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Government responds to COVID-19

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A $2 trillion relief package — the largest in U.S. history — has been passed in an attempt to stabilize the economy, in the wake of an economic and medical crisis posed by coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19).

The package includes help for individuals, unemployment benefits, loans for small businesses, help for large industries and other types of assistance.

The stimulus includes a $1,200 check per person, or $2,400 married jointly, with an additional $500 per child, for those earning $75,000 or less, according to reporting by national news outlets.

There’s also $350 billion of loans for small businesses.

The package also includes increased unemployment payments, and unemployment benefits extended to self-employed workers and contractors, the reports say.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis issued a statement after the passage of the CARES Act.

In part, he noted the relief act will “help keep us safe, protect jobs and prevent financial devastation for millions of Americans.

“We must get people working again, as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said, adding the stimulus checks will provide immediate relief to individual taxpayers who need it most.

He also noted “the expanded unemployment benefits will provide support for those who have lost their jobs or seen their hours reduced through no fault of their own.”

And, “the bill provides loan programs to help every type and size of business, including: sole proprietors, independent contractors, and nonprofits. If small business owners continue to pay their rent and employees, they can have their loans forgiven.”

Also, on March 29, President Donald Trump called for extended national guidance on social distancing guidelines be extended through April 30. In part, the guidelines call for individuals to stay at least 6 feet apart from others and that gatherings be limited to 10 or fewer people.

Locally, Hillsborough County has adopted a Safer-At-Home Order, to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

The order applies to all residents within Hillsborough County, including the cities of Plant City, Tampa and Temple Terrace, and became effective at 10 p.m., on March 27.

The order means that all residents are directed to stay at home as much as possible, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

However, there are many exceptions to the Safer-at-Home Order, according to Hillsborough County’s website. Those include:

  • People seeking medical treatment, transporting people seeking medical treatment, or caregivers assisting another person with medical or caregiving needs
  • People whose residences are unsafe or have become unsafe, such as for victims of domestic violence
  • People who are preparing or delivering food and drinks
  • People commuting to and from their jobs
  • People walking pets, as long as social distancing guidelines are observed
  • Parent or guardians transporting children because of a custody-sharing agreement or order

The order also defines essential businesses/services, including:

  • Establishments including grocery stores, farmers’ markets, farm and produce stands, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores and liquor stores
  • Gas stations, auto and recreational vehicle supply and repair shops, and auto dealerships
  • Farming, livestock, and fishing
  • Businesses that provide food, shelter, social services, and other necessities
  • Hardware, gardening, and building material stores
  • Firearms and ammunition supply stores
  • Media services and journalists

In Pasco County, meanwhile, a virtual meeting of the region’s leaders was set for March 31, with invitations issued to the chairs of the Hillsborough and Pinellas county commissions and mayors of the region’s three largest cities.

The county also has posted a video on its website, featuring County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, County Administrator Dan Biles and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Moore reminded viewers that “a healthy community begins with you. Personal responsibility and accountability translate into real results.”

He encouraged viewers to follow the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Department of Health’s guidance on social distancing.

“Don’t gather in groups of 10 or more, actually, if you don’t have to, don’t gather in groups at all.

“Wash your hands often and, please, if you’re sick, stay home,” Moore said.

Biles said the county is encouraging its employees to work from home, if they can.

“We’re making decisions based on real data, that applies to our community.

“Pasco doesn’t have the high density areas or multi-generational concerns that are driving stay-at-home orders in other communities.

“Our goal is to continue to safely provide essential services and to keep our economy moving,” Biles said.

Nocco reminded viewers that “we’re all in this together” and urged them to use common sense.

“Common sense is stay away from others, keep your social distance. Common sense is that you’re sick, stay inside.”

“We’re all in this together and together we will get through this crisis,” he said.

In terms of government services, Pasco County has closed these buildings until further notice: The Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., Dade City; Guardian Ad Litem Office West and Guardian Ad Litem Office East; Elderly Nutrition East, 13853 15th St., Dade City; Elderly Nutrition Central, 6801 Wisteria Loop, Land O’ Lakes; and, Elderly Nutrition West, 8600 Galen Wilson Blvd., New Port Richey.

Pasco County also has closed its libraries and its parks recreation complexes, and community and education centers.

All Pasco County beaches are closed. Parks and natural preserve areas also were closed, effective 8 p.m., on March 30.

Parks-sponsored large events and mass gatherings are canceled until further notice, and these facilities in and near The Laker/Lutz News coverage area are closed: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex; Heritage Park Community Center; Starkey Wilderness Park Education Center; James Irvin Community Center; and, Odessa Community Center.

Pasco County Public Transit is providing free ridership until further notice, and limiting the number of riders on a bus to 10 to 15 riders at a time.

The county also will be increasing the number of buses on it busiest routes and temporarily suspending services on its least-used routes.

All Pasco County Senior Centers are closed, and all senior programs, activities, classes and meetings are canceled until further notice. For more information, call (727) 834-3340 with any questions.

Numerous public meetings have been canceled until further notice, including meetings of the Pasco County Commission and the Pasco County Planning Commission.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley was out of the country and returned home to do a 14-day self-quarantine.

