The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Business Digest

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Wesley Chapel Chamber mixer
The Laker/Lutz News is partnering with the Tampa North Flight Center to host the September business mixer for the Greater Wesley Chamber of Commerce. The event will be on Sept. 12 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Tampa North Flight Center, 4241 Birdsong Blvd. in Lutz. The event will feature food, fun and networking, and will give people a chance to check out the flight center’s new food and beverage area, The Happy Hangar Café.

Zephyrhills chamber breakfast
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will have a chamber business breakfast Sept. 5 from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd. It is sponsored by Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. Networking is from 7 a.m. to 7:30 a.m., followed by a $7 breakfast buffet.

Dancing with our Stars
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring “Dancing with our Stars 2013,” with proceeds to benefit the art of dance in Central Pasco and the chamber. This year’s event is set for Sept. 21. Go to www.biddingforgood.com/CPCC to provide an auction item, bid on an item, purchase tickets or make a donation.

Big Lots unveils remodeled stores
Closeout retailer Big Lots has remodeled 15 of its stores, including its location in Land O’ Lakes and another in North Tampa. The Land O’ Lakes store is at 2414 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., while the North Tampa store is at 14948 N. Florida Ave. in Tampa. Big Lots also has a location in Zephyrhills at 4840 Allen Road.

Barb Conrad joins Cooper Financial Services
Insurance specialist Barb Conrad has joined the staff of Cooper Financial Services. Conrad specializes in long-term care insurance, life insurance and disability insurance. Cooper Financial Services has offered financial planning, insurance and investment services in the Tampa Bay area since 1994. For more information about its services, visit www.cooper-financial.com, or call (813) 996-6100.

Lennar promotes Randall Smith
Lennar’s Central Florida division has promoted Randall Smith to director of construction in the Tampa region. Smith, who has 30 years of experience, joined Lennar last year as a construction manager. Before that, he was a vice president for another construction company. In his new role, he will work with the construction team on schedules, prioritizing work activities, maintaining customer and trade partner relations, inspection of home for quality compliance, construction documents, recruiting hiring, and supervising the construction staff.

Florida fishing industry is boon to state economy
The Florida fishing industry contributes an estimated $5 billion to the state economy, according to the latest economics commentary report from Florida TaxWatch, an independent taxpayer research institute. More than 1.2 million visitors to Florida fished during 2013, according to TaxWatch. Besides attracting anglers from around the globe, the state also hosts boating and fishing expositions throughout the year, which draws visitors and their money to the state. “Florida’s unique location and variety of fishing opportunities position the state as the world leader in sport fishing tourism,” said Dominic M. Calabro, president and chief executive officer of Florida TaxWatch, in a release.

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group has scheduled several speakers for the coming months. The group meets every other week at the Village Inn at 5214 Gall Blvd. in Zephyrhills. Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m. Here’s the group’s slate of upcoming speakers:
–Sept. 10: Faith Knight, chief operations officer for Apollo Group
–Sept. 24: Maureen Moore, director of communications for Saint Leo University
–Oct. 8: Danny Burgess, mayor of Zephyrhills, and Minerva “Minnie” Diaz, candidate for the District 38 state House of Representatives seat
–Oct. 22: Paul Stonebridge, teen services manager of Pasco County library, and Cheryl A. Pollock, business development director Premier Community HealthCare Group, Inc.
–Nov. 12: Gary Loman, professional education manager for Rasmussen College
–Nov. 26: Tom Jackson, columnist for The Tampa Tribune

Hillsborough County technology grants
The Hillsborough County Economic Development Innovative Initiative has awarded more than $300,000 to 23 programs during its first round of grant awards. The county’s economic development department launched the program, known as EDI2, in June. It aims to build a vibrant and sustainable startup community, centered on the use of technology and innovation. Several grants went to programs designed to build better community forums for exchange of ideas and increase connections between established businesses and startups.
Among the grant recipients:
– Learning is for Everyone Inc. received $18,250 for Robocon Tampa Bay 2013, an event slated for October
– New Market Partners received $4,150 for its Grow the Bay, scheduled in October
– Tampa Bay Technology Forum received $2,000 for the Engine Peer Network, scheduled in October
— Startup Weekend Tampa Bay received $9,437 for Startup Weekend Tampa Bay 2013, scheduled in November
– MOSI received $4,500 for STEAM Professional Leadership Forum, slated in October 2013
EDI2 aims to support the technology entrepreneurship ecosystem in Hillsborough County. It has a $2 million budget, to be distributed over three years.
Applications for the grants are expected to be available early this month. The deadline to apply for its second funding cycle is Nov. 15.
Additional program and application information is available online at www.HillsboroughCounty.org/EDI2.
For more information about EDI2, contact Stephanie Cvetetic with Hillsborough County’s economic development department at (813) 272-6217.

