The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Running for Guv’na, Gulash will try, try, try again

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If Susan Gulash seems at ease managing a business, a magazine, an Internet radio show and a Lutz Guv’na campaign at the same time, it’s because she’s done it all before.

“I actually ran last year,” Gulash said. “It was an amazing experience just to meet the different community businesses.”

Guv’na candidate Susan Gulash runs her magazine and graphics business out of a room in her Lutz home. She also uses it to broadcast a weekly Internet radio program with her husband, Brian. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Guv’na candidate Susan Gulash runs her magazine and graphics business out of a room in her Lutz home. She also uses it to broadcast a weekly Internet radio program with her husband, Brian.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Suzin Carr won last year’s event to earn the ceremonial title of Lutz Guv’na, given to the candidate who raises the most money for local organizations. But Gulash enjoyed the experience so much, she decided to do it again.

And she didn’t wait for another Guv’na race to stay involved in the community. She used her design and marketing talents at Gulash Graphics to design the Old Lutz School website, and her Florida Creative Living Internet radio show will broadcast the community’s Fourth of July celebration.

Gulash was born in South America but moved to the United States when she was just 2. She settled into the Tampa Bay area just a few years later. Now she lives in Lutz with her husband, Brian, and her daughters, Madison and Makayla.

She enjoys the small-town feel of the area, and was interested in another campaign to raise more money for local groups.

“That’s what really drew me to run again,” Gulash said. “It’s really helping the local community here in Lutz, from the Boys & Girls Clubs to the Old Lutz School, and all the different organizations that really do need help and funding throughout the year.”

An extra year of experience also means being better prepared for the upcoming Fourth of July parade, she explained. Last year, Gulash participated in the parade by getting the family in the car and driving the parade route. But Gulash wasn’t expecting such an enthusiastic turnout. While she was impressed with the great community response, Gulash felt like they could have done more to be an active part of it.

This year, Gulash has plans that involve music and a stronger presence during the parade.

“This year we’re going to step it up a notch,” she said.

Gulash also is leveraging her existing businesses to raise money for her Guv’na campaign. By making a donation and joining her “cabinet,” individuals and businesses can get mentioned in Florida Creative Living magazine, as well as the Internet radio show that goes by the same name. She’s also planning to participate in a bowling event with other candidates and possibly a car wash.

The Guv’na’s race is also known for outlandish — and usually impossible — campaign promises, and Gulash has a special one for her contributors: Donate to her campaign, and she’ll erase your age so you don’t have to worry about celebrating birthdays or getting older.

Keeping busy is part of Gulash’s regular routine, and she enjoys having the independence that comes from running family businesses. But that wasn’t always part of her career plan.

Gulash worked in a pharmacy for several years, but was let go after suffering from epileptic seizures. While she was disappointed, Gulash used the opportunity to forge a new path and take more control over her career.

Her business ventures offer affordable advertising rates to give her fellow small business owners an opportunity to market themselves in a cost-effective way, she said.

And the Lutz Guv’na campaign gives her an opportunity to raise money for the community, which is in line with her own family philosophy.

“Growing up, my mom and my father taught me good values, to help others in need, so that’s what I try to teach my own girls,” Gulash said. “And my husband, his philosophy is the same. Help others.”

The Gulashes host their radio show together.

While Gulash has a strong game plan for her Guv’na candidacy, she already has the future in mind if she comes up short in the race for the title. Not only would she consider running a third time, but she might recruit, too.

“I may even bring some people in to run for Guv’na,” she said. “The more people who are putting the effort into raising money, the more money the community of Lutz receives.”

Florida Creative Living is available with the free iHeartRadio application for smartphones and tablets. It broadcasts Thursdays at noon.

The Gulashes also are part of a program that airs the same day at 11 a.m.

For more information about Gulash Graphics, visit GulashGraphics.com. For information about the Florida Creative Living magazine or broadcast, visit FloridaCreativeLiving.com.

Published June 18, 2014

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Pasco honors a hero that should never be forgotten

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What’s in a name, anyway?

