Local News

Gearing up for primary elections

April 27, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Even though the primary election isn’t until Aug. 30, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley is reminding voters to be sure they are ready to vote.

Florida has a closed primary system, so voters must be sure they are registered in the party in which they wish to vote, Corley said.

It’s also essential to be sure you are registered and that your registration has the proper address, Corley said.

Many voters who have been inactive for years may not realize that their names are removed from the list, when they have not been active, Corley said. Your registration also must reflect your current address to avoid running into paperwork problems or the possibility of not being able to get to your proper polling place on time to vote, he said.

Voters should remember there are three ways to vote, Corley said. They can request a vote by mail ballot, they can vote early or they can vote on election day.

Also, the list of acceptable forms of identification was expanded during the most recent session of the Legislature, Corley said. The House and Senate unanimously approved legislation sponsored by Rep. Danny Burgess, of Zephyrhills, and State Sen. John Legg, of Lutz, that expanded the acceptable forms of ID to include a Florida concealed weapon or firearm license, a Veteran Health Identification Card issued by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and an employee identification card issued by any part of the federal, state, county or municipal government.

If you wish to vote by mail, contact your local supervisor of elections office.

Published April 27, 2016

Timing on traffic signals tweaked

April 27, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Motorists cruising through the intersection of State Road 54 and U.S. 41 might have noticed some differences in the timing of the traffic signals.

The intervals between green lights and red lights have changed there and also in front of Lowe’s home improvement store off State Road 54.

Not everyone is happy with the change, especially motorists who say they sit through more than one light interval to make a left turn heading south on U.S. 41 to go east on State Road 54.

On the plus side, though, motorists crossing the railroad tracks at the apex where North Dale Mabry Highway and U.S. 41 intersect may be experiencing a clearer path for merging, as they approach State Road 54.

Those observations are correct, according to Florida Department of Transportation officials who explained the changes, via email.

The road officials tweaked traffic signals in an effort to enhance traffic flows and improve safety for motorists navigating through or near State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

About 100,000 vehicles a day go through the intersection.

(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) Motorists turn left from southbound U.S. 41 onto eastbound State Road 54. State highway officials tweaked the timing of traffic signals to improve traffic flow, but some motorists say they don’t like having to wait through more than light interval to turn left. — Motorists turn left from southbound U.S. 41 onto eastbound State Road 54. State highway officials tweaked the timing of traffic signals to improve traffic flow, but some motorists say they don’t like having to wait through more than light interval to turn left. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

State traffic engineers noted a higher than average number of fender-benders, side swipes and rear-end crashes in recent years as motorists leave North Dale Mabry Highway to merge onto northbound U.S. 41.

Since 2010, a total of 98 accidents occurred in the area where the two roads converge. The most accidents were recorded in 2013, when there were 37 crashes. That was 14 crashes more than the previous year. The number dropped in 2015, but state road officials still recorded 20 wrecks.

With a traffic signal adjustment, vehicles from North Dale Mabry Highway now are less likely to merge at the juncture at the same time as motorists who stop at the light on U.S. 41, outside the Walmart, but otherwise have a long stretch of roadway with no stops.

State engineers also focused on improving traffic flows through State Road 54 and U.S. 41.

They studied signal timings for peak traffic in the morning and afternoon, and at midday. Changes were based in part on higher traffic volumes for westbound traffic versus left turns from U.S. 41.

Complete cycle periods at the intersection generally range from 140 seconds to 190 seconds, depending on peak and off-peak hours. Signals also have sensors that can tweak timing a few seconds based on current traffic conditions.

While some motorists now might wait longer to make a left turn onto State Road 54, they likely will have smooth sailing past the signal at Lowe’s. And, with tweaks, motorists exiting Lowe’s heading west are more likely to get the green light at U.S. 41 where previously they would have been forced to stop.

Looking at midday data, state transportation officials found eastbound traffic could slow because vehicles arrived at Lowe’s just prior to the signal turning green. Now, both eastbound and southbound left turns flow more quickly through the light at Lowe’s.

