Local News

Lutz celebrates Independence Day

July 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Lutz was awash in red, white and blue, during the community’s Independence Day celebration.

Tributes to Old Glory showed up on T-shirts, hats, shorts and skirts. There were patriotic socks and headbands, too.

Runners took part in a 5K or a one-mile fun run, and bakers showed off their skills in a cake and pie contest.

From left, Debbie Sumbury, of Lutz, and her granddaughters, 2-year-old Amelia Donovan, and 3-year-old Stella Donovan, beckon for beads along the Lutz Fourth of July parade route. Hundreds turned out for the event, despite the blazing heat. (Fred Bellet/Photo) — From left, Debbie Sumbury, of Lutz, and her granddaughters, 2-year-old Amelia Donovan, and 3-year-old Stella Donovan, beckon for beads along the Lutz Fourth of July parade route. Hundreds turned out for the event, despite the blazing heat.
(Fred Bellet/Photo)

Entries in the baking contest included cakes from 10-year-old Maddox Foreman, a veteran competitor and his 3-year-old sibling, Raider, entering for the first time. There was a Samoa cookie cake, too, baked to honor the late Ron Gashler.

Other points of interest included a flag raising, conducted by members of Boy Scout Troop 12, with a quartet of North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol marching in precision —lending a dignified air. Cristine Hundley added to the day’s patriotic theme through her rendition of The National Anthem. After the parade, Greg Gilbert was sworn in as the new Lutz Guv’na.

The real stars at this celebration were the people.

They put up with sweltering heat to march or ride in the parade, or lined the route to cheer them on and to chase after beads, candy and other swag tossed generously to the crowd.

They were there to enjoy an old-fashioned Fourth of July in Lutz, a community that takes the word “community” seriously — especially on Independence Day.

Published July 13, 2016

Thousands enjoy festivities at Connerton

July 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Rain threatened to spoil the celebration, but the weather cleared just about time that festivities were set to begin at the Nation Celebration Independence Day Party at Connerton.

Colorful bursts of fireworks across the night sky at Connerton drew an appreciative response from a crowd estimated at 5,000 for the Nation Celebration Independence Day Party at Connerton in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Connerton) — Colorful bursts of fireworks across the night sky at Connerton drew an appreciative response from a crowd estimated at 5,000 for the Nation Celebration Independence Day Party at Connerton in Land O’ Lakes.
(Courtesy of Connerton)

The rain stopped around 5 p.m. — the time the July 2 event was scheduled to start, but then there was a light drizzle until around 5:30 p.m., said Joan Staut, marketing coordinator for Connerton, a master-planned New Town Community in Land O’ Lakes.

After the rain stopped, people began streaming into the community, and by the time the event was over, officials estimate that more than 5,000 turned out for the festivities.

People ranging from grandparents to babies, and all ages in between, clearly were enjoying themselves.

Some kids jumped around in bounce houses. Others slid down an inflatable slide. Some tested their skills in miniature golf. Others played carnival games.

Families, couples and friends sat around large round tables, under a giant tent, to eat meals they purchased from nine food trucks from Tampa Bay Food Truck Rally, and to listen to live music by Gottagroove. The Fraternal Order of Police, Pasco County Lodge 29 hosted the beer and wine garden.

People mingled, played games and relaxed, waiting for the fireworks to begin, and there was plenty of “oohs” and “ahs” from the crowd, as they went off, sending colorful bursts in the sky.

Numerous sponsors were involved in the event, including Benedetto’s, which sponsored the fireworks. Other sponsors included McDonald’s, Air Hawk Heating and Cooling, Wayne O’ Brien, State Farm Insurance, Greenacre Properties, Yellowstone Landscape, Mary Ann Carroll-Homeward Real Estate, Ierna’s Heating & Air Conditioning, and Medi-Weight Loss.

Connerton’s staff was pleased by the turnout and gratified by the expressions of appreciation they heard from people attending the event, Staut said.