There are names for buildings and locations we never use when referring to them. Like, we might say “the barber shop on 41,” or “the gas station near Collier Parkway,” without even thinking about the official name.

Baldomero Lopez led his troops into battle during the Korean War. The veterans nursing home in Land O’ Lakes is named in his honor. (Courtesy of Armed Forces History Museum)
Baldomero Lopez led his troops into battle during the Korean War. The veterans nursing home in Land O’ Lakes is named in his honor.
(Courtesy of Armed Forces History Museum)

Sometimes a place has a common name different than its actual name. Ever been to the Lutz Dog Park? It’s actually named Carolyn Meeker Park.

Sometimes we don’t get the name exactly right. But sometimes we should.

There’s a veterans’ nursing home at Ehren Cutoff and Parkway Boulevard. You might know that already, and you might simply call it “the veterans’ nursing home” or something similar. Not out of disrespect to veterans or anything. Maybe you just don’t know the full name and have had no reason to go there.

So let me introduce you to the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home at 6919 Parkway Blvd., named in honor of a local hero whose name is worth remembering.

“Baldomero” sounds like an unusual name, unless you were a Spanish kid growing up in Ybor City in the 1930s. After graduating high school, Lopez joined the U.S. Navy, but was eventually commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps.

He became a platoon commander, served in China, and came back to the United States. But when the Korean War started, Lopez went there as an officer.

At the Battle of Inchon, an important military victory that led to the recapture of the South Korean capital of Seoul, Lopez was one of about 40,000 men serving under the direction of Gen. Douglas MacArthur. As a first lieutenant, he led the 3rd Platoon, Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines over the seawall on Red Beach.

And in the military, “led” really means “led.” It’s not a situation where you just sit and watch other people do things. In fact, there’s an iconic photo of Lopez literally leading his men over the wall and into battle on Sept. 15, 1950.

If you look at that photo, study it for a moment. It’s the kind of scene that movies try to recreate but never get quite right. Very moving.

So here’s a recap of the rest of his life, which ended on that beach just a few minutes later. Lopez pulled the pin on a grenade to hurl at the enemy, but was hit with machine-gun fire to his right shoulder and chest before he could throw it. The grenade dropped from his hand, and he tried to retrieve it. Realizing he was too hurt to grasp it, he tucked the grenade under his body so he could absorb the full impact and protect his fellow soldiers.

Lopez saved more than 30 lives by sacrificing his own. He was just 25 years old.

The following year his parents accepted his posthumous Medal of Honor from President Harry Truman. He also earned a Purple Heart, a China Service Medal, a World War II Victory Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a United Nations Service Medal, a Presidential Unit Citation with one bronze star, and a Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars.

His body was laid to rest at Centro Asturiano Memorial Park Cemetery, which is less than 30 miles from Land O’ Lakes.

Today, there are a number of things named in Lopez’ honor: An elementary school, a swimming pool, a navy cargo ship. The Armed Forces History Museum in Largo has a special exhibit dedicated to him (Go see it. It’s not that far, really).

And there’s a certain veterans nursing home in Land O’ Lakes which bears his name, too.

Now, it would be silly if we referred to everything by its complete name. If your child is a junior at Steinbrenner, you wouldn’t tell someone “she’s a junior at George M. Steinbrenner High School,” would you? Of course not. You’d say she goes to Steinbrenner, and people will know what you meant.

Just for convenience, we give locations a nickname, shorten a name or refer to them generically.

But sometimes it’s worth the extra effort to add a little more to it. That veterans nursing home is named in honor of Baldomero Lopez, and he’s a proud part of Tampa Bay’s history and a guy worth remembering. Even though he died 7,500 miles away more than six decades ago, it’s fitting that his name lives on in a facility that cares for veterans today.

By the way, I toured the nursing home and it’s a very nice facility. They can always use volunteers, too. If you have a little spare time, give them a call at (813) 558-5000.

