The Laker/Lutz News

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Rallying ’round the blueberry bushes

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Hurricane Irma blew across the landscape, uprooting and toppling about 100,000 blueberry bushes at Frogmore Fresh Farm, outside Dade City.

Pasco High senior ​Matt​ ​Gregory, 17,​ took a break and used a cane stake to stretch out his back.​ ​Gregory​ ​and​ ​senior​ ​Nathalie Sawczuk, 17,​ ​​(obscured​ ​by​ ​plant)​ were​ ​among​ ​students​ ​who​ ​volunteered​ ​at Frogmore Fresh Farm. (Fred Bellet)

In Irma’s aftermath, the farm’s general manager, Leonard Park, knew he had a narrow window to salvage as many of the plants as possible. He also knew he didn’t have enough labor to make that happen.

An unexpected phone call from Whitney Elmore offered some hope.

Elmore is the chief executive director of the University of Florida/IFAS Pasco County Extension, in Dade City.

“She wanted to know if she could send some volunteers to help,” said Park. “I thought she meant a van with maybe 20 people.”

Elmore had bigger ideas, and put social media to work.

“This went viral,” said Elmore. “It’s been all over Facebook and Twitter.”

Pasco County, the University of Florida and the extension service worked as a team to put out the word.

Land​ ​O’​ ​Lakes​ ​resident​ ​Tom​ ​Stewart​ ​staked​ ​fallen​ ​blueberry plants​.​ ​Stewart​ ​said​ ​he​ ​learned​ ​about​ ​the​ ​event​ ​at Frogmore Fresh Farm on​ ​​Facebook.

On a hot, Saturday morning, about 200 volunteers drove their cars and trucks down a narrow dirt lane, off St. Joe Road, to put in a day’s work and save the blueberries.

Volunteers focused on about 23 acres of the approximately 145-acre farm. That is where the youngest blueberry plants had either been uprooted or knocked down.

Farm employees were able to put their attentions on more mature plants elsewhere.

The turnout caught Park by surprise.

“It’s heartwarming. This is a tremendous benefit to us,” he said. “This (the young plants) is the future. We’re going to keep on, keeping on.”

It was all for a good cause, said Elmore.

Frogmore Fresh Farm benefits the county’s economy. The Sigety family, which owns the farm, does charitable work in Pasco, donating to food banks and providing internships to local students, Elmore said.

University​ ​of​ ​Florida​ ​graduate​ ​students​ ​Carlos​ ​Zambrano​, right, ​and​ ​Dario​ ​Racano,​ both​ ​of​ ​Gainesville,​ staked​ ​young​ ​blueberry​ ​plants​ ​at Frogmore​ ​Fresh Farm.

“It’s about being part of the community and making it better for everyone,” she said.

About 50 students and faculty members came from UF. Two sororities also sent volunteers.

“People have driven two hours basically on a call from social media, which is really interesting,” said Kevin Folta, UF professor and chairman of the university’s horticultural sciences department.

“But, this is what we’re supposed to do as a land grant institute. It fits our mission well.”

Frogmore’s blueberries are hybrids developed through UF research. Folta said the plants produce fruit after the harvests in other countries, such as Chile.

It opens markets for Florida blueberries that might not be available, he said.

Linda​ ​Dao,​ ​a​ ​University​ ​of​ ​Florida​ ​senior​ ​biology​ ​major,​ ​worked to​ ​fix damaged​ ​blueberry​ ​plants​ ​that​ ​fell​ ​over​ ​from​ ​the​ ​force​ ​of​ Hurricane Irma’s wind.

They are rooted in wood chip beds and hydrated with an irrigation system, sort of as a “big, crazy hydroponic garden,” Folta said.

“None of this would happen naturally,” he said. “It’s a system that works and brings millions of dollars to the state of Florida. Blueberry acreage is exploding.”

Elmore said Florida produces about 20 million pounds of blueberries annually, with a value of about $82 million to $100 million.

UF wasn’t alone in rounding up students to help.

Another 50 or so volunteers were from Pasco High School’s science club and student body council. There also were students from Saint Leo University, local residents, and church members.

The Salvation Army provided bottled water.

Margarita Roma, local migrant activist and executive director of Farmers Self-Help Inc., came with about 10 volunteers. Most were teenagers, wearing T-shirts in support of DACA, the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program.

Kevin Folta, professor and chairman of the University of Florida’s horticultural sciences department, relied on social media to recruit about 50 UF students to help salvage blueberry plants damaged by Hurricane Irma.

Those children, often referred to as Dreamers, are undocumented immigrants brought to the United States as children before age 16, and who have lived here since June 15, 2007.

“It’s good for our kids to have visibility,” she said. And, good to show that they can help the community they live in, she added.

Jose Pedro Lopez, 14, wanted people to know that Dreamers are like everyone else. “They should be able to live a free life,” he said.

Volunteers headed into the field, one group at a time.

In groups, volunteers carried batches of cane stakes and rolls of tape, and walked into the field.

Jim Moll, the extension service’s Florida-Friendly Landscaping program manager, gave tutorials on blueberry care.

Plants had to be stood upright, firmly replanted, and wrapped with tape to keep foliage from drooping.

“It doesn’t have to be a pretty knot, just effective,” Moll said. “You want it tight, but, not too firm. You don’t want to cut off circulation.”

Moll felt optimistic.

Pasco High School student, ​Roney​ ​Webster, 17,​ ​ties green tape​ ​around​ ​a​ ​​stake​ ​to support a damaged blueberry plant.

The plants “will be traumatized from being whipped in the wind,” he said. “The good news is they are all green. They aren’t limping.”

Samantha Acacio, 21, bent down to tie a knot around a blueberry plant. She felt a connection to the environment, as she worked to put the plants upright.

“These (plants) produce oxygen,” said Acacio, a pre-med student at Saint Leo University. “Why not have more oxygen in the world? It’s motivation. They weathered the storm, and we’re going to help them stand upright.”

Wesley Chapel residents Maleena Newcomb, 14, Allie Black, 14, and Ana Anderson, 24, might have been volunteering at an annual coastal cleanup, if not for Irma.