Publix and Walgreens getting new look in north Tampa
Cuhaci & Peterson Architects, based in Orlando’s Baldwin Park, designed the redevelopment plans for the 47,000-square-foot Publix Super Markets location and the 13,000-square-foot Walgreens drug store at South Village on North Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa. Construction is expected to be completed this fall. Regency Centers of Jacksonville is the developer of South Village.

Rotary golf tournament
The Rotary Club of Zephyrhills Daybreak is hosting the 21st annual Fall Businessman’s Breakaway Golf Tournament on Oct. 4, with a shotgun start at 1 p.m. at the Scotland Yard Golf Club, 8900 Wire Road in Dade City. For more information, contact Chris Robin at (813) 715-0565, or Theresa Sommers at (813) 788-3369.

Wesley Chapel hospital exceeding expectations in first year

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When Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel was preparing to open its doors last October, it expected to have 400 employees.

Less than a year later, it has 600.

“For the 600 jobs that we have, we had over 25,000 applicants,” hospital chief executive Brian Adams said last week. “Not all of those applicants, of course, were qualified for roles in health care. But even in nursing, for every one job, we had more than 10 applicants.”

A look at the interior of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. (File photo)
A look at the interior of Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel. (File photo)

Adams was sharing the news with the economic development committee of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce. Having so many applicants means the hospital can really be selective, and focus purely on talent. The Wesley Chapel hospital, for example, has an average of 10 years experience.

And the hospital has outpaced projections in other areas as well. Its 26,000 emergency room visits and 380 baby deliveries are roughly double original expectations, Adams said. Other first-year figures include 3,800 admissions and 1,800 surgeries.

Business owners may wonder if people will travel into Wesley Chapel to get health care, and the answer to that is that they do, Adams said.

“The economic development piece of having a business that not only employs 600 people in the community, but also attracts people into Wesley Chapel, is a real benefit,” he said. “Many of the individuals who now come to Wesley Chapel for care were traveling out of the county for care, so they were going down into Hillsborough County, which means they see physicians in Hillsborough County, which means they stop for lunch on their way to see those physicians in Hillsborough.”

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel sits on 52 acres on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, west of SR 56. It has 83 beds, with the capability expanding to 299.

The hospital itself is three stories now, but can rise to six when the hospital needs more room to handle increasing health care needs, Adams said. And it might be sooner rather than later. Figures by the hospital show population growth in the area between 2.9 percent and 4 percent by 2017.

There are other factors to consider as well beyond just population growth, and that’s something the Wesley Chapel hospital stays cognizant of, Adams said. One is how much health care people are using.

“In this community, it’s going down, mainly because of the shift of cost from employer-based health plans to individual-based health plans,” Adams said.

The age of the population also figures in. In a community like Wesley Chapel, where the population is growing younger, the amount of healthcare used is lower than in a community like Zephyrhills, where the population is older.

The hospital is working to be a good neighbor, and may even reach out to Pasco-Hernando Community College after it opens its Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch in January. The college is taking shape on a site near the intersection of SR 56 and Mansfield Boulevard, not far from the hospital.

“Having PHCC in the community will only benefit all of us,” Adams said. “I’ve had a number of conversations with the leadership at PHCC, and we believe part of our role is to create opportunities for students to learn and grow in a real-life setting.”

That’s common in the medical field, especially in the nursing field, he said. Having PHCC offer a transition to bachelor’s-level nursing can only help surrounding hospitals like Wesley Chapel’s.

Finally, with the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act on the horizon, Adams was optimistic that many pieces of the federal plan will benefit the community.

“People having access to the health care, at the primary care level, is probably the best way to best reduce our overall healthcare spend,” he said. “The most expensive time to care for a patient is when they have reached a point in their health where the intervention takes heavy resources.”

It also means taking steps now to prevent more serious health problems in the future.

“If you can help someone who didn’t have insurance to go to a physician and get their diabetes under control before that diabetes wreaked havoc on their heart, it’s a totally different approach,” Adams said.

But there will also be changes in the way employers handle insurance, by some employers no longer covering spouses that can get insurance elsewhere, and the proliferation of high-deductible health plans as companies try to offer affordable insurance to low-wage employees.

Ultimately, Adams thinks that consumers will drive the need for quality care, especially if they are paying the first $10,000 of their health care costs out-of-pocket due to high deductibles in their insurance plans.