Published April 27, 2016

Converting caps into love, through service project

April 27, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The culmination of donations over eight months was quite a sight at Saint Leo University recently.

Dozens of students, faculty and staff gathered on April 18 at the university’s northeast campus parking lot to witness 14 pallets — containing 8,000 pounds of plastic bottle caps — being loaded onto a 53-foot trailer, and sent to Bluegrass Recycling in Kentucky.

This school year, the university collaborated with Caps of Love, a Florida-based, nonprofit organization that recycles three grades of plastic caps and lids that are sold to the Kentucky-based recycling company.

All proceeds from the recycling are used to purchase new and refurbished wheelchairs that are donated to children in the United States with mobility disabilities.

(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo) Students gather to see pallets full of bottle caps loaded onto a 53-foot truck that will send them to a recycling center in Kentucky. They have been collecting caps since August. — Students gather to see pallets full of bottle caps loaded onto a 53-foot truck that will send them to a recycling center in Kentucky. They have been collecting caps since August. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photo)

Since 2014, Caps of Love has provided 32 wheelchairs to people under the age of 21, that are in need.

The charitable organization was founded over nine years ago by Valerie Mathieu of West Palm Beach, and it received its 501 (c) (3) status about four years ago.

After learning about a similar charity overseas, Mathieu figured she’d bring the program to the U.S. She was impressed by both its environmental and humanitarian components.

“It’s primarily an environmental charity and educating children on how to recycle properly—how to identify what is recyclable,” Mathieu said. “Our country is not really good at recycling, so this is an easy way to learn how to recycle and identify the different grades of plastic. …At the same time, we have the humanitarian side where we’re providing wheelchairs for handicapped children in the U.S.”

With many wheelchairs ranging from $5,000 to well over $22,000, the expense is often a financial burden for families with special needs children, Mathieu said.

“Insurance gives them a basic wheelchair, and they only receive wheelchairs every couple of years, so they outgrow it, and it’s up to the parents to just purchase a new one,” Mathieu said, noting her organization will soon give out 70 more wheelchairs. ”We also have a lot of families in this country that do not have insurance, and their children do not get wheelchairs, so that’s where we come in,” Mathieu said.

The program’s simplicity and purpose made it an ideal fit for the university to participate in the philanthropy project, satisfying its ‘community’ core value, said Heidi D’ Ambrosio, senior coordinator for Residence Life.

“We’d have competitions at the (residence) halls of who could collect the most caps,” D’ Ambrosio said. “We’d have sorting events, and we’d spend hours sorting them, because they have to be in three different grades.”

The three grades of plastic caps they recycled were polypropylene No. 5, and polyethylene No. 2 and No. 4 plastic caps, which are valuable in bulk.

“The most important thing is getting the three different grades collected correctly,” Mathieu said. “All three grades have about the same value and are sold by the pound, but when they’re mixed together, they have no value.”

With over 14 collection sites throughout the Saint Leo campus, the program quickly spread through word of mouth, as Greek Life organizations and student affairs staff members got involved.

“It (became) a constant thing that when you have a bottle cap, you put it in the basket,” said Ashley Montas, a freshman criminal justice major. “It’s pretty easy.”

Ryliegh D’ Ambrosio, a freshman psychology major, said the program helped unite the university.

“I feel that it brought sororities and (other) departments all together on campus for a good cause,” she said. “I didn’t realize how many (caps) it was until we finished.”

Community service hours were calculated based on the number of caps brought in. For example, if a student brought in 100 caps, they were rewarded with one service hour, and if they brought in 200 caps, they received two service hours.

“We’d like to continue this because we have so many people now that want to get involved with it,” D’ Ambrosio said.

For more information about Caps of Love, visit CapsOfLove.com.

Published April 27, 2016

Celebrating health care services in Lacoochee

April 27, 2016 By B.C. Manion

The Lacoochee Family Health Center, a Premier Community Healthcare Group satellite location, hosted an open house on April 20 to celebrate the location’s first anniversary.

