The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

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

New Zephyrhills police chief has a familiar face

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Derek Brewer’s official promotion to Zephyrhills Police Chief was just weeks ago — yet he’s no stranger to the uniform, or to the community he’s tasked to serve.

The 45-year-old Brewer was appointed the city’s permanent, full-time police chief on Sept. 25. He was sworn-in two weeks later, on Oct. 9.

Brewer, however, already had months of familiarity with the position.

He served as interim chief since June, filling in the post formerly held by Police Chief David Shears, who retired after 25 years with the agency.

Derek Brewer was sworn in as Zephyrhills Police Chief on Oct. 9. He replaces David Shears, who had been chief since 2008. (File)

Brewer is a 15-year veteran of the Zephyrhills Police Department, who gradually worked up the ranks from patrol officer, to field training officer and lieutenant, to captain.

The test-run as chief proved valuable for Brewer.

“I think it definitely helped,” Brewer said, in a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News. “I got a chance to see things there from a little different perspective, but at the same time, I’m very familiar with the agency, and the city and the community. My role may have changed a little bit, but everything was still very familiar.”

Brewer was born in Massachusetts and raised in Merrimack, New Hampshire.

After high school, he moved to Florida, searching for a better job market while escaping from blistering cold northern winters.

After a decade of “working odd jobs” in the Sunshine State, the then 29-year-old Brewer opted to become a law enforcement officer, at the encouragement of others.

After police academy training, he joined the Zephyrhills Police Department in 2002.

Being a police chief was not in his original plans.

“It’s not something I ever truly imagined I would be in, but being here for the agency I started with, there’s just an extreme amount of pride,” Brewer said.

He is the 10th police chief in Zephyrhills history.

Within the role, he’s responsible for 32 officers (33 when fully staffed) and an annual budget that exceeds $4 million.

He said the biggest adjustment so far has been overseeing additional personnel — from the entire police force, to its civilian employees in administration.

It means managing “a lot of different personalities” and handling “a lot of different problems.”

Brewer added: “Even though I had some experience in the administrative side when I was a lieutenant, it’s different when you have all of them together working at the same time.”

Challenges aside, Brewer still follows advice often bestowed upon him by Shears.

And, there has been plenty of that, through the years.

When Brewer was a patrolman, Shears was his sergeant. When he was a sergeant, Shears was his captain. And, when Brewer became a lieutenant and captain, Shears, of course, was his chief.

“I really did have an opportunity to learn a lot from him, particularly in police work,” Brewer said. “But, the one thing he always said that really always stuck with me was: ‘You do the right thing, and no matter how hard it is, you’ll always be OK.’ I still follow that today, and I truly do believe that.”

Since joining the department, Brewer earned an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Hillsborough Community College, attended the senior leadership-training program at the Southern Police Institute in Louisville, Kentucky, and also attended the Florida Police Chiefs executive leadership training in 2014.
He graduated this July from the Command Officer Management Program at Saint Leo University, and is scheduled to receive his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Saint Leo University this December.

In the meantime, Brewer has received numerous honors during his extensive law enforcement career, including:

  • Pasco County Crisis Intervention Team Officer of the Year (2010)
  • William B. Eiland Officer of the Year Award (2012)
  • Tampa Police Department Appreciation Award (2013)
  • City of Zephyrhills Employee of the Year Award (2015)

Besides regular police duties, Brewer has been a member of several committees and organizations that include the Transportation Exception Plan Committee; Pasco-Hernando State College Technical Advisory Committee; Pasco County Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Task Force; Zephyrhills Code Enforcement Task Force; Zephyrhills Police Department Homeless Initiative; Zephyrhills Site Plan Review Committee; Florida Police Chiefs Association; and, Noon Rotary Club of Zephyrhills.

His appointment to chief was recommended to the Zephyrhills City Council by city manager Steve Spina, who was part of a six-person interview committee.

Of the six applicants interviewed for police chief, Spina told the council Brewer was “without a doubt” the top candidate.

The council later approved Brewer’s hiring in a 4-1 vote, with Councilman Ken Burgess dissenting.

At the Sept. 25 meeting, numerous speakers offered support for Brewer’s appointment, including police officers and members of the community.

They praised his leadership and management style, his work ethic, his compassion and humility, and his ability to handle high-risk situations, such as Hurricane Irma.

