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Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Heart of Pasco Award

Pasco tax collector’s office receives ‘Heart of Pasco’ award

January 16, 2019 By Brian Fernandes

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano and the Land O’ Lakes Tax Collector’s Office recently accepted the Heart of Pasco Award for the office’s exemplary customer service and outstanding community outreach efforts.

Sandy Graves, the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s chairwoman for community affairs, bestowed the award to Fasano, during a Jan. 10 ceremony outside the tax collector’s office in Land O’ Lakes.

The staff of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office in Land O’ Lakes stand alongside members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. The tax office became the recipient of the Heart of Pasco Award on Jan. 10 for its exceptional community service. (Brian Fernandes)

The “Heart of Pasco” award goes to a business that exemplifies the chamber’s mission to “aggressively advocate for the interest of our diverse business community by promoting business advancement, economic growth and job creation.”

Graves said the acknowledgement stems, in part, from that the tax collector’s office expansion in Land O’ Lakes, allowing it to better accommodate its patrons.

In accepting the award, Fasano said, “as Land O’ Lakes grows and Lutz grows, so did our office.”

Fasano, who became the county’s tax collector in 2013, said he wanted to improve the agency and to expand its locations to better serve its customers.

“In some ways, we were behind the times at the tax collector’s office,” said Fasano, recalling when he joined the office. “We needed to be at the same level [and] direction that Pasco was going.”

As a former member of the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate, he understood the importance of serving the needs of his constituents.

As tax collector, he identified that more space was required to serve an expanding population.

“The growth has been overwhelming, but it’s been good, solid growth for our economy and the tax base,” Fasano said.

To help address expanding needs, the tax collector’s office relocated its Land O’ Lakes office to a building next door, in October 2017. The building, previously occupied by the county’s health department, underwent a renovation supported by $1.4 million in county funds.

The Land O’ Lakes office has Saturday hours, too.

Graves also complimented the friendly nature of the tax collector’s staff.

“They all act as if they want to be there,” agreed Suzanne Beauchaine, executive director of the chamber. “They’re happy serving the community.”

Graves and Beauchaine said they have personally witnessed humble attributes of a leader in Fasano.

“The fact that Mike Fasano is the tax collector and you walk in there – he’s right there to say hello to you,” said Beauchaine. “He’s hands-on.”

In addition to attracting Fasano’s staff and chamber members, some Pasco residents also attended the award ceremony — which also recognized the tax collector’s work involving charitable organizations.

The Heart of Pasco Award is given out every four months to Central Pasco organizations for their community outreach – especially for charitable work.

Phyllis Bross, is a chamber member, who also serves as vice chair of the Community Aging and Retirement Services organization.

She said she’s seen Fasano work on behalf of the non-profit group which assists senior citizens in Pasco County.

The tax collector’s office has been involved in helping to raise money for numerous community causes and organizations.  In fact, the office has helped 58 different charities and organizations, with some being helped more than once, according to Greg Giordano, who keeps track of the efforts for Fasano’s office.

Last year, for instance, Fasano and his staff put together cookbooks to sell to raise funds for the local animal shelter.

Bross said Fasano obviously values his employees and they work together, like a family.

Under his leadership, the staff has seen their hourly wages increase by more than $5.

Fasano sees this as an expression of appreciation for his team’s hard work and dedication.

“We could not come close to the success we have if it wasn’t for the employees at the tax collector’s office,” Fasano said.

Since becoming the Pasco County tax collector in 2013, Mike Fasano and his staff have sought community support through the office for dozens of charities.

Bikers Care Charities
Support Our Troops
Salvation Army’s Annual Red Kettle Drive
Farm Share Annual Holiday Food Giveaway
Be a Santa to a Senior Annual Holiday Gift Collection
Lighthouse for the Blind
The Volunteer Way
Hernando Pasco Hospice
Guardian ad Litem Recruitment Drive
Sertoma Speech & Hearing Foundation
Donate Life/ Lifelink Foundation
Center for Independence (now known as the Arc Nature Coast)
AAA Traffic Safety Foundation
Florida Breast Cancer Foundation Annual Campaign
Terri’s Tears Foundation
Toys 4 Tots Annual toy drive
Veterans Flag Pin Collection Drive
One Community Now’s Annual Hunger Walk
Salvation Army’s Domestic Violence Program
American Heart Association’s National Wear Red Day for Women Campaign
Big Brothers/ Big Sisters of Tampa Bay
Take Stock in Children
Pasco Kids First
Lauren’s Kids
Pasco Sheriff’s K-9 Foundation
Stop Heart Disease
Community Volunteer Corps
Pasco Fine Arts Council
Kiddy-Up Ranch
AFIRE of Pasco
PACE Center for Girls
Pasco Education Foundation
Metropolitan Ministries
Alzheimer’s Family Organization
ASAP of Pasco
Two Good Soles Shoes & Socks Drive
Moffitt Cancer Center
Restored Hope
Blanket Tampa Bay/ Blanket Pasco County
NAMI of Pasco
CARES – Pet Program
Smile Faith Foundation
Homeless Coalition of Pasco
Tax Collector’s Backpack Giveaway
Good Samaritan Clinic
Hurricane Irma Victims Relief – Pasco County
Feeding Pasco’s Elderly
Nourish to Flourish
Sheriff’s Explorer’s Post #916
Special Olympics of Pasco
Connections Job Development Program
CARES – Senior Health Care Center
Catholic Charities Women’s Shelter
RAP House
Shriner’s Christmas in July Toy Drive
Hudson Boy Scout Troop #545
The ROPE Center
Pasco Friends of Animal Services
Published January 16, 2019