The event was at the Stanley Park Lacoochee Community Center in Dade City.

The center served nearly 400 patients during 2015, according to a news release.

The Lacoochee health center opened in response to a need expressed by the community, said Cheryl Pollock, director of business development for Premier.

Cheryl Pollock is director of business development for Premier Community Healthcare Group, which provides quality, accessible medical care to underserved communities in Pasco County. (Courtesy of Cheryl Pollock)

Premier is dedicated to providing high quality, affordable, accessible medical care to Medicaid/Medicare recipients, uninsured and underserved communities of Pasco County.

Premier provides a full range of comprehensive primary care medical services that include family medicine, pediatrics, dental, behavioral health, obstetrics and gynecology.

The center in Lacoochee was opened in response to the community’s request for more accessible health care, Pollock said. Most of its patients walk to the clinic.

It provides a wide range of services, and it can provide bus passes to help people who need to go to other locations for services it doesn’t provide, Pollock said.

The center in Lacoochee is not funded with grant money, so its operations must be paid for through fundraising efforts, she added.

Statistics for the first year of operations show that 47 percent of patients were on Medicaid, 31 percent were uninsured or opted to self-pay, 12 percent were classified with private insurance, 6 percent were on Medicare, and 4 percent were classified as “other.”

Of those served, 24 percent were under age 17, and the rest were adults.

Also, 37 percent of all patients received services through same-day appointments.

The 600-square-foot clinic is staffed by a nurse, a provider and a clerical worker, Pollock said.

The equipment and furnishings were provided by the Florida Medical Clinic Foundation. The clinic space is also provided for free, through a coalition of community organizations.

The anniversary celebration was held to help draw attention to the center and to encourage more people to take advantage of the availability of primary health care services in the area.

Those attending had a chance to pick up information about health care services and enjoy some refreshments.

Premier Community Healthcare has eight offices throughout Pasco County.

Published April 27, 2016

Passover begins April 22

April 20, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The holiday of Pesach, or Passover, is an eight-day festival celebrated in the early spring, from the 15th through the 22nd of the Hebrew month of Nissan. This year, it runs from April 22 to April 30. It commemorates the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Following the rituals of Passover allows the Jewish community to relive and experience the freedom of their ancestors.

The symbolic foods of a Passover Seder include maror, saltwater, charoset, zeroah, beitzah and karpas. (Courtesy of Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue of Wesley Chapel) — The symbolic foods of a Passover Seder include maror, saltwater, charoset, zeroah, beitzah and karpas.
(Courtesy of Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue of Wesley Chapel)

Observances: Passover is divided into two parts. The first two days, April 22 and April 23, and the last two days, April 29 and April 30, are full-fledged holidays. Holiday candles are lit at night, and holiday meals (Seders) are enjoyed both days. The middle four days are referred to as chol hamoed, or semi-festive “intermediate days.”

Seders: The highlight of Passover is the Seder, which is observed on each of the first two nights of the holiday. The Seder is a 15-step, family-oriented tradition and ritual-packed feast.

The focal points of the Seder include:

Eating matzah, which is unleavened bread
Eating bitter herbs to commemorate the bitter slavery endured by the Israelites
Drinking four cups of wine or grape juice to celebrate the newfound freedom
The recitation of the Haggadah, a liturgy that describes the story of the Exodus from Egypt. The Haggadah is the fulfillment of the biblical obligation to recount the story of the Exodus on the night of Passover.

Symbolic Seder foods:

Maror—bitter herbs, usually horseradish, to serve as a reminder of the bitterness of slavery

Saltwater—symbolizing the tears of the slaves

Charoset—sweet paste made of fruit and nuts, symbolizing the mortar the

slaves used to build the Egyptian pyramids

Zeroah—shank bone, representing the Passover sacrifice

Beitzah—hard-boiled egg, symbolic of life and birth associated with the spring season

Karpas — a leafy green vegetable, usually a piece of lettuce, symbolizing hope and redemption

Some traditional Ashkenazi Passover dishes include gefilte fish, matzah ball soup, brisket, tzimmis (sweet carrot and fruit dish), and macaroons and sponge cake (made from matzah meal) for dessert.