But, they were happy to find themselves being useful at the farm instead.

“It’s a good effort,” said Black. “You get community service hours. It’s all good.”

Gayle Womer and her daughter, Jenny Konow, attend First Baptist Church in Dade City. Konow is a 4-H leader.

Konow said they had some experience with blueberry plants. “We’re small hobby farmers,” she said. “We kind of know the struggles if you need help.”

But, it was her 11-year-old son, Archer Konow, who told his family that they had to volunteer. He loves everything about farming.

“It’s good to help people after hard things come through,” he said. If it’s a business, he added, “You need to help out.”

Roney Webster, 17, is a Pasco High senior. He volunteered around his community to help neighbors with cleanup.

This was one more chance to help.

“It’s just giving back,” Webster said. “I’ve been outside pretty much every day helping people.”

Published September 27, 2017

New summer camp aims to offer fun for kids with special needs

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A plan that began more than five years ago will finally reach fruition next summer when Camp Idlewild is scheduled to open in Land O’ Lakes.

The camp is being developed by The Roach Family Foundation. Irene Roach, founder and president, and her family, intend to provide recreational and camping experiences for children with autism spectrum disorders, who have learning differences and other unique challenges.

Roach said that before her husband Bill died, seven years ago, they talked about doing something for special needs kids.

From left, Wendy Neal, Irene Roach and Sherri Shuman are members on the board of directors for Camp Idlewild, which is being developed by the Roach Family Foundation. (B.C. Manion)

“We started thinking about a school,” she said, but that idea was dropped because there was too much red tape.

So, the family decided to create a camp instead, Roach said, during an interview along with her daughters, Wendy Neal and Sherri Shuman, at Roach’s Land O’ Lakes home.

“Wendy’s son has Asperger’s. That kind of made up our mind that we wanted to do something for special needs,” Roach said.

Phase one of Camp Idlewild will have a 5,000-square-foot lodge and four cabins, which can accommodate 12 overnight campers each.

“Our lodge is going to be done by December, and the first four of our cabins will be done by February,” Roach said. The lodge includes a lunchroom, a kitchen and a business office.

Plans in phase two include adding four more 12-camper cabins.

Beyond hosting overnight campers, Camp Idlewild also will host day campers. It also has six recreational vehicles spaces, to accommodate families, Roach said

“A lot of people who have special needs kids don’t like to leave them,” she explained. This way, the children can experience overnight camping, but the parents will be nearby.

The camp’s main mission is to be a place where people can have fun, Roach and her daughters said.

The family has done its homework.

Their research began five years ago. They joined the American Camp Association, and have been to conferences in Orlando; New Orleans; Greenville, South Carolina; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“They’re people who have camps from all over the world, even Russia, China. They all come and network, and it’s amazing,” Roach said.

During one of the first conferences they attended, they met Scott Arizala. He’s a nationally known speaker and author, and runs Camp Tall Tree, a camp for children on the autism spectrum in Michigan.

They have hired him to be their consultant.

“He’s going to come and help us train,” Roach said.

This is what the lodge being built at Camp Idlewild will look like at completion. The lodge is one part of a new camp intended to provide recreational and camping experiences for children with autism spectrum disorders, who have learning differences and other unique challenges. The camp is scheduled to open next summer. (Courtesy of Camp Idlewild)

“Now, we’re ready to fine-tune all of programming and our scheduling,” Neal said, adding it will be invaluable to have someone with the depth of his experience to guide them.

The family also has secured necessary approvals and permits from Pasco County, installed needed infrastructure and had the design work done.

The camp is situated on 40 acres that has been carved out of the family’s 140-acre homestead.

In addition to her property, Roach said there’s another 150 acres of cypress swamp surrounding the camp.

Besides working with young campers there also will be some adult programs.

Neal, who is the camp director, expects Camp Idlewild to host some make-and-take workshops to give parents tools for working with their children.

For instance, parents will hear that they need to put together a visual schedule, Neal said, but they have no idea how to do that.

“Of course, I’m a (former) school psychologist, so I knew what those things were. But a lot of my friends, who had kids, they didn’t know what a visual schedule is,” Neal said.

The target market for the camp is kids ages 6 through 17, who are mild to higher-functioning, said Shuman, the camp administrator. “They have to be able to use the bathroom and dress themselves, that sort of thing,” she said.

The camp will operate when school is out, from June through August. Overnight campers will be able to come for a week at a time and can stay for multiple weeks. Day campers may be able to come for as little as three days at a time, Shuman said.

Camp Idlewild will be marketed not only across Florida, but also outside the state, Shuman said.

There may be families that want to vacation to Florida. They’ll be able to go on a vacation, while their special needs child has a chance to experience overnight camping, she said.

Besides having a fully trained staff, the camp will offer a multitude of volunteer opportunities, Roach said.

During the off-season, the facilities will be available for rental for people who want to run their own camps, hold family reunions, have group retreats, do staff trainings and so on.

“We also will be doing our own specialty camps, possibly,” Shuman said.

Programming for Camp Idlewild will include arts and crafts, as well as outdoor activities such as canoeing, fishing and boating.

“We’ll cover the arts, whether it’s music, dance, theater,” Neal said.

“Autistic kids like to perform,” Roach said.

“A lot of them have a lot of talent that they don’t have a chance to express,” Neal said.

“We want to give them a chance to unplug from the technology, but we don’t want to take that all away from them,” she added.

A small petting zoo and organic gardening are also in the plans.

If the kids are involved in gardening, they may be more open to tasting new foods, Neal said.

“Food is a big issue for pretty much all of the kids (on the autism spectrum) that I know,” Neal said. “If they kind of see how they are part of the process, they might actually try something different.”

In addition to summer camp, the organization may also offer some weekend activities during the year, Shuman said.

“One of the big challenges for the kids, especially the big kids, is socialization,” Shuman said. “In our off-season, we’re hoping to continue programs for on the weekends for kids that are peers in the local community to have a place to come, and have a movie night — a way for them to continue the relationships.”

Giving these kids a chance to develop friendships is important, Neal said.

