The Laker/Lutz News

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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Ron Oakley

New Dunkin’ coming to Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning that will allow for a new convenience store, with gas pumps and a Dunkin’, near Ehren Cutoff, in Land O’ Lakes.

The 2.38-acre site is on the southeast corner of the intersection of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard and Ehren cutoff.

The rezoning involved joining two parcels together, one zoned for commercial and the other for rural residential.

Denise Hernandez, county zoning administrator, said the request would not introduce a new gas station onto the property — but replace one that’s already there.

The site plan also calls for a Dunkin’, she said.

County Commission Chairman Mike Moore noted that the new plan is essentially an upgrade from current conditions.

“So, it could use a little makeover and it’s getting a makeover, thankfully,” Moore said, noting that the Dunkin’ (previously known as Dunkin’ Donuts) will be an amenity in the area.

Commissioner Ron Oakley agreed with Moore’s assessment: “That’s what it says on the site plan — they’re redoing that to enhance it. It needs that in that area.”

Moore added: “It kind of goes in line with what we’re trying to do, to try to clean up (U.S.) 41.”

One resident, Rob Park, who lives on Ehren Cutoff, objected to the rezoning.

He questioned a discrepancy between two transportation studies done in the area.

A county staffer said it’s not unusual for two different transportation studies to have different data.

In other action, commissioners:

  • Approved a request for a conditional use to allow the sale of alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, liquor; package sales and on-premises consumption, anywhere within the common areas of The Shops at Wiregrass, in conjunction with the operation of a shopping center.
  • Heard an update from Moore regarding tourism prospects. Moore told board members that the county will be getting a volleyball tournament, a golf tournament, a fishing tournament and a basketball tournament. Some tournaments are coming from out-of-state, but others are shifting from other parts of Florida.

Published September 02, 2020

Pasco voters to weigh in on key races

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The Primary 2020 ballot is not long in Pasco County, but there are some key races in the election set for Aug. 18.

Some voters will make their way to the polls to cast their ballots on Election Day, but many will have already voted, or mailed in their ballots.

It remains unclear how concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic will affect voter turnout, but election supervisors in both Hillsborough and Pasco counties have reported efforts to ensure the safety of both poll workers and voters.

Such measures include social distancing and ongoing cleaning. As a result, lines at the polls could be longer, the supervisors in both counties have said.

In Pasco County, all voters will be able to cast ballots in the universal primary contest for the Pasco County Commission District 4 race.

The candidates are competing to fill the seat that was vacated by Mike Wells, who ran for County Property Appraiser and was elected.

In universal primary contests all voters can participate, because all of the candidates in the race are from the same party, and there is no opposition in the general election.

Those vying for the Pasco County Commission District 4 seat are Gary Bradford, Christina “Fitzy” Fitzpatrick, Jeff Miller and Gabriel “Gabe” Papadopoulos.

In another race, Republican voters will choose whether they want Kurt S. Browning or David LaRoche to represent the party in the Nov. 3 general election.

Meanwhile, voters will have a choice between Alison Crumbley or Joshua Stringfellow, in the nonpartisan race for the District 4 seat on the Pasco County School Board.

The polls will be open on Aug. 18 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Some seats have already been settled in Pasco County.

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, 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.

A number of other races will be decided in the Nov. 3 general election, including the District 3 and District 5 seats on the Pasco County Commission.

Other races on the ballot will determine who will represent Florida’s 12th congressional district and who will represent District 36, District 37 and District 38, in the Florida House. A special election also will be held to choose a new representative in the Florida Senate, District 20.

To find out early voting locations or for other election information, visit PascoVotes.gov.

Pasco Active Registered Voters*
Republican: 151,859
Democratic: 115,807
No Party: 106,532
Minor Party: 5,723

Total: 379,921

*As of 08/09/2020
Source: Pasco County Supervisor of Elections

Published August 12, 2020

Wesley Chapel’s rec center on target for 2021 opening

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It has taken years to get to this point, but by the summer of 2021, a new recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park is expected to be up and running.

A virtual groundbreaking was held, due to COVID-19.

A group of elected leaders and county officials gathered at the district park on July 15 and tossed out a few ceremonial shovels of dirt.

A video of the event was shared by the county’s Media Relations & Communications Team.

