The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

New Port Richey

Central and West Pasco chambers plan to join forces

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The boards for the Central Pasco and West Pasco chambers of commerce have voted to become a single chamber, effective July 1, pending due diligence by both chambers’ boards.

Leadership from both groups said they’re excited by the prospects.

The new chamber — which has yet to be named — will have more than 1,000 members. Its membership will reach from around Interstate 75, to the western edge of Pasco County.

“There are advantages for both the chambers and for the chamber members,” said Greg Armstrong, chairman of the board for the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

“For the chambers, it means more services for less money. In today’s competitive environment that’s what you have to do.

“As for the members, the advantages are measured a little bit differently.

“They’ll have more marketing opportunities — to reach a larger market, which is the trend today.

“They’ll have more networking opportunities, in a larger area.

“And, quite frankly, they’ll get more bang for their buck.

“In the growth area of (State Road) 54, they won’t have to wonder: ‘Should I join this one? Or, should I join that one?’ As a result, a lot of people didn’t join either.

“Now, they just join THE chamber. We take that problem out of it,” Armstrong said.

“That is one of the two best growth areas in the United States right now, for business, and there was no reason to spend our time fighting over the members. We want to spend our time working for the members,” Armstrong added.

Les Saland, president of the board for the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, said, “we want this to happen because it really is a good deal for the members.

“We’re going to be splitting the board, initially, for the first two years. It’s going to be seven members of the West Pasco board and seven members of the Central Pasco board to comprise the board of directors.

“The chairman of the board for the first year will be the incoming chairman of the board from West Pasco Chamber, and then the second year, the chairman of the board will be our current incoming president.

“Then, after that, it will be by nomination of the board.

“We wanted to make sure that our members have equal representation. This is not a takeover or anything like that. It had to work for everybody,” Saland said.

Both offices will remain open, and staff members will be retained, Saland said.

“If we move the office into their (West Pasco Chamber) current office, which is on Main Street in New Port Richey, that doesn’t work well for the current members who are in Central Pasco, or in Land O’ Lakes, or even possibly on the eastern side of Trinity/Odessa. That’s a long drive,” Saland said.

The combined chamber will have more political clout, both leaders said.

“Let’s face it, government has to do what it does and sometimes it’s not in the best interest of business,” Armstrong said. “If we’re speaking for more than a 1,000 members, they (political leaders) sit on the edge of the chair. If you’re a smaller chamber, they might sit back in their chair.

Having such representation is especially important for chamber members, Armstrong added.

“Eighty-five percent of our members, in both chambers, are very small businesses. Having been that most of my life, I can tell you, there’s a lot of times, you have to snorkel to get air — because you’re working that many hours.

“They don’t have time to even know that a problem is coming, much less figure out a way to deal with it, or make it not happen.

“As a chamber, we can impact those things,” he said.

Organizing a unified chamber will take a concerted effort and involves working out myriad details, both leaders said.

“I think we have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m excited,” Armstrong said. “We have a chance to clean the chalkboard and set us up for the next decade. I really think we’re going to benefit all of the communities. You’ve got Land O’ Lakes, Lutz (the Pasco part of Lutz). You’ve got Odessa, Trinity, Holiday, New Port Richey, Port Richey, Hudson. Now we’re talking about almost 250,000 people that we represent.”

Published March 13, 2019

Specialty grocers sprouting up in Pasco

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A national trend for smaller, specialty grocery stores is taking hold in Pasco County.

Within the next year, Earth Fare, Sprouts Farmers Market, and possibly Lucky’s Market will open grocery stores that specialize in natural, organic and fresh foods.

Aldi is planning to open its no-frills, discount grocery stores in Zephyrhills and New Port Richey in 2019. Also, a new store is coming to the southeast corner of State Road 54 and Wesley Chapel Boulevard, on a parcel owned by developers of the Cypress Creek Town Center.

South Branch Ranch developers submitted plans to the county that include a “prototype” grocery store within a mix of commercial, office and retail. The approximately 25,000-square-foot store, on State Road 54 at Suncoast Parkway, would fit within the size range for boutique-style grocery shopping.

These new foodie arrivals on the retail scene follows an explosion of growth all over Pasco of more shops, restaurants and residential development.

Activity centers include Cypress Creek Town Center, the Village at Mitchell Ranch, Starkey Ranch and Wiregrass Ranch.