“From my experience, the major gap is the socialization, the friendship, the relationships,” she said.

“They don’t get invited to birthday parties, things like that, because, ‘What if he has a meltdown?’” Neal said.

Camp Idlewild will be a place where kids “can be who they are,” Neal said. “If they want to flap, or if they’re stressed — we’re not here to stop behavior, correct behavior.”

Or, Roach, said, “say no to everybody.”

Neal went on, “Whatever they need to do at the time that they’re doing it — if they’re not hurting anyone or themselves, that’s fine. A lot of kids do things that other people consider as just odd. They try to stop that behavior.

“It’s OK,” Neal said. “It’s a release. If they get a little nervous. They’re not hurting anyone. That’s just who they are. If it makes them feel better, if it’s comforting, then, we’re not going to try to correct that.”

Published September 20, 2017

Why we printed your newspaper early

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As I write this column, it is Friday morning — two days before Irma arrives in Florida, and at least a full day before we know what kind of impact the hurricane will have on Tampa Bay.

In the aftermath of Harvey, everyone is on edge because of the stress getting ready for the storm, and the uncertainty of when and where Irma will make landfall.

In anticipation of Irma, one way we coped here at The Laker/Lutz News was to begin planning as soon as we got back from the Labor Day weekend.

Initially we decided to move up our production deadlines so we could print our papers and begin delivery on Saturday —before Irma arrived.

By Friday, that plan had changed. Irma’s arrival was moved up to Sunday, and there was no longer enough time to deliver before the storm. So, while our papers still will be printed early, we went back to our regular Tuesday and Wednesday delivery, after Irma is well out of Florida.

The other reason we chose to print our papers early was to ensure the safety of our employees. Like most of you, the people we work with are part of your family, and we care greatly about their well-being. I wanted my staff to be home with their families, and if necessary, have time to evacuate, when Irma hits.

This self-determination is one of the best things about owning or working for a small business. My team and I determine what’s best for our colleagues, customers and the business itself, and then go straight into implementation. There’s no chain of command, or lengthy review and approval process.

And, this ability makes me so appreciative of my group’s teamwork, outstanding ideas and smooth implementation. Together, we are able to develop and carry out plans that met our goals.

A weekly spin
First, it was the Lake Padgett Estate sinkhole in Land O’ Lakes. And now, it’s Hurricane Irma. Both were international news, and both happened in our backyard.

How does a small operation like The Laker/Lutz News manage to cover these big stories along with everything else we do (prep sports, city and government news, schools, business and community events)?

We almost always report on breaking news after the fact, and then do it with our unique weekly spin.

Our stories focus on how these events impact our local families and businesses. We let people know how they can get help, and also how they can help their neighbors.

There are plenty of news outlets that give you breaking news. But, only The Laker/Lutz News drills down to your community and reports how an emergency like Irma directly impacts the neighborhood where you live and your local businesses, schools and government agencies.

Even when there isn’t a sinkhole or a hurricane to cover, our goal every week is to be a trustworthy, community resource with professionally written, unbiased stories. Every story, every news brief, every photo in The Laker/Lutz News is tied directly to our readers in Pasco and north Hillsborough counties.

And, that’s why you read our newspaper — because our stories are relevant to your life, and answer questions about living in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

This week, our Hurricane Irma package aims to provide a glimpse of the impacts Irma has already had on our community and to help you recover from the damages Irma may leave in its wake. As always, our goal is to be a resource for our community.

Thank you for being our reader through good times and bad. I pray that you and your loved ones come safely through Irma. Let’s do the best we can to weather this storm and its aftermath together.

Published September 13, 2017

She hopes her ‘simple witness’ will help change lives

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Emily Busch plans to spend the next year of her life as a full-time missionary in the Life Teen program in northern Georgia.

She’s confident about committing a year of her life to missionary work.

“I’m not even a little bit nervous,” said the 21-year-old from Wesley Chapel. “There’s so much peace.”

When Emily Busch, of Wesley Chapel, was heading to her first summer stint at Life Teen in northern Georgia, she didn’t know what to expect. She found out that it was beautiful, and holy. (Courtesy of Emily Busch)

Part of that is because she’s familiar with the program, after spending a summer there working as a videographer and another summer as an office intern.

She knows what’s she’s getting into, and she can’t wait.

Life Teen owns two camps, Hidden Lake and Covecrest, in the mountains of North Georgia, in a town called Dahlonega.

“It’s a retreat center during the year, and it’s a summer camp during the summer,” Busch said, noting about 2,500 kids come there every summer, so it’s busy.

It’s a place which attracts youth groups from parishes, giving them a chance to gain a deeper understanding of their Catholic faith.

Busch, herself, was involved in her youth group at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, in Land O’ Lakes, which led to her going on a mission trip to Nicaragua.

That experience was a turning point in her spiritual life.

She feels called to do mission work, and she believes the trip to Nicaragua was the catalyst.

“When I was there, I saw the poverty, and I saw the desire for the Lord in the hearts of people that had nothing.

“And, when I was back home, I was like, ‘I have everything I want. I have everything I need. These people have less than half of what I have and they’re happier than I am, so what am I doing wrong?” she said.

It was a question she pondered for quite some time.

Emily Busch

Ultimately, she felt that the Lord was putting mission work on her heart.

She didn’t answer that call immediately. She wanted to get her degree from Saint Leo University, where she majored in religion.

But, she graduated a year early and decided to devote that year to serving at Life Teen.

“I’m not saying that I’m a saint by any means, but I desire that. I desire that holiness, and I desire to do the work that the Lord has done, but in 2017.”

Beyond working with youths, Busch will also be working on her own spiritual walk.

Serving at the camp requires Busch to raise her own support. She must raise a minimum of $6,000 to cover food, housing and other costs. She hopes to raise $10,000, to provide a $100 a month stipend and to provide money to begin paying back her student loans.

As of last week, she had raised $5,500.

She planned to hit the road, en route to Georgia, on Sept. 5.

She expects the year to have its highs and its lows, but is looking forward to what lies ahead.

She recalls the first time she went to the camp, in 2015.

