The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Wildlife corridors map a pathway through Pasco

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A network of conservation corridors to provide safer pathways for wildlife in Pasco County finally is more than just lines on a map.

Still, it took a few tweaks at a June 21 public hearing before Pasco County commissioners could approve an ordinance stuck in planning limbo for years.

In the end, the corridors made some happy, others less so.

“This ordinance is scientific, viably provable and defensible,” said Mac Davis of the Gulf Coast Conservancy. He addressed the commissioners during public comment at the hearing.

B.C. Manion/Staff Photo Keith Wiley is Pasco County’s natural resources manager. He guided efforts to craft an ordinance to create wildlife corridors. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
B.C. Manion/Staff Photo
Keith Wiley is Pasco County’s natural resources manager. He guided efforts to craft an ordinance to create wildlife corridors.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“It is imminently fair to everyone,” he said. “It is so long overdue. If it needs some tweaking later, we can address that…but, let’s get this show on the road.”

Attorney David Smolker generally praised the hard work of county staff in rewriting portions of the ordinance to meet objections of landowners. But, he said concerns remained about property rights and the cost to landowners.

“You’re going to run into problems on a case-by-case basis,” Smolker told commissioners.

About 2,500 acres of approximately 7,000 acres needed for the corridors runs through private land.

In Central Pasco, corridors will link current and proposed development projects at Starkey Ranch, Crossbar, Connerton and Cypress Creek.

A letter submitted by the Bexley family declared the ordinance an unconstitutional burden on property rights for those with corridors crossing their land. The Bexleys own a large spread at the southeast corner of Suncoast Parkway and State Road 52, which will become part of a master-planned community.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said landowners who contacted him worried about public access onto and across properties. Owners with small parcels are especially worried about loss of privacy, he said.

“People would prefer not to have people walking through their backyards, whether they are observing birds or taking a walk, or whatever it is,” Moore said.

Pasco County commissioners approved the creation of seven wildlife corridors meant to give animals such as bears, turtles, otters, ospreys, frogs and fox squirrels safe pathways within the county. (Courtesy of Pasco County)
Pasco County commissioners approved the creation of seven wildlife corridors meant to give animals such as bears, turtles, otters, ospreys, frogs and fox squirrels safe pathways within the county.
(Courtesy of Pasco County)

Staff added a graph outlining a process for the property owner to participate in decisions about access and what passive types of recreation could be allowed.

“Not every piece would be appropriate for any passive amenity,” said Keith Wiley, the county’s natural resources manager. “Every situation would be different. But, (the ordinance) would at least give citizens that are concerned an opportunity to provide input to the process.”

There are seven corridors countywide mapped out as natural pathways for diverse wildlife including spotted turtles, gopher frogs, ospreys, fox squirrels, bears and river otters. County officials also say the corridors help preserve water resources and wetlands.

Nearly 16 years ago, a court settlement mandated that Pasco create the corridors, also known as “critical linkages.” Previous commissions tried and failed in that mission.

Janice Howie of the Nature Coast Florida Native Plant Society told commissioners time was running out as new development gobbles up open land. As an example, she said 20 or so bears in the northwestern corner of the county are hemmed in by houses and U.S. 19, unable to migrate to more natural habitats.

“We will probably not be in a position to form corridors if we wait another 16 years, because there won’t be enough land,” she said.

County staff initiated new discussions on the corridors in April 2015. Meetings were held throughout the county to gather input, and portions of the ordinance rewritten.

Among adjustments were a process to negotiate the corridor’s width; a chance to reroute the corridor without filing an expensive rezoning application; and splitting maintenance costs for corridors and easements between the county and landowner.

The ordinance would apply only if a landowner sought to rezone property for land uses of greater density or intensity, and had some portion of the corridor within the property’s boundaries. There are exemptions for existing development approvals.

The county can buy corridor property outright or acquire use of the land, but not ownership. Landowners would be compensated. When disagreements arise over issues such as sales price, location or boundaries of the corridors, landowners can appeal to the commissioners.

“We made the process very fair, very clear,” said Matt Armstrong, the county’s executive planner for the Long Range Planning Group. “Every little nut and bolt must function properly.”

