The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

 

Welcome to Our New Website. Enjoy.

Kathryn Starkey

Pasco County faces lean budget year

By

Pasco County’s revenues are falling short of projections — in the wake of a flattened economy due to the impacts of COVID-19.

Robert Goehig, budget director for Pasco County, presented an overview of the preliminary budget at the Pasco County Commission’s June 30 meeting.

In essence, the county can afford just 11 of 115 business plan initiatives brought forth by its department heads, Goehig said.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells is pushing for a 3% raise for county employees, instead of the 2% raise recommended by County Administrator Dan Biles. (File)

Among those initiatives is a 2% raise for county employees.

The size of the proposed raise received pushback from County Commissioner Mike Wells.

Wells told County Administrator Dan Biles: “You know the state is giving 3%. I believe almost all of the constitutionals (county constitutional officers) are doing 3%. There is nothing more important on this budget than taking care of our folks. We have to take care of our team. I would like to see that be 3%. I think that’s an extra half-million.”

Biles explained: “The reason we stayed at the 2% is because that basically matches the inflation rate, which was 2.1% last year. We also wanted to be mindful of what is going on in the rest of the community, as well.”

Commission Chairman Mike Moore and Jack Mariano said they’re willing to keep the issue open for further discussion.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, backed Biles’ approach.

Starkey said she appreciates the staff’s efforts, but she added: “I am OK with the 2% for this year, and if things get better next year, back up to 3%.”

Pasco’s decreasing revenues reflect what’s happening across the national economy, Goehig said. “When things are going well in the economy, nationwide, they are really going well in Pasco and in the state of Florida, as a whole. But, when things tank, they really tank in Florida.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles is recommending a 2% raise for county employees, based on the rate of inflation. (File)

“Our economy is so dependent on tourism,” Goehig said.

The county is expecting a decrease of 25% in its Tourism Development Tax Fund and is decreasing the budget in that category to reflect the reduced revenues, Goehig said.

The budget also reflects a 12% decrease in Fire Rescue.

“We had some plan initiatives that we implemented in fiscal year 2020, but because of the reductions in revenues, won’t be able to move forward with those,” Goehig said.

He also outlined changes in the budgets for the county’s constitutional officers.

The Sheriff’s Office will get about a 5% increase. The property appraiser’s budget is going down  because of savings it has achieved — through improved technologies.

The Clerk & Comptroller’s budget is about even, while the Supervisor of Elections’ is expected to increase by 1.2%.

Goehig noted that the Supervisor of Elections’ budget doesn’t reflect an additional $1.2 million from the CARES fund it will receive to provide for safe elections through social distancing, masks and those types of measures.

Commissioners are expected to sets the county’s Truth in Millage rate at the board’s July 14 meeting. This process lets county residents and businesses know the maximum ad valorem rate that could be adopted in September, when the board adopts its budget. The final rate that’s approved can be lower, but cannot be higher than the rate adopted in July.

Initiatives included in Pasco budget

  • Additional Attorney and Paralegal
  • Starkey Library Opening
  • Starkey District Park Contractual Obligations
  • Recreational Program at Dade City Armory
  • Central Facilities Building Design
  • Paramedic School (at PHSC) for Firefighter/EMTs
  • Prepare for the Opening of Fire Station 42 in fiscal year 2022
  • Pasco Economic Development Council
  • Employee Wage Raise (2%) to Keep Pace with Inflation
  • Procurement Management Software
  • Initiate Comprehensive Plan Update

Published July 08, 2020

Pasco commissioners receive honors

By

Pasco County Commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano each have a Presidential Advocate award from the Florida Association of Counties (FAC) for their work during the 2020 legislative session.

The commissioners were recognized during the association of counties’ annual business meeting, which was conducted virtually, according to a news release.

“As a local government official, I believe the effectiveness of FAC cannot be overstated,” Starkey said, in the release. “The organization does a great job at uniting local voices from across the state in Tallahassee, and I am honored to have contributed to this advocacy.”

“It’s an honor to be recognized as a leader amongst my peers,” Commissioner Jack Mariano, said in a release.

The award the elected Pasco officials received is bestowed to county commissioners who have shown exceptional leadership in advocating with FAC during the 2020 session to advance the counties’ legislative agenda.

