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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Efforts resurface in quest to widen Old Pasco Road

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The Long Range Transportation Plan now includes a project to widen a 7-mile stretch of Old Pasco Road, from State Road 52 to County Road 54, which is also known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

The widening had been included in the long-range plan as far back as 2014, but was subsequently dropped.

Now, it’s back in.

The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization board unanimously approved adding the project to its Long Range Transportation Plan, during the MPO’s Jan. 17 meeting. The long-range plan includes projects within a 20-year time frame from 2020 to 2040.

 

Efforts have resurfaced in a quest to get two-lane Old Pasco Road widened to four lanes. No funding for the project has been identified yet. (File)

Ali Atefi, transportation engineer for Pasco’s MPO, explained the thinking behind the potential widening of two-lane Old Pasco Road, to four lanes.

“The benefit is to provide additional capacity for people — for safety mainly and also time-saving,” Atefi said.

The road now primarily serves motorists heading to their homes, or to Cypress Creek Middle High School.

But, future growth on Old Pasco Road includes the construction of a separate school for Cypress Creek Middle School students, a new Instructional Performing Arts Center and a future business park.

The county recently received a $3 million state grant for a county-initiated project known as the Overpass Business Park. The future business  park is less than a half-mile southeast of the intersection of Overpass and Old Pasco.

The next step toward widening Old Pasco would be to include the project within a five-year window for funding, Atefi said.

Construction for expanding Old Pasco Road was passed by MPO board members on Jan. 17. This came as a response to the road’s current traffic, and future plans to build businesses and another school.

Various sources are being explored for financing the project, Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said.

“There’s grants that have to do with road construction,” he explained. “We’ll have to look at possibly going to our legislators and FDOT (the Florida Department of Transportation) to see what they can do.”

It’s a challenge, but one worth taking on, the commissioner added – emphasizing that safety is his No. 1 concern.

“There’s increased traffic, including school buses that are going up and down Old Pasco Road,” Moore said.

With this in mind, Moore advocates the addition of sidewalks, bike paths and medians, as part of the road’s improvement.

The commissioner also noted the potential congestion with the county’s plan to build an interchange on Overpass Road.

This separate project will allow motorists to get off of Interstate 75 by way of Overpass Road – intersecting with Old Pasco Road.

The first step toward pursuing the widening project includes the completion of route studies to analyze potential environmental impacts and road alignments. Once schematics are underway, the MPO will determine how much land is needed for the expansion, Atefi said.

It is too early in the process to tell what impacts construction will have on traffic, he added. However, as the project develops, a traffic maintenance plan will be implemented to address any detours.

Published February 13, 2019

TouchPoint Medical’s headquarters to open in 2020

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Construction began last week on TouchPoint Medical Inc.’s global headquarters on South Branch Boulevard in The Preserve, a new residential community off State Road 54, west of the Suncoast Parkway.

Brian McNeill, president and CEO of TouchPoint — the parent company of TouchPoint Medical Inc. — offered remarks during the groundbreaking ceremony at TouchPoint Medical’s new global headquarters in Land O’ Lakes. (B.C. Manion)

The 142,000-square-foot facility in Land O’ Lakes is expected to be completed during 2020. The company will bring a total of 228 jobs to Pasco County, including 116 new jobs and other positions transferred from several locations.

The project represents more than $23 million in capital investment in Pasco County, according to officials with Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., the agency that seeks to attract new businesses and strengthen existing ones to bolster the county’s economy.

Officials from TouchPoint Medical and its parent company, elected leaders, TouchPoint employees and members of the community celebrated the groundbreaking on Feb. 6.

It was a blue sky kind of day, with speeches filled with enthusiasm — regarding the promise and potential that the new project represents.

When TouchPoint Medical Inc. began working with Pasco County officials, it discovered it shared many common values, said Pascal Testeil, the company’s president.

Brian McNeill, president and CEO of TouchPoint Inc., the parent company of TouchPoint Medical, told the crowd that as a private company the focus is “on doing what’s right for the long-term of the business. And, we look to create value over a long period of time.