Published June 29, 2016

Expo aims to help aspiring entrepreneurs

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The Tampa Bay Cottage Industry Expo, coming to Wiregrass Ranch High School in July, aims to help people who want to launch a new enterprise, or expand an existing business.

The expo, which is intended to become an annual event, will focus on the finer aspects of marketing and regulations of value-added products that are associated with growing fruits and veggies — either conventionally or through hydroponic production.

Whitney C. Elmore, Pasco County extension director, is spearheading efforts to put on The Tampa Bay Cottage Industry Expo, an event to help entrepreneurs. The expo is expected to become an annual event. (Courtesy of Whitney C. Elmore)
Whitney C. Elmore, Pasco County extension director, is spearheading efforts to put on The Tampa Bay Cottage Industry Expo, an event to help entrepreneurs. The expo is expected to become an annual event.
(Courtesy of Whitney C. Elmore)

The expo also will detail requirements for production and marketing of animal products for sale, such as milk and eggs.

Experts from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and the Florida Department of Agricultural and Consumer Sciences, as well as cottage industry entrepreneurs, will share their experiences and knowledge to help people who are interested in establishing or expanding a cottage industry.

Whitney C. Elmore, Pasco County extension director, came up with the idea for the conference after seeing similar types of events and meetings being held around Florida.

“It also really comes out of a need from the community,” said Elmore, who also is a horticulture agent. She said her office receives lots of inquiries from people who want to start businesses and don’t know where to begin.

“There’s a lot of detail there, with regulation, safety factors, rules and what not, and just helping them market. We want to be able to follow them from set-up to all of the way through,” said Elmore, who is working with extension staffers from Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties to present the event.

“We get calls a lot about hydroponics, about vegetable and fruit production,” Elmore said.

People will call about the newest thing, and they’ll want to pursue it, she said.

The goal is to provide information to those attending so they can begin new businesses or immediately improve their existing operations.

The sessions will cover agriculture production, legal and regulatory considerations, and marketing in topic areas, including fruit and vegetables, livestock and hydro/aquaponics.

The expo also will include a trade show area for participants to learn more about products and services that are available to their business.

There also will be vendors who will be exhibiting different types of products or tools that people in cottage industries might find helpful in starting their business or taking it to the next level, Elmore said.

The expo also will focus on safety, which is especially important for products being produced as food sources.

“There are liability issues. People could end up losing everything, if they don’t do this right at the start. We want to mitigate any of those unfortunate realities that can spring up,” Elmore said.

The event is at Wiregrass Ranch High, at 2909 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel, because of its convenient location, Elmore said. The school is near Interstate 75 and State Road 56, offering good access for people coming to the expo from Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

The July 30 event will be indoors, in the school’s gymnasium, cafeteria and some classrooms. Registration will be at 8:30 a.m., and the event will conclude at 3:30 p.m.

Dr. Soo Ahn, the keynote speaker, will kick off the event at 9 a.m. She’s an extension specialist in food safety and entrepreneurship.

Food trucks will sell lunch and snacks throughout the day.

About 150 people are expected to attend, Elmore said.

Organizers are still looking for vendors and exhibitors, as well as sponsorships at various levels.

Anyone interested in taking part can contact either Elmore, or Stephen Gran, from Hillsborough County Extension.

Elmore can be reached at or (352) 518-0231, and Gran can be reached at or (813) 744-5519.

Published June 29, 2016

Dade City Police seeks new K-9 team

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The Dade City Police Department is still searching for a new K-9 team after a recent departure.

Chris Stone, a 14-year law enforcement officer, and his K-9 partner, Ryko, worked together for eight years before retiring as a team about three months ago.

Stone now works for the Pasco County Fire Department.

“We knew (Ryko’s retirement) was coming, but we didn’t know it was coming this fast,” Dade City Police Chief Ray Velboom said.

