The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Copperstone Executive Suites

Political Agenda 09/12/2018

By

Political season is heating up in Pasco County

Wesley Chapel Republican Club
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club will meet Sept. 13 at 6:30 p.m., at Lexus of Wesley Chapel, 5350 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. Guest speaker will be Florida State Rep. Danny Burgess, who also is the newly appointed manager for future operations for the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

Admission is free, and all are welcome. Coffee and homemade desserts will be served.

For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813 or .

Republican Club of Central Pasco
The Republican Club of Central Pasco will celebrate the party’s primary midterm election victories at its Sept. 24 meeting. Primary winners will be on hand with information on their campaigns and their positions on issues facing Pasco County and the state of Florida. 

The meeting is open to the public.

The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The social begins at 6:30 p.m., and business meeting starts at 7 p.m.

For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Candidate forums set for October
There are three candidate forums scheduled in October, according to the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections’ website.

The scheduled forums, as of now, are:

  • The American Association of University Women on Oct. 13 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at the New Port Richey Library, 5939 Main St., New Port Richey. The forum will feature all candidates running for U.S. Congress, the Florida Legislature and Pasco County School Board.
  • The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 15, at the East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road in Dade City. A meet and greet begins at 6 p.m., with the forum starting at 6:30 p.m. The public is invited to attend the event and will have the opportunity to submit questions to the moderators for consideration.
  • The League of Women Voters-Pasco on Oct. 17 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The forum will feature all candidates running for U.S. Congress, the Florida State Legislature and Pasco County School Board.

Endorsement
Pasco County Tax Collector has endorsed U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Bilirakis’ bid for re-election to Florida’s 12th congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives, according to Bilirakis’ campaign.

Political Agenda 07/18/2018

By

Sample ballots available
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has announced that sample ballots for the Aug. 26 Primary Election are available online at PascoVotes.com, and will be mailed to Pasco County voters on Aug. 6.

To view sample ballots online, voters need to know their voting precinct and party of registration.

Club meetings

Republican Club of Central Pasco
Mike Wells will be the guest speaker at the Republican Club of Central Pasco’s meeting on July 23. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The social will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting starting at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Trinity Democratic Club meeting
The Trinity Democratic Club’s July 25 meeting will feature Chris Hunter, candidate for the district 12 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Amanda Murphy, candidate in district 16 seat in of the Florida Senate. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, at 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour (self-pay) with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting. For more information, call (415) 609-3633.

Candidate forums

  • Idlewild Baptist Church, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz, will host a candidate’s forum on July 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • The East Pasco Democratic Club will host a political forum for all Democrats, Republicans and no party affiliation for local and state offices on Aug. 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. The League of Women Voters will be there to register voters or update voters’ current registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Ice cream social
The Central Pasco Democratic Party will host an ice cream social on Aug. 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Meadow Pointe Community Center, 28245 County Line Road. Those attending can meet other Democrats and talk with local candidates.

Endorsements

  • The West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association has endorsed Mike Moore, in his re-election bid for the District 2 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Moore’s campaign.
  • The Veterans Caucus; Alex Sink, former chief financial officer of Florida; and the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, have endorsed Brandi Geoit in the race for District 4 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Geoit’s campaign.

Published July 18, 2018

Land O’ Lakes has its own Rotary Club, again

By

After being a satellite of the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon club, the Rotary Club of Land O’ Lakes has regained its independent status.

The Land O’ Lakes organization had existed for years, then merged with the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel Noon, and then became a satellite club.

It took some time to reach the required membership level, but the Land O’ Lakes Club is a standalone club again, said Sandy Graves, president of the revived Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club.

These are the original members that started the club, from left, Larry Giannone, Elayne Bassinger, Sandy Graves, Terri Dusek, along with Perry Bean, who is district governor of Rotary.
(Courtesy of Dave Wright)

“You have to have 20 to officially charter,” Graves said. “We’d get real close and then a couple would quit, or move or whatever.”

The group wanted to be on its own so it could focus on needs in Land O’ Lakes, as well as helping in broader efforts, Graves said.

“We need the Rotary in Land O’ Lakes again. Land O’ Lakes needs a strong civic organization,” Graves said.

Rotary provides the opportunity to do a lot of good, not only locally, but in the nation and the world, as well, Graves said.

