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Pasco Tax Collector’s support of animals wins national recognition

January 30, 2024 By B.C. Manion

Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano is a widely known local figure.

Of course, many residents recognize his name because he’s the man in charge of collecting taxes across the county.

But he’s also widely known for using his offices to help generate support for a lengthy list of charitable causes.

Last week, his work to support animal welfare captured the spotlight when the Pasco County Commission adopted a resolution recognizing Fasano’s recent selection for the 2023 National Animal Care & Control Association’s Bill Lehman Memorial Award.

Mike Fasano poses here with his dog, Seaver. The golden is named after the former New York Mets’ baseball player, Tom Seaver. Fasano was recently honored by a national organization for his exceptional awareness and support intended to benefit animals. (Courtesy of Greg Giordano)

Mike Shumate, director of Pasco County Animal Services (PCAS), told commissioners: “it was our pleasure to nominate Mike Fasano for this award from the National Animal Care & Control Association.”

The award is bestowed every year by the national organization to recognize “an outstanding individual not directly employed in the animal care and control field who has shown exceptional awareness and support of animal control and care related matters,” according to the resolution unanimously adopted by the Pasco County Commission during its Jan. 23 meeting.

Fasano was honored “for his hard work and compassion in animal welfare, both in the state of Florida and in Pasco County,” the resolution says.

It also goes on to provide background regarding Fasano’s lengthy history concerning safeguarding the welfare of animals.

The resolution notes that in 2012, when Fasano was a state senator, he drafted legislation seeking to create a statewide animal abuser registry. His Senate Bill 618, known as “Dexter’s Law,” failed, but it laid the groundwork for future passage of local animal abuser registries throughout the state, including one adopted in 2017 by the Pasco County Commission, the resolution says.

In 2018, Fasano endorsed a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution to ban dog racing in Florida, which was approved by 69% of the voters on Nov. 6, 2018, the resolution reports.

Beyond those achievements, Fasano “continues to be a strong supporter of animal welfare as the Pasco County tax collector.”

For instance, Fasano’s offices routinely highlight the PCAS’ Pet of the Week on their lobby televisions and share the PCAS shelter content on social media platforms, the resolution says.

Those efforts have resulted in adoptions and helped spread public awareness of shelter and animal welfare initiatives, the resolution adds.

Additionally, Fasano’s office has held fundraisers for Friends of Animal Services, with both fundraisers raising over $11,000 to support the nonprofit. The money was used to help in the purchase of medical equipment and established a medical fund to help citizens with one-time emergency medical care for their pets, according to the resolution.

In summary, the resolution notes: “Fasano exemplifies the spirit of Bill Lehman in his continual promotion and support of animal welfare organizations, his generosity in supporting nonprofit rescues and animal friend groups, and his influence in legislative efforts to improve state law and local ordinances to protect animals.”

Shumate told Fasano: “Mike, this award is for you, for all of the great things you’ve done for us. I think we feel pretty blessed to have you here in this county. You do a lot of great things for us.”

Fasano responded: “I’m going to share this with all of my staff, Greg Giordano, specifically, because Greg was with me in those legislative years.”

Besides being Fasano’s assistant tax collector, Giordano also was there for both the legislative successes, and the “almost successes,” Fasano said.

Commissioner Seth Weightman, whose office sponsored the resolution, noted Fasano’s many contributions to life in Pasco County.

Weightman praised Fasano’s work on behalf of animal welfare, but also thanked him for efforts during his time in the state Legislature, and as Pasco’s tax collector, which have helped to improve the overall quality of community life.

Weightman said that Fasano has elevated the tax collector’s office to deliver arguably “the best level in customer services in our county.” Plus, he has used the office “to capture much-needed funds and donations to support so many charities that otherwise wouldn’t have help. So, your footprint and passion and care for our county, and our state, are really unmatched,” Weightman said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey echoed those thoughts. She told Fasano: “Of course, you know, you’re very well-loved in this county, and we appreciate all that you do for all of the different nonprofits and our citizens in the county.”

Like his colleagues, Commissioner Jack Mariano expressed gratitude to Fasano, too.

“We greatly appreciate all of the service you do for this county — going above and beyond, helping our charities,” Mariano said.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley put it this way: “In short, you may say that you touch every citizen in the county, in some way or another.”

Published January 31, 2024

Setting priorities for better ways to get around in Pasco

January 23, 2024 By B.C. Manion

It’s no secret to those living or working in Pasco County that serious attention is needed to make it easier to get from place to place.

Traffic congestion and traffic safety are two key concerns that the public has identified so far, in an online survey conducted by Kimley-Horn, the consultants working with the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (Pasco MPO) on the long-range transportation plan update.

Innovate Pasco 2050 will be the long-range transportation plan for Pasco County, guiding future projects to address all types of transportation needs. Tackling congestion has been identified as a top priority by the public so far, in the early stages of the planning effort. (File)

The plan has been christened Innovate Pasco 2050.

Jonathan Whitehurst, a consultant from Kimley-Horn, briefed the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization’s board at its Jan. 11 meeting, regarding what’s being done to prepare the plan.

The Pasco MPO board, made up of elected leaders from Pasco County, Dade City, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and Port Richey, is responsible for addressing transportation needs and setting priorities across Pasco.

In general, Innovate Pasco 2050 will identify current and anticipated transportation needs in the county for the next 20-plus years, Whitehurst said.

The plan is being updated at the same time the county is updating its long-range comprehensive plan.

Innovate Pasco 2050 will consider all modes of transportation — which include motorized vehicles, public transportation, bicycles, walking, freight and goods movement, and air travel.

Planning efforts will involve analyzing the county’s current transportation system and its projected growth to identify needs and set priorities.

The initial stakeholder interviews and community workshops were held on Dec. 12 and Dec. 13.

“We’re getting really, really good participation through the online survey. To date, with the online survey, we have 930 participants,” Whitehurst told the Pasco MPO board. “That created a lot of work for the consultant team because that has already generated over 13,000 data points and over 1,400 written comments. So, that’s a lot of information for us to kind of go through and summarize. But we like that.”

Figuring out how much money is available to address Pasco County’s trail plans is likely to be a topic of discussion, as the county tackles its long-range needs.

The survey can be done in as few as 5 minutes, or, it can take longer, depending on the level of detail in the responses.

Based on the level of feedback so far, people seem to be putting in more time, Whitehurst said.

During his presentation, he asked the MPO board for some feedback.

He identified eight transportation themes and asked them to rank them in order of importance.

These are the themes they ranked: Improve Transit Service, Improve Transportation Connectivity, Increase Transportation Choices, Maintain Roadways, Promote Economic Growth, Reduce Congestion, Reduce Crash/Injuries and deaths and Shorten Vehicle Trips.

The top three themes identified in the boardroom were: Economic growth, congestion and connectivity. The bottom three were shortening vehicle trips, increasing transportation choices and improving transit service.

The public’s response was different, based on the 930 surveys.