Chris Stone, a 14-year law enforcement officer, and his K-9 partner, Ryko, worked together for eight years before retiring as a team about three months ago. (Courtesy of Dade City Police Department)
Chris Stone, a 14-year law enforcement officer, and his K-9 partner, Ryko, worked together for eight years before retiring as a team about three months ago.
(Courtesy of Dade City Police Department)

“The dog was of the age that you really couldn’t have assigned it to another handler being nine years old, and it was starting to have some hip issues,” the police chief added.

“It’s a tough job—riding in a car for 12 hours a day, jumping out and running, so you tend to retire them around nine or 10 years; he was due to retire pretty soon anyway, whether Stone left or not,” Velboom continued.

A new K-9 costs about $10,000, including new supplies and equipment.

Since a police dog wasn’t included in this year’s budget, the department sought outside assistance.

The department already has received several thousand dollars in donations from a number of local organizations and businesses, including the Kiwanis Club, the Rotary Club and the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union.

“The community has just been phenomenal,” Velboom said about the support for a new K-9. “I can’t say enough about how people were sending me checks anywhere from $25 to a $1,000. It’s really been a rallying point.”

As it searches for a new K-9 unit, the police department has been receiving K-9 assistance from both the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and the Zephyrhills Police Department.

Despite the logistical obstacles of not having its own K-9 unit, Velboom said the arrangement has been beneficial, for the time being.

“It’s working really excellent,” Velboom said. “Pasco is here whenever we need them, especially now since we’re on their same radio channel; they hear when we need a dog, and a dog just shows up.”

Velboom noted the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office also has agreed to help his department select a new German Shepherd from a police K-9 vendor once $10,000 is raised.

“They have a lot of experience in buying dogs, so we’re going to work with some of the experts,” he said.

Meanwhile, the police chief is looking to appoint a new handler from within his department.

“We’ve had three officers apply to be considered, and we’re working on the process to figure out which one is best suited for the job,” he said.

Ideally, Velboom would like to have a new K-9 unit in place “sometime in August,” so the dog and its handler can undergo a 16-week, state-mandated K-9 training course, which begins in September.

Once complete, Velboom said the K-9 unit will be sent to a narcotic detection school to receive dual-certification from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Throughout both patrol and narcotics work, the unit’s duties will include tracking wanted or missing persons, conducting building searches, and conducting drug searches in structures and vehicles.

Published June 29, 2016

Expert offers free advice on how to build your wealth

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When it comes to becoming wealthy, most people have more power over their financial situation than they realize, Miranda Reiter, a financial advisor for Raymond James told an audience at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

And the good news is, that no matter how old you are, there are specific actions you can take to build your wealth, added Reiter, who worked in the banking industry before she became a financial advisor.

Miranda Reiter, a financial advisor for Raymond James, shared her expertise on wealth building at a community seminar hosted by Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Miranda Reiter, a financial advisor for Raymond James, shared her expertise on wealth building at a community seminar hosted by Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

While she was working at the bank, she observed there were some people who always seemed to be financially fit.

“There are five things that I’ve noted that, if you can keep these five going, you can be on a

good path, a solid path, to building your wealth,” she said.

Before they can build their wealth, people need a clear picture of their financial situation, she said.

Knowing your net worth is a good starting point, she said. To determine that, add your assets and subtract your liabilities.

“Law No. 1 for building your worth is knowing how much it costs to be you,” Reiter said.

“I had two clients come in a few weeks ago. Married couple. Husband, 65, and wife is a little

older.

“Together, they bring home $150,000 a year. They’re both looking to stop working sometime

soon. They came in with $400,000 in their 401-k. The husband looked at me and he says, ‘Miranda, are we going to make it? Is this enough?’

“I couldn’t answer that question.

“People want to know this all of the time. Are we going to be OK, can I make it?

“I can’t answer that question because there’s a piece of information about him that I don’t

know yet. This information was, ‘How much does it cost to be you?’

With today’s technology and medical advances, people may live to be 100.

The question is: “When you think about the next 35 to 40 years, how much money will it take for you to live?”

Unfortunately, people often don’t establish savings goals based on how much it costs them to live.

“If you want to know how much it costs to be you, the bank statements that you get will

normally not lie. I tell people, print three out.