Now that the club is official again, it is on the Rotary Club locator, which makes it more visible, she said. “People who are coming in that were Rotarians somewhere else, or want to join Rotary, they’ll be able to find us easier,” she explained.

The club meets on Fridays at 8 a.m., at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Meetings include breakfast and generally last for an hour.

Anyone who is interested in joining the club can come visit a few times for free to find out more about it before deciding if they want to join, Graves said.

“We want people who are committed,” Graves said.

Besides Graves, other officers of the club are Jim Englemann, president-elect; Barb Goiran, secretary; and, Elayne Bassinger, treasurer.

The group also has a membership committee, a foundation committee and a public relations committee, Graves said.

One of the club’s projects involves purchasing weather-resistant outdoor instruments, which will be placed at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, Graves said.

They’re oversized instruments, which can be played by children and have even been known to be played by adults, she said.

“These instruments are very good for kids with autism or Tourette’s Syndrome,” she said, because they can be soothing and can help them with their concentration.

Graves estimated it would cost about $10,000 to purchase the instruments, but added that could be more or less, depending on how many and what type of instruments are purchased.

The group recently raised $1,200 through a fundraiser.

The money came from a chance drawing for a five-hour scalloping trip for four, sponsored by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells Jr.

Graves hopes the club will be able to secure a matching grant for the funds it raises to help purchase the outdoor musical instruments.

The club also is planning to do a Land O’ Liberty Salute, which involves decking out trees in the median of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard with red, white and blue ribbons — as a gesture of patriotism, in time for the Fourth of July.

The club also will be involved with Traditions on the Green, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, an annual tradition which features holiday music by local schools.

Graves encourages anyone who is interested in learning more about the Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club to come to a meeting.

Being part of the organization can be a rewarding experience, Graves said.

“It’s like anything in life. You know, the more you put into it, the more you get out of it,” she said.

Published June 13, 2018

Political meetings set; endorsement given

By

Republican club meetings
The Republican Club of Central Pasco and the Pasco Federated Republican Woman’s Club will host a joint meeting on May 21, beginning with a social at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will feature a meet and greet with Pasco County School Board candidates Allen Altman, Cynthia Armstrong, Megan Harding, Heide Janshon and Tara O’Connor.

The meeting also will be a potluck dinner, so bring your favorite dish.  The club will supply the beverages.

The meeting is open to the public, and the club encourages anyone that seeks to be involved in the political process to attend.

The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Democratic Club meeting
The Trinity Democratic Club’s May upcoming meeting will feature Ryan Torrens, candidate for Attorney General and Roy David Walker, candidate for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.

The May 23 meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour, self-pay, with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting.

For questions, call (415) 609-3633, or email .

Endorsement
Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller Paula S. O’ Neil has endorsed Mike Moore in his re-election bid for the District 2 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Moore’s campaign.

Published May 16, 2018

Club meetings planned, endorsements announced

By

Upcoming club meetings

Land O’ Lakes Democrats
The Land O’ Lakes Democratic Club will host Stephen Perenich, who is running for U.S. Congress in Florida District 12, at the club’s April 4 meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The club meets at Brick City Eatery, 16540 Pointe Village Drive in Lutz.

Wesley Chapel Republican Club
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club meets April 12 at 6:30 pm at Lexus of Wesley Chapel, 5350 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The guest speaker will be State Sen. Wilton Simpson. There will be coffee and desserts. There is no admission charge. For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813 or .

Republican Club of Central Pasco
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley will speak at Republican Club of Pasco County’s meeting on April 23. The club encourages anyone that seeks to be involved in the political process to attend. It meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. A social begins at 6:30 p.m., and the business meeting starts at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Trinity Democratic Club
The Trinity Democratic Club welcomes Melissa Erickson, co-founder and executive director of the Alliance for Public Schools (All4Schools.org), as guest speaker at its April 25 meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The group meets at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for those wish to purchase dinner and/or drinks. For more information, call (415) 609-3633 or email .

Endorsements

  • #VOTEPROCHOICE has endorsed Kelly Smith, who is running in the District 2 race of the Pasco County Commission. Smith supports reproductive rights in Florida, according to an announcement from her campaign.
  • The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29 Labor Unit has endorsed Mike Moore, who is running for re-election in the District 2 race of the Pasco County Commission, according to an announcement from his campaign.

Published April 4, 2018

Central Pasco chamber is on the move

By

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce is looking to expand and relocate after nearly 15 years at its current location, 2810 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The chamber’s building is on the market.