The public identified congestion as the top issue, safety as the second highest and maintenance of existing facilities as number three, Whitehurst said.

The consultant also noted the survey has a map, where people can place pins on areas where they believe a transportation improvement is needed.

How will transit figure into the county’s long-range transportation plans?

That improvement can involve a roadway, a trail, transit or other type of transportation facility, Whitehurst said.

So far, the map has about 2,000 pins indicating needed improvements. That doesn’t correlate to 2,000 separate suggestions because many pins can be clustered at a single location, he explained.

Along those lines, though, Whitehurst asked the board: What is the first project you would construct, if funding wasn’t an issue?

Their responses included the Orange Belt Trail and the intersection of U.S. 41/State Road 54 .

“The Orange Belt Trail was certainly a topic that came up in those meetings that we had back in December,,” Whitehurst said.

Safety along U.S. 19 was another issue that came up, when focusing specifically on bicycle and pedestrian improvements, he added.

Another project that’s been identified involves the widening of U.S. 301, between Tampa and Zephyrhills, he said.

That potential widening offers a great example of why it’s important to work with neighborhood MPOs, because a portion of U.S. 301 is in Pasco’s MPO and another portion is in Hillsborough’s MPO, Whitehurst said.

Another comment that has frequently surfaced deals with a lack of east-west roads in the county, the consultant said.

The online survey also asks the public to assign budget priorities to different types of transportation projects. Of the 930 responses, the public clearly identified roadway capacity and roadway maintenance as top priorities, Whitehurst said.

As more planning efforts are being made to provide ways for people to get around better within their communities, bicycle safety is expected to gain more attention.

While the initial work has been informative, much work remains to be done, the consultant said.

In coming months, community members will have additional opportunities to participate in shaping the vision and direction of the long-range transportation plan.

That input will be received both through in-person meetings and in digital activities conducted through the planning project’s website.

Innovate Pasco 2050 “really will be the road map that the county will use through the MPO to fund transportation projects through the year 2050,” Whitehurst said.

It will define what projects are needed to address the county’s transportation needs through the year 2050 and beyond.

Once those projects are defined, then a determination will be made regarding local and federal sources that are available.

A priority list will be created and a cost feasible plan will identify how much of that work is possible, based on funding sources.

Whitehurst said that Kimley-Horn will create a State of the System Report, which will review existing and projected conditions. That report will be done in late January or early February, he said.

A needs plan will be done, which will include all types of transportation projects the consultants believe the county needs to look at through the year 2050 and beyond. That is expected to be completed in mid-March.

The cost feasible plan is expected to be completed toward the end of April.

The report and executive summary are scheduled to be written by the end of June, but final adoption is not expected until later in the year, Whitehurst said.

Get involved
Do you have thoughts about Pasco County’s roads, trails, sidewalks and other forms of transportation? Get involved in the county’s long-range transportation planning by signing up for email alerts and taking an online survey at InnovatePasco.com.

Published January 24, 2024

Pasco has blazed a trail on combating human trafficking

January 16, 2024 By B.C. Manion

When the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking was created nearly a decade ago, it was forging into unchartered waters.

“We were the first commission established in the state of Florida,” Liana Dean, chairwoman of the commission said during the Pasco County Commission’s Jan. 9 meeting.

“We have been looked to for guidance, not only in the region, but around the state,” she said.

“I feel like we’ve really made an impact over the past decade,” she added.

The Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking is made up of individuals in the following sectors who are working together to combat human trafficking.

There’s a member of the county board; two representatives from the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office; a representative from Pasco County Schools; a community/victim services advocate; a representative from the tourism/hospitality industry; a medical and/or behavioral health professional; a faith-based community member; an anti-human trafficking community advocate; a member from the business sector; a survivor of human trafficking; a professor/researcher from a local institution of higher learning; and a member-at-large, from any of the identified sectors.

Working to raise awareness, to educate
Over the last decade the local commission has trained close to 15,000 people both here and across Florida, helping them understand how to identify the signs of human trafficking and what to do when they do.

The commission has put together public awareness campaigns, which have achieved an estimated 6 million impressions, Dean said.

Its in-person events have attracted thousands of people, Dean said.

“We were the first county in the state of Florida to get human trafficking curricula into all of Pasco County schools. That was huge, before the state legislature mandated it. We got calls from all over the state of Florida: ‘How did you all do that?’

“So, I feel that the things we’ve been able to accomplish have really positioned us as a leader in the state of Florida, when it comes to addressing human trafficking and preventing it,” she said.

The commission also has worked with a group of teen students who have created three public service announcements aimed at combating human trafficking.

“That is messaging that the kids put together. They were so concerned about messaging they were receiving on social media, the things that they were bombarded with, the attempts to recruit them, the attempts to groom them – that they wanted to address it,” she said.

The public service announcements are expected to air on television in coming months.

“We’re also educating RV Parks in Pasco County. We touched every RV Park and have given them education and information about human trafficking,” Dean said.

“So, that was a big initiative that we did last year. We partnered with GoPasco to put information on all of the buses in Pasco County, not just for the general public but to reach potential victims, as well.

“We worked with law enforcement, all five law enforcement agencies to get information out. We partnered with Fire Rescue to launch the same campaign.”

The group’s survivor representative, Laura Henderson, also addressed the board.

She briefed them on the local commission’s plans for this year.

“We plan to train all 3,300 county staff on human trafficking and provide them with a wallet-size card that outlines indicators and red flags, as well as how to report.

“County staff also will be provided with materials on how to seek help that they can give to potential victims they may encounter,” she said.

It also will promote the public service announcement prepared by Teens Battle Human Trafficking, which will air on television and will stream on social media.

The commission and a partner will host an event aimed at engaging business in the battle to end human trafficking.

It also will partner with Pasco Fire Rescue to create awareness materials. And, it will create a mailer that can be sent out to Pasco households.

The local commission also is partnering with the University of South Florida’s Advocacy Lab to further regional anti-trafficking efforts, as well as taking steps to address labor trafficking.

Human trafficking is a significant problem
In addition to hearing from representatives of the human trafficking commission, the county board also adopted a resolution that provides perspective on the scope of the problem.

The resolution declared the month of January as national slavery and human trafficking prevention month, and Jan. 11 as national human trafficking awareness day in Pasco.

The resolution defines human trafficking as “a crime against a person whereby, through exploitation, an individual is compelled to work or engage in a commercial sex act through force, fraud, or coercion, thereby being stripped of their rights and humanity.”

The resolution adds that “traffickers typically use multiple means to control their victims, including beatings, rape, isolation, forced drug/alcohol dependency, withholding of documentation, and psychological and emotional abuse.”

The resolution cites statistics from the International Labor Organization that “conservatively estimates that there are over 49.6 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, and that this crime is second only to the illegal drug trade in terms of the speed of its growth and the profits that it generates, as human beings can be sold repeatedly.”

