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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Zephyrhills sets tax rate, presents draft budget

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For the third straight year, the property tax rate will stay the same in Zephyrhills.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted to set the tentative millage rate at 6.35 mills.

Under state law, once a tentative millage rate has been set, the city cannot raise it before the start of the fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The council does, however, have the option to reduce the rate before then.

Based on the 6.35-millage rate, the total budget for the new fiscal year will be $16.8 million, across the city’s 10 departments. The Zephyrhills Police Department, among others, will see several equipment upgrades. The draft budget includes funding to purchase four new Ford Explorers (two K9 and two marked units), along with new firearms and Taser replacements. Other upgrades include new officer laptops and external police cameras, plus replacement air conditioning unit at the agency’s station. (File)

Public hearings on the proposed rate are scheduled Sept. 11 at 6 p.m., and Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., in the Zephyrhills Public Library meeting room, 5347 Eighth St.

City records show that maintaining a rate of 6.35 mills will generate about $3.91 million in property taxes, an increase of nearly $218,000 over last year. Those figures are based on the proposed total city property value of about $651 million.

In the 2014-2015 fiscal year, Zephyrhills’ tax rate was 6.1415 mills. But, two years ago, the council opted to raise the rate to 6.35 mills to “accommodate operational improvements.”

Based on the 6.35-millage rate, the total budget for the new fiscal year will be slightly more than $16.8 million across the city’s 10 departments.

The remaining money necessary for the 2017-2018 budget will come from other funding sources, including state revenues, franchise fees, utility fees and grants.

The Zephyrhills Police Department, among other departments, will see several equipment and operational upgrades.

The draft budget includes funding to purchase four new Ford Explorers (two K9 and two marked units), totaling $166,000, along with several new firearms ($23,000) and Taser replacements ($11,000).

Other upgrades include new officer laptops ($15,000) and external police cameras ($21,000), plus a $160,000 replacement air conditioning unit at the agency’s station.

Additionally, police overtime is increasing by about $20,000, to account for shift overtime and various training programs.

The Zephyrhills city council voted to set the tentative millage rate at 6.35 mills, the same figure set for the past three fiscal years.

The city’s parks department has several new digs coming their way, too.

Funds are earmarked for a new, $300,000 concession stand at Krusen Field, and Zephyr Park is slated to receive $150,000 in new playground equipment.

The department also is set to receive two replacement pickup trucks totaling $50,000 and a zero-turn lawnmower, worth $12,000.

As in prior years, the city plans to divvy out thousands of dollars in grants.

According to the draft budget, The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is slated to receive $50,000 from the city, while the East Pasco YMCA will receive $30,000. Sports youth leagues will receive $10,000, and Zephyrhills High School will receive $10,000 for scholarships.

Besides funding $30,000 for the Samaritan Project, the city also is working on budgeting water lines and service to Helping Rock, a homeless shelter on Forbes Road that provides 24-hour housing and is a resource for the Zephyrhills Police Department.

Other proposed budget items include:

  • A 3 percent increase in salaries and benefits for employees, at an additional cost of about $300,000.
  • A contingency fund of about $1.6 million, a decrease of $1.2 million from the current fiscal year — mainly due to funding for Tyler software, overages at the Jeffries House and costs for implementing employee pay increases.
  • Worker’s compensation is $245,000, an increase of about $30,000 from the previous year.
  • An increase to $770,000, up from $669,000, for casualty and property insurance.

The budget also includes a loan of more than $7 million for the construction of the new City Hall, which has been carried over from last year. The loan amount will be paid on an annual basis from Penny for Pasco revenues.

Another budget workshop is anticipated sometime in August to discuss, among other issues, costs and improvements to revitalize the former Hercules Park property, and to finalize a plan for the anticipated Sarah Vande Berg Tennis Center.

City staff is currently working on the tennis center’s design, as well as building construction costs.

According to City Manager Steve Spina, an early estimate of the building cost is $2.25 million, while court construction costs are anticipated to be $950,000, to be paid out of park impact fees by District of Abbot Station developer David Waronker. The city, meanwhile, still needs to enter into a contract to take ownership of the site and payment of the park impact fees for court construction.

Also of note: The Dade City Commission voted to set their tentative millage rate at 7.14 mills, the same figure set for the 2016-2017 fiscal year.

