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Seeking to improve Zephyrhills’ code enforcement

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The city of Zephyrhills is taking a hard look at its code enforcement policies — in an effort to maintain property values and make the community more desirable.

According to City Manager Steve Spina, that starts with taking “a holistic view” on the issue.

“When people come to visit, they need to drive through town and see a vibrant commercial business community, a vibrant downtown,” Spina said. “People are going to move a business here and look at the schools, the recreation and the quality of life issues — and if they’re driving from the airport to somewhere else, and it’s not a pretty picture, they don’t stay.”

This image, shown during an Oct. 23 council meeting, provides an example of some of the compliance issues on code enforcement. The city of Zephyrhills is analyzing ways to beef up its code enforcement efforts, in hopes of maintaining property values and making the community a more desirable place to live. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhllls)

During a regular Oct. 23 meeting, the city manager and building inspector Bill Burgess delved into the city’s code enforcement efforts — outlining progress and limitations, along with various initiatives and solutions.

Alan Knight, council president, several weeks ago requested an update on citywide code enforcement issues, citing growing concerns about blighted structures and dilapidated communities.

Attacking the problem head-on is a continuous battle, city officials say.

“A lot of times, code enforcement is two steps forward, three steps back,” Spina said.

“Over the last five to six years, there’s been action, but sometimes it’s just hard to keep up with the level of problems that we face,” Spina said.

Burgess concurred: “We have seen a turn a little in the wrong direction, and it’s a little harder to stay ahead of it than it was in the past.”

City staffers this year have made more than 900 code-related contacts, completing 35 mowing and abatements, which has led to issuing $2,400 in citations and $750 litigation. There’s also been one demolition and two neighborhood cleanups.

From 2011 to 2016, Zephyrhills had 36 demolitions and collected $85,000 in mowing fees and abatements, and liens and administrative costs. Additionally, city staff made more than 7,200 contacts with residents and business owners related to code enforcement issues.

That includes Funk Street, formerly a notorious “drug haven,” south of town. In a span of two years, the city removed 34 trailers and cleaned the site up entirely.

But, addressing similar run-down parts of the city has proven to be a challenging and time-consuming task.

The issues, city leaders say, continually are tied to changes in demographics, drug infestation, cheap housing conditions and mental health issues, among others.

Lack of adequate funding and resources is another issue.

Zephyrhills building inspector Bill Burgess updated council members on the city’s code enforcement efforts. He indicated issues have become more widespread over the past year or so, due to several different factors. (Kevin Weiss)

The city’s Building Department has six employees. It had five in 1991.

The code enforcement division has one full-time and one part-time employee, each able to make five contacts to 10 contacts per day.

Local and federal funds for demolitions of blighted structures also have recently dried up.

“We’re back on our dime,” Burgess said.

Meanwhile, legal procedures in repairing blighted structures often delays code enforcement efforts.

“It can be a lengthy process, just to get one house or one property done,” Spina said.

“When you do make contact, it’s not just simply you go up and knock on a door. Sometimes you have to go back, write letters, do research. It’s time-consuming,” Burgess added.

“It seems easy…but, if they don’t (respond) or if they’re not accepting of that, then we have to go through that whole process, where there’s a lot of time involved,” he said.

Spina noted the city continuously deals with repeat violators, some of whom have been to court or have been jailed before.

“We’re dealing with the same people, over and over. We’ve had people that we’ve put in jail and they’re back out, and there’s no resolution to the problem,” Spina said.

The city also has some absentee landlords and revolving tenants, plus cheap rental rates throughout the city, that contribute to the problem, Spina said.

The city is ranked fourth nationally in affordable housing.

“That’s a good thing for different communities, depending on economic and social conditions, and job opportunities, but it also can be a negative,” Spina said.

In light of ongoing struggles, Spina outlined several initiatives to try to solve code enforcement issues “from a number of different ways.”