“It’s our duty as commissioners to stand up for our community, to fight to preserve the unique aspects of where we live, work, and play,” said FAC Immediate Past President and Leon County Commissioner Nick Maddox. “This responsibility is only heightened during the Legislative Session where hundreds of bills are heard that directly impact that quality of life.”

Mariano has been designated as an Advanced Certified County Commissioner by the Florida Association of Counties and a Certified County Commissioner by the same group.

He will serve as a policy leader on the Florida Association of Counties Water & Environmental Sustainability Policy Committee for the upcoming 2020-2021 Fiscal Year, the release says.

Starkey has been active in FAC since being elected to District 3 of the Pasco County Commission in 2012. She chairs the FAC Federal Policy Committee and is the District 20 Representative to the FAC Board of Directors.

She also helped lead FAC’s fall 2019 “Federal Fly-in,” which created channels of communication between local officials and federal policymakers in Washington D.C., to discuss national issues, such as flood insurance.

Published July 08, 2020

Some 2020 races decided; others up for grabs

By

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles and Sheriff Chris Nocco each will serve another four years — since no opponents came forward to challenge them by the qualifying deadline in the 2020 election.

Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley also will serve another four years, as his opponent withdrew. And, Mike Wells has been elected to Pasco County Property Appraiser, since his opponent Gary Joiner did not qualify.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley will serve another term in District 1, because opponent Christopher King withdrew. And, Pasco School Board District 2 incumbent Colleen Beaudoin has won another term because her opponent Adrienne G. Wilson withdrew.

Seats in other political races remain up for grabs.

Pasco School Board District 4 incumbent Alison Crumbley faces Joshua M. Stringfellow.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is being challenged by David P. LaRoche and Cynthia Thompson.

Republican Kathryn Starkey incumbent in the race for Pasco County Commission District 3 faces Democrat challenger Jessica McCoy Stempien.

In District 4, an election is being held to fill the seat that’s being vacated two years early by Wells, who decided to run for county appraiser. Four Republican candidates are vying for the seat: Gary Bradford, Christina M. Fitzpatrick, Russell “Jeff’ Miller and Gabriel (Gabe) Papadopoulus.

Pasco County Commission District 5 incumbent Republican Jack Mariano faces challengers Brandi Geoit, a Democrat, and Victor Rodriguez, with no party affiliation.

Meanwhile, at the state level, another familiar face has stepped forward.

Republican Danny Burgess, of Zephyrhills, is competing with Democrat Kathy Lewis in a special election in Senate District 20. They are vying to fill the seat of Tom Lee, who stepped away from the seat early.

Published June 24, 2020

Fewer resources, tighter budget

By

Pasco County is estimating a $5.7 million hit to its general fund this fiscal year, due to impacts from the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, according to County Administrator Dan Biles.

Biles shared that projection during the Pasco County Commission’s virtual board meeting on May 5 .

“We think we have a plan in place to be within that revenue within the next six months, from an expense standpoint,” Biles said.

Pasco County saw a dip of 25% in building permits, from March to April, as the area grapples with impacts from coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). (File)

“We sat down over the last couple of weeks and went through some various options to, I will say, restrict spending in the general fund over the next several months, as we get a better handle on what our revenues will be in the general fund. The specific departments that are being hit outside the general fund, like gas tax, transportation trust fund, tourism — are all working their specific plans to make sure they can manage with the revenue they expect to come in, the reduced revenue.

“From a general fund perspective, we’re putting in place what I will call a ‘soft hiring freeze.’

“If you need a person and you can justify that person up to your assistant county administrator level, then we can still go through the process of hiring that position. It’s not a hard freeze.

“There are some places where it still makes sense to hire that position, depending on what that position is. All fy 20 (fiscal year 2020) business initiatives that have not been implemented have been placed on hold, until we see what our revenue looks like over the next few months.

“Obviously, travel is restricted, so we’ve swept all of those funds out of that department, into a savings account. There’s not a lot of in-person training going on right now, so the costs for those conferences and classes have kind of been swept up. Any training that’s required for certification, we are still allowing that training, but most of that training is virtual today, anyway.