Taking part in the ceremonial groundbreaking for the Wesley Chapel District Park Recreation Center were, from left: Erik Breitenbach, assistant county administrator; Dan Biles, county administrator; Ron Oakley, Pasco County commissioner; Mike Moore, Pasco County commission chairman; Tom FitzSimons, president of the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association; and Keith Wiley, director of the county’s parks, recreation and natural resources department. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor, Pasco County)

In the video, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore talks about the long-term impact he expects the project to have.

“I spent years here with my children, in a number of sports. Now other children for years and years to come, and generations to come are going to be able to enjoy this indoor facility,” said Moore, who coached flag football, baseball and soccer at the district park, when his three children were younger.

Commissioner Ron Oakley thanked Moore for his involvement on the rec center project. Oakley added: “It’ll be great for this community.”

Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources, said the district park is the county’s largest athletic facility, in terms of space.

“So, this complex basically completes that package,” Wiley said.

The bid on the project was awarded to Keator Construction LLC, for slightly under $4 million.

Funding for the project primarily comes from park impact fees collected in the central zone of the county, Wiley said.

“We are fortunate enough with the growth that was occurring in the central area to be able to accumulate enough money to make this project come to life. So, we’re extremely excited about that,” Wiley said.

“We’re hoping that the building will be completed and open in the summer of 2021, and we’ll kick off our first program and welcome our first guest at that time,” he added.

This is a conceptual rendering of the planned recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park. The rendering is subject to change. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The 17,800-square-foot facility will accommodate a number of sports and other activities, including basketball, volleyball, pickleball, summer day camp, toddler activities, community events and other uses, according to plans previously shared with The Laker/Lutz News.

The new facility will feature a gymnasium with a regulation-size basketball court that can be converted into two smaller courts, two volleyball courts or four pickleball courts.

There will be restrooms and showers, too.

Multipurpose areas will accommodate a range of activities for groups, such as the Rotary Club, community associations, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Tom FitzSimons, president of the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association, said, “An indoor facility will allow us to get the kids off of the (outdoor) courts and inside to play basketball in our program, and allow us to offer wrestling and volleyball, and possibly competitive cheerleading, where they’d be inside and they could do the practicing.”

“I can’t wait to see this thing built,” FitzSimons said.

The recreational center gives people another reason to take advantage of the popular district park.

It already is packed with outdoor sports activities, including several athletic fields for youth and adults, a lighted soccer field, basketball and tennis courts, and picnic tables and grills for barbecues.

It also is home to the county’s only universal playground — designed specifically for children with disabilities.

Published July 29, 2020

Pasco sets tentative tax rate

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Pasco County’s revenues grew, but not as much as had been projected — before COVID-19 flattened the economy.

Pasco County commissioners last week approved the proposed tentative millage rates recommended by County Administrator Dan Biles.

“We are recommending no change in the operating millage rate of 7.6076, or the fire service MSTU (municipal services taxing unit) millage rate of 1.8036,” Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director told the board during its July 14 public meeting.

“Many of the general obligation millage rates are slightly higher than they were in 2020 because in ‘’(fiscal year 2020) ’20, we were paying interest only, and in (fiscal year 2021) ’21, we’re paying interest and principal.”

The board’s approval of its tentative rates means they will be reported in the Truth in Millage (TRIM) notices mailed to property owners in August. The board can choose to lower the rates but cannot raise them, when it adopts the county budget.

The board also set the first public hearing on the county’s budget for Sept. 8 at 5:15 p.m., in the Historic Pasco Courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Because of the ever-evolving threat of COVID-19, it is unclear at this time whether that meeting will be open for public attendance, or will be conducted in some virtual manner.

The county’s taxable assessed values did increase by 7.7% this year, compared to an increase of 9.3% last fiscal year.

Goehig noted that property owners may receive tax bills that are higher than they were this year, but that’s because that would be a property gained value, not because of a higher tax rate.

“Under the Save Our Homes protections, the (increase for) taxable assessed value of homesteaded properties is capped at 3% or the change in the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is less,” he said. Since the CPI is 2.3%, taxable values on homesteaded properties cannot increase by more than 2.3%, the budget director added.

Goehig also discussed some specific areas of the budget proposed for decreases and increases in the coming year.

“The  biggest change is the tourism development fund. The reason for that is because we are expecting — because of the pandemic — not as many folks staying in hotels, and so on.

“So, we’re expecting revenues to go down, so likewise the amount of revenue to go down about 20%,” he said.

Despite the reduction, the county isn’t expecting any layoffs in that division, Goehig said, noting: “Our crack tourism team is standing by. They’re ready to do the best they can with the money that’s available.”

