The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pasco looks to lift residential parking rule

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The Pasco County Commission is looking to get rid of a parking restriction that has posed a problem in neighborhoods.

Under its current rules, people parking on the street in residential communities need to have a permit, or they can be cited.

The rule likely isn’t common knowledge to many residents, and appears to be headed toward its demise.

Commissioners have asked the county’s planning and development department to draft an ordinance to eliminate the requirement for residential parking permits on local, county-maintained streets. Parking, however, would be restricted to one side of a street.

Parking on arterial or collector roads would remain illegal. And, private communities with private streets could continue to set their own standards.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore brought the issue to commissioners at their May 23 meeting in New Port Richey.

He said he had received a complaint from a Land O’ Lakes’ resident whose daughter was cited for on-street parking while she was home during the Christmas holiday.

Commissioner Mike Wells said he also has heard similar complaints.

Kris Hughes, the county’s director of planning and development, said parking permits also become an issue for residents during road-paving projects.

“We have multiple examples of the problem,” Hughes said.

Current code requires that residents pay $30 for a parking permit, with the permits limited to four days a year.

There are no restrictions on the number of vehicles that can be included in the permit.

Depending on circumstances, fines for violations generally are $15 and $35. However, fines can be as high as $250, plus community service, if the illegal parking creates a public hazard.

While waiting for an ordinance to end the residential parking permits, county commissioners took an interim step.

They administratively agreed to increase the residential permits from four days to 365 days a year.

About 300 permits are issued annually, with the county collecting more than $10,500 in revenues, Hughes said.

In 2016, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office issued nearly 2,300 citations for all parking violations, generating about $280,000 in revenues. About 43 percent of citations, and about 90 percent of the revenues, were for illegally parking in spots reserved for disabled persons.

About 33 percent of citations, and less than 6 percent in revenues, were for parking on local, subdivision streets without a permit.

Moore said the issue is about helping residents, not collecting more revenues.

Initially, Moore suggested increasing the number of permit days to as many as 12.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey went bigger — much bigger.

She suggested a 365-day permit.

“I never knew there was such a thing as a four-day permit,” Starkey said.

Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the permits were instituted years ago as a way of controlling parking within residential developments. Many have narrow streets, making it impossible for emergency vehicles to gain access if vehicles were parked on both sides of the street.

“Rather than require larger streets, we started this concept of prohibiting parking within subdivisions,” the attorney explained. “When people have parties they don’t have enough room in their driveways so we started issuing permits.”
Commissioners, however, appear to think this is one rule the county no longer needs.

“One less regulatory thing is a good thing,” Wells said.

Published June 6, 2017

Kindness rocks at this library

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The Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, at 2902 W. Bearss Ave., recently hosted more than 100 people of all ages for its first rock-painting event.

Ella Hodges, daughter of senior librarian Jennifer Hodges, helped out at the JB Kindness Rocks event that drew more than 100 people.
(Courtesy of Jennifer Hodges)

Jennifer Hodges, senior librarian, came up with the “JBKindness Rocks” group, to paint rocks to help spread kindness.

The library supplied rocks, paint and brushes at the May 20 session for those who wanted to make their own rock creations to hide in plain sight throughout their communities or pass along to a family member. Participants also could bring their own rocks.

The creations ranged from flowers to animals, and from notes of encouragement to abstract images.

Another rock-painting party is being planned prior to school starting again in August.

For a complete list of all upcoming events at the Jimmie B. Keel library, visit HCPLC.org.

Published June 6, 2017

Meagan Rathman-Urena, of Lutz, designed these rocks and intends to put them out and about in the community. (Mary Rathman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Wheaton, of Carrollwood Village, painted this rock for her expected first great-granddaughter. Anna Kathryn’s parents, Justin and Brittany Grant, live in Odessa, and her grandparents, Sam and Jeannie Wheaton, live in Lutz. (Courtesy of Meagan Rathmann-Urena)
Jennifer Hodges, senior librarian at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, formed the group JBKindess Rocks to help spread kindness and cheer in the community. (Mary Rathman)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meagan Rathman-Urena, of Lutz, puts the finished touches on her rocks. (Mary Rathman)

 

Land O’ Lakes site aims to improve forensic research

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Pasco County had a dedication ceremony for a 5-acre field that will be used to advance forensic research and aid in criminal investigations.

