The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Smalls makes big contributions to Lutz beyond Guv’na

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What makes Jerome Smalls want to be the next Lutz Guv’na?

Part of it is encouragement from the current one.

“We went to the same high school in Philadelphia,” said Smalls of himself and the current Guv’na, Suzin Carr.

Lutz Guv’na candidate Jerome Smalls started Soccer Gemz with his wife, Marchele, to provide a sports curriculum that could be enjoyed by children like his daughter Ivoryele, 5. They have programs for children as young as 18 months, so daughter Anora, 10 months, isn’t far behind. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Lutz Guv’na candidate Jerome Smalls started Soccer Gemz with his wife, Marchele, to provide a sports curriculum that could be enjoyed by children like his daughter Ivoryele, 5. They have programs for children as young as 18 months, so daughter Anora, 10 months, isn’t far behind.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

When they met a couple of years ago in Lutz, they realized they both attended Roxborough High School in Philadelphia, albeit at different times. They struck up a friendship, and Carr encouraged him to run for the ceremonial title, given to the candidate who raises the most money during the race. The funds collected by the candidates go to local charities and civic organizations.

Smalls declined to run last year against Carr — who earned her second stint as Guv’na — but now that her term is almost over, he’s thrown his hat into the ring.

Smalls is one of five candidates vying for the position, and even though he’s lived in the Tampa area for around eight years — Smalls and his family live in Town ‘N Country and are relocating to Westchase — he’s always been struck by the friendly and welcoming nature of Lutz residents.

“The people are probably the No. 1 thing. The people are really friendly and outgoing,” he said.

Smalls first got to know the people of Lutz when he started up his family business, Soccer Gemz, which uses the fields by Lutz First Baptist Church, 18116 U.S. 41, where his family also attends church. His wife, Marchele, played soccer at the University of Tennessee, and they decided to create a soccer program for children ranging in ages from 18 months to eight years.

The inspiration came from feedback from Smalls’ daughter, Ivoryele, when she started playing soccer at a young age.

“She enjoyed the practices and was having fun. But when it came to the games, she didn’t really care too much for them,” Smalls said. “And we noticed that that’s what a lot of kids do. They’re not into it at all.”

Soccer Gemz operates under a curriculum that eliminates what they believe isn’t enjoyable, while retaining what is considered fun.

The organization’s focus is based on teaching skills through positive reinforcement, and playing games that are really just exhibitions where they don’t keep score and don’t have an actual winner. The program allows children to learn the fundamentals of soccer without competitive aspects they might not enjoy at a young age.

Soccer Gemz also touts a “mommy and me” class where a mother or father can participate in lessons with their children as early as 18 months. At that age they might just be socializing and learning to kick a ball, but it allows for a unique bonding experience for a family and provides a basic introduction to sports.

For Smalls, a successful class isn’t necessarily one where a child becomes the next soccer star or flashes superior skills. It’s when he receives feedback from parents that their child enjoys participating and has a good time on the field.

“Kids are having fun. That’s the No. 1 principle that we decided to build our business on, is making sure that the kids are having fun while they’re learning,” Smalls said.

The format seems to be working, as Soccer Gemz also has added a location in Ruskin. But Lutz is special to Smalls, so he’s making a push for Guv’na with a series of fundraisers.

Smalls recently had a pancake breakfast, he has an event planned with other candidates at Mekenita Mexican Grille on June 5, and an ice cream social at the Tampa Community of Christ June 13 at noon.

And while he hopes to raise the most money and earn the title, it’s the charitable aspect of the race that appeals to him. Smalls participates in church drives and enjoys being able to give back to Lutz groups and help raise funds for worthy organizations. He wants to win the race, but will continue participating in area events either way.

His goals? “Not only now, but after the race is over, to be able to get around and do things in the community and bring a little bit more awareness to things that are going on in the community,” Smalls said.

For more information about Soccer Gemz or to contribute to Smalls’ campaign, call (813) 421-5203, or visit SoccerGemz.com.

Published June 4, 2014

Wesley Chapel welcomes ice in new $20M sports complex

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By the end of next year, State Road 56 will be more crowded than ever.

A new Mercedes dealership. A long-awaited outlet mall and the different stores it will bring. Yet another hotel, this time 120 rooms.

Gordie Zimmermann, from left, is joined by Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano and retired Tampa Bay Lightning star Dave Andreychuk last week in a presentation unveiling a new four-pad ice sports complex just off State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel. The new arena is expected to open by late next year. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Gordie Zimmermann, from left, is joined by Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano and retired Tampa Bay Lightning star Dave Andreychuk last week in a presentation unveiling a new four-pad ice sports complex just off State Road 56 in Wesley Chapel. The new arena is expected to open by late next year.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Not bad for a road that, just a little more than a decade ago, didn’t even exist.

