The Laker-East Pasco-September 14, 2016

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The LAKER

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EAST PASCO EDITION

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SEPTEMBER 14, 2016

Taking aim at traffic woes By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

A transit study will take a regional approach in trying to identify a solution to unsnarl Tampa Bay’s traffic congestion, and, qualify for federal aid. Jacob Engineering will conduct the 24month study for Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties.The approximately $1.5 million cost will be paid for by the Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority, commonly called HART and the Florida Department of Transportation, called FDOT for short.

FILE PHOTO

A transit study will seek solutions for congestion problems in Hillsborough, Pasco and Pinellas counties. One logjam motorists often face is at the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

Consultants are expected to begin work on Oct. 1, following expected approval of the contract by HART on Sept. 12. Commuter rail, light rail, bus rapid transit service and express bus service will be among transit alternatives reviewed in the study. “Tampa Bay is one of the very few large regional areas that does not have premier transit service to connect its region,” said Steve Feigenbaum, HART’S director of service development. “This is a truly regional study, a three-county study, for transit opSee TRAFFIC, page 13A

Pasco suffers extensive storm damage By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

Member of the Medical Staff at Bayfront Health Dade City.

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Tropical Storm Hermine brought drenching rain and gusting winds to Pasco County and a price tag well over $100 million, in what could prove to be one of the costliest storms in the county’s history. Homes in New Port Richey, Port Richey and Elfers sustained the worst damage. Those communities also suffered through flooding during strong summer rains in 2015. Northeast and central Pasco mostly escaped the flooding and wind damage from Hermine, which later came ashore in the Panhandle as a hurricane. However, a total of seven sinkholes opened across the county, including at locations in Lacoochee and Wesley Chapel. Final numbers are not yet in, but county officials say just the physical damage to homes along could reach $89 million. Damage to public buildings could be as high as $50 million. County officials are asking business owners to complete a business damage assessment survey to help calculate their losses. At a Sept. 7 press conference, county officials gave an update on storm damage, and steps being taken to secure disaster aid for county residents. “We are going to do what it takes to get you back on your feet,” said Pasco County

KATHY STEELE/STAFF PHOTO

Pasco County Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey, left of podium, listens as Pasco County Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie updates the media on damage from Tropical Storm Hermine.

Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey. More than 2,600 homes were damaged, with 305 homes sustaining major damage from fallen trees or water covering electrical sockets. More than 1,500 homes had minor damage; nearly 800 had some damage from downed trees or yard flooding. Seven homes were destroyed, based on water rising above doorknobs or roofs and walls that caved in due to fallen tree limbs. The Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point sustained about $3 million in damages and $10 million in lost revenues. The hospital had to evacuate patients and close the hospital when lightning during the tropical storm sparked a fire.

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INSIDE, PAGE 1B

See STORM, page 13A

Medical marijuana on Pasco agenda

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After last year’s flooding, the county didn’t qualify for federal aid based on the amount of damage. However, damage from Hermine is well above the threshold that would qualify it for federal emergency status. That will open opportunities for federal grants, said Kevin Guthrie, the county’s emergency management director. But, he added,“This is not a quick moving process.” In coming days, Guthrie said he expected additional reports to come in about storm damage. Much of the data on damage so far was

COURTESY OF PASCO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COUNCIL

Shauna McKinnon, center, of Bayfront Health Dade City, accepts a special recognition award during the 30th annual Banquet and Industry of the Year Awards presented by Pasco Economic Development Council. Bill Cronin is to her left and Barbara Wilhite is to her right.

Pasco Economic Development Council honors businesses By Kathy Steele

ksteele@lakerlutznews.com

The Pasco Economic Development Council honored eight businesses at its 30th annual Banquet and Industry of the Year Awards on Sept. 8. More than 600 community and business leaders attended the event at the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel. Courtney Robinson, 10News WTSP anchor, emceed the event. The winners, according to information provided by Pasco EDC, were: • Ortho Technologies Inc. – New Business Award • Crestmark Pharmacy Services LLC – Manufacturing Industry of the Year (one to 25 employees) • Leggett & Platt Adjustable Bed Group – Manufacturing Industry of the Year (26 or more employees) • Optimum Plumbing LLC –

Service/Distribution Industry of the Year (one to 25 employees) • Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning – Service/Distribution of the Year Award (26 or more employees) • Global Electronics Testing Services LLC – Technology Award • Bayfront Health Dade City – Special Recognition Award • Marjorie’s Hope – Special Contribution Award Companies were nominated in the spring and then interviewed by members of the Pasco EDC awards committee. Winners are selected based on exemplary growth in job creation, capital investment, technology, innovation and community service. Other finalists this year were: Compark 75, Dixie Belle Paint Company, First National Bank of Pasco, Nicopure Labs See PEDC, page 13A

Medical marijuana is slated to be a topic of discussion when Pasco County commissioners host a public workshop on Sept. 20 at 1:30 p.m., in New Port Richey. The county’s legal staff currently is reviewing land use and zoning regulations to craft an ordinance governing the future of medical marijuana within Pasco. County commissioners requested a workshop to hear a range of opinions on the matter. In August, commissioners extended a moratorium on the growth, processing and distribution of cannabis through the end of the year.The existing moratorium was set to expire on Sept. 1. Cannabis is the basis for medical marijuana, which is legal in Florida in a low-level, non-euphoric form known as Charlotte’s web. Its use is limited to patients with cancer or seizure disorders. At prior meetings, commissioners have heard from law enforcement about increased crime rates in states, such as Colorado and California, which have approved either medical marijuana or its recreational use. Substance abuse or prevention counselors have said they worry about increased use of marijuana, especially among youth. But, commissioners also have heard from residents with chronic medical conditions, who say medical marijuana eases their pain and gives them a quality of life that traditional medicines don’t provide. Whatever the county’s final ordinance, it will have to take into account a statewide Nov. 8 referendum on the issue. Voters will be asked if they want to expand the list of illnesses that can be treated with medical marijuana, and if stronger strains can be prescribed and dispensed.


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