The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Covid-19 concerns cancel annual Tampa Tour de Clay

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Organizers of the annual Tampa Tour de Clay have announced that the event won’t be held this year.

Last year, the annual tour used a hybrid approach, allowing visitors to meet personally with artists and to also view pottery pieces virtually.

This 8-inch by 12-inch ash and rutile blue teapot, by Jack Boyle, sells for $125. (Courtesy of Deborah Gillars)

This year, the organizers decided it would be more prudent to postpone the event until December 2022.

The organizers explained why they would not be holding the annual Tampa Bay showcase for pottery and pottery artists.

“While we are encouraged to see the Covid-19 rate of infection continue to drop, our members felt it was still too risky to host a crowded indoor event, without the ability to require face coverings, putting you, our valued patrons and your families, at risk,” the news release says.

“The pandemic has been very challenging emotionally, economically and health-wise for so many, and the artists who make up the Tampa Bay Tour de Clay are no different. If anything, we are a microcosm of the struggles artists across the nation have faced,” the release adds.

The group’s 15 core members include those who earn their income and supported their families by traveling to juried outdoor festivals, showing their work in local galleries, working as graphic designers, owning galleries and art studios, and teaching.

Some of the members show their work only at Tampa Tour de Clay, the release adds.

“All the artists have struggled to create revenue when art festivals were cancelled, and galleries were shuttered. Each navigating the constantly changing rules, all the while taking into consideration the risks to their children, grandchildren and/or elderly parents in their care,” the release adds.

The group hopes to resume the annual event next year, on the weekend of Dec. 10 and Dec. 11, 2022.

While the pandemic goes on, the artists also have continued to create their works.

These pottery artists — William Kidd, Ira Burhans, Jack Boyle, Michel Ginouves and Glenn Woods —  will have a limited number of pieces available for purchase, at San Antonio Pottery, 11903 Curley St., in San Antonio.

To find out more about the Tampa Tour de Clay, visit TampaTourDeClay.com.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Tips to help avoid holiday traffic jams near I-75/State Road 56

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Officials from the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) have offered a bit of a playbook to help motorists avoid holiday traffic jams near the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange.

The interchange happens to be near Cypress Creek Town Center, which includes Tampa Premium Outlets, west of the intersection on State Road 56; and The Shops at Wiregrass, east of the interchange on State Road 56.

There also are myriad shops and restaurants in the general area — making the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor a busy area.

Add the holidays and a major construction project into the mix, and traffic jams could become a real source of frustration during the holidays.

So, the folks at FDOT’s District Seven office are offering some practical suggestions that could help during the holidays, from Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day.

Their first word of advice? Avoid the area, when possible.

Instead of getting off at the State Road 56/I-75 exit, FDOT officials advise southbound motorists to get off at the State Road 54/I-75 exit. Those motorists can head west from that interchange and then take Wesley Chapel Boulevard south to State Road 56, to access the area on State Road 56, west of I-75.

At the same exit, head east over to Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and then south to State Road 56, to access the areas east of I-75.

Here are some other suggestions:

  • Use other roads to travel around the highly congested area of SR 56 at I-75, and also near shopping malls, especially if your destination is not actually on the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor.
  • Seek out alternate access points to shopping and dining destinations. (Remember many major shopping areas have multiple access points to and from parking areas.)
  • Shop or commute during off-peak hours, when possible. Congestion at SR 56/I-75 is at its worst between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m., on weekdays, so try to avoid that area during those hours.

In addition to issuing this guidance, the FDOT “will adjust traffic signals for seasonal traffic patterns and the project team is working on other plans to help improve travel times,” according to a news release from Kris Carson, spokeswoman for FDOT’s District Seven office.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

New agreement aims to give EMS students practical experience

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a request for the Pasco County Fire Rescue Department and the School of EMS to pursue a contract to allow students to participate in patient care activities.

The agreement, approved last month, calls for students to gain experience in a prehospital setting through an established clinical program, when the students are enrolled in the paramedic program at the School of EMS.

Currently, students that are employed by Pasco County Fire Rescue and enrolled in the School of EMS program to obtain paramedic credentials are not able to practice and apply paramedic exercises toward their certification hour allotment requirement.