“There are some fixed costs that you know,” she said, listing off rent or mortgage payments, car payments and insurance.

“There’s other things that are more difficult to know, like how much you spend at restaurants?” she said. Check your credit card or debit card statements to get a general idea, she said.

In some cases, Reiter said she has to tell people: “Given the situation, there’s some changes that we need to make because what you have saved does not support how much it costs to be you, right now.”

“Law No. 2 for building your wealth: Eliminate your debt,” Reiter said.

This can be challenging, she said.

“If you’re looking to tackle your debt, what’s missing in most people’s lives is a strategy,” Reiter said.

“Most of us have debt. I’m not going to stand here and say that debt’s bad. As a matter of fact, most of us have used debt to bring ourselves up in the world.

“When we think about debt, we have to think, what’s a good debt and what’s a bad debt?” Reiter said.

Good debt, she said, “are debts that elevate you.”

“Credit cards are bad — if they’re being used irresponsibly,” she added.

“If you’re paying off your credit cards every month I generally think that you’re in a good

place,” she said.

“Here’s how you know, if perhaps you have a problem with debt: If you have credit cards and

you can’t pay them off every month,” she said.

That’s a sign that you need a strategy, Reiter said.

She recommends writing down your debts, writing down the balances and the interest rates.

Then, work to pay down debt with higher interest rates, first, she said.

Once you minimize debt, you’ll have more to save, Reiter noted.

To help avoid the temptation to spend more than you have, she recommends: “Why don’t you try not using your credit card, and using your debit card?

“It’s the same money, but there’s something psychological with us that credit card money is like

not real money, and debit card money is real.

“I know personally, it (using a debit card) helps me,” Reiter said.

Law No. 3 for building wealth, she said, is “spend less than you earn.”

“If you’re feel like you’re spending more than you’re earning, I’d say, ‘Take a moment to do

some conscious spending,’” she said.

Law No. 4 for building wealth, she said, is to “save and grow your money as early as possible.”

“I want to address something that people often ask: Should I save more or should I pay off my debts?

“Usually, it depends upon your specific situation. But I can tell you, doing both is possible.

“Every penny saved on credit cards, is a penny earned,” Reiter said.

To truly build wealth requires investing your money.

You can save $1,000 a year for 40 years and end up with $40,000, she said. “But investing that $40,000, assuming a rate of about 6 percent, will yield $164,000.”

Law No. 5 for building wealth, Reiter said, is to “get a plan.”

People don’t become wealthy by accident. They have a road map for putting themselves on the path to wealth, she said.

“I wholeheartedly believe that we have to be intentional about our money and our finances if

we want to change it, if we want to grow our wealth,” Reiter said.

Miranda Reiter’s five laws for building wealth
No. 1: Know how much it costs to be you.
No. 2: Eliminate your debt.
No. 3: Spend less than you earn.
No. 4: Save and grow your money as early as possible.
No. 5: Get a plan.

Published June 29, 2016

 

New style of pizza coming to Lutz

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A new pizza joint is set to open this summer at Northgate Square in Lutz.

Uncle Maddio’s, located at 3949 Van Dyke Road in Lutz, plans to open its doors in late August; it replaces the now-vacant Johnston’s Hallmark store next to the Publix Super Market.

It will be the first of five Tampa area locations for the create-your-own, fast-casual pizza franchise.

Mike Mateo and his wife, Ada, are the owners of the Uncle Maddio’s, 3949 Van Dyke Road in Lutz. They signed a five-unit agreement with the franchise last year, and have plans of opening the other restaurants throughout North Tampa and Pasco County. (Courtesy of Uncle Maddio's)
Mike Mateo and his wife, Ada, are the owners of the Uncle Maddio’s, 3949 Van Dyke Road in Lutz. They signed a five-unit agreement with the franchise last year, and have plans of opening the other restaurants throughout North Tampa and Pasco County.
(Courtesy of Uncle Maddio’s)

The 3,500-square-foot dine-in restaurant will also feature a 300-square-foot built-in recessed patio.

Franchisee Mike Mateo, a first-time restaurant owner, said construction on the leasing area will begin within the next week.

