The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pinewood Derby offers Cub Scouts fast fun

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Cars zoomed down a 34-foot-long track at Lake Myrtle Elementary School on Feb. 24, during Cub Scout Pack 323’s Pinewood Derby Cup Series.

Reme Rovi-Garcia took first place; Aiden Gehle took second place; and, Wesley Swank took third place, overall. There were eight categories in the competition: Lions, Tigers, Wolf, Bear, Jr. Webelos, Sr. Webelos, Outlaws and Supercharge. (Randy Underhill)

Sixty-five Cub Scouts, from the Land O’ Lakes pack, tested their racing skills as they pitted cars they had designed against each other.

Contestants had to create their models from pinewood, add wheels and weights, and give them a paint job, too. Then, the vehicles were inspected and weighed, just like in a real race.

During the event, cars were lined up in three lanes at the top of a steep incline and then were released, letting gravity carry each car to the finish line, where official times were recorded.

Greg Mark, chairman of the event, said he enjoyed working on his pinewood with his dad when he was young and wanted to share the experience with his son, Ryder, who is 8.

“He did the majority of it this year,” Mark said. “I want him to learn how to build a race car.

The project begins with a box of wood, four wheels and four axles. Then, it’s fashioned into a car, which is painted. Weights are added to get as close as possible to the maximum weight, so it will perform well in the race.

Gabe Heinzmann, one of the starting officials, stands by as three cars are lined up to start the first round of racing.

“I think it’s an awesome thing for the boys to do with their dads,” he said.

To make the event enjoyable for families, there were other activities, too, including crafts. Food was also available.

“Everybody seemed to enjoy themselves,” Mark said.

The pinewood derby has been part of local Cub Scouts since around 1975.

The creation of a Pinewood Derby dates back much farther.

Dan Murphy, a Cubmaster from Ohio, came up with the idea in 1952. He wanted to do something for kids who were too young for the Soap Box Derby. The Pinewood Derby swept the nation in the mid 1950s and is still part of the Cub Scouts today.

Sponsors of the local event were Christian Brothers Automotive, Cameo Salon and Spa, Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que, Jerry McCarthy State Farm, Russel Marine, Tampa T-shirts, Parker Pest Control, Accurate Signs On Time, 67 Design Co., and Studio 54 Tattoo.

By Randy Underhill

(B.C. Manion contributed to this report)

Published March 14, 2018

Nine-year-old Kenneth Huffman, of Land O’ Lakes, gets a helping hand from Joann Tabarres, of Land O’ Lakes, as they put together a toolbox, which was just one of many activities at the Cub Scout Pinewood Derby race at Lake Myrtle Elementary School.
A collection of Pinewood cars used in previous derbies was on display during the annual Cub Scout Pinewood Derby Cup Series held Feb. 24 at Lake Myrtle Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes.
Starting officials, Gabe Heinzmann, left, watches as Rob Heinzmann, middle, releases the cars and Jon Urban talks with other starting officials at the annual Pinewood Derby competition.
Antonio Rivera’s Jumanji, right, is in the lead, with Michael O’ Conner’s lizard car, middle, close behind, and Jacob Caltron’s red racer trailing, during the Pinewood Derby at Lake Myrtle Elementary.

Hotel, retail, restaurants — arriving soon

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More retail, and a Hyatt hotel, are coming to Cypress Creek Town Center, even as other new shops and restaurants are opening for business.

Along Sierra Center Boulevard, Mellow Mushroom, Great Clips, Mattress One, Men’s Wearhouse and Aspen Dental are open for business. Noire Nail Bar will soon open its doors, too.

Great Clips, Men’s Wearhouse, Noire Nail Bar, T-Mobile and Mellow Mushroom are storefronts in a small retail center at Cypress Creek Town Center. (Kathy Steele)

To the east, Chuy’s Tex Mex is headed to a spring opening, according to a news release from the national chain.

Next door, Bahama Breeze Island Grille is under construction.

A 132-room Hyatt Place hotel and convention center will open in July at the Cypress Creek Town Center, said Dilip Kanji, president and chief executive officer of Impact Properties Inc.

There is a lot of demand for hotels in the Wesley Chapel area, but Kanji said, “There’s not a lot of choices.”

The growth in the area is what attracted Impact Properties to build there.

