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Chamber Review

January 2016 SHOP LOCAL FIRST www.CentralPascoChamber.com

Greetings…… ……from the President

Terri Dusek #1 RE/MAX Premier Group

MISSION STATEMENT

To aggressively advocate for the interest of our diverse business community by promoting business advancement, economic growth and job creation.

Happy New Year, all! What a wonderful way to start a new year - as a proud member of The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. The wonderful thing about a new year is the chance to reset, to focus the mind and our energy on those things we lose sight of over the course of a year…or, many years. Review, Redo and Renew is my moto for this coming year and beyond. As 2016 (the good the bad and the indifferent) fades into the past, the entirety of 2017, with all its possibilities, lays before us. As for me, I expect that this will be one of my best years, both in business and personal growth. I look forward to renewed and replenished relationships as well as the possibility of making new friends, new experiences and focusing on a new balance in work and everyday life. I will refuse to lose sight of what is really im-portant and I will worry less about things that, in the end, matter very little. Often, the concept of new year resolution is maligned and ridiculed because, let’s face it, we’re not very good at maintaining focus, breaking old habits and creating new ones. Our efforts quickly go by the wayside as we fall back into routine and, as they say, “life happens”. It is suggested that it takes twenty-one days of diligent effort to create new habit. As for me, I’m going to let go of a few things; remove them from my mind and worry no more about them. Chances are, I can’t control them anyway. I will set a few, attainable goals for 2017 and I will work diligently at maintaining my focus on these habits-to-be, so they don’t fall by the wayside, rather they become a new way of living. I challenge each of you each of you to join me. Set a couple of attainable goals. Work them for twenty-one days and

watch your outlook improve. Experience your relationships as they thrive. Watch your business grow stronger. This is my plan. Won’t you try it with me? Remember…Review, Redo and Renew!

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2016-2017 Board of Directors

President Elect

Terri Dusek RE/MAX Premier Group (813) 340-7973

President Elect

David Gainer Strategic Consultants (813) 397-3960

Secretary

Rhonda Buckley American Home Title of LOL (813) 948-1868

Treasurer

Cindy Caroline Caroline Contractors (813) 931-4611

Past President

Elayne Bassinger Law Offices of Lucas / Magazine (813) 495-2336

John Jay Anglada Finest DeeJays (813) 298-3232

Jack Buckley Prime Property Management (813) 789-8653

Rocky Contreras KnowledgePoints Tutoring (813) 787-1225

Larry Giannone Christian Brothers Automotive (813) 949-0100

Sandy Graves Heritage Park Foundation (813) 996-3011

Kurt Conover Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point (727) 861-5141

Elena McCullough AmericanNow (813) 525-3417

Ignacio Ruiz Tampa Hypnotic Awakening

(813) 377-9214

Les Saland A.L. Saland Insurance Solutions (813) 995-0292

Dr. Jorge Santana 1 Source Chiropractic & Physical Medicine Center (813) 448-2222

Staff

Andre Pamplona Royal Lanes (813) 949-3606

Suzanne Beauchaine Tina Gibbons

Renee Glass Synovus Bank (813) 712-2385

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Pet Supplies Plus D & R Hot Dogs Mike O’Malley Deatrice Blossom 21703 Village Lakes Shopping Ctr Drive 32412 Silvercreek Way Land O’ Lakes, FL 34639 Wesley Chapel, FL 33545 (813) 505-4744 (813) 428-6288 www.petsuppliesplus.com/LandO’Lakes4011 Food Vendor Pet Supplies LuLaRoe McDonald’s Lutz (Additional listing) Stephanie Barnes Trina Wiegand 3252 Marble Crest Drive 18488 US Hwy 41 North Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638 Lutz, FL 33549 (272) 244-1078 (813) 948-8610 Retail www.mcdonalds.com Restaurant McDonald’s Connerton (Additional listing) Costco Trina Wiegand Dylan Dalton 8000 Land O’ Lakes Blvd 2225 Grand Cypress Dr Land O’ Lakes, FL 34638 Lutz, FL 33559 (813) 949-7234 (813) 279-7031 www.mcdonalds.com www.costco.com Restaurant Retail Nerium International Marilyn Boss 17230 Meadow Lane Lutz, FL 33558 (813) 892-4004 http://marilynboss.nerium.com Skin Care

Welcome to our vibrant business community!

December New Members

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Chamber Review

The Chamber would like to thank the following companies & organizations for their continued support through the renewal of their membership!

40 YEARS

Duke Energy

11 YEARS

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel

10 YEARS

Pasco County Clerk’s Office

8 Years and Under

All Smiles Tampa Bay

The Volunteer Way Inc

Meineke Car Care Center

Air Hawk Heating and Cooling

The Breakfast Nook

The Law Offices of Matthew J. Jowanna, P.A.

Great Clips at Panera Bread/SR 54

Great Clips at Lutz Lake Crossing

CHAMBER MEETINGS

General Membership Meeting - Tuesday January 10th 11:30am Pre-register by Thursday 5th $20 after or at door $25 Members, Non-Members $25

Hispanic Business Leaders Luncheon - Tuesday January 17th

Pre-register by Thursday January 12th $15 Members - Non-Members $20 or $20 at door

Mixer - Wednesday January 25th - TBD, check website for updates!

Website Calendar - JANUARY click here

December Renewals

Website Scan the QR

or visit www.CentralPascoChamber.com

Mobile App

Scan the QR code or visit the website www.central-pasco-

chamber.com

2016 Honorary Mayor - Sandy Graves Deputy Honorary Mayor

Ms. Gloria Dale

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Your Chamber in Action! December Wednesday Morning Networking

Sponsored By:

Start your morning off right attend the next Wednesday Morning Networking

Ribbon Cutting!

