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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Tampa General Hospital

Taking the long view, during a pandemic

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Like many businesses across the state, The Florida Aquarium was on a roll — before COVID-19 slammed the brakes on the economy, especially the tourism sector.

“We had two years of just record attendance and record revenues, and we were growing,” Roger Germann, president and CEO of the nonprofit conservation organization, said, during a Zoom breakfast meeting with the North Tampa Bay Chamber.

Roger Germann, president and CEO of The Florida Aquarium, is enthused about the future of the downtown Tampa attraction, which offers visitors a chance to have fun, to learn and to contribute to its conservation efforts. (File)

In mid-March, though, aquarium operations came to a halt.

Initially, Germann thought the shutdown would be for two weeks, but it soon became apparent it would be longer.

“You’ve got to make tough decisions in tough times, even if they’re uncomfortable decisions,” said Germann, who became the aquarium’s leader in 2017.

He decided to announce that the aquarium would be shuttered until May 10.

“I caught some flak, as a business leader, from a few folks, saying, ‘“We don’t know it will be that long, you’re not providing hope’,” Germann said.

But, he knew that he had the option of reopening within 48 hours, if conditions changed.

He also wanted to come up with a responsible reopening plan, and to give his 270-member staff a sense of stability in the interim.

“It was an investment in my staff. Hey, ‘You’re OK for eight weeks,’” Germann said. “I need to have you looking at the next 24 months, not the next 24 hours.”

Jellyfish are just one example of interesting sea creatures living at The Florida Aquarium.

“I have to invest in my people. I have to invest in making sure that we are strong enough to reopen, and the survivability of The Florida Aquarium is well beyond the next 24 hours — it’s the next 24 years,” he said.

By giving them a longer runway, the staff could maintain operations, take care of the animals, and figure out how to safely and successfully reopen, he said.

“We worked first with Tampa General Hospital and USF Health,” he said, noting those experts did site visits and helped the aquarium prepare to reopen safely.

The health professionals continue to monitor the situation, at least once a month, he added.

“We never want to let our guard down. Things change regularly, as you know, in science, especially in this particular case,” Germann said.

The shutdown also provided opportunity for introspection: “How do we look at our business model? What are things that we need to change?

“As a business leader, you make your decisions. It’s not always the bottom line that’s the focus. I knew that that money we were going to lose during that time — I call it Monopoly money, it is gone,” Germann said.

“We’ll probably lose close to $10 million in earned revenue by the time the fiscal year ends at the end of this month, but that certain portion is gone,” he said.

People enjoy getting wet, at The Florida Aquarium’s splashpad.

Just months before the pandemic, the aquarium launched a $14 million capital campaign.

“We said, ‘We’re making no little plans. We’re going to continue to upgrade the facility. We’re going to continue to make sure that it is a facility that you are proud of,” he said.

The capital campaign calls for investments, to enable the facility — which has been named by USA Today readers as the No. 2 aquarium in North America — to grow and expand.

“These are ideas (in the capital campaign) that are just on hold. They have not gone away by any means. They are just on hold,” Germann said.

Now celebrating its 25th year, the aquarium has been working on ways to strengthen connections within the community, Germann said.

It’s encouraging locals who haven’t been to the facility in downtown Tampa in awhile, to come check it out.

It wants to show off its animals, share the story of its conservation efforts and invite people to enjoy fun experiences there, he said.

While the pandemic has presented challenges, Germann is optimistic about the future and eager for the aquarium to continue pursuing its mission.

“We were the first aquarium in North America to reopen. We reopened on May 10,” he said.

“We were ready to go, and we were ready to contribute — really, truly — back to the mental and emotional health that we needed in this healing process.

“We all need to lift each other, and we’re all in this together,” Germann said.

Published September 09, 2020

Hillsborough public schools will require masks

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Hillsborough County Public Schools will require face coverings when school resumes, Aug. 10.

Hillsborough Schools Superintendent Addison Davis made the announcement on July 7.

In a video posted the same day on the district’s website, Davis elaborated on his decision.

Each staff member will receive three reusable masks when they return for pre-planning and each student will receive three reusable masks on Day 1 of the new school year.