The fire/rescue department is facing a 10% decrease, Goehig added.

He explained: “That’s because with the pandemic, there’s fewer people out there driving. There’s fewer accidents. So, that the revenues going to fire/rescue are not as high as we had anticipated. So, we’re not really able to move forward with some of the business plan initiatives that we had incorporated into the fire department at that time.”

More funding is expected, though, in some areas.

“The libraries are increasing by almost 9%. We have a new library coming online this summer. That’s reflected there,” the budget director said.

“Parks and recreation increasing by almost 7%. That’s Starkey Ranch District Park. We’re gradually taking over the management of that park, so as we do that, we’re taking on some additional costs for that park,” Goehig added.

The proposed budget calls for a 2% increase for county employers, but it appears that a 3% raise is more likely to happen — based on sentiments expressed by board members.

County Commissioner Mike Wells has been vocal about his support for a 3% raise. That’s what both the county’s constitutional officers are proposing, and what Gov. Ron DeSantis has approved for state workers.

Commissioner Ron Oakley also went on record for a 3% raise for employees.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore put it like this: “We want to make sure that we’re all in line, i.e., the constitutionals that fall under our budget, when we talked about what percentage they’re giving. We talked about what we’re going to do. We want to make sure everybody’s in line.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano said the county typically gets some money back from its constitutional officers, so the board can look at the issue once it has a better idea of how much additional revenue it will have.

Mariano suggested making a decision on the salary issue “a little bit down the road.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, voiced misgivings about providing a 3% raise.

“I think in today’s COVID time, 2% is a good raise,” Starkey said, adding she doesn’t know anything in the budget she wants to cut.

“I would be OK going with the 2% this year, and then maybe next year, catching back up when the economy is better,” Starkey said.

Published July 22, 2020

Officials urge caution, as COVID-19 cases ramp up

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Florida COVID-19 cases continue to rise, with 9,478 cases recorded on July 2, according to Florida Department of Health figures.

The day before, 9,529 positive cases were reported.

The surge in new cases has prompted additional measures to try to limit the spread, and has prompted cancellations of more planned events.

As the Fourth of July weekend approached, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Scott Rivkees asked Floridians to do their part.

“As we head into this holiday weekend, I encourage all Floridians be diligent in avoiding closed spaces, crowded places and close-contact settings, and remember to wear a mask. Together, we must continue to take the appropriate steps to slow the spread of this virus,” DeSantis said, in a news release.

They also reminded those at greatest risk of severe complications to avoid crowds and minimize contact. People over age 65 and those with underlying medical conditions are most vulnerable to serious consequences from the virus.

“Many asymptomatic individuals are unknowingly carrying the COVID-19 virus in public,” Rivkees said, in the release.

As the number of positive cases rises, local officials are taking actions aimed at reducing the spread.

Local events continue to be scrapped.

Both the traditional Fourth of July parade in Lutz, and the Rattlesnake Festival and Rattlesnake Run set for October at the Pasco County Fairgrounds were canceled.

Pasco and Hillsborough public school districts also have dropped plans for traditional indoor commencement ceremonies, the districts initially had delayed. Instead, Pasco will have outdoor ceremonies at high school stadiums, and Hillsborough will have virtual graduation videos, and will have drive-thru diploma events at district high schools.

Mask requirements continue to evolve.

The City of Tampa and Hillsborough require masks indoors at businesses, where social distancing of 6 feet or more can’t be maintained.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles issued a similar mask order on June 23, which was discussed at the Pasco County Commission’s June 29 meeting.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley voiced his support for the mask order.

“Ever since COVID has started, we’ve been following the CDC guidelines, and in there it has been speaking of masks as ‘recommended,’” Oakley said.

“From that time until we issued that order, we never got any full acceptance of wearing masks. You go in businesses and probably less than half of patrons in those businesses — grocery store, wherever — have been without masks,” he said.

That changed, once the order was imposed, Oakley said.

“Every time I go into one of these businesses now, whether it be a drugstore or your Publix, or wherever, everyone has a mask on. So, the fact of it is, the order is to make us do what we should take responsibility, each of us, to do anyway to protect ourselves.

“The reason for this order, we are protecting our employees, all of our first responders and all of our citizens in Pasco County.

“We feel at this time, with COVID cases rising that this is what we need to do. None of us want us to shut down businesses.”

“If I go to a business, I put that mask on,” Oakley said.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore agreed that efforts must be made to stop the spread.

“Besides protecting the health of the community, I think we need to protect the health of our small businesses out there,” Moore said.

