about the holistic side of the career — not just treating back and neck pain.

He also became intrigued by neurological issues and how they can be addressed.

By reading the book, “Why Isn’t My Brain Working,” by Datis Kharrazian, the chiropractor said he began to understand that there was more than a nutritional component to a healthy mind.

This led him to start assisting underdeveloped kids with various exercises.

Schriver also talked about the importance of a balance in autoimmune cells in the body and how to increase them.

ADD and autism have no known cure, but they can be treated, Shriver said.

Diet plays an important role, he said.

He recommends avoiding products such as artificial food coloring, artificial sugar, MSG, soy and dairy.

Linda Schwartz, who was at the lecture, said the remarks about diet resonated with her.

Her 14-year-old grandson, Marcus, has autism and must stay away from foods that contain dairy, gluten and grains, she said.

“It is a very expensive diet – all organic,” she said, but added, “It’s helped immensely in everything.”

Marcus’ family didn’t pick up on the signs of his condition until he was about 5 years old.

“His is what they call social autism, which is like Asperger’s [syndrome],” explained Schwartz. “He will, for the rest of his life, be at 50 percent growth socially.”

Although she has attended multiple seminars on the issue, she said that she did learn new information during Schriver’s lecture – such as how different parts of the brain react.

She said Marcus has difficulty making friends because of his anger issues and his inability to filter what he says to others.

Schwartz said she worries about whether her grandson will remain committed to his diet when he becomes an adult.

Schriver said he understands these kind of sentiments, from his experiences of working one-on-one with underdeveloped children.

At times, he is there to help when parents need a shoulder to cry on or someone to listen as they vent their frustrations.

“Any parent with a child with a learning disability is just a saint,” Schriver said.

For information on upcoming classes, contact Schriver at .

Published January 9, 2019

Zephyrhills reopens program for senior citizens

By

Margaret Dolly loves playing cards, while socializing with friends — and with the recent reopening of the Zephyrhills Senior Center, she can do that more often.

Pasco County rebooted its Senior Services Division within the city in December, after it had been dormant for a year.

The county and Saint Elizabeth Episcopal Church had a longstanding collaboration to serve seniors in the community, but that came to a close at the end of 2017, after it was determined the arrangement was no longer mutually beneficial, said Tom Snee, assistant manager of Pasco County Senior Services.

Christine Harden, left, Nina Bird, Margaret Dolly and Betty Walker enjoy a game of cards – one of several amenities offered by Pasco County’s Senior Program. The county recently reopened its Zephyrhills branch held at Saint Elizabeth Episcopal Church. (Brian Fernandes)

While the Zephyrhills center was closed, about one-third of Zephyrhills senior recipients began using services at the county’s Dade City branch.

When Diane Cunningham was named the new program director in early 2018, she reached out to Saint Elizabeth Episcopal Church in an effort to resume the services. Now, Zephyrhills has once again joined the ranks with the branches in Dade City, Port Richey, Land O’ Lakes, Shady Hills and New Port Richey, in having a local senior center.

The Zephyrhills program operates at the church’s dining hall, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. It offers a daily meal and social activities.

It’s free and there’s no waiting list. Participants must be at least 60 years old.

However, those younger than 60 can join, as long as their spouse meets the age requirement.

The senior program is a service with a well-documented need.

Florida, which has a population of 21 million, is the nation’s third-largest state and has the highest rate of senior citizens. More specifically, seniors make up 31 percent of Pasco residents.

Besides helping to meet seniors’ social needs, the county’s program also helps address their nutritional needs.

“A lot of times our seniors aren’t eating as healthy as they should,” explained Snee. “Our meals are designed specifically to cater to the nutritional aspects of a healthy senior diet.”

Participants are also kept engaged through various activities such as bingo, yoga, and music therapy.

There are also introductory courses to help familiarize seniors with technology, as well as social media.

Ninety-two-year-old Dolly looks forward to the daily events.