As soon as a sale goes through, plans tentatively are to move to a small medical and business center, off State Road 54, adjacent to Highland Oaks Preserve, west of Livingston Road.

Shalyah Fearing, a local singer and contestant on ‘The Voice,’ performed at the Land O’ Lakes Music Festival. (File)

“The (current) building is outdated,” said David Gainer, chairman of the chamber’s board of directors.

Renovations were considered but Gainer said there was too little land to accommodate a larger building and parking. “We’re land-locked. There is no more room to add parking.”

With a membership currently totaling about 420 businesses more space is essential, Gainer added.

In 2015, the chamber celebrated its 40th anniversary. The nonprofit also merged with the Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce to form one organization.

Central Pasco chamber began in 1975 with a more localized moniker – the Land O’ Lakes Chamber of Commerce. But, the local chamber evolved into a broader mission that covers residents and businesses in central Pasco and northern Hillsborough County.

Member businesses come from Land O’Lakes, Lutz, Odessa, Trinity, Shady Hills, Spring Hill and Wesley Chapel.

During the year, the chamber sponsors numerous events and awards in support of the business community including a golf tournament, music festival and the “Heart of Pasco Award.”

“Our membership is growing,” he said. “We’re going to be adding staff and we don’t have room. Our board of directors can’t meet there so we meet at Copperstone Executive Suites.”

Gainer said the chamber is growing in response to all the new residential and commercial development in and around Land O’ Lakes.

“A lot of small businesses are doing well in this area and the region,” Gainer said.

He also attributed membership growth to the chamber’s decision to hire its first marketing and membership director, Suzanne Beauchaine.

“She’s doing a great job,” Gainer said.

Published Oct. 11, 2017

Vietnam veteran receives overdue honor

By

One Vietnam veteran has finally received his long-deserved welcome.

The Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Land O’ Lakes Satellite Club recognized George Voorhes on June 23 as its first recipient of the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pin.

Voorhes, 82, retired from the army in 1974, following 20 years of service.

He served in the Korean War and had three tours of duty in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star.

On June 23, the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Land O’ Lakes Satellite Club presented George Voorhes as its first recipient of the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pin. Voorhes, now 82, retired from the army in 1974, after 20 years of service. (Kevin Weiss)

A Missouri native, who now lives in Land O’ Lakes, Voorhes joined the military when he was 17.

Eventually, he rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class E7.

Along the way, he worked as a banker, chef and nightclub manager.

During his last 10 years of service, he was a general’s aide.

Despite the decades that have passed, details of war remain vivid in Voorhes’ mind.

Most notably is the passing of his brother-in-law, who succumbed to Agent Orange.

“I miss him,” Voorhes said, holding back tears.

“He was only a brother-in-law, but he was more like a brother to me,” he said.

The first U.S. combat troops were sent to Vietnam in 1965.

More than 9 million Americans served during the Vietnam War, representing 10 percent of their generation.

They marked the oldest and best-educated force that America ever sent into harm’s way.

The last remaining troops were withdrawn in 1973.

George Voorhes served in the Korean War and had three tours of duty in Vietnam, earning a Bronze Star. He entered the service at 17 years old, and rose to the rank of Sergeant First Class E7. He also worked as a banker, chef and nightclub manager.
Over the last 10 years of his service, he worked as a general’s aide. (Courtesy of Sandy Graves)

Though 97 percent would be honorably discharged, 58,307 service members died in the war, and more than 1,600 are still considered missing in action.

Upon their return to America, Vietnam troops often were greeted with silence — or worse — for having served in the controversial war.

Unlike soldiers returning from World War I and World War II, there were no ticker tape parades or triumphant marches for veterans returning from Vietnam.

Despite painful memories and personal losses, though, Voorhes remains proud of his service.

“It’s an honor to serve my country,” he said, “and I’d do it again, if I had to.”

The Rotary Club’s commemorative ceremony and breakfast was held at the Copperstone Executive Suites in Land O’ Lakes.

Voorhes received the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pin from Chief George McDonald, of the Pasco Sheriff’s Office. McDonald is a retired U.S. Army Special Forces Colonel.

Throughout the hour-long event, Voorhes was lavished with applause, warm greetings and countless thank-you’s from dozens of Rotarians and their guests.

Voorhes also received a dedication message and certificate form the staff of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

The congressman, who represents Florida’s 12th District and is vice chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, even had an American flag flown over the United States Capitol to honor Voorhes’ service.

