Local News

Home Depot offers jobs in spring hiring spree

March 8, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Home Depot is looking to fill 1,350 jobs in an estimated 30 stores across the Tampa Bay region, including in Pasco County.

The “Jobs in Bloom” hiring spree anticipates adding 80,000 jobs at stores and distribution centers nationwide. There are full-time, part-time and spring seasonal jobs available, according to a news release from the Atlanta-based Home Depot.

More than half of Home Depot’s seasonal hires move on to permanent positions, the release said.

The largest number of available jobs, at an estimate of 3,000, is in Chicago. Other targeted cities include Dallas, Philadelphia and Sacramento.

According to the Home Depot website, jobs are available at the Zephyrhills location, at 32715 Eiland Blvd.; and, in New Tampa, at 17601 Bruce B. Downs Blvd. In Hillsborough County, the Carrollwood store at 16121 N. Dale Mabry Highway also has job openings.

Home Depot has retooled its online application process.

Applications take about 15 minutes on any type of electronic device – computer or mobile, the news release states.

“We want everyone to have an easy and convenient experience with The Home Depot, whether they’re shopping with us or applying for a position,” Tim Crow, executive vice president of the company’s human resources department, said in the news release.

To personalize the application process, Home Depot also is highlighting job experiences of current employees in video and photo essays. These are available at the store’s digital content site, “Built from Scratch.”

Other links are available at the online Careers site and #HomeDepotHiring.

Nationwide, jobs are available at nearly 2,000 stores and 75 distribution centers. Jobs include customer service and sales, lot associates, freight and receiving, store support and cashiers. Job availability varies from store to store.

For information, visit Careers.homedepot.com/jobs-in-bloom/.

Published March 8, 2017

Zephyrhills chamber ‘pays it forward’

March 8, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

The seventh annual Pigz and Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest is over, but its community impact lingers on.

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce earmarked more than $19,000 in scholarships and donations during its annual “Pay it Forward” dinner on Feb. 23, at the Silverado Golf and Country Club.

Evan McBride, part of a grilling group called Peachy Boys, from Mount Dora, turns some meat on the grill during the seventh annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest on Jan. 21. Revenue from the event allowed The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce to earmark more than $19,000 in donations and scholarships to civic clubs, youth groups and graduating seniors from Zephyrhills High School.
(File)

The post-barbecue banquet celebrates volunteers’ efforts during the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, which just wrapped its seventh year on Jan. 21. More than 100 sponsors, participants and volunteers attended the celebration.

Throughout the banquet, the chamber handed out $14,500 in donations to 11 civic clubs and youth groups, from money raised through the barbecue event.

Those donations ranged from $250 to $1,900.

The chamber also announced $5,000 in scholarships to graduating Zephyrhills High School students in May. Among those are a $1,000 performing arts scholarship, a $1,000 culinary arts scholarship and a $1,000 scholarship to a student “who may not have started well, but has made a turnaround in his or her scholastic life.”

Organizations receiving donations were the Pasco County Sheriff’s Posse, Zephyrhills Civil Air Patrol, Zephyrhills Noon Rotary, Zephyrhills Museum of Military History, Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association, Relay 4 Life committee, and the Resurrection House Mission.

Several groups from Zephyrhills High School also were rewarded, including Army JRTOC, Interact Club and Drama Club.

Each organization, which contributed the bulk of the festival’s 3,000 volunteer hours, was also presented with various certificates, plaques and other prizes.

The seventh annual Pigz in Z’Hills festival, meanwhile, was its most successful to date, chamber officials say.

Net revenue from the event totaled more than $50,000 — the highest mark yet, according to Melonie Monson, executive director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Moreover, the economic impact for the city of Zephyrhills from this year’s barbecue fest was estimated at about $500,000, Monson said.

Pigz in Z’Hills, now a mainstay for east Pasco, drew somewhere between 11,000 and 14,000 attendees.

It also featured 54 teams, and more than 140 vendors.
In a release, Monson credits some of the event’s success — both financial and turnout — to the new festival venue, which was completed just prior to the barbecue shindig.

The $70,000-plus venue spans 14 acres, and includes amenities such as a 20-by-40 stage, and 50 spaces equipped with water and electric.
It was constructed via a public-private partnership, with contributions from Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and the City of Zephyrhills. Additionally, John Kinsman, of Martin Electric, and Paul Correia, of Sunstate Aluminum, contributed labor and expertise in electrical, plumbing and construction.