Joining all that, however, is an ice and sports complex so big, it might make existing facilities in Ellenton, Oldsmar and maybe even Brandon a bit jealous.

Apartment developer Gordie Zimmermann and his colleagues Z Mitch LLC, closed on 13 acres of land last week on Cypress Ridge Boulevard for $2.6 million, where they plan to build a 155,500-square-foot ice and sports complex complete with four pads of ice, a restaurant, and room for other sports in the community.

Zimmermann’s development team is investing more than $20 million in the project, all so that Zimmermann’s hockey team — and other teams like it — won’t have to travel so far anymore to find a sheet of ice in Florida.

“I was operating down in the Brandon facility, and I noticed that the adult hockey program had taken over,” Zimmermann said of Ice Sports Forum, a two-pad complex he also owns. “The kids had limited ice time there, and had to drive 60 to 70 miles to an ice practice.”

Zimmermann, in his off-time, coaches the Wiregrass Ice Hawks, a youth team that includes his son, incoming Wiregrass High School junior Luke Zimmermann. The Ice Hawks finished as one of the top youth hockey teams in the state, second only to Mitchell High School.

The long drives and fighting for time on the ice limits the younger Zimmermann’s practice time to just a few days a week. But having a sports complex within walking distance of his Seven Oaks home could actually get him out on the ice much more frequently.

“I’d probably be going there every day,” Luke Zimmermann, a center for the team, said.

Although the facility is tentatively called the Cypress Creek Ice and Sport Complex, Gordie Zimmermann said he’s not opposed to finding a corporate sponsor to buy the naming rights. But even if that happens, it would probably be hard for people not to refer to the facility based on where it is geographically, like Cypress Creek or even Wesley Chapel.

And that’s exactly what Jeff Novotny wanted to hear. Not only is he president of American Consulting, which helped with the Zimmermann project, but he’s also president of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, which has been working tirelessly on branding new development along State Road 56 in the name of Wesley Chapel.

“I can tell you that the Tampa Bay area has a shortage of ice availability for all age levels,” said Novotny, whose American Consulting headquarters is literally next to the site where the ice complex will be built. “I can count on one hand the number of ice arenas in a one-hour drive. And thanks to the Tampa Bay Lightning, it is better than what it was 15 years ago.”

The Lightning was represented by Stanley Cup winner Dave Andreychuk who, coincidentally, went to high school with Zimmermann in Hamilton, Ontario. Andreychuk stood behind Zimmermann last week during a news conference where the new facility was unveiled, and lent his support to the facility.

Although there are plans to build a two-pad ice sports complex near The Grove in Wesley Chapel, Zimmermann seemed to dismiss the possibility that the local market could become too saturated with ice.

“I think we’ve done our homework,” he said. “I come from an area that has 200 rinks — eight-plexes and six-plexes, and it’s kind of the way of the world to build a minimum of four.”

The facility will be two stories tall, complete with two National Hockey League-level ice pads, and one meeting Olympic specifications. A fourth smaller ice pad, which can double as a non-ice sports court, could be made available when needed for young kids just getting their start, or even to help goalies learn position playing, Zimmermann said.

A restaurant would be situated on the second floor, with a clear view of all the rinks.

“During tournaments, some people’s children’s games might be an hour or two apart, an they can go up and grab a quick snack,” Zimmermann said. “Others might have six- or seven-hour gaps, and they can go to Wiregrass mall, and maybe to a restaurant.”

Coming right behind it is a planned 120-room hotel expected to close on 3 acres of land this summer, developers said. It would complement offerings already in that area, including an existing Hampton Inn & Suites.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano joined other government leaders at the presentation in endorsing the project, calling the project a crowning achievement to what the county is trying to accomplish in the State Road 56 and Interstate 75 corridor.

“Two rinks would’ve been great, three rinks is phenomenal, but with four, everyone is going to want to come here and play this from all around the world,” Mariano said, highlighting potential interest to travel here from groups outside Florida, and even outside the United States. “If you had to go to Canada or down here to play hockey, where would you want to go?”

Published June 4, 2014

Morningstar Fishermen seed library promotes good health

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It’s a wooden cabinet with several drawers, the index cards inside reminiscent of the kind used when libraries still had card catalogs.

Ara McLeod oversees the new seed library at Morningstar Fishermen in Dade City. The library allows people to check out heirloom seeds to grow in their gardens, with the hope that they’ll bring back more seeds to share. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Ara McLeod oversees the new seed library at Morningstar Fishermen in Dade City. The library allows people to check out heirloom seeds to grow in their gardens, with the hope that they’ll bring back more seeds to share.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

But this cabinet doesn’t hold cards telling visitors where to find books. Instead, it holds cards separating packages of seeds.