“We’re waiting for some permits, but it’s a process,” Mateo said. “We’re turning what used to be a ‘dry’ retail location into a ‘wet’ retail location with it being restaurant space.”

The restaurant will be open every day from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., but Mateo said he may alter the hours depending on customer feedback.

Uncle Maddio’s is labeled as a “next generation” pizza restaurant, allowing customers to build their own pizza exactly to their liking. Individual-sized pizzas are cooked in fast-baked ovens and typically served in about six minutes. Patrons can choose from one of three crusts, and 48 different toppings including 27 vegetables, 15 meats and six different sauces. Create-your-own salads and toasted “Foldwich” sandwiches are available, too.

Mateo said he “fell in love with the concept” after visiting a Tallahassee location, and believed the pizza chain would find success in the Tampa area.

“They have a great product, and they’re very consistent on the product and the service,” said Mateo, a retired division vice president for ATM technology company Diebold. “What drew me to the concept was that we were wowed from beginning to end.

Uncle Maddio’s will be opening in Lutz this August. It will be the first of five stores that will eventually open in Tampa. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)
Uncle Maddio’s will be opening in Lutz this August. It will be the first of five stores that will eventually open in Tampa.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

“We love the freshness of the ingredients; the fact that you can create your own (pizza), the ambiance and the energy of the Uncle Maddio’s restaurants is just unique.”

Mateo already has named Rich Richeson as the Lutz restaurant’s general manager, and Anna Stevenson as the assistant general manager.

“Those are the two key employees, and once they get trained…we should start recruiting the staff,” he said, adding he plans to have a total of 30 to 40 mostly part-time employees.

Unlike other well-known pizza chains, Uncle Maddio’s has no drive-thru or delivery.

“It’s just going to be a comfortable environment for you to sit in and be relaxed, and just enjoy a meal with family or friends,” Mateo said, noting alcohol options will be available. “The core dealing of it is that you’re comfortable and you’re not in a hurry to leave.”

Mateo and his wife, Ada, signed a five-unit agreement with the chain last year. He has targeted Carrollwood, New Tampa, Trinity, Westchase and Wesley Chapel as possible locations for the other Uncle Maddio’s sites.

“We’re not sure in terms of which one comes first, but we are looking at those locations and seeing what’s available,” Mateo said. “Our plan is to have a second one open next year; we are working with a realtor to look at locations for 2017 and 2018.”

Uncle Maddio’s currently has restaurants spread throughout North Florida, and recently opened stores in both Sarasota and Orlando.

Since its launching in 2008, Uncle Maddio’s has signed franchise agreements with 65 different entities in 19 states.

Published June 29, 2016

Pasco’s sludge will become fertilizer

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Pasco County’s sludge problem appears to have a solution.

Commissioners approved an agreement with biosolids management company, Merrell Bros. Inc., to build a facility that will dry out 23,000 tons of the county’s wet sludge annually and convert the sludge into saleable dry fertilizer.

In addition, Merrell can contract with other counties to dispose of their sludge, for a total of 50,000 tons each year.

Merrell Bros. made a workshop presentation to commissioners on May 17. Commissioners gave the green light on June 21 at their meeting in New Port Richey to construct the biosolids facility.

The agreement “allows us to control our own destiny for biosolids waste disposal,” said Flip Mellinger, assistant county administrator for utility services.

Under the agreement, Merrell will build and operate the facility, which would be owned by the county and located at the Shady Hills solid waste complex.

Construction costs cannot exceed $13 million. However, the county also would be responsible for about $1.2 million in contingency funds. Design and construction of the facility will take about two years.

Currently, much of the county’s sludge is composted or hauled to landfills in Georgia, or to St. Cloud. However, tipping fees are increasing, and disposal sites are decreasing as state regulations restrict new permits.

The annual cost for sludge disposal to the county is about $1.3 million a year. With the biosolids facility, the county could save $600,000 or more, partially based on sharing in a portion of fertilizer sales and fees paid by Merrell.

The county’s agreement with Merrell is for 15 years, with three, 5-year renewals.

The facility will have a greenhouse “pod,” a pasteurization building and an odor control system.