Michael J. Cimmina, of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis’ office, presented Voorhes with an American flag, which was flown over the United States Capitol in honor of his service. (Kevin Weiss)

In a letter to Voorhes, Bilirakis wrote, “There are no words that can adequately express the gratitude, admiration and respect that your military service during the Korean and Vietnam Wars has earned.”

The congressman also noted that members of the Armed Forces “who served bravely” during the Vietnam War “were caught in the crossfire of public debate regarding our nation’s involvement and did not receive the warm welcome that you all deserved.”

The Vietnam War Commemoration is a government-led initiative, engaging 10,000 event partners, ranging from the Boy Scouts of America to the NFL.

In 2012, President Barack Obama signed a proclamation creating the Vietnam War Commemoration. Obama called on communities across the country to come together and hold events between then and Veteran’s Day 2025 to recognize the 7 million living Vietnam veterans.

To date, the commemoration has reached more than 1.4 million Vietnam veterans and their family members.

Voorhes was chosen as the Rotary Club’s first recipient after his wife of 57 years, Jean Voorhes, reached out to the service organization, inquiring about the program.

The satellite Rotary Club had just recently become an official commemoration partner, through the United States Department of Defense.

That application process took about a year, said Sandy Graves, a member of the satellite club who helped coordinate the ceremony for Voorhes.

“The club’s worked very hard to become a commemorative partner with the government and do these ceremonies for Vietnam vets that kind of didn’t get that when they came home,” Graves said.

Moving forward, the Wesley Chapel Noon Rotary Land O’ Lakes Satellite Club plans to organize two Vietnam Commemoration ceremonies each year.

Graves said the satellite club will likely host a dinner ceremony sometime this fall, to honor multiple Rotarians that served in Vietnam.

“It’s a wonderful thing,” Graves said of the Vietnam commemoration program. “My father served in the military, I have many friends that served in the military and every night I would just implore everyone to, when you do lay down to go to sleep, think about how come you’re able to do that, and be very thankful for those that made (freedom) possible for us.”

Vietnam War (1954-1975)
U.S. Troop Statistics:
8,744,000 – Total number of U.S. Troops that served worldwide during Vietnam
3,403,000 served in Southeast Asia
2,594,000 served in South Vietnam

The total of American servicemen listed as POW/MIA at the end of the war was 2,646.

Death Toll
58,307- Total U.S. Deaths (Average age of 23.1 years old)
1.3 million – Total military deaths for all countries involved
1 million – Total civilian deaths
–Figures compiled by the U.S. Department of Defense

Published July 5, 2017

 

Local businesses are ‘companies to watch’

By

Three local businesses will be honored on Nov. 3 as being among 50 “companies to watch” in Florida.

Gator Cleaning Solutions, RISA and X-Link Medical Software Interfacing will receive their awards at a celebration at Hard Rock Live, Universal CityWalk, in Orlando.

Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline lead X-Link Medical Software Interfacing, which has been identified as one of 50 companies to watch across Florida. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline lead X-Link Medical Software Interfacing, which has been identified as one of 50 companies to watch across Florida.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

These companies were selected from 500 nominees in the annual Florida Companies to Watch annual awards program.

The statewide program identifies companies that are expected to achieve significant growth over the next several years. The awards program is managed by GrowFl, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida, in association with Edward Lowe Foundation and with programmatic support from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity.

Winners of the distinction were singled out based on several factors, including their entrepreneurial management teams, competitive marketing positions and strong community involvement.

The 50 companies making the list generated more than $1.1 billion in combined revenue and added nearly 1,200 employees, between 2012 and 2015, according to information provided by the Pasco Economic Development Council.

Businesses on the list also had a 30 percent increase in revenue and 33 percent increase in job growth in 2016, the Pasco EDC reports.

Gary and Mary Lynn Gorsline, owners of X-Link Medical Software Interfacing, are delighted that their Land O’ Lakes-based company is one to watch.

Their company, which began in March 1988, now has 12 employees, but has immediate needs to add three more, Mary Lynn Gorsline said.

The couple is pleased to see second-stage companies receive recognition and support.

“It’s a group of companies that are not startups, and they’re not Ford Motor companies,” Gary Gorsline said.