“Pasco County is the fastest-growing county in the southeastern United States,” he said. “We typically prefer to get in when there are (more) spaces for growth.”

Kanji said the selection for prime locations narrows as more development happens.

At Cypress Creek Town Center, the hotel is situated at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange with immediate access also to Florida Hospital Center Ice and Tampa Premium Outlets.

Hyatt Place Hotel will open in July at the Cypress Creek Town Center.

Sierra Properties’ plans to build a 330,000-square-foot shopping center within the town center also was a draw, Kanji added.

Cypress Creek Town Center is approved for up to 2 million square feet of retail, hotel, apartments and offices, according to county records.

In the past year, new restaurants have opened at the town center along Sierra Center Boulevard, which leads to the Hyatt property. There is Ford’s Garage, Wendy’s, Taco Bell, and Pollo Tropical.

Other shops anticipated including Pet Smart and Burlington Coat Factory.

Kanji provided a list of other anticipated retail in the 330,000-square-foot project when he spoke at a luncheon, sponsored by The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce (renamed the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce).

Kanji said he had permission to release the store’s names, which include Chipotle Mexican Grill, HomeGoods, Earth Fare, Hobby Lobby, Walk-on Bistreaux & Bar, and Blaze Pizza.

Kanji said he expected permitting as soon as April.

Spokespersons for the stores either didn’t respond to emails from The Laker/Lutz News, or wouldn’t confirm their plans.

  • Chipotle Mexican Grill is a Denver-based fast-casual restaurant founded in 1993. Menu items include burritos, bowls, tacos and salads, made to order. There are more than 2,200 Chipotle’s nationwide.
  • Earth Fare is a North Carolina-based specialty grocery store offering organic and natural foods. It has about 45 locations. Most are in the southeast and Midwest.
  • HomeGoods is a discount home furnishing store, based in Massachusetts. It is part of the family of TJX Companies Inc., which includes TJ Maxx.
  • Hobby Lobby is a family owned arts and crafts store that also sells picture frames, jewelry-making items, fabrics, and floral and wedding supplies. Founded in 1972 in Oklahoma City, there now are more than 800 stores in 47 states.
  • Walk-on Bistreaux & Bar is a New Orleans-based sports bar founded by Brandon Landry and Jack Warner. The business partners met in 1997 when they were walk-ons to the Louisiana State University’s basketball team. They opened their first location near LSU’s Tiger Stadium. Today, the company is co-owned by New Orleans Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees.
  • Blaze Pizza is a California-based fast-casual restaurant founded by Elise and Rick Wetzel of Wetzels Pretzels. Similar to Chipotle, customers select the ingredients for their made-to-order, fresh-from-scratch pizzas.

Published March 14, 2018

New community park planned in North Tampa

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A new family friendly county park is coming this fall to the Greater Carrollwood area.

After nearly a year of finalizing its conceptual design, construction is slated to begin next month on the new Carrollwood Village Community Park, at 13055 Delwood Road in Tampa.

The park replaces the site of the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is situated on 50 acres along the west side of North Dale Mabry Highway, just south of West Village Drive.

Construction is expected to begin next month on the new Carrollwood Village Community Park, at 13055 Delwood Road. It replaces the site of the Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant, which is situated on 50 acres along the west side of North Dale Mabry Highway, just south of West Village Drive. (File)

Hillsborough County Public Utilities is presently decommissioning and relocating the existing treatment plant infrastructure, which has been in operation for more than 40 years.

Everything associated with the treatment plant will be demolished with the exception of two reclaimed water tanks, pump stations, an administration building structure and fencing.

Details about the forthcoming park were unveiled during a March 6 pre-construction open house at the Carrollwood Cultural Center. County parks and recreation officials were on hand to answer questions and gather input from residents.

Described as a “passive” community park, the main amenities will include a dog park, multi-use walking trail, splash pad, playground, indoor community space, and picnic shelters.

Other features include a pond, an open lawn, restrooms and parking.

Each of those aspects were finalized and based on input gathered from Carrollwood residents in a series of community meetings dating back to 2015.

Officials say most of the park will be complete by October, with final touches targeted for December. A ribbon cutting is planned sometime this fall.

Speaking at the open house, Hillsborough County parks and recreation director Rick Valdez called the park a “very important project” for Carrollwood.