The “body farm” is next to the Land O’ Lakes Detention Center, off U.S. 41. A separate forensics and training facility also is being planned near the body farm site.

A monument sign was unveiled on May 12 at a dedication ceremony for the Adam Kennedy Forensics Field. The ‘body farm’ is part of a project to build a forensics research and training center next to Pasco County’s jail.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

The field has been named the Adam Kennedy Forensics Field, in honor of the former principal of Crews Lake Middle School, who died in a car accident while driving to work in January.

His body was the first one donated to the body farm.

“There is so much bittersweet about this,” said Abigail Kennedy, the principal’s wife, as she spoke during a May 12 ceremony.

Officials from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, county commissioners, and Dr. Erin Kimmerle of the University of South Florida’s Institute of Forensic Anthropology & Applied Science (IFAAS) also were there, as the sign for the field was unveiled.

Adam Kennedy wanted to leave his body to science, Abigail Kennedy said, noting that before her husband died, the couple had discussed possible options, including donating to a medical school.

She said her husband wanted to do something “dedicated to making people’s lives better.”

She contacted USF about the plans underway for the body farm and forensics facility to ask if her husband’s body could be the first donation.

“All I could think was this couldn’t be more perfect,” she said. “This is so cool. This is so Adam.”

The campus of the Florida Forensics Institute for Research & Tactical Training, or F.I.R.S.T., is expected to become a national and international hub for research in the field of forensic science.

The body farm and forensics facility will be the seventh in the nation to study body decomposition as a tool in solving crimes, and identifying victims of murder or other trauma.

The University of Tennessee, in Knoxville, opened the first facility of this type during the 1970s.

The former principal’s body will be buried and later exhumed for research.

So far, about 30 people have preregistered with USF for body donations.

Project partners include the sheriff’s office, Pasco County, Pasco-Hernando State College and the IFAAS.

Kimmerle and USF are well-known for their work in identifying bodies found in unmarked graves at the former Dozier School for Boys in Marianna.

The forensics building at F.I.R.S.T. will be the Thomas Varnadoe Forensic Center for Education and Research. Varnadoe’s body was among those recovered and identified at the grave site at the Dozier school.

Pasco’s campus will include a laboratory, classrooms, a morgue and evidence storage. Virtual autopsies with 3-D scanning and chemical isotope analysis will be done. Other activities will focus on legal medicine, forensic intelligence, aviation reconstruction and cyber forensics.

A tactical training facility for the sheriff’s K-9 unit and the Pasco Unified SWAT team also is planned.

About $200,000 in funding for this facility is being aided through a local campaign spearheaded by the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel.

State funds of about $4.3 million for the forensics and research facility are included in the 2018 budget approved by Florida legislators. But, as of The Laker/Lutz News’ publication deadline, Gov. Rick Scott had not yet decided whether to sign the budget bill.

Scott has expressed displeasure with the budget and could opt to use his line item veto, veto the education portion of the budget or veto the entire budget.

The project will go forward whatever the decision, according to sheriff’s office officials. If the appropriation isn’t approved this year, another request will be made in the 2019 state budget or other sources of money will be sought, they said.

Published May 31, 2017

Efforts to begin to ease area congestion

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Traffic is a mess at the Interstate 75 interchange with State Road 56.

On the plus side, that’s an indicator that new development in the area is boosting Pasco County’s economy.

More of that development is on the way.

But, it’s putting more people and more vehicles on inadequate roads.