Habitat for Humanity helps woman who helps others

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Tiffany Porter is accustomed to helping other people. But she never expected the tables to be turned, courtesy of Habitat for Humanity.

Porter, a compassion ministry director for Victorious Life Church in Wesley Chapel, is the area’s newest Habitat homeowner, receiving the keys earlier this month for the home at 15054 Gainesville Road.

“I had no idea that Habitat even did this for people like me,” Porter said. “I thought they only helped single moms, or people who were destitute and homeless.”

Volunteers through Habitat for Humanity’s National Women Build Week program put up a wall for Tiffany Porter’s house during its construction in north Land O’ Lakes. Porter, who dedicates her time to helping others through her church, moved in earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Black)
Volunteers through Habitat for Humanity’s National Women Build Week program put up a wall for Tiffany Porter’s house during its construction in north Land O’ Lakes. Porter, who dedicates her time to helping others through her church, moved in earlier this month. (Photo courtesy of Stephanie Black)

In fact, Porter was trying to help a family get a Habitat home, and realized through the process that she actually qualified.

“So I said, ‘what the heck, let’s try this thing,’” she said. “My best friends kept telling me that all they could do is say no. And they didn’t.”

Porter, 29, grew up in New Mexico, but realized at a young age she wanted to be a pastor. But it was while she was in seminary, she discovered an even more direct calling.

“I wanted to be more hands-on and see people’s lives improve,” she said. “VLC gave me the opportunity to do that.”

Porter started as an intern at the church in 2003, and since 2005 has served as the compassion ministry director. She runs the church-owned Lily of the Valley food pantry outreach center in Wesley Chapel, where she not only helps feed those who are hungry, but provides other help when they need it.

That includes even her home, where she has served as a foster mother for teenagers who need a home.

“With my budget, I was not able to find a place that was able to foster a young child,” Porter said. Just before moving into her new home, she was living in a mother-in-law suite that was not in the best living conditions.

But now she can apply to take in younger children, thanks to having a safe home in a safe neighborhood.

And while Habitat’s mission is to provide homeownership for those who may not have had it otherwise, it’s certainly not a handout, said Stephanie Black, director of development and public relations for Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County.

“I think the biggest misconception is that Habitat gives away homes, but they don’t,” Black said. “We provide a zero-interest, no-profit mortgage, but it’s still a mortgage.”

Candidates for home ownership have to meet certain income levels ranging from between $11,950 to $31,850 annually for one person, to between $21,150 and $56,400 for a family of seven.

Families have to demonstrate a need for affordable housing and currently live in a substandard home. However, they also have to prove they can make mortgage payments, and have a steady job with no recent bankruptcies or court judgments.

“Most of our home payments are less than what people are paying for rent,” Black said. “That includes their taxes and their insurance.”

And while Habitat is always looking for volunteers, their biggest need recently has been qualified candidates.

Porter’s home was the 117th Habitat home built in East and Central Pasco County. It was constructed over a seven-month period, and was a women-built project. The entire construction crew was female, part of an international campaign to encourage more women to join construction teams typically dominated by men.

All of that is just a bonus for Porter, who is enjoying her new home with plans to stay in it for quite a while.
“I didn’t grow up here, but I just love this area,” she said. “I never know what might happen next, but right now, I don’t plan on living anywhere else.”

For more information on how to apply for a Habitat home, call (352) 567-1444, or visit www.ephabitat.org.

Local schools add 1,000 students to rolls

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More students are walking through the front doors of area schools as communities in Pasco County continue to grow.

The 39 schools in east and central Pasco County added 1,000 students since this time last year, according to population numbers released by Pasco County Schools. On average, the student population growth in east and central Pasco would be equivalent to adding a classroom per school. The additional students bring the total public school population to 30,800 — a 3.4 percent increase.

Samantha Touriello, an incoming fifth-grader at Connerton Elementary School, gets some reassurance from principal Aimee Boltze while her mother Jessica Cottrell looks on during the first day of school last week. Samantha was able to wipe away her tears, and make her way to her new classroom. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
Samantha Touriello, an incoming fifth-grader at Connerton Elementary School, gets some reassurance from principal Aimee Boltze while her mother Jessica Cottrell looks on during the first day of school last week. Samantha was able to wipe away her tears, and make her way to her new classroom. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

“We’re not exactly sure where they are coming from as we haven’t had a chance to analyze it just yet,” said Christopher Williams, director for planning services at Pasco County Schools. “There are certainly some new houses being built, but I’m not sure how much of that has impacted the schools.”