Bigger Menu for Passover: In December, the Conservative Jewish movement’s Committee on Jewish Law and Standards issued a ruling allowing the consumption of kitniyot (legumes) during Passover. For thousands of years, Ashkenazi Jews have followed the tradition of not eating kitniyot on Passover. (The custom was not adopted by most Sephardi Jews.) Kitniyot includes beans, corn, rice, millet, peas, soybeans, peanuts, sesame seeds, poppy seeds, mustard and sometimes garlic.

Passover events

Where: Chabad at Wiregrass, 2124 Ashley Oaks Circle in Wesley Chapel
What: Community Passover Seder with Rabbi Mendy and Chanie Yarmush, complete with a gourmet Passover dinner, traditional songs, stories and spiritual insights.
When: Friday, April 22 at 8:30 p.m.
For more information, call (813) 642-3244, or visit ChabadatWiregrass.com.

Where: Congregation Kol Ami, 3919 Moran Road, Tampa
What: Morning: Taanit Bechorim (Fast of the Firstborn), followed by a breakfast.
Evening: Shabbat and Erev Pesah I Services
When: 7:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m., on Friday, April 22
For more information, call (813) 962-6338, or email .

Where: Congregation Mekor Shalom, 14005A N. Dale Mabry Highway
What: Mincha (afternoon) service followed by a Seder. There will be a brief prayer experience at which kaddish will be included.
When: Friday, April 22 at 4:30 p.m.
For more information, call (813) 963-1818, or visit MekorShalom.org.

Where: Congregation Beth Am, 2030 W. Fletcher Ave.
What: Second Night Passover Seder
When: Saturday, April 23 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
For more information, call (813) 963-1818, or visit MekorShalom.org.

Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue of Wesley Chapel
Where: Lexington Oaks Clubhouse, 26304, Lexington Oaks Boulevard
What: A Passover Seder Meal with Jews and Gentiles celebrating together
When: Friday, April 22 at 6 p.m.
Cost: $15 for adults, $7 for children (ages 5 to 11)
For more information, call Rabbi Ed Marvin at (813)-270-6361.

Published April 20, 2016

Next up: competing at internationals

April 20, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Nine students from Torchbearer’s Christian Academy, in Dade City, have qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention (ISC), sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education.

The convention, held at the University of Central Missouri from May 21 to May 26, typically draws more than 4,000 youth worldwide to face off in approximately 150 events in the categories of music, oratory, art, athletics and academics.

Nine students from Torchbearers’ Christian Academy qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education. From left, Assistant Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Todd Smith, students Joshua Piankowski, students Kevin Hernandez, Jonathan Garza, Jose Hernandez, Gavin Womack, Savannah Jones, Roberto Garza, Rebeka Torres and Jesus Avila, and Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Tim Smith. (Photos courtesy of Torchbearers' Christian Academy) — Nine students from Torchbearers’ Christian Academy qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, sponsored by Accelerated Christian Education.
From left, Assistant Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Todd Smith, students Joshua Piankowski, students Kevin Hernandez, Jonathan Garza, Jose Hernandez, Gavin Womack, Savannah Jones, Roberto Garza, Rebeka Torres and Jesus Avila, and Sun Coast Regional Coordinator Tim Smith.
(Photos courtesy of Torchbearers’ Christian Academy)

The event is deemed to be the highlight of the school year for hundreds of schools and home-schools who follow the Accelerated Christian Education curriculum.

To qualify for the international convention, Torchbearers’ students had to place in the top six in at least one event category at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention, held from March 28 to April 1 in Hudson. They competed against hundreds of 13-and-older students from 23 other schools across the state.

Ninth-grader Rebeka Torres fared particularly well at regionals, placing first in four individual categories: Social Studies Research, Website Design, Watercolor Art and Vocal Female Solo. She also placed second in the Scrapbooking category

“I had a great time,” Torres said. “I think it was a really good experience, and it creates a lot of responsibility for what you’re doing, and it builds your character in what you can do…for the future.”