He said the county is finding ways for people to work without being in groups, and he noted he’s been on conference calls with county staff.

“By doing what we are doing, this will probably all come to an end, sooner,” Oakley said.

“You take it one day at a time.

“You have to adapt. These are uncharted waters,” Oakley said.

Published April 1, 2020

Project provides inclusion for those with sight impairments

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The mission of the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind (LVIB) is to educate, empower and employ people who are sight impaired and blind.

This rendering shows the new Sensory Garden and Accessible Playground that will be built at the Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind in New Port Richey. (Courtesy of Lighthouse for the Visually Impaired and Blind)

The organization provides residents of Pasco, Hernando and Citrus counties with no-cost vision rehabilitation, and opportunities to maintain and increase independence.

Recently, LVIB hosted a groundbreaking for its new Sensory Garden and Accessible Playground that will be built at the New Port Richey Lighthouse, 9130 Ridge Road.

The project will be a one-of-a-kind resource because of its level of accessibility for people who are visually impaired and blind.

Sounds, textures, smells, and signage and other identifying markers will allow those with sight impairments to use all their senses to navigate and benefit from being outside.

The area will be used to teach people of all ages independent living skills and white cane skills. It also will keep them safe while they learn, play, relax and garden.

The design will incorporate a waterfall that guests can stand close to and touch, too.

There also will be a garden club and playdates with community groups, to increase learning and social integration.

To learn more about the Lighthouse, visit LVIB.org, or call (727) 815-0303.

Published March 25, 2020

Olympic softball legend inspires at Pasco Chamber

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To kick off its 27th annual Business Development Week luncheon, The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce brought in a keynote speaker to serve up a different kind of pitch — literally.

It was two-time Olympic softball gold medalist and ESPN lead softball analyst Michele Smith, a Treasure Island resident who has family ties to Pasco County.

Speaking at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey, the softball legend preached a message of perseverance and handling adversity — tying in athletics, broadcasting and the business world.

Two-time Olympic softball gold medalist and ESPN lead softball analyst Michele Smith was the featured guest speaker at a Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce business luncheon last month. (Kevin Weiss)

Smith is familiar with overcoming setbacks. She suffered a career-threatening injury as a teen, but went on to become one of the most accomplished and recognizable figures in women’s softball.

Smith’s first major hurdle came in July 21, 1986, at 19 years old.

Her father was driving her home from an oral surgeon appointment when a sleeping Smith was thrown from the truck when her car door opened on a turn. She was thrown into a roadside post, chopping off part of her elbow bone and tearing her tricep on her left arm, which severed the muscle and nerve endings in her pitching arm.

At the time, she was coming off a superb freshman year at Oklahoma State and was told by doctors she likely would never pitch.

Smith didn’t accept that diagnosis. She was dead-set on making a comeback.

She put it like this: “I think at 19 I didn’t really realize it and I was a little stubborn. I thought, if I’m never going to pitch again, I’m going to make that decision. I’m certainly going to try to come back from this horrific accident, and so I did.”

Indeed, she made a miraculous recovery.

She was back in the circle in time for her sophomore season, after nine long months of rehab, training and physical therapy. She even returned with greater velocity — adding about 3 mph on her fastball.

“I worked very, very hard to get back,” Smith said. “And, I just kept thinking about this one word —perseverance.”

After the car accident, she had a record-setting career at Oklahoma State. She played professional softball in Japan for 16 years. She was starting pitcher for the gold-medalist U.S. Olympic softball team at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta and 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia; and, she was inducted into the National Softball Hall of Fame.

She put those achievements into perspective.

“When people look at me and think, ‘Wow, as an Olympic athlete, you just must be special and this or that.’ No, I worked really hard, and I overcame a lot, and I loved adversity because it brought out the best in me. It really taught me what I’m able to do and what I’m able to accomplish,” she said.

It turns out her first-ever Olympic softball game was 10 years to the day of the car accident.

During her talk, Smith discussed the importance of perseverance and overcoming adversity, tying in her athletic career to her broadcasting and business ventures. (Courtesy of Michele Smith)

Walking onto that field for the first time, she said, “was just one of the most special things in my life, knowing that you can overcome anything if you put your mind to it, and surround yourself with the right people.”

Smith has leveraged her noteworthy playing career into a very successful and trailblazing  broadcasting career, beginning in 1998 at ESPN. Over the years she has also called games for NBC, CBS Sports Network and TBS, where in 2012 she became the first female broadcaster in history to serve as a commentator for a nationally televised Major League Baseball game.

While the gig is “a lot of fun,” there can be some nerve-wracking moments in live television, Smith said.

“Anything that can go wrong in live television does go wrong,” Smith said, with a chuckle. “A lot of times at home you have no idea that the wheels are falling off the bus.

“I’ve had a lot of very interesting moments as an ESPN analyst, but I do love it,” Smith said.

Learning and memorizing facts and statistics about many teams and new players every year is a challenging aspect of the job.

“It’s a lot of homework, and a lot of studying,” she said.

She also mentioned the increasing popularity of televised women’s softball over the years.