The diverging diamond interchange includes lanes that crisscross, fewer traffic signals and signage to help ease traffic congestion. This aerial shows this type of traffic pattern at such an interchange in Missouri.
(File)

A project set to start in 2018 is expected to help reduce the traffic snarls at the I-75/State Road 56 interchange.

“There are huge amounts of traffic being generated,” said Ryan Forrestel, principal at American Consulting Engineers.

A traffic analysis found that during daily rush hours, vehicles are backed up for 1 mile to 2½ miles.

Most motorists are waiting at traffic signals to make left turns onto I-75, or off of it.

During a May 23 session, Forrestel provided a timeline for the construction of a $24.1 million diverging diamond interchange that is expected to relieve traffic.

He made his remarks to a gathering of about 30 people, at an event hosted by The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce at the Mercedes-Benz automobile dealership, off State Road 56.

The meeting was focused on providing information to owners and operators of area businesses.

“We want to make sure they are well-prepared for what is coming,” said Hope Allen, the chamber’s president.

The chamber’s website also will provide up-to-date information on the project as it becomes available.

The project, which at one time had a 2020 start date, now has a construction start date of fall 2018.

A traffic analysis by American Consulting Engineers found traffic at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 interchange can back up 1 mile to 2½ miles during daily rush hours.

Design and planning are expected to be finished by January 2018, and construction bids are scheduled to go out in June 2018.

The project’s construction is expected to take 18 months to 36 months.

Pasco County’s diverging diamond will be Florida’s second.

Two weeks ago, Sarasota became the first to open a diverging diamond on I-75, at University Parkway.

Licia Tavalaiccio plans a visit to see her daughter who lives in Sarasota. While she’s there, she wants a first-hand experience of test driving a diverging diamond interchange.

“I’m excited to go down there and see how it actually flows,” she said.

Being informed about the interchange is also a necessity for the Realtor who works with clients looking to invest in Pasco County property and new businesses. “When they are coming into our area, traffic is going to affect their decisions to purchase in the area,” Tavalaiccio said.

The diverging diamond interchange accommodates multiple lanes of traffic that crisscross from one side to another, with limited traffic signals. Road signs and marked off lanes help direct motorists through the interchange.

Forrestel said no additional right of way will be needed for construction.

The bridge that crosses I-75 won’t be widened, he said, but it will be redesigned to handle traffic coming to and from the I-75 ramps.

Additional lanes will be added to the ramps along with road signs and lane markers. Speed limits will drop to 35 mph on the approach to the interchange.

With fewer traffic signals, Forrestel said, “All turns are free flowing, to the right or to the left.”

In fact, he added, the diverging diamond works best where signalized left-turns dominate. “In other places, they are terrible solutions.”

Supporters of the design say it eases congestion, prevents wrong-way entry onto ramps and reduces crashes.

No daytime lane closures are planned. However, lanes will be shifted to accommodate construction, said Forrestel.

There will be some lane closures at night, he added.

The first phase of construction likely will be the installation of retaining walls surrounding the interchange. They will vary in height from 5 feet to 30 feet.

The completion of construction can’t come soon enough for area business owners.

Britt Young, franchise owner of Chick-fil-A, which fronts State Road 56 by Tampa Premium Outlets, said even employees who live nearby report 20-minute commutes simply to get across I-75.

He hopes the diverging diamond is the right solution.

“We need the flow of traffic to move,” Young said. “It allows for growth on both sides of the interstate. Economically, it’s what we all want.”

Published May 31, 2017

Wiregrass sports complex expected to open in 2019

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The Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County could be open as soon as spring 2019, Richard Blalock, chief executive officer of RADD Sports said last week.

The sports management and development company anticipates finalizing agreements with Pasco County by August. The construction of the 98,000-square-foot indoor sports complex is expected to take 18 months, though Blalock is hopeful it can be done within 14 months.

Richard Blalock, chief executive officer of RADD Sports
(File)

Blalock and Anthony Homer, the company’s vice president of development, gave an update on the project at the monthly economic briefing luncheon hosted by The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce on May 25.