The venue is now expected to be used for various events and fundraisers organized by nonprofit organizations.

Published March 8, 2017

Woman’s club offers giant flea market

March 1, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

Donations are still rolling in for one of the Tampa Bay area’s most popular flea markets.

The annual GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club flea market is scheduled for March 3 and March 4 at the Historic Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz.

Events hours are from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., on both days.

Club members have been gathering and sorting thousands of donated goods since Feb. 13.

Locals have provided a wide range of items, including household and children’s goods, antiques and collectibles, sports equipment and gardening tools.

Higher-end products, such as silver and crystal, also will be sold at the market.

Clothing items, as usual, are in high supply.

They’ll also be in high demand, said Pat Serio, one of the flea market’s organizers.

“Clothing is so hugely popular, because most items are $1 per piece, with the exception of a few boutique items,” she said.

“People walk out with armfuls,” Serio said.

Many flea market items, Serio said, are in the $1 to $5 range.

Other goods — like children’s toys and crafts — can be had for a quarter.

Shoppers, too, can often find rare “treasures” — like depression-era glasses — at relatively good prices.

“We’re our own best donors. We give the bulk of this stuff, and we solicit all of our friends,” Serio said. “We love donating, and we love shopping.”

The flea market has been a staple in Lutz for more than 35 years, organizers say. It had modest beginnings, with “just a few tables” at the Lutz Train Depot.

In a short time, however, the event outgrew that location.

Now, thousands flock to the Historic Old Lutz School during the two-day run.

It is now the club’s second-largest fundraiser, behind the annual Lutz Arts & Crafts Show each December.

Sales from the flea market go toward the club’s college scholarship fund.

At the end of the event, leftover items will be donated to local organizations, including Goodwill and Salvation Army, local nursing homes, veterans’ charities and local libraries.

Put simply: “Nothing goes to waste,” Serio said.

Besides the woman’s club, groups such as Boy Scout Troop 12 and the University of South Florida’s Sigma Lambda Gamma sorority chapter pitch in to help with the event.

About 80 other volunteers also help, including club members’ husbands and children.

Last year, the flea market was the organization’s primary fundraiser after the arts show was cancelled due to a burgeoning sinkhole in Lake Park.

That led to a budget shortfall — which the organization is still recovering from, Serio said.

Even so, the burden for a banner showing is lesser compared to 2016.

“There isn’t so much stress about how much money we’re going to make to fill the coffers,” Serio said. “But, there’s always stress involved in coordinating, and there’s a lot of chaos involved…”

Still, members find a way to have a fun experience once the flea market commences.

“We all enjoy it,” Serio said. “We like to think of ourselves as the ‘Chiseler’s North.’”

Karin D’Amico, the club’s president, acknowledged the event takes “a lot of work.” However, the immense community support makes it worthwhile, she said.

“We have carload after carload of people …dropping off stuff,” D’Amico said. “That’s what I think is (special) — the community coming out for us, and you can really feel the support…”

Anyone who wishes to donate items for the flea market still has time. Donations will be accepted until March 1. All donations should be in clean and in working order. Large appliances and sleeper sofas cannot be accepted.

To find out more about making a donation, call (813) 948-4752.

GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club Flea Market
Where: Old Lutz School, 18819 U.S. 41 in Lutz
When: March 3 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and March 4 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For information, call (813) 948-4752.

Published March 1, 2017

Zephyrhills collects feedback from residents

March 1, 2017 By Kevin Weiss

Hundreds of Zephyrhills residents have voiced their sentiments on key emerging issues and opportunities facing the city — both now and in the future.

Last fall, hundreds of residents provided input on key issues facing the city via surveys and roundtable discussions. The exercise was to gather feedback and input for the Zephyrhills 2030 Comprehensive Plan.
(File)

And, several of their thoughts and ideas — collected via a community-wide survey and a series of roundtable discussions — will be used in crafting an update to the city’s 2030 comprehensive plan.

Planning director Todd Vande berg and Tammy Vrana, an urban planning consultant, presented the findings in a summarized report during the Feb. 13 meeting of the Zephyrhills City Council.

The City of Zephyrhills launched a community opinion survey in September to identify the city’s key issues and opportunities across the next 15 years, for the Zephyrhills 2030 Comprehensive Plan.

The survey had more than 700 responses, Vande berg said.