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In Memory of Kris Keppel

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

378 RUNNERS!

The race was a HUGE success, the community

loved it!

Presented by:

Corporate Sponsors

Silver Sponsor Bronze Sponsors

Media Sponsor

Gold Sponsor

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Thank you to our sponsors

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Member News!

Saint Leo University Named Top 10 Gold Level Award Recipient by Military Friendly®

Places No. 3 in the nation, military initiatives honored for being “Better for Veter-ans”

SAINT LEO, FL – Saint Leo University has been named a Top10 Gold-level Military Friendly® School Award recipient in the category of large, private institutions for 2017. Victory Media, originator of the fam-ily of Military Friendly® employment, entrepreneurship, and education resources for veterans and their families, published its special awards for 2017 Military Friendly® Schools and Employers at https://militaryfriendly.com.

Saint Leo was ranked No. 3 in the nation in its category and one of the “best of the best,” according to Victory Media. More than 5,000 veterans attend classes at Saint Leo University at University Campus in Florida, at its more than 40 education centers and offices in seven states, and online. Nearly, 4,500 active-duty mili-tary members are enrolled around the world, said Dr. William J. Lennox Jr., retired U.S. Army lieutenant general and Saint Leo University president.

Student Veteran, Jennifer Harman

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club recently honored two members who celebrated their 25th Anniversary of service to the club and presented them with a commemorative pin. Faith Sincich has held positions and offices, too numerous to mention within the club and Lucy Kraemer has maintained dual memberships in the Gainesville and Hawthorne Woman’s Clubs as well as Lutz-Land O’Lakes. Between them, the two ladies have served over a half century in the largest Federation of Women’s service clubs in the country. For more information on this volunteer organization, please vis-it: www.gfwclutzlandolakeswoman’sclub.org

GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club members participated in a very large project to lay wreaths at the graves of each veteran buried in Florida National Cemetery at Bushnell as part of the National “Wreaths Across America” program. The clubwomen annually donate to help fund this project and were present for the very moving ceremony preceding their very respectful laying of the wreaths at each headstone by a large contingent of volunteers. It was indeed a very moving sight at day’s end to see the number of veterans’ graves so honored at this hallowed ground. For information on membership in this service organization, please visit: www.gfwclutzlandolakeswomansclub.org

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Member News!

Saint Leo University Receives Top School Recognition Honored in Military Advanced Education & Transition’s Guide to Colleges & Universities

SAINT LEO, FL – For the fourth consecutive year, Saint Leo University has earned recognition from Military

Advanced Education & Transition (MAE&T) as a leader in the nation for providing education to those who are

serving or who have served in the armed forces. Saint Leo earned the designation of Top School in its 2017

Guide to Colleges & Universities, measuring best practices in military and veteran education. The guide is to

be released this month and will be available online at www.mae-kmi.com.

Saint Leo University Receives Military Friendly® Schools Designation Victory Media names university to its 2017 list for service to student-veterans SAINT LEO, FL – Saint Leo University has earned the 2017 Military Friendly® School designation by Victory

Media, publisher of G.I. Jobs®, STEM Jobs, and Military Spouse. Each year, the list of Military Friendly®

Schools is provided to service members and their families, helping them select the best college, university, or

trade school to receive the education and training needed to pursue a civilian career.

Saint Leo Names New Associate Vice President of Integrated Marketing SAINT LEO, FL – Seasoned higher education marketing professional Greg Temnick has been

named associate vice president of Integrated Marketing for Saint Leo University.

Headline: Duke Energy Awards $6,750.00 towards CareerSource Pasco Hernando’s Veterans’ Program. Dade City, Florida- CareerSource Pasco Hernando is excited to announce their partnership with the Duke Energy Foundation to support our local veterans who are facing unemployment. On September 25, 2016, the Duke Energy Foundation awarded CareerSource Pasco Hernando $6,750.00 towards their veteran’s program through Victories for Veterans. CareerSource Pasco Hernando is dedicated to delivering services to veterans, which help them identify their skills and a successful career path to employment. Veterans are given priority over non-veterans with respect to all Department of Labor funded programs and services. Eligible veterans with barriers to employment, and cer-tain eligible spouses may receive one-on-one intensive employment services from specially trained veteran representatives, known as Disabled Veterans Outreach Program Specialists. The Duke Energy Foundation presented the Victories for Veterans grant award at the Tampa Bay Rays base-ball game, held at the Tropicana Stadium in Saint Petersburg, Florida. The $6,750.00 grant will provide veter-ans with an additional resource to help them become more successful in their job search and readiness. The grant was awarded to implement electronic record-keeping procedures to help veterans maintain vital personal and employment records necessary for their success in finding and maintaining employment. Employers and jobseekers are encouraged to take advantage of CareerSource Pasco Hernando’s veterans programs to enhance their talent and skills. CareerSource Pasco Hernando provides resources to help compa-nies thrive, and help train a talented workforce that will help keep a company competitive, while increasing productivity. For additional information on veteran services provided to employers and jobseekers, please visit www.careersourcepascohernando.com or call Hernando (352) 200-3020/Pasco (727) 484-3400 and ask for a Veteran Service Consultant.

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School News

SCHOOL BUSINESS SPONSOR STUDENT(S) NOVEMBER

STUDENT(S) DECEMBER

Charles S. Rushe Middle Rasmussen College & Jerry McCarthy-State Farm

Logan Stearns; