Local News

Trail skips East Pasco

April 13, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County will be left out of one of the longest segments of the state’s Coast to Coast Connector Trail, but efforts are expected to continue to include the county in future projects.

The Florida Department of Transportation is opting for a northern trail route that winds through Hernando and Sumter counties and the city of Webster for the Coast to Coast Connector Trail, known as the C2C trail.

The department of transportation rejected alternate southern routes that would have passed through Pasco County, citing safety and relocation issues, and environmental concerns.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez, left, studies a map as David Williams, a planning manager for the Florida Department of Transportation, talks about the state’s recommendation for a segment of the Coast to Coast Connector that skips Pasco County, but does go through the town of Webster. In the background, Webster Mayor Kelly Williams looks on. (Richard K. Riley/Photo) — Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez, left, studies a map as David Williams, a planning manager for the Florida Department of Transportation, talks about the state’s recommendation for a segment of the Coast to Coast Connector that skips Pasco County, but does go through the town of Webster. In the background, Webster Mayor Kelly Williams looks on.
(Richard K. Riley/Photo)

State officials also said a southern route would add about nine additional miles to the C2C trail, which would boost construction costs.

About 80 people attended the last of three public meetings, hosted by the the state transportation department on April 7. Other meetings were in Sumter and Hernando counties.

Many came away from the April 7 meeting disappointed that the Sumter trail segment wouldn’t pass through a single Pasco town or city.

“It’s so important to us, not only as a destination, but for economic impact to the community and tourism,” said Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez.

Transportation officials and their consultant, Orlando-based VHB, conducted a feasibility study for what is known as the South Sumter Connector Trail, the largest remaining segment of the C2C trail. The study looked at three northern routes through Hernando and Sumter counties, and two southern routes through Pasco and Sumter.

The purpose of the project is to build a trail segment connecting the Good Neighbor Trail to the South Lake Trail. That link also will interconnect with the James A. Van Fleet trail, which winds to the Withlacoochee Trail. When finished, the C2C will be about 270 miles of new and existing trails in nine counties, including the Starkey Wilderness Trail in west Pasco and the trailhead for the Withlacoochee.

The planned trail segment would fill the gap in the C2C trail, which when finished will link Pinellas County in the west with Brevard County in the east.

Pasco County Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey also suggested another alternative, which would tie in the cities of Webster, Lacoochee, Trilby and Dade City. That proposal was not part of the study, which will conclude in June.

The transportation department’s preferred route would cost about $21.4 million. The southern routes would cost about $25 million to $27 million.

The next phase is an approximately two-year study of environmental and engineering issues that would begin in late 2016 or early 2017. The trail then would be designed, right of way secured and, finally, construction would begin.

The entire process is likely to take multiple years.

Hernandez and others plan to keep lobbying for the entire Pasco community, in this and future projects.

Constructions of several trails or links with existing trails are in the works in Pasco, and also between Pasco and Pinellas County. They eventually will link with the Suncoast Trail and Hernando. A multi-use trail beside U.S. 301 is planned as a future link for the Hardy Trail, in Dade City.

Dade City council members were scheduled, on April 12, to consider a letter supporting Starkey’s proposed route, as well as a connector loop suggested by Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader. That action was slated for consideration after The Laker/Lutz News’ press time.

The letter, which would be sent to state transportation officials, also will request that directional signage be installed at the Good Neighbor Trail to let bicyclists know of trails available in Pasco.

Dade City resident Mark Pinson is heading up a petition drive to gather signatures favoring a trail that would include Dade City and other Pasco destinations.

“Bikers want destinations,” Pinson said. “Dade City is a great destination. You want a place to eat and have a cup of coffee.”

Several trails come close to Dade City, but they don’t connect, he said.

Hundreds of bicyclists flock to Dade City and San Antonio to enjoy scenic rides, he added.

Brooksville resident Art Frassrand checked out proposed routes on a display map prior to the transportation department’s slide show, and listened to David Williams, a planning manager for the department, as he explained the agency’s decision process.

“This is easily the most feasible route,” Williams said. “It’s a lot easier right-of-way wise. We won’t take as much frontage.”

Frassrand wasn’t persuaded.

“I think the southern route is the best,” Frassrand said.

It would trail through the Withlacoochee State Forest, and offer “the prettiest views,” he said.

Williams said forestry officials weren’t in favor of the C2C going through the state forest. He also noted hunters who said a bicycle trail would disrupt their hunting season.

However, Frassrand said bicyclists share the forest with hunters now for off-road or dirt bike riding.

Pinson said the northern route followed along busy highways.

“It’s probably a more unsafe route for bikers,” he said.