The network has begun broadcasting more college softball in February, in place of some college basketball games, she said.

She also noted that some Women’s College Softball World Series games have been moved to ESPN from alternative ESPN2 because the ratings were exceeding Yankees-Red Sox network game broadcasts.

“Those are big, big monumental moves for our sport, for women’s sports, for girls and women,” she said.

Aside from broadcasting, Smith also has dabbled in commercial real estate. She has purchased and rehabbed old buildings in and around the Treasure Island community.

Smith and her project team have transformed the oldest motel in Treasure Island into a vacation rental property called Sunset Inn & Cottages, rated as the community’s No. 1 hotel by Trip Advisor.

Other projects include turning a former laundromat into an upscale event space in Madeira Beach, and renovating a former St. Petersburg gas station into a craft brewery and BBQ restaurant.

Smith said she takes pride in “taking an old building and making it something where people will come and enjoy themselves, and be able to share very special moments in their lives.”

She encouraged those gathered to take a leap of faith and step outside of their comfort zones, like she did when she took on commercial real estate.

She cited one of her favorite quotes — from LinkedIn co-founder, Reid Hoffman — regarding entrepreneurs and new business owners. He said: “You jump off a cliff and you assemble an airplane on the way down.”

Smith added: “A lot of times you have to disrupt the status quo if you want growth.”

Of course, learning the real estate game has had its share of growing pains and can be humbling, too, she said.

“There will be times I’m calling a game on ESPN and then the next morning I’ll be running around plumbing a toilet or something,” she said, laughing.

Published February 12, 2020

SMARTstart helps Pasco entrepreneurs get off the ground

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Ever wanted to create your own business or startup?

If you do, the Pasco Economic Development Council’s (Pasco EDC) SMARTstart program may be able to lend a hand, or two.

Essentially, the program is designed to assist entrepreneurs — through a combination of guidance, collaboration, funding, education and workspace opportunities.

Dan Mitchell manages the Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart program. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

SMARTstart program manager Dan Mitchell detailed many of those offerings, at last month’s Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting Seven Springs Golf Club in New Port Richey.

Mitchell told those gathered: “If you’re an entrepreneur somewhere in the startup phase, or first couple years, we probably have a program that can help benefit you at some point during that journey. You just have to ask.”

Pasco EDC is a private, nonprofit organization that promotes countywide economic development, and is partnered and funded by corporate and public investors focused on the economic vitality of Pasco County.

Through SMARTstart, it operates two business incubators. One is in Dade City and the other in New Port Richey.

Each offers its own set of unique features, along with affordable desk spaces and professional meeting spaces with Wi-Fi connections.

One of the newer features at the Dade City site, for instance, is an incubator commercial kitchen. It aims to help those looking to launch a food business beyond farmer’s markets and vendor fairs.

Operating at 15029 14th St., the facility features a six-burner range, a single-door refrigerator, a single-door freezer, an under-the-counter ice machine, shelving, and stainless steel work tables. Mitchell said it helps food entrepreneurs facilitate wholesale distribution “to grow to that next level.”

Pasco EDC’s location in West Pasco offers its own digital media studio for podcasting, recording commercials and so on. It comes furnished with a high-quality sound board, four boom mics, green screens and white screens, which can all be used.

In Mitchell’s words, it’s “super neat.”

SMARTstart also offers educational classes, workshops and coaching to aspiring entrepreneurs. The learning sessions cover such topics as cybersecurity, crowdfunding, YouTube and social media marketing. There also are monthly entrepreneur roundtables, often facilitated by retired corporate executives who share their expertise.

Mitchell underscored the value of sessions where fellow entrepreneurs brainstorm, receive mentorship, and discover they’re not alone in their problems or roadblocks of starting a business.

The Pasco Economic Development Council’s SMARTstart program assists entrepreneurs and small business owners through a combination of guidance, collaboration, funding, education and workspace opportunities.

“We know that being an entrepreneur is hard,” he said.

SMARTstart also opens the door for more business-to-business connection for startup entrepreneurs.

The Pasco EDC’s ongoing partnerships with local chambers of commerce, colleges and universities, CareerSource and others, Mitchell said, so it can help business owners make a variety of connections.

In other words, the Pasco EDC’s deep ties throughout the community gives entrepreneurs a chance to network with people they otherwise would never meet.

“We can’t force business to happen, but we can set the table,” Mitchell said.

SMARTstart even has a microloan business financing program, designed for those that can’t secure a loan from a typical bank.

Loans are available for up to $50,000, coming from a revolving fund that must be paid back eventually. To qualify, an entrepreneur or small business owner must demonstrate the experiences and resources to be successful, Mitchell said.

Microloan proceeds may be used for working capital, inventory, supplies, furniture and fixtures, or machinery and equipment.

The program has loaned out a total of $1.5 million to 57 businesses since being established about five years ago, Mitchell said.

The microloan program helps fill a needed niche in business financing, Mitchell said.

“If you’re a startup and the bank says, ‘Sorry, we’re not going to give you money, you’re brand new,’ come to us. We’ll talk to you, we’ll walk you through the process. You still have to have what it takes, but maybe it’s not what the bank is looking for, and just call me and we’ll talk about that,” Mitchell said.

Pasco EDC and SMARTstart also have other initiatives in the works.

They recently sponsored a free mobile application called Startup Space, for Pasco County-based entrepreneurs. It’s similar to a Facebook group, Mitchell said, but just for local entrepreneurs, where they can communicate with one another in real-time, seek advice, post business events and more.

He said of the app, “You can get a little more granular with your questions, and help each other out, ‘Hey, does anyone have a good CPA?’”

The Pasco EDC also is organizing a new event called, “Grow Pasco,” that will bring together about 200 entrepreneurs on May 9 at the Hyatt Place Tampa/Wesley Chapel.

The event’s keynote speaker will be Kevin Harrington, who’s credited with creating the television infomercial and was an original panelist on ABC’s “Shark Tank” hit television series.

The event also will have other guest speakers, panels, workshops and breakout sessions.

For more information, visit PascoEDC.com, or call (813) 926-0827.

Published February 05, 2020

County marks Ridge Road extension milestone

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It was a historic day in Pasco County, as a groundbreaking ceremony was held to celebrate the upcoming construction of the Ridge Road extension.

The new stretch of road will give motorists another east-west option through Pasco County, and will provide an additional evacuation route in the event of a disaster.

From left: Sam Beneck, project manager for the extension, is joined by Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles, Pasco County Commissioners Mike Wells, Jack Mariano, Ron Oakley and Mike Moore; U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and Margaret Smith of Pasco County Engineering Services. The Jan. 13 groundbreaking ceremony was the first step in the construction of a project that’s been a county goal for more than 20 years. (Brian Fernandes)

The groundbreaking, held Jan. 13, followed a permit issued in December by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

County officials have been pushing for the project for more than two decades. When the extension is completed, motorists will have another east-west way to get across the county, in addition to State Road 52 and State Road 54.

The ceremony, which drew numerous dignitaries, took place at the end of Town Center Road. That’s where Ridge Road will extend, heading east.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, of District 2, kicked off the ceremony, with a few remarks. He was joined at the ceremony with his colleagues on the commission: Ron Oakley, Jack Mariano, Kathryn Starkey and Mike Wells.

“It’s another great day in Pasco County,” Moore said. “The Ridge Road extension is finally happening, providing a much needed east-west route through the heart of Pasco County for our citizens, and insuring another critical emergency evacuation route.”

Currently, Ridge Road runs between Moon Lake Road to the north, and DeCubellis Road to the south, in New Port Richey.

The roughly 9-mile extension ultimately will link the road to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

Construction is being broken into two phases.

The new Ridge Road intersections and their anticipated completion dates go as follows:

Phase 1

  • From Moon Lake Road/DeCubellis Road to Town Center Road, with completion scheduled for 2020
  • From Town Center Road to Suncoast Parkway, with completion scheduled for 2021
  • Extension widened from two lanes to four lanes to Suncoast Parkway, with completion scheduled for 2022

Phase 2

  • Four lanes from Suncoast Parkway to Sunlake Boulevard, with completion scheduled for 2022
  • Four lanes from Sunlake Boulevard to U.S. 41, with completion scheduled for 2025

The first phase will cost an estimated $90 million.

The second phase has not been funded.

The project also has received congressional support.

Pasco County Commission Vice Chairman Mike Wells was one of the five county commissioners present for the groundbreaking of the Ridge Road extension on Jan. 13. Wells represents District 4, which includes a portion of the new extension’s path.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis of Florida’s 12th congressional district has been an advocate for Ridge Road’s extension. He has urged the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for several years to issue a permit for the project.

At the groundbreaking, Bilirakis said: “This is a team effort, and it is a big deal. We’re thankful this morning to celebrate a vision that began many years ago.”

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles also was instrumental in helping the project move forward.

He signed off on the permit, the day the county received it.

“As Ridge Road is built, it actually reduces the traffic on [State Roads] 54 and 52, and right around there by 10%,” Biles said.

Commissioner Mariano, who represents District 5, said: “The future’s bright for Pasco County. This is a major accomplishment for a community that stuck together knowing how important it was, and this is something we should be very, very proud of.”

Mariano also called attention to safety concerns that will be addressed as a result of the new corridor.

“One of the major reasons we elevated it (Ridge Road), was to make it safer so it can be used during a hurricane event as well,” he said.

Mariano made reference to Tropical Storm Debby, which caused State Road 54 to shut down in 2012.

“This right here is going to be for the safety of our citizens on the west side of this county,” added Commissioner Ron Oakley, of District 1.

County officials said the elevation also significantly reduces impacts to the wetlands of the Serenova Tract of Starkey Wilderness Preserve. They estimate that reduction in impacts to be as high as 83%.

The project includes 16 bridges, curbs, guardrails and fencing.

Impacts to wildlife are being taken into consideration as well.

The end of Town Center Road has been cleared of brush, and is now being surveyed for gopher tortoises in the vicinity, said Sam Beneck, the project manager.

Any tortoises found in the construction area will be relocated to another site, Beneck said.