Work already is underway to line up events, sports leagues and coaches for a facility that will operate on Monday through Thursday as a community-based sports center, Blalock said.

Weekends will be set aside to host tournaments, competitions and other events that will generate hotel stays and tax revenues for the county, he said.

“We’re not sitting back waiting,” he said. “We’re in the community actively engaging. When the doors open, we want to be running and generating,” Blalock added.

For instance, Blalock plans to meet with the head coach of the Tampa Bay Rowdies.

The focus will be on involving youth from the community in as many sporting opportunities as possible, he said.

A minor league system for youth ages 9 through 18 will be organized for cheerleading, basketball, volleyball, soccer and lacrosse. Participants will be required to maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade average.

A prep level will be available for youths, ages 5 through 8.

But, sports won’t be the only skill taught.

“We want to develop these kids not only as athletes, but as citizens,” Blalock said.

For youth that don’t want to actively participate in a sport, Blalock said they would have opportunities to join a Coach’s Club or Elite Manager’s Club, to learn skills such as scorekeeping, officiating and team management.

For elite athletes who are being recruited, RADD Sports will help with media technology, such as webcasts, to showcase their talents.

The Pasco County Commission agreed in April to negotiate with RADD Sports for the $25 million sports complex. About $15 million to $17 million in funding will be from a bank loan, secured with a proposed 2 percent increase in the county’s tourism tax. Nearly $11 million is from previously pledged tourism dollars, and sales tax revenues.

County commissioners must approve an ordinance to increase the tourism tax.

Projections for sports events and revenues include:

  • 27,000 visitors per night per year
  • 12,000 visitors who come for the day
  • $6.5 million annual economic impact
  • $8 million or more in sales and use taxes in 10 years (not including tourism tax)

Over 10 years, RADD Sports officials project $100 million in accumulated direct economic impact for the county.

The facility will be able to host sporting and recreational activities, including basketball, volleyball, cheerleading, dancing, wrestling, gymnastics, curling and badminton.

Plans also call for seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, trails, pavilions and a playground.

An $18.5 million, 120-room hotel is planned on land donated years ago by the Porter family – developers of Wiregrass Ranch and The Shops at Wiregrass.

Sports tourism is proving to be a successful generator of revenues for local communities, Homer said.

On average, each visitor spends about $208 a day, he said.

There is a multiplier effect, however, when families come together to youth sports events. “They make a whole weekend out of it,” Homer said.

RADD Sports plans to follow the Disney model for sports event registrations. The hotel room is part of the registration process, he said.

And, when the on-site hotel is full, other area hotels are included, Homer added.

RADD Sports wants to create a “constant churn” of events. “We want them to come back, six, seven, eight times a year,” he said.

Published May 31, 2017

Firm selected to manage planned Zephyrhills tennis center

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The Zephyrhills City Council has selected a firm to run the city’s proposed tennis complex, the latest step in guiding the ambitious project forward.

During a May 22 meeting, council members unanimously agreed to enter negotiations with Pennsylvania-based firm Tennis P.R.O. LLC, to operate and manage the proposed tennis facility.

Construction could begin by year’s end.

This rendering of the Zephyrhills Tennis Center shows 10 courts (eight clay, two hard surface), three mini-courts and one exhibition court. The tennis center is also expected to feature a pro shop, a multifunctional community room, and two office spaces. A second level, if added, will contain an observation deck, players lounge and concessions.
(File)

The council also considered Tennis Management Partners and Net Results, before making its choice.

Tennis P.R.O. is owned by Pascal Collard, the director of tennis at Saddlebrook Tennis Academy in Wesley Chapel from 2003 to 2006. He currently serves as the tennis director at The Merion Cricket Club, a private club in Haverford, Pennsylvania.

Once finalized, the public-private partnership agreement will first call for Tennis P.R.O. to offer input to the facility’s final engineered site design and architectural plans.

Elsewhere, the firm will be responsible for local tennis operations, and facilitating other elements such as membership and fundraising.