“We are working on carefully watching our large purchases the next few months to make sure, again, if it’s something that has to happen or it is something that we can wait until we see (the revenue,” Biles said.

“The revenue numbers from March didn’t dip as much as we expected. That’s good. They weren’t as high as we had budgeted for that month, either.

“So, there was a small dip.

“As we are working right now, building the fy 21 (fiscal year 2021) budget, I will say that on the general fund and these other funds that will be impacted by this, it will be a very lean budget. As, in, there will not be any business plan initiatives proposed because … we will probably take a pretty significant hit on the sales tax even into (fiscal year) 21, and into (fiscal year) 22, we’ll probably take a hit on the ad valorem side because building will be slowing down over the next several months, which means our new construction number in (fiscal year) 22 will be lower than what we’ve seen in the next few years.

“I will say that building permits were down about 25% from March to April. That’s probably within what we expected the market to do.

“There’s still a lot of building going (on) out there, but that’s still down 25% March to April, and that’s probably going to continue to drop over the next couple of months until people get a feel for what is happening out there in the economy.

“In short, we’ve done our due diligence on our (fiscal year) 20 expenses, we think we’ve got a plan in place that will keep us within the projected revenue in (fiscal year) 20. And, that our (fiscal year) 21 will be very lean, with respect to new business plan initiatives in the general fund — very close to zero right now — unless we see some change in the revenue perspective,” he said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she’d just read a Wall Street Journal article that said housing prices were up almost 8% in March.

“It looks like the trend is that the demand is still very strong and the supply is not so good.

“I also saw some comments by Taylor Morrison in an article that they are still actively looking for land, that they are kind of focusing on adult retirement, and they still see the demand in Florida as very strong.

“So, hopefully, we’ll bounce very quickly,” Starkey said.

Published May 13, 2020

Serving up food — to sustain, comfort

By

Concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has flattened the economy, causing many to seek out help for the first time to put food on their tables.

Here is a look at some efforts, to help feed others, across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Collecting food to feed the hungry
The woman pulls up and pops open her trunk, so volunteers could gather the bags of food that she had brought to donate.

Among those volunteering at a weekend food drive were Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco School Board member Allen Altman and State Rep. Ardian Zika. They took their masks off for the photo, and kept socially distanced. (B.C. Manion)

As they unloaded her donations, she became emotional — thanking the volunteers for what they are doing to help people struggling through the pandemic.

She was obviously touched by the effort.

Pasco County leaders have held food drives for the past two weekends to collect donations. The first drive was in the parking lot of the former Super Target store, off State Road 54, west of the Suncoast Expressway, and the second at Sam’s Club of Wesley Chapel, off State Road 56, in Wesley Chapel.

State Rep. Ardian Zika carries a box of donations to tables, where they are sorted

High-ranking officials from Pasco County Schools, the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office, the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, state legislators, and candidates for office, were there to help. Pasco Fire Rescue employees, Pasco Sheriff’s Office employees and others volunteered, too.

The community responded, bringing bags and boxes of food — loaded with pasta, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, soups, rice, canned goods and more.

Monetary donations are still welcome and can be made through the Pasco Education Foundation at PascoEducationFoundation.org. Checks can be made payable to Pasco Education Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 1248, Land O’ Lakes, Florida, 34639.

Farm-Fresh Pop-ups
When Pasco County Schools receives donated fruits or vegetables, it holds Farm Fresh Pop-ups, and the free fresh produce goes fast.

At its first Pop-Up, the district gave away more than 30,000 ears of corn in about 2 hours.

It took less than 45 minutes to give away a truck filled with 10-pound variety boxes of vegetables, during a Farm Fresh Pop-up at the school district headquarters in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Stephen P. Hegarty)

At its second one, on May 8, it handed out 10-pound variety boxes of vegetables containing such veggies as cucumbers, potatoes, radishes, collards, broccoli, peppers, squash, and eggplant.

Those were gone in 45 minutes.

At the pop-ups, which are held in different locations, school district officials are practicing safe social distancing and wearing masks.

Those picking up the free foods are asked to stay in their vehicles and to pop their trunks, so the food can be placed in their trunks.