Some of the main themes:

The city is rich in assets, and downtown is its greatest asset
Downtown has challenges — such as blighted properties
The city needs more housing choices
Demographics are changing Zephyrhills’ identity — poorer, younger
School quality is declining, as is community spirit
The city needs to address emerging health trends, including obesity
Growth is strong, but happening in places mostly outside the city’s control
South of Zephyrhills represents a development opportunity
Opportunities for economic development are in place
Traffic is growing

The Zephyrhills Comprehensive Plan projects forward 15 years to envision where residents will “live, work, learn, play, socialize, maintain health, and preserve assets for benefits of current and future generations.”

The plan — which should be complete by the end of 2017 — also seeks to address the city’s growth and development priorities and opportunities. Per state law, comprehensive plans must be evaluated every seven years and updated as needed.

Additionally, city consultants and planning department staff conducted interviews of more than 50 people with different backgrounds and interests.

Roundtable discussions were held on a number of issues, including real estate, economic development, culture/leisure, health, education/job training, community quality of life and transportation/mobility.

Approximately 200 ideas were compiled from those exercises, Vande berg said.

A released report summarizes the key points identified from each of those meetings.

“We felt like we…really gathered a lot of data and input from the community to what our issues are, and what we want to identify and address,” Vande berg said.

During roundtable discussions, a questionnaire was distributed asking for “must-haves” in the 2030 comprehensive plan update.

The report shows many stakeholders want the following:

More ways for the community to come together via work, play, arts and culture, suitable venues
Better communication between the city and its residents
Better housing opportunities
Better upkeep of the property and an improved public realm
Less crime
Improved services for homeless people
Better quality of education
Greater focus on the airport industrial area and corridor
Increased attention on south Zephyrhills, and south of downtown

The report also includes what stakeholders think the city “must avoid” in the 2030 plan update:

Too much focus on retiree communities, and not enough on youth
Too many alcohol events
A homeless shelter
Unfriendly environments
Another high school
Low-income housing
Becoming a “bedroom community”
Growth too quickly
Growth without adequate infrastructure, such as traffic
Urban sprawl
High-speed traffic

Some of the issues involving growth, however, are unavoidable, according to city manager Steve Spina.

“There’s going to be a certain amount of growth,” he said. “There’s going to be a number of those things, whether we want it or not — it’s coming.

“Our role is…to bring it in and control it the way that it meshes with the kind of community that we have right now.”

Council vice president Alan Knight agreed, pointing directly to the city’s growth.

“Some of this is going to be inevitable,” he said. “Some of it’s coming — it’s coming like a freight train.”

The strategy to manage impending growth issues, Vande berg said, is to plan ahead, and still identify and maintain “a sense of place.”

Vande berg said the next task for the planning department is to confirm and prioritize goals for the comprehensive plan, and engage the community again.

The preliminary focus areas are: developing strategies for stabilizing downtown, developing a scope for the master plan of the industrial corridor, and creating a vision for the north and south corridor of U.S. 301.

Those strategies, Vande berg noted, will take a collaborative effort from the city’s planning department, the city council, Pasco County and the state legislature.

Meanwhile, key forthcoming city projects include the extension of State Road 56, the transformation of Zephyr Park and the redevelopment of Gall Boulevard.

To view the complete report, visit tinyurl.com/zfezgx6.

Published March 1, 2017

Revving up for a good time in Land O’ Lakes

March 1, 2017 By B.C. Manion

Live music, interesting cars, corn dogs and kids’ activities — those are just a few of the offerings expected at the second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival set for March 11.

Stonegrey, which just released its second album, ‘Voice of Reason,’ is among the musical acts on tap for the second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival.
(Courtesy of Suzanne Beauchaine)

The festival, presented by the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, is being held at a new venue this year.

David Gainer, event chairman and president-elect of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce thinks the new location — at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center and Park — will benefit the event because of its high visibility off Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

The festival was moved because organizers believed that a new stage, that’s now under construction, would be completed.

“We thought the stage would be ready this year, but you know how construction goes. It was delayed,” Gainer said. “Ultimately, once the new stage there is completed, that is going to be our new home.”

So, instead of using the new stage, musicians will perform on the park’s football field, Gainer said.

Soul Circus Cowboys will bring their modern rockin’ country sound to the headline act of the second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival, set for March 11.

Festival-goers can bring their own lawn chairs and blankets, or can purchase reserved seating, which is $15 in advance, or $20 at the gate.