“I had never been to the camp before, and I had committed for three months. And, I was driving there (thinking), ‘I’ve never been to this place. It could be terrible. It could be horrible. And, I got there … It was beautiful and it was amazing, and it was holy. There’s something about living in the mountains that just takes your breath away.”

Busch said there have been times when people have excluded her because of her Christian values. Some took an attitude of: “I’m not going to invite you (Busch) to this thing because you’re a Christian girl.”

That doesn’t bother her.

“I have to be confident in who I am and what the Lord has called me to, and I can’t worry about what other people’s opinions are,” she said. “But, I can show them Jesus in my actions, and I can show them the peace that I have about my life.”

She’s not sure what lies beyond this next step in her journey.

“I’m thinking about either teaching at a Catholic school, or working at a nonprofit in some way, like Metropolitan Ministries or something like that,” she said.

But, only time will tell.

For now, though, she’s content with her next step in life.

“Spreading the Word (of God) is what I most desire,” Busch said.

Want to help? Go to: Donate.Lifeteen.com/EmmBusch.

Published September 6, 2017

Outlining a road map to tackle Pasco traffic problems

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Pasco County’s residential and commercial growth is causing more traffic headaches on the area’s roads.

At an Aug. 21 session, residents had a chance to learn about what’s planned to tackle the area’s congestion during The Pasco County Transportation Summit.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore hosted the event at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus, in Wesley Chapel.

A project that would ease traffic congestion on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, also known as County Road 54, is scheduled in fiscal year 2018. Planning calls for widening the road from two lanes to four lanes, from State Road 54/56 to Progress Parkway. (B.C. Manion)

Other panelists included David Gwynn, District 7 secretary for the Florida Department of Transportation; Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles; and, Hope Allen, chief executive officer and president of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, which recently merged with The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

The meeting focused on project updates for east Pasco and Wesley Chapel.

Audience members submitted written questions to the panel.

Their queries centered on current and future road projects; public transit; new technology, such as self-driving vehicles; and, passenger rail on CSX rail lines.

Charity Henesy-Brooks, who lives in the Meadow Pointe subdivision, said she came away with information she didn’t know before. “It’s good to know they are trying to get ahead of the (traffic) problem,” she said. “At least they have these goals.”

For Moore, the basic issue is how to build the right infrastructure to support economic development and meet residents’ needs.

Anyone who drives in the county knows the frustration of long waits in traffic, he said. “Relief is on the way. There are a lot of things on the way, but these things won’t come to fruition over night.”

At least one project has been sped up.

Construction of the diverging diamond interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 will begin in 2018, about two years ahead of an initial start date. The unique engineering pattern eliminates left turns and most traffic signals, to quicken, and ease, traffic flow.

The interchange is at the epicenter of a growth boom in Wesley Chapel that includes Tampa Premium Outlets and Cypress Creek Town Center.

“It’s miserable. I get it,” said Moore. “I’m with you.”

Bilirakis said local governments will have federal funding available for their transportation projects.

President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise of $1 trillion in shovel-ready infrastructure projects. Congress is waiting on a specific proposal from the White House, Bilirakis said.

“The infrastructure piece is very much alive,” he said. “It’s a priority for the President, and it’s a priority for us in Congress. It’s a bipartisan effort and, God knows, we need that today.”

Bilirakis said he expected Congress to address tax reform early in 2018, and “then, we’re going to get to infrastructure.”

He also said the Ridge Road extension will benefit from an expedited review process implemented by the White House.

Pasco has lobbied for the extension for nearly 19 years as a necessary east-west road for hurricane evacuations. A permit is needed from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Environmentalists have opposed the project, which would cut through a portion of the Serenova Preserve. But, Bilirakis said, “We’re really moving the ball forward on this project.”

Lots of projects are on the horizon
The state department of transportation currently has a slate of road projects under construction, in design or in planning. In the past five years, the state agency has invested more than $640 million in Pasco, Gwynn said.

By late 2017, work on widening Interstate 75 from four lanes to six lanes from County Road 54 to State Road 52 will be completed, along with a redesign of the interchange.

To the west of I-75, work to widen State Road 52 from two lanes to four lanes, from Bellamy Brothers Boulevard to Old Pasco Road, will be done by summer 2018.

State Road 54 from Curley Road to Morris Bridge Road will go from two lanes to four lanes by fall 2020. A shared use path and sidewalks also will be built.

Work recently began on a four-lane extension of State Road 56 from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wiregrass Ranch to U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills. Completion is scheduled by spring 2019.

Two projects are in design and scheduled to begin in 2019. One will widen State Road 52 from two lanes to six lanes, from west of Suncoast Parkway to east of U.S. 41, with a shared use path.

A second will realign State Road 52 from Uradco Place to West Fort King Road. A new four-lane road will run from Uradco Place to Prospect Road. From Prospect to Fort King, the existing road will widen from two lanes to four lanes.

A third project, with no construction start date, would widen State Road 52 from two lanes to four lanes from U.S. 41 to west of Bellamy Brothers Boulevard.

There are two unfunded projects in design stages that would both realign and widen Gall Boulevard in Zephyrhills.

Bicycle lanes and sidewalks are being designed for County Line Road from Northwood Palms to west of Bruce B. Downs Boulevard. Construction is scheduled to begin in 2018.

Also, planning is underway on two projects to widen U.S. 301 from Fowler Avenue to State Road 56, and from State Road 56 to State Road 39.

A major reconstruction of the State Road 54 and U.S. 41 intersection is on hold while a local task force reviews options and makes a recommendation to the county’s Metropolitan Planning Organization.

Pasco has 48 road projects slated from 2017 to 2021 at an estimated cost of about $426 million. Almost all will be in east and central Pasco, Biles said.

The county will fund about half the cost, with the remainder coming from state and local funds, he said.

The expansion of Wesley Chapel Boulevard from State Road 54 to Progress Parkway, from two lanes to four lanes, is scheduled in fiscal year 2018. Sierra Properties, which is developing Cypress Creek Town Center, completed the initial segment of the project, and built an entrance into the mall from the boulevard.