Some of the ideas he presented, include:

  • Planning for CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) funding to help with neighborhood blight
  • Toughening up city ordinances, to include citing rental owners, as well as tenants, for code violations
  • Consulting with other communities, such as New Port Richey, on their code enforcement plans
  • Utilizing Zephyrhills Police reserve officers, once the reserve program is re-established, to assist with related code enforcement matters
  • Developing an in-house demolition program
  • Continuing with neighborhood cleanups to assist in removing household trash, debris, appliances, tires and so on
  • Adding staff to the code enforcement division

The formation of an interdepartmental intelligence committee, coordinated by the Zephyrhills Police Department is one step that’s already been taken.

The task force — involving police, utility workers, public works employees, Planning Department, Community Redevelopment Agency — places more people on the streets to look for issues, and watch for abnormal behavior and suspicious activities.

Spina noted it’s already netted several arrests since the summer.

“We see how it’s working. It’s a key element of what we’re doing, and it shows the need also for interdepartmental cooperation and how well people work together,” he said.

The city’s lien forgiveness program and neighborhood cleanups also have netted encouraging results, Spina said.

More staffing for the code enforcement division, however, garnered the most attention—and support—from the council.

“Personnel is the key to this,” Mayor Gene Whitfield said.

Council president Alan Knight also suggested taking “a serious look” at staffing, considering the city’s impending growth — like the development of 1,500 new homes.

“I think our code enforcement people are doing a real good job. It’s just a massive job,” Knight said.

Councilman Lance Smith, meanwhile, suggested a “more aggressive” comprehensive plan on code enforcement.

The plan, he said, would specifically identify programs, staffing needs and technological opportunities, to be implemented sometime next year.

“We need to look at it really seriously,” Smith said. “I’d say right now maybe we’re treading water, but if we’re not going to do more, then we’re going to be underwater.”

Published November 1, 2017

Woodland Elementary gets $12 million makeover

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The signs of construction are everywhere at Woodland Elementary School, at 38203 Henry Drive in Zephyrhills.

The beeping sounds of equipment backing up fill the air, as crews from Wharton-Smith Inc. Construction Group move about, working on a new building that’s going up on campus.

Andrew Simpson is the project coordinator for Pasco County Schools, overseeing the $12 million makeover project at Woodland Elementary School. (B.C. Manion)

The 25,274-square-foot building includes eight classrooms, a music room, an art room, a stage, a cafeteria and a kitchen, said Andrew Simpson, project coordinator for Pasco County Schools.

Architectural plans by Furr & Wegman indicate a cafeteria designed for about 376, which will be used for school lunches, and will have a stage for school performances.

The $12 million project also includes remodeling work.

The old cafeteria and kitchen will be converted into four new classrooms and a science, technology, engineering and mathematics lab, Simpson said.

“It already has the plumbing. It already has the drains. It already has the electrical capacity,” he added, during a recent walk-through at the construction site.

Beyond the new building, other differences that parents, students and staff may immediately notice are the new entrance that the school will have when it opens for the fall 2018-19 school year, as well as new signs, a longer car rider loop and a larger administrative suite.

Restrooms are being updated, too.

Work on the new building will be completed by July, Simpson said.

The remodeling work will be done before classes begin in the fall of 2018, he added.

A worker digs in a hole behind the new classroom building being added at Woodland Elementary School.

A quick look around the current campus reveals scores of portable classrooms — a sure sign that Woodland’s enrollment exceeds its capacity.

Built in 1976, the school was designed for 652 students. Its enrollment now stands at around 950 students, but it has exceeded 1,000 in recent years.

“This school is severely over capacity,” Simpson said. “That was a lot of the reason that the school board decided that we needed to try to add capacity.”

With the additions, the school’s new permanent capacity will be 900 students.

The new building will add 176 student stations and the renovation will yield 72 more, according to Furr & Wegman’s plans.

The project also calls for enlarging the administrative area, while shrinking the space devoted to the school’s media center.

With the advent of digital technology that can be used in classrooms, the media center is not being used the same way it used to be, Simpson said. So, a portion of the media center will be converted into space for the new administration suite.