The event kicks off with the Al and Ida Silver Memorial Car Show, which is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Prizes will be awarded for the top 30 cars.

“We’re expecting to have 40 to 60 cars there, of all kinds, not just classic,” Gainer said.

Meanwhile, the music festival will be on the football field, where people will be able to bring lawn chairs and blankets, to listen to the bands.

The music will begin around 12:30 p.m., with entertainment running through the event’s conclusion, around 8 p.m.

This year’s musical lineup includes:

Tim Serdynski
The Higgins Brothers
City Groove
Stonegrey

Shalyah Fearing, a singer from Hudson who will be familiar to fans of the television show, “The Voice,” is expected to perform around 3 p.m., Gainer said.

And, Soul Circus Cowboys, the headline act, will perform around 7 p.m., Gainer added.

Food will be available for purchase, including barbecue meals, corn dogs, hamburgers, sliders, and funnel cakes. Beverages for sale include beer, wine, water and soft drinks.

There also will be plenty for the kids to do, including games, bounce houses and obstacle courses, Gainer said.

The event gives the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce a chance to provide an event that local residents will enjoy, Gainer said.

“It’s a good thing, all around, for the community,” Gainer said.

Second annual Land O’ Lakes Music Festival
Where: 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
When: March 11, with car show from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.; other festival activities, noon to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free general admission; preferred seating, $15 in advance and $20 at the gate; $10 parking. (Tickets are available at EventBrite.com)
Details: Car show, music festival, business and arts & crafts showcase, children’s activities and food.
For information: Visit CentralPascoChamber.com.

Published March 1, 2017

Stormwater fees could increase to fix flooding

March 1, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County residents could be asked to pay higher stormwater fees in 2018.

A divided Pasco County Commission approved a tentative increase of $38 a year on top of the current $57 stormwater fee, for a total annual payment of $95.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore tried to persuade the board to wait until June to take action on the issue.

By then, Moore hopes the county will have good news on its request for state funds to help pay for some of the county’s priority projects.

Moore also wants to see the county explore other options, including special assessment districts.

“I don’t see people lining up for increased fees,” Moore said.

Despite those arguments, the vote was 4 to 1, with Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells dissenting.

Moore reluctantly voted yes — after he was assured that the increase could be rolled back, or scrapped, if state funds arrive.

Three commissioners – Ron Oakley, Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano – argued that the county can’t keep putting off repairs and maintenance of infrastructure that should have been funded years ago.

County staff members estimate there is a backlog of 93 years of service and maintenance to clean and repair culverts.

There also is a list of more than 300 stormwater projects, in total, that are needed to address flooding. The cost for that work is estimated at $300 million.

“We’ve got to step up and make this decision,” Oakley said. “I believe flooding and stormwater issues are countywide. It’s all part of our working together.”

To delay action would be to do the same thing as previous commissions have done, Starkey said.

Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker said there was some urgency in deciding on a stormwater rate increase. The county’s department heads will begin piecing together the 2018 budget in March.

The Pasco County Property Appraiser’s office also needs to know if there’s a rate increase, in a timely manner for its trim notices to property owners.

Baker, who is retiring in July, also had an opinion on the rate increase.

“I have always been a proponent of funding a fix,” she said.

The additional revenues are expected to generate about $24 million for engineering and design of 10 priority capital projects, and for cleaning, replacing and maintenance of culverts and swales.

Southwest Florida Water Management District, known as Swiftmud, will contribute half of an estimated $38 million construction cost for the capital projects.

The fee increase was among several funding options presented to commissioners by county staff at the Feb. 21 meeting.

They opted to postpone decisions on two choices. One would be to establish a capital utility fund for stormwater projects and collect $77 annually from property owners. The fee collection would begin in 2019. That would be on top of the $95 fee, for a total of $172 a year.

Another would establish the special assessment districts that Moore, and also Wells, favor.

“When is enough, enough,” Wells asked. “I don’t think it’s fair for everyone to pay for what is really the west side.”

Tropical Storm Hermine in 2016 and torrential summer rains in 2015 caused extensive flooding to Pasco County homes. Much of the damage was in New Port Richey, Port Richey and Elfers, though some areas of central and east Pasco also saw flooding.

Starkey countered that the county’s property tax base suffers whenever properties, wherever their location, are devalued because of flooding damage.

Mariano agreed.