“We’ve been meeting on this for months, and I think we have a really good sense of what the community wants to see,” Valdez said.

Described as a ‘passive’ community park, main amenities for the Carrollwood Village Community Park will include a dog park, multi-use walking trail, splash pad, playground, indoor community space, and picnic shelters. Other features include a pond and open lawn, along with restrooms and parking. The Hillsborough County Commission approved the $6.5 million project last May. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Parks & Recreation)

Park hours will normally be from sunrise to sunset, with staff on-site to facilitate programming and provide maintenance.

Based on renderings, the park’s main entrance will be off West Village Drive with a secondary entrance to the south, off Delwood Road. The two entrances will not connect, to avoid the potential for becoming a pass-through route. There will also be new pedestrian crossings on West Village Drive and pedestrian park access in the northeast corner of the park.

Offsite work includes re-striping West Village Drive, which includes a left-hand turn lane, deceleration lane and addition of the multi-use trail.

The Hillsborough County Commission approved the $6.5 million project last May.

If more funding becomes available, the county would look to construct an additional playground, an event center, a boardwalk and fishing dock, and a nature center. The items would be part of Phase II and perhaps a Phase III.

“Those are things we want to address; we just don’t have the money to do it right now,” said Kyla Booher, planning and development manager for the county’s parks and recreation department.

More could be on the way if at least one county commissioner gets his way, however.

Eric Denney, a legislative aide to Commissioner Ken Hagan, was at the meeting and said the commissioner is “going to work his tail off to get money in the budget” for Phase II of the park.

Hagan is a northwest area resident and longtime supporter of the park project.

“When everything is said and done, this should be a true community asset —something that will improve the standard of living here in Carrollwood,” Denney said.

The original idea for a new park in Carrollwood became a community-driven, grassroots effort after word spread four years ago about the retirement of the wastewater site.

Public comments on the Carrollwood Village Community Park will be accepted through March 20.

To provide feedback on the project, visit HCFLGov.formstack.com/forms/public_comment.

Published March 14, 2018

Price nearly doubles for ‘diverging diamond ‘

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Construction of the diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 now has an estimated cost of $40 million.

That’s $16 million more than the original estimated cost of $24 million.

Despite the higher cost, construction is still expected to begin this summer.

The diverging diamond interchange relies on multiple lanes with a crisscross pattern, and fewer traffic signals. (File)

The retrofitted interchange is expected to take two years to three years to complete, said Bill Jones, who is the director of transportation development for District 7 of the Florida Department of Transportation.

The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization approved the increased cost at its Feb. 22 meeting in New Port Richey.

The good news for Pasco County is the additional $16 million is not expected to affect any other road projects within the county.

The state transportation department plans to take the money from a reserve fund, said Craig Casper, the county’s MPO director.

At one time, the project had a 2024 start date, but the state transportation department moved it ahead nearly six years.

“We’re excited about the project getting started,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

The interchange is expected to ease the rush-hour gridlock as vehicles maneuver on and off I-75, at one of the busiest junctures along State Road 56.

Tampa Premium Outlets, the Cypress Creek Town Center, Florida Hospital Center Ice, and the future residential community of Brightwork Crossings are boosting retail and residential development in the area.

The diverging diamond interchange provides multiple lanes of traffic operating in a crisscross pattern, with limited traffic signals.

Casper said the projected construction costs increased when it was discovered that additional ground stabilization would be required.

The design will include retaining walls, traffic railings, a shoulder barrier wall, and a permanent sheet-pile wall, according to the state transportation department’s request for the cost upgrade.

The bridge that crosses I-75 will be redesigned with additional lanes on the ramps. Road signs and lane markers will help guide motorists through the diverging diamond interchange, with speed limits dropping to 35 mph on the approach to the interchange.

Published March 14, 2018

Pasco ‘super park’ land near Dade City

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Pasco County recently purchased 155 acres for a proposed “super park” at The Villages of Pasadena, off Prospect Road and Highland Boulevard, near Dade City.

The acreage is conservation land that is the second purchase of a three-phase acquisition process. When complete, the county will have nearly 320 acres for the super park.

Because the 155 acres will remain natural and be used for passive recreation, the $4.6 million purchase price will come from the Penny for Pasco funds set aside for the county’s Environmental Land Acquisition and Management Program (ELAMP).

