Pasco Schools Facing Major School Bus Driver Shortage

Parents Frustrated With Delays While The District Is ‘Desperate For Warm Bodies’ To Fill Bus Driver Vacancies 

This school bus arrived late to Wiregrass Ranch High on Oct. 16, which is part of a Pasco School District-wide problem with late buses. (Photo by Joel Provenzano)

 If your child rides a school bus to and from school, they may be arriving to school well after the late bell, and you may not even know. Or, you may be like many other parents who are aware of the issues with late buses — picking up late in the morning, dropping off late at school, or being dropped off late in the afternoon when coming home — and feel like there isn’t much that can be done about it. 

We have spoken with Pasco County School District officials, concerned parents and current and former students, and reviewed online community posts — including some posts directly from the bus drivers themselves — and even observed the buses ourselves. All of this has opened our eyes to some significant issues with Pasco County Schools’ Transportation Services for the schools located in Wesley Chapel. 

But, we also have found that all of this is a symptom of a much bigger problem — one the District is aware of and actually acknowledges. 

Pasco Schools public information officer Jessica Meek says, “Our district continues to feel the impact of the ongoing bus driver shortage, and we are constantly taking steps to address this nationwide challenge….we have a strong and ongoing focus on reducing transportation delays and ensuring our routes run as efficiently as possible.” 

 So, just how short of drivers is the District? How many additional drivers are needed District-wide? School District officials say that shortfall number is 59. That’s a pretty significant shortage — almost exactly 20% — considering the total number of operational (running) buses in the fleet is 297, with the District stating that, “[There’s] no shortage of vehicles, just drivers.” 

But, just how bad is it exactly? One local driver of nearly 25 years (whose employment we verified but decided not to name them for this article) put a comment out on social media last month stating that there was, “..desperation for warm bodies…” regarding the District’s ongoing efforts to recruit and retain drivers. The driver also implied that not all drivers they currently have may be best suited for the job, or compatible with the kids they’re driving around. 

One local Wesley Chapel parent, Dr. Lorraine Tracey, says she has been feeling the effects of driver shortages on a nearly daily basis. In regards to the late buses, she believes, “It really is a problem, with no solutions in the works, except trying the same thing over and over, and making no progress.” 

Lorraine works a full-time career in clinical development, for the treatment of life-threatening diseases, and has a son and a daughter who attend two different local schools — one who is at John Long Middle School and the other who attends Wiregrass Ranch High. Both ride the bus. 

She forwarded to us all of the emails between her and the School District. Like many local parents, Lorraine is frustrated with the situation. “It feels like no matter what I do, or what I say, I’m just banging my head against a wall.” 

How The 2025-26 School Year Started 

Transportation problems are typically worse at the beginning of the school year for everyone, and that’s because the District’s Transportation Services Department faces the Herculean task of coordinating the logistics to get 33,000 students (the latest total number of student bus riders, according to the School District) across Pasco’s 868 square miles, with buses originating from six different bus compounds. 

And, just like the rest of us, buses have to deal with traffic, especially the traffic getting into and out of the schools themselves. 

Lorraine believes that many of the school bus drivers were being set up to fail early on by being given impossible routes. She looked at the number of stops, how far apart they were, and where they had to come from, in order to be on time to her son’s stop — and told us that, “unless the bus driver figured out how to fly the bus, they were never going to be on time.” 

She said that it’s ironic, because at the beginning of the school year, a message was sent out to all parents from Pasco’s Superintendent of Schools Dr. John Legg that stated, in part, “Every minute of instructional time matters.” Lorraine feels that due to the busing issues, the School District and School Board members are not living up to their promises to the students, and she sent detailed emails to all of them explaining that. 

Those emails from the beginning of this school year stated that her son’s bus (Route Z520A) was consistently late showing up to his stop, often running as much as an hour (or possibly more) behind. She even compiled a chart (right) to document the delays. 

And, Lorraine wasn’t alone either. Numerous local community Facebook groups were ripe with posts about parents having to take their kids to school because buses were getting to stops extremely late — 30 minutes, 40 minutes, an hour even…which has been going on for many years, from what we could find. 

Michael Santus, the manager of Transportation Services for Pasco Schools, replied to Lorraine’s email with this boilerplate response: 

“As ridership patterns stabilize, route timing naturally adjusts. For example, during the first two weeks of school, buses stop at every designated location. After this initial period, stops without riders are removed to streamline the route. This is one of the many ways our routing team works to enhance overall efficiency.” 