“You get to get out of the house and meet other people,” the former nurse said.

Square and ballroom dancing are also in the works — with the aim of giving seniors a chance to be more physically active, while having fun.

“We try to really put programs into place that get people out of their homes [and] reengaged with the community,” Snee said.

The overall goal is to keep seniors living independently for as long as possible, he added.

Nina Bird, 93, has been attending the nutrition center for two years and previously was a volunteer.

When comparing her working years to her retirement, she said: “I like this better.”

The Zephyrhills center does not deliver food to those who are homebound and those who cannot commute, like other branches do, but plans to expand its program in the future.

Snee attributes much of the program’s success to volunteers who help prepare meals and help with social activities.

“We have a very strong volunteer force,” he remarked, adding, “volunteers are a key part of our business.”

Providing resources to 800 Pasco seniors every weekday also requires sufficient funding.

In conjunction with the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco-Pinellas Inc., the Older Americans Act funds the majority of the program with grants. Pasco County also provides a portion of funds to keep it operational.

The Zephyrhills branch is building up its daily attendance. During December, it had 10 to 18 seniors attending daily — about one-third of what it was before the center closed in 2017.

The county and Saint Elizabeth Episcopal Church are working to put the word out about the center’s reopening. It is using door-to-door flyers, providing presentations at community centers and distributing brochures.

An open house also is planned at Saint Elizabeth Episcopal, 5855 16th St., on Jan. 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., complete with refreshments, music and door prizes. The event will give guests a glimpse of what the program offers for seniors.

Expanding more centers in Pasco County is a long-term goal, although finding locations willing to enter into a public-private partnership is key to making that happen.

Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and Shady Hills branches are partnerships with organizations, while the other Pasco branches are solely owned by the county.

For more information, contact the Pasco County Senior Services at (727)-834-3340.

To RSVP for the open house, call Carolyn Johnson at (352) 521-5151, by Jan. 15.

Zephyrhills Senior Center Open House
Where: Saint Elizabeth Episcopal Church, 5855 16th St., Zephyrhills
When: Jan. 18 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Open to the community, the event allows the word to get out about a place offering a nice social atmosphere and meal for senior citizens in the Zephyrhills area. Refreshments, music and door prizes will be available.
RSVP (optional) by calling Carolyn Johnson at (352) 521-5151, by Jan. 15.

Published January 9, 2019

Child care center coming to Wiregrass Ranch

By

The Wiregrass Ranch community will soon have its own full-fledged child care center.

Kiddie Academy of Wiregrass Ranch is set to open this fall — serving children from 6 weeks to 12 years old.

The 10,000-square-foot facility is being built at 2900 Hueland Pond Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, right across the street from Wiregrass Ranch High School and Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus on Mansfield Boulevard.

It marks the first child care center in Wiregrass Ranch.

Kiddie Academy of Wiregrass Ranch is set to open in the fall. The 10,000-square-foot facility, being built at 2900 Hueland Pond Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, will serve children between as young as 6 weeks up to 12 years old. (Courtesy of Javier Rojas)

Educational day care programming will be offered for preschool, voluntary pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, while aftercare programming will be offered for kids ages 6 to 12 years old; various summer camp programs also will be available.

At build out, Kiddie Academy of Wiregrass Ranch will be able to accommodate 167 students and will have upward of 40 staff members, according to its franchisee and owner Javier Rojas, who was present at a Jan. 3 groundbreaking ceremony for the facility.

Kiddie Academy is a franchise with more than 200 locations nationwide, including a location in Carrollwood and another coming in Westchase. The franchise was founded in 1981.

Rojas, who is chief medical officer at AdventHealth Zephyrhills (formerly Florida Hospital Zephyrhills), said he and his wife, Maggie Delgado, had an interest in opening a franchise in the Wesley Chapel area about two years ago.

Realizing a need for child care in the area, Rojas said the couple set their sights on Kiddie Academy “to give back and be part of this community and extend our roots.”