The biggest student population jumps came in Wesley Chapel, where Watergrass and Wesley Chapel elementary schools added 382 students, many of them coming from Quail Hollow Elementary School, which is closed this year for renovations. Both schools already taught more than a combined total of 1,000 students, but this year are operating with 1,438 — a 36 percent jump.

Also on the rise is Wesley Chapel High School, adding 206 students from this time last year, and increasing its student body by nearly 16 percent. Wiregrass Ranch High School was not far behind, adding 159 students to cross the 2,000 mark with an 8 percent jump.

“The Wesley Chapel and (SR) 54 corridor is where we’re seeing the most growth,” Williams said, adding there are still serious overcrowding issues at schools like Seven Oaks Elementary, Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch.

And it will be that way, at least for the near future.

“We don’t have much of a budget for new schools, other than having enough money to build a new elementary school, in the next five years,” he said. “In the meantime, we’re doing what we can to help these schools.”

Local invention vying for spot on Walmart store shelves

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Time is running out for two local medical professionals to get their invention on the shelves of Walmart stores across the country. And they need your help.

BariBowl is an innovative portion control food container developed by Land O’ Lakes-based physician assistant Dezi Zevin and bariatric surgeon Dr. Tiffany Jessee. It’s designed to help anyone managing their nutritional intake for a healthy life, and it’s quickly advancing through Walmart’s “Get it on the Shelf” contest.

Dezi Zevin, a physician assistant based in Land O’ Lakes, shows off the BariBowl, a product she co-created with bariatric surgeon Dr. Tiffany Jessee. The two are in the final stages of getting their invention on the shelves of Walmart through the “Get it on the Shelf” competition. (Photo by Michael Hinman)
Dezi Zevin, a physician assistant based in Land O’ Lakes, shows off the BariBowl, a product she co-created with bariatric surgeon Dr. Tiffany Jessee. The two are in the final stages of getting their invention on the shelves of Walmart through the “Get it on the Shelf” competition. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

BariBowl uses two 4-ounce dishes that can be subdivided right down to 1-ounce portions. It seems simple enough, and Zevin said she was surprised no one else had thought of it before.

“Dr. Jessee does weight-loss surgery, and I was her PA, and we talked about whether there was anything out there that would help patients keep track of their eating after surgery,” Zevin said. “I went home and researched it, and I found nothing. So she said we should come up with something.”

That was 2010, and later that year, both had created a company — BariWare LLC —and had a working prototype going. By 2011, they were manufacturing the BariBowl from a facility in Clearwater. The bowls come in pink, blue and green, and are both microwave and dishwasher safe.

So far, marketing and sales efforts for the BariBowl — which retails at about $20 — have been focused on doctor’s offices, especially those specializing in bariatric surgery. However, the product has a wide range of uses that go beyond that, whether it’s someone managing diabetes, trying to lose weight, and even body builders and athletes.

“I use this for my kids instead of going through the drive-thru at McDonald’s,” Zevin said. “I prepare their meals in the morning, and can use it throughout the day.”

Zevin says she can pack lunch for her kids, and then have a second one ready at the end of the day when she picks them up and takes them to soccer.

Since the product launched, sales have doubled year-over-year. Yet, getting into Walmart could push those numbers right through the roof. For that to happen, it’s going to take votes, however.

Walmart’s “Get on the Shelf” contest features a number of products evaluated by the store’s management staff, and then put up for a public vote to see what consumers might be interested in. The BariBowl was part of the contest last year, but did not advance. And with voting running through Sept. 2, Zevin and Jessee are hoping for a much different result this time.

And even if they do succeed and turn the BariBowl into a booming business, neither plans to give up their day job.

“It would be like a dream come true, and it would be a game changer for both our lives,” said Jessee, who was Florida’s first female bariatric surgeon. “We don’t have the financial ability to do much advertising, so to walk into a store and see your product on a shelf for a national chain, that is just unbelievable.”

Extra profits would be reinvested back into the company, Zevin said, to help them expand the BariBowl line to other complementary products. That could include a larger bowl for those who have to eat more but still want to portion food.

To vote for the BariBowl in the Walmart “Get on the Shelf” competition, visit tinyurl.com/nxsygt7.

Pasco motorists could pay a nickel more at the pump

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People living, working or traveling through Pasco County will pay 5 cents more per gallon of gasoline beginning Jan. 1, if a proposed tax hike is approved by the Pasco County Commission.

The increase will help the county do a better job of filling potholes, tending landscapes, grading dirt roads and maintaining the county’s roads, officials said.

Commissioners are expected to vote on the issue on Sept. 10. But two commissioners already have spoke in favor of a higher gas tax.