“I spent the last few days speaking with medical professionals from the University of South Florida, Tampa General Hospitals, teachers, school administrators, business leaders and local department of health to help guide our decisions around protocols that affect the safety of our entire district.

“We all can agree that the safety and health of our students, teachers, staff and this community are paramount to the reopening of our schools,” he said.

“The CDC has identified face coverings as one of the most effective tools in stopping the spread of COVID-19, along with social distancing, handwashing and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces,” he said.

Davis said that he’s said from the beginning that the district’s reopening plan is fluid and that the district will continue to make adjustments as it continues to monitor the spread of the coronavirus within the community.

“I believe that requiring face coverings is the best option we have in providing an additional layer of protection for everyone on our campuses,” he said.

In total, the district will have more than 760,000 masks through purchases and donations from the Hillsborough County Emergency Operations Center and community partners, such as Humana and AVID.

“The spread of the coronavirus in our community has shown no sign of decreasing over the past three weeks,” he said.

“We have to do everything we can to keep our students, our staff and our families safe and healthy,” he said.

Meanwhile, parents of Hillsborough County students have until July 17 to indicate their declaration of intent for their preferred way of learning for their student in the new school year. Options include instruction at brick-and-mortar buildings, structured online learning, or self-paced virtual learning. Another potential option is a hybrid approach, which combines face-to-face instruction and online learning. There’s also an option for online learning only, if the district is required to close its campuses due to COVID-19.

To get more details, visit the district’s website at SDHC.k12.fl.us.

Published July 15, 2020

Leader shares his hospital’s COVID-19 experiences

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AdventHealth Wesley Chapel Erik Wangsness CEO assumed the leadership role of the hospital on Sept. 1 — during the midst of a hospital expansion and months before COVID-19 became a global pandemic.

“Our world changed about three months ago,” the hospital executive told members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, during the organization’s first Zoom breakfast meeting on June 2.

“We had heard since the beginning of the year about this virus coming out of Wuhan (China), and its spread.

Erik Wangsness, CEO of AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, recently talked via Zoom to members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber, about the experiences at his hospital amid COVID-19. (Courtesy of AdventHealth)

“And then, in March, it really started to get real for us — and for you,” Wangsness said.

In March, like other businesses, the hospital had “progressively more aggressive reactions to COVID,” he said.

“We started by screening questions at the front. Then, it was screening questions and limiting visitation, masking and then it was no visitors.

“It got very serious, very quickly,” he said.

“We did a lot of modeling around what to expect with COVID, starting back in February and March.

“We were expecting infection rates in Hillsborough and Pasco County — about 4(%) to 7% — of the community, we thought were going to be infected by COVID,” he said.

That modeling showed a need for rooms, ventilators and personal protective equipment that was much greater than the hospital had, he said.

“We scrambled. We set up triage tents and surge tents on our campuses. We brought in more equipment; huge orders for personal protective equipment.

“As time went on, the models dropped and dropped and dropped — and we found that less than 1% — thankfully, of the citizens of Pasco County and Hillsborough County — ended up being infected, that we know of.

“Of course, we haven’t had, as you know, the ability to perform widespread either testing or antibody testing to see what was the true infection level of the community,” he said.

Their testing, of both people who were symptomatic and some who were asymptomatic, showed less than a 1% infection rate, he said.

The hospital leader praised his staff’s response to the pandemic, and also the community’s support.

“There were many, many powerful moments during the last three months,” he said. ““Some were extremely sad, patients we lost, who were infected by the virus.”

At the same time, “there were also incredible highs,” he said, sharing a video of the hospital’s first COVID patient who came off a ventilator at the hospital, and was discharged.

“This was very real, and very difficult, heavy lift, for not only (AdventHealth) Wesley Chapel, certainly, but all hospitals, all health care across Tampa Bay,” he said.

“One of the things that has been for me, that has been incredibly comforting and heartwarming, was that we were absolutely embraced by our community.

“People delivered food. Businesses delivered food. Handmade masks. Letters. Posters from kids, from the community supporting us — and telling us, and our staff, that they were thankful for us.

“It made a huge difference. It was just incredibly powerful to the staff here at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel to know that the community, the business community, the faith community were behind us.

“We had several parades.