Torres competed in regionals two years ago, recently becoming more comfortable in the art events.

Ninth-grader Rebeka Torres placed first in four individual events at the Sun Coast Regional Student Convention in Hudson.

“In the beginning, you’re sort of hesitant in the art,” she said. “I actually messed up once, so I had to do it all over again. I think once you start laying out the colors and matching them, I think it’s easier.”

Another Torchbearers’ student, 11th-grader Roberto Garza, stood out at regionals. Garza placed first in two individual categories: Science Exhibit Research, and Pen and Ink Art. He also finished second in the Vocal Male Solo.

“It was my first time, and I was pretty nervous,” Garza said. “It makes you overcome your fear of being on a stage in front of people. It pushes you to your limits, because you don’t know you’re able to do (something) until you start.”

Despite being a small school with an enrollment of about 70 students, Torchbearers’ puts a “big spotlight” on the fine arts, according to Principal Jan Yarbrough.

“The greatest importance is sometimes they carry this through,” Yarbrough said. “They’ll find that they’re good in art and they can go into commercial art, or they find out they’re good with singing.”

In preparing for regionals, Yarbrough said many of the students would practice at nights, balancing busy schedules to keep up their academics.

“It’s a lot of pressure,” she said. “You find out those that have integrity and are going to stick with it.”

Eleventh-grader Roberto Garza placed first in two individual events, including the Science Exhibit Research category.

Torchbearers’ elementary teacher Natalie Ocampo, who participated at both conventions a decade ago, guided the students in their projects throughout the school year.

“I did it when I was their age…and it was wonderful to see them develop their talents,” Ocampo said. The competitions also let students meet others who share the same interests, she said.

“I think it helps with their confidence—a lot of them come in very shy and into themselves not thinking they can do it,” she said.

The International Student Convention brings students together from several different countries, including the Philippines, South Africa and Canada.

Assistant principal Shalom Ocampo noted it’s encouraging for Torchbearers’ students to meet and compete with others who come from different backgrounds, yet follow a similar curriculum.

“This curriculum, because it’s so individualistic and unconventional, sometimes you tend to feel like, ‘Oh, I’m the only one,’ but thousands of students are using the same curriculum,” he said. “It opens up your mind …and you feel the camaraderie and that same desire to make sure you do excellent work.”

Even though nine students qualified, the school officials are unsure if they’ll actually make the trip to Missouri this year due to the expenses involved.

In 2014, they sent three students to ISC, which was held at Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Torchbearers’ Christian Academy
Nine students qualified for the 2016 International Student Convention, held in Warrensburg, Missouri, from May 21 to May 26. They recently competed at the 13-and-over Sun Coast Regional Student Convention in Hudson.
The winners were: Jesus Avila, Jonathan Garza, Roberto Garza, Jose Hernandez, Kevin Hernandez, Savannah Jones, Joshua Piankowski, Rebeka Torres and Gavin Womack.

Published April 20, 2016

Preparations underway for EcoFest 2016

April 20, 2016 By B.C. Manion

An effort that began seven years ago on the Hanna Road campus of Learning Gate Community School, in Lutz, has morphed into an event expected to draw thousands to Tampa’s Lowry Park on April 23 in a festival that pays homage to protecting Mother Earth.

EcoFest is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the principles of sustainability — ecology, equity and economy.

Lots of people did a double take when they saw Amanda Renaud, of Topsy Turvy — an entertainment troupe — towering above them on stilts at the 2015 EcoFest at Lowry Park. (File Photos) — Lots of people did a double take when they saw Amanda Renaud, of Topsy Turvy — an entertainment troupe — towering above them on stilts at the 2015 EcoFest at Lowry Park.
(File Photos)

Learning Gate Community School, the University of South Florida’s Patel College of Global Sustainability and the City of Tampa have joined forces to present the festival, also dubbed as Earth Day Tampa Bay, near the park’s band shell at 7525 North Blvd., in Tampa.