A later email he sent specifically about Lorraine’s son’s bus stated, “It appears that ridership is beginning to stabilize. The bus arrived at the stop at 8:09 am this morning and arrived at school at 8:17 a.m. While it was still late, it is 7 minutes late vs. 25 minutes yesterday and 39 minutes the day prior. I will continue to monitor its progress for you.” 

Lorraine told us, “What made it worse was that I had to frequently call the school and fill out an ‘absent’ form each day for two weeks, until the school figured out some solution, because his tardiness was causing him to not show up at attendance.” 

While she acknowledges that there has been some improvement since the beginning of the year, in regards to the recurring late pick-ups (she says her son’s bus does show up to the morning stop on time now), but that there are still issues with the frequent late drop-offs at Wiregrass Ranch High, and that those haven’t improved, even at this point, two full months into the 2025- 26 school year. 

She worries that this is having a negative impact on education. “His first period is Spanish 3 Honors,” she says. “It’s an important class, and he can’t really make up that time.” 

Dealing with all of the issues with her son’s bus, Lorraine was surprised, on the morning of Sept. 19, when she got a text from her daughter stating that her bus for John Long hadn’t shown up, and she didn’t know what to do. Lorraine wasn’t available, and neither was a close family friend who lived nearby. An older sibling of a fellow John Long student that Lorraine didn’t know offered to drive the students to the school, and she accepted, since there wasn’t much other choice. 

According to the District’s response, when we independently confirmed the record of this incident, they explained that the bus did get there that morning, but it was well over an hour after it was supposed to arrive. Officials further explained that, “There should be no circumstances where a bus does not show up, just delayed.” No explanation was offered as to why the bus was that late. 

When hearing of the District’s official response, Lorraine responded to us, “Yep, let’s leave middle schoolers on the side of the road for [more than] an hour.” 

The Students’ Perspective 

Our initial research quickly uncovered that this was likely a much bigger, District-wide, systemic problem, where if it affected one family this much, there were likely many more families affected in exactly the same way. 

We wanted to understand what this looked like inside the school — get an idea of how many buses and kids were coming in late — so we separately interviewed a current and a former student of Wiregrass Ranch High, both of whom asked not to be named. 

The current student (a freshman) said that in their first period class, “4 to 5 students per day are late, getting to class at least 5 minutes, and up to 15 minutes [after the bell].” They explained that the majority are “tardies” caused by the buses. 

Meanwhile, the former student said that last year, during their first period class (when they were a freshman), there were “8 to 9 per day, mostly due to the bus, who came in 10 to 20 minutes [after the bell].” 

They further explained that, “They would hand you [the late students] a tardy slip as you got off the bus to give to the teacher. This had become a normal thing, so much so that the school needed to start doing them in different colors each day, …green, pink, orange, purple, so as not to be reused by the students.” 

Our response to all of this info? “Wow.” 

Even though neither of these students is riding the bus this year — which would have given them an even more accurate idea of the tardies — because these two students were always in class before the late bell rang, they said it was such a common problem, almost every student knows how bad it is, whether they are bus riders or not. 

We followed up and asked the Transportation Services officials specifically: “How many tardies (roughly) of your students are a direct result of busing issues? This could be a number, a general range or even an estimated percentage.” 

They apologized and stated that it would take too long to pull and compile that data before our story deadline, but that it is publicly available data for anyone who wants it by filling out a “Public Records Request Form” on the School District’s website. 

However, the officials did also verify the need to have staff manage bulk late student arrivals, responding: “There have been some small revisions to accommodate for student supervision (in other words, modifying duty schedules)” when we asked if the individual schools had to make direct adjustments to their operations to compensate for busing issues. 

What We Discovered First-Hand 

With the students explaining to us how many of their peers were late daily to first period, we decided that we had to see first-hand for ourselves what that translated to, in terms of the buses. 

We found that most buses do get to the schools with plenty of time to spare, arriving anywhere between 10 to 20 minutes before the late bell. But, the number of late buses was surprising, at least at the two schools we chose to look into — John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High. 

We picked a random Thursday this month — Oct. 16 — to go out and directly observe the buses entering the school properties (from the adjacent public right-of-way). We saw multiple buses arriving to the school properties after the late bell had already rang. 