City Manager Steve Spina said the arrangement mirrors the one Zephyrhills has with the East Pasco Family YMCA, in which the city owns the building property, but outsources programming and facility management.

Councilman Lance Smith was enthusiastic about the concept.

“Having a professional firm that knows what they’re doing and can operate it properly is the way to go, in my mind,” Smith said.

The planned Zephyrhills Tennis Center will be located on 4.7 acres of donated land at The District at Abbott’s Square, a new real estate development situated north of Dean Dairy Road and west of Simons Road.

Renderings unveiled in November show the estimated $2.19 million project includes 10 courts — of which eight are clay and two are hard surface. Plans also show three mini-courts and one exhibition court, built to U.S Tennis Association (USTA) professional standards.

The planned tennis facility is expected to be named the Sarah Vande Berg Memorial Tennis Center, after the former Zephyrhills High School district champion who became a scholarship player on the University of South Carolina Upstate women’s tennis team. Vande Berg, the daughter of the Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg, tragically died in an automobile accident at the age of 21 in October 2015.

The complex also is expected to feature a pro shop, a multifunctional community room, and two office spaces.

Recreation impact fees from The District at Abbott’s Square and other developments will be used to finance most of the the facility’s construction costs, city officials say.
But, additional frills — such as a clubhouse and observation deck — would likely need to be financed by the city and other funding sources, including, USTA grants, Florida Recreation Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) grants, Penny for Pasco, and partnerships with Pasco County Parks and Recreation, and Pasco County Tourism.

Once operational, memberships will be required to access the facility.

However, Zephyrhills residents will get a price break.

Officials believe the tennis center could become a national draw for college and USTA-sanctioned events.

Meantime, the facility is expected to be named the Sarah Vande Berg Memorial Tennis Center, after the former Zephyrhills High School district champion who became a scholarship player on the University of South Carolina Upstate women’s tennis team.

Vande Berg, the daughter of the Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg, died in an automobile accident at the age of 21 in October 2015.

Earlier this month, the council voted unanimously to send the proposed tennis center name to a committee made up of city staffers who will vote on an official recommendation to the council, which is standard procedure under a city resolution that governs the naming of city facilities.

In other action, Zephyrhills City Hall will permanently close June 9, to make way for construction of a new city hall complex, at 5335 Eighth St. The temporary quarters will be housed at 5344 Ninth St.

Beginning June 12, city council meetings will be at the Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., for approximately one year.

Board meetings, including airport authority and planning commission, will also be at the library, during that period.

Published May 31, 2017

Witches, ruby slippers and lots of heart

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Arts in Motion’s production of “The Wizard of Oz” at Pasco Middle School was all about transformations.

This is a photo of the ‘Ruby’ cast. Two casts performed the play, allowing seven of the actors to have both a major role and a minor part in two performances each.

Dorothy’s perspective on Kansas changed.

The Tin Woodsman got a heart.

The Cowardly Lion, courage.

The Scarecrow, a brain.

And, two wicked witches met their ends.

The characters in the theater troupe changed, too, as there were two major casts, which switched out for performances. Seven of the cast members had a chance to play major roles and minor roles in two performances each, through a bit of creative casting.

“Double-casting allows more kids to have bigger roles,” explained Jill Ricardo, vice president of production for Arts in Motion, via email.

“The Wizard of Oz” production involved 38 actors, ranging in age from 5 to 17, Ricardo said. The performances were given on the evening of May 19, the afternoon and evening of May 20, and the afternoon of May 21.

Most of the actors come from East Pasco, but some come from as far away as Riverview, Ricardo said. The performers began rehearsing in mid-February and held rehearsals for eight hours a week, Ricardo added.

The Wicked Witch of the East’s feet, after Dorothy’s house lands on the witch.

Arts in Motion is a nonprofit community youth theater and arts education organization. It aims to give children in kindergarten through 12th grade a chance to participate in the visual and performing arts, according to the organization’s website.