Work has been proceeding well, without any major surprises, Simpson said.

Hurricane Irma slowed down the project, but that time has been made up, he added.

“The labor is our biggest challenge. There’s so much going on,” he said, noting a billion-dollar renovation project at Tampa International Airport “is eating up labor.”

Published November 1, 2017

Video production class: Seeing life through a different lens

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Students in the first period class in the Academy of Digital Video Production program at Wesley Chapel High School seem to have a clear idea of what they need to do, and when they need to do it.

Jillian Choinski is acting at technical director, switching between camera shots. (B.C. Manion)

They take their spots in the control room, behind the cameras, seated at the anchor’s desk, or standing near a wall — to film that day’s WCAT daily morning news.

Occasionally, there’s a problem with a camera, or they need to reread line, but the students are focused, and, within a few minutes they’re done.

Filming the daily newscast is just one of the myriad ways these students get to learn the ins and outs of video production, according to Stephanie Bertig, who oversees the program — which is the only one of its type in Pasco County Schools.

The Academy aims to teach students how to property frame and shoot video, as well as become certified on either Adobe Premiere or Final Cut Pro editing software, Bertig said.

Those skills will have value to the students, regardless of the profession they pursue, she noted.

Besides the daily news, students also get to create music videos, commercials, public service announcements and short films, said Bertig, now in her third year at Wesley Chapel High.

During the recent filming, 17-year-old Justin Taylor was acting as senior producer, ensuring the production team and anchors were on track.

He said he initially enrolled in the program to get a fine arts credit out of the way.

“I ended up just loving it, so I’ve been doing it ever since,” said Taylor, who is now considering a career in the film industry, either in directing or editing.

The program has taught him how to analyze what he’s seeing on television, or in a film.

Steven Richardson and Amelia Defilippis work in the control room during a recent taping of the WCAT daily news show.

He’s learned in the class, for instance, how “most shots will change every 3 (seconds) to 7 seconds.”

He explained: “You change shots to keep it fresh.”

He enjoys creating videos, and said the most challenging aspect is deciding what kind of video to shoot.

“Really the difficult part is not creating a video, it’s planning a video. Writing the script, writing the storyboard. The pre-production is kind of the difficult part,” he said.

He said he knows how to complete those tasks. The challenge is deciding what to feature in a video, given the vast array of possibilities.

Sixteen-year-old Montel Roundtree, a junior, delivered the sports and lunch news during the recent taping.

Roundtree, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, said he enrolled in the program because he’s interested in stop-motion animation.

“That’s what I plan to do,” he said.

He attends Wesley Chapel High on school choice and is glad to be in the Academy.

“I think it’s an amazing program. I have certainly learned a lot, and it’s fun, really fun,” said Roundtree, who said he’s not related to Reginald Roundtree, the anchor on WTSP 10 News.

Seventeen-year-old Peter Politano, of Land O’ Lakes, handled the floor manager duties during the taping.

He gives the Academy high marks.

“I feel like it’s one of the backbone programs of the school,” said Politano, who is glad to be part of it.

“I like being creative. I like expressing my thoughts through videos. No other class does that except for TV production,” he said.

Junior Jillian Choinski hopes to pursue a field that will allow her to use the skills she’s developing.

“I want to do something behind the scenes, not in front of the camera,” she said.

Seventeen-year-old Billy Criqui, of Wesley Chapel, was working one of the cameras during the taping.

He enjoys being part of the program. “It’s so different from everything else that they have here,” he said.

Peter Politano, is floor manager and Billy Criqui works a camera during taping of the WCAT daily morning show.

Sixteen-year-old Christabel Yonly, of Wesley Chapel, was in charge of the weather report that day.

She enjoys the class, but doesn’t expect to pursue a career in video production. However, she does want to get her certification in the Adobe products.

Like some others in the program, 16-year-old Steven Richardson originally wanted to get a fine arts credit.

“But then I started to really like it because I get to express my creativity,” said Richardson, of Wesley Chapel.

