The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Business Digest 06-25-14

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School district hosts job fair
The Pasco County school district is partnering with county agencies and local chambers of commerce to host a job fair July 9 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes High School.

The event will includes representatives from the school district, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco County government, the clerk of court, tax collector, United Way, the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

Some of the positions being sought include clerical and administrative support, accounting and finance, bus drivers and assistants, information services, food services, law enforcement and corrections, maintenance and skilled trades, and instructional and childcare.

The high school is located at 20325 Gator Lane, Land O’ Lakes.

For information, visit PascoSchools.org.

Lutz, Odessa attorneys honored for 50 years
Daniel N. Burton and Thomas Ayers Smith are among more than 200 attorneys honored by The Florida Bar for 50 years of law dedication on June 27.

Burton is a retired partner with Foley & Lardner in Tampa, and focused primarily on health law. He graduated from Stetson Law School in 1964, after getting his undergraduate degree from Rollins College in Winter Park.

Smith, who maintains a practice on Woodstock Road in Odessa, is a graduate of Harvard Law School.

The ceremony is sponsored by The Florida Bar’s young lawyers division, and will be June 27 in Boca Raton.

Goin’ Postal Dade City has new owners
Chris and Ailisa Starnes are the new owners of Goin’ Postal Dade City, located at 14247 Seventh St.

It is a franchise of the Zephyrhills-based Goin’ Postal, which now operates 250 stores.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pasco EDC wins three state awards
The Pasco Economic Development Council has received three promotional and marketing awards from the Florida Economic Development Council during its annual conference in June.

Pasco EDC won for best email campaign, best annual report design and best special event. These awards join six others the organization has received at the state and national level over the past four years.

“Marketing Pasco County to the business community locally, regionally and nationally is a big part of what we do, and it is wonderful to see our efforts recognized on a state level,” said John Hagen, president and chief executive of Pasco EC, in a release.

Monday Cup O’ News is Pasco EDC’s first and most successful email campaign, sending out a collection of news each week to nearly 1,300 people.

The Pasco EDC also was recognized for its annual report, designed to be a key part of the organization’s branding, as well as for its 12th annual NetFest, which provided an opportunity for business and community leaders to meet and get to know each other in an informal environment.

The Florida Economic Development Conference is the premier professional development event attended by economic, work force and community developers from Florida’s 67 counties, 400 cities, 24 work force regions, 12 universities and 28 community colleges.

Local CareerSource office wins incentive
After Gov. Rick Scott and CareerSource Florida challenged the state’s work force boards to double employer penetration rate in an effort to connect more people to jobs, the people with CareerSource Pasco Hernando knew they were going to succeed. And they did just that, earning more than $120,000 in incentives as a result.

“The governor’s support in our work force endeavors have helped job seekers and employers in Pasco and Hernando counties get back to work,” said Jerome Salatino, chief executive of CareerSource Pasco Hernando, in a release. “His challenge focused on the needs of connecting employers to job seekers.”

The challenge sought work force boards like the local one to provide services to just under 3,200 employers. CareerSource Pasco Hernando did that and more, making 3,663 employer contacts, and exceeding the goal by more than 115 percent. But even when the challenge ended, the local work force group didn’t stop, reaching out to an additional 485 employers.

The incentive was the highest given in the state.

For more information on the services offered by the group, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com, or call (727) 484-3400.

Emerald Homes comes to The Champions Club
Bringing homes that begin in the $800,000-range, Emerald Homes is coming to The Champions Club in Trinity.

The Texas-based luxury homebuilder is looking to construct homes from just over 3,800 square feet, to a little more than 4,400 square feet, with the first model home expected in the fall.

Wesley Chapel woman aims to encourage young poets

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Maya Angelou’s recent death captured headlines around the world. And that’s a fitting response, said Janet Watson, a poet who lives in Wesley Chapel.

“I’m so pleased that the world has paused for a moment to realize that poetry has value, and to mourn the passing of a great poet,” said Watson, a member of the New River Poets group, which meets in Wesley Chapel.

Wesley Chapel poet Janet Watson encourages people of all ages to write poetry, to share their observations of life, and to help to build connections. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Wesley Chapel poet Janet Watson encourages people of all ages to write poetry, to share their observations of life, and to help to build connections.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Watson believes that poetry has tremendous power, to help build understanding and connections.

She compares poetry to photography — both are capturing a moment in time.

“Everybody has a voice, has a poetic voice,” Watson said, but some people simply have never put their individual take on the world into words.

When she’s writing a poem, she uses all of her senses.

“Not just to see, but to look; not to just hear, but to listen. That’s what my poetry is about, and that’s what I admire in other poets,” said Watson, author of “Eyes Open, Listening.”

Poetry offers everyone a chance for self-expression.

“It’s all about sharing what we think and how we’re reacting in life,” Watson said.

That’s one of the reasons Watson is involved in an effort to encourage young poets. She coordinates the young poet’s contest, which is affiliated with the Florida State Poets Association.