While the county has been pushing for the project for decades, environmentalists have been opposed to it.

The opponents, including the Sierra Club Florida Conservation, have said the new measures do not go far enough in protecting the Preserve or wildlife.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who represents District 3, said the extension will provide another alternative for those going to River Ridge High School and River Ridge Middle, which are located along Town Center Road.

That will reduce congestion and improve safety, Starkey said, noting, “it was never intended” for both schools to have only one entrance.

“Not only is this a very important hurricane evacuation route, but it’s also very important for the well-being of the students and the faculty, and all this neighborhood of the River Ridge complex,” Starkey said.

“The Ridge Road extension will have a lasting impact that extends far beyond the community surrounding this site,” said Commission Vice Chairman Mike Wells, of District 4.

After remarks concluded, officials donned hard hats and grabbed shovels to take part in a ceremonial groundbreaking pose.

Ridge Road’s extension to Town Center Road is expected to begin in coming weeks, with construction of that portion expected to be completed by this fall.

Published January 22, 2020

Construction crews busy on area road projects

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Anyone who drives around Pasco County on a regular basis knows there aren’t many east-west roads that cut through the county’s vast expanse, and that it isn’t   a bit unusual to have to wait in traffic.

There are a number of projects, however, that are in the works, on the drawing board, or have been recently completed that are aimed at making life easier for Pasco motorists.

Of course, as more development arrives, more drivers use local roads — so complaints about “too much traffic” and “not enough roads” may persist, at least for the foreseeable future.

But, here is a look at some of what’s happening on the local transportation scene.

A diverging diamond interchange is under construction at the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange. The project, expected to wrap up by late 2021, aims to keep traffic flowing at the busy interchange.

Diverging Diamond Interchange
The diverging diamond interchange, currently in development, will reconfigure the current interchange at Interstate 75 and State Road 56 to improve traffic flow at a location that frequently is bottlenecked, especially during peak traffic periods. Work on the $33 million project began in January 2019 and is expected to be completed by late 2021. For more details, visit FDOTTampaBay.com/project/262/430573-1-52-01.

Ridge Road Extension
Construction is expected to begin in January on the Ridge Road Extension, a project that Pasco County has been seeking to build for two decades. The project will create a third east-west corridor in the county, extending existing Ridge Road from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway, initially, and then to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes. The extension will give drivers who are heading east or west across Pasco a new option. Currently, motorists heading east and west use State Road 52 or State Road 54. It also will be another evacuation route in the event of an emergency.

However, environmentalists have expressed concern about the project. The extension will run through the Serenova Tract of Starkey Wilderness Preserve. Tim Martin, chair of the Sierra Club Florida Conservation, said this will harm the preserve’s wetlands and its animals.

Phase one of the project costs an estimated $90 million. Phase two has not been funded yet. Construction completion is scheduled for the 2025-2026 timeframe.

State Road 54 widening, Zephyrhills to Wesley Chapel
State Road 54 is being widened from two lanes to four lanes, with a divided median, between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills. The 4.5-mile stretch will run east of Curley Road to east of Morris Bridge Road. The $42.5-million development is expected to finish by the Summer of 2021.

Interstate 75/Overpass Road interchange
This project will create a new access point onto Interstate 75 at Overpass Road. The project includes widening Overpass Road — between Old Pasco Road and I-75 — from two lanes to four lanes. To the east, Overpass Road will be expanded to six lanes, between I-75 and Boyette Road. Off Overpass Road, Blair Drive will connect to Old Pasco Road, and Boyette Road will connect with McKendree Road. These connections with Overpass Road will create new access points between Wesley Chapel and Dade City.

A new State Road 52 corridor is expected to be built, branching off from the existing one. It will be another means of heading further east in Dade City.

New State Road 52 alignment
A new alignment of State Road 52 will provide a new way to travel east through Dade City. The new stretch of road will run south of the existing State Road 52. It will begin east of the Bayou Branch Canal and continue east to the intersection of Prospect Road and Clinton Avenue. Clinton Avenue will be widened to a four-lane road leading to Fort King Road. The existing State Road 52 also will be widened to four lanes between Uradco Place and the Bayou Branch Canal. At Bayou Branch Canal, the existing corridor will branch off into the new one.

Improvements completed in 2019 include:

Widening of State Road 52, from Bellamy Brothers to Old Pasco Road
A 1.5-mile stretch of State Road 52 has been widened from Bellamy Brothers Boulevard to Old Pasco Road. The road was widened from two lanes to four lanes, with a median. There also is a multi-use path on the north end of State Road 52 and a sidewalk on the south end. Construction on the $13.4 million project started in 2016.

State Road 56 extension
A new 6-mile extension of State Road 56 has created a new east-west corridor, between Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel and U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills. The extension gives motorists an alternative to State Road 54, which also links the two communities. State Road 54 also is undergoing improvements. The State Road 56 extension is a four-lane road, divided by a median. It has a multi-purpose trail, a sidewalk and bicycle lanes. Traffic lights also were incorporated at Morris Bridge Road and U.S. 301.