“The investment that we’re making here in Pasco, Florida, is an example of our long-term commitment to our business, to our people, and to the communities in which we work and live,” McNeill said.

“I think this moment clearly demonstrates the power of aligning shared interests of private and public resources to create something new and exciting,” he added.

Pascal Testeil, president of TouchPoint Medical, said the company began looking for a location about a year ago, to enable its growth and expansion.

When it began working with the Pasco Economic Development Council’s staff and Pasco County, “we quickly discovered that we shared common values, such as growth, diversity, passion for creating value for customers and a strong sense of community.

“For all of those reasons, we were convinced that our new home should be here, in Pasco County,” Testeil said. “We want to be a contribution to the local economy,” he added.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells said he was pleased to see such a strong turnout of TouchPoint Medical employees at the groundbreaking ceremony, at the site where the company will have its new global headquarters.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells marveled at TouchPoint’s commitment to its employees, and at the sizable presence of TouchPoint team members at the event.

The commissioner added: “We are very excited to bring more jobs and economic growth to Pasco County. The new jobs coming to the county will range from product development, business services, customer and technical support, as well as manufacturing.”

Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco EDC, said “this land represents a great foundation to do business. It’s a wonderful location in the middle of the fastest-growing market in the United States, the southeast U.S.

“The foundation here is also strengthened by the community leaders and elected officials,” Cronin said.

The economic development leader also pledged a continuing partnership with the company.

Company and local officials fling shovels of sand to mark the groundbreaking for TouchPoint Medical Inc.’s global headquarters. It is expected to create 116 new jobs in Pasco County.

“We thank you for making the decision to move here,” Cronin said. “We are here for the long-run. We want to see you grow and prosper.”

TouchPoint Medical incentives
The Pasco County Commission previously approved $1.7 million in incentives to attract TouchPoint Medical Inc., to Pasco County.

The packages includes:

  • About $464,000 to be paid over eight years in return for providing new jobs
  • Up to $150,000 in payments or credits for permitting fees
  • An estimated $980,000 in property tax rebates over 10 years
  • $100,000 in reimbursable employee training costs

TouchPoint Medical will partner with AmSkills as part of training and recruitment.

AmSkills is an initiative that helps high school students, adults and veterans learn manufacturing job skills.

Published February 13, 2019

BayCare continues quest for Wesley Chapel hospital

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BayCare Health Systems is pushing forward in its quest to open a new hospital in Wesley Chapel, despite a challenge filed by AdventHealth’s hospitals in Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Speaking on BayCare’s behalf, Todd Jones recently outlined the health care system’s plans for a 60-bed hospital that would be built on a 111-acre site at the northeast quadrant of Interstate 75 and Overpass Road.

He shared BayCare’s vision for the hospital with about 120 businessmen and businesswomen at the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast, at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in Wesley Chapel.

BayCare wants to put a new hospital along the I-75 corridor because of the dramatic population growth, and an increased demand for health services, said Jones, who is vice president of ambulatory experience and operations for BayCare Health System.

Todd Jones, vice president of ambulatory experience and operations for BayCare Health System, outlined the provider’s vision for a new hospital in Wesley Chapel during a breakfast meeting of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce. (B.C. Manion)

“Anytime you have population growth, there is going to be an increased demand for health services,” he said.

“We want to recruit new primary care and specialty providers to the community.

“One of things that’s frustrating for patients — and this is the thing that affects your health — is when you can’t gain access to the care that you need in some way.”

Beyond recruiting the professionals to work at the hospital, there will be a ripple effect — with providers opening up offices nearby, Jones predicted.

BayCare also wants to provide additional services that would not be based at the hospital, Jones added.

BayCare also plans to do community outreach, and to provide wellness and education activities, Jones said.

It plans to partner with education providers to help provide a path forward for both high school and college students, Jones added.

The construction of the hospital is expected to create 300 jobs, and once it becomes fully operational, BayCare anticipates needing about 300 team members, Jones said.

The proposed services at the hospital include:

  • Emergency services for adults and children
  • Intensive care unit
  • Obstetrical care services
  • Diagnostic lab imaging
  • Physical rehabilitation
  • Behavioral support services

Jones told the audience, people often want to know: “What’s it going to look like? How’s it going to function?”