“Groups wanted to come and parade through the campus to show their support. Honk horns, fly balloons and banners, show support for the people,” he said.

He also praised the response of the region’s medical facilities.

“Another very powerful kind of component of this is that the hospital systems in Tampa Bay — Tampa General, BayCare, HCA, AdventHealth — all came together, to work together, to treat COVID patients, to test COVID patients, to support each other. It’s been a wonderful thing,” he said.

COVID concerns keep people away from hospitals
While AdventHealth Wesley Chapel was gearing up for the COVID-19 challenge, fewer people were coming to the hospital with other conditions.

“Our surveys and focus groups show a very high level of concern remains in our communities about the danger of COVID at hospitals.

“We saw, over the last three months, a significant decrease in our census — in people coming to the hospital to receive care,” he said. He estimates that the hospital’s census declined by about 50%.

“So, one of the ironies was that we were going full speed trying to prepare for this pandemic that we thought was going to overwhelm us, but at the same time the business that we had in the hospital was artificially low.

“We know that ambulance calls for very significant conditions — stroke and heart attack fell significantly across Florida and across the United States compared to the same time prior year.

“Think about that, stroke and heart attack victims would rather stay home than call an ambulance to seek care because of the fear of being infected at the hospital,” he said.

As a result, care has been delayed and when people arrive at the hospital they are sicker because of that delay, he said.

The hospital’s messaging has been focused on explaining what it is doing to keep patients and others safe, Wangsness said.

Staff members at AdventHealth Wesley Chapel hold cards of appreciation dropped off by The Learning Experience, a local day care. Besides the cards made by the kids, the day care delivered pizzas.

“So, what will you see, at our facility and virtually every hospital you go to?

“You’ll see universal masking. All of our staff. All of the physicians in the hospital, will be wearing masks. Visitors, patients who come, are masked as well.

“Everyone, every day, temperature is checked upon arrival. That’s our staff, our physicians, any contractors and vendors, any patients and visitors. We’re checking and screening everyone upon arrival.

“There’s limited visitation. For a couple of months there were no visitors in the hospital. Now, each patient can have one visitor. Someone coming in for surgery can have one visitor. But again, all visitors are masked and screened upon entry,” he said.

The hospital’s social distancing strategies include appliques on the ground to remind people to stay 6 feet apart, and the hospital also has removed some furniture from its lobbies, waiting areas and cafeteria, to help keep people farther apart.

Additionally, the hospital has stepped up its sanitizing, especially in public areas, in addition to private areas within the hospital.

Wangsness asked members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber to help spread the word.

“My request of you, of the business community, is let people know that hospitals are working diligently — not just ours, but all hospitals — and physician offices, and imaging clinics, to make sure that we’re keeping them (patients) safe.

“They really shouldn’t delay their care because of the COVID, really, at this point, they’re doing themselves a disservice,” the hospital executive said.

Published June 10, 2020

Car donation gives veteran smoother path to success

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Chauncey Roberts, a veteran of the U.S. Army, arrived at Lutz Ferman Collision, as a passenger — but when he left, he was driving his own set of wheels.

Roberts was surprised when a silver 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedan pulled up and was presented to him, during a July 24 event at the collision center.

Geico Auto Insurance and Enterprise were key contributors working in the National Auto Body Council’s Recycled Rides program to make this donation.

The teams of Lutz Ferman Collision and Geico Auto Insurance rallied around Chauncey Roberts after he received a donated car from the companies on July 24. Even the Geico Gecko was present to cheer on Roberts during his special occasion. (Brian Fernandes)

“It’s tears of joy,” the New Port Richey resident said, with emotion. “This is going to be so much better for me.”

Behind Roberts, a crowd – mostly made up of business participants – broke out in applause.

Teressa Knab, an attendee, is a public affairs coordinator for Geico Auto Insurance.

“It feels really good,” Knab noted on the occasion. “As the largest auto insurance in the state of Florida, we feel like it’s our obligation to make sure we’re taking care of the people in our state.”

Scott Rippelle, general manager at Ferman Collision, heard about Roberts’ transportation needs and was intrigued by his service in the U.S. Army.

As Rippelle stated: “When I was growing up, the biggest thing I always thought about [was] ‘Who’s our heroes?’ When I got older, I realized our heroes were the high school students coming out of school to give up their lives to fight for our country.”