City records show that maintaining a rate of 7.14 mills will generate about $1.89 million in property taxes, an increase of $80,700 from last year.

Published August 2, 2017

He offers humor, nostalgia and old-fashioned value

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If you’ve ever driven through the parking lot near the McDonald’s at U.S. 41 and State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes, you’ve probably seen a sign leading to Fred Wilsky’s shop.

“Sharpening Service” the sign proclaims, pointing east onto Carson Drive.

Sparks fly as Fred Wilsky sharpens the edge of a lawn mower blade in his Land O’ Lakes shop. (B.C. Manion)

If you head east on Carson Drive, you’ll see a series of signs — each getting you closer to the shop where Wilsky has been plying his trade for the better part of four decades.

You’ll go a mile or more before turning left onto a winding road. You’ll discover that Wilsky’s shop is well off the beaten path.

Inside the shop, it’s like taking a step back in time.

Wilsky is in the business of sharpening stuff.

He gives lawn motor blades a fresh edge.

He makes steak knives sharp again.

He’ll give a second wind to a saw blade, a new lease on life to a chainsaw and will make garden tools work as good as new.

“I sharpen almost everything — except a dull wit,” said Wilsky, who set up his shop in the late 1970s, after retiring from selling insurance.

While selling insurance, he said, he had several customers who were in the sharpening business. He thought to himself: “That’s something I would like to do.”

So, he went to a school in Minneapolis to learn how, then bought some used equipment and set up shop.

Now 90, he only does occasional jobs. But, he still has high standards.

“I try to never turn out a job that isn’t as good or better than the original,” he said.

“There are some things that I don’t sharpen because I don’t have the equipment to do it well enough that I am willing to do it for someone else,” he said.

For instance, he said, “I will sharpen my own router blades, but I’m not going to sharpen them for someone else because the finished job is not like it should be,” he said.

Most of his business comes from word-of-mouth, or referrals from local hardware or lawn mower shops, or from passersby who see his signs, he said.

Fred Wilsky is 90, but he still does occasional work in the shop behind his Land O’ Lakes home that he shares with his wife, Hilda.

He charges per the piece, and he generally needs to see the piece to determine if he can do it and how much it would cost.

Lawn mower blades, for instance, are normally around $3.50 each. But, sometimes they are too bent to repair, he said.

Many jobs can be handled on the spot, he added.

“To do a carbide saw would take 15 to 25 minutes, depending upon the size and the configuration of the carbide,” he said.

Generally, he said, it’s more economical to sharpen a tool, than to replace it.

“Almost always my price would be less than half than buying a new one. I can feel good about that,” he said.

He also gets satisfaction from helping people extend the life of a favorite tool.

Often, they are unaware, Wilsky said, “that it can be sharpened and be better than it was new.”

He likes to keep his shop open, he said, because “I’m helping myself a little bit. I’m also helping people take care of their tools.”

He recalled an instance when the owner of a lawn business — who had been sharpening his own blades — brought one into Wilsky’s shop.

Later, the man returned and asked Wilsky how he got such good results.

Wilsky responded: “No. 1, I’ve got the right piece of equipment. No. 2, I know what I’m doing with it. No. 3, cutting grass is your job, sharpening blades is mine.”

Over the years, Wilsky said he’s heard some common questions.

For instance, people ask: “Is this worth sharpening?”

Wilsky’s standard response: “Are you going to use it? If you’re going to use it, it’s worth sharpening, and it certainly will be a lot easier to use, after I sharpen it.”

People also want to know how often to sharpen steak knives.

“The answer is, ‘When they get dull,’” Wilsky said.

By the same token, a good set of steak knives can last a long time, he said.

“It’s not at all unusual to see a set of steak knives 50, 60 years or older,” Wilsky said. “I’ve got a knife in there that I believe is at least 80 years old.”

And, when it comes to steak knives, it’s the quality of the steel — not the name brand — that matters, Wilsky said. If the steel is soft, it won’t hold an edge, he explained.

There comes a point when a piece of equipment won’t benefit from sharpening, he said.

“The limit is how much steel there is,” Wilsky said.

If someone needs his services, Wilsky said, it’s best to call ahead.

“If I’m not here, there’s nobody to help them,” said Wilsky, whose shop is behind the home he shares with his wife, Hilda.

