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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Pinellas

Pasco County seeks new location for food relief

October 18, 2017 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County commissioners don’t want a replay of the overwhelming crowds and hours-long

Pasco County officials moved to cancel a federal emergency food program at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center. They decided the location, with a playground and youth ball fields, would be inappropriate to handle large crowds of applicants and traffic. Another location is being sought. (Kathy Steele)

waits that hampered efforts in Hillsborough and Pinellas counties for residents seeking to qualify for disaster food relief following Hurricane Irma’s destruction.

So, on Oct. 16, Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles prepared to send a letter to the Florida Department of Family and Children Services cancelling plans for a similar event scheduled at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center.

The four-day event had been slated to begin on Oct. 22.

Pasco officials now are scouting for a different location, and will work with local DCF officials to identify a more suitable site, said Biles.

Per the agreement, either party can terminate upon three days prior written notice.

As of Oct. 16, about 11,000 people had pre-registered online to participate in the emergency food program, Biles said.

The challenge is finding a large building with sufficient parking in a location that is accessible, he said.

“We (Pasco County) don’t have a location for that,” Biles said.

The better option likely is finding a private property that would meet those requirements, he added.

County commissioners were scheduled to hold a workshop on Oct. 17 in Dade City, with discussion of the emergency food program an added topic. The meeting was scheduled after publication deadlines for The Laker/Lutz News.

County commissioners reluctantly approved the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center for the federal relief program on Oct. 10.

Their approval came only after an unsuccessful try

to move the emergency food program to a vacant Super Target store, at State Road 54 and Suncoast Parkway.

That didn’t happen because the owner told county staff that the store needs repairs that could not be completed in time.

“So, that’s out of the loop,” Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore said during the Oct. 10 meeting.

Moore and Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey both indicated that the Target store would be better able to handle a high volume of traffic.

They also voiced concerns that a crush of vehicles and people at the recreation center would slow work commutes and recreational activities scheduled in the afternoon.

A Florida Department of Children and Families official estimated up to 82,000 people could show up to the site during the four-day period.

The Land O’ Lakes Branch Library and several schools also are along Collier Parkway.

Before Biles cancelled the use of the recreation center site, county staff members and DCF officials had been working on plans to limit disruptions at the recreation center.

State workers processing the applications were planning to park their vehicles at a vacant Kmart store on State Road 54. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office had agreed to assist with traffic.

Pasco commissioners had been told that the 6 p.m. closing time would be met to keep from interfering with regular activities at the center.

Ongoing reports of problems at other sites around the Tampa Bay area also had heightened Pasco officials concerns.

The Food for Florida program is administered by DCF in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture.

Residents can qualify based on income and losses.

People who currently recei

ve food stamps through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, aren’t eligible. Instead, they will be compensated with extra benefits through the monthly program.

For eligible applicants, Disaster-SNAP, or D-SNAP debit-style cards will be issued if the applicant lived or worked in one of the 48 declared federal disaster counties from Sept. 5 to Oct. 4.

Those qualifying can receive assistance for the months of September and October.

For information, visit Dcf.state.fl.us/programs/access

Published Oct. 18, 2017

Filed Under: Land O' Lakes News, Local News, News Stories Tagged With: Collier Parkway, D-SNAP, Dade City, Dan Biles, Disaster-SNAP, Florida Department of Family and Children Services, Food for Florida, Hillsborough, Hurricane Irma, Land O' Lakes Branch Library, Land O' Lakes Recreation Center, Pasco, Pasco County, Pasco County Administrator, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, Pasco County Sheriff's Office, Pinellas, SNAP, State Road 54, Suncoast Parkway, Super Target Store, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Tampa Bay, Target, The Laker/Lutz News, United States Department of Agriculture

Light rail is top Tampa Bay choice for transit

October 11, 2017 By Kathy Steele

A light rail system running beside Interstate 275 is the top choice for transit in a study that identifies potential projects in the Tampa Bay region, according to rankings from the Regional Transit Feasibility Plan.

The route would link Wesley Chapel to Tampa and St. Petersburg, with a stop at the University of South Florida.

The second choice would follow the same route but rely on “rubber tires” in a dedicated lane, most likely buses or self-driving vehicles.