Seventeen-year-olds Austin Edwards and Ricky Perez are both interested in careers that are related to what they’re learning now.

“Every time I watch TV now, all I can think about is what shot they have. The rule of thirds they have. Their head room. What they did to get the shot,” Edwards said.

“I’ve been told a lot, ‘If you do what you love, then you never have to work a day in your life.’ So, hopefully, I can start doing something like this,” he said.

Perez is interested in a career that involves shooting news packages.

He enjoys being part of the Academy.

“I think it allows you to be creative with your decision-making. It allows you to work with a team,” he said.

Perez also enjoys his classmates: “You can make friends here. It’s awesome.”

Seventeen-year-old Amelia Defilippis has been taking television production since middle school. She thinks the program instills important traits, such as self-reliance and responsibility.

For 17-year-old Ariana Shiwbalak the program is just the beginning of reaching her goal to be a broadcast journalist.

She said she knows that the media has been labeled as purveyors of fake news, but she wants to help change that.

“I love it with a passion,” she said.

Being an anchor makes her nervous, but she said that’s OK.

“You know how when you’re at the top of a roller coaster? You’re scared to go down. But, once you go down, it’s a really good feeling. That’s basically how it is,” Shiwbalak said.

Award-winning videos:
Pasco County Sheriff’s 2017 competition: Colton Bierly and Robby McLaughlin
2016 Kinder Vision — The Greatest Save — Teen PSA: First Place, ‘Gone’ by Amelia Defilippis and Sean Portillo
McDonald’s of Tampa Bay’s Classroom FUNds 2016 Contest: Emily Lorentsen and Faith Mercer

Published November 1, 2017

Imagine charter school needs growing room for programs

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Imagine School at Land O’ Lakes is experiencing growing pains.

Classrooms are full.

The gymnasium is a part-time lunchroom.

The school’s solution is to build a two-story wing off the rear of the gymnasium, adding about 13,000 square feet of space.

Imagine Charter School in Land O’ Lakes will open a new, two-story expansion in August 2018 to accommodate school programs, and add a dedicated lunch room.
(Kathy Steele)

The expansion provides enough room for seven classrooms and a dedicated lunchroom.

The goal is to open the new extension by August 2018.

The lunchroom café and a teachers’ lounge will be on the first floor. Additional rooms will be on the second floor. The rooms can be used as classrooms, if needed, but their primary purpose is to house programs, such as band or makerspace.

Enrollment is 775 students, just a handful short of the school’s goal of 800 students. While the school has a waiting list, the expansion isn’t about increasing enrollment.

“We just need extra workspace,” said Imagine Principal Aimee Williams.

The gymnasium is transformed into a lunchroom daily, and then cleared out.

That’s not a big problem during the school day, Williams said.

“It’s more for the sports and afterschool programs that makes it difficult to swap out,” she explained.

A pre-application meeting with county planners was held on Oct. 23.

Details on the project are being worked out prior to construction.

This year, the school will graduate its first class of eighth-graders who began at Imagine in kindergarten.

Imagine opened nearly a decade ago in a business park in Ballantrae. The move to its current location, at 2940 Sunlake Blvd., came in 2012. The school’s charter extends to 2028, following a fifteen-year renewal in 2013.

Teachers are STEAM-certified. STEAM stands for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics.

The school received an A grade from the state for 2016-2017. It educates students from kindergarten through eighth grade, who come to the public charter school from Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, New Port Richey, and even Hillsborough County.

The school has won accolades.

Imagine received the 2016 Promising Practice Winner by Character Counts. In 2015, it was runner-up in the National School of Character competition by Character Counts, and a runner-up for National School of the Year by Imagine Schools.

Imagine is owned and operated by an affiliate of Imagine School Non-Profit Inc., which has schools nationwide.

It’s a point of pride that the Land O’ Lakes campus is part of the Pasco County community, the principal said.

“We definitely feel we are part of Pasco County and want to add whatever we can to the community,” Williams said.