It will be similar in appearance to BayCare’s St. Joseph’s Hospital-South, which opened in Riverview in 2015. That hospital used the template from St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, which opened in Lutz in 2010.

“We will use the same architects,” Jones said, using whatever was learned during the St. Joseph’s Hospital-South project, much like that project used what was learned at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

“The goal is, you  always want to improve upon yourself,” he said.

It typically takes about three years from the time a hospital is approved, until the physical structure is operating.

The hospital has received preliminary approval from the state for a Certificate of Need, but that has been challenged, so the process will take some time to work through.

BayCare has received word that a hearing is scheduled Aug. 13 through Aug. 22, according to Tiffany Scalone, media relations coordinator for St. Joseph’s Hospitals.

Jones told the North Tampa Bay Chamber crowd: “We will work through the process for the Certificate of Need. We anticipate it will be resolved by October.”

BayCare understands the value of the state Certificate of Need process, Jones said, noting it is intended “to protect the community, so that you don’t overbuild services and you do something the community actually can afford.

“We support that process. We feel like it challenges us to make sure that all of the things that we thought through actually do support the community,” Jones said.

Beyond its plans for the hospital, BayCare also anticipates bringing in some other services.

“We feel like we can get to the community faster with some of the diagnostic services that are needed in the community,” he said. “We’re looking at another location for our outpatient services. Right now, the things that we have identified immediately are around laboratory and imaging, and also urgent care.”

Licia Tavalaiccio, a real estate broker who lives in the area, said she’s excited about the prospect of the hospital coming into the area.

But, she noted: “My concern is traffic. Do we have a plan?””

Jones said the hospital will reach out in the community to involve them, as the hospital planning progresses.

“We would like you to participate. We want you to have input,” Jones said, noting that community participation also extends to helping to identify the community’s needs.

“We try to provide service for the patients where they need it,” Jones said. “We come to you.”

Published February 13, 2019

Making sense of choices available in senior care

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As a generation of Floridians transition into retirement age, they and their families may have questions regarding what senior care facilities have to offer.

Keystone Place at Terra Bella is providing information to help the public find those answers.

The Land O’ Lakes senior living facility had several open house sessions in January to explain the different levels of care available in senior homes.

Keystone Place at Terra Bella is making efforts to educate the public on the lifestyle of senior care facilities. The Land O’ Lakes center opened in May 2018. (Brian Fernandes)

“In general, we did the topic for what is assisted living; what is memory care; [and] what are the benefits,” explained Arlana Guckenberger, community relations and sales director at Keystone Place.

Many people do not understand the distinctions between different levels of care, she said.

Independent living for seniors refers to elderly people who are self-sufficient and have few or no cognitive impairments.

They tend to be seniors who are on the younger end of the spectrum, and simply don’t want the responsibilities of owning a home, Guckenberger said.

Assisted living facilities cater to residents who are somewhat independent, but have physical limitations that may require help with grooming, dressing or getting around.

There are others who need around-the-clock assistance.

“The memory care community is designed for people with Alzheimer’s [disease] or certain forms of dementia, who being out in a larger population is too much stimulus for them,” Guckenberger said.

While individuals vary, residents with dementia can be agitated by loud noises and other stimuli.

A dining hall is not only a place to eat meals, but to socialize and play games with fellow residents at senior care facilities.

They also are prone to wander off in states of confusion.

In memory care units, residents have free range to move about the community, but for their safety, are secured from leaving the premises.

A physician evaluation can determine the type of residency that works best, Guckenberger said.

Those suffering from cognitive declines may be eligible for assisted living, rather than memory care units, she said.

Others, who are recuperating from severe body trauma, may be placed in skilled nursing facilities, she added.

Admission can be a result of incidents, such as falls or strokes, and are Intended to be short-term.

In some instances, a case manager, along with a physician, may decide that an individual is not able to live alone.

When that occurs, the individual may be referred to an assisted-living facility for long-term care.