In addition to increasing road capacity, the county is exploring options with new technology. For instance, adaptive traffic signals can be adjusted based on real-time conditions monitored via cameras a centralized command post.

This technology is being used in some areas of U.S. 19, and Biles anticipates that in the next five years it would be installed along other roadways.

Bilirakis is a fan of self-driving vehicles, which is an evolving technology. He is supporting federal legislation to ensure that such vehicles are adaptable to needs of seniors and disabled veterans.

The Congressman also agreed that partnerships with Uber and Lyft can enhance public transit by helping people reach bus stops.

Self-driving vehicles appeal to Land O’ Lakes resident Kelly Smith as a means of providing ride-sharing opportunities.

That would get more vehicles off the roads and lessen the need for parking, and potentially mean fewer roads would be needed, she said.

But, Smith, who is running against Moore for a seat on the Pasco County Commission, said, “I’m concerned that we’re not looking into the future.”

In response to a question about buying CSX rail lines for passenger service, Moore said he favors rapid bus transit.

“CSX does not give their lines away,” he said. “It’s very costly. Bus transit is more economical.”

Published August 30, 2017

Tourist tax increase to help finance Wiregrass sports complex

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Pasco County commissioners approved a 2 percent increase in the tourism tax and cleared the way to finance construction of the Wiregrass Sports Complex of Pasco County.

The added revenues will be used as collateral to secure a construction loan of up to $15 million for a 98,000-square-foot multi-purpose indoor sports venue.

The tax increase is on top of an existing 2 percent tax collected on hotel rentals, often described as the “heads in beds” tax. At a total of 4 percent, Pasco’s tourism tax rate will remain lower than most other counties in Tampa Bay.

This is what the Wiregrass Sports Complex site is expected to look like when the project is completed. (Courtesy of Peter C. Lent)

County commissioners also approved a series of resolutions setting up the framework for a private/public partnership between Pasco, which will own the complex, and RADD Sports, which will operate and manage the facility.

The county will receive lease payments and share in profits generated from the sports complex.

Besides the indoor facility, seven outdoor sports fields, an amphitheater with an event lawn, trails, pavilions and a playground are planned.

County commissioners also approved a ground lease for a 128-room Marriott Residence Inn to be built on about 2 acres within the complex. Mainsail Lodge and Development will build the hotel at an estimated cost of $18.5 million.

Funding for the sports complex also will come from about $11 million collected from previously pledged tourism dollars and sales tax revenues.

“I think it’s time we put this money in the bank to work,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey. “It’s long overdue that we took the leap and did something big with this money.”

Several years ago, the Porter family – developers of Wiregrass Ranch – donated more than 200 acres near The Shops at Wiregrass for the sports complex. But, proposals to build on the land fell apart, including one for an outdoor baseball complex.

“We know what happened in the past – nothing,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “This is a test in showing cohesiveness, that we’re all working together.”

During public comment, Hope Allen, president of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, and Steve Domonkos of the Wiregrass mall, spoke in favor of increasing the tourism tax.

“We’re really becoming a sports tournament destination,” said Domonkos. “That sets us apart from other parts of Florida. It benefits the community as a whole.”

The vote to increase the tourism tax passed unanimously, but it stirred debate among county commissioners.

“It’s important that we get our fair share,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr.

He sought money for boat ramps and for boosting the scalloping industry.

Mariano wanted money for beach re-nourishment, pointing out a need at Sun West Park. He also said the county’s tourism development council needed to give its opinion before county commissioners voted on the matter.

The council, which is an advisory board, had a meeting the day after the county commission voted. County commissioners declined to delay their votes.

Mariano later was the lone dissenter in voting against the agreement for RADD Sports to operate the sports complex. He objected to the loan arrangements, preferring that RADD Sports do its own financing.

“We shouldn’t be putting tourism money there,” Mariano said.

County officials noted that the tourism dollars are pledged as collateral. “If they (RADD Sports) perform well, you may not even have to dip into there,” said David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney for Pasco.

The lease agreement requires RADD Sports to pay the county $60,000, or 11 percent of gross revenues. The funds can be used to repay the loan.

The county also will benefit from new tourism dollars. Officials with the county’s Economic Development Office estimate that 80 percent of hotel rentals will come from off-site hotels.

Construction or proposals for more hotels are expected to significantly increase the county’s hotel room inventory.

In addition, the county, RADD Sports and the Porter family reached agreement on road work and ball fields.

At least one field will be open to the public at least 90 percent of the time. The remaining fields will be accessible to residents of Wiregrass.

The Porters will speed up roadwork, including a link from the sports complex to State Road 54 to the north.

“We do believe it’s a win-win for the county,” Goldstein said.

Published August 23, 2017

Pasco schools revamp active threat procedures

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The Pasco County School District has made a major change to its crisis response plan — should an active shooting threat arise on campus.

The Active Threat Response Plan has replaced the lockdown plan, beginning in the 2017-2018 school year, which started on Aug. 14.

During an Aug. 7 media conference, Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning said the Active Threat Plan ‘is a huge shift in the way we think about school and safety.’ (Kevin Weiss)

The traditional, passive lockdown approach — where students huddle in a dark room — has been the district’s protocol for active threat incidents since safety plans were first implemented decades ago.

“We’re realizing in some cases (lockdown) still may be the best option and the best response, but in others, students and staff need to have different options that they can use in that situation,” Pasco County Superintendent Kurt Browning said, during an Aug. 7 press conference.

The new procedure, designed with the help of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office, is a multi-tiered, proactive approach that incorporates effective communication, self-evacuation and self-defense techniques — also referred to as the ABCs of surviving an active threat.

  • ‘A’ stands for alert and avoid, where school faculty alerts 911 of an active threat, and then evacuates students — particularly those in common areas like gymnasiums, cafeterias and media rooms.
  • ‘B’ stands for barricade. This method enhances the lockdown option, where students and teachers can pile desks and other heavy items against classroom doors or another secure place.
  • ‘C’ stands for counter. This method empowers students to try to distract and disarm an active threat by throwing items in his or her direction. This is designed as a last resort option, if students are cornered by such threat.

The three-pronged plan, Browning said, follows new guidance from safety and education experts who have spent the past two decades analyzing school shootings.