Rooftops and retail are two major parts of getting development started, and making them profitable, said Bill Cronin, executive director of the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc.

“Some of the developments now are coming to fruition with their plans,” Cronin said.

Grocery stores are one part of that development pattern.

As 2019 unfolds, Pasco residents can anticipate a buffet line of new grocery options in addition to the traditional brand names, such as Publix and Winn Dixie.

According to the U.S. Grocery Store Trends 2018, consumers continue to prize high-quality fruits and vegetables, low prices, and great product selection and variety.

Currently, the new trend in groceries is for smaller stores that offer organic, natural and local foods. In addition, consumers are looking for something extra – a food “experience.”

“Everybody is looking for that food experience, whether its ethnic sourcing or that new product,” said David Fikes, vice president of communications and community/consumer affairs director for the Food Marketing Institute. “It’s not (about) giving people 11 varieties of ketchup in the store.

The digital age is ushering in coupons and social connectivity via mobile applications. Online grocery shopping is gaining in popularity, especially with millennials, according to the survey.

Baby boomers, though, are showing keen interest, as well.

Experiences are shared on Facebook, or other social media, as if saying “I discovered this, and you’re the foodie among your group,” Fikes said.

Prior generations would shop to stock the pantry in order to have enough food on hand, Fikes said. That evolved later to a desire for nutritional, healthy food, he added.

Now, a third factor is a desire for discovery, engagement and connection, according to the FMI survey.

“We are moving away from stocking up our pantry to what’s the next meal,” Fikes said.

The specialty grocery stores coming to Pasco include:

Earth Fare is an organic-based grocery store that boasts that its shoppers don’t need to read labels to know its products are healthy. (Courtesy of earthfare.com)

Earth Fare
The store will open at Cypress Creek Town Center, at 25535 Sierra Center Blvd. The organic-based grocery store boasts that shoppers don’t need to read labels to know its products are healthy.

Its food is free of added hormones, artificial anything, and, according to Earth Fare’s website, the store sells “100 percent clean food for your family.”

Earth Fare began in Asheville, North Carolina, as a health food store before it enlarged and, in 1994, became a full-service grocery store. Its stores are built to be energy efficient, with skylights and LED light bulbs. Biodegradable to-go containers are used, and recycling is encouraged in the store.

Among its features is the Heirloom Juice Bar.

Aldi
Aldi is in the permitting phase for a store at 2215 Sun Vista Drive, which is near the Tampa Premium Outlets, off State Road 56. The store is expected to open in fall 2019, according to email responses from Matt Thon, Haines City Division vice president for Aldi.

Aldi is planning new stores in Pasco County, one near Tampa Premium Outlets and the other in Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of Aldi)

Thon also confirmed in the email that an Aldi will open in Zephyrhills, but no other details are available.

The location under discussion is off Pretty Pond Road, at U.S. 301. One issue nearing resolution at the site is the relocation of a traffic signal to that intersection.

The traffic signal “is under design review and engineering,” said Todd Vande Berg, Zephyrhills’s planning director.

Plans are to remove the existing signal at the main entrance to the shopping plaza, but to have traffic signals at the north and south ends of the plaza.

No construction date is set, but Vande Berg anticipates Aldi will open in 2019.

Lucky’s Market
Lucky’s is eyeing an approximately $1.5 million renovation to the former Winn Dixie grocery store at Collier Parkway and State Road 54, according to county records.

A pre-application meeting with county planners was held in November.

The Lucky’s option isn’t a done deal, but is the latest grocery to show interest in the site. Previously, representatives for Sprouts Farmers Market made inquiries and submitted a plan for a grocery store, as well as retail and a restaurant.

Nothing came of the proposal.

Now, Lucky’s is exploring options, though a spokeswoman for Lucky’s said no contract is signed.

The pre-application included demographics suggesting why the site has potential.

Average daily vehicle trips within 3 miles of the site, on State Road 54, total nearly 40,000; within 7 miles, more than 173,000 vehicle trips are charted.

About 14,770 households are within 3 miles of the proposed Lucky’s, and about 66,000 within 7 miles. Average household income ranges from about $87,000 to $94,000.

Lucky’s began in 2003 with inspiration from two chefs.

The store highlights local, organic and natural foods. Customers can sip glasses of wine or beer at an in-store café, or as they stroll along the aisles and fill their carts.

