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BayfrontDadeCity.com This hospital is partially owned by physicians.
JUNE 25, 2014
Hospital delivers changes, more babies By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com
There is a baby boom hitting Florida Hospital Zephyrhills so large, even administrators are struggling to understand it. Over the past six months, the hospital on U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills welcomed 258 babies into the world, well above projections of just 100 for this point.And they’re not expecting it to let up anytime soon. “There’s a sense that we’re doing a lot here at the hospital, and it’s creating some excitement in the community,” said Dr. Annette Williams, medical director for The Baby Place, the obstetrics unit at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.“We’re making a lot of positive changes, and that means people are staying right here in town, and are not going somewhere else instead.” Just a few weeks ago, The Baby Place moved out of its old unit home at the hospital and into temporary quarters on the second floor.That’s because the maternity unit is getting a complete overhaul that includes significant equipment upgrades, new beds, and even an aesthetic refresh. The finished product, expected to open in August, will increase the number of labor rooms from five to eight, and postpartum See MOTHERS, page 9
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO
Jennifer Wesolowski and Freddy Santiago welcomed their new son, Joseph Santiago, into the world at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills last week. Joseph, who was born in the late-night hours of June 18, is part of a boom of babies at the hospital.
Memories to last forever Homebuilders
compromise on feather signs By Michael Hinman mhinman@lakerlutznews.com
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTOS
Ronald Bohm, who served in the U.S. Army as a sergeant first class during World War II, looks at the fully restored World War II Memorial at the Historic Dade City Courthouse during its rededication June 14. The World War II Memorial, which has adorned the bandstand at the Historic Dade City Courthouse since Flag Day 1954, was restored using a more permanent granite facing, featuring the names of 1,855 Pasco County residents who served during the war.
Pasco County has strict ordinances against temporary signs, but the proliferation of tall advertising flags known as “feather signs” has some county commissioners looking to make those ordinances even more restrictive. However, Pasco County commissioners said they would wait at least long enough for the homebuilding community to weigh in — an industry that heavily depends on such temporary advertisement. “We’re hoping that you’ll allow us to put together a policy that provides us a pathway for compliance,” said Jennifer Doerfel, executive vice president of the Tampa Bay Builders Association, which represents homebuilders locally.“We do not want to see blight, and we certainly don’t want to see tattered signs, and we’re part of this community, too. We want to make sure this looks great, because that’s what attracts buyers to our homes.” The signs have become common in front of businesses, especially on U.S. 41 through the center part of Pasco, where retailers fight to grab attention from a heavily traveled highway artery. They are usually anchored into the ground like flags, and are noticeable by how they freely flap in the wind. Pasco typically requires a temporary sign permit and a limit for how long they can be displayed. However, the signs usually addressed in that ordinance have been temporary banners, which are typically secured on all sides. Feather signs have been virtually overlooked by the ordinance, and county officials are suggesting implementing an outright ban on those types of signs.
MICHAEL HINMAN/STAFF PHOTO
Pasco County commissioners are looking to ban temporary signs like these, known as ‘feather signs,’ because of safety and aesthetic concerns. However, homebuilders have asked the commissioners if they can help craft a way to regulate the signs, while still allowing them to be effective advertising, especially for developing communities.
“Feather banners have two key issues, one being the visual impact,” said Rebecca Stonefield of the county’s planning and development department. “There are also general safety concerns associated with them. If they are not anchored appropriately, they could fly out and become a hazard.” The planning and development department recommended not including the feather signs with other temporary signs the county allows. However, that could create some legal problems for the county in how a court might differentiate between the types of signs. “Do you believe that it’s defensible, to attempt to defend in court, the difference between a banner and a feather banner?” Commissioner Ted Schrader asked.“I see it as being the same thing.” See SIGNS, page 9