Filling up in Pasco County could be getting more expensive soon to help pay for road maintenance projects. (File photo)
Filling up in Pasco County could be getting more expensive soon to help pay for road maintenance projects. (File photo)

Ted Schrader and Pat Mulieri supported a potential gas tax increase during a commission workshop last week. Schrader said county staff members made a solid case for it.

“This is not a ‘wants’ plan, it’s a ‘needs’ plan,” Schrader said.

“This is an extremely important issue,” Mulieri said. Additional funds are needed because Pasco is a different place than it used to be. “It’s not your grandfather’s Pasco.”

The county’s current gas tax is 7 cents a gallon and the proposed tax would take it to 12 cents a gallon, which is the maximum level.

Commissioner Henry Wilson asked if the county could set the tax so that it would automatically expire in 10 years. Such a tax might be more acceptable to some people if they knew it was only temporary, he said.

County Administrator Michele Baker said that was possible. But if commissioners do move forward with an increase, the county’s proposed budget — already under consideration by the commissioners — would need changes.

Either way, the county must find a way to address its needs, Baker said.

“Our infrastructure is aging and falling apart,” Baker said. “This is a national problem.”

As the federal and state governments grapple with finding ways to repair their roads and bridges, it is unlikely that the county will receive additional funding to address local needs, Baker said.

“If we want to improve the infrastructure in Pasco County, it’s on us,” she said.

Baker also noted there’s a direct link between the quality of the community’s infrastructure and its property values. It affects not only current property owners, but also affects the county’s ability to attract new businesses.

Schrader agreed. “People, when they come here to look — that’s what they’re looking for, is the appearance.”

“Curb appeal, literally,” added Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

The county has been waging a losing battle in its quest to maintain its roads and landscaping because of deep budget and staffing cuts, Baker said. The road and bridge department has lost a third of its budget since 2008, going from $8.9 million to $6.3 million. Its staff has been reduced from 90 employees down to 40, and at the same time, the county has added 240 lane-miles of new road.

“You have 50 less people to grade roads, mow right-of-way, do landscaping, fill potholes, put up signs, trim trees,” Schrader said.

Public Works director Mike Garrett told commissioners that the county’s response times for maintenance needs have lengthened because of staff and budget cuts. That

Situation, he said, will only grow worse without additional funds.

If the proposed increase is adopted, the 5-cent increase would generate $6 million the first year and $8.1 million per year thereafter. The first year is less because the tax would only be in effect for nine months of the fiscal year.

Pasco adds new virtual school, while state sees its operations suffer

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They didn’t like it, but the Pasco County School Board earlier this month approved the application of a virtual charter school that was once under state investigation.

In a 3-1 vote, with Alison Crumbley dissenting, the board allowed the Southwest Florida Virtual Charter Board to open a virtual charter school in Pasco County — as long as the school meets stringent quality guidelines.

Science teacher Stephanie Carter prepares to give a virtual class through her laptop and tablet computer setup as part of the first day of school for Pasco eSchool last year. Joining Carter are, from left, Chinese language teacher Kim Giorgio, English and language arts teacher Heather Kline, and music and physical education teacher Kristi Duffy. (Photo courtesy of Pasco eSchool)
Science teacher Stephanie Carter prepares to give a virtual class through her laptop and tablet computer setup as part of the first day of school for Pasco eSchool last year. Joining Carter are, from left, Chinese language teacher Kim Giorgio, English and language arts teacher Heather Kline, and music and physical education teacher Kristi Duffy. (Photo courtesy of Pasco eSchool)

It turned a rather significant page in the evolution of virtual education with the expansion of such services in the county. But then the landscape shifted significantly when the state-run Florida Virtual School announced massive layoffs after an enrollment drop and changes to how the state funds it.

The future of educating students no matter where they are is at a precipice, and virtual education must find a way to not only survive, but thrive, says Pasco eSchool principal Joanne Glenn.

“It’s a great choice option for a variety of families in a variety of circumstances,” Glenn said.

Virtual schools are typically done through a computer and Internet connection, and were designed for students who were geographically challenged to get specific coursework from a bricks and mortar operation. Today, however, these types of schools are being used more and more by students looking to supplement what they’re already doing in an actual school classroom.

“Students in kind of a traditional setting began to supplement their instruction through virtual schools,” Glenn said. “They can take courses to recover credits, or even take courses that can accelerate their workload, to help them complete graduation requirements in their off time, so they can free up space to do a dual enrollment court or advanced placement.”