Michele Northrup, who has been event coordinator of EcoFest since its inception, has watched it grow and evolve.

There were 40 vendors and about 500 attendees at the first EcoFest, she said. This year, there are 158 vendors, plus a waiting list of 20. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend.

Parking and admission are free, and there are plenty of free activities, too, Northrup said.

There are plenty of opportunities to learn and have fun, too, she said.

There will be live music, workshops, costumed superheroes, demonstrations, informational booths, green living products and services.

Local artists, green businesses, environmental organizations, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists, and people from organic farms and gardens will be there, too.

“We have some unique vendors. We’ve got some really cool artisans, craftsmen,” Northrup said.

Most of the vendors are local, coming from such communities as Tampa, North Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood and South Tampa.

Last year, the festival was set up deliberately to mimic a marketplace, and it’s going to be set up the same way this year, Northrup said.

“Everybody loved that,” Northrup said.

Another highlight will be an agility course, designed by a competitor from the popular television show “American Ninja Warrior.”

The seventh annual EcoFest, like the one last year, will be presented at Tampa’s Lowry Park. The moss-draped oaks provide a lovely backdrop to the event that aims to promote earth-friendly living

There also will be a yoga zone, with different yoga themes throughout the day. And, there will be a drum circle, too.

All four of Tampa’s big attractions — Busch Gardens, Lowry Park, The Florida Aquarium, and MOSI — will be there, Northrup said.

The City of Tampa’s Solid Waste department will be demonstrating how to use plastic bags to make crafts.

Some members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will be getting into the act, too. Northrup has invited them to show how plastic grocery store bags can be converted into mats.

To say Northrup is enthused about the event would be an enormous understatement.

“It’s going to be phenomenal,” she said.

Seventh annual EcoFest
Where: Lowry Park, 7525 North Blvd., in Tampa (in the band shell area and across the street)
When: April 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 150 vendors, speakers and activities, in a festival aimed at promoting earth-friendly living.

Published April 20, 2016

Sharing strategies to prevent substance abuse

April 20, 2016 By B.C. Manion

While there are no easy ways to stop substance abuse, there are steps that can be taken to reduce it.

Those strategies will be the focus of discussion during the fifth annual Substance Abuse Prevention Conference planned for April 29 at Saddlebrook Resort.

The event is being presented by BayCare Behavioral Health and Pasco ASAP. The conference is from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel.

Lt. Commander Michael Muni, who served on President Obama’s Task Force on Heroin, will address the need for local heroes to help reduce substance abuse. (Photos courtesy of PascoAsap.com) — Lt. Commander Michael Muni, who served on President Obama’s Task Force on Heroin, will address the need for local heroes to help reduce substance abuse.
(Photos courtesy of PascoAsap.com)

“It’s a community conference, so it’s really our opportunity to get new people to take a stake in the coalition and the work of the coalition,” said Monica Rousseau, Pasco County ASAP Coordinator and conference co-chair.

The conference theme is “Strengthening Our Community: Creating Healthy Solutions.”

Throughout the day, speakers and presenters will share their expertise, solutions and tools. There also will be more than 20 vendors representing behavioral health providers and businesses. There will be panel discussions and breakout sessions, as well as keynote speakers.

“From my perspective, the main goal is to get people pumped about tackling substance abuse disorders and substance misuse in Pasco County, and getting people to realize that everybody has a stake in this, and everybody can do something,” Rousseau said.

Substance abuse is a problem that has wide-ranging impacts and can’t simply be left to “others” to resolve, she said.

“These are not just issues that need to be solved by politicians. They’re not just issues that need to be solved by community leaders. Regular, everyday, community members — parents, teachers, people without kids. Everybody has a role,” Rousseau said.

“It’s not just people that are abusing or misusing drugs that are affected. Everybody is affected,” she added.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, a former Florida lawmaker who spearheaded the state’s prescription drug monitoring program, will open the conference.

BayCare Health System’s CEO Stephen R. Mason will talk about wellness and health care integration at the conference.