The resolution also notes that human trafficking has been reported in all 50 states, with Florida consistently ranking third in the nation in both the number of calls made to the National Human Trafficking Hotline and the number of cases identified.

In Florida in 2021, there were 781 identified cases of trafficking involving 1,253 victims, with 151 being children, the resolution adds.

Pasco County Commissioner Gary Bradford, who worked in law enforcement, sponsored the resolution.

He said “the work the Pasco County Commission on Human Trafficking does toward educating not only individuals, but entire organizations, is hugely important.”

He added: “This month, I urge everyone on how to identify the signs of human trafficking and report potential illegal activity to local and state law enforcement.”

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles also offered her thoughts on the topic.

“This is something that my team sees every day, day in and day out,” she said.

She thanked the members on the commission on human trafficking for the work that they do.

“It is so critical and so important.

“We’re going to help you put that word out, so we can help to put a stop to human trafficking,” the clerk said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey added: “I want to thank you for all of the work you do, and the awareness you bring to human trafficking.

“I’m so proud of our county in being first in so many ways, on this topic.”

She also thanked Henderson, a survivor of human trafficking, for having the courage to step forward.

The first-hand testimony resonates with listeners, Starkey said.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley, who sat on the human trafficking commission’s board for six years, thanked the members of that commission for its continuing work.

“A lot of people don’t know that you are nationally known for all of the good work you’ve done in the past, and you continue to do so,” Oakley said.

Common signs that may indicate human trafficking
Do they show signs of physical abuse, such as bruises in various stages of healing?
Are they able to speak with individuals alone?
Do they speak in a manner that appears to be scripted or rehearsed?
Do they appear to be monitored by another person?
re they disconnected from family, friends or community?
o they live in poor conditions?|
Can they freely leave where they live?
Do they lack personal possessions and identification documents?
If you suspect someone is a victim of human trafficking, call the National Trafficking Hotline at 800-373-7888.

Published January 17, 2024

Planning board recommends denial of land use change in rural protection area

January 9, 2024 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended denial of a request that would remove acreage from a county rural neighborhood protection area, and would increase its potential density.

The application by Old Pasco Townhomes seeks to change the comprehensive land use designation from Res-3, which allows up to three dwellings per acre, to Res-6, which allows up to six.

The request also calls for removing the 18.36-acre site at the northeast corner of Old Pasco Road and Hadlock Drive, from a county rural neighborhood protection area.

The county’s planning staff recommended approval of the request, but the planning board rejected that recommendation.

The planning board based its call for denial on a Pasco County policy that states the county shall recognize rural neighborhood protection areas “as areas that include existing rural neighborhoods that deserve and require special protection from the intrusion of urban uses, densities and intensities.”

The policy also notes that impacts in such areas “shall be minimized through the use of the standards and options for stepping down development and densities and transition of land uses, e.g., gradual reduction of intensity in uses, as well as additional buffer and setback standards in order to minimize visual and noise impacts on adjacent rural, residential developments.”

This case is complicated
The site is in an area designated for rural protection, but it also sits in an area the county has designated as an urban services expansion area – meaning that it is in an area that is expected to become more urban.

During the meeting, Barbara Wilhite, an attorney representing the applicant, pointed to Grantham Ranch, an existing nearby single-family subdivision. She said the proposed townhome project would be built in an area that is expected to change.

Christie Barreiro, of Heidt Design, who also represented the applicant, told the planning board: “Old Pasco Road is going to be a four-lane road, 124 feet in width. A lot of that right of way has already been purchased by the county. The county also is running utilities up Old Pasco Road for projects along (State Road) 52.

“This area, as we were saying, is in the urban expansion area, and also is in the south market area, which is supposed to be a high-density, high-intensity area. It seems odd, but it’s because it’s a parallel reliever to Interstate 75.

“So, you have Old Pasco on the west and you have McKendree Road on the east, and those are supposed to relieve the congestion on (Interstate) 75.

“So, in that corridor, it was always planned to have more intense, more dense development,” Barreiro said.

Nearby residents, however, told the planning board that they purchased large lots in the area because of its rural nature. They said they thought they would be protected from urban encroachment because their homes are in a rural protection area.

As one neighbor put it: “I don’t want to look at townhomes out my backyard. I bought 5 acres in a rural area for a reason.

“It’s an expansion area to some people. To other people, it’s their life, their house, their yard where their grandkids play.

“I don’t want to see my home considered an expansion area,” she said. “Removal from a rural protection area kind of negates the word protection. It’s not protected, if it can easily be removed.”

Planning board vice chairman Jaime Girardi, who was sitting as chairman because of Charles Grey’s absence, said the area is changing.

“You’re 1 mile from Overpass (Road), where they just built a whole intersection and a whole interchange at I-75,” Girardi said. “You’re half a mile from the school (Cypress Creek High School and Cypress Creek Middle School), half a mile from Grantham Ranch.”

The Grantham Ranch subdivision is built on land designated for three homes per acre.

Planning board member Jon Moody voiced misgivings.

He told his colleagues: “I’m having a hard time deciding this case. We clearly have a conflict in the comp plan (county comprehensive land use plan), probably should have been cleaned up in 2010, when the urban service area — expansion area — whatever we’re calling it, was overlaid over a rural protection area.

“I’m not sure whether that was a right decision or a wrong decision. I see the controversial entitlements we’ve approved east of I-75, at this location.

“So, it makes sense to me that we might see development along the west side of the interstate,” he said.

“That being said, we’re being told by the applicant, well, it’s going to be a four-lane road 10 or more years from now, maybe. There’s no money for it. And there’s still people there that still live a rural lifestyle.

“And yes, we’ve got some intrusion into that lifestyle by subdivision, single-family detached homes, but we haven’t got attached product yet.

“That’s the conundrum I’m trying to figure out.”

‘Doesn’t seem to fit with character’
Moody noted that planning board chairman Grey has observed on more than one occasion that an area must “be ripe” for development.

In this case, Moody said, “I just don’t feel that it’s ripe for (the) attached townhome product, the Res-6 (six residential units per acre).

“If this were going to come in as detached, I can see if they were going to come in as E-R (estate residential) zoning, or R-2 zoning on half-acre lots or something, that’s a little more dense than what’s out there.

“Or even some use that might require some utility services — but not down to attached product.

“This doesn’t seem to fit with the character of the area. It may be in future character, but I just don’t feel like it is for today’s character,” Moody said.

Planning board member Peter Hanzel also had issues with the request. He said the site is in a rural area. Hanzel made a motion for denial, which was seconded by Moody.

Other planning board members agreed with Moody’s assessment that the type of development being requested doesn’t fit in with the area’s current development.

Planning board member Chris Poole put it this way: “I think this is before it’s time out here.”

Poole said there are obvious issues with the comprehensive plan, but, he added: “Protections of the folks that live a rural lifestyle means something. This particular growth is ahead of its time.”

Planning board member Derek Pontlitz said from a planning perspective, the request makes sense.