It also aligns with best practices for kindergarten through 12th grade education as recommended by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Department of Education, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Before the school year began, administrators, teachers and staff were required to complete an eight-part webinar course that identifies response options to help save lives from the time 911 is called to when law enforcement arrives on site.

Early in the school year, middle and high school students will be taught about how to act during a crisis situation — through videos and corresponding practice drills, under the guidance of law enforcement officers. Students and staff will be warned before drills are hosted, to avoid causing fear or panic.

The response plan, Browning said, represents “a huge shift in the way we think about school and student safety.”

Browning noted: “Although it is very unlikely that we’re faced with a violent attack in one of our schools — such as an active shooter —we must be prepared in a way that we will save lives and prevent serious injury to our students.”

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco said the plan puts the district “on the cutting edge” for preparation and school safety.

“It’s sad that in the world we live in we have to do this, but we do,” Nocco said. “God forbid if that worst-case scenario happens…the first response from people will be, ‘What did you do to prepare?”

Meantime, a separate, ‘Stranger Danger’ video package has been designed for elementary students, in the case of an active threat.

The softer video approach contains a friendly animated lion and Cpl. Jennifer Rongo, a school resource officer at Fivay High School, explaining what to do in case of ‘Stranger Danger’ situations.

“We all understand this is a little uncomfortable for some parents out there,” Nocco said. “But…we have to be realistic; we have to have that plan in place.”

Browning stressed self-defense techniques will not be taught to elementary students or special needs students, who may not possess the physical abilities to defend themselves.  For older students, Browning said the decision to defend oneself — or counter — will not be required as part of the active threat response training.

“(We) won’t require anybody to do anything if they’re not capable of doing anything, or if they choose not to do it,” Browning said.

Nationwide there have been 233 cases of gun violence on school campuses since 2013, according to gun control advocates Everytown for Gun Safety.

About 40 of those incidents, however, meet the common perception of a school shooting, where someone comes to a school campus to shoot faculty, staff or students.

Besides active threat situations, the school district’s 12-point crisis response plan outlines various protocols for medical emergencies, fires, hazardous materials, bomb threats, fights and violence, and missing and endangered students, among others.

The Active Threat Response Plan comes on the heels of a new state law stiffening penalties for students who threaten to shoot up a school.

The Anti-Terroristic Threat and Public Servant Protection Law, which went into effect last October, makes false reports about using firearms in a violent manner a second-degree felony.

The Pasco County School District experienced three incidents of students making gun threats in the first six weeks of the 2016-2017 school year, before the law went into effect.

Published August 16, 2017

Land O’ Lakes High undergoes $29 million makeover

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When students arrive at Land O’ Lakes High School next week, they’ll see construction crews busy on a $29 million makeover that’s expected to take two years.

But, great care is being taken to ensure that students and staff are kept out of the path of work crews, and vice versa, said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools.

This is what the new main entrance will look like at Land O’ Lakes High School, as a result of a major makeover. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

During a recent tour of the school, Petrashek and Marc Graham, project superintendent for Walbridge, explained what the project entails and how it has been scheduled to allow the campus to be occupied during construction.

“It’s a five-phase project,” Graham said, with areas being walled or fenced off, to allow students, faculty and staff to carry on their activities, while crews work to modernize and reconfigure spaces in the high school.

In addition to Walbridge’s crew, the school district has two inspectors onsite, Petrashek said, who will be monitoring code compliance and quality assurance.

“With 1,700, 1,800 students — working on an occupied campus, even with the exceptional record that Walbridge has for safety and the protection of their staff and the students, it warranted having two people keeping eyes on this, coordinating with the school, the staff, the principal, to make this happen,” Petrashek said.

The project’s $29 million price tag includes construction, furniture and equipment, permitting fees, design fees, relocating portables, fencing and other expenses.

Marc Graham, project superintendent for Walbridge, is overseeing the massive makeover of Land O’ Lakes High School. Here, he describes how the company is converting an old stage area in the school’s gymnasium, that was being used for storage, into two classrooms, which will be used for physical education classes. (B.C. Manion)

Petrashek said it wouldn’t be possible to do the project on an occupied campus without the close cooperation of Ric Mellin, the school’s principal.

“Mr. Mellin has really been exceptional to work with on this project. He’s innovative. He’s taken the attitude, ‘We do what we have to, to make this a success,’” Petrashek said.

Some of the adjustments for the coming year include creative scheduling to maximize the use of classroom space.

“The principal has figured all of that out,” Petrashek said.

About a quarter of the school will be shut down at a time, Mellin said, noting parents did not want their children moved to a different campus or on any kind of split session.

The school day has been changed from seven periods to six periods, and the break for lunch has been shortened to 30 minutes.

Mellin said he thinks some people may have had the wrong idea about the scope of the project, perhaps thinking it was just a cosmetic update.

It’s far more than that, Mellin said.

“This is a tearing down walls to the bare minimum, redoing plumbing, electrical, upgrades to technology,” Mellin said.

The commons area is getting a new look, as part of massive renovation project at Land O’ Lakes High School. The project’s design makes it easier to get around the campus. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

It also involves new walls, new floors and new ceilings, Graham said.

“The restrooms will be brought up to ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant. They’ll be completely gutted and refurbished,” added Petrashek.

Doing such a substantial project while the campus is occupied requires a considerable amount of precaution, Petrashek said.

Mellin noted that parents wanted to be assured that the air quality will be protected.

Petrashek said the district will be on top of the issue. “We’re going to test on an ongoing basis, so we can respond,” he said.

The project will add capacity, but involves little new construction.

The school initially was constructed for 1,200 students. Over time, portables and additions increased its capacity to 1,700. At completion of the renovation, the capacity will exceed 2,000, Petrashek said.

A five-classroom addition is being made to the science wing, replacing an area that previously was occupied by portables.

“The other addition is the administration addition, which is going to be out front,” Graham said. That will be done in a later phase.

“There’s going to be inconvenience every day that this project goes on,” Petrashek said.