The right turn and left turn lanes for eastbound traffic on State Road 54 onto U.S. 41 have been extended. The improvement aims to reduce traffic backups for motorists heading onto U.S. 41. (File)

State Road 54, turning lane improvements
The right-turn and left-turn lanes on State Road 54 have been lengthened to ease turning movements and reduce congestion. The $1.1-million project provides more room in the turning lane for motorists who are heading east on State Road 54 and intend to turn onto U.S. 41. The change reduces wait time for motorists turning north or south onto U.S. 41. Another improvement modified the median opening where State Road 54 intersects with Hunt Road. The change allows eastbound traffic on State Road 54 the option of turning onto Hunt Road or making a U-turn. It allows westbound traffic to turn off of Hunt Road, but motorists coming from that direction can no longer make U-turns.

Published January 08, 2020

Pasco County ‘hottest county around,’ commission chairman says

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When Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore moved to the county in 2007, it was a different place.

When he arrived, the State Road 54/56 corridor — with it shopping malls, restaurants, car dealerships, hotels, residential subdivisions, medical offices, state college and industrial development — looked nothing like it does today.

The Shops at Wiregrass wasn’t even there yet, recalled Moore, who had made the move from nearby New Tampa for a larger home in Seven Oaks.

“They just built the JCPenney, without the mall. When I first moved here, we were still going to Hillsborough County and to New Tampa for a lot of things,” he said.

That was then.

“You think about how hot Pasco County is right now. We’re the hottest county around,” said Moore, now serving in his second term, and recently named county commission chairman.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore is bullish on Pasco County. He sees bright prospects for 2020, and said the county’s pro-growth attitude is creating more opportunities for its residents. (File)

“Wesley Chapel has the highest income in the Tampa Bay region.

“New restaurants and businesses are coming every single day.

“I do so many ribbon cuttings my fingers are tired,” Moore said.

New businesses are bringing jobs to the county, and there’s even some Class A office space popping up.

“That’s what’s amazing, you look at the growth and opportunity that we have in this area now, compared to what we had when I first moved here in ’07.”

Now, he said, “I don’t need to leave Pasco County, unless I need to go to the airport.”

Statistics paint a favorable picture of the county.

The number of homeless is down; job growth is up. Tourism hit the million-visitor mark for the first time this year, and numerous companies have set up shop in Pasco, or have announced plans to do so.

Moore said a strong economic development team, a streamlined approval process and a pro-growth board have combined to create more interest in Pasco.

County staff and the private Pasco Economic Development Council, Inc., work together to recruit new businesses, he said.

“There are certain things that (Pasco) EDC can do — being a private entity,” Moore explained.

“A lot of companies don’t want to make it public beforehand. People have employees who might have to relocate. There are investors involved, if they are public companies.”

“The EDC can work behind the scenes.”

The county also has focused on reducing bureaucracy, Moore said.

“One of the things that we have encouraged — as a commission, as a whole — is to make it as easily navigable as possible, to come here and start from the ground up,” Moore said.

“Our economic development group needs to make sure that when they (prospects) come here and they’re ready to do business, that it’s a smooth process,” he added.

The economic development team’s job is to make the area enticing, but it goes beyond that Moore said. They also need to help the companies through the county’s process.

Public support for economic development has played an important role, Moore said, noting that a portion of the Penny for Pasco tax proceeds is earmarked for that purpose.

The county has a number of tools it uses to entice businesses: It waives mobility impact fees and permit fees. It rewards job creation. It supports work force training. It forgives loans. It uses tax and job creation incentives.

The commission’s Dec. 10 meeting — where two companies announced intentions to locate in Pasco — offered a glimpse of how such strategies are paying off.

Encompass Health Corporation, based in Birmingham, Alabama, announced plans to bring 179 jobs to Central Pasco. Rooker Properties, LLC, a company based in Atlanta, Georgia, unveiled plans for an industrial park on a site off Old Pasco Road, expected to generate hundreds of jobs.

Meanwhile, financial services company Raymond James — also receiving a number of incentives — is expected to break ground in 2020 for a campus expected to have hundreds of employees, in the Wiregrass Ranch area of Wesley Chapel.

“That will be significant for our area. We’ve all been waiting for it,” Moore said.

Aside from the economy, the county is making strides in efforts to improve its quality of life, Moore said.

Numerous road construction projects are in various stages of progress.

Most recently, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit to extend Ridge Road, initially from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway, but ultimately it will extend to U.S. 41 in Land O’ Lakes.

The county has pushed for the east-west corridor for 20 years, and securing the permit marks a major milestone. As of last week, it remained unclear if opponents — who object to the project’s path through the Serenova Tract of the Starkey Wilderness Preserve — will wage a legal challenge.

Meanwhile, over in Wesley Chapel, construction continues on the diverging diamond, a project aimed at easing congestion at the Interstate 75/State Road 56 interchange.

And, in another significant development, the extension of State Road 56 between Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills was wrapped up in July, creating a new east-west corridor between the two communities.

The county also has been making strides on civic projects, Moore noted.

Four voter-approved bond issues are supporting the construction of additional fire stations, the renovation of libraries, improvements at county parks and a jail expansion.