Lucky’s also has a juice bar, hot-ramen bar, a bulk foods section, and specialty foods, including house-made sausage and in-house smoked bacon.

Sprouts Farmer’s Market
Pasco’s first Sprouts Farmers Market will be one of three anchor stores at the 165,000-square-foot shopping center, The Village at Mitchell Ranch, according to a Dec. 13 press release from The Shopping Center Group.

Other anchors will be HomeGoods and Michaels. The shopping center is in Trinity, at Little Road and State Road 54.

The Arizona-based chain opened its first store in 2002. Its roots, however, date to 1943 and a fruit stand operated by Henry Boney in San Diego.

Sprouts features natural foods at affordable prices. Its motto is “eating clean and living healthy.” Today, the chain has about 300 stores and 28,000 employees.

By Kathy Steele

Published December 19, 2018

County continues pursuit of Ridge Road Extension

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Pasco County is continuing its pursuit of a project to allow the extension of Ridge Road, and Sam Beneck, the county’s project manager, gave a briefing on the status during a Dec. 12 luncheon meeting of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

“We are currently in the design and permitting phase,” said Beneck. “We have not started any construction activities,” he told members and guests during the luncheon at the Fox Hollow Golf Club in Trinity.

At the North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon on Dec. 12, Sam Beneck, Pasco County project manager, updates attendees on the current plans for the Ridge Road Extension. (Brian Fernandes)

The planned 9-mile project will be broken into two phases, the project manager said. Phase 1 would stretch from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey heading east to the Suncoast Parkway. Phase 2 would run from the Suncoast Parkway to U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes.

The duration for the first phase is expected to be three years, but the county hopes to shorten that.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers views it as one project, and the funds for the phases will be allocated separately.

The first phase is estimated at $67.8 million. The second phase has not yet been funded.

A Suncoast Parkway interchange also is being considered. The design for that project is expected to cost $1 million, with funding from the Florida Turnpike Enterprise.

“In prior years, we have expended almost $20 million on this project,” Beneck explained. “That includes land acquisition, a fair amount of design and redesign.”

He emphasized that in working with the Corps of Engineers, the county vigorously sought the alternative that is cost efficient, while improving mobility and reducing hurricane evacuation time.

Replacing roadside slopes with walls and pedestrian rails is being considered, he said.

The project manager also said the county has been working closely with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reduce impacts to the environment.

Pasco County and the Corps of Engineers came to a consensus in 2017 on an approach called Modified Alternative 7 as the least environmentally damaging option. It calls for partially elevating the Ridge Road Extension.

According to a traffic analysis survey, Modified Alternative 7 would also increase traffic flow and reduce evacuation time.

Under the plan, 16 bridges would be added in sensitive areas, as well as curbs and guardrails.

Specialized fencing also will be installed in areas where animals are most likely to frequent.

The county also would provide $3.2 million in compensation for environmental impacts during Phase 1.

The county also is collaborating with Duke Energy to design a new trailhead with parking and to provide access to existing hiking trails within the Serenova Preserve.

The county expects a permit decision by the Corps of Engineers by September 2019.

While the county continues to press forward on its efforts, the project continues to meet resistance.

Two of those opponents spoke at the Pasco County Commission’s Dec. 11 meeting.

Dan Callaghan, a long-time critic of the Ridge Road Extension, said that contrary to the county’s claims, the project is being pursued to promote development, not to improve hurricane evacuation.

He said the county wants to nibble to death its preserve areas and “slash our wild places to death, by a thousand cuts.”

Clay Colson, who also opposes the Ridge Road Extension, urged commissioners to protect the county’s preserves.

“You know preserve is something that means we’re going to keep it for our future generations,” Colson said.

Instead of extending Ridge Road through the Serenova Preserve, Colson said the county should extend Connerton Boulevard to the Suncoast Parkway.

Staff writer B.C. Manion contributed to the report.

Published December 19, 2018

Pasco County Schools helping Hurricane Michael victims

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Pasco County Schools has given 20 school buses to Bay District Schools and is loaning 20 maintenance employees to that district to help it recover from Hurricane Michael.

David Fussell, of Bay District Schools, was among the bus drivers arriving in Pasco County last week to pick up buses that Pasco County is providing to assist the Bay school district, which is in the midst of recovering from Hurricane Michael. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Bay County school bus drivers traveled to New Port Richey on Nov. 1, where they picked up the Pasco school district’s buses to drive them back to Bay County, according to a news release from Pasco County Schools.

