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SEPTEMBER 9, 2015
Charter school on Sunlake scrapped By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
When a proposed charter school at the southwest corner of Lutz Lake Fern Road and Sunlake Boulevard was announced, opponents rallied against the proposal. They said the proposed school was too big for the location. They predicted it would ruin the quiet enjoyment of their residential properties. They complained about the traffic the school would generate and the ensuing hazards, and they also objected to the noise and fumes the school would bring.
Potential flooding was another big issue. But county planners gave the proposal a recommendation for approval, provided the school complied with a lengthy list of conditions. A county hearing officer agreed with county staff and gave the project his stamp of approval. Opponents felt dejected. But now, the charter school plans at that location are being scrapped. The applicant for the special use permit was Charter Schools Inc., of Boca Raton, and the school operator would have been Charter Schools Association of Coral Gables.
The school would have been for students in kindergarten through eighth grade and would have been built in two phases. But, those plans have been dropped. It turns out that the applicants decided to drop the plan for a number of reasons, including the fact that it costs too much to meet the requirements, their representative, Michael Horner, said in a letter to the Lutz Citizens Coalition. The coalition joined area residents to fight the proposed school. The coalition doesn’t oppose schools — See CHARTER, page 11A
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COURTESY OF ST. JOSEPH’S HOSPITAL-NORTH
When someone arrives at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North with a STEMI (ST elevated myocardial infarction), this team of specialists springs into action to provide treatment.
St. Joseph’s Hospital-North expands heart care services By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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B INSIDE, PAGE 1B
When heart attacks happen, minutes matter. And now, residents of Lutz, Land O’ Lakes and other nearby communities, including Keystone, Odessa, Northdale, New Tampa and Wesley Chapel, have a new option for treatment of a STEMI — which stands for ST elevated myocardial infarction. That condition is one of the most deadly types of heart attacks and, as of Aug. 25, St. Joseph’s Hospital-North can treat patients suffering from a STEMI. A STEMI occurs when there is prolonged blockage of blood supply to the heart. The optimal treatment method is PCI (percutaneous coronary intervention) to open the artery within 90 minutes of first receiving care by emergency medical personnel. Since time translates into muscle loss, patients suffering a STEMI are taken to the closest hospital that can treat patients suffering from this type of heart attack, said Kathy Myers, director of operations for St. Joseph’s
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St. Joseph’s Hospital-North has added a service to treat heart attack patients at that site, rather than sending them by helicopter to the hospital’s main campus in Tampa.
Hospital-North. In the past, patients who brought themselves to St. Joseph’s North had to be taken by helicopter to St. Joseph’s main campus in Tampa for the treatment, Myers said. Ambulance drivers who responded to emergencies would bypass St. Joseph’s North to take patients to the closest facility licensed to treat STEMI patients, Myers added. Now, St. Joseph’s North has a team on hand, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to treat these patients. Adding the service is a true milestone in the hospital’s five-year history, Myers said. Treating STEMI patients at St. Joseph’s Hospital-North means faster care for patients in a situation where minutes matter, Myers said.
Heart attack warning signs in men: • Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes, or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain. • Discomfort in other areas of the upper body. Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach. • Shortness of breath, with or without chest discomfort. Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.
Source: The American Heart Association
See HEART, page 11A
She was a master at making connections By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Cindy Freeman worked in a job that required excellent networking skills. Fortunately for her and the people she met, she had them. The 57-year-old woman, from Land O’ Lakes, succumbed to her battle with esophageal cancer on Aug. 29. Her funeral services were on Sept. 2, at Loyless Funeral Home in Land O’ Lakes. Freeman worked as the membership coordinator for The Greater Wesley Chamber of Commerce, helping new members become familiar with the community and helping established members make new connections. She sincerely cared about helping others succeed, friends of Freeman said, during recent interviews. So, when the 57-year-old woman from Land O’ Lakes became ill, her absence from
Freeman made a difference, Jadallah added. “I was like, ‘Oh, my Those wishing to help can do so at God, this woman is such a Cindy Freeman’s GoFundMe acbeautiful creature.’ She recount, at GoFundMe.com/b7z26v5c. ally cared. That’s why I Or, they can drop off donations at the loved her so much,” Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Jadallah added. Commerce, 6013 Wesley Grove Blvd. When Jadallah learned Cindy Freeman that Freeman was ill, she wanted to deliver meals to Wesley Chapel functions was noticeable, her. But, she found out that Freeman said Ghada Jadallah, the chef for Dash of Salt couldn’t eat. ‘n Pepper, a catering business with a coffee Freeman’s death was a tremendous loss shop at Pasco-Hernando State College. for Hope Allen, the chamber’s executive diJadallah described Freeman as “the kind- rector. est person” who would “do anything to help “Her heart was good — she was an you.” amazing asset to our organization,” Allen “She helped me in every possible way said. somebody could help me,” Jadallah said, not“Every member, every day. That was our ing Freeman often helped Jadallah make slogan,” Allen said. “Some days it was just one connections with people who needed caterSee CONNECTIONS, page 11A ing services.
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