Published November 1, 2017

Zephyrhills council approves fire assessment fee study

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The City of Zephyrhills may be adding fee assessments, as a reliable measure to boost the city’s general fund and support operations.

The city council unanimously approved a study analyzing the impact of a fire assessment fee, during a regularly scheduled meeting on Oct. 23.

City Manager Steve Spina said a fire assessment fee — placed on individual property owner parcels throughout the city —would generate $1 million to $2 million annually toward the operation of the fire department.

It could also, at some point, result in a reduction of the city’s millage rate, he said.

“It’d be very similar to the Municipal Servicing Tax Unit that the county does,” Spina said.

The assessment study, performed by Stance Consulting, will provide the city with a detailed model for the development of a 10-year financial plan.

The cost for the development of the fire assessment study is $33,384. Implementation assistance ($8,500) and outside legal sub-consultant fees ($6,330) bring the cost of the program to about $48,000.

Spina acknowledged the program is “pricey,” but noted it could also be utilized if the city wanted to assess a stormwater fee in the future.

Last month, the city passed a Resolution of Intent informing residents and the Pasco County Property Appraiser and Pasco County Tax Collector offices that fee assessments are being considered.

In other action, the city council approved a three-year agreement with current City Attorney Matthew E. Maggard.

The term, which runs through Oct. 21, 2020, will pay Maggard $135 per hour for the first year and $150 per hour for the final two years. The contract also requires the city to pay a minimum fee of $700 per month as a retainer.

Attorney services were rendered at $125 per hour all of last year.

Maggard has served as the city’s attorney since last August, when he took over for Joseph A. Poblick, who stepped down to serve on the Pasco County Court.

Maggard also is an attorney with the law firm of Hersch & Maggard P.A., in Dade City and Zephyrhills.

He said the service fee for the first year of the contract is fair, noting “there are still some things in government work that I’m still learning to navigate, that will take a little extra time.”

“I think I’ll be a little more qualified and a little more experienced after one more year,” Maggard said.

The city manager, meanwhile, spoke positively of Maggard’s services to Zephyrhills over the past year.

“I’ve found him to be very informed, probably the most professional and agreeable city attorney to work with. He works with all the staff. He’s easy to get a hold of,” Spina explained.

Council members expressed similar feelings regarding Maggard and his expertise.

“He’s done a very professional job ,” councilman Charles Proctor said. “Anytime I’ve ever had any questions, if he didn’t answer the phone, he promptly called me back with an answer. I believe we’ve got a good guy here.”

“I could tell right from the (job) interview that I was going to like him,” councilman Ken Compton said. “He’s been nothing but professional, on the spot, very easy to get along with, and very accurate and very assertive and proactive with what he’s done.”

Council vice president Lance Smith added he’s glad the city has hired a local attorney “who provides a professional service to the city.

“Hopefully we can stick with him for quite a while. Hopefully he doesn’t get tired of us,” Smith said.

Published November 1, 2017

New retailers open at Tampa Premium Outlets

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Tampa Premium Outlets has added four new retailers, and four more will open in time for holiday shopping season, according to an announcement from Dancie Perugini Ware Public Relations.

Tampa Premium Outlets is adding new retailers to its shopping directory, including Pop Cult. The store sells posters, gifts, figurines and accessories. (Kathy Steele)

The four new recently opened retailers are Volcom, Pop Cult, Green Mango and Happy Dough.

  • Volcom designs, markets and distributes board sports-oriented items, including clothing, footwear, accessories and related products for young men and women. It is open in Suite 638 near Under Armour and PacSun.
  • Pop Cult sells mid-20th century and early 21st century global mainstream items such as posters, gifts, figurines and accessories. It is open in Suite 938 near Steve Madden.
  • Green Mango serves up fresh cups of mango, with a twist. Customers can get their treat with a hint of lime, chili powder or simply freshly peeled. It is in a kiosk outside of Market Hall, near Auntie Anne’s.
  • Happy Dough scoops edible gourmet cookie dough that is safe to eat, has no preservatives and can be baked. It is in a kiosk near Under Armour, and across from PacSun.