When the visiting bus drivers arrived at Fred K. Marchman Technical College, they were served lunch by the school’s culinary students. After lunch, they were escorted to the bus barn at Pinehill Road and Congress Street, to pick up the buses to drive back to Bay County. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office escorted the buses to Interstate 75, according to Linda Cobbe, public information officer for Pasco County Schools.

Bus drivers from Bay County District Schools traveled to Pasco County to pick up some buses to take back to their district, which is recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael.

The schedule called for laborers and experts in site development, tree trimming, heavy equipment, electricity, HVAC, carpentry and mechanics to travel from Pasco County, to help Bay County schools to prepare for students in that district to return to school on Nov. 12, the release said.

The Pasco school district crew was scheduled to depart on Nov. 3 at 6:30 a.m., from the Maintenance Department, 11835 Tree Breeze Drive in New Port Richey.

In the news release, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said, “I can’t imagine what our colleagues are going through in the Panhandle, and we just wanted to give them the same kind of support I know they would give to us if we were in the same situation.”

Published November 7, 2018

Hugh Embry Branch Library now open again on Mondays

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A ribbon-cutting was held at Hugh Embry Branch Library on Oct. 29 to celebrate the fact that, once again, the library is open on Mondays.

The facility, at 14215 Fourth St., is one of four libraries across Pasco County where Monday hours have been restored.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley is joined by others during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 29 to celebrate the restoration of Monday hours at Hugh Embry Branch Library. (Brian Fernandes)

The others are the Hudson Branch Library in Hudson, the Regency Park Branch in New Port Richey and the Land O’ Lakes Branch in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco County Commissioners voted in 2010 to reduce library operating hours because of plummeting revenues during the Recession. Gradually, it has been adding hours back to libraries.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, who represents District 1, did the honors of cutting the ribbon during the festivities at the Hugh Embry Branch.

He also shared his thoughts about the vital role that libraries play in community life.

“You see not only older people in there, but young people and families – that’s very important to me,” Oakley said.

Many people need the services the library offers, said Angelo Liranzo, the Hugh Embry Branch manager. People visit the library to check out books, but they also come to work on school assignments, conduct research for job searches, or join in the library’s recreational programs.

With the restoration of funding, the Hugh Embry Branch is now open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The additional hours allow increased access to the amenities that the library provides.

For instance, patrons can use a program called Freegal — implemented this year — to stream and download music legally onto their personal devices.

Films and e-books also can be conveniently transferred to laptops, tablets and smartphones with software like Kanopy and Hoopla.

There are also launchpad tablets that kids can use to play games, which help teach subjects, such as math and science.

“One of the great things about libraries is that we try to find ways to make learning seem like fun,” Liranzo said.

After Oakley concluded his remarks, those attending the celebration were able to enjoy refreshments and live music.

Published November 7, 2018

Library hours restored for patrons

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Pasco County Libraries has restored Monday hours at the Hugh Embry and Hudson branches, as of Oct. 15. Patrons will now have four libraries to choose from to visit on Mondays.

The restoration of hours at more locations was a priority of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners for the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget.

In October 2017, the Regency Park and Land O’ Lakes branches were the first to restore hours, with the addition of Monday hours and some evening hours.

The Pasco County library locations that are now open on Mondays are:

  • Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway
  • Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City
  • Regency Park Branch Library, 9701 Little Road in New Port Richey
  • Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road

All libraries will remain closed on Sundays.

According to Bob Harrison, libraries public communications specialist, the restored hours give patrons on both the east and west sides of the county more access to everything they love about the libraries.

For information on hours of operation for all seven branches in the Pasco County Library System, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Information on the library catalog, e-content, programs, events and links to all the branches also can be found on the website.

Published October 24, 2018

Pasco-Hernando State College remembers Dr. Robert Judson, Jr.

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A crowd poured into the Pasco-Hernando State College’s Performing Arts Center in New Port Richey to honor Dr. Robert Judson Jr.

Judson, the college’s former president, passed away on Sept. 17 at the age of 77.