Published June 18, 2014

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Town hall reveals VA problems hitting close to home

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Whether it’s overburdened, improperly run, or a combination of the two, veterans are struggling to get the health care they need from clinics and hospitals run by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The issue has led to the resignation of the department’s longest-serving secretary, Eric Shinseki, and has been fodder in political campaign ads and debates.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis listens to a veteran share his story about problems he had receiving medical care during a town hall meeting June 5 in New Port Richey. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis listens to a veteran share his story about problems he had receiving medical care during a town hall meeting June 5 in New Port Richey.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

In his seat as vice chair of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, has earned national media attention in recent months as he digs into what’s causing delays at VA-run medical centers, and what can be done to fix it. The Palm Harbor Republican has since opened the door to hear from veterans themselves, inviting them to a town hall meeting June 5 in New Port Richey to find out other struggles facing those who have returned home from war.

“We have an obligation to do whatever it takes to solve this problem,” Bilirakis said. “We must make sure that our veterans have access to a broad range of services that meet their specific needs,” he said.

Last month, Bilirakis co-authored a letter with U.S. Rep. David Jolly, R-Indian Shores, to then-Secretary Shinseki asking him to change internal policies at the VA to allow veterans easier access to programs like the Non-VA Care Coordination program that would allow veterans to seek subsidized health care from medical providers outside of the VA system.

Veterans who attended the recent town hall expressed some specific concerns with types of service they’ve received over the years — some dating back more than a decade — but many agreed problems are typically focused on routine care outside of the emergency room.

“The system has been broke for a long time, since I got out of the service in 1973,” said Michael O’Dell, who also is president of the Hillsborough County Veterans Council. The care he receives at the James A. Haley VA hospital near the University of South Florida’s main campus has always been good, as long as it’s been an emergency.

“This last time has not been an emergency, and they’ve been screwing around with my knees,” O’ Dell said. “When the doctors decided that I can’t take the pain anymore, they said it would take three or four months (for the surgery). Now with all this stuff going on (the controversy), they miraculously told me that they can operate in three weeks.”

One veteran, Peter Spatz, said he lives across the street from a VA medical center, and while he has had no problems with the care he receives once he gets there, where he really struggles is just trying to get in the front door.

“When I was hearing on the news all the problems with the VA, I didn’t really believe it,” he said. “I really felt that facility just ran like a Swiss watch, and I never had a single issue.”

However, Spatz has a condition that requires treatment, and he couldn’t see a doctor because they kept rescheduling him. He finally decided to reach out to the patient advocate line, but said no one was available to take his call.

“I was so frustrated, I didn’t know what to do,” Spatz said. “If you have a question you need answered, or a problem resolved on the phone, the fact that they have the audacity to (not man the lines) is just beyond belief. Something has to change on that.”

Bilirakis has been a sponsor of H.R. 4810, which passed the U.S. House last week unanimously, and has been sent to the U.S. Senate. If passed, the resolution would expand access to health care and other medical facilities for veterans outside of the VA system. It also requires the VA to conduct an independent investigation of its operations and create a plan of action to correct them within 120 days.

The Senate passed its own bill, which lawmakers say is similar to H.R. 4810, and both sides believe they can come together to finalize a bill to present to President Barack Obama.

Published June 18, 2014

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Raulerson bill changes who watches the watchers

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Gov. Rick Scott signed 94 more bills into law last week, including one from state Rep. Dan Raulerson, R-Plant City, that has some government observers applauding.

H.B. 1385 shifts the management of inspectors general from individual department heads to the chief inspector general.

Dan Raulerson
Dan Raulerson

Inspectors general are typically responsible for maintaining the accountability, efficiency and integrity in a government department. However, many lawmakers said the positions were easy to influence, since each inspector general’s boss was the head of the department, and made it difficult to implement needed changes.

Integrity Florida, a nonpartisan government watchdog group, championed the bill.

“Inspectors general are the public’s watchdogs within state government, but they need more independence to do their jobs effectively,” Integrity Florida executive director Dan Krassner said, in a release. “This law should reduce the influence of state agency heads over the internal government watchdogs who audit and investigate their agencies.”

Before the new law, state agency heads could appoint and remove their own inspectors general, Krassner said, which created built-in conflicts of interest.

“Agency heads and their deputies should not be able to prevent an inspector general from conducting an audit or investigation,” he added.

