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Creating harmony in the hospital

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Florida Orchestra members played several classical selections, including Beethoven, to a crowd of about 200 people at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

The Mallah Garden Atrium at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North, in Lutz, was transformed into a concert hall when The Florida Orchestra gave a free performance on March 16.

Approximately 200 people — patients, staff and visitors — filled the atrium to listen to the classical music presentation. The performance was broadcast to patient rooms for those who could not attend.

Guest conductor Joseph Young led the orchestra through musical pieces from some of history’s greatest composers, giving an overview of each selection’s history.

Conductor Joseph Young acknowledges the audience after leading The Florida Orchestra performance at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North. (Mary Rathman)

Compositions included Ludwig Beethoven’s “Coriolan Overture” and “Symphony No. 1,” Claude Debussy’s “Petite Suite,” and Franz Haydn’s “Symphony No. 82 ‘La Poule’.”

There also was a variety of Bela Bartok’s Romanian Folk Dances.

This was the orchestra’s third appearance at the hospital as part of its health and wellness concert series, aimed at bringing comfort and healing through the power of music.

St. Joseph’s also provided free valet parking, and refreshments and hors d’oeuvres.

Published March 28, 2018

Mr. Bolt was a true ‘staple’ at Wesley Chapel Elementary

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Wesley Chapel Elementary School held an open house on March 16 to celebrate the life of Dan Bolt, a 44-year-old behavioral specialist who died suddenly on March 12.

Mr. Bolt, as he was known at the elementary school, joined its staff in 2003 as a music teacher. He remained in that role until this school year, when he became a behavioral specialist.

Dan Bolt was a foster parent, who recently was able to adopt his two boys. He is shown here with his family: Duane Guy, in back, Juan Guy-Bolt, left, and Jose Guy-Bolt, and Dan Bolt, kneeling.
(Courtesy of Dan Bolt’s familyWesley Chapel Elementary)

Wesley Chapel Elementary Principal Stan Mykita, who joined the school’s staff about 18 months ago, said he immediately thought of Mr. Bolt when he had an opening for a behavioral specialist.

“I knew he was perfect for the job. I knew he had a passion for kids with trauma. He’s done an unbelievable job with those kids,” Mykita said.

“Whatever it took to get kids involved, he was going to get kids involved,” Mykita added.

The school set aside two hours for the celebration of life open house, to allow those who wanted to honor Bolt to come to the cafeteria, leave cards and letters, console one another and express their sympathy to Mr. Bolt’s family.

A video played on a continuous loop, featuring the many roles of Mr. Bolt.

One portion of the video featured him singing a solo, from the musical “Newsies,” during a performance at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

Frame after frame in the video shows Mr. Bolt smiling — surrounded by children, colleagues, family and friends.

In one shot, he’s wearing a Ghostbusters costume. In another, he’s working the book fair.

Another frame featured a letter by a former student, Trunk Nguyen. In the handwritten note, she says Mr. Bolt has been part of her life since she was in second grade. She credits him for helping her to build her confidence and for encouraging her to join the Weightman Middle School band.

When Mr. Bolt died, she wrote, it “truly almost broke all of my heart, seeing a big inspiration to me leave the world.”

His colleagues describe him as someone who was always helping with something.

Staff members shared their thoughts about Dan Bolt on a poster near the entrance of the cafeteria at Wesley Chapel Elementary, where a celebration of life was held on March 16. (B.C. Manion)

People didn’t realize how much Mr. Bolt did, said Denise Tucker, a fifth-grade teacher.

“He would organize the kickball game, the fifth-grade picnic,” she said.

For the end of the year field trip, he would collect the money, purchase the tickets and order the T-shirts, she said.

He did all of those things, “so we could teach,” Tucker said. “He took care of the details. Whatever was necessary, he did.”

School counselor Jennifer Asaro said Mr. Bolt “touched so many people.”

“He was always an advocate for the kids, the teachers.

“Any function that we had here, he was part of — whether it was dances, the character parades, the Christmas musicals, chorus. He ran clubs. He just really cared about all of the kids,” she said.

He also was involved with the school’s All Pro Dad’s club and the school PTA.

Cindy Harper, the first principal at Wesley Chapel Elementary, hired him to join the elementary school’s staff. She recalls the enthusiastic recommendation he received from his former supervisor, who encouraged her to hire Mr. Bolt.

It was a decision she never regretted.

“He made the music classes fun,” said Harper, who drove from Dade City to attend the celebration of life in Wesley Chapel.

People of all ages were at the gathering to honor the teacher.

They hugged one another. They waited in line to offer condolences to the family.

Before the celebration, many wrote notes or signed posters that were on display near the entrance of the cafeteria.