The goals are to help youths to build confidence, to help them learn how to collaborate and to stimulate their creativity, the website adds.

Since its formation in 1995, Arts in Motion has produced such musicals as “Back to the 80s,” “The Little Mermaid,” “A Christmas Carol,” Seussical the Musical,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “Grease” and “The Sound of Music.”

Besides two large-scale productions each year, Arts in Motion also hosts workshops in audition technique, voice, acting, improv and dance, and holds week-long summer camps.

For more information, visit ArtsInMotionPasco.org.

Published May 31, 2017

Increased school impact fees a step closer in Pasco County

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Pasco County’s Development Review Committee has recommended approval of a proposed ordinance that would hike school impact fees in Pasco County.

The review committee, acting as the county’s local planning agency, found the proposed increase to be consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.

The new rates would significantly increase the impact fees charged to new residential development to help address the impact that new growth has on schools.

Under the proposed ordinance, the fees could be used to build new schools, acquire school sites or purchase new school buses.

These are the proposed fees:

  • Single-family detached residences: $7,540, for homes 1,500 square feet or less; $9,785 for homes between 1,501 square feet and 2,499 square feet; and, $12,028 for homes of 2,500 square feet or more
  • Single-family attached: $3,633 per dwelling
  • Mobile homes: $5,544 per dwelling
  • Multifamily: $5,295 per dwelling

Those compare to these current fees:

  • Single-family detached: $4,828 per dwelling (no distinction based on size)
  • Single-family attached: $1,740 per dwelling
  • Mobile home: $2,843 per dwelling
  • Multifamily: $1,855 per dwelling

The fees do not apply to age-restricted communities, where residents are 55 and older.

At the review committee meeting on May 25, Mark C. Ogier, representing the Bay Area Apartment Association, challenged the proposed multifamily rate.

“These proposed impact fees are very troubling to our association and our industry,” Ogier said.

Cypress Creek Middle High School is taking shape, off Old Pasco Road. Pasco County Schools has asked the Pasco County Commission to increase school impact fees to help address the county’s burgeoning enrollment. This new school will enable Wiregrass Ranch High School to resume a regular schedule after it was forced to lengthen its school day to teach students in shifts.
(Fred Bellet)

“No. 1, the proposed increases are huge increases for all categories, but they’re especially grossly disproportionate for multifamily,” Ogier said.

The proposed multifamily increase is a 184 percent increase from the current rate.

At the same time, he said, the amount of student generation from multifamily is “significantly less than single-family,” he said.

Ogier — whose association represents more than 142,000 apartment units in the Tampa Bay area — also questioned the generation rates used by the school district’s consultant, Tischler-Bise, in the impact fee study.

He cited statistics showing that 80 children per 100 households live in single-family, compared with 38 per 100 households in multifamily, Ogier said.

When just children between the ages of 6 and 17 are considered, 35 percent of single-family owners have kids in that age range, while multifamily has just 13 percent, Ogier added.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, said the student generation rates were based on where students actually live.

“Every student is geo-coded to a particular residence,” Gadd said.

“I’m not sure how you beat that,” said Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles. “They live where they live.”

While the Pasco County Commission doesn’t have to adopt the full rate that’s recommended, it cannot simply reduce the multifamily fee, said David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney.

“There’s no legal way to just reduce multifamily,” Goldstein said, noting to do that would cause single-family to pay a disproportionate amount of the fee.

Review committee member John Walsh asked what would happen if the Tampa Bay Apartment Association wanted to debate if the study was valid or not.

Goldstein responded: “They’d have to come up with their own data showing that what Tischler-Bise (the school district’s consultant) came up with, is inaccurate.”

Gadd said he would provide his underlying data to Ogier, so he could see the information that the district used.

A committee appointed by the Pasco County Commission had recommended the full impact fee increase be adopted, but also said that should be done in stages — with a portion of the impact fee adopted within 90 days of the ordinance adoption and the rest adopted after the Pasco County School Board voted to seek a sales tax increase to address school capacity needs.