The four other shops that are coming in the fall are Bath & Body Works, Finish Line, Candy Barrel and Lavender Nails & Spa.

  • Bath & Body Works offers personal care products. White Barn will open in conjunction with Bath & Body Works. It offers diffusers and home décor. Find both at Suite 860.
  • Finish Line offers top brands in footwear, clothes and accessories. The shop is opening in a new space in Suite 830, near American Eagle Outfitters.
  • Candy Barrel is a candy emporium with sweets and treats from old-fashioned hard candy to flavor nerds. It will open in Suite 420 near Guess.
  • Lavender Nails & Spa is a full nail and spa salon that will open in Suite 430, also near Guess.

The new arrivals add an eclectic mix of merchandise and sweet treats to the mall’s store directory.

Nearly 100 name-brand shops offer daily savings on merchandise of about 25 percent to 65 percent.

The outlet mall is at 2300 Grand Cypress Drive, off State Road 56, at the Interstate 75 exit, in Lutz.

For information, visit PremiumOutlets.com/tampa.

Published November 1, 2017

Academy at the Lakes creates bold vision for the future

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Now celebrating its 25th anniversary, Academy at the Lakes is taking a long view — and making some big plans.

While specifics are still a work in progress, the school envisions the creation of a third campus on 47 acres it acquired in 2013 from the MacManus family, of Land O’ Lakes, according to Mark Heller, head of school.

Mark Heller, head of school at Academy at the Lakes, said work is underway to plan for Academy at the Lakes’ future. He’s excited about the possibilities.
(B.C. Manion)

The private, independent school in Land O’ Lakes, at 2331 Collier Parkway, has an enrollment of 450 students, from preschool through grade 12. Besides Land O’ Lakes, its students come from New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Lutz, Trinity, Spring Hill, Dade City, Hudson and Holiday, New Port Richey, Westchase and Odessa.

It now has campuses on both sides of Collier Parkway.

The third campus would be off 20 Mile Level Road, on land that is undeveloped, except for the former MacManus family home.

Plans for that third campus include athletic facilities, a new lower division school for grades kindergarten through fourth grade, and an environmental sciences education area.

It also would include the infrastructure that’s needed to support those facilities, Heller said.

The site off 20 Mile Level Road offers an exciting opportunity for environmental learning, Heller said.

Entering that site, Heller said, “you travel through a beautiful Florida wetland. A cypress swamp, water, wildlife, a beautiful canopy of trees.

“We aim for that to become an environmental science education area,” he said, adding that Academy at the Lakes’ vision includes classrooms and boardwalks, and perhaps an observation tower.

It would be a place, Heller said, “where, not only the children from Academy at the Lakes can learn to be good stewards of this gift of the fragile ecosystem,” but children from other schools would be able to attend environmental programs, too.

This banner communicates the message that Academy at the Lakes aims to convey to its students, staff and faculty.

The site is just off State Road 54, in a rapidly developing area in Land O’ Lakes.

“When you’re here at Panera and RaceTrac, you’re in the heart of suburbia. You go 200 yards up 20 Mile Level Road and you’re in Old Florida. What we want to do is preserve this as Old Florida and use it as a community educational tool,” Heller said.

There’s also the possibility of using some of the school’s land at that site for a first-rate aquatic swimming center, with an Olympic swimming pool, he said. “We’re looking at partnering with someone else.”

Other potential plans include work at the school’s existing campuses.

There’s talk of expanding the school’s early childhood center. And, moving the lower division would allow the school to increase its middle and high school enrollments.

Other potential plans include adding a new robotics and technology center, adding a Maker Space and making other campus improvements, such as a quadrangle in front of McCormick Hall, Heller said.

Heller expects the school to begin moving on some, or all, of these ideas within the next few years, but said there’s no specific timetable or cost estimate available yet for the school’s future expansion plans.

Published November 1, 2017

Bexley wins national design award

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Bexley by Newland Communities is now a triple award winner for 2017.