For each one we observed, we wrote down the bus number and the time they crossed onto the property. We then sent those bus numbers to the District, to ask them what time their records showed that those buses arrived. They confirmed down to within 1 minute of accuracy that our observations were consistent with their records. 

We found that two buses arrived late to John Long and at least three buses full of students (there was one discrepancy with a fourth) arrived late to Wiregrass Ranch. 

When we asked if there are any proactive steps the schools are taking to make the bus drop-off and pick-ups smoother or less time-consuming, the District officials told us that, “All administrators look at the systems they have in place each year to ensure it is the most efficient procedure for their campuses.” 

Knowing the Wiregrass Ranch campus is especially overcapacity (with 2,183 students enrolled this year, it is at 140% of its capacity), we asked if this would cause any efficiency issues with busing. 

The District replied that, “The routes get reevaluated each year, to accommodate for student growth. The issues with busing are a direct result of bus driver shortages, not capacity issues.” 

We did observe one clever trick that the buses going to the middle school were doing to avoid traffic and save time — one that was perfectly safe and legal (for the buses), but that we aren’t going to explain, so other drivers don’t try to replicate it — but it was a very unique “route” that shows they are trying to be ingenious in at least one way to save time. 

There have been some other improvements, too. At least one Pasco parent that we reached out to, who also had significant complaints about busing last year, stating that her son was often arriving back home more than two hours after school ended. That parent told us that, “It’s a lot better this year,” when asked for a comment. 

The ‘Wheres The Bus?’ App 

A relatively new GPS-enabled bus tracking system, a phone app fittingly called (and misspelled) “Wheres the Bus?” (left) at least allows parents to see exactly where the school bus is on a map, and actively track it. This app was launched in 2023 for Pasco and is available for parents to download from Google Play or the Apple App Store — but there may be an issue with it. 

We asked the District, when a bus is arriving late to a school, and drops off students past the late bell time, does the “Wheres the Bus?” app notify parents of the late drop off, or are parents notified any other way of the late drop off? 

They responded, “If a parent is using the parent app, and their child signs in and out [when getting on and off the bus] they can track this specific information, but there is not a separate notification. However, parents should be getting notifications through MyStudent if a bus is going to be late picking up or dropping off their child.” 

Lorraine stated that while she does get notifications on her phone about late morning pickups, it’s not always that accurate, saying that the times shown might be a little off, but she explained that as far as tracking the times when her son gets on and off the bus (to verify his late arrival to the school), when she goes into the app, it only shows the times for that day, which resets the following day, and she hasn’t been able to find the historic data anywhere in the app. 

This means that some parents may not even know that their children are arriving late to school, unless their child tells them, or they actively go into the app to view the live map showing the location of the bus, or review the pick-up and drop-off times for that day themselves, on that specific day. 

The Desperate Need For Drivers 

Lorraine told us that she felt slightly insulted when she was emailing the District about her serious concerns, because in a response she received from Nichole Schreiber, a field service specialist with the District’s Transportation Services Dept., Schreiber said, “If you know anyone who would like to join the transportation staff, we would greatly appreciate it!” 

In other words, Lorraine says, instead of the District coming up with solutions, “It shifts the burden to parents by suggesting that we need to help recruit staff, which is neither our responsibility nor a practical solution to ensuring timely and reliable transportation in the immediate term.” 

She also joked with us that they must be really desperate if they want her to drive a bus. 

But, District officials admit that the ARE desperately trying to recruit help, almost any way they can, and they’re definitely not shy about it. But, are these efforts to the potential detriment OR enhancement of public safety and service? 

Back in 2021, Pasco’s former Superintendent of Schools Kurt Browning’s staff suggested using the National Guard to help with the bus driver shortage. It was ultimately turned down because there was no formally declared state of emergency. 

The District has organized multiple hiring events, some upcoming, to try to recruit drivers. The next one will be on Thursday, November 6, 4 p.m.-6 p.m., at the District Office (7227 Land O’Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638). 

Pasco Schools Transportation Services advertises the benefits they offer to drivers as: 

‱ Free health insurance 

‱ Paid time off 

‱ Paid holidays 

‱ Retirement plans 

‱ Paid CDL (commercial drivers license) 

prep course 

‱ $18.15/hour starting pay 

The website says that the District guarantees at least 6 hours of work per day in a split shift, but that most routes are longer than 6 hours. 