One of those speakers was Amy Chappell, vice president and residential loan officer at CenterState Bank.

She characterized Brewer this way: “You have an individual that cares, and that’s something you won’t find really on the resume.”

Published October 25, 2017

Gallery exhibit showcases Mexican artist Frida Kahlo

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Frida Kahlo is a Mexican artist whose face, with her riveting dark eyes and unibrow, is instantly recognizable — even to people who know little about her life and art.

Yet, more than 80 years after her first New York exhibition, Kahlo still fascinates as a woman, an artist and an iconic figure to feminists and political activists.

A nearly life-size photo of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo seems to peer over the shoulder of a visitor at the Kahlo exhibit, now on display at the Rao Musunuru M.D. Art Gallery on the west campus of Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey. (Fred Bellet)

Pasco-Hernando State College’s Rao Musunuru M.D. Art Gallery is hosting a Teacher’s Discovery Traveling Exhibit to highlight Kahlo and her work.

The exhibit is free and open to the public.

The gallery, located in a wing of the college’s library at 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey, is open from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., on Monday through Thursday, and from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., on Friday. The exhibit ends on Dec. 12.

“She was a revolutionary,” said Connie LaMarca-Frankel, a humanities professor at PHSC, and a founder of the Tampa Repertory Theatre. “She was engaged in the politics of her day and at the same time was an artist.”

LeMarca-Frankel brought her students to the exhibit to introduce them to Kahlo.

“Now maybe they’ll start to think about her,” the humanities professor said.

The exhibit includes large banners that feature Kahlo and recreations of her paintings.

Luz Himelhoch, a foreign language professor, added Latin rhythms to an exhibit on Mexican artist Frida Kahlo by teaching students the dance and music of meringue and salsa.

Books on Kahlo are there, too, for study or a quiet moment to sit in a chair and browse their pages.

There’s also an interactive video that gallery visitors can use to view La Casa Azul, Kahlo’s house and garden in Coyoacan, outside Mexico City.

Kahlo was born in 1907 and died in 1954, at age 47.

Her short life was filled with debilitating pain from childhood polio and a bus accident that crushed and wounded her body. She spent nearly two years in a body cast. Lying on her back, looking into a mirror, she painted what she saw – Frida Kahlo.

She met Mexican muralist, Diego Rivera, a much older man than she, and already wildly famous. They had a tumultuous marriage, a divorce, and a remarriage. Both had love affairs.

For many years, she was known more for being Rivera’s wife than as an artist in her own right.

Books on the artistry of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo abound, and are part of an exhibit at the Rao Musunuru M. D. Art Gallery at the Pasco- Hernando State College West Campus in New Port Richey.

She is known for her self-portraits, and for a folk-art style of painting that captured Mexican culture and challenged people’s concepts of gender, race, class and the history of colonialism.

Two of her most known paintings are “The Two Fridas” and “Thorn Necklace and Hummingbird.”

In “The Two Fridas,” Kahlo did a double self-portrait. Both Kahlos are sitting down. One is garbed in European-style dress, the other in traditional Mexican dress.

In the other painting, Kahlo is wearing a thorn necklace, with a hummingbird pendant. On her right shoulder, a monkey pulls at the necklace, drawing blood. A black panther, with blue eyes, looks over her left shoulder.

“She was such a great personality. Her artwork is amazing,” said Blythe Sanschagrin, who attended the exhibit’s opening reception. “I love the story of how strong of a woman she was.”

Maria Rhew, (standing) a Pasco-Hernando State College library senior staff assistant, and Natalie Danwing, 21, a PHSC senior, look over pictures of the work of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo.

Kahlo’s Mexican heritage seemed right for a celebration of multiculturalism during Hispanic Heritage Month, which was from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

The exhibit also serves a mission of the college to promote interactive events for students, said Ray Calvert, the college’s director of libraries.

“The main thing is to generate awareness for students and create themes around which they can interact,” he said.

Luz Himelhoch brought her own form of interaction to the opening reception.

She had about 30 students swaying and sashaying to Latin rhythms, as she taught them to dance the salsa and meringue.

She is a Kahlo admirer.

“Frida Kahlo is my hero,” Himelhoch said. “This is a woman who had to endure so much at a young age. She still continued to forge on. She never gave up.”