Feeding Florida and L&M donated the variety boxes.

The district also continues to provide five breakfasts and five lunches, once a week, to students 18 and under, at specific locations. As of May, it had served more than 820,000 meals.

To find out more about the district’s meal program, and to keep abreast of future Farm Fresh Pop-Ups, check the district’s website, Pasco.k12.fl.us.

Outdoor dining allowed to expand
Pasco County officials are providing more flexibility to restaurants to expand their outdoor dining space by allowing them to set up tables in parking areas and other outdoor areas — without a county permit.

The move was made to give restaurant operators more options, as they contend with decreased business due to COVID-19.

Leslie Gruber, of Land O’ Lakes, receives her meal from Savannah Walker, manager of The Box Kitchen Restaurant, at 6464 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. in Land O’ Lakes. The restaurant placed several tables in its parking lot to accommodate more diners, taking advantage of relaxed rules in Pasco County. (Randy Underhill)

Under phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan, restaurants were allowed to operate indoor dining rooms at 25% capacity and to have dining outdoors, with the proviso that tables be kept 6 feet apart from each other.

To help expand restaurant capacity, Tampa officials have closed streets in some areas, so restaurants could set up tables there.

In Pasco, officials allowed restaurateurs to expand outdoor dining on their own properties.

The expanded seating may be used during the restaurant’s normal business hours, and the allowance will expire when full-capacity indoor dining returns, according to a county news release.

The Box Kitchen Restaurant in Land O’ Lakes appeared to be one of the few restaurants within The Laker/Lutz coverage area taking advantage of the county’s relaxed rules.

Providing hot meals in hard times
Three initiatives in Pasco County are aimed at providing hot meals, while supporting restaurants at the same time.

In the “Dining Out at Home” program, Pasco County has partnered with the Area Agency on Aging to have restaurant meals delivered to eligible senior citizens.

In “Operation Feed Pasco,” local restaurants are helping to supply meals at local food pantries and soup kitchens. The county is partnering with United Way of Pasco County on that effort.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and State Rep. Ardian Zika were on hand when meals were delivered to workers at the Medical Center of Trinity. (Courtesy of Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey’s office)

Restaurants that would like to participate in Operation Feed Pasco should call United Way at (727) 359-7999, to see if there are any slots left.

In Pasco FLAG2020, meals are being purchased from local restaurants and then provided to people working on the front lines of the pandemic.

The program is being championed by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who was inspired after seeing coverage of two women in New Jersey who launched the national program.

So far, 64 meals have been delivered through that program to AdventHealth Dade City, 41 have been delivered to BayCare’s North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey and 106 meals to Medical Center of Trinity.

In addition to Starkey, other local elected leaders who have been involved in raising money, include Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, former Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil and State Rep. Ardian Zika.

To help, send donations to:

Venmo: @FLAG2020Pasco; PayPal: PayPal.me/FLAG2020Pasco

Published May 13, 2020

Florida takes first step to reopen

By

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis began the first phase of reopening the state this week — after ordering all but essential businesses and activities to close down on  April 3.

The new “Safe. Smart. Step-by-Step” order institutes a phase one reopening throughout the state, except in  Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Gov. Ron DeSantis

Under phase one, schools will remain in distance learning through the end of the school year, and no visitors will be allowed to long-term facilities — as has been the case.

But, the first phase does allow:

  • Elective surgeries
  • Outdoor dining at restaurants, with 6 feet between tables; and indoor dining, at 25% capacity
  • Retail shopping at 25% capacity, and businesses must follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention distancing guidelines

The first phase of the governor’s order does not allow reopening of movie theaters, gyms, bars or hair salons.

The state is taking deliberate steps in reopening, DeSantis said, in a televised news conference.

“It will not be like turning off a switch,” he said.

He expects the state to move from one phase to the next, in a matter of weeks not months, unless the data indicates otherwise.

“If we’re making progress, we need to continue to put people back to work in a safe, smart and step-by-step way,” DeSantis said.

“The government needs to protect health, but we should not go beyond what is necessary to do that,” he said.

“This current crisis has impacted — one way or another — all 21 ½ million Floridians in life-changing ways,” the governor said.

He said some small businesses have seen their life’s work “practically devastated overnight.