He also noted that he doesn’t work on Sundays.

If you would like to reach Wilsky, his number is (813) 949-4851.

Published August 2, 2017

$2 million grant goes to Zephyrhills airport

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Funding continues to fly into the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

The office of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents Florida’s 12th congressional district, announced last month that the airport had received a $2 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, near Interstate 4 and Interstate 75, is the only publicly owned and operated airport in Pasco County. The airport currently has a waiting list for hangar space, according to Airport Manager Nathan Coleman. The airport’s 172 enclosed spots include 137 T-hangars, 25 half-hangars and 10 shade spots. (File)

Funds will go toward pavement repairs and new LED lighting at Taxiway B, which hasn’t seen upgrades in about 20 years, according to Airport Manager Nathan Coleman.

Taxiway B is situated off the main causeway, and connects to the fuel pumps and the southeast side of the airfield. It is one of the airport’s five taxiways.

Coleman said the taxiway improvement project has been in development for more than two years, as engineering firms AVCON Engineering and AID (American Infrastructure Development) aided the airport with the planning and grant application process.

The $2 million grant — along with supplemental federal Department of Transportation funds — should cover about 98 percent of the project, with the airport contributing the remaining 2 percent of funding. “It’s a really good deal for the airport,” Coleman said.

The grant was available through the FAA’s Airport Improvement Program (AIP), which funds various types of airport infrastructure projects, including runways, taxiways, and airport signage, lighting and markings.

Airports are entitled to a certain amount of AIP funding each year, based on passenger volume. If their capital project needs exceed their available entitlement funds, then the FAA can supplement their entitlements with discretionary funding.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport has been awarded a $2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The federal funding will go toward pavement and lighting improvements at Taxiway B, which hasn’t been updated in about 20 years. The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport was one of four airports in Florida to receive funding for infrastructure improvements, joining Key West International Airport ($9 million), Orlando International Airport ($16 million) and Tampa International Airport ($9.3 million). (Courtesy of Zephyrhills Municipal Airport)

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport is one of four airports in Florida to receive funding for infrastructure improvements, joining Key West International Airport ($9 million), Orlando International Airport ($16 million) and Tampa International Airport ($9.3 million).

Nationwide, the FAA is awarding $290.6 million in airport infrastructure grants to 105 airports in 38 states.

Those federal funds are critical, Coleman said, particularly for smaller, general aviation airports that mainly attract single-engine planes as opposed to large, commercial aircrafts.

“It’s just a great way for us to be able to maintain our infrastructure,” the airport manager said. “I give tons of credit to (FAA and DOT) because without their help, it’d be hard for little airports like ourselves to really thrive and make it.”

Since 2011, the municipal airport has secured just under $9 million in federal funds. That includes a sizable $4.5 million federal grant in 2012, to repave Runway 4-22, which later became Runway 5-23.

Aside from the Taxiway B improvements, other major projects are slated over the next several years.

Coleman expects to rehab Taxiway A in 2019, and have a design plan in place for a new terminal building by 2021.

More long-term plans call for the installation of a taxiway along Runway 01-19, plus roadway additions to the southwest end of the airport.

The Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, near Interstate 4 and Interstate 75, is the only publicly owned and operated airport in Pasco County.

The airport currently has a waiting list for hangar space, Coleman said. The airport’s 172 enclosed spots include 137 T-hangars, 25 half-hangars and 10 shade spots.

Last year, a new hangar was constructed at the airport, for the first time in 16 years. The 10,000-square-foot hangar, owned by Thomas and Keith Morrell of TKM Aviation, is located on the northwest portion of the airport property.

Published August 2, 2017

Partnerships may yield ‘community farm’ at Moore-Mickens

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Efforts have begun to lay the groundwork for a “community farm” on the property now under the supervision of the nonprofit Moore-Mickens Education Center and Vocational Center Inc.

Whitney C. Elmore, director of the Pasco County Extension Office, said she has been talking to the Moore-Mickens nonprofit about the possibility of establishing the farm, which would involve the help of several other community partners.

Whitney C. Elmore, director of the Pasco County Extension Office, is working with community stakeholders on an effort to establish a community farm on the property now under the supervision of the nonprofit Moore-Mickens Education Center and Vocational Center Inc. (File)

“We do have a lot of support from the community and the nonprofit, itself, also folks like Camille Hernandez, the mayor of Dade City.