Published October 25, 2017

Planning underway for new Wesley Chapel charter school

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The Pasco County School Board has approved the charter application for Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel, a charter school that plans to open in that community.

Now that the school board has approved the application, work is underway to develop a contract with the charter school applicant, said Jeff Yungmann, coordinator for charter schools in Pasco County Schools.

The new charter school is expected to open in 2018-19, or 2019-2020, Yungmann said.

The application identifies that the school would open with a maximum of 652 kindergarten through sixth grade students, Yungmann said. In the second year, it would add seventh grade and would have a total enrollment of 900; in Year 3, it would add eighth grade and would have 1,134 students; in Year 4 and thereafter, it would have 1,200 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

“The mission of Pinecrest Academy Inc., is to provide individualized instruction, in a nurturing environment ensuring college and career success, using rigor, relevance, and relationships to empower students to become tomorrow’s global leaders,” according to a school board document.

The Charter Application Review Committee conducted a rigorous evaluation process utilizing the Florida Charter School Application Evaluation Instrument, including the capacity interview on August 17, 2017. In its comprehensive evaluation, the Committee concluded that 21 of the 22 sections of the Pinecrest Academy Wesley Chapel’s application “met the standard of review.” One of the 22 sections of the application “partially met the standard of review.” There were no sections rated as “did not meet the standard of review,” according to the backup material for the board agenda item.

The applicant has not yet identified a specific location for the school, other than indicating it will be in Wesley Chapel, Yungmann said.

Yungmann characterized the applicant’s submittal as an “outstanding application” and called it one of the best he’s reviewed. “They had a good solid plan,” he said.

The charter school operators have locations in other parts of the state, but this would be their first location in Pasco County.

Yungmann said the charter has a strong governing board and a good track record.

“We hope they’re going to do well,” he said.

Published October 25, 2017

Land O’ Lakes library is open on Mondays again

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Pasco County is experiencing rosier days for its 2018 budget, which began Oct. 1.

So, the good old days when Pasco County libraries were open on Mondays are on the way back.

Two libraries, including the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, had ribbon cuttings on Oct. 16 to celebrate a return to the tradition of Monday library hours.

“We’ve been advocating and advocating,” said Elayne Bassinger, who serves on the library board. “We cannot tell you how grateful we are. This is exciting.”

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore cut the ribbon to celebrate the restoration of Monday hours at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library. He was joined by Pasco County library officials, volunteers and library staff members. (Kathy Steele)

In addition to the restored hours, the Land O’ Lakes library will add five additional full-time staff members, and more activities to its monthly calendar.

Budget cuts in past years axed Monday from all library schedules.

The situation was so dire, county commissioners in 2013 considered closing two libraries: the New River Branch Library in Zephyrhills and the Centennial Park Branch Library in Holiday.

All libraries still remain closed on Sundays.

However, over the next three years, all of the county’s libraries are expected to open again on Mondays, as the county’s budget allows.

The goal is to restore library hours to the 2008 level of 40 hours a week for each library.

Land O’ Lakes restored hours on Mondays are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

It’s an extra day of the week to be open, but also adds a second day of evening hours. The library also is open the same hours on Tuesday.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore joined Bassinger, Library Administrator Nancy Fredericks, Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles and library staff members for the ribbon cutting.

After years of deep cuts to library budgets, county commissioners approved a budget for fiscal year 2018 that added in more money for libraries, and also for parks.

Libraries are valuable to communities, Moore said. In addition to books, they also provide innovative technology, including Land O’ Lakes makerspace, to help people learn.

Plus, they facilitate connections between people.

“It’s a great meeting place,” Moore said.

In addition to the Land O’ Lakes library, at 2818 Collier Parkway, the county restored Monday hours to the Regency Park Branch Library, in New Port Richey. That library also will get new staff members.

“Those are the county’s busiest libraries,” Fredericks said.

To celebrate the restored hours, Land O’ Lakes library patrons were treated to special activities, including pen turning, a silly dance party, a visit from “creepy” reptiles and invertebrates, yoga and Tai Chi.

Looking ahead, Mondays now can be filled with additional activities on a regular basis on the library’s monthly calendar, said Kathleen Rothstein, Land O’ Lakes branch manager.

Yoga and Tai Chi will be offered on alternating Monday nights. There will be a Monday Movie Matinee. The library’s Foundry, or makerspace, will be open at various times on Monday.