The Wiregrass Ranch location will utilize the Kiddie Academy Life Essentials curriculum, which promotes each child’s intellectual, social, physical and emotional growth.

A groundbreaking ceremony for Kiddie Academy of Wiregrass Ranch took place on Jan. 3. It will be the first child care center in Wiregrass Ranch. Shown are co-owners Javier Rojas and Maggie Delgado. (Kevin Weiss)

In addition to age-based curriculum, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and music classes will be offered for all ages.

The academy, too, will feature family-style dining, whereby kids will all share in eating nutritious meals together at the same table.

Rojas said at Kiddie Academy, students “learn without knowing they’re learning.”

Rojas added: “Our developmentally appropriate curriculum gives your child a full day of learning no matter what he or she is doing. Some of the best learning happens without your child knowing it.

“Respect, friendship, sharing, compassion and manners — those are the life essentials that Kiddie Academy would like to proliferate,” he said.

The aftercare center, meanwhile, will have playrooms with computers for kids to use for homework, and for fun.

Kiddie Academy also will feature a large outdoor recreation area, equipped with a soccer field, splash pad, playground, race track, and a harvesting garden and other amenities.

Also noteworthy: Instead of a drop-off and pickup line, Kiddie Academy parents will be required to sign in and sign out their children each day, via a check-in system requiring a fingerprint ID.

For more information, call (813) 702-5656, or visit KiddieAcademy.com/academies/wiregrass-ranch/.

Published January 9, 2019

Private school, more retail, on planning commission agenda

By

The Pasco County Planning Commission will consider requests for a private school, and increased retail development, among items during its Jan. 10 public hearing at 1:30 p.m.

Planning commissioners will consider these requests on their consent agenda.

  • Request from Tracy L. and Raul Rodriguez Jr./Keiro Academy, for a private school on 20.6 acres of land zoned for agricultural and residential use. The parcel is on the east side of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, about one-half mile north of Darby Road.

According to the applicant’s information, “Our student population will primarily demonstrate anxiety, sadness, defiance and school refusal issues stemming from technology overuse. Our students simply need to reconnect with nature in a screen-free environment, and to develop social and life skills to succeed. We intend to create a program exclusively for boys age (15 to 20) and seek to maintain a daily census of 32 students who will live on the property.

“Keiro Academy will not accept students with histories of violence, crime, drug or alcohol abuse issues.”

County staff has recommended approval of the request, with conditions.

  • Request for a substantial modification to the Cypress Creek Town Center master planned unit development (MPUD) — Pasco 54, Ltd.; Pasco Ranch, Inc.; and JG Cypress Creek LLC.

This request calls for changes that would allow for an increase of retail/commercial square footage from 1,998,400 square feet to 2,399,500 square feet, which is an increase of 401,000 square feet; a decrease in hotel rooms from 350 rooms to 135 rooms; and, an increase of multifamily units from 230 units to 600 units, on approximately 490 acres of land.

County staff has recommended approval of the request, with conditions.

When an item is on the consent agenda, the planning commission won’t discuss it, unless a member of the board has questions, or someone in the audience wishes to speak on the item.

On their regular agenda, planning commissioners are expected to hear from representatives from Duke Energy Florida LLC, regarding a proposed landscaping plan in connection with the company’s request for an electrical substation on the north side of Satinleaf Lane, approximately 650 feet west of Smith Road, in Wesley Chapel.

The Planning Commission previously approved Duke’s request for the special exception, but that was subject to the applicant submitting a landscaping plan for review and approval.

The proposed landscaping plan calls for more extensive screening than previously proposed, including more trees and different varieties of planting materials.

The planning commission meeting will be in the board room on the second floor of the courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Published January 9, 2019

Zephyrhills to provide new trash bins to residents

By

Zephyrhills residents will be issued new trash bins in the middle of February, free of charge from the city.