Pasco started its eSchool in 2009, and last year serviced 5,500 semester courses for 2,300 students.  And that’s just for middle school and high school. The elementary eSchool has about 100 students — a smaller number because it requires not only the regular involvement of the student and teacher, but a parent as well.

Although interest in virtual schools continues to grow each year, the charter operation offered by the Southwest Florida Virtual Charter Board was met with so much skepticism from the board when it was first introduced last spring that they denied the request.

Southwest Florida Virtual appealed that decision to Florida’s Department of Education, prompting school board members to reconsider without risking a lengthy legal battle.

An investigation concluded Southwest Florida Virtual hired only certified teachers in Seminole County, but concerns remain.

“Student achievement, or the lack thereof, is something we are very worried about,” said Nancy Scowcroft, supervisor of charter schools for Pasco County. “Their school grades are not being posted on the Department of Education’s website, which means they are appealing. I don’t know what these scores look like, but apparently they are not where they want to be.”

The county maintains oversight of charter schools to make sure they are meeting specific criteria. With bricks and mortar schools, it means just traveling to different parts of the county when needed. However, to see what’s happening with Florida Virtual Academy of Pasco County, as this new school will be called, it will require regular trips to Daytona Beach.

“That means spending more money just to keep an eye on everything,” Scowcroft said.

Jeff Kwitowski, a spokesman for Virginia-based K12 Inc., which calls itself the “vendor” for the charter school operations in Florida, points to the fact that the previous claims against the school were unsubstantiated. And even if there was an issue of teachers lacking certification for their particular subject matter, it’s not against the law.

The state department of education reports more than 8,700 teachers in Florida’s schools are teaching courses outside their subject certification, Kwitowski said in a statement. He added that Seminole County, which made the complaint, admitted to having 100 teachers without proper certification in the 2011-12 school year alone.

“K12 had only three teachers whose certifications were ‘out-of-field,’ and they were quickly corrected,” Kwitowski said.

Some of the demand for virtual schools will now be shared by both Florida Virtual Academy and Pasco eSchool. And that alone could very well create a strong future for this newer type of learning, eSchool principal Glenn said, especially since taking at least one virtual course is a graduation requirement for the Class of 2015.

“This is the way a lot of employers are delivering on-the-job training now and professional development, and it’s also something that is happening more and more in post-secondary schools, colleges and universities,” Glenn said. “This gives all of our students a chance to have that first experience in a supported environment. So once they get out there in the real world, they’ll be ready.”

New River Branch Library stays open, but budget issues remain

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Patrons of New River Branch Library can breathe a sigh of relief.

The Pasco County Commission voted unanimously last week to keep open both the Wesley Chapel library as well as the Centennial Park Branch Library in Holiday.

The decision came after library supporters reminded commissioners how important those libraries are in the communities where they operate.

One woman described the New River Branch as having the welcoming feel conveyed on the television sitcom “Cheers,” saying it’s a place “where everyone knows your name.”

She told commissioners that the library is a community gathering spot, serving everyone “from the tiniest child up through seniors.”

Diane Halterman, a former county library system branch manager from Zephyrhills, also weighed in on the topic.

“When I moved here in 1985, I was appalled that there were no public libraries on the east side of the county, except for the very, very tiny one in Zephyrhills,” she said. “And Dade City’s library was also very small. I saw the bond issue coming to the county and was thrilled to see libraries go up.”

Closing the New River branch would pose a hardship for many young families in Zephyrhills, who work in the service industry and can’t afford to have computers in their homes, Halterman said.

Gail Stout, chairwoman of the county’s library advisory board, told commissioners the per capita spending on libraries is $12.07 in Pasco County, compared to the state average of $25 per capita.

“You certainly are getting a huge bang for your buck in this portion of your budget,” Stout said.

Bob Robertson, also of Zephyrhills, joined with other speakers in describing New River as being a central part of the community’s fabric.

“The activities that go on there well exceed the books on the racks,” Robertson said. “I think it would be a very sad thing, if we were to close that library.”

Nancy Fredericks, administrator for Pasco County libraries, said closing the two libraries would cause more than 18 layoffs and yield about $776,875 in savings.

It quickly became clear that commissioners had no interest in closing the libraries. Even Schrader said he raised the issue because he wanted to be sure the county explored all of its options.

Commissioner Jack Mariano adamantly opposed any library closings.

“I just would love to see this conversation stop right now,” he said, urging commissioners to send a clear message that all county libraries will remain open.

“I think the libraries are very important for the county. Children have to take online courses. If they don’t have a computer at home, where are they going to go?” Mariano said.

Closing libraries would be a step in the wrong direction, he added.