“Working parents have had to juggle the new reality of distance learning, all the while trying to put food on the table.

“Our kids have not seen their friends from school for at least six weeks. School sports and plays and activities have gone up in smoke — depriving kids of some of the best times in their lives.

“Traditional graduations have been cancelled, and so have senior proms. These moments, will be forever lost.

“And, of course, our kids haven’t been able to see their grandparents,” he said.

DeSantis urged those most vulnerable to protect themselves.

“If you’re 65 and up, if you have a significant underlying condition, you need to avoid crowds, avoid close contact with people outside your household. Stay home as much as you can,” he said.

He asked others to help protect them, too.

“The most important social distancing we can do is to distance the most vulnerable from those who are not. Because if you’re not vulnerable, you may be a carrier of this and not have symptoms or not know it, and you have a risk to pass it along,” he said.

In general, social groups should remain 10 or fewer, he said.

The governor also recommends that individuals wear face masks, when they are in face-to-face interactions and when they cannot maintain a safe social distance.

Pasco County reopenings
The Pasco County Commission is following the governor’s guidelines, in slowly reopening county locations, with limited services.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles

“The county, as a whole, is in a good place to get ready to start cracking back open,” County Administrator Dan Biles said during an April 24 virtual town hall meeting, hosted by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

The county has already opened some areas for recreation and plans to use a phased approach for reopening libraries, Biles said.

“Our customer service counters are probably going to stay the way they are for a while.

“Whether you come in and drop something off, and we come and then we come pick it up. Or, drive-thru only, like our utility service areas.

“Operationally, we have probably a quarter of the county, to a third of the county, working from home, right now, and they stay working from home, until we get to a phase two or phase three,” Biles said.

The arrangement is working so well for some staffers that they may be able to continue working at home, even after the restrictions are lifted, Biles said.

The county already has reopened the West Pasco Resource Recovery Facility, the East Paco Transfer Station and the standalone recyclables drop-off locations for residential waste and recycling disposal. The change restores services that previously limited residential drop-offs, between April 4 and April 25.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s offices re-opened on May 4 for in-person lobby services.

Hours of operation will be Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Gulf Harbors and Wesley Chapel offices will be open on Saturdays beginning May 9 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, for Pasco County residents only.

Each office will maintain social distancing standards, such as limiting the number of individuals allowed in the office at one time.

Dealers may drop off and pick up work through the VIN check/drive-thru Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon. No over-the -counter dealer work will be permitted.

To protect themselves and those around them customers are requested to wear face masks if at all possible. For more information, visit PascoTaxes.com.

Emergency leaders in Hillsborough County also have announced they will align the community’s COVID-19 recovery with the governor’s plan, and will not take more restrictive actions.

Keep yourself safe
Pasco County continues to encourage individuals to follow the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Prevention and Florida Department of Health (DOH) guidelines and best practices. Those include:

  • Avoid social gatherings in groups of more than 10 people
  • Practice social distancing of at least 6 feet
  • Use online service options, when available
  • Stay home if you feel sick, and contact your medical provider
  • Practice good hygiene. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds, using soap and water. When that’s not available, use hand sanitizer.
  • Wear cloth face coverings in public, when social distancing is difficult

Published May 06, 2020

Pasco assessing COVID-19’s fiscal impacts

By

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said the county is working through how it will respond to negative economic effects caused by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

“We’ve had a pretty tremendous revenue impact to us — across several different funds. We are working through now, how we are going to make sure that we still stay solvent through the rest of the fiscal year, in light of the revenue impact,” Biles said, during an April 24 virtual town hall meeting hosted by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Those decreased revenues “will impact things across the general fund — which are libraries, parks, the transport piece of our rescue, and some of the other general services we provide.

“We’ve not yet seen a downtick in building permits, but we also haven’t seen the April data yet. March was a strong month for building permits, but we haven’t seen April, and I’m not sure how much March was just on cruise control,” Biles said.

“We don’t have data yet on impact to sales tax, although we have some very obvious indications where those are going, but we obviously haven’t seen the revenue impacts yet,” he said.