Other bills recently signed into law from local lawmakers were:

S.B. 272 – Water Utilities
Introduced by state Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, this law now gives water customers the right to petition the Florida Public Service Commission if they feel their water quality is unsatisfactory.

Someone wanting to start a petition would have to first let the commission know of their complaint, and then wait 10 days for instructions. After that, the customer has 90 days to collect signatures from 65 percent of the customers in the affected area, specifically outlining the problems they have with the water.

Depending on the outcome with the commission, a water utility would then have to meet with the customers and outline immediate ways to resolve the problems. If the utility doesn’t work to correct the issues, it could be subject to fines, according to a staff analysis of the bill.

This bill passed the Senate 37-0 and the House 99-15 in late April.

S.B. 536 – Reclaimed Water
Also introduced by Simpson, this law requires the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the five water management districts — including the Southwest Florida Water Management District — to conduct a study and submit a report by the end of next year on how to expand the use of reclaimed water in the state.

It passed both the House and Senate unanimously in April.

S.B. 1070 – Fuel Terminals
Introduced by Simpson, this law would prevent local governments from outlawing existing fuel terminals.

Terminals, according to a staff analysis of the bill, are typically storage and distribution facilities that serve as nodes to deliver fuels throughout the region. Florida has 42 active fuel terminals, with 11 of them in the Tampa Bay area. The Port of Tampa alone receives approximately 500 petroleum ships a year, and 2.4 billion gallons of fuel.

The law also allows fuel terminals that were damaged or destroyed by natural disaster or other catastrophe to be rebuilt to their previous condition, whether a local government says they are conforming or not to its code of ordinances.

It passed the Senate 36-0, and the House 112-5 in April.

S.B. 1142 – Ticket Sales
First introduced by state Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, this new law increases the criminal penalties for counterfeit tickets and “multi-use tickets” at theme parks, in many cases upgrading the crime from a misdemeanor to a felony for repeat offenders.

It’s currently a first-degree misdemeanor to counterfeit, forge, alter or possess any ticket with the intention to defraud a facility, according to a Senate analysis of the bill. However, a second violation — or any violation that involves 10 or more tickets — would elevate the charge from a misdemeanor to a third-degree felony.

Multi-use tickets can’t be transferred if part of the ticket has already been used. Penalties here have been increased from a second-degree to first-degree misdemeanor for the first offense, and a third-degree felony for later offenses.

The legislation passed both the House and Senate unanimously.

Published June 18, 2014

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Homebuilders want compromise on potential ban of feather signs

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Pasco County has strict ordinances against temporary signs, but the proliferation of tall advertising flags known as “feather signs” has some county commissioners looking to make those ordinances even more restrictive.

However, Pasco County commissioners said they would wait at least long enough for the homebuilding community to weigh in — an industry that heavily depends on such temporary advertisement.

Pasco County commissioners are looking to ban temporary signs like these, known as ‘feather signs,’ because of safety and aesthetic concerns. However, homebuilders have asked the commissioners if they can help craft a way to regulate the signs, while still allowing them to be effective advertising, especially for developing communities. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Pasco County commissioners are looking to ban temporary signs like these, known as ‘feather signs,’ because of safety and aesthetic concerns. However, homebuilders have asked the commissioners if they can help craft a way to regulate the signs, while still allowing them to be effective advertising, especially for developing communities.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

“We’re hoping that you’ll allow us to put together a policy that provides us a pathway for compliance,” said Jennifer Doerfel, executive vice president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association, which represents homebuilders locally. “We do not want to see blight, and we certainly don’t want to see tattered signs, and we’re part of this community, too. We want to make sure this looks great, because that’s what attracts buyers to our homes.”

The signs have become common in front of businesses, especially on U.S. 41 through the center part of Pasco, where retailers fight to grab attention from a heavily traveled highway artery. They are usually anchored into the ground like flags, and are noticeable by how they freely flap in the wind.

Pasco typically requires a temporary sign permit and a limit for how long they can be displayed. However, the signs usually addressed in that ordinance have been temporary banners, which are typically secured on all sides. Feather signs have been virtually overlooked by the ordinance, and county officials are suggesting implementing an outright ban on those types of signs.