“Obviously, you want your densities closer to your major thoroughfares because that’s going to put less traffic on the local roads trying to get to the 75s and the arterial stuff,” he said.

“This density will make sense at some point. I think I tend to agree that it’s probably not ready yet,” Pontlitz said.

Planning board member Chris Williams told Wilhite: “Barbara, I understand your explanation of the service area expansion. What I’m still struggling with is, everything around there is future land use Res-3.

“So, all of sudden, we’re plunking down Res-6.”

Wilhite said Grantham Ranch is a single-family subdivision and that the proposed townhome project would be a low density for a townhome development.

Girardi said he has an issue with removing a piece from the middle of the rural protection area.

“To take it out of the middle and go all of the way to Res-6 at this time is, I think, a bit of a stretch at this time,” Girardi said.

Although the planning board recommended denial, they don’t have the final word.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction over land use and zoning issues.

Published January 10, 2024

Pasco’s economy continues to grow, to diversify

January 2, 2024 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco Economic Development (Pasco EDC) Council’s Pasco 2023 annual report indicates the county’s economy is continuing to grow and diversify.

The county landed 13 new projects, attracted more than $188 million in investment and added 3,000 new jobs, according to the Pasco EDC’s report.

Advanced manufacturing projects led the pack in terms of new business coming to Pasco, followed by life science ventures.

Speros FL Moffitt Cancer Center is the largest project in the mix, with work underway on the 775-acre campus in the emerging community of Angeline, in the heart of Land O’ Lakes.

The project, near the Ridge Road exit of the Suncoast Expressway, is attracting interest from companies around the globe, the Pasco EDC report says.

Pasco landed the project through collaborative efforts of the Pasco EDC, Pasco County and the Florida Legislature, which put together an economic incentive package to entice the hospital to expand from its current Tampa location to add another site in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco economic leaders and elected officials expect Moffitt’s development to have a generational impact on Pasco because of both the cancer center and development expected to spring up around it.

An excerpt from the agreement between Pasco County and Moffitt notes: “The county has concluded that providing economic incentives to Moffitt will serve as one of the most significant catalysts in the county’s history for future economic growth, by creating the potential for new employment opportunities in Pasco County, reducing reliance on regional commuting to work by citizens, significantly diversifying the tax base, and introducing smart growth and service technologies to the area.”

Another collaboration between Pasco EDC, the county, the city of Zephyrhills and the state of Florida led to Bauducco Foods’ decision to locate near the Zephyrhills Airport.

Bauducco has purchased 72.5 acres of the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport’s Ready Site and expects to hire more than 600 employees within the coming decade.

The effort to attract the Brazilian-based company to North Tampa Bay was one that took several months and resulted in the company’s decision to invest about $200 million in the new facility. The plant will produce and distribute Bauducco’s baked items across the United States.

H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Hospital Inc., is proceeding on a plan to expand its work on a campus in Pasco County. The project is expected to generate 14,000 jobs over time, including positions for people who have not even been born yet. The campus also is expected to become a global magnet for life science and research companies. Pasco already is working on ways it can be ready to meet the workforce demand. (File)

Bauducco’s decision is just one example of the kind of success that can come when a site is ready for development.

Ready Sites Program attracts companies
The Pasco EDC’s Ready Sites’ program works with private landowners to assess, evaluate and certify large tracts of industrial lands. Currently, the county has six Ready Sites, totaling more than 2,300 acres, according to the 2023 annual report.

The program gives Pasco a competitive edge when vying with other locations for future projects because the company knows that the site is ready for them to proceed with their project.

After sites are certified, the Pasco EDC markets them nationally at trade shows and conferences, as well as on the economic development organization’s website.

The county also supports speculative buildings to attract new business, through its Penny for Pasco tax revenues. There are currently six Penny for Pasco speculative buildings with 322,000 square feet of available space, according to the annual report. The spaces in these speculative buildings can be used for anything from Class A office space to Class A industrial flex space.

Overall, Pasco EDC aims to attract companies to the county, help entrepreneurs to thrive and help existing businesses to expand.

The Pasco’s EDC budget is supported through $526,750 in private contributions from 82 investors and by $954,000 in Penny for Pasco tax revenues.

The county’s identified target industries are advanced manufacturing, aerospace aviation and defense; business and professional services; high technology; life sciences and medical technology; and logistics and distribution.

Pasco EDC programs are designed to help businesses in whatever phase they’re in — whether just starting out, fine-turning operations, or in expansion mode.

Mary Katherine Mason, also known as Lanky Lassie, is in her downtown Dade City storefront. She began Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread as a cottage food business and developed it into a full-fledged business with guidance from the Pasco Economic Development Council (Pasco EDC). Mason, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, launched her business after being furloughed from her design career in the hotel industry during the pandemic. (File)

SMARTstart turns 10
Pasco EDC’s SMARTstart program, which celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2023, focuses on the needs of entrepreneurs.

It offers help with workspace, funding, guidance, collaboration and education. Over the past decade, it has conducted 600 classes and workshops that have attracted more than 3,500 attendees.

SMARTstart provides business incubators in Dade City, Wesley Chapel and Holiday. They offer workspace, conference and meeting rooms, classes and workshops, and other amenities.

The business incubator in Dade City includes a commercial kitchen, which has helped to launch a number of small businesses, including Lanky Lassie’s Shortbread, which has a storefront in Dade City.

The commercial kitchen in Dade City came about through a collaboration between Pasco EDC, Pasco County, the University of Florida/IFAS Pasco County Extension and private businesses that provided the commercial kitchen equipment to bring it to life.

The new West Pasco Entrepreneur Center in Holiday includes desks, a quiet pod for virtual meetings, a collaboration area and co-working spaces. It also is located on the same campus as a 14,000-square-foot AmSkills workforce training center.

AmSkills’ training program plays a valuable role in helping manufacturers recruit, plan and sustain a skilled workforce. It provides workforce training and apprenticeships for youth, adults, veterans, the uniquely abled, and economically disadvantaged.”

It provides training in areas such as machinery, mechatronics, robotics, supply chain logistics, and industry 4.0.

Besides training residents from Pasco County, the new workforce center is expected to attract people from all over the country for Amatrol Technical Training and Universal Robotics equipment training.

WorkFORCE Connect is another Pasco EDC program that has helped to attract companies to Pasco and has helped existing companies be successful.

It aims to bring together employers, training providers and assistance programs to help local firms create a pipeline to provide employees to meet future needs.

Another program of note involves Pasco EDC’s international efforts to attract new business opportunities.

During 2023, Pasco EDC participated in trade missions to the United Kingdom, the Dominican Republic and Panama, and Pasco companies reported they expected to do more than $40 million in expected export sales, the annual report says.

Published January 03, 2024

Land O’ Lakes, Lutz celebrate tradition, change in 2023

December 26, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Being neighboring towns and communities, Land O’ Lakes and Lutz will forever be intertwined in events, interactions, sports, outreach and more. This year, those areas saw a lot of change and happenings coming their way, so we’re taking a look back at some of the important stories that came out of Land O’ Lakes and Lutz in 2023.