These aren’t just any seeds, however. They’re called heirloom seeds, and some of them had their start back in the 1800s, said Ara McLeod, who works at Morningstar Fishermen, a business in Dade City that promotes sustainable living.

Unlike most seeds that are planted in today’s fields and gardens, these heirloom seeds have not been genetically altered. Instead, they have been saved and passed along for generations.

And now, through Morningstar Fishermen’s new seed library, they are available to seed library members for free.

There is a catch. Those joining the seed library must agree to use only organic fertilizer on the vegetables and flowers they grow with these seeds. And they are asked to let some of their plants go to seed, so they can help to restock the seed library.

McLeod, who oversees the seed library, is thrilled that she’s leading this new venture, which aims to help people produce their own food.

“Here at Morningstar, we are about teaching people about sustainability,” McLeod said.

The company, located at 3336 Old St. Joe Road, has been teaching people about aquaponics for years. Aquaponics is essentially the marriage between hydroponics and aquaculture, allowing people to raise fish, veggies and plants at the same time.

It decided to branch out to help people become sustainable in other ways, too.

“We wanted to start a seed library here to help our community to have access to good, quality food,” McLeod said. “It’s really, really important for communities to have access to good seeds. With it being free, it really doesn’t matter what your economic status is.”

So far, fewer than a dozen people have signed up for the seed library. But McLeod’s enthusiasm for the program has not dimmed.

“We have to start somewhere,” she said, clearly passionate about the project. “Seeds are life. The soil is life. Without good quality seeds, our food is not of good quality, so, when we eat it, it doesn’t sustain our bodies.”

She estimates about 200 varieties of seeds in the library, mostly donated by Seed Savers Exchange, Baker Creek Seeds and some local families.

When people come to Morningstar Fishermen’s shop, they can look through the cabinet drawers to choose seeds.

“All of the drawers are divided out into families. In gardening, there’s nine different families,” McLeod explained. “In each family, you have the different types of vegetables or flowers.

“You just see what type of plant you want to grow. You open the drawer and you thumb through it. You can see the bean that you want to grow. There’s a little packet behind it. There’s the growing information on the back of it.”

Once they find their packet, they bring it up to a desk, fill out a form, and head home to start planting.

“You grow it. Save some of the seeds for yourself and some for the library and bring them back,” McLeod said.

Some people may have no earthly idea how to begin, but there are books, online information and low-cost classes that can help, she said.

Nobody should feel intimidated.

“It doesn’t matter if you don’t know anything,” McLeod said. “The only thing that you need to start is a desire.”

To find out more about the seed library, email , visit MorningstarFishermen.org, or call McLeod at (352) 523-2722.

Published June 4, 2014

Pasco County Schools expands summer programs

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Pasco County Schools’ $1.3 million summer school program this year will serve 6,580 students. That’s an increase of 1,820 over last summer’s rolls, according to district officials.

This year’s programs also will reach younger children, and will give older students more time to work on recovering course credits.

School board member Steve Luikart applauded the expanded program.

“The need is there,” Luikart said. “We’re doing everything we can to help more kids.”

The district is piloting new programs for kindergarteners and first graders focusing on literacy, and for second graders emphasizing mathematics.

The literacy pilot will serve about 390 students, and the mathematics pilot will serve about 400 children. The students will come from Title 1 schools, which are schools that qualify for federal funding because they have a large percentage of children from poor families.

Another pilot will focus on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics, otherwise known as STEM. It will serve approximately 45 third- and fourth-grade students from Fox Hollow, Schrader, and Gulf Highlands elementary schools, and will be held at Gulf Highlands.

The district’s summer reading camp will continue to target third graders. About 700 children are expected to receive the additional help. The media centers at each of the summer camp locations will be open to all students on those days.

The district also will be using migrant camps for kindergarten through 12th-graders at eight east Pasco schools, to help close the achievement gap.

The program will serve about 45 students, an increase of 15 from last year.

A program aimed at giving children a chance to learn through a variety of environmental experiences also is being offered to students from Title 1 schools. About 600 students from Title 1 schools will visit Safety Town, Energy Marine Center, Starkey Ranch, caves, and The Florida Aquarium through the Pasco Environmental Adventure Camp Experience.

The district also is providing additional help to middle school students who have not met the requirements to be promoted to the next grade. The district’s course recovery programs have been extended from half-days to full-days to give students more time to master essential content.

The district is providing this opportunity for students to get back on track to up to 100 students per Title 1 school, and up to 50 students at other schools.

Courses also will be available for high school students needing to recover credits, with seniors being given the highest priority for those opportunities.

The district also will offer summer school for exceptional student education programs for students who have individual education plans that call for summer instruction.