“We have support from the school board and from Farm Bureau, which is very important to us.

“We bring in a lot of different partners from many aspects in the community,” Elmore said.

“We do have folks from the agricultural community in Pasco, that are interested in helping, as well. Helping us break ground. Helping us move forward, as far as installing and utilizing irrigation,” she added.

“We hope to have that up and running this fall,” she said, explaining that she’s the go-between between the nonprofit and the University of Florida (UF).

“The decision (regarding the Extension Office’s involvement) basically rests with our dean at UF,” Elmore said.

She’s excited about the prospects.

The community farm will grow things for the community, she explained. But, it also would give people an opportunity to learn about gardening.

It would be a place where master gardeners could both teach and learn, Elmore said.

And, it will enable “folks in the community to come in and work with our family and consumer sciences agent for money matters, nutrition courses,” she added.

Elmore’s vision also includes involving the community garden program assistant in the initiative.

“We’re hoping we can even bring the (Pasco County) Sheriff’s Office into play here and bring some of the inmates out to do some of the heavy lifting — but, also give them job skill development and training, as well,” she said.

At this point, the ideas are conceptual, but she hopes they become reality.

“We’re showing a lot of community support,” she said, noting that numerous partners are interested in making this happen.

“We’re going to keep pushing ahead,” Elmore said. “There’s a groundswell that’s taking
place here. This is a win-win for this entire community.”

Published August 2, 2017

Brightwork Crossing under construction on State Road 54

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Brightwork Crossing is a mixed-use development under construction on about 32 acres close to Tampa Premium Outlets and Cypress Creek Town Center.

Up to 350 apartments, 250,000 square feet of offices, retail and self-storage, and a 150-room hotel can be built. Site plans are on file with Pasco County for a WaWa convenience store, Firestone Complete Auto Care store and Burger King.

A sign along Old State Road 54 marks off the site where construction workers are preparing about 32 acres for residential and commercial development – Brightwork Crossing.
(Kathy Steele)

The site is on the north side of State Road 54, west of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, directly behind the Shell gas station and Walgreen’s drugstore.

A handful of cows that once grazed on grass and weeds are gone. Bulldozers and cranes are leveling the ground. A single residence on the property is being torn down.

The complex will go up in the midst of one of Pasco County’s fastest growing areas, at an intersection where State Road 54, State Road 56 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard meet up. The State Road 56 interchange at Interstate 75 is immediately to the west.

Tampa Premium Outlets on the south side of State Road 56, and Cypress Creek Town Center, on the north side, are at the epicenter of new shops and restaurants. More are on the way, as are offices and hotels.

Tampa-based BW 54 56 Holdings LLC, and Alabama-based Arlington Properties Inc., are partnering on Brightwork Crossing.

Representatives for those companies weren’t available for comment.

The Pasco County Commission approved the development in 2016. The entire site is bordered by Wesley Chapel Boulevard, State Road 54, and the one-lane paved, Old Cypress Creek Road.

At hearings on the matter, traffic concerns became an issue.

The site is bisected by Old State Road 54, a popular cut-through for motorists seeking to avoid traffic jams at the intersection of Wesley Chapel Boulevard and State Road 54/56.

Old State Road 54 right of way was part of a land swap between the county, landowners and developers. It gave the county green space for its wildlife corridors network, and also room for a future park-and-ride facility for commuters.

A dead-end portion of the road to the north has been opened, and rebuilt to provide cross access, via Wesley Chapel Boulevard, into the town center. Sierra Properties, the town center’s developers, paid for the roadwork as part of its construction of a town center entrance, off Wesley Chapel.

The county plans to eventually widen Wesley Chapel to a six-lane divided road. And, a diverging diamond interchange is expected to replace the existing interchange at I-75 to ease traffic congestion. Construction is expected to begin in 2018 on the interchange.

Published August 2, 2017

A conference where bromeliads are the stars

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There’s an extravaganza set for this coming weekend aimed at celebrating bromeliads — plants that can be grown indoors or out, and often feature long-lasting flower displays, colorful foliage, or both.