Rippelle referred Roberts to Geico, who actively donates vehicles to the Recycled Rides program.

After the veteran went through an approval process, his soon-to-be ride was sent to Ferman Collision in Lutz to get a brand new look.

Recycled Rides was established in 2007 to help everyday commuters get around with ease by having their own means of transportation.

In 2018, 90 vehicles were donated nationwide and, this year, that number is expected to exceed 200 vehicles.

For Roberts, the vehicle will make it easier for him to pursue his goal of becoming a nurse anesthetist.

After his honorable discharge from the service, he experienced multiple setbacks.

While working at Tampa General Hospital, Roberts had no immediate family close by and struggled to find stable residency.

Chauncey Roberts, a veteran of the U.S. Army, posed next to his 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedan on July 24 outside of Ferman Collision in Lutz.

He briefly stayed at a friend’s home while she was hospitalized.

After her unfortunate passing, Roberts reached out to the Supportive Services for Veteran Families and was provided permanent housing.

With a stable home, he is currently working evenings and going to school.

Without a car, he had challenges getting to and from school. He walked, rode a bicycle, caught buses, and used Lyft and Uber.

“We hear that all the time, that customers or recipients will spend like three hours commuting just to their jobs,” Knab said. “With a car, it cuts that commute down and gives them more time to be with their family [and] potentially work a better job.”

As a student at A-1 Healthcare Academy in New Port Richey, that’s precisely what Roberts hopes to achieve.

And, besides making it easier to achieve his own goals, Roberts said he’s now in a position to help others.

“I have coworkers who don’t have cars,” Roberts said. “I can give them a ride home or give them a ride to work. I understand that situation – been there, done that. Now I can bless others.”

So, it turns out that the generosity that Roberts has received will have a spillover effect — spreading that kindness to others.

Published July 31, 2019

Grieving parents want to offer comfort to others

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Months after losing their infant son, Alissa Rodriguez and Ryan Mellor have donated to AdventHealth Zephyrhills the same kind of device that helped provide them comfort in the hours immediately following Collin’s death.

During a March 26 ceremony at the hospital, the Wesley Chapel couple provided a CuddleCot to be used by other families that are going through the same tragic circumstances that they experienced.

Amanda Maggard, president and CEO of AdventHealth Zephyrhills, left, accompanied family members of Collin Sebastian Mellor as the hospital received a CuddleCot donation on March 26. Next to the hospital executive is Alessandra Mellor, her parents Ryan and Alissa, sister Carolina, as well as grandparents Migdoel Rodriguez and Sonia Garcia. (Courtesy of Ashley Jeffery/AdventHealth West Florida Division)

Chaplains, medical staff and family gathered in a hospital room at AdventHealth Zephyrhills, as the couple presented their gift.

The CuddleCot is a device which uses flowing water to cool a pad, which can be placed in a basket, or in the arms of a parent, to provide extra time with the baby.

“We’re so grateful to be able to have this donation of the CuddleCot, because it gives those moms (and dads) the opportunity (to hold the baby) before they say goodbye,” said Sonia Yaksich, nurse manager of the Women’s Health Center at AdventHealth Zephyrhills. “This is a beautiful and perfect way for families to provide a memory for their child.”

As the couple made their donation, they were bestowed with a plaque honoring the memory of Collin Sebastian Mellor.

Although little Collin was delivered stillborn, he was safely cushioned by the pad as family members said their farewell in September of last year.

Sharing the story of their loss was difficult, as Alissa and Ryan read a letter they had prepared for the gathering.

For support, Christina Stamper was at the couple’s side, and when they were overcome by emotion, she finished reading the letter on their behalf.

“Due to the CuddleCot, we were able to stay with our son in our room,” Stamper read. “During the first few hours of absolute shock, there was no time, clarity to say, do, or express all that you would like to.”

Stamper could resonate with the parents’ struggle as she, too, lost her daughter, who was delivered stillborn.

Through the pain, she and her husband founded Madison’s Miracles – an organization named after their late daughter.

This CuddleCot device was donated to AdventHealth Zephyrhills in memory of Collin Sebastian Mellor on March 26.