Published July 13, 2016

The agony of justice frozen in legal amber

July 6, 2016 By Tom Jackson

An aphorism as old as jurisprudence itself is enduring a strain in the courtroom of Pinellas-Pasco Circuit Judge Susan Barthle. You know the one: “Justice delayed is justice denied.”

Tom Jackson rgb Last week, Barthle set a February hearing for the linchpin of the infamous movie house shooting case, in which only one relevant fact is not in dispute: Retired Tampa police captain Curtis Reeves Jr., used his .380 semiautomatic pocket pistol to kill Chad Oulson, forever 43.

The rest — whether it was about texting or bullying or stubbornness or testosterone or a cop’s mindset or etiquette or management failures or some blend of it all — is window dressing, stuff for gossips, speculators and storytellers.

Not that all that and more won’t become relevant at next February’s hearing, when Barthle will hear arguments regarding Reeves’ stand-your-ground claim. Then, at last, context will be everything. Then, at last, we’ll have it out.

Let’s be clear. The delay/deny business playing out here isn’t on Barthle. She’s the second judge on the case. Pat Siracusa recused himself last July after he became openly frustrated with both sets of lawyers’ delays, about the only area in which the prosecution and defense have been cooperative.

Assuming this date holds, the February hearing will unfold more than three years — roughly 1,100 days — after the bizarre episode inside auditorium No. 10 at the Cobb Grove 16 cineplex in Wesley Chapel.

At last, finally, the timeline will matter.

The Reeves and the Oulsons, married couples who’d never before laid eyes on each other, arriving minutes apart for the day’s first showing of “Lone Survivor.” The ensuing dispute over Chad texting during the pre-show entertainment. Curtis retreating to the lobby to ask the management to intervene.

Arguably, the entire texting chapter of our tragedy ended right there. This is not to say both couples could not have saved themselves endless heartache if, at this point, one or the other had found new seats. But that’s not what happened, and arguments can’t be hung from nonexistent pegs.

So the timeline resumes. Chad rising to confront Curtis when he returned, berating him for tattling, bouncing a box of popcorn off him, followed by a glinting object, claimed by the defense to be Oulson’s mobile phone. Curtis going into his pocket and coming out with the pistol, leaning forward and squeezing the trigger. Flash. Bang.

Curtis slumping back into his seat. Someone hearing Chad murmur, “I can’t believe I got shot” as a crimson floret bloomed on his shirt.

Now, everything depends on February, when Reeves’ attorneys will press Barthle to apply Florida’s stand-your-ground law, the statute that allows the use of deadly force when (a) a person is somewhere he has a right to be and (b) he reasonably believes such force is necessary to prevent death or great bodily harm.

Before stand-your-ground was enacted in 2005, people caught in similar circumstances had a legal obligation to retreat. In recordings taken after the shooting, Reeves concedes he wished he’d done exactly that.

Arguably, though, by the time Chad, having chosen to escalate a silly dispute, loomed in, the old cop’s avenues of retreat had vanished. Maybe, after all, Reeves acted reasonably.

What this isn’t, by any stretch, is an easy call. One man is dead. Another could spend the rest of his life in prison. And however it tilts, the outcome is sure to be imperfect. The survivors always will bear their scars.

Which brings us back to delays and denials.

Two-and-a-half years later, in the summer of 2016, everything remains mired in legal limbo, and will remain so until Judge Barthle decides whether the state can proceed. If she grants Reeves’ stand-your-ground motion, there will be no prosecution for second-degree murder. He will be immune from civil suits.

Until then, Reeves lives in the shadows of freedom, out on bail but restricted in his movements, his fate bound up in legal gymnastics.

And Nicole Oulson, Chad’s bereaved widow, one of two absolute innocents in all of this — we mustn’t forget now 3-year-old Lexi, the subject of Chad’s fateful texts — must muster on with her feet planted in two worlds: One where life moves on and Chad is forever absent, and the other, frozen in legal amber, where there’s always the darkness and Chad, and the roaring gun.

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

Published July 6, 2016

New centers coming soon to Land O’ Lakes

July 6, 2016 By Kathy Steele

What the Great Recession took away, boom times are bringing back.