Dan Bolt, in the white shirt and tie, poses in a group shot with Wesley Chapel Elementary students. (Courtesy of Dan Bolt’s family/Wesley Chapel Elementary)

A poster, created by students, offered a glimpse of how much he mattered. ‘Thank you for being the best teacher, ever,’ one student wrote. ‘We miss you,’ wrote another. ‘You were the best music teacher,’ another added.

Staff members also praised their former colleague. “I will always remember your smile and positive energy,” one wrote on a poster. “You were a great team player,” added another. “Thanks for all you did for our children, our community,” wrote a third.

Mr. Bolt was named the teacher of the year at Wesley Chapel Elementary in 2016 and went on to become one of the three district finalists for Pasco County Teacher of the Year.

In a video featuring his accomplishments, he was credited with setting up a 21st century music classroom with embedded technology at the school. He also helped institute the schoolwide Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) clubs, and helped to raise $100,000 for technology in the school’s classrooms.

He was known for his commitment to offering an engaging learning environment, where all children felt welcome.

He also was a generous colleague.

When Kim Mahoney was named Wesley Chapel Elementary’s teacher of the year, she said Mr. Bolt “kind of took me under his wing.”

He helped her prepare her packet for the district’s competition, and she — like Mr. Bolt — was named a district finalist, too.

“He was an amazing man. He did everything and anything around this place,” Mahoney said.

He was loyal, positive and passionate.

“He was a staple to our school,” Mahoney said.

Mr. Bolt was survived by his spouse, Duane Guy; his sons, Jose Guy-Bolt and Juan Guy-Bolt; his sisters, Sherry Bolt, Carol Sedoris and Robin Bolt; and his brothers, Robert Bolt and Thomas Bolt.

Revised March 23, 2018

Wiregrass Ranch students join national walkout

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Students across the nation walked out of classrooms on March 14, in a protest against gun violence and a call for greater action by Congress to keep students safe.

In some cities, protests were marked by students leaving their school campuses, carrying signs and chanting for greater legislative action regulating the sale of guns, particularly assault-style rifles, such as the one used to kill 17 people in a Valentine’s Day shooting spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

A large contingent of Wiregrass Ranch High School students walked out of their classrooms on the morning of March 14, as part of a national walkout to protest gun violence and demand greater action by Congress to address the problem. (B.C. Manion)

During the walkout at Wiregrass Ranch High School, 2909 Mansfield Blvd. in Wesley Chapel, the mood was subdued.

A large contingent of students gathered in the school’s courtyard, observing a minute of silence for each of the 17 people killed at the high school in Parkland.

At Wiregrass Ranch High, before reading the names, 16-year-old Bella Adams, who had organized the walkout, read a statement.

She recalled how Wiregrass Ranch High students celebrated Valentine’s Day that day.

At Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, however, she said, “a former student opened fire with an AR-15, which had been legally obtained, and killed 14 students and three teachers.

“More were injured, and all were terrified,” she said.

Students who were lucky enough to get home from school that day “went shaking and crying,” she said.

Adams said the walkout at Wiregrass Ranch was intended to honor those who had died and also to express “outrage at the relative inaction of our state and federal governments regarding gun control.

“This year alone, nearly 2,800 people have died due to gun violence or gun-related violence,” she said.

“This is not a partisan issue, nor is it something limited to adult discussion. Our schools are targets. Our lives are at risk. Nobody will stand up for us, the students of America. Nobody will speak for us, the children with long lives ahead of us. It now falls to us, the youth that are too often pushed aside and overlooked, to bring attention to gun control until our government finally acts. Starting today, we will be the change, and we will not stop until this purpose is fulfilled,” Adams said.

While Adams read the names of the victims, those in the courtyard remained silent.

Some, including Taylor Horvath and Marisa Paul, bowed their heads, signaling their respect for the victims of the shooting rampage.

Adams wasn’t the only one with a message that day.

Wiregrass Ranch High School students Taylor Horvath, left, and Marisa Paul, bow their heads as a sign of respect, as the 17 names are read, of the students and faculty members killed during the Valentine’s Day shooting spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.

A group of several male students stood near the school’s flagpole, where two of them held a sign that read: “Why punish the responsible gun owner for the government’s failure to act?”

In another part of the crowd, Zachary Bosch held a sign that said “Disarming us will not protect us.”

Bosch said he thinks schools could prevent tragedies, such as the one in Parkland, by arming their teachers.

“Give them the option to be armed,” Bosch said, while noting that those who are armed should be properly trained.

Wiregrass Ranch High sanctioned the walkout.

“I believe that students should have a voice to express their concerns, their opinions,” said Wiregrass Ranch High Principal Robyn White.

Brenda Hodson, a school volunteer at Lacoochee Elementary in Dade City, made the trek from East Pasco to attend the Wiregrass Ranch High walkout.

“I’m here to support the students,” Hodson said.