Its purpose is to offer support groups to parents who have lost an infant, as well as raise funds to help pay for funerals and private counseling.

After discovering the CuddleCots – based in the United Kingdom – Stamper decided to have one brought to Florida.

“I needed to bring it here because nobody in the state had them,” she recalled.

In October 2016, she donated the first one to the Martin Health System, the hospital in Stuart, Florida, where Madison was delivered.

She has since teamed up with Ryan and Alissa with the goal of donating six CuddleCots to various hospitals in the U.S., and Puerto Rico.

AdventHealth Zephyrhills was their first stop, with Stanford University and Tampa General Hospital as next destinations.

Ryan is a cardiac surgeon at AdventHealth Tampa where he is acutely aware of the concept of mortality.

However, after he and his wife experienced the loss personally, they felt compelled to help others in need.

“We want to raise awareness that they’re (CuddleCots) there,” the doctor explained. “They should be available to people who are going through this.”

Even with his busy schedule, he said he wants to be present when each hospital receives their gift.

As for the staff at AdventHealth Zephyrhills, they will be reminded of the priceless value of their gift, as it has been imprinted with Collin’s full name.

Stamper stated that, “every family that walks through this door and has a loss, whether stillbirth or shortly after infant loss, will be guided by the arms open wide of Collin Sebastian.”

Published April 03, 2019

Cancer survivor wins scholarships, offers prevention advice

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Cailyn Ruff was a senior at Sunlake High School, in Land O’ Lakes, when she felt an odd bump on her head.

That was about a year-and-a-half ago.

“It was like a big mole,” the 19-year-old said. “I saw it through my part line. It looked funny. It would bleed.”

As it grew, she became concerned and brought it to the attention of her dermatologist.

Next, came a biopsy.

Cailyn Ruff, who lives in Lutz, was a senior at Sunlake High School when she found out she had a rare form of melanoma. She underwent a successful surgery and is cancer-free, but she wants to remind others of the importance of wearing sunscreen and hats to protect themselves from too much sun. She wants to become a pediatric nurse practitioner and recently received some scholarships to help pay for her studies. (B.C. Manion)

“It was a good three weeks before we got the first results, saying they were inconclusive. It was not something they were used to seeing. So, they actually sent it to the USF (University of South Florida) doctors.

“The dermatologist said ‘You better get a second opinion.’

Her mom, Kim Carpintier, recalled how scary that was.

It took two weeks to get her into Moffitt Cancer Center, and when they did, they were told that the young woman needed surgery immediately.

“They were worried that it had spread to her lymph nodes,” Carpintier said.

If more time had passed, Ruff would have faced chemotherapy.

As it was, surgery was performed to remove the melanoma, the surrounding area and six of her lymph nodes.

“Moffitt told her that she’s one of two kids that they’ve ever seen with this form of melanoma,” Carpintier said.

After the surgery, Ruff said, “I was in pain for a long time.”

It took her about two months to regain full mobility in her head and neck.

Still, she knows how lucky she is.

“Nothing got infected,” she said. “By March, I was 100 percent myself.”

While they do not know what caused the melanoma to form on her head, Ruff and Carpintier suspect it could have been a result from being exposed to the sun for long hours, when Ruff was a cheerleader and when she ran cross-country.

Both mother and daughter said that schools may want to suggest that students who are out in the sun for hours wear a hat and protect themselves with sunscreen.

“No one thinks to wear sunscreen and a hat during school events because you get out of school and you change, and you go and do what you have to do,” said Ruff, who is now a student at the University of South Florida.

She plans to pursue a career as a pediatric nurse practitioner, and said that’s partially due to the excellent care she received from nurses at Moffitt.

Her career choice also has been influenced by her current job as a vision therapist at Walesby Vision Center, on State Road 54 in Lutz.

She has worked with both children and adults, both for both everyday issues and various disorders, she said. She works primarily with children, performing vision therapy with children experiencing challenges such as visual-motor and/or perceptual-cognitive deficiencies. Many of the children she serves have autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or other medical conditions.

Ruff began working at Walesby to earn volunteer hours, but she was so good with children she was offered a job, Carpintier said.