**Lutz business owners, couple share kidney**
Aaron and Andrea Barnes have shared the bond of love, being married for 20 years. However, the Wesley Chapel couple became closer than ever in February, as Andrea donated a kidney to Aaron, who has been dealing with chronic kidney failure (CKF) for decades. It extended and bettered his life, one filled with dialysis sessions three times a week and a year of health deterioration that has taken its toll on the family of five.
As co-owners of Tru U Fitness Studio in Lutz, the couple are hoping the major surgery will improve their lives, which has been filled with many life-and-death scares and medical procedures.
“No, not anymore am I scared,” Aaron told The Laker/Lutz News in January, referring to the impending procedure at the time. “After being in critical condition four times and almost dying four times, I’m not scared anymore.
“At this point, I can’t be scared anymore because this is what I need not to die.” (Mike Camunas)

**Angeline Academy of Innovation opens in Land O’ Lakes**
New schools, it seems, are being announced, and opening, nearly every school year in Pasco County, and in 2023, it was no different.
On the first day of school on Aug. 10, the doors of Angeline Academy of Innovation in Land O’ Lakes were opened, marking Pasco County’s newest school. The $52.7-million, 6-12 magnet school, run by Principal JoAnne Glenn, will focus on technology courses and will also feature athletic teams.
“Literally, since November, I have been completely engrossed with the nitty gritty,” Glenn, who helped open Wharton High in 1997 and Pasco’s eSchool in 2009, told The Laker/Lutz News in August. “It was a lot of fun to look through it all, go over everything, from the equipment, to the teachers we wanted to hire.
“Kids here are going to be solving the world’s problems, I really believe that,” she added. “I’m excited that my teachers, in this setting, will be able to use their time and expertise a little differently than in a traditional setting.”
Additionally, the “town” of Angeline is well underway, with more homes being added to the budding neighborhoods that already have residents in homes. Also, in January 2023, Moffitt and Pasco County officials held the groundbreaking that symbolized the beginning of construction of the complex, including a 100,000-square-foot clinic and a research center sprawling 250,000 square feet, which is slated to open in 2025. (Mike Camunas)

**Community rallies around Ukulele Brand’s, local restaurant damaged, closed due to accide**nt
Ukulele Brand’s, the longstanding, lakeside restaurant and bar at 4805 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., reopened on April 18, after a nearly three-month closure.
The restaurant, which has been serving loyal patrons for 25 years, welcomed back crowds and live music while returning to full service and its regular hours.
The popular dining spot sustained extensive damages on the night of Jan. 25, when an SUV and food truck plowed into an exterior wall, leaving a large hole, knocking into kitchen equipment and essentially forcing the business to shut down.
The incident required the restaurant to turn off the power, which resulted in food spoiling. It also needed to shutter its doors, while repairs were made.
“How no one died — I don’t know. No clue,” Ukuleke’s manager Jennifer Fischer told The Laker/Lutz News in February. “Our dishwasher flew 10 to 15 feet into my kitchen area, where there were staff members — it was horrible. When I watched the video, my heart was in my throat, and I don’t know how it wasn’t worse.”
During the closure, the community demonstrated an outpouring of support during a Feb. 18 support-the-staff fundraiser organized by local businesses and the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes.
The more than $20,000 raised went to help the temporarily unemployed 42 employees of Ukulele Brand’s. (Mike Camunas)

**PopStroke Tampa opens in Lutz/Wesley Chapel corridor**
Coming with high anticipation and much fanfare, PopStroke Tampa, a new 36-hole, state-of-the-art, putt-putt experience with its courses designed by Tiger Woods, opened on Feb. 17, bringing with it hundreds of locals ready to try the new attraction.
The golfing venue, at 25297 Sierra Center Blvd., in Lutz, features an outdoor dining area with a full menu and craft beer, wine and signature cocktails. It also has an ice cream parlor, outdoor game area and a playground.
PopStroke’s two courses — Tiger Black and Tiger Red — were designed by TGR Design, a golf course design company owned by golf legend Tiger Woods.
“It’s been a long journey to getting here in Pasco County,” PopStroke founder and co-owner Greg Bartoli said at the grand opening. “We first discovered this site (near the intersection of State Road 56 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard) about three years ago, and we have been welcomed with open arms from the Pasco community.
“I spend a lot of time in Tampa, as my kids play youth sports here all the time,” he added. “So, I know the facilities and communities here are second to none, and that’s what put this place on the market for a PopStroke.” (Mike Camunas)

**New lanes on U.S. 41 open**
After more than two years of reconstruction, U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes has more, much-needed lanes.
In early October, the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) removed barrels and opened its new lanes on U.S. 41, or Land O’ Lakes Boulevard, beginning at Connerton Boulevard and heading north to State Road 52.
Now, U.S. 41 is a four-lane divided highway from Ehren Cutoff and ending at State Road 52.
The $16.9-million project began March 12, 2021 and added nearly three miles of new lanes past northern Land O’ Lakes subdivisions such as Tierra Del Sol and Asbel, and AdventHealth Connerton. The project also included drainage improvements and roadway signage and markings.
The new four-lane U.S. 41 will come in handy, as the county and FDOT readies to extend the Ridge Road Extension even further, bringing it from Sunlake Boulevard to U.S. 41 and Connerton Boulevard.
That project, which is Phase 2 of the Ridge Road extension, is slated for completion in late 2025.
As for State Road 52, the widening to a six-lane divided highway from the Suncoast Parkway to east of U.S. 41 and approximately one-mile total of widening on U.S. 41 approaching the State Road 52 intersection in each direction is still underway. According to the FDOT website, completion on that $49.9-million project is tentatively set for early 2024. (Mike Camunas)

**Local Lutz Boy Scout Troop turns 90**
Boy Scout Troop 12 celebrated its 90th anniversary of camping, pine car racing, merit badge collecting, as well as community service projects and turning boys into men and men into leaders. According to former Scoutmaster and Troop Historian Paul Evans, the troop has had an uninterrupted charter since it was formed in 1933 and has produced dozens of Eagle Scouts, including the first: Ralph Combs in 1939.
“You can’t look around Lutz without seeing (an Eagle Scout project), and, of course, we always look at places close to us (for projects), from the K-8 School to the Old School House,” Troop 12 Scoutmaster Doug Tibbett told The Laker/Lutz News in September. “Those projects, they’re great, because they’re a part of Lutz and always will be.” (Mike Camunas)

Pasco firefighters ink a three-year deal with the county

December 19, 2023 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has approved a new three-year contract with Pasco County Fire Rescue that makes the county’s pay more competitive and emphasizes firefighters’ well-being.

The contract calls for improving pay and adding services intended to support the mental health needs of emergency responders.

The pact, approved by the county board on Dec. 5, also calls for adding another shift that will result in shorter work hours, providing a better work-life balance for personnel.