The district will serve summer meals at locations where more than 50 percent of the students are eligible for free or reduced-price meals during the regular school year. District staff members will serve breakfast, lunch and a snack to children through age 18.

Transportation also will be provided to summer programs for students who meet the district’s requirements.

Teachers can upgrade their skills in the district’s Secondary Literacy Symposium for sixth- through 12th-grade teachers. Teachers will work in collaborative groups to deepen their learning related to the English Language Arts instructional shifts of the newly adopted Florida Standards.

Other teachers also will have a chance to strengthen their content knowledge of the standards at the 2014 K-8 Mathematics Institute and at the High School Mathematics Institute.

Published June 4, 2014

Business Digest 06-04-14

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Lutz 7-Eleven up for sale
The 7-Eleven store at 23434 State Road 54 in Lutz is one of 75 stations across the country 7-Eleven Inc., is putting up for sale.

Robbie Radant, a vice president with the company, said 7-Eleven is cutting loose stores like the Lutz one not because it’s underperforming, but because it no longer fits with its overall goals.

“There are many nice sites in this package that simply do not fit 7-Eleven’s current business model,” Radant said in a release. “All of these stores have solid merchandise sales, and should provide good opportunities for the right buyers.”

7-Eleven is looking to part ways with 31 stores in Florida, along with 14 in Virginia, six in Massachusetts and Illinois, three in Texas and two in New York, Delaware, New Jersey and Utah. The company is selling single stores in Arizona, Connecticut, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Vermont.

The Lutz site will not include the 7-Eleven branding, but could include a fuel contract with SEI Fuels Inc., a subsidiary of 7-Eleven, the company said.

7-Eleven has brought in NRC Realty & Capital Advisors of Chicago to conduct the sale, which will accept sealed bids from groups looking to buy single or multiple locations. The bid deadline is July 29.
The Lutz 7-Eleven opened in 1987 with a 3,100-square-foot store along State Road 54 when it was still a two-lane road. It includes a 10-year fuel contract.

For information on the sale, visit NRC.com/1408, or call (800) 747-3342, ext. 1408.

Upcoming ribbon cuttings
Treasure Hands by Tisha will host an open house and ribbon cutting at 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 342, in Dade City on June 5 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

RN Cancer Guides will have an open house and ribbon cutting at 26852 Tanic Drive, Suite 101, in Wesley Chapel, June 6 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Both events are hosted through the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce.

To RSVP, call (813) 206-7373, or email .

Arlington at Northwood sold, renamed
A Chicago-based real estate company has bought its second community in the Tampa Bay area, taking over the former Arlington at Northwood, a 312-unit complex in Wesley Chapel.

BES Northwood Fund IX LLC, a company associated with Sherman Residential, finalized its sale of the high-end apartments May 15 for $36.1 million. That is nearly $10 million more than what the community’s previous owner, Protea Northwood Apartments, purchased the complex for in 2006 soon after it was built.

The new owners have brought in a new name for the complex as well, calling it Enclave at Wiregrass, according to the company’s website.

Enclave is considered a Class A apartment complex, meaning that it was built in the last 20 years or so, and comes with a number of luxury-style amenities.

Sherman, on its website, says it’s looking to buy apartment communities that have at least 150 units, comprehensive amenity packages, and strong locations, among other things.

Sherman already owns the Enclave at Tranquility Lake in Riverview, as well as 13 other communities in Georgia, Illinois, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas, according to its website.

BES Northwood purchased the property through a $22.5 million loan. It’s located at 1930 Devonwood Drive, just off State Road 56, not far from The Shops at Wiregrass.

This is Pasco County’s largest property sale since August 2012 when Seneca at Cypress Creek was sold for $62.3 million. Units in that Lutz community sold for $138,100 each, while units at the new Enclave sold for $115,700 each.

New team member at tailoring company
Theresa Sparks has joined Sophisticated Tailoring, 18470 U.S. 41 North in Lutz.

Sparks has a bachelor’s degree in fashion design and merchandising from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, graduating summa cum laude.

For more information on the company, visit SophisticatedTailoring.com, or call (813) 785-3177.

PHSC career camps
Pasco-Hernando State College is offering two academic career-themed summer camps designed for middle and early high school students beginning in June.

The camps will be at the school’s New Port Richey campus, 10230 Ridge Road, and will run four half days from Monday through Thursday.

  • Business and Technology Careers — Participants can create a new business plan, participate in a mock trial from the viewpoint of a paralegal, and expand the virtual world by creating a miniature version of the Internet, among other activities.

Sessions run from June 23-26 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., or July 14-17 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Cost is $90.

  • Health Careers — Participants can take on simulations and other hands-on activities related to the school’s paramedic, nursing, dental and radiography programs. They also can become CPR-certified.

