The Laker-East Pasco-July 26, 2017

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The LAKER

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EAST PASCO EDITION

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Cleanup to begin on massive sinkhole

By Kevin Weiss

kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

Barring unforeseen developments, cleanup is expected to begin this week on the massive sinkhole that recently swallowed two homes in the Lake Padgett community of Land O’ Lakes. As of July 20, Pasco County was entering the final stages of securing bids from contractors for debris removal at the sinkhole site, which now measures 235 feet wide and approximately 50 feet deep — believed to be the largest in the county’s history. Before cleanup and repair work can begin, however, engineers must perform additional testing to ensure the ground around the sinkhole is stable enough for heavy equipment. One of the county’s contracted engineers, Intertek-PSI, is currently using ground penetrating radar and core sampling to measure the structural integrity of Ocean Pines Drive and county easements leading up to the sinkhole. Kevin Guthrie, Pasco County’s assistant county administrator for public safety, said recovery work could take months, with

By Kathy Steele

LAW FIRM, PLLC

On a map of Florida, more than 18 Japanese-owned companies are pinpointed across the state. South Florida has the most, with only a handful scattered in central and northeastern cities, including the port city of Jacksonville. Noticeably blank is Florida’s central west coast, including Pasco County. “I think there has not been much of a connection,” said Japan’s Consul General Ken Okaniwa.“Maybe there is a need to promote yourselves more.” Pasco business leaders and county officials will get that chance at the 40th annual Southeast U.S./Japan Joint Meeting from Oct. 22 to Oct. 24, in Greenville, South Carolina. Representatives from Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Mississippi and Tennessee will participate. “We want to bring it (trade meeting) to Pasco County in a couple of years,” said Okaniwa.“It’s a wonderful opportunity to create more jobs.” Encouraging dialogue about more Japanese trade, investment and tourism in Florida is one of the functions of the Japanese consulate, located in Miami. On July 17, Okaniwa met with more than 20 Pasco County business and community leaders for a business roundtable at Saddlebrook Golf Resort & Spa. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce sponsored the event. Okaniwa outlined Japan’s economic ties with Florida in a PowerPoint presentation. • Japan is the state’s largest investor, with

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Test your water

Due to the positive bacterial results, Pasco County announced it is waiving the fees for well water for testing more than 400 homes along Lake Padgett and Lake Saxon through July 28. All residents living on the following streets qualify for free well water testing: Bronze Leaf Place, Canal Place, Clover Leaf Lane, Flat Rock Place, Grove Place, Heatherwood Lane, Lake Padgett Drive, Lake Saxon Drive, Ocean Pines Drive, Panther Way, Peninsular Drive, Pine Shadow Drive, Rain Forest Place, Snook Circle, Swans Landing Drive and Wilsky Road.

costs ranging from $750,000 to more than $2 million. “It’s going to be a very slow and methodical process,” Guthrie said. The county already has spent about $100,000 responding to the sinkhole, through contractual and departmental costs. The county’s goal is to have a debris removal company in place in case homeowner’s insurance companies don’t

Residents who would like their well water tested should do the following: • Go to the Pasco County Environmental Laboratory located at 8864 Government Drive in New Port Richey and request a test kit for Total Coliform. • Present proof of address and receive lab instructions to collect water. • Take a sample of their tap water according to lab protocols, and bring the sample and associated paperwork back to the laboratory. • Results will be available in two days.

accept responsibility to clean up the sinkhole. The fastest, most economical cleanup tactic being considered is what’s called a dragline — a cable-operated system that would extend out and collect debris from the surface of the sinkhole. Other possible options include using a See SINKHOLE, page 15A

Japanese investment focus of roundtable

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STEPHEN JOHN PHOTOGRAPHY

Japan’s Consul General Ken Okaniwa, left, spoke at a business roundtable at Saddlebrook Golf Resort & Spa. U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce hosted the event.

more than $4 billion invested in plants and equipment • Japan is Florida’s fourth largest trade partner (combined export and imports) • Japan is the largest importer of Florida grapefruit in the world • About 278,000 Japanese tourists visit Florida annually, with Disney World the top destination And, Okaniwa said more than 190 Japanese-owned companies provided about 24,000 jobs in the state, as of 2014. “The number has been growing,” he added. Japanese economic and business focus is on six areas, including driverless vehicles, re-

newable energy, robotics and medical services, especially regenerative medicine. Okaniwa said Japan investors were involved in “smart city” projects in Orlando and Miami. Bill Cronin, president of the Pasco Economic Development Council, suggested that Okaniwa reach out to Metro Development Group, which is developing in the Connected City corridor in northeastern Pasco. Cronin plans to attend the trade meeting in South Carolina along with others representing Pasco. Developers with Metro are building a See ROUNDTABLE, page 15A

Old Pasco Road extension under review By Kevin Weiss

kweiss@lakerlutznews.com

lakerlutznews.com

B INSIDE, PAGE 1B

A study is underway to investigate extending Old Pasco Road/Ossie Murphy Road, by adding two new roadways north of State Road 52 to east of the Interstate 75 bridge underpass. Officials from Pasco County Engineering Services ultimately foresee an approximate 1.25 mile, four-lane divided urban (curb and gutter) section, whereby Old Pasco Road would stretch approximately 4,000 feet northward from the State Road 52/Old Pasco Road intersection, and Ossie Murphy Road would extend approximately 2,600 feet eastward under the recently built I-75 bridge overpass. Ossie Murphy Road then would eventually continue eastward from the I-75 eastern right-of-way to Pasco Road, as part of the Pasco Commerce Center development. The roadways are based on a 45-mph design speed, initially built with two travel lanes and then expanded when traffic volumes warrant in the future. The planned infrastructure are the initial segments of a more extensive transportation network that is envisioned to run parallel to

KEVIN WEISS

The proposed plan was outlined at a public hearing on July 11 at the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church Parish Center in San Antonio. At the hearing, residents could view maps and ask questions, and submit written comments for review up until July 21.

I-75 and State Road 52. Two build alternatives have been developed for the Old Pasco Road/Ossie Murphy Road extension project, estimated to cost between $12.8 million and $13.8 million, respectively. A no-build alternative also is an option. The future four-lane roadway alignment

will also include bicycle and pedestrian amenities. A 12-foot bicycle/pedestrian trail would adjoin the future Orange Belt Bicycle/Pedestrian Trail, a 37-mile path stretching along an abandoned railroad line

See EXTENSION, page 15A


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