Jenny Connell, an account manager with Gator Cleaning Solutions, prepares to visit a client. (Courtesy of Gator Cleaning Solutions)
Jenny Connell, an account manager with Gator Cleaning Solutions, prepares to visit a client.
(Courtesy of Gator Cleaning Solutions)

Mary Lynn, added: “Second-stage companies are hugely important because they generate more jobs — yet get very little attention. Startups get lots of attention. Tiny little businesses get lots of attention, but second-stage that drive the economy are largely overlooked.”

Innovation has played a huge role in the company’s success and remains essential, she added.

“We have to never, ever, ever stop innovating because if we do, we’ll go away,” she said.

One pivotal moment for the company came from the exposure it derived from being among 80 top U.S. vendors that demonstrated at the Interoperability Showcase for the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society, the largest American health care tradeshow.

The appearance there led to new partnerships and created new opportunities at the local, state, national and international levels, according to the couple.

The company also has supported the creation of a clinic in Managua, has provided financial support to the nonprofit Ghana Orphanage and helped with the startup, and has provided continued support for Oasis Pregnancy Care Center, which has office space in Copperstone Executive Suites, where X-Link operates.

Gator Cleaning Solutions, of Odessa, has been in business for more than 12 years. The company has evolved from a janitorial service to a facility maintenance provider.

It delivers customizable strategies to meet its customers’ needs. Recently, it expanded to include residential floor care such as carpet, tile/grout and upholstery cleaning.

The company rebranded itself in 2010, changing its name, expanding its executive leadership team and developing its first comprehensive website. It expanded its footprint in 2012 by purchasing its corporate office and warehouse space, and adding staff, to prepare for continued growth.

The company is a big believer in community involvement.

“I’m a big part of Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel,” said Erin Meyers, co-owner of the company.

She’s also involved with the Interact Club at Land O’ Lakes High School and is a Big Sister in the Big Brother/Big Sister organization.

Her husband, Marcus, also a co-owner of the company, coaches two teams in the West Pasco Soccer Club. He’s also on the Greater Pasco Chamber Board.

The company shows its support for community involvement by providing a paid work day for each employee, dubbed a “Give Day” to allow them to give back to a charity of their choice.

The company is also involved in a number of other organizations and charitable causes.

The company has about 80 employees, including about 30 full-time staff members, Erin Meyer said.

“We made it to a finalist last year. We were totally honored. If you look back at last year’s winners, there were just some amazing companies,” she said. “To have won this year is just extremely exciting and humbling.”

RISA, of Land O’ Lakes, is also on the list of companies to watch.

RISA is a Hispanic, Certified Veteran Owned Small Business that specializes in cyber security and information technology services.

It helps the Department of Defense and the federal government to secure networks, improve overall network security and achieve government regulatory compliance, according to its website.

It also supports a number of charitable causes and organizations, locally and internationally, including a micro-church in Germany that provides food, clothing, shelter and the Gospel to Germans who may have never read the Bible or heard of Jesus, the company’s website says.

Closer to home, the company supports Christian Social Services of Land O’ Lakes and Grace United Methodist Church, which in cooperation with Metropolitan Ministries, provides hot dinners weekly to members of the local community.

Published October 26, 2016

Setting the stage for community gatherings

By

A groundbreaking ceremony is set for Aug. 16 for a stage to be built at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

“It’s been a long wait, but we’re very excited,” said Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, who has played a leading role in helping to bring the vision to life.

“It was (state Rep.) Richard Corcoran, working with the governor, to get our cultural affairs money, to help us do the stage,” Graves said.

“I’m also grateful to the school board and Ray Gadd (Pasco County Schools deputy superintendent) for taking the lead for helping us get together community participation, with different builders and suppliers that helped us do it for the amount of money that we had,” Graves added.

There have been some changes to the design of a stage planned for the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, since this original rendering was drawn. But, the overall appearance will be very similar, said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools. One big difference, though, is that plans now call for a copper-colored roof. (File Photo)
There have been some changes to the design of a stage planned for the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, since this original rendering was drawn. But, the overall appearance will be very similar, said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools. One big difference, though, is that plans now call for a copper-colored roof.
(File Photo)

There has been “a great, great response from the community,” said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools.

“The architect, Peter Gottschalk, is doing this gratis. He’s a local Land O’ Lakes architect. Coastal Design is doing the civil design. They’re doing that pro bono.

“People have really stepped up,” Petrashek said.

Other companies have stepped up to provide free labor and materials at cost, Petrashek noted.