“I just think we’re really hurting quality of life. There are better ways to go,” Mariano said.

Commissioners Pat Mulieri, Kathryn Starkey and Henry Wilson made it clear they were against the idea.

“We all have to decide what kind of community we want to live in,” Starkey said. “Having a quality place takes some investment. This is, to me, a real turning point in Pasco County.”

Despite that sentiment, Schrader countered that the commissioners are still going to need to find places to save money, or residents will get bigger tax bills in the mail later.

“In less than a month, on Sept. 10, we have the first public hearing,” he said. “Staff needs some direction from this board where you’re going to cut and where you’re going to raise taxes.”

Commissioners have been hearing plenty from people who don’t want a tax hike.

But Mulieri asked how well those louder voices are being represented.

“How many people did you hear from?” she said. “Twenty-five? Thirty? Fifty? There’s 478,000 people in Pasco County. Most people like the idea that we have a fee for services. But they also want their library.”

Starkey and Mariano noted that quality of life has an impact on the county’s economic prospects.

“I’ve heard from a lot of people who don’t want any raise in the taxes. I’ve heard from a lot more that say they want a quality place to live,” Starkey said.

“We can’t attract businesses here, when they drive by shuttered parks, shuttered libraries, roads full of potholes, snipe signs and garbage everywhere because we aren’t taking care of our backyard,” she said.

 

Pasco residents expect 9 percent tax hike

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Sheriff’s budget won’t grow

Pasco County commissioners spent hours whittling away at different portions of the county’s $1.16 billion budget last week, but didn’t make a dent in a proposed tax hike.

Based on the county’s proposed millage rate, officials say the owner of a $100,000 house, assuming a $50,000 exemption, would pay $33 more a year.

Scores of taxpayers have contacted commissioners voicing opposition, but commissioners continue to move forward with the proposed increase.

The proposed property tax rate is 7.49 mills, up from last year’s rate of 6.86 mills. The proposed municipal fire rate is 1.71 mills, up from 1.54 mills last year. Each mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of taxable value.

Commissioners did not reduce the proposed rates, despite rejecting a request by Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco to increase his $91 million budget by $500,000.

The sheriff initially proposed a $93 million budget. County officials recommended a $91 million budget, then Nocco came and asked commissioners for $500,000 more. However, commissioners noted the sheriff’s budget has continued to go up, while other county departments absorbed cuts.

“I think he’s got to learn to live within his budget,” Commissioner Pat Mulieri said. “I just think there is a limit.”

While rejecting the half-million bump, commissioners agreed to Nocco’s request to use Penny for Pasco funds to purchase unmarked detective cars and other sheriff’s office vehicles.

While they didn’t lower the proposed tax rate, commissioners made about $700,000 in cuts in the proposed budget to plug an unexpected revenue gap. The changes were needed because Mike Fasano, the county’s newly appointed tax collector, informed the county that it had overestimated the amount of money his office would return to the county by about $720,000.

Fasano recently assumed the office that was held by Mike Olson, who died suddenly in June.

To help balance their proposed budget, commissioners trimmed an allocation for a master facilities plan, eliminated a proposal to beef up code enforcement, reduced the amount of funding for a communications office among other things. They’re still about $52,000 from where they need to be.

Commissioner Henry Wilson, who voted against the tentative tax rate in July, remains opposed. “I still can’t support this,” he said.

Commission Chairman Ted Schrader told Wilson that he’s being disingenuous, unless he can recommend specific budget cuts.

“I have not completed looking at the book,” Wilson said. “I’m still trying to figure out places to cut.”

Commissioners are set to have their first public hearing on the proposed budget on Sept. 10, with a second and final hearing on Sept. 24.

Business Digest

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Local tourism on the rise
Tampa Bay tourism is showing improvement, according to new data for Hillsborough County.
Occupancy rate, room rate and revenue per available room rate grew between October 2012 and June 2013, according to Smith Travel Research.
Occupancy rate was 66.2 percent, up 1.5 percent over the same period last year. The room rate was $91.85, up 0.4 percent, while the revenue per available room was $61.34, up 1.9 percent.
Tourist development tax paid by visitors to Hillsborough County is also up by 6 percent over the previous nine months, bringing in revenue of $16.8 million.

Britten appointed to Board of Dentistry
Gov. Rick Scott has appointed Leonard L. Britten to the state Board of Dentistry. Britten is a general dentist with Britten Dental Associates. He succeeds Carl Melzer and is appointed for a term that began in July and ends on Oct. 31, 2015.