Some facilities offer a single type of care, but others, such as Keystone Place, offer independent-living, assisted living and memory care residents.

Helping people to understand the different types and levels of care can help dispel the notion that seniors are stuck in a bed at these facilities, Guckenberger said.

Offering various daily options can help residents remain physically active and agile.

And, besides sharing meals in the dining room, residents congregate for other kinds of gatherings, too.

Movies theaters are one of the amenities that can be found at some senior care living facilities. Keeping residents engaged in daily activities is considered important in senior care circles.

Many facilities have a “Happy Hour” to promote opportunities to enjoy refreshments, listen to music and socialize.

At some senior living facilities, current residents serve as ‘ambassadors’ — welcoming newcomers, showing them around and introducing them to other residents, to help them feel at  home.

Making arts and crafts is another avenue — allowing residents to be productive and showcase their creative works.

At Keystone Place, the warm outdoor pool is a big hit, Guckenberger said, noting, “we’ve found that aqua-fitness is huge.”

There are also field trips, where residents can visit museums, malls or restaurants.

In addition to knowing what types of residencies, care and amenities are available, it’s also important to check into the financial aspects of senior living, Guckenberger said.

At the open houses, Keystone addressed not only insurance plans, but also encouraged seniors to compare expenses related to living at home versus those from living at a senior care facility.

While Medicaid and Social Security may help offset costs, there is still other coverage available – especially for former military.

For instance, there’s an Aid and Assistance benefit available to veterans and their spouses that many are unaware of, Guckenberger said.

Through the Elder Resource Benefits Consulting program, those who have served in the military may be eligible for financial assistance, if they meet certain criteria.

There’s a growing need for these types of living facilities, Guckenberger said.

Keystone Place opened last May, and its independent living section already has a waiting list.

Two upcoming open house sessions are scheduled at Keystone Place, 2200 Livingston Road in Land O’ Lakes, to help people gain a greater understanding of interacting with individuals suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease.

Those sessions are set for Feb. 27 and March 6, from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Lunch will be provided and guests are encouraged to RSVP.

Reservations can be made at (813) 388-2121 or online at KeystonePlaceAtTerraBella.com/RSVP.

Published February 13, 2019

‘Facts are facts,’ economic expert says

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Understanding the economy means having a handle on factual information.

That’s not such an easy thing to achieve in today’s environment.

But John B. Jung Jr., the featured speaker at the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 2019 Economic Forecast Luncheon, focused on informing the audience in his talk, “Facts are Stubborn Things.”

Economic expert John B. Jung delivered a talk called ‘Facts are Stubborn Things’ during the Pasco Economic Development Council’s 2019 Economic Forecast Luncheon at Hyatt Place Tampa/Wesley Chapel. About 200 people attended. (B.C. Manion)

“We struggle sometimes when we talk about the economy, because we don’t know what the facts are,” said Jung, who is the senior managing director and head of BB&T Capital Markets.

“You turn on your television, and it’s on Fox News, and you walk into your other room and you’ve got another television and you turn it on, and that’s on MSNBC, you don’t think you’re living in the same country,” Jung said.

“It’s really important, when we talk about the economy, that we get down to facts. Facts are facts.

“The U.S. economy is driven by the consumer. Post-World War II, 70 percent of the GDP (gross domestic product) has been driven by consumer spending. Right this minute, it’s between 73 and 74 percent.

“When does the consumer spend? The consumer spends when they’re confident,” Jung said.

“When the consumer feels confident, good things happen to the United States economy.”

The county’s workforce stood at 155 million workers before the December jobs report came in, which added 304,000 to that figure, he said.

“People have jobs. Consumer confidence is high. The one thing that’s been holding us back has been wage growth,” he said, but there are some signs that is changing.

On the flip side, “We keep creating all of these jobs; we don’t have workers to fill them.

“This will be really interesting, this tug of growth that we’re seeing, and the supply of workers out there,” Jung said.

The productivity of U.S. workers is one strength of the nation’s economy, he said.