In the aftermath of the Parkland shootings, Linda Cobbe, spokeswoman for Pasco County Schools, said the district has asked principals to be sure their buildings are as secure as possible, and asks everyone on school campuses to be vigilant.

“If you see something, say something,” Cobbe said.

Zachary Bosch held a sign expressing his belief that disarming people will not resolve the problem of gun violence. He thinks teachers should have the option of arming themselves, as long as they’re properly trained.

The district also is working with local law enforcement to comply with Senate Bill 7026, signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott. That calls for having a school resource officer in every school.

The district now has 37 school resource officers and will need 47 more to meet that requirement, Cobbe said.

She noted the state did not adequately fund the mandate, so that will mean “taking funds from other parts of our education budget, from classroom funds, other operating funds.

“Finding those qualified people and getting them trained in time to be in schools next year is going to be a huge challenge for the sheriff’s office,” Cobbe said.

Senate Bill 7026 also gave local school districts the option of arming nonteaching personnel, who meet training requirements.

Pasco County Schools won’t exercise that option, Cobbe said.

“We don’t plan to arm any of our staff,” she said.

After the Wiregrass Ranch High walkout, Adams said she was happy that it drew a big crowd.

“I was very glad that they maintained their silence, and that it was respectful and peaceful,” she said, despite the media presence, which had the potential of changing the tone of the gathering.

“There were some students who came out to protest our protest,” Adams said, but that didn’t bother her.

“I understand that other people have different views, and they are entitled to those views,” she said.

On the other hand, she said she’s been somewhat taken aback by some of the comments she’s read by adults that have been posted on social media.

“It’s interesting to see how many of them believe that us, teenagers, only participated in that event to skip class,” she said.

One comment she saw described protesting youths as being “liberal sheep.”

“The backlash of some people … is honestly inspiring me to do more,” Adams said. “It’s not a discussion limited to adults. This is affecting us as much as anyone else.”

She said she and other students from Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel and Wharton high schools all plan to participate in the March for Our Lives event planned for March 24.

Marches are planned in different locations, including Washington D.C.

The Tampa Bay version includes a rally and march beginning at 10 a.m., at Kiley Garden, the elevated section of Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, in downtown Tampa.

Published March 21, 2018

Proposed solar farm sparks controversy

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An open house to preview a proposed solar farm in northeast Pasco County drew an impassioned crowd of residents who mostly panned the project.

Tampa Electric, known as TECO, is seeking a special exception permit to build the solar farm on about 350 acres, off Blanton Road in Dade City.

The first public hearing for the project will be with the Pasco County Planning Commission at a future date.

The solar farm, if built, would produce about 55 megawatts of renewable energy. The project represents a $75 million investment from TECO. It is part of the electric company’s master plan to expand its use of solar power.

Tampa Electric operates a solar farm at Big Bend at Apollo Beach, in Hillsborough County. The same technology will be used at a proposed solar farm in Pasco County, if approved.
(Courtesy of Tampa Electric)

By 2021, TECO anticipates investing $850 million in 10 solar projects that are expected to generate energy for about 100,000 homes.

About 120 residents attended TECO’s open house on March 8 at Pasco-Hernando State College, outside Dade City.

The electric company planned the event as a one-on-one exchange between residents and its employees, who stood next to poster boards ready to explain the project.

Midway through the event, however, resident Dot Ward climbed aboard a chair with a plea.

“I suggest we all leave and tell the county we aren’t happy,” she said.

Most appeared to share her opposition to the project, and disappointment with TECO’s event.

“This is the jewel in the crown of Pasco County,” said Pat Weaver, in describing the aesthetics and scenic views on what could become a solar farm.

“This is agriculturally zoned out here,” said Weaver, who is a former Dade City mayor. “Solar is not agriculture. It’s industrial. This is not something you can grow.”

However, Sharon Hanna-West is concerned about future development proposals, if the solar farm is rejected.

She hasn’t decided if she is for or against the solar farm, and she wants more information. She worked with other residents on the Northeast Rural Protection Overlay District.

The Pasco County Commission adopted the district in 2016 as part of the county’s long-range land use plan.

It was a victory for residents, Hanna-West said.

But, she said, “I want ya’ll to think long and hard about this blanket opposition. So, be careful what you hope.”

The solar farm would be built on two sides of Blanton Road, on the southeast corner of Blanton and Frazee Hill Road; and, on the northwest corner of Blanton and Platt Road. The site also is to the north and west of Pasco-Hernando State College’s East Campus.

About 250 acres are owned by State Sen. Wilton Simpson and his wife, Kathryn Simpson. The couple bought the property from Wells Fargo Bank in 2016 for an estimated $1.5 million.

Additional acreage is owned by James Gross & Ranch Inc., according to county records.

Many expressed concerns about noise and loss of property values.