A look at a bromeliad from one of the yards that will be featured on a tour during the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies Extravaganza, Aug. 4 through Aug. 6 The bus tour has been filled, but conference registrations are still being accepted. (Courtesy of Carol Wolfe)

People who are seriously into bromeliads may want to register to attend the conference, but others may want to simply check out two bromeliad plant sales that are being held as part of the event.

The Tampa Bromeliad Extravaganza is being presented in conjunction with the 40th anniversary of the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies. The conference is at the Clarion Hotel, 2710 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa.

There are 11 bromeliad clubs around the state that make up the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies, said Tom Wolfe, of Lutz, general chairman of the Tampa Extravaganza.

The clubs take turns hosting the statewide gathering every other year, he said.

This year, as of last week, the conference had 160 registered to attend.

The event features a chance to hear from bromeliad experts and to hang out with other bromeliad enthusiasts. There’s a chance to purchase some plants for your garden, too.

The plant sales also are open to the general public, Wolfe said.

“On Saturday morning (Aug. 5), the entire ballroom will be filled with bromeliads for sale. Most of the bromeliad vendors in the state will be there,” he said. That sale will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

That evening, around 7:30 p.m., a rare plant auction will be held, giving collectors a chance to purchase some interesting plants. Proceeds from that sale will be used to support research to battle a weevil (Metamasius callizona) that’s been attacking 12 of Florida’s native bromeliads.

So far, more than $97,000 has been raised and donated, and organizers hope this rare plant auction will raise at $3,000 to put it over the $100,000 mark.

The local and state bromeliad organizations are working closely with Teresa M. Cooper, Ph.D., with the “Save Florida’s Bromeliads Conservation Project,” SaveBromeliads.com.

For more information about the conference, call (813) 391-1542, or go online to FCBS.org and click on the link to 2017 FCBS Extravaganza Information.

If you go
Bromeliad Extravaganza
Where: Clarion Hotel, 2710 E. Fowler Ave.
When: Aug. 4 through Aug. 6
Cost: Registration is $100, which includes two meals
Details: Event celebrates the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies’ 40th anniversary.
Information: Call (813) 391-1542, or go online to FCBS.org and click on the 2017 FCBS Extravaganza Information.

Bromeliad sale events
Bromeliad lovers will have plenty of plants to choose from at these two sales events.
Where: Clarion Hotel, 2710 E. Fowler Ave., in Tampa
When: Aug. 5. The first sales event runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; the second event is a rare plant auction, also on Aug. 5, beginning around 7:30 p.m.
Details: These bromeliad sales are in conjunction with the Florida Council of Bromeliad Societies ‘Extravaganza.’ Proceeds from the rare plant auction will be used to support research aimed at stopping a weevil that is destroying native Florida bromeliads.

Published August 2, 2017

LEGO + creativity = The Art of The Brick

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Nathan Sawaya’s version of ‘The Scream’ was based on the original 1893 painting by artist Edvard Munch. (Mary Rathman)

While children often use LEGO bricks to build ferries, cars and people, artist Nathan Sawaya uses the tiny, colorful plastic pieces to recreate artistic masterpieces and create whimsical pieces of art.

His touring exhibit, called The Art of The Brick, is on display in downtown Tampa, Wednesdays through Sundays, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until Sept. 4.

The exhibit, which has been billed by CNN as one of the world’s “Must See Exhibitions,” was brought to the region by Jeff and Penny Vinik, of the Vinik Family Foundation and is being presented to the public without charge.

An entire building, at 802 E. Whiting St., is devoted to the exhibit.

This life-size sculpture features a man ripping his chest open, with thousands of LEGO bricks flowing out.

During a recent visit, both children and adults were having fun, as they made their way from room to room. As visitors went along, many began guessing how many LEGO pieces Sawaya used to complete a particular work.

Sawaya shares his story on a brief video at the beginning of the exhibit.

Before he began creating art works from LEGO bricks, he was a corporate lawyer in New York City, as well as an author.

Over time, he discovered that creating art from LEGO bricks was his calling.

He believes art is essential.

This sculpture depicts Nathan Sawaya’s interpretation of Nefertiti, an Egyptian queen renowned for her beauty. She ruled alongside her husband, Pharaoh Akhenaten, during the mid-1300s B.C.