The master-planned community, located off State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, won a 2017 Best in American Living Award (BALA) from the National Association of Home Builders, according to a news release from The Leytham Group.

Aerial view of the master-planned community of Bexley. (Courtesy of Bexley by Newland Communities)

Bexley was named Best Community in the category of Single Family Communities with 100 units or more.

The Best in American Living Awards recognizes outstanding achievement by builders and design professionals in the regional housing industry.

In making award decisions, BALA considers categories, such as, single-family production, custom, multifamily, affordable, remodeling, community and interiors.

Bexley will be honored at the BALA Awards ceremony at the International Builders Show in Orlando in January 2018.

Previously, Bexley earned two Grand Aurora Awards as the Best Master-Planned Community and Best Recreational Facility in the Southeast at the Southeast Building Conference earlier this year.

Bexley is a joint venture partnership between North America Sekisui House LLC, and Newland Real Estate Group LLC.

North America Sekisui House is the United States business unit and full subsidiary of Sekisui House LTD., Japan’s largest homebuilder.

Newland Communities is the development division for Newland Real Estate Group, and the master developer of Bexley.

Bexley Elementary School, at 4380 Ballantrae Blvd., which opened in August is the largest public elementary school ever built in Pasco County. School district officials recently had a dedication ceremony at the school.

Bexley by Newland Communities offers residents Avid multi-modal trails, 11 outdoor fitness stations, custom playgrounds and a BMX bicycle pump track. There is an event lawn for community gatherings, including a seasonal live music concert series to benefit Feeding Tampa Bay.

The Bexley Club is a gathering place in the community. And, residents and the public can dine at the Twisted Sprocket Café for breakfast, sandwiches and salads, beer and wine.

For information, visit BexleyFlorida.com, or call (813) 425-7555.

Published November 1, 2017

Food relief site at Pasco fairgrounds

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A federal emergency food relief program found a new location, and set new dates, to aid qualifying residents who lost food during Hurricane Irma.

Applications will be taken Nov. 5 through Nov. 8, from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, 36722 State Road 52 in Dade City.

Similar events have been staged in counties in the Tampa Bay area that have drawn tens of thousands of applicants.

The events have been plagued with reports of larger-than- expected crowds, hours-long waits, and traffic gridlock.

Previously, Pasco County commissioners had approved an agreement with the Florida Department of Children and Family Services to allow an emergency food relief program at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, off Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

The department, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, is administering the Food for Florida relief program.

Before the Pasco County Commission initially approved the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center, they raised concerns about the location because it’s on a busy corridor and at a recreation complex with youth athletic activities. After approving it, they quickly regretted the decision, and on Oct. 16 sent a letter to DCF officials withdrawing from the agreement.

The new site has one feature lacking at the recreation center – 20 acres for parking.

Fair association officials also have years of experience in handling crowds and traffic. Some of their staff will help with parking and other activities.

“We have traffic flow and people flow down to an art,” said Dicky Brown, president of the fair association.

The rental agreement with DCF was finalized on Oct. 18, Brown said.

The agency will have the use of two buildings, including restroom facilities, and an open field for parking.

It’s a major undertaking, and a strain on any community, Brown added. “But, we can get people off (State Road) 52 faster than anywhere because we have 20 acres of parking.”

The search for a new site was a countywide effort among local governments and agencies, including county commissioners, the school district and law enforcement, said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr.

“It’s (fairgrounds) the only location that made sense and everyone worked together,” said Wells, who is on the fair association’s board.

The DCF will have hundreds of employees on site during the four-day program. Law enforcement from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Dade City will aid in traffic and crowd control.

Residents who come to the site can qualify for food replacement for September and October, based on income and losses suffered during Hurricane Irma.

People who currently receive food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, aren’t eligible. Instead, they will be compensated with extra benefits through the monthly program.

For eligible applicants, Disaster-SNAP, or D-SNAP debit-style cards, will be issued if the applicant lived or worked in one of the 48 declared federal disaster counties from Sept. 5 to Oct. 4.