Although commissioners live in different districts, they are elected countywide, Mariano noted.

“You are hurting the rest of the county by not fixing those problems,” Mariano said.

Published March 1, 2017

Strong opinions continue to surface on health care reform

March 1, 2017 By B.C. Manion

It wasn’t an overflow crowd for U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ third listening session, but there were plenty of people with strong opinions on the issue of health care reform.

There were also more people in this crowd who spoke in favor of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare, than did at the previous session that Bilirakis had in New Port Richey.

Hundreds of people have been showing up to U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ listening sessions on healthcare reform. The sign shown here claims that in Bilirakis’ district alone, there are 43,000 people insured under the Affordable Care Act.
(File)

Opinions at the session, at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel High School, varied widely.

“I beg you to keep something, either the ACA or something like that for pre-existing conditions,” a woman from Land O’ Lakes said. “I will lose my husband, if you don’t keep something.”

But, another woman said Obamacare has not worked.

“I know several friends — they need insurance, and they can’t afford Obamacare. It’s not the Affordable Care Act, period,” she said.

A woman priest told Bilirakis that the current uncertainty about health care is frightening people.

“I have many parishioners, friends and family members, and I just want to tell you that I’ve never seen people so afraid,” she said. “This is real fear, this is not fake fear,” she added.

A Wesley Chapel man asked Bilirakis: “Are you going to keep your campaign promise, to repeal Obamacare?”

Bilirakis responded: “I will vote to repeal Obamacare,” which was greeted by both boos and applause from the crowd.

“I want a replacement,” Bilirakis said.

He also assured the audience that people will not be cut off from their insurance without another option.

“By the way, we will have a transition period … I’m arguing for three years. Some people are saying two years,” Bilirakis said.

A Pinellas County man said he’s with Bilirakis: “This was a change election. We stand behind you, to repeal and replace.”

Another man urged Bilirakis to find a way to make health care more affordable.

After being laid off, the man said he purchased Obamacare, but the premiums were expensive, and the deductible was $6,200.

He told Bilirakis that he stopped paying his premiums so he could afford to see his doctor, then he was billed by the federal government for his “shared responsibility” because he doesn’t have insurance.

Another speaker said the cost of Obamacare has caused a family member’s business to lay off employees and to close a location, reducing the company’s profits and costing employees their jobs.

“I’m in favor of repealing and replacing Obamacare,” the woman said.

One man asked Bilirakis point-blank: “Are you going to make it less expensive?”

Bilirakis responded with one word: “Yes.”

Still others want to see universal health care, so that no one is left out in the cold.

As one Vietnam war veteran put it: “If you can look into yourself and say, ‘Why not universal health care for all people?

“If we can spend $20 trillion to try to kill people, how about a few trillion dollars for wellness of the American people?” he said.

A woman from Quail Hollow assured Bilirakis that she wasn’t a paid activist, and like the vast majority of Americans, she wants to see members of Congress reach across the aisle to solve problems.

Many speakers praised Bilirakis for meeting with his constituents rather than ducking them, as other members of Congress have done.

“You are my constituents,” Bilirakis told the crowd. “I have an obligation to listen to you. The best ideas come from the people.”

One Wesley Chapel woman urged Bilirakis, when he goes back to Washington, to turn to a higher power for guidance on the health care issue.

“Get on your knees and ask God’s help to make the right decision,” she said.

Bilirakis issued a statement following his third listening session, noting that he will continue to seek common ground and constructive exchanges with people from his district.

“But, the Affordable Care Act in its current state is unsustainable, and it’s only going to get worse — costs are going up, while choices and flexibility are dwindling. We need a health care system that is truly patient-focused, and I will use the input from my recent meetings to shape my work on replacement legislation.”

Published March 1, 2017

Five candidates vie for Pasco administrator

March 1, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Five candidates, out of a potential list of 11, made the cutoff and will be brought to Pasco County to interview as the replacement for outgoing County Administrator Michele Baker.

Baker is scheduled to leave office in July.

She notified county commissioners last year that she planned to retire and would not seek to renew her contract.

A group tour of Pasco, an invitation-only meet-and-greet, and interviews at a county commission meeting are anticipated in mid-March for the candidate finalists.

County commissioners got a preview of 11 candidates at the Feb. 21 meeting in New Port Richey from Mark Morien, vice president of Chicago-based GovHR USA.