“Feather banners have two key issues, one being the visual impact,” said Rebecca Stonefield of the county’s planning and development department. “There are also general safety concerns associated with them. If they are not anchored appropriately, they could fly out and become a hazard.”

The planning and development department recommended not including the feather signs with other temporary signs the county allows. However, that could create some legal problems for the county in how a court might differentiate between the types of signs.

“Do you believe that it’s defensible, to attempt to defend in court, the difference between a banner and a feather banner?” Commissioner Ted Schrader asked. “I see it as being the same thing.”

County attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder disagreed, however.

“They are two different styles of advertising, and there is a physical difference,” he said. “It’s easy to define.”

Pasco is a community with hundreds of new homes under construction, many in growing communities. The builders depend on attracting attention from the main road, especially since their product might not be as apparent because it is hidden inside a neighborhood, Doerfel said.

“The reason that you see as many feather signs as you do is that it is the last option that we have to be compliant with the sign ordinance,” Doerfel said, referring to the quantity and time limits for temporary banners. “We have to be able to attract people to our communities, and most of these communities are not even on the GPS. Most of the people are finding model centers through signs.”

Mike Southward, the local division president of Beazer Homes, said unlike standard retailers, homebuilders typically don’t jump onto the radar of someone looking for a new house until after they are inside a neighborhood they want to move to.

“If you look into the buyer’s psyche, they do a lot of research when buying a home,” he said. “They look for things like schools and shopping and lifestyle, and they will go and drive around.”

It’s not until they start driving the area that they start looking for builders and communities, and that’s where having good signage helps get their attention, Southward said.

“If we don’t have an opportunity to direct them into our communities, we lost an opportunity to gain a customer,” he said.

How the county handles signs in the near future is something the commission should explore slowly and deliberately, Commissioner Pat Mulieri said.

“We receive tons of email, and we’re pushing the idea that we want to be premier,” she said. “We don’t want to be shoddy looking, but we also want business, who are also applauding the fact that now we have people buying houses. I don’t know what the problem would be to put this off for a month or six weeks to get other ideas and work from there.”

The commission will look at a potential revision of the temporary sign ordinance again at its July 22 meeting.

Published June 18, 2014

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Grove 16 Back to School Bash needs more local partners

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If Cobb Theatre Grove 16 & CineBistro’s 2014 Back-to-School bash were a movie, it would be in need of a few more heroes.

Eager parents and students lined up at this back-to-school bash before classes began a couple of years ago. Cobb Theatres Grove 16 & CineBistro plans to have its sixth annual bash on Aug. 9, beginning at 10 a.m. (File Photo)
Eager parents and students lined up at this back-to-school bash before classes began a couple of years ago. Cobb Theatres Grove 16 & CineBistro plans to have its sixth annual bash on Aug. 9, beginning at 10 a.m.
(File Photo)

This will be the sixth year the Wesley Chapel movie complex has staged the annual event to help ensure children heading back to school have the supplies they need for academic success.

As always, the theater needs local businesses and organizations to help make that happen. The success of the program hinges on it, said Demene Benjamin, Grove 16’s theater manager.

Since the beginning, some local businesses and organizations have stepped forward to make the event a success, Benjamin said. But new organizations and businesses are encouraged to become part of the annual tradition as well.

Those helping out are asked to provide at least enough supplies for 500 students. They also are asked to bring tables and volunteers to dole out their goodies.

Items that are needed include backpacks, paper, pencils, tissue, crayons, markers, hand sanitizer and other school supplies.

Besides helping kids stock up for school, the event features activities including face painting and games, and it offers some health screenings, haircuts and refreshments.

The theme of the 2014 Back to School Bash is the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” which will be the movie theater’s summer release.

Benjamin expects more than 1,000 to attend this year’s event, which is set for Aug. 9, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the theater, 6333 Wesley Grove Blvd. The theater is at The Grove, a shopping venue in Wesley Chapel.

Those wanting more information should contact Benjamin at (813) 334-6006.