Sessions run from June 16-19 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., or July 21-24 from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $100.

Each session is limited to the first 12 students to register.

For information, visit PHSC.edu/summercamp, or call (727) 816-3256.

Women-n-Charge sets up June meeting
Women-n-Charge will meet June 27 at 11:30 a.m. at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.

Cost is $15 for members up to the Tuesday before the meeting, and $18 for everyone else.

Register at Women-n-Charge.com. For information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

Political Agenda 06-04-14

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Young endorses Burgess
House District 38 candidate Danny Burgess has won yet another endorsement, this time from House deputy majority leader and whip Dana Young.

Young, R-Tampa, praised the former Zephyrhills mayor as being a “principled conservative, community leader, dedicated husband and new father.”

Burgess faces Minnie Diaz in the Republican primary for the seat currently held by Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel.

Burgess raised $4,225 in April, according to state election records, bringing his total campaign account to just under $45,000. Diaz collected $140 during the same period, bringing her total to $3,000.

Barring anyone else entering the race, the winner of the Republican primary will face Democrat Beverly Ledbetter, who raised $2,473 in April bringing her total for the November election to $8,464.

Fasano officially in tax collector race
How has former state Sen. Mike Fasano done in his new job as Pasco County’s tax collector? He’ll get a chance to find out as he files to seek out his first full term in office.

Fasano finished the needed paperwork May 23, and has yet to draw an opponent. Gov. Rick Scott appointed him to the position in 2013 following the death of longtime tax collector Mike Olson. Amanda Murphy, D-New Port Richey, replaced him in the Senate.

Olson beat Republican challenger Ed Blommel in 2012 after outraising the Republican nearly 2-to-1.

Fasano spent 10 years in the state Senate, and another eight years in the state House, serving as the majority leader there in 2000.

Legg endorses Wilson re-election bid
Pasco County commissioner Henry Wilson Jr. has picked up an endorsement from state Sen. John Legg in his re-election bid.

“Henry is a strong advocate for Pasco’s business and families,” Legg, R-Lutz, said in a release. “He has and will continue to put Pasco’s best interests first.”

Wilson, who at this point is facing a potential open primary in August against newcomer Mike Wells Jr., already has received endorsements from other politicians like Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes; state Sen. Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby; and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Swiftmud governing board elects officers
The Southwest Florida Water Management District governing board has elected new officers for the coming year, led by Michael Babb as chair.

Babb, who represents Hillsborough County, is president of Two Rivers Ranch Inc., in Thonotosassa. He was first appointed to the board in June 2011.

Other officers include Randall Maggard as vice chair, Jeffery Adams as secretary and David Dunbar as treasurer.

Maggard, who represents Pasco County, is vice president of Sonny’s Discount Appliances Inc., in Dade City. He was first appointed to the board in October 2011.

Adams, representing Pinellas County, is an attorney and partner with Abbey Adams LLP in St. Petersburg. He was first appointed in April 2010.

Dunbar represents both Hillsborough and Pinellas, and is chairman of Synovus Bank of Florida in Palm Harbor. He was appointed in July 2013.

The new officers serve a one-year term beginning 24 hours before the next governing board meeting, set for June 24.

The board members are unpaid volunteers appointed by the governor and confirmed by the state Senate. They set policy for the organization, commonly known as Swiftmud, with its mission to manage the water and related resources of west central Florida, to meet the needs of current and future water users while still protecting the environment.

Wilson endorsed by public safety group
Pasco County Commissioner Henry Wilson’s re-election campaign has received the endorsement of Pasco County Public Safety. That’s a group that includes the West Central Florida Chapter of the Police Benevolent Association, the Fraternal Order of Police Pasco County Sheriff’s Lodge No. 29, and the International Association of Firefighters Pasco County Local 4420.

Wilson is looking to return to his District 4 seat, but has a primary challenge by fellow Republican Mike Wells Jr., in August.

Wilson raised $200 for his campaign in April, bringing his total to $19,245. Wells, in his first month of campaigning, raised $20,700.

If no Democrat enters the race, Wells and Wilson will battle it out in an open primary Aug. 26.

Elections open house
Hillsborough County supervisor of elections Craig Latimer will host an open house June 11 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at 12022 Anderson Road in Tampa.

For information, call (813) 744-5900, or visit VoteHillsborough.org.

Another building project, another $250,000 cost overrun

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Cost overruns have added some $250,000 to the construction of the new library. Now, just a block away, Zephyrhills city officials are looking to spend at least that much more on Fire Rescue Station No. 2 where a renovation project has gone awry.

And Zephyrhills City Council members aren’t happy.