The contest is open for middle and high school students throughout Florida. They can be home-schooled or can attend private or public schools. The aim is to encourage the reading and writing of poetry.

“It’s amazing how many young people are interested in it. Unfortunately, a lot of teachers really don’t have time to even give out the rules,” said Watson, adding she understands how busy teachers are because she worked in schools for several years.

But there are teachers who work with their students on poetry and submit their students’ work for the contest.

“A lot of teachers tell me that it’s very therapeutic (for students). Many of the teachers who are sending me work are sending me work from kids who are troubled,” Watson said. “They’re writing about death. They’re writing about divorce. They’re writing about relationships that break up. These are very young kids.”

Watson thinks that many young people are interested in poetry, but may be unaware of the state contest, which offers cash prizes and the chance to be published in an anthology.

“Young people are very much into performance poetry now. Rap is poetry,” she said.

Last year, the contest drew about 760 entries. Not a single one of those entries came from Pasco County, however, Watson said, noting she hopes that will change this year.

Watson will circulate the information about this year’s youth poetry contest in late August or early September. Contest rules also will be posted online at FloridaStatePoetsAssociation.org.

For additional information about the poetry contest or New River Poets, contact Watson at .

Published June 18, 2014

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New stalemate could kill gas tax increase yet again

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Getting new county road projects underway, as well as maintaining the ones already built, is likely going to require an additional $8 million this coming year. But a new battle on exactly how to raise that money has put two Pasco County commissioners on opposite sides of the debate.

Henry Wilson is continuing a controversial stance he took last year, saying he won’t support raising the local gas tax, and instead wants to explore other revenue sources including an increase in property taxes.

Ted Schrader, however, has no interest in raising property taxes, and says a 5-cent increase in gas taxes will shift the cost of maintaining the roads to the people who are using them, and in most cases wouldn’t even be passed on to the consumer anyway.

It’s a battle where Wilson has an early advantage, not because of support from other commissioners, but from a caveat that any gas tax increase requires the approval of four of the five commissioners, while a property tax increase of this size would only require a yes vote from three.

“People buy gas periodically, but when they get their (property) tax bill, they remember that,” Schrader said during a recent meeting at the Historic Dade City Courthouse, interrupted several times from quick power blackouts caused by a thunderstorm outside. “When you start incrementally adding on all these different assessments, they are going to remember that.”

Wilson says the county needs to increase revenue by $8 million, but “not via the gas tax.”

The debate erupted at the meeting after County Administrator Michele Baker tried to lock down how much commissioners were planning to spend on roads this year. The additional amount of revenue needed ranged from $5 million to $8 million, with the lower number possibly forcing some future road building projects to be delayed or cancelled altogether.

Earlier in the meeting, county budget manager Dan Risola told commissioners that even if the gas tax increase was passed on to consumers, it would equate to $7.50 annually for every penny. A 5-cent increase would mean an additional $37.50 annually, or $1.56 more per fill-up on a typical car that’s fueled up twice monthly.

The recommendation to use the full 5 cents also came from a group of community leaders led by Heidt Design president Patrick Gassaway.

“We like user fees for things like transportation,” he said. “It puts the burden where it should be.

“To tell elected officials that their best route is to increase taxes is, of course, something we recognize as a difficult thing for you to do. It is a lot like saving for college, but it is a great investment, and we all benefit from it.”

Using all 5 cents available to the county in gas taxes could have other positive effects as well, Gassaway said. If the county looks to get state or federal funding for projects, officials can show they’ve done everything they can locally to raise money by using the tools available to them.

Gas stations are not adept to raising prices just because of increases in taxes because they are focused on selling a specific number of gallons, Baker said.

“It would translate to the folks that were buying beer and Slurpees and cigarettes,” she said. “It’s inside the convenience store where they truly make the profits.”

Also not fully convinced about looking at a full gas tax was Commissioner Jack Mariano, but his position has shifted a bit from last year when he voted against any gas tax increase.

“It is a very complex subject,” he said. “Developers are going to get mad at us for not using the gas tax, and then you look at the regular people who is going to pay the tax.”

Mariano, like fellow commissioners Pat Mulieri and Kathryn Starkey, are willing to explore a mix of gas and property tax increases to hit the $8 million mark, although Mulieri has indicated she would go a full 5 cents in gas tax if needed.

Schrader, however, would have to convince both Mariano and Starkey to raise the gas tax to 5 cents to get the four votes needed. But Mariano has hinted in the past that he likely wouldn’t go higher than a 2-cent increase at the pump.

If Schrader refuses to vote in favor of any gas tax increase below 5 cents, commissioners would not have enough votes to raise the gas tax at all. That would mean looking almost exclusively at a property tax increase.

“We have to stop fighting one another,” Mulieri said. “This has been a good board, but it deteriorated two weeks ago. I see that wind blowing, and nobody is going to change their mind right now.”

Published June 18, 2014

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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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