“If they go to a Phase 1 or a total shutdown again, it’s going to be bad. Really, really, really bad. We don’t need any of these small businesses having to close again,” Moore said.

The Pasco County School Board also has signaled support for mandatory masks on school buses and at school campuses, when school resumes. The details will be worked out by district staff.

Pasco Schools Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd told board members, at a June 30 meeting, that planning for the coming school year has been challenging.

“The daunting task of staff is to bring some order to the chaos that I think we’re all experiencing at the moment,” Gadd said.

The infection rate for COVID-19 is spiking, Gadd said, adding “we’re not particularly optimistic about when that is going to change.”

He also noted: “The wearing of masks, for the executive team, is not an ideological issue. If  infection rates are raging, we want to have the option of requiring masks.”

Board members said they support that approach, but said the district should remain flexible, if conditions change.

School Board Chairwoman Colleen Beaudoin put it like this: “I would just rather be safe than sorry.

“The vast majority of teachers and staff members I heard from said they wanted the students to wear masks.

“Parents, right now, all I’m hearing is that they want to know, so they can make a decision. They want to know if we’re going to be requiring masks, or not. They need to know what we’re leaning toward, so they can make decisions,” Beaudoin said, referring to whether parents want their child to return to a school campus or to learn virtually, at home.

For more information about school reopening options, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us for Pasco schools and SDHC.k12.fl.us for Hillsborough schools.

To help prevent the spread of COVID-19, Gov. Ron DeSantis and Florida Surgeon General Dr. Scott Rivkees are appealing to Floridians to avoid the Three Cs:

  • Closed spaces: Closes spaces with poor ventilation could allow contagious droplets to linger in the air.
  • Crowded places: The greater the number of individuals in an area, the greater the chances of COVID-19 spreading from person to person.
  • Close-contact settings: Close-range conversations can contribute to the spread; be sure to stay at least 6 feet away from others.

Published July 08, 2020

Some 2020 races decided; others up for grabs

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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

Borrow pit approved, despite neighbors’ objections

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a request to allow 500,000 cubic yards of dirt to be excavated from a site on the south side of Tyndall road, about three-quarters of a mile west of the intersection Tyndall and Curley roads, in Wesley Chapel.

The permit and conditional use request were approved unanimously by the Pasco County Commission on June 2, despite concerns raised by area residents.

Based on the board’s action, the applicant can excavate and export dirt from about 30 acres of an overall site of 59 acres.

County staff found the request consistent with the county’s land development code — contingent on 31 conditions for approval.

Joel Tew, an attorney representing the applicant Sandhills Flats LLC, said the conditions required by the county staff are standard for this type of operation.

“We did not negotiate or quibble with any of those.”

“The property owners commit to make sure the pit operator complies with them. I intend to attach those conditions to the contract of the pit operator so that they have no choice but to comply,” Tew said.

The pit operator will be required to comply with noise-level limits, operating hours and other county conditions, Tew said.

“We have specific requirements for Tyndall Road maintenance. We have to post a maintenance bond with the county to ensure that our operator complies with those maintenance requirements of Tyndall Road.

“We have to maintain access conditions to all adjacent properties,” he said.

He also noted that more than three-fourths of the way from Tyndall Road out to Curley Road, there are no residences on either side.

Signage will be required, no stacking of trucks will be allowed on Tyndall and no trucks will go west on Tyndall from the site,  Tew said.

He also noted: “Due to the Connected City’s approvals, which you are aware of, there is already a requirement for Tyndall Road to be permanently improved to county standard, that is already in the construction plan review process by Metro, related to the Epperson CC (Connected City) MPUD (master planned unit development).”

Although the permit allows two years of operations, Tew said the hope is that dirt will be excavated and exported within a few months.

“You can’t develop those Connected City properties and VOPH (Villages of Pasadena Hills) without fill dirt,” Tew said.

But, neighbors living west of the site raised objections.

Mark Stober, who has lived on Tyndall Road for about 12 years, said the road cannot handle the heavy truck traffic.

“Tyndall, as a completely unimproved dirt road, already turns into an absolute mud pit during heavy rains, which we inevitably experience every year, and that’s without heavy trucks,” he said.

“There’s no way the company would be able to maintain that road during that period unless they substantially improve the road by either paving it or laying down a considerable amount of lime rock or stone to elevate the roadbed,” he added.

Instead of merely maintaining the road, the applicant should be required to improve it, Stober said.