The county also recently announced a record-breaking $22 million acquisition of environmental lands, to preserve ecological corridors.

And, within recent months, the county opened its first barrier-free playground.

Moore championed the idea, after noticing there wasn’t a place where children with disabilities could play at Wesley Chapel District Park.

Keith Wiley, who oversees the county’s parks departments, got involved — and the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club, Lennar Foundation and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel stepped up to help pay for the project.

The barrier-free playground was a first for Pasco, but Moore expects that it won’t be the last.

Six things to watch in 2020

The Laker/Lutz News asked Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore to identify the top things to watch in 2020. He provided these six, along with some observations:

  • Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex: The 98,000-square-foot Wiregrass Ranch Sports Complex will open, creating a new destination for amateur and youth travel teams. It also will have programs during the week for local youths. The facility is expected to boost county tourism, as teams travel to Pasco from around the country and even internationally. The facility also will add to the local economy, as visitors stay at hotels, shop at stores, eat at restaurants, buy gas and so on.
  • Interstate 75-Overpass Road interchange: Work will begin on a design-build project to create a new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road, 3.5 miles south of State Road 52. The new diamond interchange will include a flyover ramp for westbound Overpass Road access to south I-75. To accommodate the new interchange, Overpass Road will be widened from two lanes to four lanes between I-75 and Old Pasco Road and to six lanes between I-75 and Boyette Road. Blair Drive will be realigned to connect with Old Pasco Road; and, McKendree Road will be realigned to connect with Boyette Road.
  • U.S. 41 Redevelopment: Redevelopment and revitalization along U.S. 41/Land O Lakes Boulevard is expected to occur, as U.S. 41 is widened, south of State Road 52 to alleviate backups at State Road 52/U.S. 41. There also will be increased efforts to improve the corridor’s appearance, through landscaping projects and redevelopment.
  • Job growth in Pasco County: The county is attracting more companies because of its policies that support growth and that is expected to continue. Quality of life improves when citizens can work closer to home, and new developments, such as Raymond James, which is expected to occur in early 2020, offers one example of increasing job opportunities in Pasco.
  • Improved quality of life through public projects: New looks for Centennial Park Library and New River Library will be unveiled in 2020, with modernized interiors and makerspaces. The county is also engaged in more than 30 projects in its parks, ranging from new roofs and gutters on buildings to updating playground equipment.
  • Ridge Road Extension: The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers issued a permit to Pasco County on Dec. 20, to begin on Ridge Road Extension, initially to connect Ridge Road to the Suncoast Parkway. Plans also call for eventually extending the road to U.S. 41. The project will provide a new east-west corridor, giving motorists another travel option and providing another evacuation route during emergencies.

Editor’s note: These observations were edited for brevity.

Published January 01, 2020

Own a piece of Florida history

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The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, at 4720 U.S. 19 in New Port Richey, will be offering historic photos, framed and under glass, for reasonable prices.

Each photo represents some aspect of early Florida life.

The tax collector’s office in New Port Richey is selling some historic photos of Pasco County, such as the sample shown here. (Courtesy of Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office)

The photos were on display in the Gulf Harbors office for many years prior to its recent renovation.

Framed photos 4 feet by 6 feet are $25, and framed photos 4 feet by 8 feet are $50.

The purchases are tax deductible because all proceeds will be considered donations to Pasco TC Gives, the nonprofit arm of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office.

Pasco TC Gives supports charitable organizations that provide various services to residents in Pasco County.

The sale will run from Nov. 4 through Nov. 8, or until all the photos are sold.

The office is open Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Published November 06, 2019

Annie Harris Exhibits At Avalon Park West

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Colorful, flowing, impressionist-style paintings by New Port Richey artist Annie Harris are on display at the second art show being presented by the Pasco Fine Arts Council at the master-planned community of Avalon Park West in Wesley Chapel.

The show, “Energized With Color,” also includes pottery by Denise Philbrook, and is open through Nov. 25 at the East Pasco Fine Art Gallery located inside the Welcome Center at Avalon Park West, 33613 State Road 54. The pubic is invited to visit this free exhibit, which is open daily.

‘Sailing’

Annie Harris has lived in Pasco County for 20 years, making her home in the Sea Forest community in New Port Richey.

Many of her paintings reflect her love of the water and beach, inspired by living on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida, and her summer home on Madeline Island that overlooks Lake Superior in Wisconsin.

“I have always loved the water and the warmth of the beach, and many of my paintings are of nature and seascapes,” said Harris. “I like to use warm colors, and paint to show movement of the wind and waves.”

Harris describes her style as modern and dramatic, and paints her subjects loosely, blending lines and colors together. Unlike many artists, she does not sketch her work in pencil before she begins to paint.

“I just paint, and let the colors and motion flow,” said Harris.

She has 35 paintings on display at her show at the East Pasco Fine Art Gallery — all watercolors, except for three acrylic works. In addition to beach and water scenes, Harris’s also is exhibiting still lifes, florals, children, animals, abstracts and nudes.

Her favorite painting at the “Energized With Color” show is a self-portrait she calls, “Who I Am,” which is one of several stylized artworks on display.