However, the sale will be treated as a loan, with repayment in the form of park impact fees. Those fees will be collected from new residential and commercial development at The Villages master-planned community.

Also, new development within the Connected City corridor, including the master-planned community of Epperson, will contribute their share of park impact fees for the super park. A road is expected to link Connected City to the super park in The Villages.

“The county is still in the acquisition phase,” said Keith Wiley, the county’s parks, recreation and natural resources director.

Capital funds to design and build the park aren’t available as yet. The final land purchase of about 95 acres also must be negotiated, and approved by the Pasco County commissioners.

“It’s a step in the right direction,” Wiley said.

The inclusion of Connected City as a contributor of impact fees for the park should help in getting the needed funds, he added.

Pasco County commissioners approved the newest purchase in December. The sale closed in January.

When the park is built, it will essentially result in two parks that are the size of district parks, next to each other.

One will be kept in its natural state for passive recreation, such as walking trails and kayaking. It will provide access to Buddy Lake.

The other will be an “active” park with ball fields, playgrounds, trails and other amenities.

There also are plans to co-locate the active park area with a planned elementary school. Co-location is a trend, as the county seeks to make the most efficient use of funds.

The recently opened Starkey Ranch District Park, at Starkey Ranch, is an example of co-location. It was built in partnership with Pasco County Schools, which plans to build an elementary and middle school at the site.

Published March 14, 2018

New school safety measures greeted by controversy

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In the aftermath of a Valentine’s Day shooting spree that left 17 dead at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Gov. Rick Scott has signed into law new restrictions on firearms and increased funding for school safety and mental health care.

The Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, also known as Senate Bill 7026:

  • Raises the minimum age for purchasing firearms from 18 to 21, with some exceptions detailed in the law
  • Requires a three-day waiting period for firearm purchases, with some exceptions
  • Bans the sale or possession of bump stocks, which allow a semiautomatic weapon to fire more like an automatic weapon
  • Gives law enforcement more authority to seize weapons and ammunition from those deemed mentally unfit, or who otherwise pose a threat
  • Creates the new Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, named in memory of the assistant football coach at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, who died protecting students from gunfire.
  • Includes $400 million to keep students safe and to enhance mental health treatment

The new gun regulations have drawn criticism for going too far and for not going far enough.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning (File)

The National Rifle Association announced on its Twitter account that it had “filed a lawsuit challenging Florida’s newly-enacted ban on the purchase of firearms by adults between the ages of 18-21.”

It characterized Florida’s action as “an affront” to the Second Amendment, and said it “totally eviscerates the Second Amendment ‘rights of law-abiding adults to keep and bear arms.’”

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said he’s glad the Legislature has begun to address school safety by funding some of the measures.

However, Browning added: “Although they are saying that we need to have a SRO (School Resource Officer) in every school, they did not give us the funding to accomplish that.

“So, once again, the school district is in a position to have a legislative mandate to do something, and yet we’re scrambling to find the dollars for it,” Browning said.

The district has SROs at its high schools and middle schools, but not at its elementary schools.

“Our hope was that they were going to take any Safe Schools dollars out of the rainy-day fund,” he said. “They did not do that.”

Browning said he and superintendents across the state are grappling with the state’s decision to establish the Coach Aaron Feis Guardian Program, which creates a new $67 million program for county sheriffs to train school personnel to neutralize an active school shooter.

Gov. Rick Scott

Most districts that he’s talked to have chosen not to pursue the program, which will put more guns on school campuses.

Browning said he would have preferred using those funds to help fund SROs, or for building modifications on campuses to improve school safety.

While critics attack the Florida Legislature and Gov. Rick Scott, national protests continue as well.

Students across the country are expected to take part in the National School Walkout on March 14. The event is supposed to last for 17 minutes — a minute for each life lost in the Parkland school shooting.

“I’m pretty confident, based on some conversations we’ve had with principals, that we will have some students who will do that,” Browning said

Browning said principals will make this “as educational as we possibly can, making the connection between public protest, civil disobedience and how that fits into our system of government.”

The National Walkout is planned for 10 a.m., but Browning said that principals have been working with students to minimize disruptions, and some of the walkouts may occur before or after school, or during lunch.