Christopher Abati, also opposes the borrow pit.

“I have lived on Tyndall Road for 24 years, in peace and quiet,” he said, via email. “I do not want the borrow pit for our neighborhood.”

Abati added: “Our quality of life here is in jeopardy.”

Ernest Black, who also lives on Tyndall Road, asked, via email, whether the project would affect the area’s water table.

“This just seems like a bad idea for all of us living here,” he added.

Commissioner Ron Oakley, noting the county had placed “very good restrictions” on the project, made a motion for approval, which passed unanimously.

Published June 10, 2020

Serving up food — to sustain, comfort

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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

Deal approved to merge fire departments

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a merger between Pasco Fire Rescue and the Zephyrhills Fire Department.

The approval came on May 4, which followed the Zephyrhills City Council’s approval of the merger on April 27.

Pasco Fire Rescue Chief Scott Cassin outlined benefits of merging the departments.

The merger represents the end of an era for the Zephyrhills Fire Department, which has been in existence for more than 100 years. Negotiations to hammer out the terms of the deal took about 10 months.

The merger provides benefits for both the city and the county, Cassin said.

It will enable the county to respond more quickly to emergencies, since it will have two additional fire stations.

Those fire stations each will be equipped with ambulances, too, which the county will move from stations that have two, Cassin added.

The county will be acquiring all of the equipment currently at those stations, which includes a ladder truck, Cassin said.

That will give Pasco Fire Rescue greater capability in responding to high-rise firefighting on the east side of the county, Cassin said.

The merger also will create a unified dispatch for 911 calls. Currently the city has its own 911 center and handles its own calls.

Under the agreement, the two dozen full-time employees that are currently employed by the City of Zephyrhills will become county employees.

The cadet program established in Zephyrhills will continue, but will operate under the same umbrella as the county’s cadet program, which is in West Pasco, Cassin said.

Having both programs will minimize the drive time for some of the students that participate, he said.

The City of Zephyrhills also has a robust volunteer program. That program also will merge into the county and join the other four volunteer programs that already were in Pasco Fire Rescue, Cassin said.

The fire stations will be renamed from Station 1 and Station 2 to Station 25 and Station 29, he said.

Implementation of the agreement will be Sept. 27, according to documents approved on May 4.

At the same meeting, county commissioners approved an amendment to the county’s Municipal Service Taxing Unit boundaries for fire rescue services to include the City of Zephyrhills.

Commissioner Ron Oakley praised the county and the City of Zephyrhills for reaching an agreement.

“It’s a great thing. This is just an awesome move, I think, for the betterment of our community,” Oakley said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed: “I really want to applaud the City of Zephyrhills for taking a look at what’s best for their taxpayers. It’s better for them, it’s better for the county — to work seamlessly together.

“It’s going to save everybody a lot of money, and give them better service,” Mariano said.

Published May 13, 2020

Officials express guarded optimism through COVID-19

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As Florida slowly lifts stay-at-home orders — caused by concerns about potential spread of  coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19)  —  local leaders and officials are taking a positive, yet guarded, outlook.

They are hopeful that the regional and state economy can rebound sooner than later.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley (File)

Many retailers and restaurants have announced plans to reopen to modified dine-in and foot traffic, while more parks and beaches are reopening with restrictions.

Signs of optimism are beginning to show, state Rep. Randy Maggard, R-Dade City said, during an April 28 virtual town hall meeting presented by The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

“A lot of people feel we’ve crossed the high point of (COVID-19) and we’re on the downward slide. We hope so,” Maggard said.

In the same breath, he urged people to continue to take necessary safety precautions and “use common sense” in public gatherings.

“It will be good to get our economy going. It’s been tough for a lot of businesses here, it’s been tough for a lot of individuals,” he said.

Maggard also addressed “the 800-pound gorilla in the room” during the speaking engagement. And, that’s the fact that the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) is having trouble managing the massive volume of people filing for unemployment benefit claims.

The state representative pointed out roughly 40% of the 1.8 million claims filed have been either bogus or scams. That has led to further delays in legitimate applicants getting their unemployment benefits, he said.

“The process just takes long when you have to deal with things like that,” Maggard said, adding the DEO is expected to have those issues resolved soon.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, like Maggard, has an optimistic view of the future of the local economy and markets, overall.

“Things will get better. There is a light at the end of that long tunnel we didn’t think we’d have,” Oakley said.”

He said Pasco government activities have not slowed, in the midst of COVID-19.

