Search ongoing for missing Wiregrass Ranch teen

KaseyThe Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is still looking for missing teenager Kasey Ann Gibson, 16, who was last seen at 6:45 a.m. Monday.

She did not attend Wiregrass Ranch High School as expected that day, and deputies say she was possibly with an ex-boyfriend.

The PCSO says Gibson is 5-foot-1, 120 pounds and has long brown hair and blue eyes. She was last seen wearing a tan shirt, black leggings, and blue and white hat.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 1-800-706-2488 or send a tip to https://www.tipsubmit.com/WebTips.aspx?AgencyID=615.

 

 

Say goodnight to blight as new county ordinance is passed

By Matt Wiley

Dilapidated businesses will no longer have a place in Pasco County, after the county commission voted to establish news rules to eliminate local eyesores.

The so-called blight ordinance, proposed by Dist. 2 Commissioner Mike Moore, was passed unanimously on Oct. 20 by the Pasco Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to the relief of local businesses and residents.

Moore’s proposed ordinance to issue fines and even potential jail time to property owners who let their commercial properties become dilapidated attracted about 100 residents and business owners to the Sept. 30 town hall meeting at the Pasco County Utilities Administration Office off Central Blvd. in Land O’Lakes.

Comm. Moore presented the ordinance as a way to clean up properties to attract new businesses, clean up the county’s image and help prevent the crime that occurs in buildings that aren’t maintained.

The ordinance, modeled after a similar ordinance in Hillsborough County, won’t go into effect until May 1, 2016. The new law gives property owners a 30-day notice to get their blighted buildings repaired, or be subject to a fine. They’ll then be given another 30 days to fix the problem.

If the problem persists beyond 60 days, property owners will be susceptible to a fine of $500 per day until the problem is fixed. If it’s discovered by the county attorney that a business owner has the means to fix the problem or demolish a blighted building and still chooses not to, that person could face jail time.

“What we’re trying to do here is tell people, ‘You need to fix the problem,’” Comm. Moore told the residents at the town hall. “Fix the problem or you’re going to get fined. It’s not good for the surrounding property owners, it’s not good for the community and it’s not good for Pasco County.”

The primary concerns of local businesses is that areas that have vacant and rundown structures do not promote local business growth, bring down property values and discourage other local businesses that are maintained properly.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said at the town hall that the ordinance is also important because it removes the environments that allow crimes, including drug use, squatting and other illegal activities, to persist. He said the U.S. 19 corridor gets the most calls about crime at various dilapidated businesses.

“From a law enforcement standpoint (ordinances like this) are things that we need,” Nocco said. “If we can limit the places crimes can occur, we can push crime somewhere else. And, we’re trying to push it out of Pasco County.

He added, “We can arrest people all the time. The problem is, when they get out, they go right back to where they came from.”

Moore said he is convinced the ordinance will deter current and future businesses from letting their storefronts and surrounding area from becoming unkempt.

“It doesn’t matter what corridor it is,’’ Moore said. “This ordinance will be a deterrent in the hopes that future commercial property owners will realize that if they let their property become dilapidated, they’re going to get fined.”

Lexington Oaks resident Peter Hansel supports the ordinance.

“The strongest point of this ordinance that I support is the law enforcement aspect,” he said. “I see that as a time saver and financial (resource) saver. I think that by enacting something like this, it will go a long way.”

Aside from crime and squatter, Pasco Professional Firefighters spokesperson Robert Fuerst said properties that are allowed to deteriorate and fester pose other risks.

“Dilapidated properties to firefighters are a special risk,” Fuerst said. “Everything we do is a managed risk. When you have a property that is not maintained, all of the equations that we use to do our job become more risky.”

New Port Richey’s Hunter’s Ridge Homeowner’s Association president Hugh Townsend also said that the ordinance takes a page out of what many residential areas have enforced for years.

“Right now, if a homeowner violates our deed restrictions, (the HOA) cite(s) them and then (the HOA) fine(s) them,” Townsend said. “There’s compliance. When people get hit in the pocket book, they’re going to conform.”

However, some residents did express concern that the cost of enforcing another ordinance would fall to the county taxpayers.

“I’ve done some research,’’ said Land O’Lakes resident Cassie Holloway, saying that adding another ordinance to the existing code enforcement ordinances, the price of demolishing buildings, as well as additional staff for that department, would be a burden to Pasco taxpayers.

Pasco senior assistant county attorney Kristi Sims responded that the new ordinance shifts the burden to the property owner to force them to spend their own money to tear down their dilapidated property.

 

Shoppers tolerating not-so-bad traffic, seem pleasantly surprised

TRAFFICWEB2While traffic in and around the new Tampa Premium Outlet mall (2398 Grand Cypress Dr., at the interchange of I-75 and S.R. 56) is bound to get worse as the holiday season approaches, reviews for the first day were mostly positive.

But with one major caveat: So far.

The S.R. 56 and I-75 intersection traffic has taken on almost mythic status among those who find the New Tampa and Wesley Chapel areas to be frustratingly congested. Whether it’s long drive times to work, traffic signals that drivers are convinced aren’t timed properly or long enough and backed-up lines of cars getting on and off the interstate, many can’t imagine the new 441,000-square-foot upscale mall not adding to those problems.