Biles’ comments came after previous remarks he made during the Pasco County Commission’s first virtual board meeting on April 21. At that meeting, he indicated the county was being smart about not hiring for every vacancy and evaluating how to proceed with spending.

Biles said “furloughing or laying off people” would be last on his list.

The administrator also noted that even when things start opening up again, the county will continue to feel the effects of the pandemic for some time.

“We aren’t going to be past the impacts of COVID-19 any time soon, because there still is work to be done in treatment, and work to be done in vaccines, so it probably won’t be resolved for quite a while,” he said.

The county will need to continue to observe guidance from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, he added.

“Even if we do open up, that doesn’t mean that the risk is not there,” Biles said.

Published May 06, 2020

A closer look at coronavirus statistics in Pasco County

By

Pasco County’s percentage of positive coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) cases compares favorably to the state’s percentage of positive cases, according to Mike Napier, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Pasco County.

Napier’s comments came on April 24, during a town hall virtual meeting hosted by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Napier said the health department’s epidemiologists work with hospitals, long-term health facilities, urgent care centers, and other medical and testing facilities to identify, monitor and track all positive COVID-19 cases.

Once a positive case is identified, the health department’s epidemiology team contacts the individual and asks about their activities and the people they’ve come in contact with.

“Based on that information, follow-up calls are made to those possible contacts. Information is gathered and recommendations are provided to those individuals, as well.

“A tracking system is used to compile this information and determine trends in our community.

“Normally, this is a 24/7 operation, manned by four staff in the health department.

“However, in the last few weeks, we’ve ramped up and have a total of 25 people working on contact tracing.

“As we know, contact tracing is a huge component in resolving our COVID-19 cases,” Napier said.

“Before we had the self-isolation, you  may have been to a neighborhood barbecue. You may have been to your children’s school event. I may have 40 to 50 people.

“Contact tracing is important.

“We contact our positives within the first 24 to 48 hours of the lab getting back to us. Many times, we’re contacting them before the doctors call them.”

“The amount of work is reduced because of the isolation, and the spread is reduced because of the isolation.”

Napier put Pasco County’s percentage of positive cases at 5% of those tested, compared to the state average of 10%.

“Today (April 24), we’ve had nine positive cases; in the past, we’ve been doing pretty well, with four or five cases,” he said.

Of 229 cases, 174 people have been removed from isolation, he said.

As of April 24, Pasco had its highest daily positive count on the first three days of April. The counts on those days were 15, 12 and 16, respectively.

“For this past week, we’ve averaged five cases, so we’re making progress,” he said.

Early on, most of the county’s cases were related to travel from known hot spots.

Then, the positive cases were from exposure to known cases, with a large percentage being from household contact, such as spouses, children and siblings, he said.

He said the health department provides priority testing, based on first responders and health care workers.

He said BayCare also has stepped up with drive-thru testing at its Gulf Harbor location and now at Gulf High School in New Port Richey.

“BayCare has tested more than 2,000 residents that met the screening criteria. I can’t emphasize the importance of the screening criteria — fever, cough, shortness of breath,” Napier said.

The focus has been on testing people who are symptomatic, he said.

The testing will be provided through the first week of May at Gulf High School, said Napier, who also gave a shout-out to the principal, for accommodating the testing.

“These efforts have allowed us to identify and slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community,” Napier said, adding that social distancing is working to reduce the spread of the potentially deadly virus.

When employers can find ways for employees to work at home, that helps to limit the spread, he said.

“Pasco County, in general terms, has done very well with the COVID response and has seen less cases and less deaths, compared to similar counties,” Napier said.

He attributes some of that to the health department’s efforts to fight back the Hepatitis A problem that has plagued the county for the past year.

He explained: “COVID-19 messaging is similar to Hep A, in that good hygiene is the No. 1 best way to avoid infection.

“Our hospitals, long-term care facilities, community partners and you, our residents of Pasco County, are making a difference and the data shows. Continue to follow CDC guidance, watch for updates for the governor and when Pasco County begins to get back to business, following their guidance,” he said.

“The Department of Health is working with Pasco County to provide data on case counts and other related information, so that they can make informed decisions on opening the county for business,” Napier added.

He also offered these simple reminders: “The basics of infection control continue to be good hand hygiene.