The Zephyrhills carts, or z-carts, will be a new alternative to residents purchasing their own bins — as they have done in the past.

The project has been four years in the making, as city officials have strategized what’s best for the community.

Bobby Black, sanitation supervisor of Zephyrhills, shows off the new z-cart which will be issued to the city’s residents and businesses in February. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The 95-gallon cart will run on two wheels and will have a bar code designated specifically for each address.

Instead of being lifted by garbage removal crews, these garbage carts will be picked up through an automated system, using a side-loader truck.

“The automation is the collection mechanism on the truck instead of manually lifting the cart as we do now,” explained Shane LeBlanc, public works director of Zephyrhills. “You let the truck do all the work.”

While the side-loader will be a new addition, the city did not discount using other trucks as backup plans – such as the front-loader truck.

Rear-loader trucks will accommodate areas with narrow spaces, such as alleys.

Z-carts will be primarily for residential use, although they will be added to some businesses.

The carts will be spacious, but residents are asked not to use them for electronic equipment, chemical products or sharp objects, such as needles or glass.

The new approach, LeBlanc said, is “safer for our employees – less on-the-job injuries. There’s all kinds of hazards involved in collecting trash.”

The new trucks require only a driver, but other trucks meant for alleys will still have two additional garbage men for pickup.

Leaves and brush may be put out beside the trash bin, but must be tied in bundles.

Aside from protection and convenience, the project also addresses sanitation.

Many Zephyrhills residents use trash bins, but some leave tied bags at the curb of the road — leaving garbage vulnerable to rodents and causing messes.

Those issues are expected to decrease, with the 8,000 carts the city has ordered, as well as 500 spares.

Pickups will occur twice weekly, and z-carts should be placed by the curb by 7 a.m. Once everything is finalized with contractors, the city will provide the specifics on pickup days.

Zephyrhills is the only municipality in Pasco County with its own sanitation service.

Funded solely by the city, the z-carts will cost an estimated $350,000, while the first side-loader truck this fiscal year will be $300,000.

Next fiscal year, the city plans to purchase another truck, as well as provide automated service for recyclables.

While public reception has been positive, LeBlanc said that one concern has been workers potentially losing their jobs to automation.

He offered this reassurance: “We’re not going to reduce our workforce because we’ll be doing special pickups, dumpster maintenance [and] truck maintenance.”

He also expects a few hiccups along the way, as the new service gets underway. But, he’s confident that the project will run smoothly in the long run.

For more information on the z-carts call (813) 780-0022, or visit ci.zephyrhills.fl.us.

Published January 9, 2019

Cypress Creek plaza still expanding

By

The pace of development at Cypress Creek Town Center is picking up, with new shops and restaurants under construction at two sites within the town center.

Most of the action is taking place along Sierra Center Boulevard, a main artery that cuts through the town center, which is located at State Road 56 and Grand Cypress Drive. Two new shopping strips, each fronting Sierra Center Boulevard, will significantly boost the retail development.

Signs staked amid construction activity herald the coming of HomeGoods, Five Below and Burlington. County records also show additional shops will open, including Hobby Lobby, Sleep Number, Pacific Dental, Verizon Wireless, Dollar Tree and America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses.

Restaurants include Blaze Pizza, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and Walk-on’s Bistreaux & Bar. Earth Fare, a specialty grocery store, is coming, too.

The town center is part of a mixed-use project of retail, offices, hotel and residential under development by Sierra Properties Inc.

The new retail at Cypress Creek will add to established shops and restaurants that line the south side of Sierra Center, including Men’s Wearhouse, Great Clips, T-Mobile, Noire Nail Bar, Ford’s Garage, Bahama Breeze Grill and Chuy’s Tex-Mex.

Even here, new retail is coming, including Sweetea Café. The restaurant’s menu will have freshly brewed bubble tea, and homemade Vietnamese food and snacks.

The new 130-room Hyatt Place Hotel & Sierra Conference Center opened recently at the far eastern end of the boulevard.