But, Pasco Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Eddie Daniels said that may not be the case. While acknowledging the S.R. 56 and I-75 intersection has yielded its share of complaints in recent months, Daniels says PCSO doesn’t believe the mall will add to the traffic woes, once the opening weeks and holiday season are past.

Most of the build-up on the opening days, said Daniels, was at the I-75 northbound off-ramp to S.R. 56.

Some shoppers feel the trade-off is worth it for the potential of a good bargain and a gorgeous new mall to stroll around.

LaboyWEB“I think you’ll always have your morning and rush hour traffic in that area,’’ said Pebble Creek resident Linda Laboy, “but there were no problems for me today.”

Thursday’s shoppers appeared more impressed with the layout and design of the sprawling outlet mall and the selection of stores than they were discouraged by the traffic woes.

“It wasn’t as crowded as I thought it would be,’’ said Melissa Blas of Land O’Lakes. “(There was) a little traffic, but not too bad.”

Stephen Yalof, chief executive officer of Simon Premium Outlets, said he was aware of the traffic concerns.

“We pick out our locations based on access, that’s the most important thing,’’ he said, “but the last thing we want to do is frustrate a customer and have them

not want to come back. In addition to great parking (roughly 2,200 spots), there also is public transportation that will be operating from here to Wesley Chapel. So, that’s just (another) way to ease some of the traffic.”

An overflow lot across from the mall and the Walgreens at the S.R.54/56 intersection also were available, with shuttles to transport customers to the mall during the Grand Opening weekend (Oct. 29-Nov. 1). There also is valet parking available in front of the Saks Off 5th anchor store.

MatthewsRegina Matthews of New Tampa said she had little problem getting into the mall on Thursday, where she was directed by parking attendants who were working hard to get cars swiftly into spots. She did say she wished there were more signs in the area directing people to the mall, however, which she thinks could ease confusion and make the process go more smoothly in the future.

“I think you get a lot of people slowing down to get their directions,’’ she said. “I do think they are going to need additional parking, though.”

It’s too early to declare that longterm, the traffic around S.R. 56 and I-75 will be unaffected by the new outlet mall. Obviously there are some complaints, and some shoppers have claimed bad experiences. But in the early stages of the honeymoon period that accompanies a grand opening, most seem willing to navigate any road turbulence for a new experience.

 

 

First Pasco County all-star game will feature 10 from Wesley Chapel

Wiregrass Ranch RB/DB Brandon Mosley is one of 10 players from Wiregrass and Wesley Chapel High named to the first all-star game. (photo: John C. Cotey)
Wiregrass Ranch RB/DB Brandon Mosley is one of 10 players from Wiregrass and Wesley Chapel High named to the first all-star game. (photo: John C. Cotey)

Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel didn’t come close to making the football playoffs this season, but a handful of players from each team will get one more high school football game their senior season.

The rosters were announced for the 2015 Pasco County East-West Classic, the first-ever all-star game for the county, and the Bulls and Wildcats are well-represented, by players and coaches as Wiregrass Ranch head coach Mark Kantor will be in charge of the East.

Making the team from Wesley Chapel were wide receiver Brian Mena, offensive and defensive linemen Naim Smith and Tristan Pauwels, kicker Chase Oknefski and linebacker Mike Mosley.

The Bulls representatives will be wide receiver Taylor Bleistein, offensive and defensive linemen Tyler Ichimura and Marque Davis, running back and defensive back Brandon Mosley and linebacker Ty DeCarire.

 

The game, organized by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, is scheduled for Dec. 10 at 7 p.m. at Sunlake High School (3023 Sunlake Blvd., Land O’Lakes). Tickets are $10 and can be purchased at any of the high schools or at participating Beef O’Brady’s.

 

First weekend in the books, TPO is a hit

TallGirlDanceBy Gary Nager

How do you sum up, in one word, how many people in New Tampa and Wesley Chapel feel about the opening of the Tampa Premium Outlets (TPO) on S.R. 56?

I think Stacey Nance, the general manager of the sparkling new outlet mall, said it best at the festive VIP Grand Opening event on October 29:

“Finally!”

After years of delays due to environmental concerns, TPO — which originally was supposed to open as a series of big box stores (similar to The Grove shopping plaza off Oakley Blvd. in Wesley Chapel) before both The Grove and the Shops at Wiregrass mall — has finally taken its opening bow.

And, despite previous concerns (and a Sierra Club lawsuit) about environmental impacts on the Cypress Creek watershed (a major source of drinking water for New Tampa) and the traffic the mall would bring, from what I’ve seen and heard so far, the reviews for the 441,000-sq.-ft. designer outlet mall are mostly raves.

And, with the deals the mall’s 100+ stores were offering throughout  the Grand Opening weekend (Oct. 29-Nov. 1) — and the quality of the merchandise and the shops themselves — it was hard to not be impressed with TPO as a whole, regardless of any nit-picky little issues some have with it, such as:

1) TPO’s Name & Address — Despite the involvement and best efforts of the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce from Day One of this project, the mall’s main address, on Grand Cypress Dr., is in Lutz, not Wesley Chapel — and certainly not in Tampa — although (as Nance has had to explain many times) Tampa is the city most people who live outside of our area will look for when they search on-line for it.