“Average productivity growth, it’s a measure of economic performance, the amount of goods produced, divided by the number of hours to produce them. They’ve gone up 2 percent a year, or 36 percent, since 2000,” he said. “The U.S. worker is the most productive worker in the world.

“We keep growing because we increase people’s skill level, we invest in technology, we invest in process. This is really positive,” he added.

The improvement in worker’s skill levels occurred after World War II, the economic expert said.

In 1937, for instance, only 52 percent finished eighth grade; just 26 percent finished high school; and just a handful received training beyond high school, he said.

Access to energy is another strength in the U.S. economy.

At one point, the U.S. relied heavily on oil imports.

“Now, the U.S. is the largest oil and natural gas producer. North America is energy independent. This all happened in the last decade,” Jung said.

The U.S. enjoys a number of advantages and is performing well, but despite those strengths, there are challenges, he said.

The nation’s debt has ballooned.

The average deficit from 1950 to 2005 was $67 billion; from 2006 to 2018, it was $707 billion, he said.

Taxes have increased, too.

“Since the end of World War II, the federal tax revenue has grown 15 percent faster than the national income. Think about that for a minute. That means you are paying more, as a percent of your income,” he added.

On top of that, the future of the Social Security Trust Fund is on shaky ground.

“We got a problem coming, and we know it,” he said. In 1900, there were 10 people under 18 for every 1 over 65. Today, that number is 1.6 and it will go under 1 in 2042.

“It’s just demographics. We’re living longer, and we’re not having as many children,” he said.

“The Trust Fund is scheduled to run out in 2034.

“This isn’t political. This is just math,” he said.

Student loan debt is another issue, he said.

“There’s 1.5 trillion in student debt in this country and a 10.7 default rate,” Jung said, and because of that debt, it’s affecting people’s ability to buy homes or cars.

Overall, though, Jung offered a positive message to the bankers, real estate professionals, elected officials, government leaders, entrepreneurs, workforce trainers, health care providers and others  in the crowd.

“Think optimistically,” he encouraged. “There’s so much good going on in the U.S. economy and this country. Don’t get yourself caught up in the wars between FOX and MSNBC, and all of the mislabeled stuff that’s out there.”

Published February 13, 2019

San Antonio set to repair water leak

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The City of San Antonio will take another stab at fixing an ongoing water leak along Pennsylvania Avenue.

The San Antonio City Commission recently approved additional funds to repair a water leak at Pennsylvania Avenue. The work is scheduled for Feb. 25. (Kevin Weiss)

City commissioners approved $10,000 in additional funds with contractors Superior Siteworks and EA Tapping Services. Of that, $6,000 will go for tapping services and $4,000 will go for excavation work.

The action came during a special commission meeting on Feb. 6, and the repairs are scheduled for Feb. 25.

A road closure will be in effect for a portion of Pennsylvania Avenue between Curley Street and Main Street, for the duration of repairs, which are expected to be complete that same day.

City officials anticipate the following dwellings will be without water during the scheduled repairs, and will be placed under a 48-hour boil water notice:

  • Pasco County Fire Rescue Station 27
  • Businesses on Pennsylvania Avenue east of Curley Street
  • A residential home on Curley Street

The total allocation for the water leak project now totals $22,500.

Commissioners initially awarded a $12,500 bid to Superior Siteworks in December.

The contractor attempted to make repairs on Jan. 28.

But, the project’s scope proved larger than anticipated, officials explained, requiring more funds for a water line stop, and, possibly a water valve replacement.

The water leak was first observed by city officials after Thanksgiving Day, according to Will Plazewski, the town’s water clerk.

The cause of the leak isn’t known, but water started flowing out of the valve rise, Plazewski said.

The city presently has barricades set up along Pennsylvania Avenue, roughly between the City Hall building and Poncho’s Villa Mexican Restaurant, blocking off some adjacent parking spaces and a portion of the roadway that was cut out during the first attempt to repair the leak.

“We need to get this fixed; it’s not getting any better,” waterworks commissioner Eric Stallworth said, at the meeting. “We talked about the budget earlier in the fall, and we knew we were going to have to be making some repairs to our water system.”