Published June 29, 2016

First annual Swing for Scouting set for July 9

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An amateur long drive competition will be to raise money for area Boy Scouts.

The first annual Swing for Scouting contest takes place on July 9 at The Abbey Course in St. Leo from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The longest drive competition will have three divisions: Youth (under 18), Adults (18-50) and Senior (over 50).

The first annual Swing for Scouting long drive contest will take place at the Abbey Course in St. Leo on July 9. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
The first annual Swing for Scouting long drive contest will take place at the Abbey Course in St. Leo on July 9.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The contest is for amateurs only. Those competing must supply their own clubs and all club heads must conform to the standards of the United States Golf Association. Golf clubs cannot be longer than 50 inches long. And, all contestants will be provided three balls to hit. Those competing will not be allowed to bring their own balls to the competition.

Proceeds from the event will go into the general fund of the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council, which is chartered by the Boy Scouts of America.

Funds raised by the event will be used for camp upkeep, scholarships and administrative purposes.

Jason McCombs, vice chairman for the Allohak District, came up with the fundraising concept after he recently passed by the golf course for a different scouting event. The Allohak District serves eastern and central Pasco County, including the communities of Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Dade City, Zephyrhills and Lacoochee.

McCombs is looking to have at least 200 long drive participants, and hopes to raise about $4,000.

“Being the first year that we’ve ever done this, we’re shooting for the moon, but we’re hoping to just hit the target,” the district vice chairman said. “We’re very close to making our (fundraising) goal for the year, so this is just going to put us over the top.”

In addition to the longest drive contest, there will be other golf skill challenges, including a putting contest and a closest to the pin game.

“The main one that we’re doing is the longest drive competition,” McCombs said. “If we have other people interested, there are things there like the practice putting green and a pin that’s off to the side that you can practice pitching (wedge shots) with. It’s just a little small thing to keep people interested waiting for their turn or waiting for their results.”

McCombs has interest in organizing a Swing for Scouting event each year, with plans to rotate to various golf courses or driving ranges throughout Pasco County.

“I would like to see it move around; maybe next year we can do it in Land O’ Lakes someplace or Wesley Chapel. We’ll have to see how it goes,” he said.

In March, the Gulf Ridge Council and West Central Florida merged to form the Greater Tampa Bay Area Council. The council now encompasses nine counties and serves more than 26,000 youth in 200 Cub Scout packs, 212 Boy Scout and Varsity Scout troops, 46 Venturing Crews and nearly 17,000 Learning for Life participants. It also maintains six camp properties, including Camp Owen J. Brorein in Odessa.

McCombs noted the importance of the Boy Scouts of America, which he says creates “fun with a purpose” for youth.

“We give them life skills,” he said. “With our merit badges, we can teach them and expose them to things they may be interested in doing a career in. Plus, we give them the ability to become leaders in their own community…and just basically give them a chance to grow up.”

Advance ticket prices for youth are $12; adult prices are $22. To preregister, visit http://tinyurl.com/SwingForScouting.

For more information, call Jason McCombs at (813) 368-7282.

Published June 29, 2016

Disney’s gator nightmare packs lessons for us

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Alligators are a fact of life in Florida. Walt Disney World is in Florida. Therefore, there are alligators at Walt Disney World.

This truth at the East Coast headquarters of the Happiest Place On Earth™ came to shocking light recently when a 2-year-old from Nebraska, Lane Graves, was snatched and drowned by a gator lurking in the manmade Seven Seas Lagoon near the Grand Floridian Beach Resort.

The sprawling, white Victorian-themed hotel, where Princess Diana once holidayed with princes William and Harry, now is known for tragedy beyond words.

American alligator
(www.CreativeOulet.com)

I concede my first reaction to reports of the attack was astonishment. Never mind the circular truth at the top; I honestly imagined Disney World was immune. I’ve been visiting the parks routinely since the early days of tear-off tickets, and I’ve never seen an alligator. Not one. And not for lack of searching, either, from shorelines, docks, around the campgrounds and aboard rented boats prowling quiet waterways.