The Foundry has a variety of new technology including 3-D printers, state-of-the-art Computer Aided Design (CAD) equipment, an Oculus Rift virtual reality system, and an audio recording studio.

It also offers opportunities to work with traditional hand and power tools, as well as crafting tools and supplies, including yarn and thread.

Other programs scheduled on Mondays include an introduction to knitting, Autumn Candle Holder, Essential Oils, woodworking and Pumpkin Planter.

For more information on dates and times for scheduled library events at Land O’ Lakes and other branch libraries, visit PascoCountyLibraries.org.

Published October 25, 2017

Gearing up for Cypress Creek Middle School

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A new middle school is expected to open next to Cypress Creek Middle High School, allowing the existing school to focus on high school only.

The new middle school will accommodate 1,675 students on a 15-acre site, just north of the current school, which opened in August at 8701 Old Pasco Road, for students in grades six through 11.

The estimated construction budget is $43.5 million.

Construction is expected to begin in the fall of 2018, with opening planned for August 2020.

The Pasco County School Board has approved an agreement with architects Harvard Jolly, to reuse the design of the 1,400-student station Innovation Middle School in Orange County, for the new middle school, according to school board documents.

Pasco school district staff members recently toured Innovation Middle School and found that the school “to be cost effective, attractive and extremely safe and a school that will successfully meet the educational needs” of the district, according to district documents.

“Many of the preferred features of this school are already found in a number of our educational facilities,” the document added. “Our version of the school will be expanded to approximately 1,600 student stations to accommodate future growth in this region of the district.”

Cypress Creek Middle High is slated to add a senior class next school year.

When the school opened, it affected boundaries for Rushe, John Long and Weightman middle schools, and Sunlake, Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass high schools.

The district initially had hoped to open Cypress Creek as a high school only, but was forced to use it for more grades because it lacked sufficient construction funds.

Published October 25, 2017

Pasco County looks at costs to fix Lake Padgett sinkhole

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Restoring the site of a sinkhole within the Lake Padgett Estates subdivision to “pristine” condition would cost as much as $12 million. That idea was a non-starter for the Pasco County commissioners who reviewed a list of options on what to do next.

They also rejected a suggestion for a $4 million bridge to span the sinkhole, and keep traffic flowing along Ocean Pines Drive.

The cleanup of a sinkhole on Ocean Pines Drive in Lake Padgett Estates is completed, including removing contaminants from the water. Pasco County officials say the sinkhole’s water quality is now better than Lake Saxon’s water. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The sinkhole opened on July 14 at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive, and swallowed two homes, a motorcycle and a boat. Five more houses on both sides of Ocean Pines have been condemned.

The county approved $1.3 million for an initial cleanup of debris, and stabilization of the site. That work has been completed.

County commissioners reviewed future options at a workshop on Oct. 17 in Dade City.

The least expensive choice was to “do nothing” and install decorative fencing, with warning signs, around the sinkhole for about $50,000.

But, options in between $12 million and $50,000 are on the table.

Pasco County officials plan to meet with residents of Lake Padgett for their input before making a final recommendation to county commissioners.

One option is to connect the sinkhole to Lake Saxon, which is about 90 feet away. That would cost about $800,000.

“Any connection to the lake would not go over well with the community,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, who has heard from some residents in Lake Padgett regarding concerns about potential contamination from the sinkhole.

The University of South Florida is recommending that a survey be completed to determine how the sinkhole interacts with underground surrounding areas. The cost would be about $15,000.  Before that, county officials say an additional geological survey should be done at a cost of about $100,000.

Ceres Environmental Services has completed its work to remove and dispose of floating debris from the sinkhole, pump and remove contaminated water, and stabilize the southeast portion of the sinkhole with granular fill.

Kevin Guthrie, assistant county administrator for public safety, said linking the sinkhole to the lake could be a “low-cost, long-term, permanent solution.”

The sinkhole, which went as deep as 50 feet, is now 10 feet deep, said Guthrie. And, he said, “The water quality in the sinkhole is better than in the lake.”

Major portions of the two houses, the motorcycle and the boat remain in the sinkhole, but that’s not unusual in such instances, Guthrie said.

“We have cars in sinkholes in just about every sinkhole in Pasco County,” he said.

The lake connection is an idea worth exploring, said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

“To me, when I was out walking, it made great sense to connect it to the lake,” she said.

