Wednesday, February 20, 2013
The Pasco County Commission commended the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce for its efforts to get residents to “Shop Local First.”
The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s efforts to raise awareness about local businesses got a shot in the arm recently thanks to the Pasco County Commission. During their regular board meeting Feb. 19, commissioners issued a resolution commending the chamber for launching a Shop Local campaign. That campaign is meant to encourage residents to look locally first for the items and services they need to buy. By doing so, local consumers can help businesses in their own communities while bolstering services throughout the county with funding provided through sales tax dollars, commissioners pointed out. “I’d just like to applaud you on this program,” Commissioner Jack Mariano told a group from the Central Pasco Chamber who attended Tuesday’s…
The county has a new strategic plan that lays out four main objectives. Do you agree with the priorities the commission has set?
Monday, February 18, 2013
Pasco County Commissioners will review a business plan for Animal Services when they meet Tuesday, Feb. 19. The new plan calls for an increase in licensing fees to fund programs that are hoped to help the county save more animals.
Pasco County Animal Services has been charged with a mission to save 90 percent of the animals that come into its shelter. In order to do so, however, the agency says it needs more funding to pay for programs designed to increase its capacity to care for animals and also to reduce the county’s feral cat population. That’s why Pasco County Commissioners will be presented with a new business plan for Animal Services when they meet Tuesday, Feb. 19. The plan calls for a number of new programs and also an increase in pet licensing fees by as much as $10 for dogs. (See the county's current fees here.) Here’s what a memo from county staff to the commission has to say about the plan: At the November 20, 2012 BCC meeting, staff informed the Board …
Monday, February 11, 2013
The county has a new strategic plan that lays out four main objectives. Do you agree with the priorities the commission has set?
Pasco Commissioners last week approved a plan that outlines priorities for the county to pursue over the next five years. The county’s 2013-17 strategic plan is a roadmap of sorts, meant to guide staff and commission actions toward specific goals. The county has laid out four “strategic objectives” for the coming years. We’d like to know what Land O' Lakes residents think about them. Here are the objectives, according to the county’s website: Do you think the county’s priorities are straight? Do you think Pasco can achieve its goals? What improvements would you like to see made between now and 2017? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
Tuesday, February 5, 2013
Commissioners are considering closing the “gun show” loophole and want to hear from residents during an upcoming meeting.
Gun control wasn’t on the Pasco County Commission’s agenda Tuesday, but that didn’t stop residents from stepping forward to voice their opinions about the prospect of new laws being passed on the local level. Several residents came out to express their concerns that the commission will delve into an issue that is already being discussed at the state and national level. Commissioners are considering a local law that would close the “gun show loophole,” which allows people to buy weapons without a background check or waiting period at gun shows. “Guns, if they’re made illegal, instead of licensed gun dealers, you’ll have criminals,” warned Jose Lugo of Spring Hill. Lugo, along with several other residents, said the main issue that needs to …
The Pasco County Commission Chairman was arrested over the weekend on a domestic battery charge.
Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader opened today’s meeting like any other with one exception. He took time out to apologize for recent actions that led to his Sunday, Feb. 3 arrest on a domestic battery charge. “I apologize to my wife, my family for any embarrassment I may have caused,” Schrader said. He also apologized to the “employees of Pasco County and the citizens of Pasco County.” To the residents who have supported him through the years, he said, “Hopefully, I can earn your trust.” Schrader, who recently began his fourth term on the commission, was arrested Sunday following an incident over the weekend at his San Antonio home. Schrader’s wife, Julia, said he came into her bedroom Saturday morning around 9 a.m. and grabbed…
Pasco County Commissioners will discuss financing for a new Land O’ Lakes criminal courthouse during their Feb. 5 meeting.
Pasco County might take a baby step forward on plans to build a $28 million criminal courthouse tower in Land O’ Lakes when the commission meets Tuesday, Feb. 5. Commissioners are being asked to approve the formation of a committee to evaluate any incoming proposals to finance the project. During their Jan. 22 board meeting, commissioners were asked to move ahead with plans to construct a three-story criminal courts tower on the grounds of the Land O’ Lakes jail. The new building would house all criminal court activity in Pasco, effectively shutting down criminal courts in New Port Richey and Dade City. Assistant County Administrator Heather Grimes is recommending the selection committee include Commission Chairman Ted Schrader, County …
Monday, February 4, 2013
Ted Schrader faces domestic battery charges.
Update, Feb. 4, 4:52 p.m.: Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader has been released from the Land O' Lakes jail on $250 bond, according to jail records. Update, Feb. 4, 11:51 a.m.: Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader, 57, was arrested Feb. 3 on one count of domestic battery. According to a Pasco County Sheriff’s Office complaint affidavit, the incident that led to the arrest brewed over the course of the weekend starting with an argument on Friday night. Around 9 a.m. on Saturday, Schrader entered his wife Julia’s bedroom. When she turned “to her left side” to avoid confrontation, Schrader “grabbed the victim’s left wrist and left leg and pulled her towards him against her will,” the report said. The Schraders, who have …
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Commissioners will hear presentations from firms that want to help locate candidates to fill retiring County Administrator John Gallagher’s job.
As Pasco County Administrator John Gallagher prepares for life beyond government work, commissioners are searching for a suitable replacement. And, considering Gallagher spent more than three decades in Pasco County government, they’ve decided they need a little help. In December, the county solicited proposals from firms that want to help Pasco find a new administrator. Now commissioners want to hear presentations from four of those firms on how they propose to conduct the search. Commissioners will get their chance next Tuesday, Jan. 29, when the top firms in the proposal process are being asked to give presentations before the board during a workshop. The presentations will start at 1:30 p.m. inside the boardroom at the Historic Pasco …
County commissioners agreed to explore a proposal to build a $28 million courthouse tower on the campus of the Land O’ Lakes jail.
The days of those accused of crimes in Pasco County reporting to either the Dade City or New Port Richey courthouses might be numbered. The Pasco County Commission unanimously agreed Tuesday, Jan. 22, to take a preliminary step forward on a plan to build a three-story, $28-million courthouse tower on the grounds of the Land O’ Lakes jail. The move, proponents say, will consolidate criminal courts and the jail in one central location. Though many questions and concerns remain about the proposal, commissioners opted to instruct County Administrator John Gallagher to explore the proposal further. Gallagher will report back to the commission at a later date with more details about potential bond funding and more concrete design and …
Dennis Costantino
1:08 pm on Tuesday, February 19, 2013
The 90% program is a failed idea whose origins are from dubious origins. The program is flawed in the sense that it releases cats back into the wild, where they DO NOT belong, since they are domesticated animals that are destructive to the local environment and bird populations. After the cats are released they are guaranteed a slow and steady death of disease or a quick death as food for Coyotes… more ›