The extra nine miles that bothered transportation officials wouldn’t be an issue for bike riders, especially those planning an across-the-state jaunt, Pinson said.

“This is the prettiest nine miles of the whole trip,” he said.

Published April 13, 2016, Revised on April 15, 2016

Panel offers insights for job seekers

April 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

If you’re looking for work, advice provided by participants at a recent panel discussion at Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch may come in handy.

The group was assembled as a part of a series of activities leading up to the inauguration of Dr. Timothy Beard as the fourth president of Pasco-Hernando State College.

The panelists were Greg Lenners, general manager at The Shops at Wiregrass; Tracy Clouser, director of marketing at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel; Hope Allen, president and CEO of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce; Dr. Dennis Feltwell, an assistant professor of humanities at Porter Campus; Carin Hetzler-Nettles, principal at Wesley Chapel High School; and Denise Savolidis, a student at the college.

Dr. Bonnie Clark, provost at the Porter Campus moderated the panel, and Beard occasionally weighed in on the discussion.

Clark asked the panelists what qualities they seek in potential employees.

“Commitment and initiative are probably two of the most important attributes that I look at,” Lenners said.

Experience is important at Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, but so is culture fit, Clouser said.

The hospital is seeking employees who will be highly engaged, Clouser added.

“There are a lot of studies that show highly engaged employees deliver better results, and that’s across industries. Gallup has researched this in all kinds of industries across the world. So, in health care, that means better outcomes for our patients. We couldn’t ask for anything more than that, right?” Clouser said.

Intangible qualities are important, too, Clouser said.

“I can teach processes. I can’t teach innate things like integrity,” she said.

Being able to deal with multiple people is important, too.

Allen said she doesn’t hire employees, but routinely works with scores of businesses at the chamber.

Successful companies share common traits, Allen said.

“The passion has to be there. You have to know your business.

“You can make the best cookies in the world, but if you can’t market those cookies, and you can’t do your books and you can’t find the right people … your business is not going to be successful,” Allen said.

Students graduating from college need “resilience and adaptability,” Feltwell said.

Having the capacity to relate to others is essential, too, he said. “That involves interpersonal communications, cultural competence, all sorts of things that will help you deal with different people in different situations,” he said.

“You’ll pick up a lot of different accents from different people, you’ll pick up different situations, different manners of talking and thinking, and speaking,” he said.

Being able to relate to people from diverse backgrounds “doesn’t mean that you know everything the cultures of other people, but you’re open,” Feltwell said.

Having relevant skills is important, Clouser said.

“Typically, businesses are moving at the speed of light. They’re running a hundred miles an hour,” she said.

The more skilled new hires are, she said, “the faster they’re going to hit the ground running and be able to make an impact on your business.”

As a high school principal, Hetzler-Nettles said she hires employees, while at the same time preparing students for graduation.

The key is connecting with students, and also with staff, to help them identify their passions and develop leadership skills, she said.

“What I most look for in employees and what we constantly try to teach children are grit and perseverance, which, in my mind, can get you through anything,” Hetzler-Nettles said.

Savolidis said internships are important because they help students to develop skills, and also help people to figure out if they’re on the right career path.

Students need hands-on experiences, in addition to book work, she said.

Feltwell agreed: “Part of the educational process is learning what each person can become excellent at doing.”

Being willing to seek help is important, too, Allen said.

“If you need something, just ask somebody. You have no idea what they’re going to say. The worst possible thing they can say is no,” Allen said.

It’s also important to be careful with social media, Lenners and Clouser said.

Employers look at prospective employees’ social media postings, Lenners said.

“Think of social media as an extension of your brand,” Clouser said. “Be careful what you post on your social media pages. It is out there. It does reflect on you.”

While it’s great if you know your career path when you’re young, it’s OK if you don’t, Lenners said. “I didn’t start doing what I’m doing until I was 33.”

Be willing to take risks, Lenners added.

Savolidis agreed: “My middle name is risk. I took a huge risk going back to school.

“You have to believe in yourself,” Savolidis added, noting she’s not a typical 21-year-old college student. “Put yourself around people who also believe in you, and they will encourage you when you think you can’t go on any farther. You’ve just got to do it. You just have to do it,” she said.

And, she’s doing just that.

“December, I will graduate,” Savolidis said.

Published April 13, 2016

Land sale pending near Hercules Park

April 13, 2016 By Kathy Steele

A commercial corner by the entrance into Hercules Park is on its way to being sold.

What happens with the remainder of the park’s land will depend on negotiations between officials from Pasco County Schools and the City of Zephyrhills.