Firefighters hired by Pasco County Fire Rescue agree to a “Condition of Employment” to elevate their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) status to Paramedic (a medically advanced treatment designation in the emergency services field more appropriate for service delivery through a premier organization within three years of employment with Pasco County Fire Rescue).

Establishing this agreement is expected to provide students with the opportunity to apply skills mastered in the classroom within a “real-world” setting while under close supervision and mentorship from their colleagues, and substantially increase efficiency in the educational advancement path of the county’s firefighters, according to the Oct. 26 agenda materials.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

MPO advisory committee adds two members

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The board of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization has appointed Christie Zimmer and Jim Engelmann to serve on the organization’s Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC).

The Pasco MPO is the lead transportation planning agency in Pasco County that serves unincorporated Pasco and the municipalities of Zephyrhills, San Antonio, St. Leo, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City.

The board took the action at its October meeting.

The CAC advises the Pasco MPO board on various issues coming before the board.

Under state and federal laws, the Pasco County MPO is responsible for establishing a continuing, cooperative and comprehensive transportation planning process for Pasco County. Key responsibilities are the creation of the 20-year Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP), the five-year Unified Planning Work Program (UPWP), and the five-year Transportation Improvement program.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Thousands of new socks and shoes collected for Pasco kids

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Here’s a look at the scores of shoes collected in the sixth annual Two Good Soles Shoes & Socks Drive, a partnership between Pasco County. Pasco Constitutional Offices and Pasco County Schools. The annual drive provides footwear for Pasco students in need. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The sixth annual Two Good Soles Shoes & Socks Drive yielded nearly 3,000 pairs of shoes and nearly 4,000 pairs of socks that will be given to kids in Pasco County Schools, according to a county news release.

The annual effort, which involves Pasco County government and the county’s Constitutional Offices, resulted in a bounty of new footwear that was delivered to Wendell Krinn Technical School in New Port Richey on Oct. 27.

Since 2016, the Two Good Soles Drive has collected 12,310 pairs of shoes and 34,457 pairs of socks. Social workers give the items to Pasco students, according to the release.

“This donation drive makes a huge difference for our students in Pasco,” Assistant County Administrator Cathy Pearson, said in the release.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

County allocates $100,000 for tourism website

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a $100,000 agreement with Madden Preprint Media LLC for a website redesign and redevelopment for the county’s destination management organization (DMO), known as Florida’s Sports Coast.

The bid was awarded as part of the board’s consent agenda, meaning it was part of a vote including several items, without board discussion or public comment.

The contract is for an amount not-to-exceed $100,000 in fiscal year 2022.

It is a one-year deal, but includes three one-year options to renew, upon mutual agreement, or unless it is canceled, according to the materials in the board’s Oct. 26 agenda.

During the bid process, 266 vendors received automatic email notices, including eight from Pasco County. Eighty-five manually searched for and downloaded the solicitation, three of which were from Pasco County. Four responses were received, none of which were from Pasco County.

The bids were evaluated by a committee made up of assistant county administrators Cathy Pearson and Erik Breitenbach; Adam Thomas, director of the county’s DMO; Louise Morgan, IT product manager, information technology; and Kolby Kucyk-Gayson, communications manager for the DMO.

Madden Preprint Media ranked the highest in the evaluation.

Published Nov. 24, 2021

Zephyrhills approves contract for Hercules Park design

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Planning for the redevelopment of Hercules Park in Zephyrhills continues to move forward.

The Zephyrhills City Council has granted a contract for the park’s design and construction document services with engineering firm Kimley-Horn, in the amount of $292,985.

The agreement, approved on Oct. 25, is within 10% of the park’s estimated probable cost, of $3,386,636.

The scope of services includes creating construction documents and doing the permitting, surveying, architectural design and the construction phase services — to implement park elements depicted on the Hercules Park Master Plan, approved by the council.

The Hercules Park renovation project is moving forward, after the Zephyrhills City Council approved a contract for the park’s design and construction document services with engineering firm Kimley-Horn. Shown here is an initial conceptual sketch plan of the Hercules Park redevelopment. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Penny for Pasco revenues are being used to pay for the Hercules Park design.