Ultimately, I chalked it up to Disney’s fabled attention to detail. Somehow they’d figured out how to alligator-proof most of a Manhattan-sized slab of central Florida claimed out of swampland and pine forest.

Now I know better. Now I know Disney has an aggressive gator-wrangling program permitted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. In the 10 years before the attack on little Lane, Disney-authorized trappers killed 239 “nuisance” alligators — reptiles longer than 4 feet that invade space reserved for humans.

They’ve since done away with six more, among them the suspect that will live forever in the nightmares of Melissa and Matt Graves, newly initiated into the miserable and inescapable fraternity of bereaved parents.

So I was partly right, anyway. Disney has an aggressive removal program. And partly, devastatingly, wrong: Its program isn’t foolproof.

Maybe no program can be. As former Disney World trapper Ron Ziemba told Reuters, “You’ll never be able to get them all. There are just so many canals, so many waterways. The gators travel a lot.”

This information is scarcely news to anyone who spends a fair amount of time in Florida. We see them basking on the banks of ponds and lakes, cruising lazily in rivers, and, on breathtaking occasion, crossing streets and golf course fairways.

We know the rules … don’t we? … about alligator safety. Don’t feed them, because doing so short-circuits their instinctive wariness toward humans. Avoid wading or swimming in their habitat, especially between dusk and dawn when they’re particularly active. Swim only in areas marked safe. Also, don’t presume: An absence of warning signs does not equal an absence of alligators.

More safety tips are available at the FWC web site, MyFWC.com. Among the more fascinating insights: Dogs in the water mimic gators’ preferred prey, so you should avoid taking them swimming.

Again, we’re Floridians. We pretty much know this stuff. And now, with the revelation out of Disney and the company’s response — they’ve erected barriers and new, stronger warning signs — we know this stuff better than we did. If alligators have breached the House of the Mouse, they are, indeed, everywhere.

But the Graves aren’t Floridians, and Florida’s economy relies on families such as theirs from faraway places to visit and spend, and go home sufficiently happy about the experience to spread the word among their friends and loved ones.

Accordingly, we need to assume what Florida’s tourists don’t know about alligators is, well, everything. I’ve heard more than my share of stories about visitors and newcomers being shocked into disbelief that alligators live, often literally, in our backyards.

Long before he went on to make a name for himself as a national golf reporter, Tim Rosaforte was a fresh graduate from a New England university playing his first round of golf at the University of South Florida with colleagues from the old Tampa Times. At No. 11, his tee shot checked up near what he took to be an 8-foot log lying by a pond.

At his approach, however, the log quivered and, as real logs never do, raised its head. Stopping dead, Tim assessed this surprise development by blurting, “What the hell is that?!”

At 22, Tim had never seen an alligator outside a zoo. Now this former college linebacker, still in fine tackling form, puddled before us while we looked on in amusement. In Florida, golf and alligators went together like grouper sandwiches and tartar sauce.

It was all we could do to keep him from leaving on the spot, packing up and fleeing north. Ultimately, Tim stayed and, having made a prudent peace with alligators — anything within 10 yards triggers a free drop — made his home in Florida.

In short, we can live together. We pretty much have to. But, the lesson out of Disney World is: We have some teaching to do. Maybe that involves the Legislature toughening signage statutes, but for now, it certainly involves us. That’s you. That’s me.

We have a duty to warn others about being careful out there.

After all, with brains that couldn’t fill a tablespoon, alligators are not going to figure this out on their own.

Tom Jackson, a resident of New Tampa, is interested in your ideas. To reach him, email .

Published June 29, 2016

A lively lesson on reptiles

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Stacy Dunn, an animal educator from Pinellas County Reptiles, tossed out lots of fun facts during a lively show featuring a variety of live critters on June 18 at the New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54 in Zephyrhills.

The unusual-looking blue chameleon has eyes for Stacy Dunn as it sits perched on her finger during the presentation. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
The unusual-looking blue chameleon has eyes for Stacy Dunn as it sits perched on her finger during the presentation.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

She had a crowd of about 90 hanging on her every word, as she showed off animals and talked about how big they get, how old they live to be and what they like to eat.