Recently, Ruff received a $5,500 scholarship through an essay contest sponsored by Panera Bread and the Children’s Cancer Center. The awards were presented at the Palma Ceia Country Club in south Tampa.

Ruff’s mom was impressed by the event.

“It was beautiful. They went above and beyond,” Carpintier said. It honored youths who have dealt with cancer, ranging from 16 to 20 years old.

The stories that were shared were touching, she said.

Ruff also has received two other scholarships, one from a Greek organization, and another from an Italian organization.

She hopes to continue her education in USF’s nursing program, but realizes that it’s very competitive, so will be applying elsewhere, too.

Her goal is to work at Tampa General Hospital in the pediatrics unit, or at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital or at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

Ruff lives with her mom, Kim, her dad, Don Carpintier, and her sister, Meghan Ruff, in Lutz.

She’s grateful for all of the help and support she’s received.

Besides the scholarships, she also has received support from her grandparents, Carol and Bill Little, and her aunt, Lois Zapert, who all live in Lutz and her grandmother, Michele Carpintier, who lives in St. Petersburg.

Published May 23, 2018

Crystal Lagoon ‘clear blue’ star at Epperson

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The Crystal Lagoon at Epperson will have its grand debut in spring 2018, with Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps headlining the festivities.

Phelps is the global ambassador for Crystal Lagoon Inc., which built its first lagoon in Chile in 2006. The massive swimming pool, with a patented technology to keep its waters crystal clear, was the brainchild of biochemist and real estate developer Fernando Fischmann.

At Epperson, the 7.5-acre lagoon began filling up with approximately 16 million gallons of water, purchased from Pasco County.

An unidentified woman, in red, and an unidentified man look out at the Crystal Lagoon, which is a 7.5-acre manmade amenity at the master-planned community of Epperson. (Stefanie Burlingame)

With that task completed as of Dec. 26, Epperson, and Metro Development Group, soon will have the distinction of hosting its spring grand opening for the first Crystal Lagoon in North America.

A walkway overlooking the lagoon offers sweeping vistas of the blue waters, landscaping and ongoing construction at Epperson. Signage at an overlook tells the story of Connected City, the surrounding community of Epperson and the Crystal Lagoon.

About 70 homes are occupied at Epperson, according to Greg Singleton, president of Metro Development Group.

More homes are under construction, and additional lots are being prepared for even more homes.

When completed, the lagoon will be the featured centerpiece of the community. There will be swimming, kayaking and paddle-boarding activities. Even, small sailboats will skim over the surface. Residents and guests can hang out at Caribbean-style beaches and cabanas, slip down a waterslide, enjoy an entertainment plaza, join a yoga class or gather for special events.

Epperson may be the first — but four more Crystal Lagoons are on their way to Florida. Metro Development will break ground in spring on a second lagoon at its Southshore Bay community in Hillsborough County.

Another Crystal Lagoon also is planned for Mirada, a master-planned community next to Epperson.

Both Epperson and Mirada are part of the Connected City corridor, which encompasses about 7,800 acres in northeast Pasco County.

At build-out, the entire Connected City will have about 37,000 homes and more than 12 million square feet of commercial space. While Metro Development controls a large swath of Connected City, other developers also are expected to bring forth their proposals.

In addition to about 2,000 homes at Epperson, there will be office and retail, as well as education, medical and technology facilities. Saint Leo University and Tampa General Hospital are partners with Metro Development for state-of-the-art hospitals, schools and research centers.

For information, visit MetroDevelopmentGroup.com.

Published January 3, 2018

Crystal Lagoon will make a splash in 2018

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The Epperson residential development, with its Crystal Lagoon, will open in spring 2018 with a special guest – Olympic gold medal swimmer Michael Phelps.

Phelps signed on with Crystal Lagoons as its “Global Ambassador.” He will promote swimming and water sports around the world, with appearances at Crystal Lagoon properties, including Epperson, according to a news release from The Conroy Martinez Group.

Details and a date for the grand opening will be announced later.

The Crystal Lagoon at Epperson is expected to open in spring 2018, with festivities that will include Olympic gold medalist Michael Phelps. (Courtesy of Crystal Lagoon Inc.)

The 7-acre lagoon at the center of Epperson is a mammoth swimming pool, with crystal blue, see-through waters. Epperson’s lagoon will be the first in the nation.