The results are part of an ongoing study, which has included workshops, meetings and social media responses.

The study focused on the urban areas of Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties.

Light rail, alongside Interstate 275 or the CSX rail line, is a popular option for a transit project, according to a regional study. (File)

The approximately $1.5 million cost is being funded by the Florida Department of Transportation, with support from local governments and agencies, including the three county governments and their transit agencies.

The study considered rail and rubber tire modes of transportation including express bus, bus rapid transit, light rail/modern streetcar, and commuter rail. A total of 15 projects were ranked based on technical merit, and public opinion.

The study’s findings were presented by HART on Sept. 29 at a meeting attended by the Tampa Bay Transportation Management Area (TMA) Leadership Group. The group includes members from Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.

Previously, the study identified five potential transit corridors. They are Wesley Chapel to USF, Tampa, and St. Petersburg; downtown Tampa to USF; Westshore to Brandon; south Tampa to downtown Tampa; and Clearwater and Gateway to St. Petersburg.

No funding sources have been identified. The study is scheduled to conclude in September 2018 with a recommendation for a specific project that can attract funding and is “forward thinking.”

Other projects with top rankings in order are:

  • Light rail along the CSX rail line between downtown Tampa and USF
  • Rubber tire in a dedicated lane along the rail line, also between downtown Tampa and USF
  • Commuter rail along I-275 linking Wesley Chapel, USF, Tampa and St. Petersburg – tied for fifth
  • Commuter rail along CSX linking downtown Tampa and USF – tied for fifth

Commuter trains generally operate with heavier train cars at higher speeds, more passengers and fewer stops than light rail.

Light rail is closer to a modernized street car with quicker starts and stops, and fewer passengers than commuter trains.

The study also provided a county by county breakdown on preferred choices for transit based on public opinion.

Light rail along I-275 for Wesley Chapel, USF, Tampa, Gateway and St. Petersburg ranked first in Hillsborough and Pinellas.

In Pasco, the same route with some type of bus or self-driving vehicle placed first. Light rail ranked in third place.

For information, visit Tbregionaltransit.com.

Published Oct. 11, 2017

Filed Under: Government, Local News, News Stories, Wesley Chapel/New Tampa News Tagged With: Brandon, Clearwater, CSX, Florida Department of Transportation, Gateway, HART, Hillsborough, Interstate 275, Pasco, Pinellas, Regional Transit Feasibility Plan, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Tampa Bay, Tampa Bay Transportation Management Area Leadership Group, University of South Florida, USF, Wesley Chapel, Westshore

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What’s Happening

01/18/2021 – Garden club

The Dade City Garden Club will host a virtual general membership meeting on Jan. 18 at 9:30 a.m., via Zoom. The program will feature a presentation by Madonna Wise, author of “A Haunted History of Pasco County.” Wise’s husband, Ernest, also will present a short demonstration on pressing flowers. Non-members can attend. Registration is through email at by Jan. 17. For information, visit DadeCityGardenClub.com. … [Read More...] about 01/18/2021 – Garden club

01/19/2021 – Best of crafts

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a “Best of Craft Tuesdays: Playlist” on Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check out a video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary to learn about some of the craft programs that are worth revisiting from the past year. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Best of crafts

01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Virtual Backyard Gardening with Jo Ann” on Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., via Zoom. Registration is required to receive an email on how to join the meeting. For information, email . … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening

01/20/2021 – Library story times

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer these upcoming story times: Jan. 20, for birth to age 5: Participants can tune in anytime between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, to hear “Private I. Guana.” For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.: “Virtual Baby Time with Miss Cindy.” Visit Facebook.com/cplib. Jan. 21 at 10 a.m., for ages 2 to 5: “Virtual Story Time with Miss Jenn.” For information, call Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – Library story times

01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club

The LOL Book Club from the Land O’ Lakes Library will meet on Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m., to discuss “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman. Register online for a Zoom link, which will be sent out via email a day ahead of the discussion. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club

01/20/2021 – Mouse bookmark

Learn to make a folded paper mouse bookmark on Jan. 20. Participants will use the art of origami to make the bookmark. Watch the instructional slide show, all day, on the South Holiday Library Facebook page. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – Mouse bookmark

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