Commissioners received packets on each candidate, including resumes and comments from references, and candidate interviews. They voted to select five of the 11 candidates to interview.

GovHR USA received a total of 54 resumes, from 18 states. Gabriel Papadopoulos, manager of Pasco County’s elderly nutrition program, was the lone internal candidate to apply.

Although Papadopoulos wasn’t among the recommended candidates, Morien said he wanted to identify him “so you are aware of who your future leaders are.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano unexpectedly tossed in Kevin Guthrie’s name.

After a short pause, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said, “It’s a little late.”

Pasco hired Guthrie in 2016 as emergency management director and, soon after, revamped his role to director of emergency services.

Guthrie didn’t apply for the county administrator’s job.

Of the five selected candidates, one is from Florida; the others are from Illinois, Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina.

The job advertised an annual salary of $220,000. Baker currently receives about $192,000.

The finalists are:

Daniel F. Biles, deputy county manager of Jefferson County, Alabama, located in Birmingham.

Biles has a military background and has family living in Florida.

He has 10 years of experience in engineering, including work on stormwater issues.

Morien said Biles recently received an 18 percent salary boost to $207,500 a year.

“It’s a reflection of his performance and desire of the county to keep him,” said Morien.

Mark A. Cunningham, assistant county administrator in Sarasota County.

Cunningham previously served as executive director of planning and development in Denton, Texas; and, as director of land development in Polk County.

Morien said references described him as a good problem solver and a glass-half-full person.

“You don’t have to keep reading,” said Starkey. “I really like this one.”

David M. Ross, the first county administrator of Rock Island County, Illinois, which formed its government in 2015.

Ross also is a former police officer.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore and Starkey chimed in during Morien’s presentation to say, “I like him.”

Theodore L. Voorhees, the former city manager of Fayetteville, North Carolina.

A majority of city council members asked for his resignation in April 2016.

Morien said Voorhees initially was recruited to bring change to Fayetteville. He is credited with bringing a minor league baseball team to the city.

However, an election scrambled the makeup of the council members, and resulted in tensions between Voorhees and the

new council.

Since 1980, Fayetteville has fired six city managers, Morien said.

Dale M. Walker, county manager of the Macon-Bibb County government, which consolidated in 2014.

He previously served as chief administrative officer of the City of Macon. He also worked for 30 years in Cadillac, Michigan, as its director of finance and deputy city manager.

Published March 1, 2017

Pasco OKs medical marijuana dispensaries

March 1, 2017 By Kathy Steele

The Pasco County Commission has approved medical marijuana dispensaries, on a limited scale, to open for business in the county.

Commissioners approved an ordinance on Feb. 21 that permits two medical marijuana dispensaries.

The permits will be issued only for a low-level form of the product, known as Charlotte’s web.

The permits also will be issued to two separate applicants, who will be able to open locations within the county’s industrial districts.

And, the ordinance stipulates that if the number of qualified patients exceeds 1,200, a third dispensary can be permitted.

Qualified patients must be state residents who are added to the “compassionate use registry” by a physician licensed to receive the low-level marijuana from a dispensary.

Florida voters, in 2014, approved a referendum to allow Charlotte’s web as a medical marijuana option. It can be provided to patients who suffer from seizures. In some cases, late-stage cancer patients also can qualify.

State health officials didn’t approve guidelines for the program until last year. The first recipient was a resident of Hudson.

Now, Pasco and other counties are in waiting mode, again.

Last year, voters approved a new referendum that covers a broader range of medical conditions and allows for stronger potencies.

Dispensary permits for this expanded program are on hold until Florida legislators and state health officials craft new regulations and guidelines.

Pasco’s ordinance on Charlotte’s web had the support of Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco However, Chase Daniels, assistant executive director of the sheriff’s office, said, “We continue to (watch) what the legislature is going to do with Amendment 2.”

To prepare for medical marijuana within the county, Pasco county commissioners, in December, approved the framework for where and how dispensaries can operate.

Besides being restricted to industrial districts, the county also request a one-mile separation between the medicinal shops. Dispensaries also must be at least 1,000 feet from such facilities as schools, day care centers and drug treatment centers. Buffering and adequate setbacks are required between a dispensary and any residential property.

Applicants must show they are licensed by the state to operate a dispensary and must meet the county’s zoning conditions for permitting.