Three properties in Land O’ Lakes, along U.S. 41 and State Road 54, are poised to deliver new restaurants, retail and offices. All three sites languished as the economy tanked.

Now, Strategic Properties Group is ready to build the first of three new shopping centers on land that the real estate development firm held onto for nearly a decade.

Two more centers are in planning stages.

First up is Camp Indianhead Crossings, a triangular swath of land fronting State Road 54, at the corner of Camp Indianhead Road.

Camp Indianhead Crossings will open in early 2017 with Hungry Greek and OTB Delight Café among its tenants. An artist’s rendering shows the shopping center as a one-story building at State Road 54 and Camp Indianhead Road in Land O’ Lakes. (Photos courtesy of Strategic Properties Group) — Camp Indianhead Crossings will open in early 2017 with Hungry Greek and OTB Delight Café among its tenants. An artist’s rendering shows the shopping center as a one-story building at State Road 54 and Camp Indianhead Road in Land O’ Lakes.
(Photos courtesy of Strategic Properties Group)

Hungry Greek and OTB Café are the first announced tenants. Both restaurants also have locations at The Shoppes of Wesley Chapel on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard.

A groundbreaking will get dirt moving this week on the slightly more than 1 ½-acre site, according to Barry Jackson, managing member of Strategic Properties.

The swath, just west of Pep Boys, will be home to a one-story building with approximately 12,700 square feet of restaurant, retail and office space. Facades on both sides of the structure will match. Multiple driveways onto the site will include an entrance off State Road 54.

In addition to Hungry Greek and OTB, Jackson is negotiating with a national chain restaurant for a third dining spot at the center.

A nationally known hair salon also is anticipated at Camp Indianhead.

Exit Prime Realty and Jackson’s own company will relocate offices to the new center.

Another 6,500 square feet remains leasable.

Jackson said a nail salon likely could be another tenant.

“I’ve had several talking with me,” he said.

Jackson expects to have the building ready for occupancy by the end of the year. Tenants then will complete the build out for their individual spaces.

Some shops could open in February, with restaurants likely to open in March.

Barry Jackson is managing member of Strategic Properties Group. The real estate development company plans to build three shopping centers in Land O’ Lakes.

Visibility and traffic volume along State Road 54 made the location an attractive real estate buy in 2006. But, just as Jackson anticipated construction, the bottom fell out of the economy, and the project stalled out.

With the economy rebounding and development on State Road 54 humming again, Camp Indianhead finally is ready for its debut. Its attractiveness is still intact, Jackson said.

“Demographics in the area are terrific,” he said. “The county counts about 70,000 cars a day between Collier Parkway and U.S. 41. You pick up all the traffic going both ways from the two intersections.”

Strategic Properties is eyeing development of two more shopping centers in Land O’ Lakes that also had to wait out the economic downturn.

Though Wesley Chapel has been in the development spotlight with the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets, development at Cypress Creek Town Center — the Land O’ Lakes area is starting to share in the action.

“It’s not happening as fast as Wesley Chapel and Bruce B. Downs Boulevard are,” said Jackson. “But, it’s not far behind, probably a year behind.”

Land O’ Lakes Landings is in the planning stages, Jackson said. That center likely will begin construction in 2018.

It will be similar in size to Camp Indianhead at about 13,000 square feet, located on U.S. 41, more than a mile south of State Road 52. The site is next to an approximately 500-home master-planned community from Ryan Homes that will be built on land formerly part of the Lester Dairy farm.

Leases are not in place, but Jackson said he is in discussions with a national chain restaurant.

“We’re waiting on them (Ryan) to get stuff moving,” Jackson said. “We are the first commercial parcel outside of this development’s entrance.”

Another shopping center is in the planning stages, as well, Jackson said. That center, Lake Thomas Crossings, likely will begin construction in 2017.

It is a 16,000 square-foot shopping center on U.S. 41, about three miles north of State Road 54, and south of Ehren Cutoff.

“There is a desperate need for restaurants and retail up there,” Jackson said.

Connerton is another of Pasco’s housing developments that came to a standstill during the recession. But now, new homes are sprouting, and a McDonald’s restaurant is under construction at an entrance into the community.