Published March 14, 2018

Happy Saint Patrick’s: Bring on the corned beef and cabbage

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What began as a religious feast day, to honor the day of Saint Patrick’s death, has evolved into a variety of festivals throughout the world — celebrating the Irish culture with parades, foods, music, dancing and all things green.

Corned Beef and Cabbage can be easily made in a slow cooker. (Betsy Crisp)

Saint Patrick’s Day, celebrated on March 17 every year, is reportedly celebrated in more countries than any other national festival.

And, when it comes to celebrating St. Patrick’s Day, there are several possibilities in the way of food.

Last year, this column offered the recipe for traditional Irish Soda Bread.

This year, I considered either Irish Stew or Corned Beef and Cabbage. The latter won the toss.

Although we always think of this holiday and this one-pot meal as an Irish tradition, Corned Beef and Cabbage is really an American tradition.

Corned beef has been around for centuries in most of Europe and the Middle East, where it has been a staple in the diet. Its name comes from the “corns,” which are large grains of salt used to cure the meat. British landowners brought their beef into Ireland, and by the 17th century. Unfortunately, due to the high poverty rate, Irish people could not afford to eat it themselves and became known for exporting this product. Instead, they survived on corned pork and potatoes.

When large numbers of Irish immigrants came to the United States, in the 18th century, they brought the recipe with them. Since beef brisket was cheap, and cabbage was also readily available, they combined the two in what became the staple for the working class here in the U.S.

And, as St. Patrick’s Day evolved into a celebration of Irish heritage and nationality for Irish-Americans, corned beef and cabbage became a holiday tradition for consumers across the nation.

Whether you are one of the 34.5 million Americans who claim Irish ancestry or not, as you celebrate the holiday, you can honor two traditions from those early Irish immigrants: corned beef and cabbage.

Betsy Crisp, MS, LD/N, is a professor emeritus of the University of Florida/IFAS Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences

Recipe
Easy Slow Cooker Corned Beef and Cabbage

Ingredients:
8 red potatoes, cut in half

1 large onion, cut into wedges

4 cups baby carrots

2 cups celery, cut into 1-inch pieces

3 pounds corned beef brisket, cut in half

1 small head of cabbage, cut into wedges

3 cups water

3 cloves garlic, chopped

1 bay leaf

1 tablespoon sugar

2 tablespoons cider vinegar

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 seasoning packet (included with corned beef)

Instructions:

  • Place potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery into the bottom of a large (6-quart) slow cooker.
  • Cut beef in half, and place on top of vegetables.
  • Top with cabbage wedges.
  • In a 32-ounce (4-cup) measuring cup, combine water, garlic, bay leaf, sugar, vinegar, pepper and contents of spice packet. Stir, pour into slow cooker.
  • Cover and cook on LOW for 8 to 9 hours, or until meat and vegetables are tender.
  • Remove bay leaf before serving.

Makes approximately 8 servings.

Published March 14, 2018

Expo offers families summer options for kids

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It’s a perennial challenge for families: Finding the best way to keep their child, or children, occupied during the summer months.

This is a look at some of the fun activities offered at last year’s Family Friendly Summer Camp Expo. Plans call for lots of fun stuff for kids to do this year, too, said Miriam Cook, organizer of the expo. (Courtesy of Miriam Cook)

That’s why Miriam Cook, founder of Family Friendly Tampa Bay, organized an expo that aims to bring parents and providers of summer camps, and other activities, together.

“My whole goal is to arm people with information, with resources, so that they can make the best decisions for themselves,” Cook said.

“With this summer camp expo, we’re giving parents that opportunity to go and kind of make those choices — to have all of those options, so they can make the best choices for themselves.”

It’s a great way for exhibitors to tell parents about their summer camps, and a great way for parents to get their questions answered, Cook said.

This is the second time that Cook has organized the expo, which will be held in two locations this year. It will be held March 24 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Florida Hospital Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The other will be on April 7 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at George M. Steinbrenner Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive in Tampa, in connection with the Tampa Tarpons home opener.

Parents can find out about all sorts of summer options for their children at the second annual Family Friendly Summer Camp Expo. The idea is to arm families with the information they need to make the best decisions for themselves, according to Miriam Cook, the expo organizer.

Both summer camp expos offer a one-stop shop to local summer camps, summer activities, special needs camps, programs and services.