“Remember,” he added, “the best way to prevent illness is to avoid being exposed to the virus.”

Published May 06, 2020

Don’t forget to fill out your census form, officials urge

By

While headlines about coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) dominate media coverage,  something else that’s very important — the U.S. Census — is barely getting a mention, Pasco officials say.

Maj. James Mallo, of the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, spent a few minutes talking about the census during an April 24  virtual town hall meeting, hosted by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

“The census has taken a backseat,” Mallo said, and added that it’s vital that Pasco County gets an accurate count to be sure that it gets its fair share of federal tax dollars.

“The last I looked at it, we were at about 53% (participation). We definitely want to see as close to 100(%) as possible.”

“We have to do a better job,” Mallo said.

“It’s never been quicker. It’s never been easier. You can do it by phone. You can do it by Internet. You can do it by paper,” he said.

“It took me about 3 minutes to complete mine,” he added, emphasizing the ease of the process.

He also assured those listening: “The U.S. Census keeps your information safe and confidential.”

Mallo said he can’t overstate the importance of everyone being counted.

“It controls $675 billion of federal funds,” he said.

Census data is used to divvy up federal money for health, education, housing and infrastructure, he explained.

The data helps assign funding for things such as school lunches, special education programs, Medicaid, and Head Start. It also helps determine the need for roads, hospitals, schools and other types of public infrastructure.

“It directly impacts the safety and security of our county,” added Mallo, noting that he’s keenly interested in ensuring that protection.

Besides providing useful information for government leaders, census data is important to private business owners because it can help to guide their decisions.

Census data also plays a role in government representation. It determines how many representatives a state has in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“The thing is, we only get one shot every 10 years, so I really, really want to stress the importance of everybody just doing one simple thing,” Mallo urged listeners.

“If people realized how many things it will affect for so long, people would run to fill out the census. It’s just that important,” he said. “We deserve our fair share of federal funding.”

Commissioner Starkey agreed: “We can’t stress that enough.”

If you have questions about the census, visit 2020Census.com, or call (844) 330-2020.

Published May 06, 2020

Lifting spirits in all sorts of ways

By

(Courtesy of Blaise Ryndes)

Spreading joy through bubbles
Blaise Ryndes, of Land O’ Lakes, attracted national attention when he took his bubble-making skills to America’s Got Talent.

Now, during a time of a global pandemic, the performer decided to take to his neighborhood streets, to help spread joy during a time of social isolation.

He recently put on a one-car bubble parade for his neighbors.

“To abide by social distancing, everyone stayed in their own yards and we went house to house spreading fun bubbles around, or as I like to call them, little orbs of happiness and cleanliness,” Ryndes reports, in an email to The Laker/Lutz News.

He described his act as “an effort to relieve the angst of quarantine.”

And, based on the photos, it looks like his mobile “Spheres Bubble Show,” was a hit.

AdventHealth staff is joined by volunteers, including Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, after the meals are delivered to the Dade City hospital. (Courtesy of Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey)

Helping two groups, at the same time
When Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey heard about an effort to show appreciation to front-line workers during the global pandemic, she latched onto it — immediately.

The initiative — launched by Liz Bernich, of Chatham, New Jersey, and Gina McGuire, of Madison, New Jersey – is called the Frontline Appreciation Group (FLAG) 2020.

They wanted to show appreciation to front-line workers, and help restaurants at the same time.

So, they began raising money that they spent to help feed front-line workers.

When Starkey heard about the initiative she launched a Pasco chapter, which is known as FLAG2020Pasco.

As of last week, a total of 105 meals had been delivered, with 64 going to AdventHealth Dade City, and 41 to BayCare’s North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey. Another delivery was planned for the evening of April 24 at AdventHealth Zephyrhills.

So far, restaurants that have participated include Boulevard Beef & Ale and Rose’s Bistro Off Main, both in downtown New Port Richey, which provided meals for North Bay Hospital; and, Green Door on 8th, which provided meals for AdventHealth Dade City.

Donations supporting the efforts so far have come from citizens, as well as county officials including Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning and former Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil.

When she saw the initiative on the news, Starkey said she wanted to get involved because it is innovative and smart.