About 464,000 panels would be installed. TECO officials said the panels swivel and follow the sun’s direction, which allows for better energy collection.

In height, the project is equivalent to a one-story structure, they said. They also said noise level is “imperceptible.”

Alma Coston, who lives near the site, was skeptical.

“They say it doesn’t make any noise. That’s a bunch of hooey,” she said.

She said people enjoy the scenic views and rolling hills.

“We’re on one of the highest ridges in Florida,” said Coston.

The regulations set out for the overlay district govern residential development of three houses or more. It also restricts mining operations or other projects that tear up hillsides or impair vistas. Portions of some roads, including State Road 52, Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, Trilby Road and Blanton are designated as “rural-scenic.”

New development isn’t prohibited but would need to meet certain standards, including buffering.

“This (solar farm) isn’t going to protect our view shed,” said Jill Yelverton, who lives directly across from the site.

She also worries about a bald eagle’s nest, located in the southeast corner of the property near Ramsey Road and Blanton. She said she has seen eaglets.

TECO officials said the nest will be protected. Design plans include a 660-foot radius as a buffer. There are no plans to ever develop that area of the property, they said.

Area residents in the past have opposed two housing developments at the site – Berry Hill Estates and College Hill.

“We don’t mind residential, at least, if it’s on one, five or 10 acres,” Yelverton said. “That would be acceptable.”

That’s the current housing pattern in the area, she said.

For more information about TECO’s proposal, visit TampaElectric.com.

Published March 21, 2018

Pasco is testing a new recycling program

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Pasco County commissioners are eager to roll out a new countywide recycling program.

But, first they need to wait for the results of a seven-month pilot study to test the use of carts and pickup schedules.

“My vision is to expand this as quickly as possible to the rest of the county,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr. “It’s exciting that we’re doing this.”

Two haulers — Waste-Aid Systems Inc., and Waste Connections (formerly Progressive Waste Solutions) — reached agreement with Pasco to target households in two areas of the county.

The haulers will provide containers, and schedule pickup days.

Pasco County commissioners approved the pilot study on March 14 at their meeting in Dade City. The county’s cost is about $118,000.

Participants will receive letters in April if they are in the pilot study. And, 1,500 carts will be delivered by May 1.

Residents currently provide their own containers for recycling, which are identified with stickers supplied by one of the haulers. (Mary Rathman)

Initially, the county will collect baseline data from the county’s current schedule of twice-a-month pickup for recyclables. Residents provide their own containers, which are identified with stickers supplied by one of six haulers operating in Pasco.

The study then would determine if recycling would increase if residents receive twice-a-week garbage and once-a-week recycling collection. The pilot program will end in October, and county commissioners will receive a report in November.

The study will collect data on the tonnage, and the rate of participation from residents.

Pilot study participants also will receive educational materials, and observations will be made by the haulers to see if contaminants, or non-recyclable materials, are placed in the carts.

Haulers also will handle repairs and replacement of carts.

“Haulers will find out what numbers they’ll be dealing with,” said Flip Mellinger, the county’s assistant county administrator for public infrastructure. “It’s a learning opportunity for us.”

County commissioners had discussions on increasing the frequency of recycling services at four workshops held between May 2015 and April 2017.

A citizen survey conducted in 2017 got 7,500 responses, with 84 percent in support of once-a-week recycling service. And, 58 percent said they would like a recycling cart to be provided.

County officials at the time said about 27 percent of residents recycled.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said residents moving to Pasco County often come from cities and counties that already recycle.

“They are shocked when they see our lack of recycling here,” she said.

County officials anticipate presenting an update on the study after three months. County commissioners will be looking for opportunities to expand recycling quickly.

“There’s no doubt it’s going to be successful,” said Wells, “I’m not trying to be funny, but it can’t be any worse.”

Published March 21, 2018

Statewide trek aims to support child safety

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Lauren Book is on a journey to show children how to be safe and feel safe.

She is a survivor of child abuse by a live-in nanny. In 2001, at age 16, she made the decision to disclose what happened to her.

As a state senator, and founder of the nonprofit Lauren’s Kids, Book is an advocate for child safety and child abuse prevention.

State Sen. Lauren Book gave high-fives to students at San Antonio Elementary School when they joined her for the ‘Walk in My Shoes’ tour. (Courtesy of Lauren’s Kids)

Now in its eighth year, Book’s “Walk in My Shoes” tour takes her 1,500 miles from Key West to Tallahassee, with zigzags along the way to meet as many students as possible.

On March 13, she stopped at San Antonio Elementary School, outside Dade City, to teach a lesson about “Safer, Smarter Schools.”

Her traveling companion is a floppy-eared blue dog, named Buddy. He is a celebrity among kindergarteners and elementary school students who recognize him from a Safer, Smarter video.