City leaders have been talking for years about the need to spruce up the 12-acre park property, at the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard.

Leaders have been pressing for an action plan for vacant park land, which sits next to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools. The area once had a popular aquatic center and swimming pool.

“I’m kind of glad to get started on this project,” Councilman Lance Smith said, after the council vote. “It’s been a long time coming.”

One of the more significant amenities proposed for the project is a BMX (bicycle motocross) track where mountain bike enthusiasts traverse jumps and obstacles, at still-to-be-determined heights and difficulty levels.

A rough conceptual sketch plan shows a circuitous riding trail covering roughly 5.29 acres on the southwest corner of the park property.

There also are plans to build a more traditional multi-use path that surrounds the perimeter of the mountain bike course to accommodate walkers, joggers and casual bike riders.

During a June workshop, several city leaders expressed reservations about dedicating such a large portion of the park for BMX.

Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield again raised objections to the BMX concept, at the recent meeting.

“It just seems like a lot of the project is going to that, a lot of the land area. We could do multiple things in there, or a couple of things,” Whitfield said.

Revisions to the plan are expected in the coming months, contingent on the community’s wants and needs, as well as cost considerations.

Depending on feedback, the BMX course could be scrapped, pared down or rearranged, to take up less acreage, officials said.

“This is like a cartoon drawing, basically, so I think we’ll see something come down a little more evolved, especially as we get down to pricing different things,” Smith said, referring to Kimley-Horn’s conceptual sketch plan.

Meantime, other Hercules Park property upgrades that are expected take on a mostly passive vibe, with a nearly 1-acre open playfield, 1.42-acre playground and picnic/shelter area, and a soft trail surrounding an existing retention pond and lighted fountain spray.

Renderings for the playground call for nature-based equipment beyond conventional slides and swings, such as a rock arch, cave overhang and tree ring surface.

The open playfield area, surrounded with pavilions, offers a grassy space ideal for throwing footballs, Frisbees and so on.

A splash pad — estimated at $350,000 — is listed as an alternate feature that’s also being considered.

Additional creative landscaping and seating options, such as benches, lounge chairs and picnic tables, need to be finalized, too.

A notable update from initial proposals is the addition of a public restroom building.

Restrooms were left out of the plans, given that proximity of bordering a Wawa gas station and Culver’s fast food restaurant, but council members insisted the park needs a restroom.

However, the estimated $250,000 for the facility did raise eyebrows.

Councilman Ken Burgess quipped, “I know we asked for a bathroom, and I know these prices are not the final prices, but they allowed $250,000 for a bathroom? It’s going to be one heck of a bathroom.”

City manager Billy Poe said there are added costs to ensure the facilities are indestructible, or “bomb-proof, basically.” He also noted that public restrooms built downtown behind Clock Plaza some 15 years ago cost about $175,000.

“Unfortunately,” Poe said, “we think that is the proper cost.”

Smith backed up the assertion: “Even though we know everything costs a lot, it’s amazing a bathroom costs as much as it does, it really is, but it does, I know it does.”

Later on during the meeting, Burgess also suggested infrastructure to install security cameras should also be considered throughout the project’s design and planning process.

Poe said that request is a good idea.

Published November 17, 2021

Bowling for fun — and for veterans

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Veterans participating in the afternoon session of the ‘Heroes In Our House BVL’ bowling benefit included from left: Will O’ Steen, of Zephyrhills, who served as emcee; Jackie Arnold, of Zephyrhills; Art Brasch, of Dade City; and Geoff Hopkins, of Tampa. (Fred Bellet)

They went out to roll some balls, to hope for strikes, and to enjoy the company of family and friends — all the while showing their support for veterans.

The “Heroes In Our House BVL” bowling benefit was held Nov. 7, at East Pasco Pin Chasers, at 6816 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. BVL stands for Bowlers to Veterans Link, and it raises money to support veteran causes.

The event took place the weekend before Veterans Day, celebrated each Nov. 11 on the anniversary of the end of World War I. The national holiday honors all who have served in the military.