Zephyrhills officials remain eager to see the park reopened and refurbished, said Steve Spina, city manager.

He anticipates meeting with school district officials in coming weeks.

“We’re not sure of the acreage yet,” Spina said.

Pasco County school officials plan to discuss the future of Hercules Park with the city of Zephyrhills, possibly looking at shared parking for the district’s ball field and the park. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — Pasco County school officials plan to discuss the future of Hercules Park with the city of Zephyrhills, possibly looking at shared parking for the district’s ball field and the park.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

That won’t be known until the land deal is completed, city and school officials said.

Because of various stipulations in the agreement, a closing date is not expected until Dec. 9.

The Pasco County School Board, on April 5, approved the sale of approximately 2.5 acres to GH &G Florida LLC for about $1.7 million. The property is at the southeast corner of Gall Boulevard and County Road 54, near the entrance into Hercules Park.

However, the buyer could opt to purchase two smaller, adjacent parcels for an additional $600,000, according to the contract agreement.

Pasco County closed the park about five years ago to save money. Based on a prior agreement, the approximately 15-acre site had to be used as a park or be returned to the school district, which owns the property.

The property went on the market in 2015, but a $1.7 million bid by the city of Zephyrhills fell short of the initial $2.3 million offer from GH & G Florida. The company pledged to donate 10 acres to 11 acres to Zephyrhills for its park.

GH & G had six months to complete the deal, but later asked for an extension. That led to more negotiations and an agreement to sell less acreage.

The parkland is a historical site for Zephyrhills, and part of about 80 acres originally owned by Hercules Powder Co. The company, which converted pine stumps into resin and turpentine, once was the city’s largest employer.

The property later became sites for the park, Zephyrhills High School and Woodland Elementary School.

Hercules Park has a fitness trail, children’s playground and an aquatic center in a woodland setting.

School officials plan to pursue an agreement with the city.

The district has ball fields next to the park, and there would be opportunities to share parking space and other amenities.

“It would be a matter of us and the city sitting down to talk through those details,” said Chris Williams, the school district’s planning director. “I think it would be beneficial for both of us.”

Published April 13, 2016

Miss Florida Sunshine leads food drive

April 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Katy Sartain, recently crowned Miss Florida Sunshine, is leading a food drive in Dade City aimed at helping the Florida Baptist Children’s Homes.

She’s seeking to collect single-serving macaroni and cheese meals, and cans of chicken and tuna, in a quest to help fill 500 backpacks.

Anyone wishing to donate items should bring them on or before April 15 to The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce office at 14112 Eighth St., in Dade City.

“One of the things that you do within the Miss America organization is volunteer for a day of service, called Miss America Serves,” Sartain explained.

The Miss America organization is supporting The Florida Baptist Children’s Homes in Lakeland, she said.

“I work a lot with older youth in foster care, so it’s amazing that my own personal platform kind of correlates and is congruent with this day of service.

“I’m very passionate about this in my own personal life, and I love that other people are getting involved as well,” Sartain said.

The Dade City native, who attends Florida State University, will be competing in June for the title of Miss Florida. The winner of that contest will seek the title of Miss America in September.

The Pasco High School graduate said she was initially unsure if she wanted to get involved in the pageant world.

“I was a little hesitant about getting involved because of the outward appearance of ‘Toddlers and Tiaras’ and things like that, but the amazing thing about the Miss America organization is that it’s a scholarship pageant, and I have been able to pay for a large majority of my tuition through the scholarship money that I’ve earned,” said Sartain, who is a college sophomore and is pursuing a degree in digital media production.

She said she decided to ask The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce to serve as a collection point for the food drive, because she thought it would be a good way for the community to get involved.

“I thought more people would be apt to help out if we had a collection point, and kind of get the community involved in helping to feed our children,” Sartain said. “I wanted to make it something that everyone could help with, and get that sense of satisfaction.

“Everyone can do that — and be able to help a child who may be going home hungry. It doesn’t take that much effort or funds to help,” she added.

She thinks the community will step forward to help.

“The great thing about living in a small town is that you do have all of this support around you,” Sartain said. “The phrase, ‘It takes a village to raise a child,’ — I really have been raised by Dade City.”

The food drive is helping an organization established in 1904 as an orphanage. Through a history stretching more than a century, it has expanded services to provide safe, stable Christian homes and services to children and families in need.

Last year, the organization served more than 74,000 children through their campuses, foster care services, adoption service, emergency care, compassion ministries and other services, according to the organization’s website.

Other women involved in the Miss Florida system also are conducting local food drives to provide other items for the backpacks, Sartain said.