Jewelry store opens in Dade City
Sparking Stacy’s Jewelry & Accessories will host a grand opening from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Aug. 31, with a ribbon cutting at noon.
The shop is at 14123 Seventh St. in Dade City.

Do-it-yourselfers get thank you
Home Depot will show its appreciation to professional builders and do-it-yourself customers with a two-day event at stores across the region.
It will feature special deals on top products, free delivery on products purchased during the event, the launch of a new loyalty program, discounts with new credit card accounts, free food and giveaways.
The event is on Aug. 27 and Aug. 28 from 7 a.m. until 11 a.m.
For more information, visit www.homedepot.com/pro.

Daniel Jeanneret named to life insurance council
Daniel Jeanneret has been selected to serve on the 2013 Executive Council of New York Life Insurance Company.
Jeanneret, of New York Life’s general office in Tampa, has been with the company since 2009. He lives in the Oakstead community in Land O’ Lakes.

Music school grand opening in Lutz
Claudia’s School of Music will host its grand opening on Aug. 24 at 11 a.m. in Lutz.
The school is at the Ballantrae Professional School at 17915 Hunting Bow Circle. It offers private music lessons in piano, violin, guitar, drums, and voice for all ages and of all ability levels.
The school also offers music history and music theory group classes for home-schooled students and music camps and recitals. Claudia’s School of Music is an authorized dealer of Casio keyboards and digital pianos.

Free women’s financial seminar
Women of Pasco County are invited to attend a free women’s financial seminar hosted by Gulfside Regional Hospice.
The workshop, led by Christine Cooper of Cooper Financial Services, will provide information and practical tools and techniques for organizing and taking control of a family’s personal and financial paperwork.
The workshop will be on Aug. 26 at 11 a.m. at Gulfside’s Lutz Thrift Shoppe, 1930 Land O’ Lakes Blvd in Lutz.
Seats are limited. RSVP to Jen Chianella at (727) 992-8984.

Dr. Santosh Potdar joins Oak Hill’s hospital staff
Dr. Santosh Potdar, a  Fellow of the American College of Surgeons), has joined the staff of Oak Hill Hospital. He is board certified in surgery and his general surgery practice is located at 8367 S. Suncoast Blvd. in Homosassa.

CABA award winners
The Carrollwood Area Business Association announced its 2012-13 award winners. They are:
Rookie of the Year: Diane Stoddart, Significant Insurance Solutions
Member of the Year: Larry Manning, Innovative Mortgage Solutions
Business of the Year: Ocean Blue Sushi Bar
Jay Mauk Memorial President’s Award: Anthony Brooks, Capital Finance Advisors
The group’s new board of directors:
President: Wendell Hock, Primerica
President-elect: Kristin Votta, Fitness-Tek
Immediate past president: Lea Orchard, Great Clips
Treasurer: Tim Castle, Bay Cities Insurance
Secretary: Erin Hesbeens, PNC Bank
The group’s directors are:
Diane Stoddart, Significant Insurance Solutions
Jean Fuller, Premier Bookkeeping Services
Nick Spurlock, do You IT
Dr. Tommy Lane, Lane Family Chiropractic
Lynda Damiata, Kabay Graphics
Jeff Ryder, Carrollwood Copy Center & Printing

PHCC offers career services
Pasco-Hernando Community College recently partnered with the College Central Network® to provide students and alumni access to an online career and job search resource. The new services can be accessed at www.collegecentral.com/pascohernando. Registration is required, however there is no cost to students, alumni or employers.
“The job search feature houses jobs, internships and employers approved by the Career and Testing Services department at PHCC. Students and alumni can be confident the local job opportunities listed are legitimate and relevant,” Rick Casey, Director of Career and Testing Services, said in a release.
Job seekers may create resumes and career portfolios to apply to open jobs or post to a database searchable by employers. Job seekers also gain access to career announcements, podcasts, videos, and articles to assist with job searching. In addition to the College Central Network, PHCC offers other career development resources including interest and personality assessments, resume reviews, interviewing and job search strategies, along with career advising.
For more information, call (727) 816-3381, or visit tinyurl.com/n32gs5r or www.collegecentral.com/pascohernando.

Keeping the Balance moves to Lutz
Cindy MacRitchie of Keeping the Balance LLC has moved her office to a new location to live closer to work. Her new home is 1519 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 202.
MacRitchie is a certified QuickBooks Pro Adviser. She specializes in teaching small businesses how to use QuickBooks to track their finances. She also offers bookkeeping services such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, data entry and payroll.
She shares space with two other businesses. They are licensed clinical social worker Crystal MacRitchie as well as Liane Caruso of Limelight Marketing Consultants.