Published June 18, 2014

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Massive project in Lutz gains county’s approval

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The Hillsborough County Commission has cleared the way for a massive project at the northeast corner of Van Dyke Road and North Dale Mabry Highway.

The land, characterized by its towering stands of pines and open fields, has been rezoned to allow a mixed-use development including upscale houses, multifamily dwellings, offices, retail uses and a congregate care facility.

A pair of rezonings would transform land near the northeast corner of Van Dyke Road and North Dale Mabry Highway into planned developments that call for upscale homes, retail, office, multifamily and possibly congregate care uses. (File Photo)
A pair of rezonings would transform land near the northeast corner of Van Dyke Road and North Dale Mabry Highway into planned developments that call for upscale homes, retail, office, multifamily and possibly congregate care uses.
(File Photo)

Commissioners approved the rezoning request, without debate.

While Lutz residents have a reputation for battling proposals they believe will disrupt their way of life, in this case they worked with the applicants to devise a plan that the Lutz Citizens Coalition and nearby communities supported. It even had coalition president Mike White saying that at the time that “thus far, the system has worked exactly as it was intended to.”

The development must undergo a site plan review by the county before any construction can begin, White said. But he expects the county will ensure the plan follows the conditions approved by commissioners.

Attorney Joel Tew represented Geraci Land Acquisition LLC, and attorney Richard Davis represented Standard Pacific Homes of Florida on the side-by-side rezonings, covering approximately 251 acres. The rezoning applications were presented as companion requests at an April 21 public hearing before a land-use hearing officer.

Plans call for substantially less development than would have been allowed otherwise under the county’s long-range plan. One rezoning incorporates the Landings at Lake Pearl, a previously approved rezoning that includes 650 multifamily units and 70,000 square feet of office.

Besides those existing entitlements, the rezoning allows 240 single-family houses and 177 multifamily dwellings.

Standard Pacific Homes plans to build a gated, high-end residential community on the property.

The approved zoning allows about 25 percent of the residential development than would have been possible under the county’s long-range land-use plan. The retail uses, under the rezoning, represent about one-third of the potential allowed under the long-range plan designation.

Representatives from all sides testified at the public hearing that considerable effort was made to work out conditions that addressed concerns expressed by the community, while delivering a quality project.

“We have had a total of eight meetings with the major community associations that are directly affected by this project,” Tew said. “We’ve had very valuable, constructive input from them. We’ve listened to their concerns and we’ve made significant changes to the plan.”

The proposed developments include conditions that exceed the county’s land development code, including requirements such as increased setbacks from surrounding properties, enhanced landscaping, more stringent sign requirements, and even conditions dealing with building orientation.

Both zoning requests received favorable recommendations from the county’s planning commission and land development staff.

Conditions of the Luce’s recommended approval includes a number of transportation improvements. One calls for a signalized intersection at Exciting Idlewild Boulevard and North Dale Mabry Highway, and another calls for a new alignment leading into the Veterans Expressway that essentially will square up that intersection.

The plans also show a single access point off of Van Dyke Road, instead of the three access points that were initially requested. The limited access on Van Dyke was essential to gain the support of area residents and the Lutz Citizens Coalition, who were concerned about traffic impacts both on Van Dyke and nearby neighborhoods.

Published June 18, 2014

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Southport Springs honors veterans with new memorial

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There has always been a strong connection between Zephyrhills and veterans who have served their country, dating right back to when its first cornerstone was laid as a retirement community for aging Civil War veterans.

The tradition of honoring the men and women who served continues to this day, now in Southport Springs off Chancey Road just outside Zephyrhills, where veterans — including more than 200 who live in the community itself — were honored with a new memorial.

A granite stone near the Southport Springs clubhouse says that ‘this place is dedicated to those men and women who have served honorably in the armed forces of the United States of America. May we always remember.’ (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
A granite stone near the Southport Springs clubhouse says that ‘this place is dedicated to those men and women who have served honorably in the armed forces of the United States of America. May we always remember.’ (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Summer rains held off just long enough June 14 for local dignitaries and more than 300 people to dedicate the memorial, located next to Southport Springs’ clubhouse, that recognize the people who served both abroad and even at home over a century’s worth of conflicts.