To help, send donations to:

Venmo: @FLAG2020Pasco

PayPal: PayPal.me/FLAG2020Pasco

Those donating $100 or more will get a sign to place in their yard, which Starkey has purchased as a show of appreciation to contributors.

Make a veteran’s day brighter!
As nursing homes remain off-limits to visitors, the Friends of the Baldomero Lopez State Veterans Nursing Home have launched a project aimed at brightening veterans’ days.

The project is called Operation FAV (For Any Veteran) and it seeks to enlist the help of anyone who wants to get involved to help overcome social distancing requirements by writing a note or sending a card to residents at the nursing home.

Organizers of the effort note, “this Land O’ Lakes nursing home has, like nursing homes throughout the world, been closed for visitors, leaving the residents there somewhat isolated.”

The great thing about this project is that anyone, of any age, can get involved.

All you have to do to is make up a card, note or letter, and address them:

For Any Veteran

Baldomero Lopez State Veterans’ Nursing Home

6919 Parkway Blvd.

Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639

The staff will make sure your cards and notes are distributed to the veterans there who haven’t had visitors in a while. Cards also can be sent in bulk to the same address.

A unique way of reaching out
While acknowledging that a swimming pool is not the most important necessity in life, Glenn Simpson, of GPS Pool, is offering a free chemical pool service to those age 60 and older. For many people, swimming in their pool is the only activity they have during this time of pandemic, Simpson says, in a blurb about his offer. Call (813) 948-9091 for details.

Gerry Ackley and Yvonne Wassman stand on one side of the truck loaded with food, while Steve Graves and Sandy Graves stand on the other. The food goes to help the hungry and is being supported through a donation by the seniors at Sunlake High School. (Courtesy of Lisa Kamps)

Sunlake High seniors step up
When Pasco 2020 Grad Bash was canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, seniors from Sunlake High School decided they wanted to do something worthwhile with the money they’d raised to pay for the event’s buses. They decided to make a big donation to Keystone Community Church’s Second Serving program. That program provides food for the homeless, operates a food pantry and helps people with other essentials, during their time of need.

The church is immensely grateful, said Lisa Kamps, of the Second Serving program.

“The most important thing, I think, for the senior class was to reach out in the Lutz, Land O’ Lakes area, because we don’t have as many opportunities here to assist families in need.

“They wanted to be sure that we were reaching people in this area,” Kamps said, noting that not all of the money will go for food. “We have to see what the need is, and meet it.”

Monica Isle, assistant superintendent of high schools for Pasco County Schools, gave kudos to the Sunlake seniors during the April 21 school board meeting.

“I think it just speaks to our graduating class that we have — of how much they’re thinking of how they can give back to the community,” Isle said.

Coty Darmoth is one of the chefs at Nabruzzi Trattoria. (Courtesy of Dana Nabruzzi)

Serving meals, in show of gratitude
It’s not uncommon for a restaurant to have a special, but Nabruzzi Trattoria has taken its Wednesday night specials to an entirely new level.

It is delivering free hot meals to people who serve the community.

“Every Wednesday we’re going to pick somebody in the area that has put themselves at risk, that are out there every day,” said Massimo Sabetti, the chef/owner of Nabruzzi Trattoria at 6062 Van Dyke Road in Lutz.

The restaurant was closed for about two weeks, before deciding to reopen for take-out and curbside, only.

When it reopened, Sabetti and his wife decided: “We have to do something for the community during this time,” he said.

After all, the community support is the reason the restaurant has done well.

So, on April 8, a meal was delivered to support the workers at Publix, and then another delivery was made that night to support the emergency room staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North.

On April 15, the restaurant delivered a meal to Hillsborough County Rescue Station 34, on Van Dyke Road, and then, on April 22, it delivered a meal for workers at Magnolia Manor Assisted Living Facility.

“We pick a place every week, I call, coordinate, what time is good for them? I get my chefs to make it and we bring it to them,” said Sabetti said.

He’s giving back to a community that has been very good to him, he said.

“The neighborhood has been very, very supportive. I’m very fortunate.”

Tell us about acts of kindness
If you know people who are going out of their way to make life easier for others during this time of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, please let us know by emailing .

Published April 29, 2020