The roof on the stage has been upgraded to a copper-colored roof, he added.

“We wanted it to stand out,” Graves said. “Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline of Copperstone (Executive Suites) donated $1,600 because we wanted a copper-color roof on it.”

The beginning of construction will signal a major milestone in the quest to give the community a place to gather, Graves said.

Over the years, foundation members sold turkey legs at the community’s Flapjack Festivals, sold coffee at the opening of the Suncoast Parkway, sold water at a balloon festival at Starkey Park, and sold doughnuts and coffee at the Central Pasco Chamber’s community expos.

The biggest boost for the project came last year when the governor approved a $250,000 grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

It took three governors to finally get the state’s support, Graves has noted in previous interviews. Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. Charlie Crist both said no before Scott said yes.

The contract between Pasco County and the state Division of Cultural Affairs calls for the construction to be completed by June of 2017.

The completion can’t come too soon, Graves said, noting some of the people who have been pushing for the stage, sadly, have passed away and won’t be able to see it come to fruition.

Graves envisions plays, concerts and other events at the stage once it’s done.

“I know it’s going to be used well, in the community. We’re just making this park a very, very special park,” she said.

Groundbreaking for Land O’ Lakes community stage:
Aug. 16 at 8 a.m.
Land O’ Lakes Community Center, picnic pavilion, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

Published August 3, 2016

Easy Business Software wins regional award

By

A  company that was born out of the necessity to help a sick 2-year-old in the family recently won third place in Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards.

This recognition comes in addition to the Land O’ Lakes’ company’s top honors in Business Technology from the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., last year, and its recent placement on the semifinalist list in the statewide Florida Companies to Watch program.

From left, Gary Gorsline, his wife, Mary Lynn, and their daughter, Leana, are shown during a Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards celebration. Their company, Easy Business Solutions, captured third place honors. (Courtesy of Gary Gorsline)
From left, Gary Gorsline, his wife, Mary Lynn, and their daughter, Leana, are shown during a Bright House Networks Regional Business Awards celebration. Their company, Easy Business Software, captured third place honors.
(Courtesy of Gary Gorsline)

Gary Gorsline is CEO, and his wife, Mary Lynn, is vice president of the company called Easy Business Software.

The software product that the company is known best for was inspired by their daughter Chelsea’s illness.

She was born with skin allergies that were so severe that they were life-threatening, Mary Lynn said.

As a result, the young girl’s medical chart was loaded with information, Mary Lynn said.

But, one day, when she took her daughter to the doctor’s office, the chart was flat — the records had been misplaced.

In addition to dealing with the missing information, Mary Lynn found herself feeling frustrated as she constantly repeated the story about her daughter’s illness to about 40 different doctors. She was worried she might give doctors inaccurate information, as the family pursued an effective treatment for Chelsea.

Mary Lynn said she turned to Gary to see if he could use his technology know-how to figure out a way that the information could be shared.

Gary, who developed an expertise in computer programming while working for the government, took on the challenge.

The goal of interoperability is to connect different clinical and health care IT systems, so they can exchange and use a patient’s medical history to create better care at lower costs, he said.

The result of his efforts was X-link Medical Software, an interfacing technology that pulls systems and data together. X-link provides the capability to bi-directionally exchange data.

Easy Business Software, which goes by EBS for short, also provides consulting services to health care organizations.

That information can help the providers reduce costs and improve patient care, Gary said.

Leana Gorsline, director of business development, said the company’s prospects are bright, as both medical technology and health care gain greater public attention.

Gary said he sees enormous potential for the collection and analysis of data to lead to improved health care.

“The connectivity that we dreamed of so many years ago is finally on the verge of mass adoption,” he said.

Gary and Mary Lynn, who live in Lutz, also are the owners of Copperstone Executive Suites, a Land O’ Lakes office complex, at 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The office complex has full-time tenants, part-time tenants, and a room that can be rented for luncheons, business meetings, parties, church services or other events. The Laker/Lutz News is among the companies leasing space at Copperstone.

Gary is the president of the Association of Former Intelligence Officers, Suncoast Chapter and serves on a number of advisory boards.

Mary Lynn has been actively involved in the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce for years, and also serves on the Heritage Park Foundation, an organization that is working to get a stage for the arts built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park.

Published February 24, 2016

Editor Note: The name of the company was incorrect in the print edition on 2/24/2016. The correct company name is Easy Business Software.