The John Missionary Baptist Church male choir performed several spiritual songs at the Pasco-Hernando State College memorial service for Dr. Robert Judson, Jr. on Oct. 9. (Courtesy of John Stalter/Pasco-Hernando State College)

He made history in 1994 when he became the first black president of a college within the Florida Community College system. At the time, PHSC was still known as a community college.

The memorial, held on the college’s New Port Richey campus, came several weeks after Judson’s funeral service on Sept. 29, at the Hopewell Baptist Church in Pompano Beach.

The tone of the memorial was reverent, as Pastor Mitchell Davis Jr., from the Church of God in Christ, offered an opening prayer.

But, the arts center came alive with singing and clapping when the crowd joined in with the John Missionary Baptist Church male choir, in a series of spiritual songs.

Between scripture readings, Imani Asukile, Judson’s PHSC colleague, performed an African libation ceremony — watering a flower bush in remembrance of his friend.

As the service progressed, the audience, of approximately 200, came to know more about Judson’s life story.

Pasco-Hernando State College President Timothy Beard reflected on the life of Dr. Robert Judson Jr., during the Oct. 9 memorial service.

The memorial was marked by tears and laughter, as former colleagues, fellow church-goers, friends and family shared stories of the man — with a deep, commanding voice — that  they respected and loved.

Judson’s academic life began at Southern University in Louisiana.

In 1962, he married his high school sweetheart, Ellen Atkins, and served in the Army.

He graduated from Florida A & M University in 1969 with a degree in European history, and then earned a master’s degree in counseling from the same university in 1972.

Later that year, he joined what was then known as Pasco-Hernando Community College, as one of the college’s first instructors. He was hired by Milton Jones, the school’s founding president.

Judson served as a recruiter and a counselor while pursuing a doctorate degree in education.

During his tenure at the college, he was instrumental in buying the land for the Spring Hill campus, as well as erecting buildings for health programs, childcare and technology at several PHSC branches.

Judson’s graduation regalia – cap, gown, shawls and medallions – were neatly displayed on the stage next to the podium where speakers offered words of reflection.

Katherine Johnson, a former president at PHSC, said, “Bob approached me with a statement that proved both flattering and eventually career-altering for me.”

She succeeded Judson in 2005, after he encouraged her to apply for his job.

Timothy Beard, the college’s current president, told the audience: “He was a man with a great soul. He has certainly made a difference at PHSC.”

Pasco-Hernando State College staff member Imani Asukile performed an African libation ceremony in honor of his friend, Dr. Robert Judson Jr.

Beyond his contributions to academia, Judson took an active role in community outreach, helping to rebuild the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in Pasco County.

He was an active member of several Baptist churches, received recognition from the African-American Heritage Society and won the Dr. Carter G. Woodson Award.

Before his passing, Judson and his wife, Ellen, had the opportunity to start a scholarship program for PHSC students.

Sarah Majka, a recipient of the Dr. Robert and Ellen Judson Scholarship, shared her gratitude for the financial support.

“I’ll forever be thankful for being one of the many students who have benefited from Dr. and Mrs. Judson’s generosity,” Majka said.

While the president was known for his various academic accomplishments and community outreach, there were those who saw him in a more personal light.

There was no doubt about Judson’s top priority, said Maurice Jones, a longtime friend, who spoke at the service. “Bob was truly a family-first man.”

His wife of 56 years, their three daughters and grandchildren shared final thoughts with the audience before the reception.

“His best achievement was loving his family,” said granddaughter, Chanelle Thomas. “Thoughts of my granddad inspire me every day.”

Published October 17, 2018

Judson was a trailblazer

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The Pasco-Hernando State College community is mourning the recent death of Dr. Robert Judson Jr., the college’s second president.

The educator began his career at Pasco-Hernando State College in 1972, when the college was a community college — known as the college without walls — and was in the process of opening its doors to Pasco and Hernando county communities, according to a news release from the state college.

Dr. Robert Judson Jr., was a trailblazer at the college now known as Pasco-Hernando State College. When he was there, it was Pasco-Hernando Community College, and Judson made Florida history by becoming the first black to be named president of a community college in the Florida Community College System. (Courtesy of PHSC)

Judson was hired as the college’s first instructor and counselor/recruiter, subsequently teaching the first course the college ever offered.

The following year, Judson moved into a role as the college’s first coordinator of financial aid, where he wrote grants for student aid programs and was responsible for veterans’ affairs.