The Pasco Schools Transportation Services Dept. can be reached during business hours Monday-Friday at (813) 320-2562 to take your questions, comments and/or complaints.

Azteca D’Oro Unveils New Menu Items — So Of Course, We Had To Try Them All!

Photos by Charmaine George

When Azteca D’Oro co-owner Victor Ramos told me he wanted to highlight his new menu items in his next ad (about a month or so ago), I definitely wanted to check out the new items the authentic Mexican restaurant in The Shops at Wiregrass would be bringing to the table (pun intended). 

But, when I saw the photos of those new items he sent me to put in that new ad, I knew Jannah, photographer Charmaine George and I had to try them — all of them, that is! 

Already one of the Wesley Chapel area’s favorite restaurants (based on Azteca being named our readers’ second favorite restaurant in Wesley Chapel in our annual Reader Dining Survey & Contest each of the last two years — the first two years it’s been open here), I also knew that Azteca was due for its 2025 Dining Feature, so I figured the new menu items were a great way to tell you more about the restaurant this year. And yes, we were all impressed with the new options. 

We started with the Azteca Dip Sampler (left photo), which includes nice-sized cups of non-spicy esquites (Mexican street corn), queso, spiced bean dip and Azteca’s already-famous, house-made guacamole. We all liked the esquites the best, but the queso, bean dip and guacamole were all pretty tasty, too. 

We also took the plunge by ordering the huge, 55-oz. “Big Azz Margarita,” served “Grand Vida Style” — topped with two small bottles of Grand Marnier orange liqueur. It certainly was big enough for all three of us (and maybe a fourth person) to share. But no, I had the great idea to also order a regular-sized (16-oz.) Grand Vida Style margarita, so we could show just how much bigger the Big Azz Margarita is by comparison (right photo). Azteca’s full premium liquor bar has lots of top-shelf tequilas if you want to truly make your margarita your own or add a shot to it, as well as my Jameson and a nice variety of Mexican and other beers. 

We all also agreed that our favorite of the new menu items was the birria “pizza” (top photo), which layers melted cheese and a unique combination of lamb, pork and beef between two large flour tortillas (like a quesadilla), garnished with fresh cilantro, pickled onions and lime and served with a cup of birria consommĂ© that is plenty large enough for dipping every delicious piece of the “pizza.” 

We did also enjoy the huge 12-taco Taco Sampler Platter (left photo), where you can select up to three different proteins (four tacos of each) from: pollo adobato (chunks of chicken marinated in flavorful adobo sauce, made from dried chiles, vinegar, garlic & spices), pastor asada (pork with chiles and spices), carnitas (crispy pork chunks), chorizo sausage, shrimp, lengua (beef tongue) or tripa (beef tripe). 

Since I couldn’t eat the shrimp, we chose to have four chicken, four carnitas and four of the crispy fish tacos and all were yummy. My favorites were the crispy fish tacos, served with a semi-spicy chipotle ranch sauce. Jannah preferred the chicken tacos, which also had their own zesty sauce, and Charmaine liked the carnitas the best. Being able to sample at least one of each was fun, too! 

And of course, Azteca still has upscale favorites you can’t find at most other Mexican places, like pescado frito (whole fried snapper), grilled salmon and molcajete d’mar (snow crab, clams. mussels, scallops, shrimp & octopus), as well as Mexican standards like fajitas, quesadillas, enchiladas, vegetarian dishes and more. 

And, don’t skip dessert! Try the deep fried ice cream, churros, tres leches, flan or the cream cheese-filled mini empanadas (right) we had for the first time. All delectable ways to finish a meal! 

Azteca D’Oro (2000 Piazza Ave., Unit 170) is open every day for lunch and dinner, from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. (and until 11 p.m. on Friday & Saturday). For more info, call (813) 527-6033 and visit AztecaDoro.com. 

Ivybrook Academy & Mindful Elevation Cut North Tampa Bay Chamber Ribbons!

Ivybrook Academy 

Congratulations go out to Jade and Duran Thompson (with scissors in photo above), the owners of the new Ivybrook Academy in the Tampa Palms Professional Center at 5392 Primrose Lake Cir., who hosted a North Tampa Bay Chamber (NTBC) ribbon-cutting event on Sept. 10. 