J.J. Murphy told county board members: “One year ago, I was hired as your assistant county administrator for public safety. Little did I know what stood in front of me.

Pasco County and its firefighters’ union have agreed to a three-year contract that both sides believe will help entice firefighters to join their ranks, rather than leaving to work at higher-paying departments nearby. The contract includes more mental health support and, in 2026, a reduced work week schedule. (File)

“With Mike’s (County Administrator Mike Carballa) unwavering support, we tackled significant morale issues, a two-year mass exodus of fire personnel, recruiting challenges, internal fiscal challenges and a leadership change.”

At the meeting, Murphy stood in a unified front with the key parties in the contract: Barbara Hitzemann, the county’s human resources director and chief negotiator; Ryan Guynn, assistant fire chief; and Jon-Michael Morin, president of the IAFF Local 4420, which represents Pasco’s professional firefighters.

Murphy covered some of the contract’s substantive points.

During the first two years, it will bring salaries in line with the market area, he said.

“The third year brings in the transformational move to a D Shift,” Murphy added. “The contract and the D shift will allow us to address many items, including recruiting and retention; employee health and wellness; positive management initiatives; three-year cost certainty for the county and the employees.

“This collaborative effort led to a favorable vote of over 80% of the union members.”

Guynn, the assistant fire chief added: “As you’re well aware, the explosive growth that we’ve had over the last few years, actually within the last decade in Pasco County, has increased our work stress environment with our men and women in Pasco County Fire Rescue.

“Since 2020, if we continue at a pace like we are, as of this morning, we’re looking to close to a 30% increase in call volume, just since the last three years.

“That’s really put a toll on our men and women,” he said.

Keeping firefighters in Pasco
Retaining emergency responders has been an issue, Guynn said.

“We’re working 24 hours nonstop, not to mention that we’re working overtime more and more and more. We’re having difficulties keeping people in the seats. That has really elevated our issues within Fire Rescue,” he said.

Mental health is a major focus of the new deal.

A study done by a doctoral candidate involved fire rescue and corrections personnel.

“Out of all of those employees that he studied, 44.5% have either sought or considered treatment for depression; 40% have either sought or considered treatment for anxiety; 37.7 % have sought or considered treatment for PTSD; more than that, almost a full percent of them have sought or considered treatment for suicide.

“Some of the contributing factors to that, of course, are the long work hours, the sleep deprivation, the mandatory overtime, the high-stress work environment.

“We don’t need to re-address what kinds of calls the men and women are running every day – some of the most horrific things that we could see, especially over a 30-year career,” Guynn said.

Lightening the load
In fiscal year 2026, an additional shift will be added, reducing the hours worked from 2,704 to 2,184, the assistant fire chief said.

That transition will result in reducing the work week from 56 hours a week to 42 hours a week, he said.

“We’re hoping that balance is going to allow us to level out the stress,” he added.

The county also is aiming to reduce its overtime expenses.

“Of course, the other issue is employee retention,” Guynn said.

“We’ve been kind of the training ground for other departments around us.

“We’ve spent millions and millions of dollars training, educating, equipping and mentoring employees, just to turn around and watch them leave.

“We’ve hired a lot of people over these past couple of years, but we’ve almost lost just as many as we hired.

“We’re looking to reset that, and that’s what this contract is going to do,” he said.

The fire union’s president said this contract puts Pasco into a different posture.

He said it will “make Pasco County Fire Rescue an employment destination in years to come.”

Commissioners Gary Bradford and Jack Mariano congratulated the negotiating teams for coming up with a contract that received an 80% vote of approval.

“That’s just unheard of,” Bradford said.

Mariano added: “Thanks for working together. We told you from the get-go that we heard your problems. It took time to get to where we’re at right now. As far as getting the fire stations built, listening to what we could do for scheduling, looking at what we could do to make it a better life for all of your people, helping them get themselves the protection they want, the help they need.”

The county’s extreme growth and the emergence of COVID slowed progress, but Mariano said new leadership made it happen.

“Similar things have been talked about before, how we could make this work better, but you guys brought it to fruition. You listened. You made it happen,” Mariano said.

Murphy responded: “For years, governments have asked public safety employees to do more with less. By your actions, we’ll be able to do more, with more — and that’s the definition of a premier county.”

Published December 20, 2023

Commemorating a centennial of helping children

December 12, 2023 By Mike Camunas

For 100 years, it’s been all about the children.

The Kiwanis Club of Dade City is celebrating its centennial anniversary, as a service organization dedicated to helping children in need in the community. The club does everything from providing school supplies and clothing, to supplying food and gifts around the holiday season. It even provides the club’s trademark donation — eyeglasses — to those who need them, but can’t afford them.

Members and administrators of the Kiwanis Club of Dade City, including current president Kristie Dimarakis, third from the left, are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the local nonprofit organization. Throughout its history, it has helped thousands of local children by providing clothing, toys, school supplies and other items. The Dade City chapter is one of 15 in the Nature Coast area, as one of the oldest, and has had some notable presidents over the years, such as Florida’s 13th Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson. It has raised more than a quarter million dollars and shaped Dade City during a century of operation. (Courtesy of Kirstie Dimarakis)

While its membership may be lower than desired or even as high as some of its fellow 14 sister chapters in the Nature Coast branch, the Dade City club strives to help every child that needs assistance it can — making sure they provide needed supplies and attention.

“Everything is for the children — we don’t do anything unless it’s for kids,” said longtime member and former Kiwanis Dade City president Mike Moorman. “That’s the whole point of Kiwanis: to help them grow and become adults. The K in the name should stand for kids because that’s what we do.

“And, honestly,” he added, “and this is just how I feel, but I know a lot of members do, too, but no kid should be deprived of getting something for Christmas.

“That should be our motto.”

The Kiwanis Club of Dade City was founded in 1923, with the first president being Alfred Francis “Frank” Price, whose name is now honored at Price Park on Meridian Avenue. The group has been significant in Dade City history, according to author and historian Madonna Wise.

It has been “involved in everything. The new highway through town, recruiting an early extension agent, building of roads, benevolent projects of all types and aspects of the culture, and even entertainment of the town,” according to Wise.

The Kiwanis Club of Dade City has been around 100 years, and in that time, they have collected an unfathomable amount of school supplies, clothing and more for families and children in need.

Over its century-long existence, the Dade City club and its members have focused on helping the community’s children.

“Because we only give back to kids, we don’t get involved in anything political or anything else,” Moorman said. “We just worry about the kids, so all money raised goes to the kids. We don’t take anything from the group and we pay for all our other stuff out of our own pockets.”

Moorman figures the Kiwanis Club has helped every school in Dade City, and partners closely with Pasco High, as well. But their big push throughout the years has always been the club’s free eyeglasses program.

Partnering with local optometrist Dr. Bradley Smurr, the group — which now works in collaboration with Pasco County on this project — raises money to get children eye exams and possible glasses, if they can’t afford it.

