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Tampa Bay Express gaining favor in Pasco By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
A project to build express toll lanes on interstate highways, known as the Tampa Bay Express, has picked up an endorsement from the Pasco County Commission. Commissioners voted 4-1 on May 10 to send a letter to the Hillsborough Metropolitan Planning Organization urging a favorable vote on the project. The planning organization is scheduled for a June 22 vote on a project that has gained wide support in Pasco as a solution to commuter gridlock. Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano
voted no. He cited concerns about the increasing reliance on toll roads to generate revenues. He did approve of the potential for rapid bus service included in TBX. “All the toll roads in the world don’t necessarily help your traffic,” he said. The Hillsborough MPO’s decision will determine if the project goes forward as a transportation priority. State highway officials peg the initial construction costs at about $3.3 billion. Some state estimates put the costs at as much as $6 billion. “This is very, very important for the residents of Pasco County,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.“We think about
quality of life, especially for residents who commute back and forth to Hillsborough County and Pinellas County on a daily basis.” For some, commuting times can be more than two hours a day, Moore said.“If we save 30 to 45 minutes for them, just think about the increased quality of life, the time they will spend with family and friends, not on the road.” In recent weeks, the Pasco Economic Development Council and The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce also have come out in favor of the TBX. See EXPRESS, page 11A
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PHOTOS COURTESY OF WIREGRASS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Hundreds of parents turned out to learn more about Wiregrass Elementary, a new school set to open in August.
Wiregrass Elementary gears up for first year By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Wiregrass Elementary
Between 400 and 500 people turned out for a parent and community night to find out what lies ahead at Wiregrass Elementary, a new school opening in August. Principal Steven Williams was delighted by the turnout. “I love it. It’s wonderful to be part of a community that’s engaged,”Williams said. During the first half hour of the meeting, Williams said he gave some general information about the school and talked about the vision for the school. After that, parents were invited to make their way around tables in the room, to seek additional information and to offer their thoughts. Questions that came in during the meeting were answered within 24 hours on the school’s Q&A that’s posted on its website. Besides parents, others on hand included representatives of the architect who designed the school, the builder who is constructing the school and the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office. The school is expected to open with 400 students, but is anticipating rapid growth, Williams said.There are residential developments nearby, and houses are sprouting up all around. “We’re planning the school with change in mind and growth in mind,” he said, noting he’s buying furniture and textbooks for more than 400 kids. He knows he’s going to need more and wouldn’t be surprised to see enrollment topping 500 within 12 months of opening.
29732 Wiregrass School Road School starts: Aug. 15 School hours: 9:40 a.m. to 3:50 p.m. Childcare: (813) 794-2180 Transportation: (813) 794-0450 Additional information: WRES.pasco.k12.fl.us
The principal is also planning for a school that’s going to grow in other directions. “Do we have a fixed mindset or a growth mindset?”Williams asked. The school wants to be a place that fosters growth — and that means for everyone, students, staff and leaders, too,Williams said. “None of us has arrived yet,” he said. Besides inviting community partnerships, the school wants to create ties with John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High,Williams said. For instance, a culinary student at Wiregrass Ranch High might be able to be involved in an elementary cooking club, Williams said. Many of the questions raised by parents regarding specific issues are answered on the school’s website. For instance, the school’s technology will include interactive whiteboards,Apple TVs, small group collaboration stations, iPads, MacBook laptops, 3-D computing stations and additional technological devices. Each staff member will have a laptop, and students will have access to machines
Construction is ongoing at Wiregrass Elementary School. The new elementary school is slated to open with about 400 students.
on a 4:1 ratio. But, the school also is developing a “Bring-Your-Own-Device” program that will allow students to bring their own technology. “It’s very important to me to have students ‘own’ their own technology,”Williams said, and that means going well beyond the typical uses for communication and entertainment. He wants them to be able to use the devices as resources, to help to elevate their education. Students who are currently attending kindergarten through fourth grade and who live in the Wiregrass boundaries will be automatically registered. Those who are See WIREGRASS, page 11A
Check out these local authors By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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If you enjoy learning about local history, love to solve mysteries or are in the mood for a bit of romance, a selection of books by local authors may be right up your alley. More than 20 local authors will gather at Barnes & Noble Booksellers at The Shops at Wiregrass on May 21 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., to sell their books, field questions on writing and chat with patrons. The bookstore, at 28152 Paseo Drive in Wesley Chapel, hosts the annual event to give local authors a chance to showcase their works. Local authors get a chance to sell their books, but also have a chance to network with each other and encourage aspiring writers. The showcase will include a wide selection of titles across many genres including business, quilting, spirituality and romance, to name a few. Some of the authors have been there before, including Madonna Jervis Wise, who has written several books. Her most recently published book, “Images of America: Wesley Chapel,” shares the community’s story
through historic photographs and tales of the families who settled there. Jamie Elizabeth Tingen, another author who has been at the event before, will be there with a new book this year. She describes her new book,“Betrayed by a Butterfly,” as a novel of deceit, mystery and romance. John Chaplick, of Lutz, will be making an appearance, too. His titles include “The Rivergrass Legacy,”“Forbidden Chronicles of a Roman Centurion” and “Bridge of The Paper Tiger.” Other authors expected to be on hand include Barbara Post-Askin, Ben Gold, C. Johnson, Debbie Lum, Dee Segarra, Elizabeth Rivera, Evelyn Taylor, Jeanette Dundas, Jenice Armstead, Jonathan Chateau, Josh McMorrowHernandez, Jwan Israil, Kimberly Karalius, Lorelie Dionne Orat, Lucille Rose D’ArmiRiggio and Maria Rooney. Six tables will be set up on the bookstore’s second floor, with authors grouped together by genre, said Lisa Kuehner, assistant store manager for Barnes & Noble. The store hosts the annual showcase to give the community a chance to find out about the local writers and their books. “It’s our way of supporting local authors,” she said.
COURTESY OF JAMIE ELIZABETH TINGEN
Jamie Elizabeth Tingen has a new book for this year’s author fair, ‘Betrayed by a Butterfly.’ The author describes it as a novel of deceit, mystery and romance.