Other speakers include BayCare Healthcare System’s CEO Stephen R. Mason, who will talk about wellness and health care integration and Lt. Commander Michael Muni, who served on President Obama’s Task Force on Heroin.

“The real takeaway from this conference is that people will learn strategies,” Rousseau said.

“You will come and be inspired to take home solutions to apply to where you live, work and play,” she added.

One panel will feature Kurt Browning, superintendent, Pasco County Schools; Doug Leonardo, executive director, BayCare Behavioral Health; Kelly Mothershead, owner, A Focus on Fitness Transformation Studio and Salon; Michael J. Napier, administrator, Florida Department of Health Pasco County; Chris Nocco, Pasco County Sheriff, and Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County Commissioner. Panelists will address the community’s response to substance abuse in Pasco County.

“Each of them are tackling substance abuse, in one way or another,” Rousseau said.

Young people will be moderating the Mothers Against Drunk Driving’s panel, and will be raising questions on a number of issues, Rousseau said.

The conference also will address an effort that’s underway to respond to substance abuse differently than in the past, she said.

Previously, she said, “substance abuse has been treated as a separate entity. We’re really trying to move toward integrating it into general health and wellness conversations.

“By treating it as something separate, we’re only facilitating that stigma,” she said.

Rousseau said the community also needs to change its mindset about the issue.

“When I moved here, people asked me: ‘Why would you move here? This is the pill capital of the world, and it’s never going to change.’ And, I would look at them and go, ‘No, I’m here to change that.’’’

People need to realize: “You’re making it worse by saying that,” Rousseau said.

She hopes the conference will help inspire more people to get involved in her coalition, which is made up of volunteers.

“We know anecdotally that teachers really need help. They don’t know how to de-escalate the situation. They don’t know what to do with students who are presenting with behavioral problems. And, it’s burning them out.

“We need to teach them (teachers) strategies. We need to teach parents strategies.

“In order to do that and have a big impact, we need community members who are interested enough and passionate enough to learn this information, and share it,” Rousseau said.

Fifth annual Substance Abuse Conference
Speakers will talk about strategies to reduce substance abuse
When: April 29, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Where: Saddlebrook Resort, 5700 Saddlebrook Way in Wesley Chapel
Cost: $15 until April 20; $25 after that. Lunch is included.
To learn more about the conference and to register, visit PascoAsap.com.

Published April 20, 2016

Road renaming remains in limbo

April 20, 2016 By Kathy Steele

No decision has been reached on whether to rename a portion of Wesley Chapel Boulevard in honor of its historical ties to the King family ranch.

At the April 12 Pasco County Commission meeting, county officials did not give a date for rescheduling a public hearing that had been postponed in February to “a date uncertain.”

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Sandy Graves, a member of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, asked that the commissioners settle on boundaries for Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes at their April 26 meeting. That decision is central to the dispute over the road’s naming.

“We will live with the decision you make,” she said.

The southern half of Wesley Chapel Boulevard is a short section of paved road that intersects with Grand Cypress Drive, an entry road into the Tampa Premium Outlets. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — The southern half of Wesley Chapel Boulevard is a short section of paved road that intersects with Grand Cypress Drive, an entry road into the Tampa Premium Outlets.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

After the meeting, Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker said it was unlikely that the issue would be considered, at least in 2016.

In December 2015, the Central Pasco Chamber proposed renaming the road to Circle O Ranch Parkway.

The renaming would apply only to the portion of the road that is south of State Road 56, running beside the Tampa Premium Outlets. Plans call for linking this segment of the road with County Line Road in the future.

On Feb. 17, commissioners voted to postpone the public hearing on renaming the road while county staff members met with people in the Land O’ Lakes and Wesley Chapel communities. Representatives of Sierra Properties, which is developing a portion of the Cypress Creek Town Center on State Road 56, also were included in discussions.

According to the agenda item, the renaming would be put off until “after the community boundaries are established.”

Chamber members and others were asked to submit oral histories, videos, news articles or other documentation about the histories of Wesley Chapel and Land O’ Lakes.