Pasco County Schools adopted Book’s Safer, Smarter Schools’ curriculum several years ago. It is available free of charge to all Florida schools.

Buddy’s appearance – his first at San Antonio – got whoops, high-fives and hugs. He led the students on a walk around their campus as part of Book’s Florida trek in support of child safety.

Book greeted the students with the high energy of a kindergarten teacher, which is what she once was before founding her nonprofit in 2007.

She since has written a memoir, “It’s OK to Tell.” And, she recently published a children’s book, “Lauren’s Kingdom,” about a young girl who is abused by a babysitter, and turns to a friend for help.

Buddy, a floppy eared, blue dog, is a mascot for State Sen. Lauren Book’s campaign for child safety. Book also wrote a children’s book, Lauren’s Kingdom. (Kathy Steele)

“We’re so excited to be here,” said Book, who spent about 20 minutes each with three groups of kindergartners and first-graders.

She drew a stick figure of what they think a stranger looks like. Each time was the same.

He was a man with messy hair and clothes, and mean, angry eyes. He had a gun or knife, or even a crowbar.

But, when she asked them if she was a stranger, they told her no.

And, that was the first lesson on safety.

“Guess what? I’m a stranger,” Book said. “Strangers are just people we don’t know well.”

The rest of the lesson moved on to the “buddies” in a student’s safety triangle. They can be grownups at school or home, and they must be able to drive a car.

Safety was taught with broad strokes, covering a variety of issues.

There was never a mention of child abuse.

Instead, Book asked the children how they would feel if a friend knocked them down. The response would be to tell a buddy.

And, it was another lesson learned.

“If something makes you feel uncomfortable, you’re going to go to someone in your trusted circle,” Book tells them. “You get to decide if a touch is safe or unsafe.”

Lorynn Gutierrez, the school’s guidance counselor, said San Antonio adopted the program about four years ago.

“It’s a safety curriculum, but it also empowers kids to listen to their inner voice,” Gutierrez said.

On average, about four students a year at San Antonio discloses situations of child abuse, she said.

The curriculum is meant to establish a relationship with the children, school staff and parents, said Book. “It’s done in a fun and safe way,” she said.

And, she added, “It’s not a one-and-done road show. So, when they do feel unsafe, kids know who they’ll disclose to and can trust.”

At the end of each session, Book awarded each class with a small, plush toy Buddy. Each student will be able to take Buddy home, but they must write a safety story in a journal that they also take home.

“It’s very important that kids use their voices and advocate for themselves,” Book said.

For information, visit LaurensKids.org.

Town hall sheds light on opioid overdose prevention

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Cesar Rodriguez spent 17 years of his life as a heroin addict.

He overdosed on five separate occasions, only to be saved by first responders who administered him naloxone, or Narcan, an emergency treatment that counteracts the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose.

“If I didn’t have Narcan,” he said, “I wouldn’t be able to sit here and share my experience. I would’ve never had a shot to recover.”

Pasco County Sheriff’s Cpl. Sherry Johnson Tandy demonstrates how to use the Narcan nasal spray to counteract the life-threatening effects of opioid overdose. She said her agency has deployed the medication 60 times, each of which has been successful in preventing an overdose-related death. (Kevin Weiss)

Parent Lisa Conca also has observed the Narcan’s life-saving effects when her son overdosed on heroin.

“I had never even heard of Narcan until that day he overdosed and was taken to the hospital,” Conca said. “Narcan saves lives and gives our kids another chance to help them on the road to recovery.”

These comments came up during a community discussion on opioid overdose prevention on March 8 at North Tampa Behavioral Health, which is located in Wesley Chapel. The event was organized by the Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.

The panel discussion was part of a community-wide effort to provide education about opioid overdose and what individuals can do to save the lives of those suffering with the chronic illness of addiction.

Much of the panel addressed how to access and administer Narcan.

Narcan is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. The medication helps blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing.

Opioids include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone and Vicodin.

“Often the reason (over-dosers) end up passing is because the brain does not have oxygen. This medication helps alleviate that,” said Szilvia Boos Salmon, a pharmacist with Tampa Poison Control.

Along with the nasal spray, naloxone is available in an injectable form.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is one of a number of growing law enforcement agencies to carry naloxone for possible overdose calls.

Pasco Sheriff Cpl. Sherry Johnson-Tandy said the agency has had over 60 deployments of Narcan. Each deployment was successful in preventing an overdose-related death, she said.

In addition to reversing overdoses, the medication is also for deputies and first responders who may become exposed or have incidental contact to illicit fentanyl or heroin at a particular crime scene.

Johnson-Tandy demonstrated how to safely and effectively administer both the nasal spray and injectable forms of naloxone. Free samples of Narcan were later distributed to the audience.

Johnson-Tandy said it’s onset time is anywhere between 1 minute to 3 minutes.

“It works almost just like an EpiPen,” she said.