In other action, the commission issued a request for proposals for trash collection services; the city’s contract with Waste Connections is expiring.

Published February 13, 2019

Matching up employer needs with workforce supply

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The Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., has launched a three-year pilot program aimed at helping employers meet their workforce needs.

While the program, called the Pasco Talent Pipeline, aims to help employers meet their needs for skilled workers — other desired outcomes will be to improve the prospects for job seekers in Pasco County and bolster the county’s economic development potential.

Turner Arbour is the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.’s workforce development manager. He’s heading up a pilot program that aims to align employer needs with workforce supply. (B.C. Manion)

Turner Arbour, Pasco EDC’s workforce development manager, is leading the effort.

His job involves a lot of listening, a fair amount of talking, and quite a bit of observation and data collection.

The initiative also includes the creation of a website that identifies a clear pipeline to different careers and targeted industries in the county.

The website will result from research and from collaboration between all of the stakeholders, Arbour said. He believes it will be a model for other initiatives in not only in Florida, but across the country, too.

Since assuming his responsibilities, Arbour has spent a good bit of time finding out about the array of organizations in Pasco County that are involved in workforce development.

Those entities include such organizations as AmSkills, CareerSource Pasco Hernando, Pasco-Hernando State College, Pasco County Schools, Saint Leo University and Goodwill.

He’s building a foundation of knowledge so he can share information about available resources when he discusses workforce needs with employers.

He plans to meet with representatives —industry by industry.

“I want to get a good mix of large employers, and medium and small employers. Their needs are, I’m sure different, but also, they’ll be facing some of the same challenges,” Arbour said.

“That first year is a lot of visitation,” said Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC.

In some cases, Arbour will help the employer tap into existing resources to help meet his needs. In other cases, he’ll discover where gaps exist.

When then are obstacles, Cronin said: “We’ll have to determine: Is it individual to that company? Is it individual to that location? Is it unique to that industry?

“If it’s a Pasco County issue, then we can work together with the players in Pasco County to provide some type of solution,” Cronin said.

If it’s an industrywide problem, helping to figure out or create a solution can help make Pasco County more attractive to that type of industry, Cronin said.

“We can use that solution to recruit other companies,” he said, noting, in a sense, the county can say: “We get you. We understand you.”

As data is collected, it can be analyzed to see if there’s a systemic problem and efforts can begin to try to find solutions.

For instance, the data might reveal there’s a shortage of workers in one industry that might be addressed by workers in another industry who have appropriate transferable skills, Cronin said.

To help create a full picture of industry needs and successes, Arbour welcomes an invitation to visit any business in Pasco County.

“I think it’s important to see the operation and see what they have going on there,” Arbour said.

Cronin added: “They don’t have to wait until they have a problem to call. It would be great to have their input now. That way we can make sure their information is included.”

The county wants to be sure it has a full picture — including plants and companies that are located here, but have their headquarters elsewhere.

“The last thing we want to do is miss part of that data,” Cronin said.

The economic development agency also wants to offer help that has staying power, Cronin added.

Often, there are resources available, but companies need help navigating those resources.

“There’s a tendency in a lot of these groups. ‘Oh, call so and so.’ And that’s it.

“That doesn’t work for us,” Cronin said.

If your business would like to schedule an appointment with Arbour, reach him at (813) 926-0827, ext. 231, or by email at .

Published February 13, 2019

United Way of Pasco plans to expand its reach

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As he assumes the helm of United Way of Pasco County, Chuck Anderson said he plans to build on the organization’s previous successes.

Anderson became president and CEO of the organization on Jan. 14, succeeding Alice Delgardo, who retired.

Chuck Anderson, the new president and CEO for United Way of Pasco County, plans to expand community outreach in the county. (Brian Fernandes)

He recently moved to the area from Fort Myers, and he’s well aware of Pasco County’s growing population and increasing demand for services.

United Way is already known for its collaborative work, but Anderson wants to expand those efforts.

The United Way recently got involved as an intermediary, to address financial shortfalls two agencies were facing because of the recent federal government shutdown.

The lack of federal money put the continued operation of two nonprofit agencies in jeopardy.