To speed up the process, DCF officials encourage applicants to preregister at least a day before coming to an application site.

For information, visit Dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access/fff/.

Published October 25, 2017

Pasco students share their special talents

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The ovations and cheers seemed endless.

The smiles, too.

Special needs students from four Pasco County schools shared their unique skills on Oct. 20 before more than 100 parents, peers, school faculty and community members.

The ninth annual Showcase for Exceptional Talent was in the auditorium at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

Zephyrhills High’s Ryan Womack performed an impressive cover of ‘It’s Not Unusual’ by legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones. He was one of 25 acts during the 90-minute show. (Kevin Weiss)

The event allows all of the special needs students to come together as a community to show off their talents. It encompasses students with developmental and intellectual disabilities, including autism, Asperger’s syndrome, Down syndrome and so on.

From dancing and singing/duets, to lip-syncing and comedy skits, there wasn’t a dull moment.

This year’s hour-and-a-half show featured 25 routines from dozens of exceptional student education (ESE) students.

And, each exhibited skills with aplomb, unafraid of the main stage, bright lights or the large audience, that watched intently.

Clearly it was the students’ day to shine.

Performers hailed from Wesley Chapel, Ridgewood and Zephyrhills high schools, as well as Weightman Middle School. A large-scale digital backdrop recognized each act and the performers involved.

Wesley Chapel High’s Anthony Minnick and Ashley Mendez served as masters of ceremony during the talent showcase. They kept the show moving along with dialogue and introductions.

Wesley Chapel’s David Dixon started the show on a patriotic note, with his rendition of the National Anthem.

Ridgewood High’s Becky Bordeaux worked the crowd with her comedy, drawing hearty rounds of guffaws with every joke.

Weightman’s Mauricio Diaz and Noah Brooks kept younger members of the audience engaged, hip-hop dancing to “Bank Account” by rapper 21 Savage.

Zephyrhills High’s Ryan Womack, meanwhile, had older show-goers singing in unison with a stirring cover of “It’s Not Unusual” by legendary Welsh singer Tom Jones.

During brief breaks in action, Wesley Chapel High’s Anthony Minnick and Ashley Mendez served as masters of ceremony. They kept the show moving along with dialogue and introductions.

A grand finale was newly introduced this year. All ESE students were invited on stage to celebrate with a reprise song of Michael Jackson’s “Bad.”

The event ended about as well as it started.

It even elicited “tears of joy” from parent Dale Kimball, who also attended last year’s show.

Kimball’s 15-year son, Paul, has autism.

Paul was part of a Wesley Chapel High group ensemble that performed “Heigh Ho” from Snow White. He played the part of “Prince Charming,” while his teacher, Penny Ward, played the Evil Queen.

It created quite the paradox, Kimball said, as Ward “is so kind and wonderful.”

At the end of the showcase, all performers were invited on the stage to celebrate with a reprise song of Michael Jackson’s ‘Bad.’

The Wesley Chapel parent pointed out the annual showcase is the closest to a stage most ESE students will ever get.

He also mentioned the staff at the schools are very encouraging to get even reluctant students to participate in the annual showcase.

“These kids never will be on a field, ever. These kids will never be on a stage, ever, except for something like this. You see the joy (of the kids),” Kimball said.

“We’re so blessed to have this program,” he added.

Bridget White, an ESE teacher at Wesley Chapel High, coordinated this year’s showcase.

She concurred with Kimball’s assessment the event provides an important and worthwhile experience for special needs students countywide.

“They don’t always have the same opportunities to shine, and this is geared to them. They often are going to their siblings’ events, so this gets to be just for them,” White said.

In preparation for the showcase, participating students were offered two days of on-stage rehearsals, along with a few classroom rehearsals.

Beforehand, ESE teachers disitrictwide spread the word about the upcoming show with students and their families.

“Oftentimes, they have talents that we may not know about, that are (seen) at home,” White said.

Published October 25, 2017