Narcan is the first and only FDA-approved nasal form of naloxone for the emergency treatment of a known or suspected opioid overdose. The medication helps blocks the effects of opioids on the brain and restores breathing. Opioids include heroin and prescription pain pills like morphine, codeine, oxycodone, methadone and Vicodin. (Courtesy of Amphastar Pharmaceuticals)

“The best thing about this is, if you give it to someone and they don’t need it, it can’t hurt them,” she said, adding if someone overdosed on cocaine or stopped breathing for another reason, it won’t have adverse effects.

The Narcan medication might be needed more than ever.

Opioid overdoses increased by roughly 30 percent across the U.S., in just 14 months between 2016 and 2017, according to a new report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC called the data a “wake up call to the fast-moving opioid overdose epidemic.” It recorded 142,000 overdoses in hospital emergency departments across the nation, between July 2016 and September 2017.

Although not all overdoses in the study were fatal, they are part of the unsettling toll of opioids. Nationwide in 2016, illicit and prescription drug overdoses killed 64,000 people.

The problem is growing locally, too, experts say.

Pasco County had the highest rate of hospitalization in the Suncoast Region for opioid overdoses, according to 2016 data from the Agency for Healthcare Administration.

Additionally, Pasco has tied for fifth highest out of the state’s 67 counties for drug overdose mortality rates over the last few years, according to county health rankings.

There were 165 overdoses in Pasco in 2017— matching numbers from the 2010 and 2011 prescription pill crisis, said Capt. Mike Jenkins, who oversees the narcotics unit for the special investigations division at the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

There’s also been a gradual rise in fentanyl and heroin use in the county over the past year, he said.

Other topics covered during the session included how to prevent opioid addiction and avenues for long-term treatment of people who are dependent on opioids.

Speakers agreed it starts with education and advocacy.

“We can’t arrest our way out of this issue,” Jenkins said. “It takes comprehensive, strategic partnerships to really move forward.”

“Start in the schools early, and educate kids as to how dangerous mom and dad’s pill bottles are,” said New Port Richey-based attorney James Magazine.

Communities must find ways to effectively integrate recovering addicts back into society after they receive treatment, Magazine said.

Rochelle Zwicharowski, a support specialist with the St. Petersburg-based Recovery Epicenter Foundation, said those who have been rehabilitated need to share their experiences.

“There’s 23 million people in recovery, and how many people do you know? We’re too quiet about it. If you’re in recovery, don’t be afraid to speak out about it because we do have to smash that stigma,” she said.

Revised April 3, 2018

Sinkhole solution down to three options

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Pasco County is inching closer to resolving the massive sinkhole that swallowed two houses in Lake Padgett Estates more than eight months ago.

Public Safety officials and county engineers are down to three recommendations on the long-term recovery efforts at the sinkhole site on Ocean Pines Drive:

  • Option No. 1: Install a 6-foot tall “wrought-iron style” decorative fence and access gate around the sinkhole with dead-end signs, at an estimated cost of $65,000
  • Option No. 2: Build the same fence around the sinkhole, with two, 70-foot “hammerhead” turn-arounds, at an estimated cost of $242,000
  • Option No. 3: Build the same fence around the sinkhole with a cul-de-sac on each side, at an estimated cost ranging from $1.7 million to $2.2 million
The sinkhole opened on July 14, 2017, at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive. It eventually swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat in the Lake Padgett Estates community in Land O’ Lakes. (File)

Kevin Guthrie, the county’s assistant administrator for public safety, outlined those possibilities with homeowners at a March 10 community meeting at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

Based on conceptual designs, the county would need to purchase three houses to install a cul-de-sac. That option also would likely require renaming a portion of Ocean Pines Drive.

For a turn-around option, no additional homeowners would be displaced. The county would need to purchase only the area needed for the turn-arounds from homeowners, not their entire properties.

Officials said the main purpose for those two options is to ease access for garbage trucks and emergency vehicles, which presently are forced to drive backwards to exit Ocean Pines Drive.

If the county installs just fencing and landscaping — the cheapest option — Ocean Pines would remain closed off at the site of the sinkhole.

Previously discussed options — such as connecting the sinkhole to Lake Saxon or rebuilding the roadway with sheet piles driven underground — have since been deemed too risky by the county’s geotechnical consultant, Intertek-PSI.

At the meeting, residents were encouraged to provide feedback and jot down comments to be considered by the Pasco County Commission.

Residents take a look at conceptual designs of the Pasco County’s long-term recovery efforts at the sinkhole site. (Kevin Weiss)

Various concerns were raised, from the county’s mitigation costs to how it intends to fund whichever solution is chosen.

The county already has spent more than $1 million for initial cleanup and stabilization of the sinkhole site.