That recommendation fell flat with county commissioners who said they didn’t want to force the school board to seek a sales tax increase.

Regardless of what happens with the proposed impact fees, the school district remains in a deep hole regarding funding for new schools.

District officials estimate that even with the full impact fee increase, the district would have a   $284 million shortfall for capital construction needed during the next decade.

Pasco commissioners have scheduled two public hearings on the ordinance to amend the school impact fees.

The first public hearing on the school impact fees issue is set for June 20 at 1:30 p.m., in the commission’s board room at the West Pasco Government Center. The second is set for July 11 at 1:30 p.m., on the second floor of the Historic County Courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Published May 31, 2017

Guv’na hopeful relishes ‘campaign’

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Jessica Sherman is off to quite a start in her first bid for the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na.

Sherman recently was voted the winner of the Guv’na Debate, held May 20 at the Old Lutz School.

There, she claimed victory in the event’s talent contest, and earned a $100 campaign donation for bringing the most guests — friends and family.

Now, the Guv’na hopeful has her eye on winning the race.

At the Guv’na debate, Sherman’s camp managed to sway ‘voters” with a wide assortment of goodies and prizes. All proceeds from the Guv’na of Lutz ‘campaign’ benefit about 20 local causes, including, scout troops, the Old Lutz School, the Friends of the Library, and the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Women’s Club.
(Kevin Weiss)

Although, she said, by the same token she’s simply enjoying the “campaign” trail.

“I am just so happy to be able to be a part of this — seriously,” said Sherman. “It’s so far been a blast, and I’m looking forward to every single event.”

Sherman decided to join the race to help the nonprofit organizations and beneficiaries that receive proceeds from the race support.

Those organizations include Girl Scout Troop 2714, where Sherman was a parent leader for a few years.

“The scout program is super near and dear to my heart,” Sherman said. “Those girls are amazing. They are just the best kids, ever.”

Currently the manager at Pinch A Penny in Lutz, Sherman has worked in the pool industry for about 15 years.

She’s also a longtime Lutz resident.

Her campaign slogan — “Keep Lutz Local”— reflects her passion for the tight-knit Hillsborough County community.

It’s also a message to support family-owned and operated businesses in the area.

“Lutz is special,” she said, “because of the entrepreneurs that we have in our community.”

The distinct “small-town” vibe isn’t lost on her, either.

“How many communities still have their original schoolhouse?” said Sherman, referring to the Historic Old Lutz School built in 1927.

Despite a notable debate showing, Sherman acknowledged her nervousness heading into the satirical-based event. “I was having a small panic attack,” she said.

But, Sherman ably stepped out of her comfort zone, thanks to witty one-liners and dance moves — comically resembling those popularized by “Seinfeld” TV series character Elaine Benes, portrayed by Julia Louis-Dreyfuss.

“She was my inspiration; my dance skills have been compared to hers quite a few times,” Sherman said, jokingly.

The chance to sway “voters” doesn’t end there.

Sherman has various “campaign” fundraising events in the works, including a spaghetti dinner on June 4 and a tea lunch on June 11.

She also plans to announce a “super secret” surprise event that coincides with the grand opening of a new Lutz business.

Additionally, Sherman is offering opportunities to win prizes in exchange for “campaign” donations, including Tampa Bay Buccaneers ticket packages, a Zodiac MX6 pool cleaner and Jazzercise membership discounts.

Besides raising money for “such great causes,” Sherman is eager to promote Lutz and meet new people, over the next few months.

“It’s just great a feeling to be able to embrace your community the way that this allows you to,” she said.

The Guv’na race continues through the Fourth of July weekend.

The winner will be announced after the community’s traditional parade.

To receive the coveted “sash,” Sherman must outpace two other candidates — Kori Rankin, of Kori Rankin Photography, and incumbent Greg Gilbert, of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Lutz.