Filed Under: Top Story Tagged With: Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Florida House of Representatives, Florida Senate, Greg Giordano, Heart of Pasco Award, Mike Fasano, Phyllis Bross, Sandy Graves, Suzanne Beauchaine

Central Pasco chamber is on the move

October 11, 2017 By B.C. Manion

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

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News, News Stories Tagged With: 2810 Land O' Lakes Blvd, Central Pasco, Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, Copperstone Executive Suites, David Gainer, Heart of Pasco Award, Highland Oaks Preserve, Hillsborough County, Land O' Lakes, Land O' Lakes Chamber of Commerce, Livingston Road, Lutz, Odessa, Pasco, Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Shady Hills, Spring Hill, State Road 54, Suzanne Beauchaine, Trinity, Wesley Chapel

Pizza Villa wins ‘Heart of Pasco Award’

October 4, 2017 By B.C. Manion

A group of Central Pasco Chamber members gathered in front of Pizza Villa to have its photo taken last week, as the manager of the restaurant received the chamber’s “Heart of Pasco Award.”

Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce turned out to congratulate Pizza Villa for winning the ‘Heart of Pasco Award.’ (B.C. Manion)

What group members huddling together didn’t know — except for Cheryl Will, the restaurant’s manager — was that they were posing in the very spot where the photo was taken for the business’ ribbon cutting three decades ago.

Will has seen a multitude of changes in the Land O’ Lakes community since Pizza Villa began operations at 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive.

For one thing, State Road 54, which fronts the restaurant, was just two lanes back then, she said. For another, as the community has grown so, too, has the restaurant.

It now has 35 employees, Will said.

What hasn’t changed, though, is the spirit of the Land O’ Lakes community, she said. “It’s very heartwarming. Even though it’s growing, it still has a heart for people. Even though the area has grown, it still feels like family.”

She believes that Pizza Villa’s staying power is linked to its sense of community, its customer service and its good food.

“I’ve got some servers who have been here 15, 20 years,” she said. “I’ve had the same prep people, basically.”

This sign is now posted proudly near the Pizza Villa sign, off State Road 54. (B.C. Manion)

Of course, serving good food is essential for a restaurant’s success, Will said. Some customer favorites at Pizza Villa include the Greek chicken, the Greek salad dressing and the potato salad.

The restaurant’s prices are good, too, she said, noting “we’ve always tried to keep it affordable.”

Pizza Villa also believes in giving back to the community, Will added.

“People come to us, looking for fundraisers, sponsorships,” she said, and the restaurant responds.

In presenting the Heart of Pasco Award to the restaurant, Rosie Heim, the honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes, read a letter, and acknowledged the restaurant’s many contributions.

In part, Heim said, “Pizza Villa has been actively involved in the community, and you have given back to the community in countless ways. In many instances, your kind deeds may not have been properly acknowledged, as they should have been.”

After Heim concluded her remarks, chamber member April Saland told Will: “You do give effortlessly, and continuously.”

Sandy Graves, another chamber member noted: “You just have a heart for this community, Cheryl, and you have always served it so well.”

Following the presentation, Graves and others gathered near Pizza Villa’s sign and posted a yard sign proclaiming the restaurant’s accomplishment.

Sandy Graves, left, looks on, as Rosie Heim, right, reads a letter proclaiming Pizza Villa as the winner of the ‘Heart of Pasco Award.’ Cheryl Will, the restaurant’s manager, said she is honored by the recognition.

As Graves pushed in the sign, trucks driving past on State Road 54 tooted their horns in a show of support.

Will was clearly touched by the honor.

The restaurant is a mainstay in the community.

And, it obviously appreciates its customers, as evidenced by these words written on its front door: “Through these doors pass the finest people.

Our customers. Our friends.”

Pizza Villa is fortunate to have many regular customers, Will said.

Over the years, it has lost some through death and greeted new generations of patrons.

“You see ones that came in as babies, and now they’re coming in with their babies,” Will said.

And, there are some who have moved away, but still come in occasionally.

“We have a lot of people who have left the area, and whenever they come back to the area, this is one of their first stops,” she said.

Billy Fotopoulos is the owner of Pizza Villa, and of ABC Pizza, which also is in Land O’ Lakes.

Revised Oct. 5, 2017

 

 

 

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News, News Stories Tagged With: 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive, April Saland, Central Pasco Chamber, Cheryl Will, Greek, Heart of Pasco Award, Land O' Lakes, Pizza Villa, Rosie Heim, Sandy Graves, State Road 54

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