Guthrie said it hasn’t been determined how the county will pay for whichever option, though use of public funds may be a possibility.

Some residents questioned why a fence even needs to be installed at the sinkhole site.

Guthrie stressed that’s a matter of public safety as open waterways touched or owned by the county must be cordoned off.

He guaranteed permanent fencing, at the very least, will be installed due to potential liability issues for the county.

“You can take this to the bank: The county commission, 5-0, is going to put a fence around that,” he said.

Guthrie noted the county is currently in litigation with two homeowners and their insurance companies who haven’t taken responsibility for cleanup and securing the areas of private property affected by the sinkhole — an issue that may not be resolved for “probably decades.”

“If they’re not going to take responsibility, the county has to step in. And, we have to ensure the safety for the citizens,” Guthrie said.

The sinkhole opened on July 14, 2017, at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive. It eventually swallowed two houses, a motorcycle and a boat.

Seven additional homes nearby were also condemned as unsafe, based on subsurface conditions and other geologic anomalies.

Displaced homeowner Dottie Benschoter was among about 30 people attending one of the two community meetings.

The 78-year old and her husband had lived at their Ocean Pines Drive home for more than 40 years — before it was condemned in July.

The massive sinkhole was a shock for her family and fellow neighbors, forcing them to uproot their lives.

“Especially at our age, we never dreamed anything like this would happen,” she said.

“It’s affected my neighbors. We’re all affected mentally, because one day you’re living your life, and one day it changed completely. We had to move everything in one day,” Benschoter said.

She continued: “(The county’s) trying their best, but we still don’t have any answers. They still haven’t made their decision with what they’re doing. They said we have to demolish our homes and pay for it ourselves.”

Guthrie called the entire sinkhole situation “really upsetting and frustrating.”

He added: “I know the homeowners are frustrated but at the same time, we have remediated this hole to the point that we can.”

Guthrie and his staff will present their findings to commissioners at their March 27 or April 11 meeting, at which time a final decision is expected.

Published March 21, 2018

Developers get $6 million county loan to build offices

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A project to build two upscale, premier office buildings will get a $6 million loan from Pasco County.

The Pasco County Commission approved the loan agreement with Atlanta-based Land Investment Partners at its March 14 meeting in Dade City.

No tenants are pre-signed for the office space.

However, if certain performance goals in leasing the buildings are met, the entire loan could be forgiven. It is initially an interest-only loan, with a 10-year term.

Land Investment Partners plans to build two premier office buildings at Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54. Each of the three-story buildings will be 75,000 square feet. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Each three-story building, described as Class A, will provide 75,000 square feet, for a total of 150,000 square feet of premium office space at the southeast corner of Suncoast Parkway and State Road 54.

The site is part of the Suncoast Crossings development property, and is north of Mettler Toledo.

The manufacturing company is building a 250,000-square-foot building in Northpointe Village.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she thinks that intersection offers an excellent example of development.

“I wish all the corners of all our interstates developed this way,” she said.

County officials estimate the project will produce 400 new jobs, and add about $43 million annually to the county’s gross product. Jobs from the project are expected to generate nearly $28 million in total salaries from direct and indirect employment.

“It’s nice and window-y and very pretty,” said Melanie Kendrick, the county’s program administrator for the Office of Economic Growth.

Under agreement terms, the county will wipe out $3 million of the loan if leases are obtained for 75 percent of the first building. The same terms, and elimination of the last $3 million, will apply to the second building.

Land Investment Partners will receive no reduction in principal if the goals aren’t met.

For the project to be profitable, developers estimated rents should be in the range of $32 a square foot to $33 a square foot. But, in the current market for that area, the rents realistically would only be $27 a square foot to $28 a square foot, according to attorney Clarke Hobby, who represents the investors.

“We’re bridging the gap to make it economically feasible,” Hobby said, of the loan.

Pasco’s Office of Economic Growth is pursuing a strategy of building a more diverse economic base that includes industrial and office projects that are more often seen in urbanized areas.

If this project is successful, Hobby said Pasco could “get more urbanized projects to come to Pasco.”

Published March 21, 2018

Pasco Sheriff’s Office unveils app to help stress

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Pasco Sgt. Matt Rosenbloom has handled countless distressing calls throughout his 12 years in law enforcement.

“I’ve seen things that people shouldn’t see out there,” he said.

Sometimes it takes several days for him to get past a particular incident. Witnessing the death of a child, for instance, takes a heavy toll.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said post-traumatic stress is a ‘hidden secret’ in the law enforcement community. Along with the app, the Sheriff’s Office is working on several different projects to address the issue from both the member and the family side, which includes available training regarding emotional survival and coping techniques.
(Kevin Weiss)

It’s something many deputies aren’t mentally prepared for emotionally, the sergeant said.