As she talked, she held the creatures in her hand, or let them crawl across a tarp she spread on the library’s floor.

She showed off 11 animals, including a lizard named Miss Athena, a bearded dragon named Jack and a tarantula named Miss Fluffy.

When Dunn told the crowd that Miss Athena likes blueberries, a little girl in the crowd announced, “I’d love to have a blueberry.”

Among the fun facts that Dunn shared:

“Tortoises cannot swim. They sink like rocks.”

“Snakes are not necessarily aggressive … (But) You don’t want to ever touch a snake’s face.”

“Tarantulas have terrible eyesight. Although they have eight eyes, they can barely see at all.”

And, “Bearded dragons have a blind spot.”

It was mixed reactions from kids when Stacy Dunn released the boa constrictor on a tarp for them to take a closer look.
It was mixed reactions from kids when Stacy Dunn released the boa constrictor on a tarp for them to take a closer look.

One of the more unusual creatures that Dunn showed the crowd looks like a snake, but is actually a lizard. It’s called a European legless lizard.

As Dunn showed off the animals, she gave the kids a chance to touch them.

They were gentle, and Dunn was appreciative: “You guys are doing so good touching with a very delicate touch. Thank you very much.”

During most of the show, 9-year-old Sabrina Mraz sat quietly next to her grandmother, Elsie Brower, of Wesley Chapel.

At one point, though, the young girl decided she wanted to touch a snake, so her grandmother went with her.

While the little girl seemed to enjoy the experience, her grandmother seemed more excited.

“That’s the first time in my life I touched a snake,” the 78-year-old Brower said, who clearly thought the show was worthwhile.

“I found it educational,” Brower said. “I guess you’re never too old to learn.”

Published June 29, 2016

New shops coming to Wiregrass

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The Shops at Wiregrass is freshening up its retail lineup, and looking ahead to a spring 2018 opening for an adjoining retail center.

For now, the new shopping center is identified as the “connector site.”

New shops, restaurants, a grocery store and movie theater are planned.

Shoppers will have walkways to allow easy access into and out of both sites.

“We want to blend and separate it, but create its own identity at the same time,” said Greg Lenners, general manager at the Wiregrass shops.

Greg Lenners is general manager of The Shops at Wiregrass.
Greg Lenners is general manager of The Shops at Wiregrass.

Developers are awaiting a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, but Lenners said the anticipated opening will be in the spring of 2018.

He spoke to about 30 people at a luncheon on June 23 sponsored by The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

The chamber has economic development briefings, with invited guest speakers on the last Thursday of each month.

Forest City Enterprises, the developers of The Shops at Wiregrass, and NRP Group are partnering on the expansion adjacent to The Shops at Wiregrass.

About 250 upscale apartments are planned, as well as about 120,000 square feet of retail, Lenners said.

A 30,000-square-foot grocery and a 35,000-square-foot movie house will be built. “The idea is a dinner-type theater,” said Lenners.

Shops and restaurants could fill in the remaining 55,000 square feet of commercial space.

Lenners also gave a rundown on recent store openings at Wiregrass.

VOM FASS Oils Vinegars Spirits, which opened last week, is the newest retailer and joins other new additions: Rocket Fizz, Lola Perfume, Soleciety Sneaker Boutique and 3D Musketeers.

VisionWorks is slated for a fall opening. Vitamin Shoppe could open by the end of August. And, Irish 31 Pub & Eatery, Menchie’s Frozen Yogurt and Avalon Spa also are expected to open in coming months.

But, Lenners shot down rumors of a Cheesecake Factory.

At least in the near future.

Chains such as Cheesecake or P.F. Chang’s count on large lunch crowds, and the area falls a little short on that, Lenners said.

“You have a commuter demographic here so our lunch traffic goes down,” he said. “We’ll get there.”

As an example, Lenners said about 1,200 houses are under construction near The Shops at Wiregrass. Communities such as Estancia and The Ridge are adding to the local population and signaling continued growth in the area.

“We’re literally right on the 50-yard line,” Lenners said.

Published June 29, 2016