Jackson said the draw to that area remains 100 percent the development of Connerton.

“If Connerton didn’t happen, we wouldn’t have bought the property,” he said.

Revised on July 8, 2016

Pasco seeking diversified growth, speaker says

July 6, 2016 By B.C. Manion

When Bill Cronin took the helm of the Pasco Economic Development Council, he didn’t view himself as being on a rescue operation.

“I’m here because we’ve got a good product and a winning team,” said Cronin, who joined the Pasco EDC in January.

“This is a community that actually ‘gets’ economic development, so much so that they voted with their wallets to actually fund that, to get some jobs here,” Cronin said, at a recent Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting. The meeting was hosted by the Royal Oak Nursing Center in Dade City.

From left, John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce; Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council; and, Jake Mitchell, administrator of Royal Oak Nursing Center in Dade City. (Richard K. Riley/Photo) — From left, John Moors, executive director of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce; Bill Cronin, president and CEO of the Pasco Economic Development Council; and, Jake Mitchell, administrator of Royal Oak Nursing Center in Dade City.
(Richard K. Riley/Photo)

“Voters in Pasco approved Penny for Pasco not once, but twice,” Cronin noted. Part of the tax proceeds supports efforts to stimulate job growth.

Without that support, Cronin said he’d be forced to devote more of his energy to raising money for local economic development efforts. Instead, he can focus on recruiting companies and helping existing companies to succeed and expand.

Competition is fierce in the quest to attract companies, Cronin said, noting there are roughly 16,000 organizations like his around the country.

To have a shot in the economic development game, Pasco first needs to be known by potential companies, Cronin said.

That means it must identify itself as being part of the Tampa Bay region, because the region is more widely known, the economic development chief said.

After Pasco becomes part of the discussion, Cronin said he works to “differentiate why we’re better than the rest of the Tampa Bay region.”

Pasco has its strengths, the economic development expert said.

“Pasco County is in the middle of Florida. We are very strategically located for distribution in a great consumer state.

“We’ve got a confluence of several highways, interstates, as well as being pretty close to a port, and a great labor force,” he said.

“We’re also right in the middle of the northern and southern portion of the Western Hemisphere, between North and South America. That puts us in another strategic position, as it relates to trade and shipping,” added Cronin, who spent 10 years of his career working in international shipping.

To be competitive, it’s important to go after businesses that can thrive in your community’s environment, Cronin said.

It’s also important to diversify, he said.

“A lot of people think that economic development is recruiting big business, doing the ribbon cuttings and groundbreakings. It’s all about jobs, capital investment and winning the deal. It’s a competitive sport.

“But that, by itself, isn’t going to give us the results that we need,” Cronin said.

Roughly 40 percent of Pasco County’s workers commute to work daily, so the county clearly needs to attract some large companies, he said.

But, the fact that Pasco has such a sizable work force available is a strength, Cronin said.

“So, when I talk to people I tell them: ‘Our work force is so good, everybody else wants to hire them,’” he said.

Pasco’s economic development efforts must focus on “making sure that we have opportunities at every tier, for every individual here, not just recruiting the big company with the high-wage jobs,” he said.

“I came from Charlotte most recently. Charlotte is a great town. I think that everyone loves the fact that it’s clean. It’s very well organized. It’s got a great transit system,” Cronin said.

But he continued, “It might surprise you to know that Charlotte is 50 out of 50, with regards to social mobility and economic mobility.

“What that means is that if you’re born in Charlotte, you’ve got less of a chance to get a better job and move up that ladder,” he said.

Charlotte has done a great job of recruiting companies with $100,000 a year jobs, Cronin said. But, he added, “people are going to pick up and move to get those jobs.”

He thinks a different strategy is needed.

“The state of Florida, as a whole, is still in that mode of ‘Let’s just go after those high-wage jobs, and expect the rest to trickle down and create service jobs for the tiers,’” Cronin said.

He doesn’t agree with that philosophy.

“Top-line growth is not meeting bottom-line prosperity for everyone,” Cronin said.