“We’re trained to deal with the physical dangers and to anticipate knowing that there’s those physical dangers,” Rosenbloom said. “What we are not often aware of are the long-term emotional health dangers that come along with the job.”

To help its members cope with those psychological scars, the law enforcement agency has developed a new smartphone app called Pasco Sheriff’s Office PTS (Post-Traumatic Stress).

The app offers resources, including mental health tools and videos for those who may be suffering from post-traumatic stress.

The app features a stress assessment questionnaire and also provides contact information to those who can provide help, including community partners such as BayCare and the University of South Florida. Other crisis resources include the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline and the National Law Enforcement Officers Hotline.

The tool was developed in-house with help from some outside contractors, as part of a $150,000 pilot program related to post traumatic stress in law enforcement and ways to address the issue.

The funding was included in last year’s state budget that was signed into law by Gov. Rick Scott, after Rep. Danny Burgess and Sen. Wilton Simpson submitted a budget request on behalf of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office.

Along with the app, funding has been spent on several different projects to address the issue from both the member and the family side, including offering training for its members and their families regarding emotional survival and coping techniques.

At a March 15 media conference, Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said post-traumatic stress is a “hidden secret” and “never really been spoken about” among law enforcement circles.

He said the disorder has led to broken families, alcoholism and other problems among deputies, because the issue wasn’t addressed head-on.

The current, sometimes volatile climate for law enforcement doesn’t help matters, Nocco said. This year, so far, more than 30 officers nationwide have been killed in the line of duty.

The sheriff elaborated: “For a law enforcement deputy…you’re going from one person’s worst moment of their life, continuous all day long and then you go home. “We’re called upon during people’s worst times, and then what’s going on more and more in society is — no matter what we do, it is never good enough.

“I can tell you that is overwhelmingly stressing our members now that they know no matter what decisions they make, it’s going to be second-guessed the following day,” he said.

Pasco Sheriff PTS is now available through the Google Play store and soon will be in the Apple store.

Rosenbloom said he has already utilized the tool on a few occasions and has found it helpful.

An app that’s easily accessible
“The quick access is great because I would say for some deputies that immediately after the incident that adrenaline dumps, and now all of a sudden they’re experiencing these feelings.

“They could go on the app right then and there, or it may come days later, where they may start reliving that experience and saying, ‘Is this normal?’ and go back on the app,” Rosenbloom said.

Meanwhile, it provides “a good foundation” for deputies unfamiliar with post-traumatic stress and its effects, Rosenbloom added.

“There may be newer officers…who are not sure whether they’re feeling the right thing or whether they should still be feeling what they’re feeling after a critical incident.

“This app breaks it down, asks questions and, in the end, it gives you an assessment of whether what you’re feeling is correct or not,” Rosenbloom explained.

The app is also meant for deputies’ families. Rosenbloom’s wife, Lena, has utilized the app to access support for herself and her children.

“You need just a couple of taps to get you help,” Lena said, noting its user-friendly capabilities.

“When you’re in a crisis, the last thing you want to do is try and find a phone number, pull out a card and (find) the EAP (Employee Assistance Program) number,” she said.

While mainly geared toward law enforcement and their families, the sheriff encourages anyone to use the tool, if he or she needs guidance or help.

The sheriff specifically mentioned the tool’s usefulness for other first responders, such as firefighters, as well as teenagers, parents and teachers.

“We want everybody to go on here and use this,” Nocco said. “We want to make sure they see it’s available, because the intent when we asked this of the Legislature was to say, ‘Look, we’re going to build it, we’ll develop it, but at the same time, it’s not solely for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. It’s going to be used for everybody.’”

The Sheriff’s Office will not use the app to collect data or information on users, Nocco said.

The app also will be updated continuously as new strategies come along in dealing with post-traumatic stress.

The goal is to provide assistance in time of need, Nocco said.

“Everybody feels like they’re swimming out at sea, and there’s nobody to help them; here’s another life preserver that we’re throwing out there, to help them get help, to make them feel better and to realize that they’re not alone,” Nocco said.

What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
Post-traumatic stress disorder, also known as PTSD, is a mental health problem that some people develop after experiencing or witnessing a life-threatening event, like combat, a natural disaster, a car accident, or sexual assault.

Symptoms of PTSD:

  • Reliving the event, or having flashbacks in bad memories or nightmares
  • Avoiding situations that remind you of the traumatic event
  • Having contant negative beliefs and feelings, such as guilt and shame, or feeling the world is dangerous and can’t trust anyone
  • Feeling overly jittery and alert, and always on the lookout for danger

People with PTSD may also experience other problems. These include:

  • Feelings of hopelessness, shame, or despair
  • Depression or anxiety
  • Drinking or drug problems
  • Physical symptoms or chronic pain
  • Employment problems
  • Relationship problems, including divorce

–Information from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ National Center for PTSD

Published March 21, 2018