“(Phelps is) big on promoting people being active in water sports,” said Greg Singleton, president of Metro Development Group, which is developing Epperson. “Metro is big on having people swimming and being active in our lagoon.”

Epperson residents can enjoy aquatic activities, including swimming, kayaking, paddle-boarding and sailing small boats. There also will be Caribbean-style beaches and cabanas, a waterslide, an entertainment plaza, a yoga lawn and an area for special events.

Singleton said the lagoon would have some limited guest opportunities, as well. But, he added, “It’s not designed to be a public water park.”

Instead, it will function more like a private golf course, Singleton said.

Metro is purchasing water from Pasco County to fill the lagoon. Once it is filled, Metro officials estimate the lagoon will use 50 times less water than a park of the same size and 30 times less water than a golf course.

Epperson will have about 2,000 homes when completed. Residents will participate in the first “smart gigabit community” in the nation, with UltraFi technology as a built-in feature of the community, indoors and outdoors.

Epperson also will be the first residential community within the Connected City corridor.

Pasco County commissioners approved the framework for Connected City in February. The approximately 7,800 acres in northeastern Pasco is designated as a state-approved, 10-year pilot program designed to feature technology-based neighborhoods. However, full development of Connected City is anticipated to take about 50 years.

When completed, the area will have about 37,000 homes and more than 12 million square feet of commercial space.

Saint Leo University, Florida Hospital and Tampa General Hospital are partners in the development of a wellness district within Connected City, with plans to build hospitals, schools and research facilities.

The Connected City boundaries are Interstate 75, State Road 52, and Curley and Overpass roads. Epperson is at the juncture of Curley and Overpass roads.

Currently, about 200 homes have been built at Epperson, with another 200 lots available for construction. Singleton said homeowners occupy about 70 houses.

Metro also is developing Mirada, a master-planned community north of Epperson. It also will have a Crystal Lagoon.

“Mirada is underway,” Singleton said. “We’re moving dirt and developing lots.”

Other lagoons are expected to open at developments in southern Hillsborough County and in Fort Myers.

Published November 22, 2017

‘Stocking Stuffers’ spread holiday cheer

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They don’t look like elves, but a quartet of International Baccalaureate students from Land O’ Lakes High School has set off on a mission to make the holidays merrier for preschoolers in foster care.

The IB students — Deah Bhojani, Geanna Alamares, Ariana Rao and Angelina Rodriguez — dreamed up the idea for an operation they’ve dubbed “Stocking Stuffers.”

From left, Angelina Rodriguez, Deah Bhojani, Geanna Alamares and Ariana Rao are banding together on a project aimed at providing at least 50 stuffed Christmas stockings for children in foster care.
(B.C. Manion)

It’s a simple concept, but the teenagers hope it will have a profound impact on the children receiving the holiday stockings.

And, they’re asking for the community’s help.

To get things started, the young women set out collection boxes on Nov. 1 at the clubhouse at Wilderness Lake Preserve, Lake Bernadette and Meadow Pointe. They also placed two boxes at Land O’ Lakes High School.

Those wanting to help can either donate a stocking that’s already been stuffed, or can contribute items to help stuff a stocking.

Since the stockings will be given to preschoolers, the gift items should target that age group. Small purses, little cars, coloring books, art supplies, costume jewelry, dolls, stuffed animals and puzzles are the kinds of items they’re seeking to collect.

The idea is for the item to be small enough to fit in a stocking, but not small enough to pose any kind of hazard to a young child.

The organizers also are asking contributors to refrain from donating any type of food.

The collection boxes will remain up through Dec. 11.

The young women also are appealing to large businesses that may buy in bulk to donate some items for the cause.

Bhojani said she came up with the idea because her dad owns a preschool, and some of the children he serves come from foster families.

She also volunteered to feed the homeless and saw firsthand how those children struggle.

She saw a young boy who was freezing cold.

“He was wearing shorts and a jacket that was way too small for him,” she said.

“I’ve just been very fortunate. I’ve never really had to go through the holidays without family and support,” she said. “So, I just wanted to do something for kids who might not be as lucky as I am during this time of the year.”