Construction has slowed significantly after contractors found the 54-year-old Fire Rescue Station No. 2 next to Zephyrhills City Hall was not built to code, and did not have the proper wall reinforcements. Renovations could cost an additional $250,000. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Construction has slowed significantly after contractors found the 54-year-old Fire Rescue Station No. 2 next to Zephyrhills City Hall was not built to code, and did not have the proper wall reinforcements. Renovations could cost an additional $250,000.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Renovations for the 54-year-old building were expected to cost just over $1 million, but could now reach as high as $1.3 million. All because when workers started demolishing parts of the original fire station, they found a structure much different than they had anticipated. In fact, it was one that seemed never to be built to code, held up mostly by weak walls and a lot of luck.

“To make it more complex, there are three buildings there,” said Leo Arroyo, a principal at Canerday Belfsky Arroyo Architects, who is working on the project. “Those buildings were designed independently, and they lean against each other. We found that most of the exterior walls — north, west and south — did not have any reinforcement. There wasn’t any rebar. Just masonry style on top.”

Much of that construction dates back to when volunteers were recruited to help build and expand the fire station over the decades, city officials said. According to history, the structure on Sixth Avenue and Seventh Street was Fire Rescue Station No. 1, but was renamed in 2000 when the city built a new fire station on Dairy Road.

City council president Charlie Proctor, worried about more backlash from yet another product going well over budget, wanted to know at a recent meeting why the project didn’t stop earlier to address these new issues.

“The first I heard about this was last week,” Proctor said during a May 12 meeting. “I figured something was up. It didn’t look like we were moving too fast on that project.”

However, a lot of the issues didn’t start appearing until major demolition work started, Arroyo said. The first hint of a problem came when the roofing system was dismantled. Still, workers thought walls would at the very least be properly reinforced.

Interim city manager Steve Spina said some 20 change orders to the project had been processed since January, with additional expenses of more than $32,000 already approved, and another $46,000 pending. Those change orders involved replacing the roof on the west side of the building, electrical upgrades and additional demolition.

If the city hadn’t approved those orders quickly, there was a chance the contractor would have walked off the job, incurring extra costs because of the construction delays.

Additional money is sought for redesign costs and structural improvements, costing an estimated $167,000.

The total, $245,000, would put the fire station remodel 23 percent over budget.

“I just gotten some people coming to me today complaining about the library, which I’ve heard about for a year and a half,” Proctor said, citing those cost overruns. “And now they are wanting to know why this is going to cost this much extra. The citizens I’m talking to about this are not happy about this.”

Proctor was more concerned, however, on whether or not the contractor and architect would come back with more cost overruns in the future. Spina said he would need more time to figure out hard costs, and was expected to present that information during a special meeting May 27, after The Laker went to press.

The question now becomes if it would have been cheaper to simply tear down the fire station and build a new one, then refurbish the existing structure. That could have been possible, Zephyrhills planning director Todd Vande Berg said, but then a good chunk of the money used to pay for the project would not have been available.

The city received $750,000 from the federal Community Development Block Grant program, but that money was restricted to existing building renovations, not a new build.

Councilman Ken Burgess felt the city could save some money by delaying some of the aesthetic work until later, and just getting the interior finished.

“We can divert some of the costs that are more cosmetic in nature and get the fire station where it is operational,” he said. “What we need to do is get the building back up to code as best as we can.”

Even with the cost overrun, the city would be able to pay for the changes, Spina said. A lot of the money could come from the Penny for Pasco tax, which has collected $200,000 more than the city had anticipated. He also suggested sharing some of the costs with the city’s sanitation fund, since that department also will be housed in the new building.

Get the latest on what the city council decided from the May 27 meeting from our daily news section at LakerLutzNews.com.

Published May 28, 2014

High school graduations evoke feelings of accomplishment

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It’s that time of year again, when young men and women dress in caps and gowns and march into their futures.

In many ways, it’s a rite of passage that doesn’t change much from year to year.

There’ll be music, speeches, and of course, the reading of the graduates’ names.

Hundreds of diplomas will be conferred at some ceremonies, while others will have fewer than 10. The events will be held in places as varied as W.F. Edwards Stadium to the First Baptist Church sanctuary, and from the Florida State Fairgrounds to the University of South Florida Sun Dome.

Whether it’s Freedom, Steinbrenner, Land O’ Lakes, Sunlake, Pasco, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel or Wiregrass Ranch high schools, or Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin, Land O’ Lakes Christian or Zephyrhills Christian Academy — these ceremonies have special meaning to the graduates, their families and friends, and their teachers and administrators.

Commencement exercises tend to have a familiar feel, but each class is unique.

The Class of 2014 is filled with members of a generation when Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest and Obamacare became household words.

They carry smartphones, which they use to text — not talk — to their friends and to snap selfies in every conceivable place.