“Along with the energy of nature, I love to paint the excitement of the human form. Everything about my art is about energy,” said Harris.”

All of Harris’ paintings at the exhibit are for sale, with most paintings priced between $200 and $300.

“I want people to be able to afford my paintings, and price them so they sell,” said Harris.

Before opening at Avalon Park West, “Energized With Color” was on exhibit at the Pasco Fine Arts Center in New Port Richey. During that three-week show, Harris sold 16 paintings, of which she donated 100 percent of the proceeds to the Pasco Fine Arts Council. She will also be donating to the Council all proceeds from the show at Avalon Park West.

‘Palms & Sea’

Harris grew up in New Jersey as the middle child, with two sisters and a brother. She began painting when she was 10, because dyslexia made schoolwork difficult, and she gravitated towards the arts, where she excelled.

“I had three very smart siblings who I could never compete with academically,” said Harris, “My mother encouraged me to discover my strengths through painting, and always supported my interest in the arts.”

Harris went on to study art in college, and received her Bachelor’s Degree of Fine Arts from the University of Arizona. After college, she and her husband, Larry, lived in Minnesota for 25 years, spending summers at a cottage they bought on Madeline Island, which the couple still owns.

After moving to Florida, Harris became involved in the Pasco Fine Arts Council, and has been one of its most active members. She is also a longtime member of the Florida Watercolor Society.

The partnership between the Paso Fine Arts Council and Avalon Park West began earlier this year, with a goal to bring arts and cultural events, exhibits and workshops to East Pasco County. This is the first time in the Council’s 40-plus year history that is has had a location in East Pasco to host its exhibits and art classes.

After Harris’ show closes, a new artist will be featured at the East Pasco Fine Arts Gallery, for a total of six artist exhibits during the first year of this new partnership. The next show opens Nov. 25 and features Rita Wilson in a show titled, “Thru My Eyes,”  with a reception to celebrate her work on Dec. 13 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Published October 30, 2019

East Pasco to receive new, upgraded veterans clinic

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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is in the midst of building a new outpatient clinic in Zephyrhills.

As a branch of Tampa’s James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital, the facility will be an upgraded replacement to the current Zephyrhills Community Based Outpatient Clinic. It will serve former members of the military.

“I’d say accessibility is probably our biggest reason for building a new clinic,” said Shayna Rodriguez, public affairs specialist at James A. Haley. “It will be easier for veterans to use, and we’ll have more capability and accessibility for them.”

This rendering offers an idea of what the appearance will be of the exterior for the new Zephyrhills VA outpatient clinic. The facility, set to open in mid-2021, will replace the existing facility and will have more rooms.
(Courtesy of Shayna Rodriguez/James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital)

Danny Burgess is the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

The Zephyrhills native said he’s anticipating the added amenities this new facility will offer service men and women.

Burgess stated that, “The new VA clinic in Zephyrhills will be a game changer for veterans in East Pasco. The expansion will provide increased access to quality healthcare. We are so excited for this commitment to our community by USDVA (U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs); and FDVA (Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs) looks forward to growing our strong relationship with our federal partners.”

The 14,000-square-foot facility will offer more space, housing both primary care and mental health services within the same building.

Ten rooms will be devoted to primary care, while six rooms will be used for treating mental health.

The expansion of rooms indicates the VA’s efforts to provide more access to psychiatric care, Rodriguez noted.

The clinic will be designed to accommodate the handicapped, and will offer new services such as podiatry and physical therapy.

It also will include anticoagulation pharmacy services and a lab. Telehealth – services provided remotely over the phone — also will be available.

Each patient will have an assigned “patient-aligned care team,” Rodriguez said. The team will consist of a physician, nurse, social worker and a mental health provider.

Patients will be referred to and treated at the James A. Haley hospital for surgeries and extensive therapy.

Those without their own transportation will be able to take advantage of a pick-up service to receive free rides to their doctor’s appointments.

“When we do these studies,” said Rodriguez, “we take a very close look at where is going to be most convenient for them, where the bulk of veterans live.”

Based on travel time, veterans may be eligible for reimbursement when commuting to the clinic in their own vehicle.

Veteran women’s health has been ongoing, but additional services will be provided  at the new clinic – especially for those with infants.

“We’ll also be adding a lactation room because women veterans are one of our fastest-growing demographics,” Rodriguez said.

The increase in the number of veterans living in Tampa Bay has led to a need for more clinics.

The James A. Haley hospital is not exclusive to just its VA clinics in Zephyrhills and New Port Richey, but branches out cross-county.

These counties include Hillsborough, Hernando and Polk, with Citrus County expected to join the list.

In September of last year, alone, there were over 6,000 visits to the current Zephyrhills clinic, Rodriguez said.

She also noted there’s typically an increase of veterans needing services, as snowbirds flock to Florida near the end of the year.

The U.S. Congress approved more than $12 million to fund the new complex, back in April. Construction on the Eiland Boulevard facility started in June.

Construction is expected to be completed by late 2020 and to open by mid-2021. Once operational, the current Zephyrhills clinic will be closed down.

Published October 2, 2019