Club president Kristie Dimarakis says one of its members, Mike Carr, was a recipient of glasses as a kid, and now is passionate to keep this program alive.

“Since most members are Dade City natives or lifelong residents, it sometimes comes full circle,” Dimarakis added. “Especially, like (Mike Carr) where Kiwanis impacted his life. I think you see a lot of that — if it impacted their lives, now they want to give back.”

“Oh, it’s so rewarding or we wouldn’t be here,” said another former president John Swyers.

“We don’t meet the kids, we’re just told what they need or how we can help them,” he added. “From 1923 to now, 100 years later, that’s been a lot of money and clothing, gifts and eyeglasses. I’m not sure it is even quantifiable just how much we’ve collected and raised in 100 years, but it’s a lot and it’s been just for the kids.”

Kiwanis Club of Dade City of Dade City has raised thousands of dollars over the years to support many charities, including Habitat for Humanity.

Moving forward after the 100th anniversary celebration, Dimarakis is focused on increasing membership and keeping it steady.

“My grandfather was a president of Kiwanis club in Georgia, and had more than 100 members,” she said. “We always want more people to join and help out and keep this club going for another 100 years!”

“It does take a lot of dedication,” added Penny Morrill, another former president. “It takes a lot of passion, but then you don’t even realize how long you’ve been with Kiwanis. I was surprised when it was our 75th anniversary!”

Dimarakis and company know it can be tough to be part of Kiwanis, as the club meets Tuesdays at noon, making it tough for those who work to make meetings. Additionally, Morrill pointed out many companies no longer sponsor (i.e., pay the membership fees) employees to be in Kiwanis.

“That used to be a big selling point, a big point of pride,” she added, “but really, everyone here wants to help kids in this area. Many don’t realize the kids in Dade City are very poverty-stricken. Kiwanis is a great way to help them, if you can.”

Despite some membership hardships, this Kiwanis club has had some notable members, many of whom are now senior members — in that they support the club, but are not active participants.

Longtime members of the Kiwanis Club of Dade City are celebrating the 100th anniversary of the local nonprofit organization that works diligently to raise monies, clothing, school supplies and more to provide for children in need.

Those of notoriety include Price; Roy Hardy, who got the trail nearby named after him; and former Mayor W. Glenn Lester, who also has a park named after him. There’s also Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and Florida’s 13th Commissioner of Agriculture, Wilton Simpson, both of whom were former club presidents.

Dimarakis welcomes any new member, either to expand or bring some youth to the club. Either way, expect this Kiwanis club to continue helping kids for another 100 years.

“I’m focused on the celebration right now, but after that, it’s about what’s next for the club,” she said. “Do we get more members? Do we get younger? What do we plan for projects? What are we going to do next year for the kids? … We probably need to go younger to stay alive, but that’s also not going to stop Kiwanis from helping the kids and families in (the Dade City) area.”

Dade City Kiwanis Club
Details: The Kiwanis Club of Dade City is celebrating its 100th anniversary. The service organization is dedicated to serving children through scholarships, school supplies, clothing and even eyeglasses for those that can’t afford them. Several former presidents and members of the club have been honored by Dade City, including Alfred Francis “Frank” Price, Roy Hardy and Wilton Simpson. The club is always actively looking for new members. Its 100th anniversary celebration is set for Jan. 18 at the Garden Club in Dade City.
Info: Visit the group’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/KiwanisDadeCity/, or email .

Published December 13, 2023

Members of Kiwanis Club of Dade City have been giving back to the community for 100 years through cookouts and school supplies, clothing and other essentials for children.

The city named Hardy Trail after Roy Hardy, a president of the Kiwanis Club of Dade City in the early 1970s.

Kiwanis Club of Dade City’s first president was Alfred Francis ‘Frank’ Price, as the club was founded 100 years ago in 1923. The city named Price Park, at 37415 Magnolia Ave., in his honor. He died in 1961. (Courtesy of Madonna Wise)

Finally, Hercules Park breaks ground in Zephyrhills

December 5, 2023 By Mike Camunas

In about a year or so, City of Zephyrhills residents and visitors will be able to jump right into a brand new park.

On Nov. 28, after more than five years of planning and budgeting, Pasco County’s largest municipality saw city officials break ground on Hercules Park — a 12-acre, $5.4-million park project coming to the corner of County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, adjacent to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools.

City of Zephyrhills officials and Kimley Horn representatives dig in for the ceremonial groundbreaking of Hercules Park — a 12-acre, $5.4-million project scheduled to begin construction in January 2024. The new park, which will be adjacent to Zephyrhills High and Woodland Elementary schools at County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard, marks the city’s first newly built park in more than 40 years. It will have a splash pad, trails, restrooms and other amenities. The tentative completion date is late 2024 or early 2025. (Mike Camunas)

Designed to be a hub for community engagement, recreation and natural beauty, Hercules Park will feature a splash pad, playground and restrooms, sheltered picnic area, open playfield, 54 spaces of parking, a .75 perimeter walking trail and 5.3 acres of area with trails for hiking and biking. Construction is slated to begin January 2024, with a tentative completion date set for late 2024 or early 2025.

However, getting to the groundbreaking was a years-long process, with many hurdles city officials had to jump right over again and again.

“The (city) council had the desire, from the very beginning, to get it done, and the staff kept pushing to get the funding, so once we got the funding, it was set,” City Manager Billy Poe said.

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

Talks of creating a new park and refurbishing the land began in 2017, shortly before Zephyrhills took control of the land in June 2018. Before that, Pasco County operated Hercules Aquatic Center, but that closed in 2009 because of budget constraints.

Once the city had the land, it began putting together a budget for the project, as well as designs, which went through many phases over the years. In late 2022, city officials, along with park designers Kimley-Horn, sat down and came up with designs that would honor the history of the land upon which the park will be built.

City of Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe speaks to a crowd during the groundbreaking ceremony for Hercules Park, the new 12-acre project coming to the city at County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard.

These design choices were made to honor the Hercules Powder Company, which previously owned 80 acres of land and established Camp No. 39 on this land in 1946. The site featured between 60 and 70 company-built, prefabricated homes rented to employees for $4 per room per month. Once the largest employer in Zephyrhills, with 150 people on its payroll at any time, the company also featured a commissary and baseball team.

Additionally, over that time, the city took into consideration feedback from the community and its residents, many of which were looking for a public pool. The splash pad was the workaround solution and added to the designs, especially since the splash pad at nearby Zephyr Park is already a popular attraction.

“We’re trying to have water aspects in everything we do in the city, we’re still the city of pure water, even if it’s not our motto anymore,” Poe said with a laugh, referring to the city’s newly-adopted slogan, ‘Jump Right In.’

“But,” he continued, “we want people to jump right into our parks, as a place for families to spend time together, a place people want to visit, and we felt it was important to incorporate the history into the design.

“For a while, during the process, I was little scared, in just making sure, as a city, we were doing it justice, from the history to giving the residents something to be proud of and that they wanted. I think it turned out really well.”