“The county (Pasco County) and United Way (of Pasco) worked collaboratively to put together a pool of funds to keep two of those programs running,” Anderson said.

He understands, personally, the impacts that a federal shutdown can have because his daughter is a federal employee and has dealt with the consequences of not being paid.

One way to help people who are struggling is to assist them with filling out their federal tax forms, he said. United Way has a program that can help people secure their tax refund checks, he said.

“It puts many dollars back in the pockets of people who otherwise would be indigent,” Anderson said.

The Connecticut native holds a master’s degree in social work and a master’s degree in business — and said that both have served him well throughout his career.

Previously, he taught at Florida Atlantic University and Florida Gulf Coast University.

He also worked for four years at Catholic Charities, a United Way affiliate, serving as a district director and overseeing the organization’s efforts in Lee, Hendry and Glades counties.

In that position, he helped to advance food pantries, senior services, the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and programs for at-risk youth.

He also is passionate about tackling the problem of human trafficking.

Anderson said he was associated with a program that spanned 10 counties and utilized intensive casework.

“We were able to help people go from [being] unable to care for themselves to becoming independent, self-sufficient and able to function successfully in society,” he said.

Anderson believes that those who have resources need to reach out to those who lack them.

He said his life in public service has been fueled by a belief of the power that comes from engaging with other people.

“I thought the best way to help build positive change in the community was by working in the community,” stated Anderson. “It really is holding out your hand and helping somebody up.”

The United Way leader said he intends to implement this principle in Pasco County.

Published February 13, 2019

Paulie Palooza has a new venue

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The annual Paulie Palooza will return to liven Downtown Zephyrhills on Feb. 23, but this year, the event has a new venue: Main Street Zephyrhills at 38537 Fifth Ave.

The new location was selected to incorporate downtown businesses into the festival, said Leesa Fryer, event planning specialist at Gulf Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care.

Aside from shopping at vendors, the Paulie Palooza fest in Zephyrhills allows patrons to relax on lawn chairs with refreshments, while listening to musical performances. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care)

The festival, now in its seventh year, will be from noon to 9 p.m.

Guests can enjoy offerings from a variety of vendors, including food, arts, crafts and jewelry. There will be face-painting for kids, too.

And, the Zephyrhills Brewing Company will be there.

Items will be auctioned off, and there will be prize drawings for items that have been donated by local businesses.

Live musical performances will be given throughout the day.

Admission wristbands are available for a $5 donation. Parking is free and pets are allowed.

Visitors are asked to bring their own lawn chairs, as seating is limited.

All proceeds benefit Gulf Hospice and Pasco Palliative Care.

To register as a vendor, purchase a wristband or for additional information, visit GulfSide.org.

Paulie Palooza
Where: Main Street Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
When: Feb. 23 from noon to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The festival features vendors, prizes and musical performances.
Info: To register as a vendor, purchase wristbands or for additional information, visit GulfSide.org.

Published February 13, 2019

Pigz in Z’Hlls attracts record crowd

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The ninth annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Festival attracted more than 13,000 people, according to event organizers.

Smoke emanates from the grill, as Edwin Alvarez, of Kissimmee, prepares chicken on a stick, which is called Pincho. Alvarez and his boss, Luis Merced, of Largo, prepared food for patrons at the barbecue festival. (File)

Event-goers headed to the festival venue, at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, to enjoy a day of live performances by blues musicians and other bands, and to enjoy barbecue chicken, pork, brisket, ribs and foods offered by other vendors.

Fifty-three teams competed in the professional and backyard categories, with the professional teams having a chance of winning $10,000 in prizes.

Backyard Bro’s took the grand champion honors, while Pig Chika Cow Cow, was the reserve champion.

The backyard division winners were: LaFamigilia BBQ, grand champion; Quid Pro Q, reserve champion; and Bahr’s Smokin’ Butts, third place.

There were also 42 teams, of two people each, that vied for $500 in prize money  in the event’s inaugural cornhole competition.

Efforts have already begun to prepare for next year’s event, slated for Jan. 18, 2020.

Published February 13, 2019