“If we end up getting everybody higher wages and costs go up, guess what’s going to happen to the people who don’t have jobs? It’s going to put a bigger distance between the haves and have-nots. That’s something that we have to watch, as well,” Cronin said.

Pasco must do what it can, through actions and investments, to give companies a reason to choose the community over the thousands of other choices they have, he said.

Infrastructure improvements, low-cost loans and financial incentives are some of the tools that communities have, he said.

If a community wants to attract new growth, it must be ready for it, the economic development expert added.

“We’ve got a lot of land here. A lot of people think that land is a site.

“Well, if you don’t know when the electric is going to be there, you don’t know when the road is going to be there, if you don’t know where your utilities are, you don’t know how far your rail is, if you don’t know any of those details — it’s not a site,” Cronin said. “It’s a field.”

Published July 6, 2016

Joint reunion of Zephyrhills’ schools is a big hit

July 6, 2016 By B.C. Manion

More than 200 people turned out for the 46th annual Zephyrhills High School Alumni, Teachers & Friends Reunion on June 26, according to Clereen Morrill Brunty, one of the organizers.

The event was at the Zephyrhills Lions Club, 5827 Dean Dairy Road.

Casey Harrison, left, a member of the Class of 2016, was the youngest member of the Zephyrhills Alumni at the gathering, and Bernice (Curtis) Rooks, a member of the Class of 1940, was the oldest. Rooks is also a retired Zephyrhills teacher. (Photos courtesy of Clereen (Morrill) Brunty) — Casey Harrison, left, a member of the Class of 2016, was the youngest member of the Zephyrhills Alumni at the gathering, and Bernice (Curtis) Rooks, a member of the Class of 1940, was the oldest. Rooks is also a retired Zephyrhills teacher.
(Photos courtesy of Clereen (Morrill) Brunty)

Anyone who attended or worked at a school in Zephyrhills, from elementary through high school, was welcome — and their families were there, too.

The event featured a covered-dish luncheon, with participants bringing a dish to share.

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield did the honors of leading the Pledge of Allegiance at the gathering.

The event began with registration at 11 a.m., followed by a covered dish luncheon at 1 p.m., and announcements and recognitions at 2 p.m.

The youngest and oldest alumni present were Casey Harrison, a member of the Class of 2016, and Bernice (Curtis) Rooks, a member of the Class of 1940. Rooks also is a retired Zephyrhills teacher.

JoAnne (Hile) Randall, a member of the Class of 1972, made the longest trip to attend the reunion. She traveled all of the way from Salem, Oregon.

The King family won the bragging rights for the most family present. Thirteen came, but only 10 could be rounded up for the photo.

The King family won the bragging rights for turning out in the greatest number. Thirteen of them joined in the festivities.

“It’s always the last Sunday in June,” said Brunty.

There’s no admission, but donations are accepted to defray the expenses of renting the hall, table service, iced tea and other incidentals, said Brunty, who has been involved with the event for about 30 years.

The event has been held at various locales over the years, Brunty said, noting it has been at the Lions Club for the past 15 years.

The reunion committee was made up of Jerry Pricher, president, class of 1969; Lenora (Pollock) Stokes, vice president, class of 1969; Clereen (Morrill) Brunty, secretary and treasurer, class of 1973; Lisa (Bruce) Cooksey, historian, class of 1986; Gail Fisher and crew, kitchen chair; Nancy Lail, scholarship chair, class of 1974; and, Cynthia Craig, 50/50 chair. Brunty also is chair of the registration committee and the alumni contact.

Ron Cherry is surprised by his brothers, Hap Cherry and Floyd Cherry, and their daughters, at Zephyr Park.

The event gives alumni a chance to mingle with old friends and introduce their families to their former classmates, Brunty said.

Delaney Copeland, of the Class of 2016, also received the Community and Alumni Providing Scholarship, in the amount of $500. The number and amount of scholarships vary from year to year based on donations that are received to support the scholarships, Brunty said.