Published March 1, 2017

Principal provides an overview for high school students, parents

March 1, 2017 By B.C. Manion

As future high school parents and students arrived at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel, they were greeted by upbeat music and a slideshow featuring progress made so far on Cypress Creek Middle High School.

Parents and students had plenty of questions, and Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, who hosted the evening session on Feb. 15, was ready.

Before fielding the questions, though, Hetzler-Nettles took the audience on a pre-recorded virtual tour of the school, now under construction off Old Pasco Road.

Wearing a white construction hat, Nettles stepped through the school, offering details about the physical plant and future plans.

After the tour, she provided additional information through a power-point presentation, covering everything from what time school is expected to start, to what types of academic and athletic programs will be offered.

During the upcoming school year, there will be students in grades six through 11 on campus.

Projections show an estimated 840 middle school students in the coming school year, and 650 high school students, the principal said.

There are two large two-story classroom buildings on the campus, and an administration building with classroom space on the second floor, Hetzler-Nettles said.

The current plan is to house the middle schoolers in one of the large classroom buildings, with the overflow being on the second floor of the administration building, Hetzler-Nettles said.

The high school students will be housed in the other large, two-story classroom building, which is closer to the student parking lot.

A full array of academic and elective courses will be offered to high school students, and there will be three high school academy programs: Business Management, Criminal Justice, and Engineering and Robotics. Students in the academies will have the opportunity to earn certifications, too, the principal noted.

Courses offered will be dictated by student demand. If a course isn’t listed on a course card, students should write it in, the principal advised. If there’s enough demand, it will be added.

The high school athletics program will include the slate of sports available at other district high schools.

And, according to an update on the school’s website, it also will be offering lacrosse — for high school girls and boys. It will be a pay-for-play program, Nettles said.

The school will have four separate locker rooms. There will be one for high school girls and one for middle school girls. There will be one for high school boys and one for middle school boys.

The locker rooms will be separated by a coach’s office, the principal said.

The gym also will have a screen that can be pulled down to divide it so that high school and middle school physical education programs and practices can be held separately, she said.

The school also plans to have separate band programs for the high school and the middle school.

And, it plans to have a competitive marching band — an issue of apparent concern to some parents. They urged Hetzler-Nettles to hire a teacher who will not be afraid to seek out difficult competitions merely because the school will be in its first year of operation.

The principal said she got their message, loud and clear.

High school and middle school students will ride the bus together — something that already occurs at a number of district schools, the principal said. Middle school students will ride in the first 10 rows of the bus and high schoolers will ride in the back.

The school day will start and end at the same time for both middle and high school students, she said. Right now, it’s looking like school will start at 7:25 a.m. or 7:30 a.m., and will end at 1:50 p.m. or 1:55 p.m., but that is subject to change.

That concerns some parents who anticipate a traffic nightmare, as so many people arrive and depart from the campus at the same time.

The road has been widened near the school entrance, but Hetzler-Nettles said she’s not aware of any plan to widen Old Pasco Road beyond that point.

The principal also told the crowd that high school and middle school students also will eat in the same cafeteria and will use the same media center, but at different times, the principal said.

The principal has advertised half of the positions she expects to be able to fill, but can’t advertise the rest until she has firmer numbers — which likely won’t happen until at least sometime in April, she said.

While acknowledging that making the transition to high school can be difficult and that it can be tough to adjust to a new high school, too, Hetzler-Nettles told the audience that she’s excited about the new possibilities that Cypress Creek Middle High will offer. She also invited parents and students to get involved to help make the school all that it can be.

“Parents if you’re interested in volunteering, we’re going to need a lot of help. I would love it if you would reach out to me.

“Just let me know what you’re interested in helping with, or if you have no idea what you’re willing to help with, you’re just willing to help. I’m going create a list, I’m going to keep all that information, and then we’re going to be calling you up when we need help.”

She urged students to share their ideas with her.

She wants the school to be a place they enjoy and where they can thrive.

Students will help determine the school’s traditions, she said.

“The most important thing at a school is the student voice. I mean that from the bottom of my heart. School is what you make it, just as life is what you make it. I want to hear your thoughts and your opinions. You can tell me the things you want to see at your school and the things you’d really like to have,” the principal said.

Cypress Creek Middle High School
Mascot: The Coyotes
School colors: Green and yellow
For information: Visit CCMHS.pascok12.fl.us
If you have questions, suggestions or want to volunteer, call Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles at (813) 346-4401 or email her at .

Published March 1, 2017