“Thank you for your sacrifice,” said U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, who attended the dedication ceremony. “We owe you so very much, our true American heroes.”

The memorial includes six service flags representing various branches of the military, as well as the American flag, and a second flag remembering prisoners of war. It is supported by a large brick wall with two benches, as well as flowerbeds to represent the red stripes on the nation’s flag.

“Look around, and you’ll see representation of the U.S.A. — past, present and future,” said Douglas Baulch, one of the people who led the way to build the memorial. “The wall was done for all conflicts of America. It will be a living memory for all of us.”

The monument is designed to recognize those who served in the armed forces, as well as those who supported the war effort from home.

“It’s really an honor and a privilege to represent this county,” Bilirakis said. “We all care so much, and I appreciate that very much.”

The memorial is located at 3737 Southport Springs Parkway in Zephyrhills.

Published June 18, 2014

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Teen coach is all business on football gridiron

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On a rather hot day earlier this month, Zachary Cooper attended a football camp at Lutz Chiefs Stadium.

The 16-year-old did some conditioning, went through drills, and even participated in a scrimmage. Later, Cooper said it was a worthwhile event and the participants had a good time.

Zachary Cooper is a 16-year-old coach who takes his work seriously. He’s already coached at the youth football, middle school and high school levels, and has college and arena football in his sights. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Zachary Cooper is a 16-year-old coach who takes his work seriously. He’s already coached at the youth football, middle school and high school levels, and has college and arena football in his sights.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

But he wasn’t there to learn. He was there to teach. It was his camp, and he was the coach.

“I felt it went fantastic. The coaches really came out and they worked their butts off,” Cooper said. “We definitely had some kids that showed their talent and just showed that they are dedicated, and that’s what matters most is dedication. If you’re not dedicated you probably can’t play the sport.”

With some Steinbrenner High School football players to assist him, Cooper led around 50 middle school-aged attendees through a free two-hour camp, teaching them football basics as well as specific skills according to their position.

Cooper is already a recognized leader, serving as head coach for Martinez Middle School and an assistant coach for the junior varsity team at Steinbrenner. He’s also coached for the youth football Lutz Chiefs and been in touch with the Arena Football League’s Tampa Bay Storm about participating with their staff.

And Cooper is in discussions with a college in Georgia to continue his education — and his coaching career — once he graduates high school in 2015.

He might still be a couple of years away from voting, but Cooper’s already an experienced football coach who loves teaching the game.

“Being a coach, I really enjoy helping the kids out,” he said.

Cooper acknowledges it might sound strange to hear a teenager talk about “the kids,” especially considering he sometimes coaches athletes who are older than he is. But when teaching middle school players, he believes his age is an advantage.

Instead of having decades separate them, Cooper is just a few years older than they are, so the players relate to him and communicate with him easily. And while the older players might be skeptical at first, after a meeting or two, they’re on board as well.

“What I try and do is prove that I know what I’m doing and help these guys,” Cooper said. “After that, it’s full-on respect.”

That respect comes from the effort Cooper puts into his work. If he’s not guiding players on the field, he’s reviewing game film, or designing his own plays. Even though most of his coaching is for the defensive side of the ball, he has an offensive mind for the game as well. Cooper played offensive line as recently as his sophomore year.

That effort has paid off with players like Steinbrenner wide receiver Fernando Mallicote. The soon-to-be sophomore has learned a lot from Cooper from his time on the Steinbrenner junior varsity squad and the Chiefs.

Mallicote has made the jump to varsity for the fall campaign. Cooper played an instrumental role in helping him improve his game, he said.

“He cares,” Mallicote said. “He doesn’t just coach. He knows what the players are capable of.”

Mallicote helped Cooper with the football camp and said he enjoyed working with younger players, and even learned a few things himself at the event.

While he’s become friends with Cooper, Mallicote said that doesn’t mean anything when they take the field. The young coach will yell with the best of them, trying to wring the most out of his team on game day.

In fact, Cooper is as excited to participate now as he was when he was wearing a uniform.