Another special event took place the previous day at Zephyr Park, when Ron Cherry, a retired teacher and administrator at Zephyrhills High, was surprised by the dedication of a park bench in his honor near the park’s tennis courts.

JoAnne (Hile) Randall, a member of the Class of 1972, came all of the way from Salem, Oregon, to attend the reunion. She traveled the greatest distance to get there.

Planning for the surprise has been going on for a couple of years, Brunty said. “And, he still didn’t know anything about it.”

“There was about 50 people,” Brunty said, including past and present teachers.

He was clearly touched by the honor, she said.

The family said “they’d rather give him something while he’s alive … Why do it in the memory of somebody? Do it in the honor of somebody.”

For additional information about the Zephyrhills High Alumni Association, contact Brunty at .

Published July 6, 2016

Wesley Chapel: No. 1 job market

July 6, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Wesley Chapel is at the top of the list for “best job market” in Florida, according to a report from WalletHub on 2016’s Best & Worst Florida Cities for Finding a Job.

The Washington D.C.-based financial website ranked 130 cities in the state in three categories: job market, socio-economic environment and overall.

While Wesley Chapel came in first, Lutz and Land O’ Lakes ranked 16 and 17, respectively, as best job markets.

In this category, reviewers looked at job opportunities, employment growth, starting salaries and unemployment rates.

In ranking for socio-economic environment, they considered median annual income, average commute times, employee benefits, housing and transportation costs, crime rates and social life, such as things to do and places to go.

Wesley Chapel scored second in affordable housing and third for lowest unemployment for high school graduates.

Overall, Wesley Chapel’s scores earned a fourth place finish behind Sarasota in first place, Jacksonville Beach in second place and Pensacola in third place.

Still, average workdays and commute times were factors working against Wesley Chapel, which mustered only a 66th place on socio-economic environment factors alone.

Lutz ranked 27th on the socio-economic score and 11th overall, while Land O’ Lakes languished in 113th place in socio-economic rankings and 46th overall.

Tampa ranked 15th in the job market, ninth in socio-economic environment and sixth overall. Brandon came in second behind Wesley Chapel in job market, 68th in socio-economic environment and fifth overall.

Spring Hill was 126th overall, 121st in the job market and 125th in socio-economic.

Miami Gardens sat at the bottom of the list overall and in job market, and rose only to 124th spot on the socio-economic

scale.

The full WalletHub report is available at WalletHub.com/edu/best-cities-in-florida-for-jobs/21610.

Published July 6, 2016

Fitness meets fun at Trail Jam

July 6, 2016 By B.C. Manion

They were young and they were old.

Some were athletic and trim; others, not quite so fit.

‘Have tricycle will travel’ could be 18-month-old Kepa Sessa’s slogan, as he heads over to the Hardy Trail, just off Church Avenue in Dade City, with the help of his mom, Molly Moorhead, of San Antonio. (Fred Bellet/Photos) — ‘Have tricycle will travel’ could be 18-month-old Kepa Sessa’s slogan, as he heads over to the Hardy Trail, just off Church Avenue in Dade City, with the help of his mom, Molly Moorhead, of San Antonio.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

But, they came together on June 25 at the Trail Jam to show the many ways that people can pursue becoming more fit.

Some joined exercise groups. Others took a stroll. Others hopped on bicycles, or walked their dogs.

The idea was to get moving and to join others in the quest.

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills joined with the Dade City Youth Council and Wicked Awesome Racing to put on Trail Jam, a celebration of health and fitness at the Hardy Trail in Dade City.

The event offered walking, running, bike riding, dog walking and a kids’ bicycle obstacle course. Other activities included yoga, Zumba, bicycle repair demonstrations and children’s activities.

Published July 6, 2016

A group from Wicked Awesome Racing waits to begin the bicycle ride at Trail Jam. The bicycle group, made up of Pasco County residents, rides the trail every Saturday. About half of the group’s members took part in Trail Jam.

With his dad, Josh Thornton of Dade City in the lead, 5-year-old Bentley Thornton keeps up the pace riding his ‘Strider’ bicycle while dad rides through on his carbon-fiber, multi-gear bicycle.