He received his doctoral degree in education in 1976, and in 1977 became dean at East Campus. In 1983, he took on the role of East Campus provost, followed by college vice president and executive vice president, according to the release.

In 1994, Judson succeeded Dr. Milton O. Jones — the man who had hired him — and made Florida history by becoming the first black to be named president of a community college in the Florida Community College System.

Under Judson’s leadership, the college experienced exponential growth.

“Bob Judson was a remarkable leader,” Timothy L. Beard, Ph.D., current PHSC president, said in the release. “He worked his way up the ladder, knew every inch of the college, understood our students, and helped realize the college’s potential.  He was admired and respected for his vision and his authenticity.”

Judson opened a three-story health building, housing state-of-the-art equipment on the college’s West Campus. He also helped establish radiography, and drafting and design programs still popular today.

Judson also led the building of a child care center on West Campus.

He opened the Public Service Technology building on East Campus in Dade City, where aviation, law enforcement and corrections, and fire academy programs are currently housed.

He remodeled North Campus in Brooksville.

And, he purchased the land for a permanent Spring Hill Campus, which was erected in 2010.

Judson also facilitated a partnership with the University of South Florida to offer formal four-year degree programs on PHSC campuses.

In an interview for the College’s 30-year anniversary commemorative book, he said: “I want to be known as a president who intelligently expands the college for the good of all concerned.”

He added: “I hope I’m remembered as a president who was sensitive to the needs of our students, faculty and staff. Most of all, I hope I’ve distinguished myself as a president who helped make PHSC a great college, and a wonderful place to learn and work.”

Beard, who now holds the same role as Judson once held, put it like this: “The college community will remember his leadership. He will always have a place in college history, and in the hearts and minds of the many PHSC faculty, staff and students he influenced.”

A funeral service is planned for Judson on Sept. 29 at 12:30 p.m., at Hopewell Baptist Church, at 890 N.W. 15th St., in  Pompano Beach.

PHSC is planning a memorial service to honor Judson on Oct. 9 at 1 p.m., at the PHSC Performing Arts Center on its West Campus, at 10230 Ridge Road in New Port Richey.

Published September 26, 2018

Pasco County property tax rate won’t change

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Pasco County property owners will pay the same tax rate as they did last year, but their property bill could rise, if the value of their property has increased.

The Pasco County Commission had its first public hearing on the county’s budget for fiscal year 2019 on Sept. 4.

The board’s final budget hearing is set for Sept. 17 at 6:30 p.m., at the West Pasco Government Center Board Room, 8731 Citizen Drive in New Port Richey.

The tax rates, which will remain the same, are at 7.6076 for the county’s operations and 1.8036 for fire services.

The board can reduce the millage rates at its final public hearing on Sept. 17, but cannot increase the rate.

The tentative budget for the fiscal year is comprised of 69 separate funds, with a total budget of $1,349,683,373, including fund balances, reserves and net assets.

Here is a summary of the tentative budgeted expenditures for 2019:

  • General government: $215,650,048
  • Public safety: $232,689,204
  • Physical environment: $218,163,923
  • Transportation: $126,265,565
  • Economic environment: $26,587,512
  • Human services: $15,499,611
  • Culture/recreation: $25,068,689
  • Other nonoperating: $52,161,676
  • Court-related expenditures: $3,476,178
  • Fund balances, reserves, net assets: $433,120,967

The county’s taxable assessed values increased 9.51 over last year.

Some highlights of the budget include fully funding Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco’s 2019 budget request; a 4 percent wage increase for board and constitutional officer employees; $5.4 million for various county initiatives and $6.4 million for infrastructure improvements.

Highlights in the Municipal Fire Service Unit Fund include two additional rescue units, an arson dog, a volunteer services chief and a wage increase for union employees.

No one spoke during the public comment portion of the hearing.

Published September 12, 2018

Local astronomy club promotes stargazing

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A group of amateur astronomers have gathered at New Port Richey’s Starkey Park for 15 years, toting their telescopes to help the public get an intimate glimpse at planets, star clusters, meteors and galaxies.

The space enthusiasts’ latest gathering held particular meaning.

The Pasco Astronomers celebrated its 15th anniversary on Aug. 11 with a free public stargazing event the park.

The Pasco Astronomers have hosted public stargazing events at Starkey Park for the past 15 years, to promote science and astronomy. Many club members bring their own telescopes for the public to use at monthly showings.
(Kevin Weiss)

It was an evening where four planets — Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus — were each in prime viewing position.