Neither Jade, who is a Doctor of Pharmacy, nor Duran, an Army veteran who has a Master’s degree in Finance, had any experience in education when they started their journey “about two years ago,” Jade said at the ribbon-cutting event, “with our son Jaden After looking at every preschool from Wesley Chapel to Lutz for him, we finally found one we liked, but there was a rift between the ownership and the local administration and the entire administration left overnight. I remember I said to Duran, ‘I think I can do this better.’” 

So, Jade went back to school to earn her teaching credentials and they started looking to buy an existing school that was already profitable. “But, we just couldn’t find the right school to renovate or location, until this school, which was owned by another family, but got taken over by the Ivybrook franchise, which was looking for local ownership and listed it for sale — nine months before it had ever opened. 

“So, even after our bad experience with that other franchised school, this was so similar to what I had in my business plan I said, ‘Let’s do it!,’ even though it was just dirt at the time.” 

Jade also liked that Ivybrook combines two popular curricula — Montessori and Reggio Emilia. “We have Montessori, which stresses individualized, independent learning groups, for our reading and math curricula, and Reggio Emilia, which promotes collaborative, project-based learning, for a more creative aspect.

Not a lot of pre-schools combine them.” 

There are about 50 Ivybrook Academies currently open in six states. Tampa Palms is number five in Florida, with the closest other Ivybrook being in Sarasota. “but there are about 150 more in development,” Jade said. 

She added, “It’s been really heartwarming to open the doors for the first time two weeks ago and actually see families that had agreed to trust me with their child when I didn’t even have a building for their child to attend. It’s been really exciting.” 

For more info about Ivybrook Academy, visit IvybrookAcademy.com/tampa-palms or call (813) 603-1609. 

Mindful Elevation 

We also congratulate business coach Jacqueline Nelms (at far right in left photo) of Mindful Elevation, which is located in the former location of this publication, at 2604 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Suite 102D. Jacqueline, who hosted her NTBC ribbon-cutting event on Sept. 11, has had a 25-year professional career in the health care field, but has been an executive for the past 12 years, “where I’ve led large teams, built operational strategies, and focused on organizational growth and resilience. She has a Doctorate in Health Sciences with a concentration in Leadership & Organizational Behavior, as well as a Master’s degree in Strategic Leadership. She also is a certified professional life coach and mental health first aider. 

“This combination informs my coaching of academic research, practical leadership experience and a deep commitment to helping individuals and organizations grow in purposeful, ethical and sustainable ways,” she said. 

During her ribbon-cutting event, Jacqueline thanked her husband Ross, “who has been absolutely amazing and supported me through every crazy idea I’ve had over the years,” as well as her kids, Dominick and Nicholas, and all of the Chamber members on hand to support her. 

For more info about how Jacqueline and Mindful Elevation can help you, call (813) 943-4560 or visit MindfulElevate.com. — GN 

‘Homes For Our Troops’ Gives Two Wounded Vets The Keys To Their New Homes!

(Left Photo, l.-r.) Marine Sgt. Chris Lawrence raises the American flag at his new Homes for our Troops Home. Michelle, Cristiana, DeliaMarie, Chris and his sister Tameka check out their new kitchen. (Right Photo) Quincy, Skye & Warren pose for a picture in their new kitchen. 

Congratulations go out to former Marine Sgt. Christopher Lawrence and former Army Sgt. Quincy Lopez, who have now received the keys to their respective Homes for our Troops (HFOT)-provided homes, located in different parts of Wesley Chapel. 

Both severely injured veterans lost their respective right legs to improvised explosive device (IED) blasts while serving in Iraq and both chose Wesley Chapel for their new HFOT homes, both custom-designed by Kent Custom Homes. 

(l.-r.) Chris Gordon, Warren, Quincy & Skye Lopez, HFOT’s Bill Ivey & Chris & Michelle Lawrence.

They both also were honored at a dual ceremony that began at Sgt. Lawrence and his family’s new home on Steeplechase Rd. and continued at Sgt. Lopez and his son Warren’s new home on Country Club Rd. Both injured vets took down the HFOT flag they raised during their respective “Volunteer Day” events a few weeks earlier and raised American flags at the end of their respective Key Ceremonies. And, both expressed tremendous gratitude to HFOT, Kent Custom Homes, all of the volunteers who helped lay the sod and plant the plants at their new homes and, of course, to their families. 