Tampa Bay Express wins a crucial vote

June 29, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A hard-fought, often passionate battle over Tampa Bay’s transportation future ended with a vote in favor of building the Tampa Bay Express.

The project calls for 90 miles of new toll lanes on Interstate 275 from St. Petersburg to Wesley Chapel, along Interstate 4 to Plant City, and south on Interstate 75 to Manatee County.

Vehicles stack up near ramps onto and off Interstate 75 in Pasco County. The interchange is near Tampa Premium Outlets and an active development area for new shops and restaurants. Supporters of Tampa Bay Express hope the transportation project will ease congestion. (File Photo) — Vehicles stack up near ramps onto and off Interstate 75 in Pasco County. The interchange is near Tampa Premium Outlets and an active development area for new shops and restaurants. Supporters of Tampa Bay Express hope the transportation project will ease congestion.
(File Photo)

The project is seen by many in Pasco County as key to propelling economic growth and easing traffic congestion.

“We’re happy it passed,” said Hope Allen, executive director of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. “Common sense prevailed in that it will be moving forward. Further discussion will happen and that’s good.”

Advocates for and against packed the June 22 public hearing of the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization. More than 160 people signed up for public comment during an 8-hour speaking marathon that lasted until almost 2:30 a.m. Most were from Tampa, but others came from St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Plant City and Pasco.

The Hillsborough MPO voted 12-4 to put the expressway project, known as TBX, as a priority on its five-year transportation plan. The plan must be submitted to the Florida Department of Transportation by July 15 for state and federal review.

Construction on phase one is slated for 2021 and would re-design the I-275 interchange into downtown Tampa.

Work on a new span of the Howard Frankland Bridge, between Tampa and St. Petersburg, however, is planned for 2017.

TBX will create new toll lanes adjacent to existing non-toll lanes at an initial cost of more than $3 billion, and potentially as much as $6 billion.

Toll fees would vary depending on traffic volume, with more expensive tolls applying at rush hour. No toll rates have been announced, but fees on existing toll systems, including on Interstate 95 in Miami, suggest they could be as high as $2 a mile.

A rapid bus transit service potentially could use the toll lane, but not pay tolls.

In the weeks leading up to the vote, the Wesley Chapel chamber joined with other area chambers and organizations in Pasco and the region, to publicly support and campaign for a favorable vote on TBX.

Four of Pasco County’s commissioners also signed a letter of support. Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano was the lone dissenter.

He objected to toll lanes, saying they would be unfair to people who can’t afford expensive toll fees.

Other options, including conversion of CSX rail lines for public transit, should be studied, Mariano said.

“To me, you are wasting capacity for a rich few,” he said. “There should be a big regional discussion on what is going on in the whole area.”

Opponents of TBX campaigned to block the project as a boondoggle that would benefit wealthy motorists, harm minority communities, lower air quality and crush ongoing revitalization of neighborhoods that suffered during highway widening projects in the 1960s and 1970s.

The project is expected to wipe out as many as 100 businesses and residences in historic neighborhoods of Tampa Heights, Seminole Heights and V.M. Ybor.

“This project is morally flawed on several levels,” said Beverly Ward, principal of BGW Associates, a company that studies effects of public policy decisions on communities.

But, supporters said TBX should be viewed as a regional project that would significantly decrease commute times, promote new development, and encourage more customers to visit existing businesses outside their neighborhoods.

“It’s going to hopefully expedite commuting up to us,” said Greg Lenners, general manager of The Shops at Wiregrass. “We’re still seen as a more rural area. It will be a plus.”

More than half of Pasco’s workers commute to jobs outside of the county, sometimes sitting for two hours in stalled traffic on interstates.

Others in St. Petersburg, Tampa and Plant City said they also want relief from congestion to spend more time with family, friends and children.

“This project will benefit everyone,” said Ken Roberts, an Apollo Beach resident and member of Citizens Organized for Sound Transportation. “We need to realize we are in this all together.”

Published June 29, 2016

Wildlife corridors map a pathway through Pasco

June 29, 2016 By Kathy Steele

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published June 29, 2016