If anyone wants legal boundaries, Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said they would have to incorporate as a city. That procedure involves seeking state legislative approval.

“The board really can’t establish a boundary for these unincorporated areas,” Steinsnyder said.

Wesley Chapel Boulevard, south of State Road 56, dead-ends at a grove of trees. The roadway, in the future, will be linked to County Line Road. Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce wants to rename the boulevard as Circle O Ranch Parkway to honor the history of the former King ranch

“This board doesn’t have anything that it can do to settle a boundary dispute between two unincorporated areas, which are really chambers of commerce as to what’s in this area,” the county attorney added.

“The county isn’t interested in creating boundaries,” said Kristen Hughes, the county’s planning and development administrator. “We’re interested in helping everyone succeed.”

A staff member did research on the histories of both areas, and Hughes said, “There is no clearly defined boundary.”

The Circle O Ranch Parkway name, supported by the Central Pasco Chamber, would recognize the King family, whose former ranch is now the site for Tampa Premium Outlets and Cypress Creek Town Center.

Others have said changing the name would add to confusion at an intersection that has multiple roads linking up including State Road 54, State Road 56 and the northern half of Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

Graves told commissioners she had heard the issue wouldn’t come up again because no one wants “to make anyone mad” during an election year.

Baker said Graves’ comment surprised her.

The county administrator said if commissioners wished to have a presentation to receive information on the issue that one could be scheduled.

Matt Armstrong, the county’s executive planner for long range planning, previously had told commissioners he anticipated providing a staff report in March or April.

Published April 20, 2016

Land O’ Lakes in line for bus service

April 20, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Land O’ Lakes is experiencing unprecedented growth as more residential and commercial ventures pop up, especially northward along U.S. 41. But, one item that isn’t seen in the area is public bus transit.

Pasco County commissioners are preparing to change that by adding a circulator bus route to its list of capital improvement projects for fiscal year 2017.

On April 12, commissioners directed staff members to craft a business plan for operating the route.

A circulator public bus route on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes will be considered for funding in fiscal year 2017. (Courtesy of Pasco County) — A circulator public bus route on U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes will be considered for funding in fiscal year 2017.
(Courtesy of Pasco County)

Commissioners will review the proposal, along with other projects, when they begin discussions in summer for the 2017 budget.

Estimated costs for the route include an annual operating budget of about $300,000, plus a one-time purchase of a bus at a cost of about $110,000.

The circulator route currently is on the county’s unfunded capital improvement list. Funding for the circulator route could come from the county’s tax increment financing, which directs a portion of property tax revenues to community-based projects.

“We are getting a lot of requests from Land O’ Lakes,” said Philip Pumphrey, the county’s public transportation manager.

The proposed route would have stops on North Dale Mabry Highway at Target and Walmart.

Moving north along U.S. 41, bus stops would include the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the Florida Department of Health, Land O’ Lakes Community Center, the post office, Wilderness Commons Plaza, Land O’ Lakes High School, the Pasco County school district headquarters, and the detention center.

Buses also would follow a loop east on State Road 54 to Collier Commons and the Land O’ Lakes library.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore suggested adding as many stops as possible at government buildings.

“I think about how this is a major corridor, and we don’t have services there. The area is growing by leaps and bounds. Now we have a chance to correct that and make something happen,” he said.

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader likes the concept, but he wants to see cost data on this and other proposed projects.

“Before I support this, I want to know exactly what is going to be impacted,” he said. “I just want to make it clear this commissioner has concerns about where the money is going to come from. I do have concerns when we start talking about cutting other capital concerns.”

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano looked ahead to the potential for the route to connect to bus service in Hernando County. “I think that’s a huge opportunity as well,” he said. “This line is so important to the future.”

Bus routes along State Road 54, and in the Moon Lake area of New Port Richey, will see more immediate improvements with the arrival of new buses.

Two-hour waits between buses will drop to one hour on State Road 54 on July 18. The Moon Lake area also will get expanded service on Dec. 5.

Published April 20, 2016