The event, too, coincided with the first time the group met 15 years ago — a day when Mars was last closest to Earth, otherwise known as perihelic opposition.

Pasco Astronomers was established in 2003 by Joe Colontonio and Tom Wade, after a few county park officials requested some astronomy-related activities.

Since then, the club has sought to promote science and astronomy through public outreach programs, by providing telescopes and general space knowledge.

“It’s kind of nice to have people look through your telescope, and see the awe and the wonder that they experience,” said Wade, a retired pastor who studied astronomy at the University of South Florida. “The first time they see things up close — the craters of the moon, the rings of Saturn — some of them are speechless.”

Added Colontonio: “We’re not really here for ourselves. We’re just here to enlighten people, give them something to do that’s cheap,” he said.

Plus, he noted: “It’s a good thing to have something free for kids to do, other than sit at their computers.”

Pasco Astronomers club member Carl Wight, right, assists Greg Shimp with properly setting up a telescope. The club recently celebrated its 15th anniversary with a free public stargazing event at Starkey Park in New Port Richey.

Ward and Colontonio have since handed the club’s reins to Mark Hardies, mathematics and physics professor at St. Petersburg College, who’s had an interest in amateur astronomy going on 30 years.

Since he’s taken over, anywhere from 300 to 500 people — and as many as 1,200 — show up for monthly stargazing events, or “Star Parties,” as they’re colorfully called.

“I just enjoy that our whole purpose is to do this for the public,” said Hardies, who joined the club about 12 years ago.

He added: “It’s nice to be here to help the public see what’s available, to get them interested in (astronomy) and to give them a chance to see through a telescope, because quite frankly, most people don’t get that chance.”

As well as Pasco, club members venture from as far as Brandon, Lutz, Largo and Spring Hill.

And, many happily supply telescopes they’ve made from scratch.

Colontonio, for instance, brought along his own 10-inch truss-tubed Dobsonian he built 15 years ago inside a mirror lab at the St. Pete Astronomy Club.

“I just kind of winged it,” he said. “It took me like six months to grind the mirror.”

His personal interest in astronomy piqued 20 years ago after he bought his wife a telescope. “I got addicted seeing the planets,” he said.

But, nowadays, the club’s original co-founder mainly prefers to impart his astronomy wisdom to others, detailing subjects like Messier 37 and the Ring Nebula, all through the lens of his scope.

Dozens of families gathered for the Pasco Astronomers’ 15th anniversary stargazing party at Starkey Park in New Port Richey. At the Aug. 11 event, space enthusiasts were able to view four planets — Mars, Saturn, Jupiter and Venus— through the lenses of telescopes and binoculars.

He explained: “I like to show the real dim stuff. People get a kick out of that because you don’t see anything but black sky, and then when you look through the scope, there’s something there.”

Jack Brockhurst, another astronomy enthusiast and club member, also supplied his own handmade scope — a 13-inch Dobsonian weighing over 130 pounds.

The New Port Richey resident said he’s been building telescopes for 40 years.

A machinist by trade, Brockhurst first constructed a small 3-inch scope. He eventually progressed to larger Dobsonians and German Equatorials measuring over 10 inches in diameter.

His collection of handcrafted scopes is now up to 11.

“I got what they call light bucket fever. I had to build bigger ones,” he said, jokingly.

Brockhurst still regularly likes to experience “what’s out there” in space.

But, like Colontonio, he also gets a kick from sharing his passion for astronomy with others. “My best reward is when I hear the oohs and aahs from the parents and the kids,” he said.

Aside from the regular club-goers, the 15th anniversary event drew several first-timers, like Tampa’s Raj Reddy and his group of friends.

“We just wanted to see the meteors,” Reddy said, “and, I also think it’s cool that you can watch other planets today.”

New Port Richey’s Greg Shimp and his son, Kevin, also were among the newcomers.

Besides peering at Mars and the other planets — “That’s something that we wanted to see,” Shimp said — the father and son learned to properly navigate an 8-inch refractor telescope purchased last year. “Mostly, we’re here for the help, kind of getting the (scope) set up,” Shimp said.

For information on the Pasco Astronomer’s Club, visit their Facebook page, Facebook.com/Pasco-Astronomers-169098913172928/.

Published August 22, 2018