“But, anytime the contractors are doing work that is noisy, that will cause any type of disruption, they have to move that work to the swing shift, after school dismisses,” he said.

The project also will require adjustments from students and staff, as classes are moved from one part of the campus to another.

“Year two takes on a lot more classrooms,” Mellin said, noting, “we’re going to have to be a little more creative with our scheduling Year 2.”

But, the principal hopes that by then people will have adjusted to the idea that the school renovation is a work in progress.

The project must be completed by August 2019.

Meeting that deadline isn’t optional, Graham said.

“The seasons of the school are what they are,” he said, adding if construction crews run into some sort of delay, they’ll need to make up for lost time.

“Sometimes we have to run two shifts. Sometimes we run Saturdays and Sundays — that’s the extra time we have available,” Graham said.

Published August 9, 2017

Searching for a superstar in Tampa Bay

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American Idol is a cultural phenomenon.

The reality television show is known for launching major singing careers for Idol winners, Kelly Clarkson and Carrie Underwood.

And, even reaching the top 10 can be life-changing.

Jennifer Hudson, for instance, finished seventh in 2004, but went on to win an Oscar for the movie musical, “Dream Girls,” and remains a superstar.

So, future singing sensations of Tampa Bay — get ready to catch lightning in a bottle.

After 15 years on the Fox network, and a one-year hiatus, American Idol is returning to television on ABC in 2018.

Ryan Seacrest will return as host. Katy Perry is confirmed as one of the Idol judges.

Locally, open auditions for American Idol are scheduled for Aug. 12 at Florida Hospital Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. ABC Action News and Tampa Bay’s Morning Blend will host the event.

Winners of the “Tampa Bay Idol” contest will receive a “Front of the Line” ticket that guarantees them a chance to be seen and heard by American Idol producers, during a bus tour stop in Orlando on Aug. 17.

“We’re excited about local talent being able to showcase right here at Florida Hospital Center Ice in Wesley Chapel,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “We may have the next superstar come from Pasco County…the next Carrie Underwood. That’d be awesome.”

Moore, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Gordie Zimmermann, managing partner at Florida Hospital Center Ice, made the announcement at a press conference on July 24.

ABC officials predict as many as 1,000 people could line up for a chance at stardom. Only the first 400 who register online at ABCActionnews.com/Idol will be guaranteed an audition. If there’s time, more auditions may be allowed.

Everyone is urged to preregister for a smoother, faster processing time on the day of the open auditions.

Online registration is set to begin on Aug. 5.

A local panel of celebrity judges will be announced at a later date.

Starting time was estimated to be mid-morning, but had not been determined prior to The Laker/Lutz News’ deadline for publication.

The event offers an opportunity to showcase Florida Hospital Center Ice, which opened the 150,500 square-foot ice rink and sports complex in January.

Auditions will take place in at least two rooms at the facility.

“We’re excited to host,” said Gordie Zimmermann, managing partner with Florida Hospital Center Ice. “We’re really looking forward to the date.”

Zimmermann said there also would be areas for overflow seating, while people wait their turn to sing, and a snack bar.

Pasco’s selection as a site for open auditions came together quickly.

Starkey got a heads-up phone call from ABC Action News officials a few days before the press conference. After a tour of Florida Hospital Center Ice, the matter was settled.

“It’s been a very fun project to work on,” said Starkey. “Tampa Bay Idol is a great way to showcase the talents some of our residents have.”

Starkey said she notified Tampa Premium Outlets and The Shops at Wiregrass, which is an event sponsor, about the coming auditions, urging them “to staff up and get ready.”

Published August 2, 2017

Keeping safe, when a hurricane threatens

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Hurricane Season 2017 is underway, and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has shored up its ability to respond to the potential for deadly storms.

Within the past few months, Sheriff Chris Nocco has created an Emergency Management Division and has appointed two seasoned war veterans to top leadership positions.

Nocco named George McDonald as chief of the Joint Operations Bureau of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and Jared Hill as director of Emergency Operations.

Storm surge causes the greatest damage during a hurricane. The rising water can destroy piers, erode beaches, flood properties and make areas impassable. (File)

McDonald is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel and has served in a variety of command, staff and leadership positions throughout his career.

The bureau — which encompasses Emergency Operations, Special Operations and Communications — oversees areas that directly connect to the county during critical situations.

It’s also responsible for training law enforcement and civilians within the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Hill, a retired U.S. Army Lt. Colonel, served as the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) adjutant and the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force – Afghanistan assistant operations officer, among other assignments.

The pair’s military background should bode well if catastrophic events arise, whether it’s a hurricane or another disaster.

“Critical to the sheriff was the (agency’s) response to emergencies within the county, and what he wanted to do was bring in people who have been through different types of emergencies, and key to that was veterans,” McDonald said, during a recent press conference on hurricane preparedness.

Nearly a quarter of the agency has veteran experience, but McDonald insists it’s not about militarizing law enforcement.

Instead, he said, it’s about “using the experience we (veterans) had from our overseas deployment, not only in wartime, but in peacetime.”

This includes tactical skills, and the ability to task-organize in critical, high-pressure situations.

“We all served in combat zones, we’ve operated in stressful environments, and we were at ease working in an environment like that, and I think that’s a proven quality that the sheriff was looking for,” McDonald said.

The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season began June 1 and runs through Nov. 30.

If you live in an area that needs to evacuate, it’s good to know the evacuation route you’ll be taking. (File)

Hurricane experts say October is the most likely time for Florida to be hit with a tropical storm, due to the build up of energy in the atmosphere, accumulated through the summer months.

Last September, Hurricane Hermine was the first hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Hurricane Wilma in 2005, and the first to develop in the Gulf of Mexico since Hurricane Ingrid in 2013.

Hermine developed in the Florida Straits in August, and later spread to the Tampa Bay region.

Damage estimates from the storm exceeded $111 million in Pasco County alone.

In Pasco County, seven homes were destroyed and 305 homes sustained major damage.

Additionally, 796 homes were affected by the storm, but didn’t suffer any damage.

In preparation for another major storm, the Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Division has been procuring surplus military gear, including high-powered generators, Humvees and portable field kitchens.