There were two sessions of the bowling benefit, where people competed for prizes and bragging rights.

Geoff Hopkins, of the Tampa James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, said BVL bowling benefits are a great way to raise money for veterans through bowling.

Hopkins’ efforts have provided funding for recreation therapy and creative arts therapy programs for veterans at the hospital.

Published November 17, 2021

There were two sessions of the ‘Heroes In Our House BVL’ bowling event. Those joining the morning session, from left: Will O’Steen, of Zephyrhills, event emcee; Ken Kenyon, of Dade City; Cliff Tucker, of Land O’ Lakes; Gene ‘Doc’ Stanek, of Zephyrhills; James ‘Tex’ Myrice, of Dade City; Paul Haney, of Zephyrhills; and Maurice Winpigler, of Tampa. Bowlers to Veterans Link (BVL) is a nonprofit that provides support for veteran programs.
Geoff Hopkins, of the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, in Tampa, was delighted by the turnout at the ‘Heroes In Our House’ bowling benefit, at East Pasco Pin Chasers, 6816 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, on Nov. 7.
Steve Gartner, of Zephyrhills, prepares to take his turn in finishing up a frame at the ‘Heroes In Our House’ bowling benefit. He and his wife, Susie, were partners during the bowling benefit.
A silhouette of Jackie Arnold is created against the bright lane lights, as he pirouettes and delivers his bowling ball in the pocket of a strike. Arnold lives in Zephyrhills.
Pin Chasers in Zephyrhills recently hosted the ‘Heroes In Our House BVL’ fundraiser to benefit veterans.

 

 

 

 

 

Zephyrhills Council nixes downtown theater renovation

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The idea of breathing life back into the historic Zephyrhills Home Theatre is taking a backseat — at least for now.

The Zephyrhills City Council on Oct. 25 voted to deny an appraisal of the dilapidated downtown building, located at 38521 Fifth Avenue.

The $3,600 appraisal — if it had been approved during the regular council meeting — would’ve been performed by NewStream Companies in Tampa, and would have provided some clarity regarding a potential last-minute state appropriations request for the project.

There have been conversations for several years about reviving the 500-seat twin theatre —perhaps transforming it into a playhouse or a venue to hold various community events.

The former Zephyrhills Home Theatre sits at 38521 Fifth Ave. The Zephyrhills City Council denied an appraisal of the historic building, which would’ve been the first step in the remodeling and renovation of the space. (Kevin Weiss)

The theater was built in 1948 by lumber magnate and former Zephyrhills Mayor I.A. Krusen.

Back then, it was billed as one of the most modern movie theaters in the South, with comfortable seats, a wide stage, and a glass-enclosed “crying room” for babies.

The movie house closed in 2007, but remained available for rent. It reopened in 2010, but was shuttered again.

In a memo, city staffers recommended approval of the appraisal and submitted a state appropriations request for the purchase and renovation of the Zephyrhills Home Theatre, asserting it “will bring additional activity downtown, thus spurring additional growth and development.”

The remodeling concept was renewed after state Sen. Danny Burgess — a Zephyrhills native — recently reached out to staffers and encouraged the submittal of a state appropriations request, Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe said.

Staff continued preliminary discussions with Burgess and the property owner regarding the possibility of the city acquiring and renovating the buildings, Poe explained.

But council members raised a number of issues about the potential renovation, putting a halt to the initiative for now.

Council members noted that the city already is seeking funding for a trio of multimillion projects. Those are: A sewer main and water main extension for $3.48 million; Zephyrhills Municipal Airport improvements for $5.33 million; and Zephyr Park improvements for $5 million.

Council members voiced concern about submitting a fourth appropriations request to the state to revive the theater, theorizing it might jeopardize one or more of the other projects.

Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson characterized those other projects as “the things we’re desperate for.”

Another concern is spreading staffers too thin, if all four big-ticket items gained approval.

Councilman Lance Smith noted that the city has a lot going on.

Other potential problems include insufficient time to gather necessary details and the lack of a concrete plan of action.

The deadline for submitting appropriation project requests to the Florida House for the 2022 regular legislation session is Nov. 17.