Historically, Pasco County officials say the lake’s shoreline at one time extended beyond the sinkhole and included lots where homes now exist.

Along with the lake connection, cul-de-sacs on Ocean Pines also could be built on either side of the sinkhole. That would cost about $1.7 million, bringing the total cost to about $2.5 million.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley suggested that if cul-de-sacs are built, different names would be needed for the disconnected segments of Ocean Pines.

“It doesn’t need to be confusing for emergency (responders),” Oakley said.

Another choice would be to reconnect Ocean Pines at the sinkhole and build up the road with sheet piles on either side. That would work as a dam to contain the sinkhole. The cost would be about $800,000.

Whatever the final decision, there are financial implications for the county and residents.

Pasco County officials have said they want to get reimbursement for as much of its costs as possible. They view sinkhole damage largely as a private matter between insurance companies and the injured parties.

To that end, the county mailed demand letters and notice of financial responsibility to homeowners, renters and companies that have done remediation work in the past.

Left open is how much liability could rest with Lake Padgett residents. Moore said residents are concerned about taking on maintenance costs of the sinkhole.

The subdivision has a special taxing district, created by Florida statute.

However, those funds are collected solely for the operation and maintenance of recreational facilities in the subdivision, including five lake parks, three boat ramps and a horse stable.

For fiscal year 2018, the per unit fee collected by the taxing district is about $500, according to documents on Lake Padgett’s website.

In describing the taxing district, website documents specifically state that it doesn’t serve or have authority to serve as a Community Development District, civic association or a homeowner association.

Published October 25, 2017

The Laker/Lutz News wins ‘Best of Show’

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The Laker/Lutz News received Best of Show distinction at the 2017 Awards for Excellence competition sponsored by Community Papers of Florida trade association. This top award was presented to Publisher Diane Kortus at the group’s annual meeting held Oct. 20 and Oct. 21 at Hutchinson Island.

The Best of Show was awarded for a full-page ad, “Fun on 41 – Discover the Wonders,” that uses a hand-drawn map illustrating shopping destinations and restaurants along U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

The map’s illustrator is Laura Bloomer, a Land O’ Lakes resident and owner of The Blooming House. The Laker/Lutz News Graphic Designer Stefanie Burlingame and Account Manager Cheryl Michel were recognized for their work on this campaign.

Judges described the entry this way: “Creative and engaging. Fresh approach to display an advertising community.” Another judge added: “A wonderfully illustrated and colorful map referencing area businesses promoting result-oriented offers is sure to catch the reader’s eye.”

In addition to the Best of Show award, The Laker/Lutz News received six additional advertising design awards, and five editorial awards for stories and photographs.

“To have our work chosen as Best of Show is quite an honor, especially when considering there were over 400 entries in this statewide newspaper competition,” said Publisher Diane Kortus.

The newspaper received these awards in advertising categories:

  • First place: Theme Promotion: Fun on 41 Map and Business Legend, Stefanie Burlingame and Carolyn Bennett
  • First place: Real Estate: Tapestry Lake Park Apartments, Stefanie Burlingame and Carolyn Bennett
  • First place: Spot Color: Pete the Painter directory ad, Matt Mistretta and Rachel Thompson
  • Second place: Full Color Ad: Oasis Pregnancy Center, Stefanie Burlingame and Diane Kortus
  • Third place: Self Promotion: Outside Sales Rep Recruitment, Stefanie Burlingame and Carolyn Bennett
  • Third place: Best Special Section Cover Design: Congratulations Class of 2017, Matt Mistretta

The newspaper received these awards in editorial categories:

  • First place: Personal Column, “My Father Loved This Newspaper,” Diane Kortus
  • First place: Best Original Photographic Spread: “Rattlesnake Fest hits half-century mark,” Richard Riley
  • Second place: Best Original Photograph: “Zoe Deimling just can’t stop looking,” Fred Bellet
  • Second place: Best Original Photographic Spread: “Cueing up for a good time,” Fred Bellet
  • Third place: Best Original Writing: “‘Dear World’ gives storytellers a voice,” Kathy Steele

Community Papers of Florida represents 86 publishers of free-circulation community papers that reach 3.5 million homes weekly. Members range from independently-owned publications such as The Laker/Lutz News to free paper/shopping guide divisions of major communications companies.

Published October 25, 2017