She will be at the children’s home in Lakeland on April 16 to help load the backpacks.

Food Drive
Katy Sartain, recently crowned Miss Florida Sunshine, is leading a food drive in Dade City to provide food items to The Florida Baptist Children’s Homes in Lakeland. She’s specifically seeking donations of single-serve macaroni, and cans of tuna and chicken.
Anyone wishing to donate items should bring them on or before April 15 to The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce office at 14112 Eighth St., in Dade City.

Published April 13, 2016

North Pointe Church to have a home of its own

April 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

There was a time when North Pointe Church prayed over an 11-acre site, hoping that a door would open for the land to become the location for the church’s first permanent home.

That was in 2008.

That prayer wasn’t answered.

Pastor Steve Wells said North Pointe Church’s new site demonstrates God’s word in action. “God’s word says he’ll give you exceedingly more than you ever asked, dreamed or imagined — He’s given us exceedingly more than we could have ever asked, dreamed or imagined.” (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Pastor Steve Wells said North Pointe Church’s new site demonstrates God’s word in action. “God’s word says he’ll give you exceedingly more than you ever asked, dreamed or imagined — He’s given us exceedingly more than we could have ever asked, dreamed or imagined.”
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Instead, another property — three times the size of the parcel the church prayed over — became available in 2015.

And, it’s in essentially the same spot, just facing the other direction, said North Pointe’s Pastor Steve Wells.

The incredible thing was that the church had been hoping for at least 10 acres to plant its permanent home, but then decided that a 3-acre site was probably more feasible, given its finances.

When it learned about the 33-acre property where it’s planning to build, it simply was seeking to buy a few acres, Wells said.

The owner told the church it could buy a few acres, or all 33, for the same price.

Wells saw the hand of God in that transaction.

“God’s word says he’ll give you exceedingly more than you ever asked, dreamed or imagined — He’s given us exceedingly more than we could have ever asked, dreamed or imagined,” Wells said.

On April 10, the church celebrated a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the beginning of construction on a 12,000-square-foot structure that will serve as the church’s first permanent worship center.

The site is off County Line Road and Amanda Park Drive, in Lutz.

Plans for the first phase include a 12,000-plus-square-foot worship center, with gathering areas, administrative offices and spacious natural places on the property. The goal is to open the new sanctuary by late December or early January.

Wells is excited about the church finally having a home of its own.

Members of North Pointe Church enthusiastically toss dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the church’s first permanent home. (Photos courtesy of Northpointe Church) — Members of North Pointe Church enthusiastically toss dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony for the church’s first permanent home.
(Photos courtesy of North Pointe Church)

North Pointe had its first meeting in 2004 in the auditorium of Wharton High School, as a church planted by Belmont Church of Temple Terrace. The following year, North Pointe became its own church, Wells said.

In 2008, it moved from Wharton to a warehouse space in Land O’ Lakes, and then it moved again, in 2015, to Sunlake High School in Land O’ Lakes.

The church has grown from 40 members to more than 300, Wells said. It draws members from as far west as Odessa, as far east as Zephyrhills, as far north as San Antonio and as far south as Thonotosassa.

Because its members come from numerous communities, the church was delighted when it found a location that’s so centrally located, Wells said.

North Pointe aims to be a church that helps people deal with life’s practical challenges, and encourages them to grow spiritually.

North Pointe Church’s new building is deliberately designed to allow a variety of uses within the building, says Pastor Steve Wells.

“A church is a place for you to find hope and freedom in Christ,” Wells said. “But, what we realize is that people aren’t looking for hope and freedom in Christ — people are looking for help and healing. And so, what we want to be able to do is offer programs in our community that offer help and healing, in hopes of being able to introduce them to hope and freedom.

“People face impossible situations all of the time. Our Bible teaches us, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,’ which means, the impossible is possible through Christ.

The church aims to help people with everything from marriage counseling, to weight loss, to addiction recovery, to budgeting.

“People want to learn to quit smoking, or stop drinking. Countless families in our church are going through foster and adoption processes,” he said. “We want to be an advocate of foster care and adoptive care.”

Hard hats, shovels and an earth mover signify a big day for North Pointe Church in Lutz.

Eventually, the church wants to build a second structure that will house its various programs aimed at helping people address practical challenges in life.

“We all struggle with stuff. We believe that when you add God to the equation, the practical problems that you’re facing really become something that you can navigate,” Wells said.

Besides providing worship and other church services, Wells envisions the church as being a place that will attract a variety of other uses, such as live theatre productions, awards ceremonies and corporate events.

“It’s going to be a picture-perfect place to get married,” Wells added.