“Art makes better humans, art is necessary in understanding the world and art makes people happy. Undeniably, art is not optional,” says a quotation attributed to him on a sign in the exhibit.

He also hopes his work will inspire children to learn about art.

As he says on another sign in the gallery: “I first learned adjectives through School House Rock. I learned how to count to ten through Sesame Street. I learned about gravity through my Slinky. Imagine if a child learns about art history through LEGO!”

If you go:
The Art of the Brick
802 E. Whiting St., Tampa, 33602
Hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Exhibit ends on Sept. 4)
Admission is free. Metered parking and paid parking lots are available nearby.

Published August 2, 2017

Neighborhood Notebook seeks suggestions

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Give a community a piece of chalk and chalkboard, and wait — people will write what’s on their minds.

That’s the idea behind the Neighborhood Notebook, a chalkboard that’s intended to invite those passing by to share their ideas about how they want their community to grow.

The chalkboard is being placed at various locations in central Pasco County to seek community input.

Land O’ Lakes resident Sean Serrano reads the Neighborhood Notebook at The Shops at Wiregrass, before adding his own ideas to the chalkboard. (Kathy Steele)

At the moment, the focus area is the Gateway Crossing Market Area bordered by State Road 56 and State Road 54, Suncoast Parkway, U.S. 41 and Interstate 75. That includes the communities of Trinity, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and Wesley Chapel.

County officials are hoping to spark a dialogue about the area’s future growth.

What do residents want? Do they want more trails? Safer streets? Better bus service? More restaurants?

Residents were introduced to the Neighborhood Notebook at The Shops at Wiregrass, from July 11 to July 17.

On opposite panels of a hinged chalkboard, two unfinished sentences invite “fill-in-the-blank” moments.

Pasco County employees built the notebook and set it up outside the customer service station at Wiregrass.

The unfinished sentences are: ‘I would like to see’ and ‘I can make it happen.’

“It’s a new, different kind of thing designed to get attention,” said Kris Hughes, the county’s planning and development administrator.

County officials are giving residents opportunities to express ideas about future planning issues in central Pasco County, including land use, design and transit.

Officials got some of those ideas, and, on occasion, naughty graffiti.

That wasn’t unexpected with a display open to the public, said Hughes.

“We all have to deal with what would be juvenile behavior as it arises. We don’t let it stay up there,” Hughes said.

At future notebook exhibits, Hughes said the county might provide maps so that residents can better understand the area being studied.

As of July 17, residents had left ideas that covered a range of topics.

One person wanted to see people “not being idiots.” Another wanted to see someone’s Mom smile. Others advocated for legalizing marijuana, veganism or wanted “no capitalism.”

Expressions of love, punctuated with heart symbols, were plentiful.

One person offered this sweet thought – “Just reminber (reminber scratched out) you’re beautiful.”

The message was accompanied by this admission: “I can’t spell.”

Land O’ Lakes resident Sean Serrano paused to read messages on the notebook.

“It’s like a little glimpse into the community around here,” he said.

One goal with the outdoor notebook is to encourage residents to visit the county’s website to learn more about the “Walk Bike Work Play” initiative.

There’s a virtual notebook, too, so residents can expand on and continue sharing their ideas.

In collaboration with the planning department, the county’s Metropolitan Planning Organization’s Vision 54/56 Project also is supporting the initiative.

The MPO is working with a volunteer task force to recommend improvements to transportation and safety along State Road 54 and State Road 56.

No date has been set yet for the Neighborhood Notebook’s next appearance.

But, Hughes said two possible locations are Tampa Premium Outlets, at I-75 and State Road 56, or the Northpointe Village Shopping Center, at State Road 54 and Suncoast Parkway.

For information on the initiative and calendar events, visit WalkBikeWorkPlay.com.

Published July 26, 2017

Japanese investment focus of roundtable

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On a map of Florida, more than 18 Japanese-owned companies are pinpointed across the state.

South Florida has the most, with only a handful scattered in central and northeastern cities, including the port city of Jacksonville.

Noticeably blank is Florida’s central west coast, including Pasco County.

“I think there has not been much of a connection,” said Japan’s Consul General Ken Okaniwa. “Maybe there is a need to promote yourselves more.”