“I’m probably just as hyped if not more,” he said. “When referees are making those bad calls like they always do, I’m definitely the first one out there to give them the what for.

“When my guys score, you’ll see me jumping up and down, hugging the guys just like I would if I was padded up.”

Cooper might still be padded up if not for a concussion that sidelined him earlier in his career. Coupled with other injuries, Cooper decided that playing the game wasn’t in his future and figured he’d give coaching a try. He didn’t expect to like it as much as he does, but coaching activities now dominate most of his time.

Due to the success of his camp on June 7, he wants to schedule another football-focused event in the future as well.

When he’s not in school or focused on his sideline duties, Cooper is producing the “Two Cents Radio Show,” a sports-related, Internet-based audio program. He also handles commentary for local wrestling shows, which are then streamed on the Internet.

But coaching is never far from his mind, and it’s something he expects will be a part of him for a long time to come.

“I tell my kids, I plan on doing it until my 60s or 70s,” Cooper said.

For more information about Cooper’s show or football camps, visit 2CentsSports.com.

Published June 18, 2014

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Business Digest 06-18-14

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Local RadioShacks could be spared
The odds are getting better that three local RadioShack stores will survive the budget knife as the national chain scales back its store closing plan.

After announcing in March that it planned to close 1,100 stores nationwide by spring, RadioShack Corp., instead is saying it will close 200 stores this summer, and will work to convert the remainder of their stores into a new concept it says will help bring it into the 21st century.

“Even in this environment, we are making progress in our turnaround strategy,” RadioShack chief executive Joseph Magnacca said, in a release. “We are building a pipeline of new products that will bring differentiation and newness to our stores in the form of high-margin private brand and exclusive items, including those from new partnerships like Quirky and PCH.”

RadioShack operates three locations locally, including at 23012 State Road 54 in Lutz, at the Shops at Pebble Creek in New Tampa at 19416 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., and at 7248 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills.

Kentucky investor buys Dairy Queen, Tuffy lots
The land under the Dairy Queen and a Tuffy Service Center in Wesley Chapel has a new owner from Kentucky.

An acre of land at 27329 Wesley Chapel Blvd., sold June 1 for $2.35 million to Monticello Properties LLC. That company is connected to real estate developer and bank chairman Jack Sheidler.

Its previous owner, J & J Wesley Chapel LLC, had originally bought the land in 2006 for $1.8 million. The buildings, according to county property records, were built in 2002.

The land is an outparcel of the former Sweetbay supermarket location in Wesley Chapel, which has since concerted to Winn-Dixie.

Sheidler has developed real estate since 1984, according to published reports. He is the chair of Citizens First Bank Inc., which operates primarily in the Bowling Green area of Kentucky.

Scott, USAA break ground on new facility
Gov. Rick Scott joined United Services Automobile Association last week to break ground on the company’s new Tampa campus.

USAA has hired 130 employees in the Tampa area since January, and is continuing to hire more, according to the governor’s office.

“I applaud USAA’s commitment to growing jobs in Florida, and supporting our active duty military, veterans and their families,” Scott said of the insurance provider, in a release.

“For more than 40 years, Tampa has been a critical part of our success as an association,” said Shon Manasco, an executive vice president of USAA, in a release. “USAA’s expansion in this vibrant city marks an important step in broadening the impact that this community, and our employees who live and work there, will have as we continue in the pursuit of our mission to serve even more military families.”

USAA will continue to remain in New Tampa off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, but will use the new campus as part of its plan to create up to 1,215 new jobs and $164.3 million in capital investment by 2019.

Arbor Woods opening new phase
Taylor Morrison has opened a new phase to its Arbor Woods community in Wesley Chapel.

This new phase will have 48 additional lots, with frontage between 55 and 75 feet, and will include a new floor plan.

The Elmhurst III is a four-bedroom single-story home with 2,329 square feet of space.

Arbor Woods is located on 423 wooded acres — 338 of them set aside for conservation — near Cypress Creek. It includes more than 200 single-family homes.

For information, call (813) 280-7976, or visit ArborWoodsTM.com.