The pastor is excited by the possibilities that having a permanent church home presents.

“Buildings don’t change lives. It’s what goes on inside,” Wells said.

“Although this (groundbreaking) is a great celebration, it’s not a finish line.”

“Really, it’s a starting line moment,” Wells said.

North Pointe Church meets on Sundays, at 9:15 a.m. and 11 a.m., at Sunlake High School, 3023 Sunlake Blvd., in Land O Lakes. For more information, visit NorthPointeFl.org.

Published April 13, 2016

Patience dwindling on Ridge Road

April 13, 2016 By Kathy Steele

When it comes to the extension of Ridge Road, one Pasco County commissioner said it’s time to fish or cut bait.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore wants an answer from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the project by mid-May, or he’s ready to drop it.

The county has been waiting for 16 years for a permit on the project.

Moore reluctantly joined other commissioners on March 29 to approve a new consultants’ contract to pursue the permit, but said his tolerance is waning.

“I can’t continue this year after year,” Moore said. “I can’t continue even six months to give more and more funds (to a project) that I don’t know is going to happen.”

Moore signaled earlier that he had concerns about a six-month extension to a contract with consultants at Dawson & Associates.

The firm, based in Washington D.C., is helping steer the county’s permit application through the rules and regulations of multiple federal agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

At the time, commissioners agreed to the contract extension, but lowered the monthly payments of $38,500 down to $28,500.

The new contract is for one year, retroactive to February 2016, with the potential for month-to-month extensions for an additional three months. The fee remained unchanged.

The contract can be terminated with 30 days’ notice.

Dawson & Associates have submitted a new road design, with more bridges, that is part of a packet under review by the federal agency.

The agency is expected to respond within a month or so, said Dwight Beranek, senior advisor with Dawson & Associates.

“We’re seeing continuous progress, and even accelerated progress, in these last months,” he said.

The federal agency rejected the county’s permit application in April 2015, citing insufficient data and analysis of 17 construction alternatives.

Additional information and the modification of one alternative have been provided, but the application remains in the bureaucratic pipeline.

The 8-mile extension is viewed as high priority as a hurricane evacuation route, and as an additional east/west connector. But, there are objections about environmental damage to the area, and additional harm if more development is encouraged.

The road would run through about 58 acres of the 6,000-acre Serenova Preserve, set aside years ago to mitigate wetlands lost during construction of the Suncoast Parkway.

The road currently dead-ends at Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey.

The extension would link to U.S. 41, with a route to the parkway in Land O’ Lakes. There would be no access to the preserve from the road extension.

The county’s budget, for several years, has included $42 million for the first phase of the project.

Pasco County Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey also expressed frustration with the lengthy process.

Pasco’s application is believed to be the longest pending permit request in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineer’s history, but Starkey said delays aren’t unusual.
“This is a major problem with the Army Corps. It’s not just the county,” she said. “We’re not the only ones going through this.”

In agreeing to the new contract, Moore issued an ultimatum:

“I’m giving you (Dawson & Associates) until mid-May, or I’m done.”

Published April 13, 2016

Jeffries House undergoing major restoration

April 13, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Renovations are underway to the Historic Jeffries House in Zephyrhills.

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency’s (CRA) general contractor, Restoration Concepts, recently completed the leveling of the building, at 38533 Fifth Ave. The contractor replaced and added piers under the structure, replaced the latticework and replaced rotten wood on the building’s exterior. Windows were repaired, too.

The home’s porch was replaced by Dwight Hopkins, a longtime Zephyrhills resident. (Photos courtesy of Gail Hamilton) — The home’s porch was replaced by Dwight Hopkins, a longtime Zephyrhills resident.
(Photos courtesy of Gail Hamilton)

After the siding is scraped and sided, the historic house also will get a new paint job.

“They’re really moving along,” said Gail Hamilton, CRA director for the City of Zephyrhills. “They’ve raised the side of the building. It’s still a little off, but it’s a whole lot better than it was.

“We’re getting there. It’s going to be gorgeous when it’s done,” Hamilton said.

The porch floor was replaced, thanks to material and labor donations from Dwight Hopkins, a longtime city resident.

Hopkins contacted the city’s building official Bill Burgess, to see if he could volunteer to replace the porch himself, Hamilton said. Once approved, Hopkins purchased high-quality marine wood and constructed a new porch resembling the original.

The porch replacement was needed, Hamilton said.

“You couldn’t walk on it,” she said, referring to the prior condition of the floor. “The wood had rotted; the city had put up a ‘Do Not Enter’ sign. Dwight saw that… and he just thought the house deserved the best,” she said.