Japan’s Consul General Ken Okaniwa, left, spoke at a business roundtable at Saddlebrook Golf Resort & Spa. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce hosted the event. (Courtesy of Stephen John Photography)

Pasco business leaders and county officials will get that chance at the 40th annual Southeast U.S./Japan Joint Meeting from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, in Greenville, South Carolina.

Representatives from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee will participate.

“We want to bring it (trade meeting) to Pasco County in a couple of years,” said Okaniwa. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to create more jobs.”

Encouraging dialogue about more Japanese trade, investment and tourism in Florida is one of the functions of the Japanese consulate, located in Miami.

On July 17, Okaniwa met with more than 20 Pasco County business and community leaders for a business roundtable at Saddlebrook Golf Resort & Spa. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event.

Okaniwa outlined Japan’s economic ties with Florida in a PowerPoint presentation.

  • Japan is the state’s largest investor, with more than $4 billion invested in plants and equipment
  • Japan is Florida’s fourth largest trade partner (combined export and imports)
  • Japan is the largest importer of Florida grapefruit in the world
  • About 278,000 Japanese tourists visit Florida annually, with Disney World the top destination

And, Okaniwa said more than 190 Japanese-owned companies provided about 24,000 jobs in the state, as of 2014.

“The number has been growing,” he added.

Japanese economic and business focus is on six areas, including driverless vehicles, renewable energy, robotics and medical services, especially regenerative medicine.

Okaniwa said Japan investors were involved in “smart city” projects in Orlando and Miami.

Bill Cronin, president of the Pasco Economic Development Council, suggested that Okaniwa reach out to Metro Development Group, which is developing in the Connected City corridor in northeastern Pasco. Cronin plans to attend the trade meeting in South Carolina along with others representing Pasco.

Developers with Metro are building a master-planned community with state-of-the-art technology, including fast Internet connections, driverless vehicles, and tele-medicine.

“It’s truly a live, work, play environment,” Cronin said.

Le Meridian-Autonomous is negotiating with Metro to provide driverless buses for the community, said Ed Franco, the company’s chief innovation lead.

The company has sold buses to Disney, the Tennessee Department of Transportation, and recently a 300-bus order to Taiwan.

Franco also is chief executive officer of Turin Aviation Group, located at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. The company provides aircraft maintenance services and unmanned aerial system drones.

“Pasco County is very innovative,” Bilirakis told Okaniwa, who took notes of questions and ideas raised at the roundtable discussion.

John Yo is interested in developing senior living communities. He is managing director for Good Life EB5 Advisors Inc. His company recently opened two facilities in Georgia.

His wife, Julie Yo, is a ReMax Realtor in Lutz. The couple, who live in New Tampa, would like to find locations in Pasco for future senior-living projects. There is a need here, said John Yo.

“It’s a growing (industry),” he added.

The couple, both South Korean natives, said they would like to see direct flights from Japan to Tampa.

Tampa International Airport doesn’t yet have such flights, but there is a Japanese connection.

On the same day as the roundtable, Gov. Rick Scott and representatives of Mitsubishi attended the delivery of train cars for the airport’s innovative people-mover shuttle.

Bilirakis had one last idea to toss out at the conclusion of the roundtable.

Japan and Pasco should work together to bring Japanese baseball teams to the county for spring training, he said.

Okaniwa quickly jotted that on his pad.

“I’ll look into that,” he said.

For information on Japan and trade, visit Jetro.go.jp/en/invest/.

Published July 26, 2017

Cleanup set to begin on massive sinkhole

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Barring unforeseen developments, cleanup is expected to begin this week on the massive sinkhole that recently swallowed two homes in the Lake Padgett community of Land O’ Lakes.

As of July 20, Pasco County was entering the final stages of securing bids from contractors for debris removal at the sinkhole site, which now measures 235 feet wide and approximately 50 feet deep — believed to be the largest in the county’s history.

While the sinkhole is labeled ‘dormant,’ recent activity has been documented. On July 19, the sinkhole’s perimeter widened by approximately 10 feet, after sand erosion just below the ground surface dried out and collapsed into the hole.
The movement along the bank resulted in a hot tub and slab of concrete falling into the hole, along with about 10 feet of dirt and grass. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Before cleanup and repair work can begin, however, engineers must perform additional testing to ensure the ground around the sinkhole is stable enough for heavy equipment. One of the county’s contracted engineers, Intertek-PSI, is currently using ground penetrating radar and core sampling to measure the structural integrity of Ocean Pines Drive and county easements leading up to the sinkhole.