The annual charity event started in 1991. More than $100,000 has been raised in the past decade alone.

The winner of the Guv’na race gets to earmark 10 percent of what he or she raises to the charitable organization of his or her choice.

Regardless of the outcome, Sherman’s 2017 bid for Lutz Guv’na probably won’t be her last.

“If the community would like me to run again, I would be all for it,” Sherman said. “I think it would be fun to do again, absolutely.”

If you’d like to contribute to Sherman’s campaign, call (813) 362-1085 or email .

Upcoming fundraisers
Those wishing to support Jessica Sherman’s bid to become the next Lutz Guv’na can attend these upcoming fundraisers:

  • Spaghetti Dinner: June 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 504 Crystal Grove Blvd., in Lutz. Tickets are $5. Dinner includes a drink and garlic bread.
  • Tea Lunch: June 11, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., at the Tea Room at Deb’s Whistle Stop Depot, 100 Fourth St. W., in Lutz. Cost is $35. Lunch includes sandwiches and tea.

Published May 31, 2017

A time to remember military sacrifice

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Our nation is preparing to observe Memorial Day, in honor of the men and women who died while serving in the armed forces.

The American holiday, which falls on the last Monday of May each year, originally was known as Decoration Day. It began in the years following the Civil War and was declared an official federal holiday in 1971.

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To mark the holiday weekend, several events and ceremonies are planned for the region. Here is a listing of some of those events.

  • Lutz-Land O’ Lakes American Legion Post 108 will be placing flags at the Lutz cemetery May 27 and retrieving them May 30, both days at 9 a.m. The group also will be selling poppies, for a donation, at the Sunlake Publix, on Memorial Day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Veterans Memorial Park and LeRoy Collins Jr. Veterans Museum, 3602 U.S. 301 N., in Tampa, will host its 20th annual Memorial Day ceremony May 28 at 11 a.m. The event will include patriotic songs, a keynote speech, a POW/MIA Missing Man Remembrance Celebration, a wreath presentation, a rifle salute and taps. Guests can bring lawn chairs. The park, monuments and museum are free and open to the public. For information, call (813) 744-5502.
  • The Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park, 4150 S. Suncoast Blvd., in Homosassa, will host a Memorial Day event May 29 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with special activities to recognize and honor those who served our country. Volunteers will be collecting items (toilet paper, paper towels, trash bags and laundry soap) for the Mission in Citrus Homeless Veterans Shelter. Visitors can support the Honor Flight network and write notes to veterans of World War II and Korean War. For information, call Susan Strawbridge at (352) 628-5445, ext. 1002, or Carla Nicklas at (352) 257-1480.
  • The Florida National Cemetery, 6502 S.W. 102nd Ave., in Bushnell, will have a Memorial Day ceremony May 29 at 11 a.m., in the Assembly Area. For information, call (352) 793-7740.
  • Oldsmar will host its annual Memorial Day ceremony May 29 at 10 a.m., at Veterans Memorial Park, 250 Shore Drive E., in Oldsmar. The keynote speaker will be Brian Anderson, CEO of Veterans Alternative. Local singer Malori Shaw will perform. The outdoor event will take place rain or shine. Admission is free.

Additionally, some local attractions, including The Museum of Science and Industry, at 4801 E. Fowler Ave., and Lowry Park Zoo, at 1101 W. Sligh Ave. have special offers for members of the military.

The Museum of Science and Industry is offering free admission all summer for active-duty members of the United States military and their families from May 27 through the end of Labor Day weekend, Sept. 4.

Veterans can visit MOSI for free on Labor Day weekend, and can bring up to five family members. For information, visit MOSI.org.

CORRECTION: This year, members of the military can purchase discounted tickets for The Lowry Park Zoo at MacDill Air Force Base. For more information, call (813) 935-8552. There also is a crash sale this holiday weekend on the greater one-horned rhino encounter and behind-the-scenes tour. To learn more, visit TLPZ.org/tours.

Published May 24, 2017