Lori Hillman, clerk of the City of Zephyrhills, signs a board marking the occasion of the groundbreaking ceremony for Hercules Park on Nov. 28.

Hercules Park is just the first part of a much larger parks’ project in Zephyrhills.

Poe said the city plans to evaluate all of its parks and recreational sites “to determine where and if there are deficiencies and how we can improve our parks.”

The parks and recreation department in Zephyrhills includes the YMCA, the municipal golf course and Zephyr Park.

Zephyr Park was the focus of community uproar in April, after an old rendering of renovations to Zephyr Park was prematurely shared on social media. That sent the town into a tizzy — because it came as a surprise to its 18,000-plus residents.

It also raised concerns among residents about losing the sense of history associated with the 34-acre park on Fifth Avenue that features Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, and a 5/8 of a mile lakeside fitness path and trees dating back to the Civil War era.

The city held a town hall, reassuring residents no definitive upgrade plans have been set or even discussed for Zephyr Park. Many residents raised concerns about the removal of the Veterans Memorial at the park, though Poe and other city officials also reassured town residents that it would not be removed or relocated.

Now, with another hurdle cleared, and a groundbreaking complete, Poe and fellow city officials are ready to jump right into construction and present Hercules park to its more than 18,000 residents.

“If it takes us to spring (2025 to finish the park), it’s not going to hurt my feelings,” Poe said. “Because then, maybe, when we have the ribbon-cutting, the kids can actually go in the water at the splash pad.

“I think we’re all very excited to see it completed about a year from now.”

Published December 06, 2023

The master plan for Hercules Park, a 12-acre park project that is being built by the City of Zephyrhills shows where various amenities will be situated in the park, located at County Road 54 and Gall Boulevard. The $5.4 million project is tentatively scheduled for completion in late 2024 or early 2025. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

This artist rendering depicts what the restroom at the new Hercules Park will look like.

Oh, baby, it’s cold inside

November 28, 2023 By Mike Camunas

Check out this very cool attraction.

It happens every year, during the holiday season, and it’s just a stone’s throw away from the “Most Magical Place on Earth.”

It’s ICE!. Literally.

Over at Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, the hotel constructs its ICE! Attraction and Alpine Village. It’s a holiday spectacle that draws thousands of visitors for the 52-day run of its showing.

‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ when walking through ICE!, Gaylord Palms’ yearly winter wonderland spectacle and attraction in Kissimmee. While this year’s theme is scenes from the beloved TV special ‘A Charlie Brown Christmas,’ visitors can grab a parka and check out the sculptures hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice. The ICE! Attraction, which runs daily through Jan. 3, also includes ice slides, and music and dialogue from the Charlie Brown TV special play throughout the venue. (Mike Camunas)

It’s ice sculptures, winter fun, shopping and more, all family and couple-friendly, while bringing holiday cheer to those, young and old.

And, it’s totally worth the trip.

Jingle Bells, Santa Claus and ho ho ho
Merry Christmas, Peanuts fans!

You have come to the right place, whether that be wanting to see ice sculptures in Florida, life-size scenes from the beloved TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” or both. Gaylord Palms, each year, chooses a different theme, and this year, it has gone back to the tried-and-true classic of the aforementioned lead character, his “going commercial” dog, Snoopy, Linus, Lucy and the rest of the Peanuts gang.

Before entering the ICE! exhibit, visitors will be given a comfy parka because the 16,000-square-foot cold room stays at a very chilly 9 degrees thanks to seven air handlers. Gaylord Palms employs a team of 35 ice artisans to shape the 300-pound blocks of ice into sculptures, spending 12,000 hours transforming the 6,000 blocks into spectacular ice scenes.

The attraction features nearly 2 million pounds of ice that come to life through the exquisite sculptures.

Keeping it at a very chilly 9 degrees, ICE! at Gaylord Palms in Kissimmee, will give visitors parkas to keep warm as they walk through the ice sculpture attraction that draws thousands annually.

There’s Charlie Brown and Linus picking out the little tree, the gang goofing off at rehearsal for the Christmas play and even when Snoopy wins first place in the “commercialized” decorating contest.

Ah, but there’s more.

Visitors can also head down ice slides, perfect for videos and pictures. Of course, everyone can pose with their favorite characters and spend as much time with the sculptures — depending on how long you can stand the cold.

Going commercial
While going into the ICE! area is the main attraction, there is still plenty more to see and do, thanks to the Alpine Village, in which visitors exit out into from the chilly exhibit.

Hard to miss will be the indoor Snow Flow Mountain, a tubing experience that requires additional tickets and can be bundled with other attractions. Those include the game Snowball Build and Blast, photos with Santa, storytime with Mrs. Claus, Elf Training Academy (a toy workshop), gingerbread house decorating and even a Snoopy Scavenger Hunt.

Even made of ice, it’s still not a bad little tree, as Charlie Brown and Linus pick out the perfect, but least expensive one that will be featured in Peanuts’ annual Christmas play at Gaylord Palms’ ICE! sculpture exhibit.

There also is a gift shop — what central Florida attraction wouldn’t have one? — where there’s plenty of Peanuts’ and The Grinch Who Stole Christmas souvenirs, as well as other Christmas knick-knacks, like ornaments and snow globes.

Additionally, there’s a snack bar and, for all you weary parents out there, mercifully, a bar.

Not a bad little exhibit after all
In the final scene in “A Charlie Brown Christmas,” the Peanuts gang comes together and fixes up the little tree Charlie Brown thought “he killed.” But they do it just right, finding out, as Linus says, “it wasn’t a bad little tree after all.”

Gaylord Palms does the same thing, bringing to life its convention center with a holiday classic, and some winter fun, with ice, flair and holiday cheer. Even if someone hasn’t seen the TV Special, or hasn’t seen it in years, after leaving this exhibit, they’ll want to watch it as soon as they get home.

Snoopy jams out on the guitar, ruining rehearsal for his owner, Charlie Brown, in a classic scene from a beloved holiday TV special, but this time in ice sculpture form at Gaylord Palms’ yearly attraction, ICE!

Because, after all, during this holiday season, seeing this icy attraction is absolutely worth the trip.

ICE! and Alpine Village
Where: Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, 6000 W. Osceola Parkway, in Kissimmee
When: Daily, running through Jan. 3, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Prices vary on dates, but start as low as $20 for children under 12 and $30 for adults.
Details: ICE! is Gaylord Palms yearly, signature holiday attraction, and this season features favorite scenes from the beloved TV special “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” The television special is brought to life in magnificent sculptures hand-carved from more than 2 million pounds of ice. The attraction also includes Alpine Village, which is chock full of options. Visitors to the village can shop, eat and drink, get pictures with Santa, tube down the indoor Snow Flow Mountain, play games, see storytime with Mrs. Claus, enroll at the Elf Training Academy (toy building and painting) and even decorate Gingerbread Houses.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit ChristmasAtGaylordPalms.marriott.com/all-activities.

Published November 29, 2023