The City of Zephyrhills purchased the Jeffries House for $111,000 in February 2014. The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency received a $50,000 budget for restoring the historic landmark.

“I think that is something that is so great about a small community,” she added, commenting on Hopkins’ efforts.

The project’s final step will be to restore the building’s interior.

With a shoestring budget, the CRA director is currently soliciting bids to install a plumbing and electrical system.

“It wasn’t in my original budget, so I’m trying to get the best deal that I can,” said Hamilton, who was given a $50,000 budget from the city for the restoration of the building’s exterior.

Hamilton expects everything to be completed within the next three months, so the CRA and Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., can shift their daily operations into the building’s first floor.

The second floor will be open for any prospective Zephyrhills business in need of office space, Hamilton said.

“It would be an excellent incubator project,” she said. “I haven’t really created any guidelines or what exactly that would look like. I kind of was waiting to see if somebody was interested. …What a great problem that would be if I had four or five people interested in the second floor, and we try and take those people to the (city) council with a recommendation for use of the second floor.”

The City of Zephyrhills purchased the home — built in 1912 by Zephyrhills founder Capt. Harold B. Jeffries — for $111,000 in February 2014.

Laborers work on making repairs to the back of the Jeffries House.

There was a possibility of adding $75,000 for restoration, but Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the appropriation which had been part of the budget adopted by the state legislature.

Preserving historic landmarks is important, Hamilton said.

“It is who we are and where we came from. Future generations will look back at us and determine if we were good stewards of our historical assets,” she explained. “It’s what makes Zephyrhills unique and different. If we don’t preserve our history, then we are just a spot in the road.”

Hamilton also noted: “If you walk down the street of any downtown, you should see the timeline: the evolution of the city.

“There should be homes and businesses and buildings that represent the different decades of that city, and really create that sense of history and place,” she explained. “You may not be crazy about mid-century architecture, but it shows a part of your history,” she said.

“And, all of those buildings should be preserved,” Hamilton said.

Published April 13, 2016

PHSC aims to prepare globally astute graduates

April 13, 2016 By B.C. Manion

Dr. Timothy Beard, president of Pasco-Hernando State College, has been making the rounds to each of the college’s campuses in a run-up to a formal celebration of his inauguration as the college’s fourth president.

The events have had a different focus at each campus, with the most recent event at the Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch centering on leadership development and community engagement.

Before that panel discussion began, however, Beard shared his vision for the college and talked about steps that are necessary to ensure its graduates are ready for challenges they will face.

Dr. Timothy Beard outlines Pasco-Hernando State College’s quest to prepare globally astute graduates during a recent event at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. (File Photo) — Dr. Timothy Beard outlines Pasco-Hernando State College’s quest to prepare globally astute graduates during a recent event at the college’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.
(File Photo)

The state college, formerly known as Pasco-Hernando Community College, is 44 years old, and has made its mark on the region, Beard said. However, he added, “we believe our best days are ahead of us.”

Beard told those gathered that it’s important to reach out to the community, and for the community to reach out to the college.

“We’ve learned over the years in order to be effective and efficient as a public institution, we all need each other,” Beard said. “At the end of the day, we want our students to be successful. We want our students to be able to complete whatever they started.”

The college wants to prepare students “who are globally astute,” Beard said. It also wants them “to be able to imagine, achieve and succeed,” he said. “In other words, we want them to be able to dream.

“This vision doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It needs fuel. It needs energy,” he said.

The college delivers its instruction through online learning, face-to-face instruction and through a hybrid approach, Beard said.

It is aiming to increase its college completion rates by 50 percent within the next five to 10 years, Beard said.

“College readiness is big piece of what we do. We have very strong partnerships with Pasco and Hernando public schools, with USF (the University of South Florida) and Saint Leo University,” Beard said.

“We serve a purpose in making sure that students have the right to a public education. So, we want to make sure that education is affordable. We want to make sure it is accessible. And, we want to make sure our students are successful,” he said.

“We take great pride in being the great democratizer of education — meaning we’re willing to give students not just a second and third, but a fourth and fifth chance.”

The college also wants to help close the American skills gap, Beard said.

“Companies want to come here. They want to do business with us. No. 1, they want to make sure we have a skilled workforce,” he said.

“We have companies that are calling us every day to ask us, ‘Do you have students or graduates who can go to work for us?’” Beard added.

So, the college is playing “a very vital role in making sure we can produce students with industry certifications, AS (Associate of Science) degrees, students who can go to work to make a difference in our workforce,” Beard said.

“We want every student in this county that at least by age 20, 21, they have some type of credential – a certification, an AS degree, a BS (Bachelor of Science) degree,” Beard said.