According to Hill, the agency is able to obtain the equipment for “pennies on the dollar” through the Law Enforcement Support Office, a subsidiary of the U.S. Department of Defense.

Hill said training and maintenance of the equipment also has been incorporated as part of the agency’s disaster planning process.

The county jail is another asset that can be harnessed during a hurricane by deploying prison labor to install sandbags to reduce potential for flooding in specific areas.

Additionally, nearly 400 volunteers are ready to help at a moment’s notice, via the agency’s Civilian Support Unit.

Each of those resources, Hill said, allows the Pasco Sheriff’s Office to “react a lot faster than most anybody else can within the county.”

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco recently appointed two seasoned war veterans to top leadership positions within the agency’s Emergency Management Division. Jared Hill, left, is the agency’s director of Emergency Operations. George McDonald is chief of the Joint Operations Bureau of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. Both have more than 20 years of military experience. (Kevin Weiss)

“We’re actively on the job everyday, we’re doing as much planning as we can,” Hill said. “Not that any plan is going to be perfect, but we’ve the ability to direct crisis situations and gather forces to help out in any situation.”

Should a hurricane strike, the Sheriff’s Office would work alongside the Pasco County Office of Emergency Management and Pasco County Fire Rescue, among other government agencies

“We’re not doing this unilaterally. We’re tied in to the county’s emergency management,” Hill said.

While wind and water pose dangers during a hurricane, there also are dangers in the aftermath.

County officials recommend avoiding roads covered by water and debris, and staying clear of downed power lines.

It’s also important to realize that water, not wind, is the most hazardous outcome of a tropical storm.

According to the National Hurricane Center, storm surge, rainfall flooding, high surf and deaths just offshore (within 50 nautical miles of the coast) combined for 88 percent of all deaths in the U.S. from hurricanes, tropical storms or tropical depressions from 1963 to 2012.

Other potential dangers can arise, too.

Snakes and other animals sometimes make their way into homes during a storm.

And, floodwaters can contain fecal matter, bacteria and viruses.

Food-safety hazards should be considered, too.

A refrigerator keeps food cold for up to four hours after loss of power, and then perishables should be moved to a cooler with ice.

If in doubt, throw it out.

“You don’t want to survive the storm and die of food poisoning,” Hill said.

Bracing for the storm

  • Prepare your home from wind damage before a storm threatens. Remove loose and damaged limbs from trees. Secure and brace external doors. Board up external windows.
  • Remove items around your home that could act as projectiles in high winds. Such objects include potted plants, barbecue grills, garden gnomes, chairs and garbage cans.
  • Place sand bags around low-lying areas near your house.
  • Well before any major storm hits, be sure to review your insurance. Be sure you have the proper amount of coverage to protect your home, business and belongings.
  • Stock up on hurricane supplies, including flashlights, batteries, self-powered portable lights, waterproof sheeting, a nonelectric food storage cooler, a portable generator and reusable ice.
  • Have personal items readily available. These should include blankets and pillows; hygiene supplies, moisture wipes and toilet paper; waterproof and seasonal clothing; reliable shoes; a first-aid kit and special medications; tools; and, cameras.
  • Protect your documents in a watertight plastic bag or waterproof container.
  • Fill your gas tank and have plenty of cash on hand, in case the storm knocks out power from gas pumps and ATMs.
  • Move your car as far inland as possible and on higher ground, to protect it from possible flooding, but do not park it next to a tree.

Be ready to evacuate, or shelter in place
If you are ordered to evacuate, know the local hurricane evacuation route(s) to take and have a plan for where you can stay.

  • Have a disaster supply kit you can take with you. It should include a flashlight, batteries, cash, required medicine, first aid supplies (kit), 2 gallons to 3 gallons of water per person, documents such as a driver’s license, Social Security card, passport, insurance information and tax documents, a hand-crank or battery-operated radio and a cellphone with a charged battery.
  • If you have a pet, have a plan for it. If you will need to evacuate, know where you can take your pet with you. Be sure to prepare a hurricane kit for your pet, including food, any medicines, toys, a bed and so on.
  • Have a family emergency communication plan. Your loved ones need to know how to contact you before the storm, and especially afterwards, when communication infrastructure may be damaged or overwhelmed.
  • Check on your neighbors to see if they need help.
  • If you are not in an area that is advised to evacuate, and you decide to stay in your home, plan for adequate supplies in case you lose power and water for several days, and you are not able to leave due to flooding or blocked roads. Be sure to have plenty of food. Suggested items include juices, crackers, breakfast and protein bars, canned and dried fruit, peanut butter, bread, canned protein (tuna, chicken, Spam), powdered milk and condiments. Also have on hand disposable utensils, plates and napkins.

During the storm

  • Stay inside and away from windows and doors
  • Close all interior doors
  • Keep curtains and blinds closed
  • Get into a small interior room, closet or hallway on the lowest level
  • Lie under a table or other sturdy objects

Returning home

  • Bring necessities, such as food and water, when you return
  • Keep an eye out for snakes and other animals that may have entered your home during the storm
  • Do not drive down roads covered by water or debris
  • Watch out for downed power lines and stay away from them
  • Avoid skin contact with floodwaters because the water can be carrying all sorts of contaminants such as fecal matter, bacteria and viruses.
  • Wear protective clothing and use proper equipment when cleaning up the mess the storm left behind. Before trimming trees, make sure there are no power lines nearby.
  • Be sure to use plastic sheeting to cover roof damage and/or broken windows, to keep water from entering your home or business.
  • Contact your insurance agent to report any covered damage to your home, apartment or vehicle. Be sure to have detailed photographs, so you can submit them with your claims.
  • Save receipts for all dining, hotel, medical, hygiene and even entertainment. Some of these items may be eligible for reimbursement. Save the receipts from the time you leave your home until you return to stay there.
  • Watch out for scams and unlicensed contractors. Verify the contractor’s business license and insurance. Make sure quotes are in writing.

                                                                      — Compiled by B.C. Manion and Kevin Weiss

Sources: Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Florida Department of Business & Professional Regulation, Boatsetter, and Tree Care Industry Association.

Published July 26, 2017