She also noted that many people give to large charities that help people in far-away places, but people sometimes fail to notice the need for help right here.

Rodriguez said she wants to help share Christmas joy.

“To me, Christmas is a season of giving, and love and charity. I love Christmas. I’ve always loved it,” she said.

Alamares said she wanted to get involved because she understands there are people who are much less fortunate, including some of her own relatives who live in the Philippines.

She also has seen that need locally.

When she did some volunteer work at Tampa General Hospital on the children’s floor, she met children who live in difficult conditions.

“It was eye-opening for me,” she said.

Rao said the idea appealed to her because she could see that it’s the kind of project where “small gestures can have a broad effect.”

The IB students hope to collect at least 50 stockings to distribute to foster children through the Early Learning Coalition of Pasco County.

That’s one goal they hope to exceed.

Want to help?
If you would like to help make the holidays merrier for some foster children, contact Angelina Rodriguez at .

Published November 15, 2017

Connected City vote on Pasco’s agenda

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A final decision on an ambitious technology-driven community in eastern Pasco County – known as Connected City – is at hand.

The Pasco County Commission will have a final public hearing on the project on Feb. 7 at 1:30 p.m., in Dade City.

The Meridian Autonomous vehicle, known as the World Bus by Mobi-Cubed, will be the first self-driving vehicle tested in the Connected City. The ‘city of the future’ is being developed by Metro Development Group in partnership with Pasco County.(Courtesy of B2 Communications)

The first public hearing on Jan. 24 offered a review of the project and an opportunity for public comment.

Pasco County and Metro Development Group are partnering on a 10-year pilot project, authorized by state law. About 7,800 acres were set aside for development projects that encourage advanced technology and high-wage jobs.

The area is bordered by Interstate 75, State Road 52 and Curley and Overpass roads.

Metro is the first to offer a development project for the area. More developers are expected to take part in Connected City in the future.

“This project arguably is one of the leading technology designs in the country right now,” said Kris Hughes, the county’s planning and development administrator. “It sets new standards for physical development. It makes Pasco highly competitive and attractive as a place to live and work.”

Several people spoke during public comment on Jan. 24. Most supported Connected City.

“I feel the benefits outweigh the concerns brought up,” said resident Dawn Newsome. “I’m excited to see the opportunities that Connected City offers us.”

Too many younger Pasco residents leave home to find good-paying jobs, but that could change with Connected City, she said.

Hope Allen, president of The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce, offered a letter of support from the chamber’s board. She said the project would bring jobs, new housing, economic development and entrepreneurship to Pasco.

Resident Jennifer McCarthy had concerns about property rights of people who have lived in the area for generations. She also worried about increasing traffic congestion.

At build-out in 50 years, Connected City is expected to have a population of about 96,000 residents, living in about 37,000 homes and apartments. About 7.2 million square feet of space will be available for job creation.

“At best, Connected City is going to generate jobs that aren’t just retail and construction,” McCarthy said. “At worst, it adds to the urban sprawl that already plagues the area.”

During a video presentation, Metro developers provided new details on their plans.

A groundbreaking for the manmade Crystal Lagoon at Epperson Ranch will be on Feb. 2. The mixed-use, master-planned community is within Connected City boundaries.

The 7-acre lagoon, with crystal blue waters, is creating a buzz with companies that want to locate within the Epperson community, said Kartik Goyani, vice president of operations with Metro.

To meet demand, Metro now is planning a second and larger lagoon on the northern portion of the site, Goyani said.

Metro previously announced partnerships with Saint Leo University for an education center within Connected City. In addition, Florida Hospital and Tampa General Hospital plan to set up a new medical partnership in Connected City.

Meridian Autonomous Systems will provide support for self-driving and electrical vehicles.

“We are going to be at the forefront of this technology,” Goyani said.

Metro also is developing technology to operate street lights on solar and wind power.

The Museum of Science & Industry (MOSI) will partner with Metro to integrate learning activities into Connected City. Goyani also said the nonprofit is planning a $1 million exhibit on Connected City in 2017.

And, job creation already is coming into focus.

On Jan. 30, Metro Places had a job fair at Pasco-Hernando State College where more than 400 jobs were available.

“We hope to make this an annual event,” Goyani said.

Published February 1, 2017