On the south side of State Road 56, Sierra Properties also will gain an Aldi grocery store, at 2215 Sun Vista Drive, on a parcel fronting the Tampa Premium Outlets.

The bounty of new shops, restaurants and offices at Cypress Creek represents a fraction of the development rush that is remaking Pasco County.

It is all part of the warp and weave of bringing a mix of retail, office, hotel, industrial and retail to a county with a long-held reputation as a bedroom community.

Development is bringing rooftops, retail, offices, manufacturing and jobs to the county.

“That’s refreshing,” said Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

More development brings new residents, more jobs and added amenities, and it all adds up to a county where people “live, work and play,” Cronin said. “They don’t have to get on the road every day. They don’t have to make the commute.”

More development is on the way in the area surrounding Cypress Creek Town Center, too.

One recent arrival is At Home Décor Superstore on an outparcel at Tampa Premium Outlets.

To the immediate west of Cypress Creek, Brightwork Crossing is well under construction of up to 350 apartments. A WaWa gas station and El Dorado Furniture store also are planned.

The Shoppes at Cypress Creek is being proposed for development at the northwest corner of State Road 54 and Old Cypress Creek Road. Site plans filed with the county last summer show two 9,000-square-foot buildings separated by a breezeway. A “quick service” restaurant also is proposed for an outparcel at the site.

The following stores are scheduled to  open in 2019 at Cypress Creek Town Center:

Hobby Lobby
Plans are for a February 2019 opening, according to an email from Hobby Lobby representatives.

Hobby Lobby is primarily an arts and crafts store, but it offers a broad array of merchandise and hobby materials, including picture-framing, jewelry-making, floral and wedding supplies, cards and party favors, and home accessories.

The Oklahoma-based national chain began with a $600 investment in a home-based venture by owners David and Barbara Green. They opened a 300-square-foot store in Oklahoma City in 1972, according to the company’s website. Today, Hobby Lobby has more than 800 stores in 47 states.

Burlington
Burlington traces its roots to 1924 and a wholesale operation selling women’s coats and junior suits.

Its first outlet store opened in 1972 in Burlington, New Jersey, according to the company website.

Today, Burlington sells clothes, shoes and other accessories at discounted prices to women, men and children.

HomeGoods
The Massachusetts-based discount home furnishing store is part of the family of TJX Companies Inc., which includes TJ Maxx.

Five Below
Five Below sells everything from cellphone cases and chargers to yoga pants, footballs, candy and seasonal items for Halloween, Easter and Christmas.

Sleep Number
The Minnesota-based national chain sells mattresses, beds and bedding.

Pacific Dental Services
The California-based chain provides a full-range of dental services. It has more than 630 offices in 20 states.

Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless sells phones and accessories, as well as tablets and “fitbit” products.

America’s Best Contacts & Eyeglasses
America’s Best offers discounted services, including eye examinations, glasses and contacts.

Dollar Tree
The discount store traces its roots back more than 60 years to the Ben Franklin Variety store, and a concept of selling products for $1. It offers a wide array of products, including drinks, toys, candy, school supplies, home décor, gifts and cards.

Chipotle Mexican Grill
The Denver-based fast-casual restaurant is known for its burritos and tacos, and a philosophy of preparing meals-to-order with fresh ingredients. The company has more than 2,000 restaurants nationwide.

Walk-on Bistreaux & Bar
Walk-on Bistreaux & Bar is a New Orleans-based sports bar that is co-owned by New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees. It was founded by business partners who were walk-ons to the Louisiana State University’s basketball team. They opened their first restaurant near LSU’s Tiger Stadium.

Blaze Pizza
Blaze Pizza is a California-based fast-casual restaurant that serves made-to-order, fresh-from-scratch pizzas.

Earth Fare
The North Carolina-based specialty grocery store stocks its stores with organic, natural and local foods.

By Kathy Steele

Published January 2, 2019