“There’s pretty much something for everyone,” Cook said.

There also will be free weeks of camp, attraction tickets, and products up for grabs for those families who register onsite for their child’s Summer Camp at one of the expos, Cook said.

The events aim to provide information and options for new families moving into the area, and for families who now have school-age children and need to find summer activities for them, Cook said.

“Especially in the Wesley Chapel area, there are so many new families moving in,” she said. “They’re asking: ‘What do I do with my kids in the summer?’

“Having this summer camp expo really does help them out,” Cook said.

Besides gathering useful information, families can take advantage of free activities for their kids at the expo, Cook said.

“We’re going to have laser tag. We’re having a mobile game truck onsite. We have a toddler section. There’s face painting. There’s live entertainment,” she added.

Admission, parking and the activities are free, she said.

“The only thing they have to pay for is food,” Cook said.

Attendees also can pick up a printed list of various summer options.

For more information about either expo, visit FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com, or call (813) 331-5579.

Second annual Family Friendly Summer Camp Expo New Tampa/Pasco Edition
Where: Florida Hospital Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel, 33544
When: March 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Details: Parents that are seeking out summer activities for their children will have a chance to see what 75 exhibitors have to offer. Those attending can purchase a Buy One, Get One skating pass that can be used for a two-hour skating session during the event.
Note: A second expo is planned at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa on April 7.
Info: Visit FamilyFriendlyTampaBay.com, or call (813) 331-5579.

Published March 14, 2018

Pulte to build 350 homes in Wesley Chapel

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Pulte Group’s West Florida Division plans to build 350 single-family residences on the south side of Wells Road, east of Boyette Road, according to a news release from BoardroomPR.

The development will be a Centex-brand community, known as Wesbridge.

Pulte recently purchased about 104 acres for the project.

Sean Strickler, Pulte’s division president in west Florida
(Courtesy of Boardroom PR)

Wesbridge will be targeted to first-time homebuyers, with sales prices starting in the low $200,000s. There will be three different home designs on 40-foot, 50-foot and 60-foot wide lots. Several homes will back up to open space, preserved land and water, according to the release.

Floor plans will range from 1,500 square feet to more than 4,000 square feet. Homebuyers can choose designs with three to five bedrooms, two to four bathrooms and two to three car garages.

Wesbridge also will feature a resort-style swimming pool, splash playground, tot lot and dog park.

“This is an assemblage of four different pieces of property in a prime location,” Sean Strickler said, in a written statement. Strickler is Pulte’s division president in west Florida.

The location has easy access to Interstate 75, Interstate 275 and State Road 54, The Shops at Wiregrass, Tampa Premium Outlets, and the newly opened Wesley Chapel District Park.

It will be located across from Wesley Chapel Elementary School, Weightman Middle School and Wesley Chapel High School.

Wesbridge is Pulte’s third community in Wesley Chapel.

The first, Country Walk, sold out in February 2017, according to the press release. The second is in Epperson, the community that features the Crystal Lagoon.

Pulte is in its second phase of home sales for Epperson.

Wesbridge sales are expected to begin in early 2019, with homes move-in ready by summer 2019.

For information, visit Pulte.com.

Published March 14, 2018

Political groups hold forums, talk strategies

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Democratic Progressive Caucus of Pasco
The Democratic Progressive Caucus of Pasco will have a Democratic candidates’ forum on March 17 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway. The forum will feature Stephen Perenich, Robert Tiger, Kimberley Walker and Kathy Lewis. The public is invited, but due to limited space, please RSVP at tinyurl.com/ybsx6cw.

Pasco Teenage Republicans
An informational meeting has been set for Pasco Teenage Republicans, a group that will promote Republican beliefs in Pasco County and will help in elections by supporting Republican candidates. The meeting will be March 31 from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite 100.

Firefighters endorse Mike Moore
Mike Moore, candidate for District 2 of the Pasco County Commission, has announced that he has received the endorsement of the Pasco County Professional Fire Fighters, IAFF Local 4420.

Susan MacManus talks mid-terms
Dr. Susan MacManus, a widely known expert on Florida politics, will talk about the upcoming 2018 mid-term election at the Republican Club of Central Pasco’s March 26 meeting, which begins with a social hour at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 7 p.m. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Suite, Suites 100. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information, call (813) 996-3011.