2) The Food Court — Those of us who have been looking for some great new restaurants are not going to find them in the mall’s five-eatery Food Court. On the other hand, the lines at Asian Chao, South Philly Cheesesteaks and Villa Italian kept moving.

3) Traffic & Parking — The opening weekend traffic at TPO was greatly helped by the mall’s hiring of multiple off-duty law enforcement officers and their vehicles. How long that additional help will be on the scene remains to be seen, but this reporter was impressed by the lack of delays on S.R. 56.

As for parking, it’s also been pretty incredible how hard all those valet parking and orange-vested parking “directors” already have been working and how easily visitors have been able to get in and out of the mall’s 2,200 parking spaces (plus overflow lots). The opening weekend had some temperatures in the low 90s, but you have to wonder how the parking help will hold up in the heat of our Florida summers.

BandWEBVIP Breakfast

John and I were among the hundreds of media, Chamber and local governmental dignitaries on hand on Thursday morning for the mall’s amazing VIP breakfast.

With incredible food like breakfast crepes, pecan-crusted chicken & waffle “bites” and mini-Monte Christo sandwiches and adult beverages (I was among those raving about the mimosas  with not only orange, but also peach and even passion fruit juice) by Puff n’ Stuff Catering of Tampa, elected officials like State Rep. Danny Burgess, Pasco clerk & comptroller Paul O’Neil and Pasco commissioners Mike Moore, Jack Mariano and Board chair Ted Schrader, plus lots of WCCC and New Tampa and Wesley Chapel Rotary Club members helped Nance and crew celebrate TPO’s opening in style before Schrader and the top brass from Simon Premium Outlets cut the ribbon. Everyone who attended the invitation-only VIP breakfast also received a portable stand-up cooler as a parting gift.

Opening Weekend Deals

Although I certainly didn’t get to check out all of the 100+ stores that were open for the first weekend (a few more, like the Aldo outlet will open within the next week or two, bringing the total number of shops up to 110), there’s no doubt that the deals — and giveaways — were hot and heavy for the opening.

Many stores were offering not only 60-70-percent off (and more!), but also free gifts to the first wave of shoppers as the stores opened their doors following the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

SaksSignUpOf course, many people skipped the ribbon-cutting to line up in front of their favorite stores for their free gift(s).Considering that I only wear New Balance athletic shoes, I was one of the first 50 in line at the New Balance outlet, which earned me a $15 gift card, in addition to 60-percent-off the shoes I bought (which were already on clearance for half off the regular price). When it was all said and done, I went home with an incredible pair of “kicks,” plus some New Balance gym shorts and orthotic inserts for my shoes for less than $70!

And, while I didn’t get on line soon enough after that to get a free gift at the Calvin Klein outlet, I returned a $20 shirt I had purchased at the Prime Outlets of Ellenton (does anyone still remember how much further that drive is?), exchanged it for a $60 dress shirt that also was on clearance and with all of the discounts applied, I ended up getting that shirt for about $3!

Will the deals stay that impressive now that the opening weekend is over and the post-Halloween holiday season has officially begun? That remains to be seen. The whole concept of an outlet mall is that the merchandise sold there at deep discounts is so expensive to start with that only the rich could afford to shop at many of the stores without those discounts.

A case in point is TPO’s “signature” store, Saks Off 5th. Although I found it hard to believe how much merchandise in Saks has the same labels — Calvin Klein, Ralph Lauren, etc.  — as the ones in TPO’s individual outlets, the huge Off 5th store literally has something for everyone. I didn’t feel that the deals were quite as good there as at other stores, but I have shopped at the original Saks ON 5th Ave. in NYC, so I know there’s nothing “cheap” there. 


Bring It, Bethenny!

One of the highlights of the opening weekend was the appearance of  reality TV star, author and Skinny Girl owner Bethenny Frankel.

Frankel, who has appeared on “The Apprentice: Martha Stewart,” “The Real Housewives of New York City” and “Bethenny Ever After,” also founded Skinnygirl Cocktails, authored four self-help books and hosted the talk show, “Bethenny.”

She told me she appeared at the TPO opening not to promote herself, but because, “I’m an outlet mall shopper from way back and I’m here to give shopping tips to the women here.” Her #1 tip? “Clean out those closets, ladies! Why bring new stuff to clutter up your limited space when you still have things in your closet that no longer fit or are old or pilly?”

Considering how long we have waited for the opening of TPO, I’d have to agree that the outlet mall’s opening weekend was a smashing success. TPO may only be about half the size of the Shops at Wiregrass (which has more than 800,000 sq. ft. of retail and restaurant space), but it’s definitely a new force to be reckoned with that will surely bring more mom-and-pop businesses to our area. Take a bow, Simon!

For more info about the new TPO and its VIP Shopping Club, please visit PremiumOutlets.com/Tampa.