Oakley noted that neighboring counties haven’t been so lucky as to keep operations moving along when it comes to handling regular tasks, such as reviewing building permits.

“We’ve continued to work, as we do normally,” Oakley said, “except most of our people are working from home instead of our offices.”

Oakley, 74, is still taking the virus quite seriously, however.

He reported the county had 241 positive coronavirus cases and six deaths, as of April 28. One place particularly “hit hard” is the Royal Oak Nursing Center in Dade City, with 20 positive COVID-19 cases, he said.

The commissioner acknowledged most of the people who’ve died from the disease have had pre-existing conditions. But, he added: “This is not the flu. It’s a little more infectious than the flu is.”

So, while businesses start opening with some semblance of normalcy, Oakley said he’s not yet  comfortable to enter a restaurant or other public spaces.

“You probably won’t see me out in a restaurant, that’s just my feeling,” said Oakley. “Of course, I’m of the age that the virus will treat me a lot worse than it would for younger people, but I think there’s probably a pretty large percentage of young people, middle-aged people that will do that, they’ll go right back out, they’re not fearful of any of that, and hopefully they’re taking precautions.”

Like Oakley, Zephyrhills Police Chief Derek Brewer remains concerned about the serious nature of COVID-19 and feels it isn’t going away anytime soon — witnessing the virus’s impact on the frontlines.

Brewer said there’s an expectation the county’s coronavirus cases could peak sometime around mid-May, based on joint conversations with the Pasco Sheriff’s Office and Pasco County Emergency Management.

“We may be getting close to opening the state,” Brewer said, “but, I don’t think we’re going to be ready yet to open it up completely yet.”

The police chief reported Zephyrhills has 25 positive COVID-19 cases as of April 28, representing more than 10% of all cases in the county. Additionally, the department is tracking a total of 48 addresses under investigation as possible COVID-19 cases as of that date.

Meanwhile, Brewer said the local law enforcement agency has observed spikes in domestic violence and disturbance cases, as well as increased juvenile problems, during the course of the pandemic.

On the other hand, the department has seen fewer accidents and total calls for service overall.

With fewer service calls, Brewer said officers have placed more focus on performing spot checks on local businesses that may not be in compliance with state executive orders.

He also noted the department has enacted an “extensive screening process” to determine whether someone absolutely needs to be sent to jail after an arrest. That approach is being taken to try and limit the spread of COVID-19 within the local criminal justice system.

He said the pandemic “has been a been a unique challenge for law enforcement.”

City of Zephyrhills pushing through COVID-19
Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe also offered an update on some of happenings within the East Pasco municipality throughout the town hall discussion.

Despite the COVID-19 outbreak, Poe said the city is “open for business, so there are still a lot of projects that are going on.”

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce organized an April 28 virtual town hall meeting featuring a panel of area leaders and representatives, discussing the various impacts of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. (Courtesy of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce)

For instance, work is progressing on multiple subdivisions and communities that will bring hundreds of new homes to the area. Those projects include the Oaks at Pasco and Links at Calusa Springs located on both sides of Simons Road; District at Abbott’s Square near the forthcoming Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellbeing Center; and Abbott Park, situated on the former Gore’s Dairy property that wraps behind the Publix Super Market at Zephyr Commons on Gall Boulevard.

Several commercial developments are moving along, too.

A couple notable projects under final site plan review include a new Veterans Administration clinic along Eiland Boulevard, as well as the Crystal Bar rebuild on Gall Boulevard, a longtime community staple destroyed in a fire last May.

Poe said a Chipotle Mexican Grill franchise at Zephyr Commons “is projected to come here in the next few months.” Also, the Chancey Partners industrial park project continues its build out with “a lot of businesses going in at that location.”

Poe touched on various city-related projects, as well:

  • Relocation of the U.S. 301/Pretty Pond Road traffic signal should get underway in August, spurring development in that area, which he said will eventually include a Chick-fil-A franchise
  • Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellbeing Center construction “continues to be strong” and should be complete around July or August
  • Road paving and resurfacing has been ongoing at various city streets the past several weeks

Elsewhere, the city manager encouraged residents to continue to support local businesses “either by takeout or gift cards or anything that you can do.”

He also noted he’s in conversation with Zephyrhills High School Principal Dr. Christina Stanley to “plan something special” for graduating seniors, such as a parade or other community-wide gathering at some point.

Other speakers during the town hall included Zephyrhills Mayor Gene Whitfield and Zephyrhills City Council president Ken Burgess.

Published May 06, 2020