He also asked for continuing support of the college’s efforts.

“We know we can’t do it alone,” Beard said.

Inauguration of PHSC President
Dr. Timothy Beard will be inaugurated as Pasco-Hernando State College’s fourth president on May 6, from 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., at the college’s Performing Arts Center on its West Campus in New Port Richey, 10230 Ridge Road. The reception will follow, at 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m., in the physical fitness center at the same campus.

Published April 13, 2016

Seventy years of marriage, and going strong

April 6, 2016 By B.C. Manion

They were teenagers.

She was visiting her brother and his wife in Tampa, and she took the streetcar over to the Sulphur Springs swimming pool.

He was at the pool to relax.

He spotted her.

Nellie and Gains Hugh Bailey Sr., recently celebrated 70 years of married life, and they relish the love story they share. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Nellie and Gains Hugh Bailey Sr., recently celebrated 70 years of married life, and they relish the love story they share.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“He came over and started talking to me, and he was cute, so I talked back with him,” said Nellie Bailey, of Lutz.

“I was 16,” said Nellie, now 87.

“I was 17,” said Gains Hugh Bailey Sr., now 88.

“That day we went to Whitehead’s Drugstore, got a hamburger and went to a movie,” Hugh said.

They don’t remember what movie they saw.

“I was looking at her, not the movie,” Hugh said.

“We dated every night the whole summer,” Nellie said. “We went to the beaches. We bowled and we ate out, and we went to movies, and we went over to the park and kissed under the trees.”

But, then she had to return to North Carolina to finish high school. He had to finish high school, too.

“We wrote about once every two weeks. We continued on with our normal lives, going to school, and dating other boys and girls. But, we didn’t forget each other. We kept writing,” Nellie said.

Then, she moved to Tampa with her family in January of 1946.

“We renewed our dating, dating every night,” Nellie said.

Then he was drafted.

Nellie Bailey’s beauty attracted the attention of Gains Hugh Bailey Sr., more than 70 years ago, leading to a marriage that’s still cherished by both Nellie and Hugh. (Photos courtesy of Janice Kurtz) — Nellie Bailey’s beauty attracted the attention of Gains Hugh Bailey Sr., more than 70 years ago, leading to a marriage that’s still cherished by both Nellie and Hugh.
(Photos courtesy of Janice Kurtz)

“He asked me to marry him and go with him. I said, ‘OK, let’s go,” Nellie said.

They married on March 31, 1946.

“Our first stop was Amarillo, Texas. The next stop was San Antonio, Texas. The third stop was West Palm Beach. I followed him wherever he was sent.

“He was honorably discharged in February 1947,” Nellie said.

“We had our first anniversary in Tampa, March 31, and our daughter was born then. Right on the day.”

Their second child, a son, also was born on their anniversary in 1951.

The couple went on to have a total of four children: Donna, Gains Jr., James Douglas and Janice Nell. The couple also has six grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren.

This past weekend, they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary at a party with about two dozen family members.

Even after seven decades, the romance is alive.

Nellie said she wrote Hugh a love letter years ago. “He reads it every night,” she said.

And, she still recalls every word of a song called “You Belong to My Heart” — their song when they were dating.

“He tells me every day, ‘I love you more than anything in the world.’ And, I tell him the same thing, every day,” Nellie said.

“We always kiss goodbye when he goes out the door and kiss when he comes in,” she said.

“We love each other very much. If we have a spat or disagreement, we can’t stay mad, or go to bed mad, because we won’t be able to sleep if we do.

“I’m miserable as soon as we have cross words and he is, too, so the sooner we make up, the happier we are,” Nellie said.

Gains Hugh Bailey Sr., when he was young.

“We just can’t stay angry. I’ll try to see his side and he’ll try to see my side, and we kind of communicate on it and settle it – to both of our satisfactions, to where we’re both all right with it,” Nellie said.

“Whatever is important to him, is important to me. And, that’s the same way he feels,” she said.

“If it isn’t, I make it important,” Hugh said.

For instance, he said he learned to fish after she gave him a rod and reel.

“I fished when I was a child and he didn’t, so I bought him a rod and a reel as an anniversary present,” Nellie said.

“Our neighbor was a fisherman, and he started taking me fishing,” Hugh said.

For her part, Nellie expanded her musical tastes.

“He likes country music, and I never did like country music,” she said. “I like country music now.”

Hugh was always a good provider, Nellie said.

“We took vacations every year with the children, to the beaches, and camping and fishing. We enjoyed them so much. We got a boat, and he (Hugh) took them (water) skiing. We’d swim at the beach. We took them fishing,” Nellie said.