Kevin Guthrie, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator for public safety, said recovery work could take months, with costs ranging from $750,000 to more than $2 million.

“It’s going to be a very slow and methodical process,” Guthrie said.

The county already has spent about $100,000 responding to the sinkhole, through contractual and departmental costs.

The county’s goal is to have a debris removal company in place in case homeowner’s insurance companies don’t accept responsibility to clean up the sinkhole.

The fastest, most economical cleanup tactic being considered is what’s called a dragline — a cable-operated system that would extend out and collect debris from the surface of the sinkhole.

Other possible options include using a float barge or large crane, with an excavator, to remove debris and decontaminate the sinkhole site.

“We’re trying to look for the most cost-effective, but safe option, so that we don’t put other homes in danger,” Guthrie said. “If we can employ a tactic that does not cause harm to the (sinkhole) banks, that’s the big deal right now.

“There’s a possibility using that dragline may actually destabilize those banks and cause further damage,” he said.

The assistant county administrator estimates filling the entire sinkhole would require approximately 135,000 cubic yards of dirt, though plans that far ahead are not yet in place.

The sinkhole originally opened on July 14 at 21825 Ocean Pines Drive, where it engulfed two homes and a boat.

Despite extensive property damage, no injuries have been reported.

The sinkhole is currently labeled “dormant,” but activity has been documented.

On July 19, the sinkhole’s perimeter widened by approximately 10 feet, after sand erosion just below the ground surface dried and collapsed into the hole.

The movement along the bank resulted in a hot tub and slab of concrete falling into the hole, along with about 10 feet of dirt and grass.

As a precaution, two homeowners along Canal Street were advised to gather their belongings for possible evacuation in the future.

Guthrie has reassured the activity is not an indication of the sinkhole becoming deeper.

“The sinkhole is not growing,” he said, assuredly.

In resolving the erosion issue, Guthrie said the edges of the sinkhole must be reshaped with dirt, from a 90-degree angle to a 45-degree slope.

“There is no support for that sand. As the water table goes down, that sand has nothing to hold it in place. So, that sand is falling out which then causes the grass and top soil to collapse,” Guthrie explained.

Once engineers deem the area safe, the county will bring in dump truck loads of dirt to shore up the banks of the sinkhole, before the large-scale cleanup process begins.

“We’re trying to determine if there are any sinkholes or any other activity under the ground before we bring the dump trucks in. Once we have figured that out, then we will start bringing that dirt in,” Guthrie said.

Elsewhere, water tests of the sinkhole turned up negative for E. Coli, officials said last week.

Further testing did come up positive for total coliform bacteria, in some of the water surrounding the sinkhole, officials said.

Greg Crumpton, a county health official, said it’s likely the result of older, dirty wells, some of which are upwards of 10 years to 20 years old in the Lake Padgett and Lake Saxon communities.

He said a confirmatory test and resample is underway.

If those tests come back positive, nearby homeowners are advised to use bottled or boiled water until the wells are disinfected.

Water tests
Due to the positive bacterial results, Pasco County announced it is waiving the fees for well water for testing more than 400 homes along Lake Padgett and Lake Saxon through July 28.

All residents living on the following streets qualify for free well water testing: Bronze Leaf Place, Canal Place, Clover Leaf Lane, Flat Rock Place, Grove Place, Heatherwood Lane, Lake Padgett Drive, Lake Saxon Drive, Ocean Pines Drive, Panther Way, Peninsular Drive, Pine Shadow Drive, Rain Forest Place, Snook Circle, Swans Landing Drive and Wilsky Road.

Residents who would like their well water tested should do the following:

  • Go to the Pasco County Environmental Laboratory located at 8864 Government Drive in New Port Richey and request a test kit for Total Coliform.
  • Present proof of address and receive lab instructions to collect water.
  • Take a sample of their tap water according to lab protocols, and bring the sample and associated paperwork back to the laboratory.
  • Results will be available in two days.

 

Help still available
Help remains available for sinkhole victims. Those needing help should reach out to the American Red Cross, The Salvation Army of Pasco County, Pasco County Human Services or United Way of Pasco County.

Published July 26, 2017