The city would be unable to get all of the information needed by that date to turn in an accurate request, Poe said.

Another issue involves the feasibility of doing a renovation.

The building’s age and condition also could lead to further unanticipated costs, upon a complete survey and feasibility study.

The city has encountered this kind of a dilemma in the past, with renovations of the Sixth Avenue Fire Station and Historic Jeffries House, to name a few.

Smith noted: “That (theater) building, whatever you can possibly imagine it would cost to renovate it, it’s going to be double or triple, guaranteed.”

Wilkeson agreed: “There’s lots of things that could be wrong with the building.”

The two-story theater building also features two small commercial units on the first floor — a salon and barbershop — and two residential units on the second floor.

Also, if the city purchased the building — that would remove a commercial building off the tax rolls.

Councilman Charles Proctor raised this question: “Are we in the business, as a city, to be purchasing all these properties, and taking them off the tax roll?”

Despite myriad concerns, Poe pointed out that this may have been the window of opportunity to capitalize on the theatre renovation project — given strong representation from Burgess, state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City, and Senate President Wilton Simpson, R-Trilby, respectively.

Zephyrhills did well with state appropriations last year.

It received $6.5 million for water and wastewater improvements on Handcart Road; $4.6 million for improvements to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center; and, $3 million for improvements to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

The city also was selected as the site for a $25 million state-of-the-art Florida National Guard Armory.

“As we know, kind of all the stars are aligned at the state,” Poe said. “Last year and this year is our best opportunities that we have. We have friendly senators or representatives, as well, in the right seats.”

Council President Alan Knight said he appreciated Burgess for suggesting the idea of renovating the theater. But Knight noted: “I just think that it’s not a real good time right now.”

Wilkeson concurred: “I just don’t think we can put together something professional enough that it would support Senator Burgess’s goals and objectives.”

Published November 10, 2021

Zephyrhills approves street resurfacings

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Two dozen streets throughout the City of Zephyrhills are set to be improved this year.

The Zephyrhills City Council on Oct. 25 unanimously approved a construction agreement with Zephyrhills-based Asphalt Paving Systems Inc., to resurface a total of 24 streets within the city limits.

Total cost of the work is not to exceed $598,572, slightly under the city’s budgeted amount of $600,000 for the project.

The streets will be repaired with either cape seal or double-micro surfacing, according to Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe.

The agreement — part of a piggyback bid with Lee County in southwest Florida — calls for work to be fully completed within 45 calendar days of the notice of commencement.

The action came following a staff recommendation from the city manager and Public Works Director Shane LeBlanc.

The Zephyrhills streets to be resurfaced include:

  • 14th Avenue — First Street to DE West
  • Ninth Avenue — U.S. 301 to First Street
  • 10th Street — North Avenue to 12th Avenue
  • Lincoln Avenue — Airport Road to Parker Street
  • Parker Street — Lincoln Avenue to Kennedy Avenue
  • King Street — Lincoln Avenue to Kennedy Avenue
  • Freefall Avenue — Chancey Road to DE West
  • 13th Street — North Avenue to 16th Street
  • B Avenue — Eighth Street to 20th Street
  • 23rd Street — Sixth Avenue to Heights Avenue
  • Park Drive: This road is a loop that begins and ends at Fifth Avenue
  • Pretty Pond Road — Greenslope Drive to new construction match line
  • 17th Street — Fifth Avenue to North Avenue
  • Fort King Road — North Avenue to 15th Avenue right of way
  • 16th Avenue — U.S. 301 to Fort King Road
  • Airtime Avenue — Skydive Lane to DE East
  • Skydive Lane — Freefall Avenue to Gate South right of way
  • Sun Path Avenue — Skydive Lane to DE West
  • Flight Line Avenue — Skydive Lane to DE West
  • Greenslope Drive — Daughtery Road to Kossik Road
  • A Avenue — 20th Street to Eighth Street alley west
  • Ninth Street — South Avenue to C Avenue
  • 13th Avenue — 14th Street to Eighth Street

• Zephyrhills Water Park north and south side parking area

Published November 10, 2021