Among the speakers preceding Sgt. Lawrence’s Key Ceremony were community engagement coordinator Jocelyn Phipps and executive director Bill Ivey of HFOT, which (as we’ve previously reported) is a 501(c)(3) military nonprofit that puts roughly 90 cents of every dollar it raises into building specially-designed homes for severely wounded soldiers who served after 9/11 — and that number is now up to 419 homes and still going. But, in addition to Sgt. Lawrence himself, the speaker who made sure no one in attendance had a dry eye was Sgt. Lawrence’s sister, Tameka. 

“It was no surprise when, right out of high school in 2005, Chris proudly joined the U.S. Marine Corps,” Tameka said. “He would always call me to say ‘I am safe’ and update me on where he was going. Then, on August 17, 2007, came the call that no family wants to hear — that Chris was being airlifted back home with life-threatening injuries. But, in his true spirit, he ended up coming back stronger and more determined than ever. Today, as we step into this beautiful new home, we are stepping into a space that represents healing, hope, honor and independence. This is a place where he will live with his family, where laughter will echo through the halls, where his family and friends will gather memories for years to come. On behalf of the Lawrence family, thank you from the bottom of my heart, to Homes for our Troops, for recognizing Sgt. Christopher Lawrence, his sacrifice, his service and his future. You have not only built walls and a roof, you have built a legacy of respect. Thank you all. I love you.” 

Not to be outdone, Chris said, “This day — September 6 — is a day of celebration, but it’s also [the anniversary of] one of the saddest days of my life. It was the day that I lost my crew, my team, so I have to acknowledge that. I’m a stubborn guy. After I got injured, they said, ‘You probably won’t be able to walk and you absolutely won’t be able to run.’ Now I run every chance I get and walk anywhere I can.” 

He added, “I was trying to find a purpose and decided to try to become a police officer. I put myself through the Police Academy, got turned down by a lot of departments until I was given an opportunity by a phenomenal academy and police department in Chula Vista, CA. I served there eight years before I realized that police work was probably not the right choice for someone with no toes. I also realized that stairs were not my friend and a friend of mine, a fellow Corpsman who also had a prosthesis, got a home from Homes for our Troops and I saw that he could get around and be a part of his family all the time. And that really motivated me to apply. And now, I know that this house is meant for me and my family to be in forever. So, thanks to Homes for our Troops and to all of you for being here today.” 

Sgt. Lawrence then got to raise the American flag at his new home (above right photo). 

On To Sgt. Lopez’s House 
(Above, l.-r.) Sgt. Quincy & Warren Lopez receive the keys to their new home from HFOT president & CEO, retired Gen. Tom Landwermeyer. 

Although both Sgt. Lawrence and Sgt. Lopez were honored at the first ceremony at Sgt. Lawrence’s house, the dual “Key Ceremony” event continued a short time later that same day at Sgt. Lopez’s new HFOT home on Country Club Rd., which also was custom-designed by Kent Custom Homes. 

At Sgt. Lopez’s ceremony, HFOT community engagement coordinator Krystina Goroshko first introduced Sgt. Lopez’s friend — and fellow HFOT home recipient — former Army Staff Sgt. Chris Gordon, who received his home in Groveland in Lake County, FL, in 2018. 

“I thought the house I got was pretty magnificent,” Staff Sgt. Gordon said, “but I’ll admit that I’m a little bit jealous of Quincy’s house. Not only does it have a lot of new features that mine doesn’t, this Wesley Chapel community is amazing!” 

Staff Sgt. Gordon also talked about a lot of the battles wounded soldiers with prosthetic limbs go through, including getting infections at their amputation sites, “but at least, when we receive these homes from Homes for our Troops, we don’t have to battle to take a shower or fix food in the kitchen anymore.” 

He added, “But, Quincy and Chris are now part of the [HFOT} family. I’m really excited to hear about all of the great things you go through in your new home, Quincy.” 

Next up was HFOT president and CEO and retired Army Brigadier General Tom Landwermeyer, who first echoed what Bill Ivey said at the first ceremony: 

Sgt. & Skye both love the new wide entrance way to the shower in his new home. 