This is a crop of students who have repeatedly been forced to prove what they know on standardized tests.

They’ve been witnesses to history: The beginning of a new millennium, the election of the nation’s first African-American president, the legalization of same-sex marriages in some places, and the legal sale of marijuana in others.

They’ve seen increasing conflicts abroad, rising concerns about cybersecurity and the effects that the recession has had on their family’s personal wealth.

But none of this is likely to be on their minds, as they march to the sounds of “Pomp and Circumstance.”

Many graduates have gone far beyond the call of duty, demonstrating their commitment to learning by achieving GPAs well beyond the 4.0 that comes from getting straight As in traditional courses. Those students tackled a more rigorous curriculum, including Advanced Placement and dual enrollment courses that can earn them college credit during high school.

Marc Berson, for instance, from Freedom High, is graduating with an 8.12 GPA.

As they wrap up their high school academic career, some are planning careers in medicine, finance, pharmacy or aerospace engineering. Others aren’t sure of what path they’ll pursue, and some will wind up in careers that have not even yet been invented.

Some plan to attend exclusive colleges in faraway places, while others will attend classes closer to home at the University of South Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, Hillsborough Community College, Saint Leo University, Rasmussen College and other local institutions.

For students living in Wesley Chapel, this will be the first graduating class to have the option of remaining in their community to attend college classes. Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, a satellite of PHSC, opened in January.

For now, though, it’s time to savor the moment, for graduates to pose for photographs with friends and families, and to enjoy celebrations, before finding a path to call their own.

Published May 28, 2014

If you want to share the graduation section with family and friends through the Internet, we put together a handy guide that will take you directly to the e-edition related to your graduate. Just click which school you’re looking for below, and we’ll get you where you need to go.
Academy at the Lakes
Bishop McLaughlin High School
Freedom High School
Land O’ Lakes Christian School
Land O’ Lakes High School
Pasco High School
Steinbrenner High School
Sunlake High School
Wesley Chapel High School
Wiregrass Ranch High School
Zephyrhills Christian Academy
Zephyrhills High School

Pet care takes a village, and new app can help

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Laura Vinogradov stumbled upon Lutz six years ago during a statewide search for her dog care business, The Barking Lot.

She wanted a place with a country feel, but still close enough to civilization. But more importantly, Vinogradov wanted somewhere she could call home.

Laura Vinogradov has expanded her pet care service, The Barking Lot, to the cyberverse with a new app she says will simplify the lives of even the most complicated pets. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Laura Vinogradov has expanded her pet care service, The Barking Lot, to the cyberverse with a new app she says will simplify the lives of even the most complicated pets.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Lutz has fit all those requirements perfectly, and Vinogradov is happy with the success of her business, which employs six people literally in her backyard. She’s proud of the fact that she’ll take any breed of dog, thanks to an innovative system that keeps unfamiliar animals separate from each other. And even more, she’s happy that she’s finally focusing on a career doing something she truly loves.

Yet, Vinogradov knew there was much more she could do for animal lovers, since not many can afford the luxury of professionals to care for their pets. And that’s when TaskIt-Pets was born.

“A couple years ago, I was approached to build an app for the pet care industry, and I knew nothing about apps,” Vinogradov said. “It was a very steep learning curve.”

The idea was to build an app that would help a pet owner schedule tasks needed for their dog, cat, or any animal living at the house. It would range from walks to baths to feeding times to giving necessary medication.

And it hit close to home for Vinogradov. One of her dogs suffers from hyperthyroidism, and requires meds twice a day. But even the most dedicated pet lovers are human, and it can be easy to forget a dose from time to time.

“Over time, especially with a very busy life, I and everyone else might have to stop and think, ‘Did I give her medication?’” Vinogradov said. “It got to be one more thing on a very busy plate.”

TaskIt-Pets takes the question out of the equation, she said. While it might not be the first app that offers such help, it is one of the first to do something a step beyond that — network everyone together who might care for a particular pet.

The app links people together, providing real-time scheduling and updates to not only make sure tasks involving pets are done, but that everyone is held accountable. That could be a professional pet caregiver, a family member, or even the neighbor.

“Say you’re a professional pet care giver, and you have dog walkers working for you,” Vinogradov said. “You don’t know who showed up on time and who didn’t, but the app will tell you that. And the app will remind them when it’s time for them to go do it.”

The app launched earlier this month in Apple’s iTunes Store for iPhone and other Apple-based portable devices. It’s expected to be launched for Android and Windows platforms in the coming weeks.

The starting price is $1.99 annually, part of which will go back to Apple, Google and Microsoft for distributing the app in the first place.