“We’ve traveled all over the United States, from Maine to San Francisco. We took the whole family, the children and grandchildren, to Yellowstone,” Hugh added.

Having fun with each other, with their friends and with their family, has always been important to both of them.

“We’ve always had fun. You just can’t have a good marriage without some fun in it,” Nellie said.

They also share many fond memories of times they’ve shared together.

When they lived in San Antonio, they lived near the Alamo.

“Bands would be down there playing every night. Our windows would be open, and we could hear that soft romantic music,” Nellie said. “They had a watermelon hut there. They served nothing but watermelon down by the water, so we’d have watermelon every night.”

Hugh thinks Nellie saved his life.

“I went into Afib and my heart was beating 160 beats a minute, and they took me to Tampa General,” Hugh said.

He spent seven days in intensive care, with Nellie at his side.

“He was heavily sedated,” Nellie said. “They would say: ‘He might can hear you.’

“I’d say, ‘Hugh can you hear me? Squeeze my hand.’ He’d squeeze my hand,” Nellie said.

When they were young, Nellie said, she recalls imagining Hugh the way he looks today.

“That’s what I always wanted, for us to grow old together,” she said. “We’re actually still in love. It’s a much deeper love now.”

Hugh agreed: “She’s still my sweetheart.”

Published April 6, 2016

Efforts begin to reduce flooding hazards

April 6, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Hillsborough County Public Works department will soon begin a project aimed at reducing the potential for flooding near the intersection at West Bearss Avenue and Lake Magdalene Boulevard.

The department expects to begin construction on the West Bearss Drainage Improvement Project within the next month. The $400,000 project entails replacing the existing drainage structure at the southeast corner of the intersection, upgrading the drainage pipe on West Bearss Avenue and constructing a new linear pond to allow pretreatment of the water before it flows to Lake Magdalene.

Hillsborough County project manager Robbie Wiseman said debris buildup over time has led to flooding at the intersection.

Construction will take place at the intersection of West Bearss Avenue and Lake Magdalene Boulevard. (Photos courtesy of Hillsborough County) — Construction will take place at the intersection of West Bearss Avenue and Lake Magdalene Boulevard.
(Photos courtesy of Hillsborough County)

Stormwater flows through a flume to a ditch bottom inlet with a grate positioned on top to prevent debris from entering the storm system and ultimately the lake, Wiseman said.

“This project will provide a large slot into the structure to allow water to flow into the structure, while still preventing the debris from entering the system,” he said.

Wiseman added the drainage project will allow stormwater runoff to flow to the linear pond, located on the south side of Bearss Avenue.

“The current drainage system flows through a series of culverts from the north side of Bearss Avenue, and ends in a small pond at the northwest corner of Bearss and Emerald Lake Boulevard. The last culvert leading into this pond is currently plugged with siltation and causing flooding in the area. This is due to the pond’s outfall elevation (being) set too high for the current treatment of stormwater runoff,” he explained. “This project will lower this elevation in the structure.”

Stormwater issues, including flooding, have affected the intersection of West Bearss Avenue and Lake Magdalene Boulevard.

According to Jason Boulnois, the county’s construction services manager, the linear pond will provide additional treatment of the stormwater runoff by “allowing time for water from the roadway to slowly move from the entry point in the pond to the outfall” in Lake Magdalene. He noted it will “naturally treat and remove particles collected from the roadway.”

The entire system should have a 50-year life span, with proper periodic maintenance, Wiseman said.

Construction will take place on weekdays between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Access to homes will be maintained through construction.

Officials say most of the construction will be in the right of way. However, it may be necessary to work on private property with prior approval, and all areas affected by the construction will be restored, they said.

Boulnois said one lane of traffic might need to close during construction when workers or equipment are present. Closures will be between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Weather permitting, construction should be complete within 90 days, he added.

The project is being funded through the Stormwater Fee Capital Improvement Program. Additionally, the Southwest Florida Water Management District is cooperatively funding the project at 50 percent.

West Bearss Drainage Improvement Project
What: The Hillsborough County Public Works Department plans to construct and replace the existing drainage structure at the southeast corner of the intersection at West Bearss Avenue and Lake Magdalene Boulevard. The county also will upgrade the drainage pipe on West Bearss Avenue and build a new linear pond for water quality pre-treatment discharge to Lake Magdalene.
Why: To address stormwater issues and flooding on and around the intersection.
When: Spring 2016
Where: Areas around the intersection at West Bearss Avenue and Lake Magdalene Boulevard
Project Cost: $400,000

Published April 6, 2016