“You all could be doing anything you want to do today, but you chose to be here with us, celebrating two veterans of the family. So, thanks for coming. But now, I’m going to say a few words about Quincy. He was 20 years old and living in New York when 9/11 happened. He decided at that time, as so many others did, even though he was already serving the public as a police officer, to change uniforms and join the military.” 

He added, “I always tell people that the one thing these homes can’t fix is their injuries. Yes, they make it easier for them to live, but they will have those injuries for the rest of their lives. Quincy is a single parent, one of the hardest jobs in the world, but he’s doing it. He’s a well-educated young man and a teacher and mentor to other veterans. So, Wesley Chapel, you have one of the most dedicated vets we have.” 

Sgt. Lopez said that one of the great things about his new home is that, “I’ve suffered a lot of injuries since my service in the bathroom and kitchen. I would have to use my wheelchair to get to the toilet and my walker to get where the toilet was and grab bars to get out of the toilet. But, this home is going to allow me to be a better veteran, a better father and serve my community better. Homes for our Troops isn’t just rebuilding families, you’re giving families back their brothers, sisters, mothers, fathers, uncles and aunts. You’re rebuilding whole communities. I can’t thank you all enough.” 

He also thanked HFOT, “which gives 90 cents of every dollar to build these homes. That means the staff is so dedicated to this cause that they’re willing to sacrifice pay and time just to give back and serve us. I can’t thank all of them enough either.” 

Sgt. Lopez also said that he learned very quickly that “Wesley Chapel is awesome. It’s a great community for my son to grow up in and We’re so excited to come here to live.” 

To make a donation or for more info about Homes for our Troops, visit HFOTUSA.org. — GN, all photos by Charmaine George 

All Of Kirkland Ranch Being Purchased By The State For Conservation!

The area in red is the 938-acre Kirkland Ranch, also known as “Village K” in the Villages of Pasadena Hills. 
The property being preserved extends from north of the Watergrass community to Kiefer Rd. & east from where Curley Rd. meets Elam Rd. to the Kirkland Ranch property line. (Pasco County map modified by Joel Provenzano) 

Residents wanting to see land and the environment protected in eastern Pasco County are getting their wish, as one local family intends to sell their almost 1,000- acre ranch to the state for natural preservation, instead of to developers for homes or apartments — and the state just approved the funds to do exactly that. 

How much?…. $30.8 million. 

Days after our article went to print last month, entitled “Where Are The Villages of Pasadena Hills (VOPH) & Why Should You Care?,” a surprise press release came from the Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD, aka “Swiftmud”) on Aug. 26, explaining that the Kirkland Ranch portion of the land in VOPH — immediately between the Kirkland Ranch school complex and the community of Watergrass — was approved to be purchased by Swiftmud’s board, with funds being provided by the state’s Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). 

“We appreciate Governor Ron DeSantis and the Florida Legislature’s commitment to preserving this conservation land in one of the fastest-growing areas in Pasco County,” said Swiftmud’s executive director Brian Armstrong. “This important purchase will help preserve the region’s lands and water resources for future generations.” 

Deemed to be a critical watershed for the state of Florida, and specifically Pasco County, the six contiguous cattle farming parcels owned by Kirkland Ranch since 1956 (938 acres total, of which 41% is wetlands), would have made up almost all of the residential area of “Village K” in VOPH, directly along the burgeoning Curley Rd. corridor (see attached map for location). But now, that land will remain fully undisturbed. 

“This acquisition meets all four of the District’s ‘Areas of Responsibility,’ which are water supply, water quality, flood protection and natural systems,” the Swiftmud news release from Aug. 26 says, “and is consistent with the District’s ‘Florida Forever’ workplan.” 

For those not familiar, VOPH is the 20,000+ acre special development district making up the area directly between Wesley Chapel, Dade City and Zephyrhills. 

This purchase will presumably affect two of Pasco’s so-called “vision roads,” the first being the northern Watergrass Pkwy. extension that was supposed to cut diagonally through Kirkland Ranch, serving as an important north/south corridor. The other is the eastern Elam Rd. extension, which would have run behind the Kirkland school complex (which includes the Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation and the Kirkland Ranch K-8 school) — all of which was shown in the “Pasadena Hills Land Use Vision Plan” and transportation maps, but now that it’s no longer being developed, these road extensions are likely off the table. But, we’ll keep you posted.