Vinogradov feels she has a new product on the market that will prove quite popular. However, she also knows that it competes with about 1 million other apps — and that’s just what Apple offers. There have been a lot of success stories when it comes to apps, however, turning some developers into instant millionaires.

Vinogradov doesn’t know if she’ll ever get that kind of success, but she’ll be happy if something she helped create can improve the lives of animals and their caregivers — something she has been passionate about since she was a young girl.

“My first love is working with the dogs, and working with families with dogs,” Vinogradov said. “I can talk dog all day long. But having that said, this has been a phenomenal experience, and very exciting. I’ve loved this whole process from Day One.”

Developing apps isn’t for everyone, Vinogradov said, and it takes the right approach and a little bit of luck to find success.

The first step for someone wanting to step into those waters, however, is to first make sure there is a need for it.

“You have to do your homework,” she said. “Is there an app out there already? Of course, if there is, that doesn’t mean that you can’t develop one. But you have to look at other ways that you can improve on it.”

Vinogradov looked at a number of popular existing apps, researching the developers behind it, before settling on a Florida-based company to design hers.

“You need to find a developer you can work with, and they have to be reputable,” she said.

The idea of scheduling tasks for other people in a real-time environment has become the foundation for two new apps Vinogradov hopes to release in the future. One is focused on family life itself, while another would help address home health care needs of a loved one.

“There’s no telling where this could go,” she said.

To learn more about TaskIt-Pets and other apps, visit TaskItApps.com.

Published May 28, 2014

Graduation makes being a parent worth it

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I’ve been waiting to write this column for four years.

My daughter, Rachel Mathes, graduated from Stetson University earlier this month with a bachelor’s degree. Not only did Rachel graduate in four years, she also started a job in her field two days after she received her diploma.

Publisher Diane Kortus and daughter Rachel Mathes after commencement ceremonies May 10 at Stetson University in Deland. (Courtesy of Vic Anthony)
Publisher Diane Kortus and daughter Rachel Mathes after commencement ceremonies May 10 at Stetson University in Deland.
(Courtesy of Vic Anthony)

Rachel’s major was art, a major I was never that crazy about because I assumed it would be very difficult to translate into a job. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, only 27 percent of college graduates have jobs that match their college major.

But Rachel always believed she would beat the odds and proved she was right when she was hired to head up the art program at a large corporate day care center in Jacksonville.

My feelings about Rachel’s graduation and the beginning of her professional career are a jumble of emotion. I am, of course, tremendously proud of my daughter. And then there’s the feeling of great relief that Rachel is employed in a job she is excited about.

But her job is in Jacksonville, and that means my youngest is living four hours away from my home in Land O’ Lakes. That makes me very sad and my heart heavy, because after 26 years of raising children, I know this chapter of my life is truly over.

My little girl has grown up and no longer needs her mother to help her make decisions and plan her future.

So I guess you can say the apron strings truly have been cut. And with that, so have the financial strings. As a friend pointed out, not only is my daughter graduating, I also am getting a big raise since I will no longer be paying tuition.

Perhaps that is not such a bad trade off.

I share with you the story of Rachel’s graduation in this week’s paper because it is our annual graduation edition. The feelings of pride I have are the same many of you are feeling as your son or daughter graduates from high school and college this spring.

Graduation is testimony to the hard work we parents have keeping our students focused and committed to complete the work necessary to graduate. When our kid didn’t want to do the work, or wanted to drop out when the going got tough, it was our encouragement and confidence in their abilities that kept them going.

Teens and young adults look to us for the confidence they don’t have and our belief that they will succeed. As Rachel told me, dropping out of college was never an option for her because I was always there cheering her on and believing without a doubt that she would graduate.

To celebrate the achievements of our local graduates, and also their parents’ success in funneling their energies to get to graduation, the center section of today’s paper lists the names of every graduating high school senior in our community.

If you live in Land O’ Lakes and Pasco Lutz, today’s Laker has the names of graduating seniors from Sunlake and Land O’ Lakes high schools. The Wesley Chapel edition lists graduates from Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel high schools. Our East Pasco edition has the names of graduates from Zephyrhills and Pasco high schools.

Folks in the east side of the county have the names of graduates from Zephyrhills and Pasco high schools. And if you live in Hillsborough County and receive the Lutz News, your names are graduates from Steinbrenner and Freedom high schools.

In addition to students from these public schools, we also are publishing the names of graduates from four private schools: Academy at the Lakes, Land O’ Lakes Christian, Bishop McLaughlin and Zephyrhills Christian high schools.

Today parents will search the alphabetical listings in our graduation section. And when they see the name of their son or daughter, they will feel proud and good because they know their hard work as parents has paid off.

And like me, they will reflect back on their many years as a parent and remember that despite the challenges and struggles, it was all worth it.

Published May 28, 2014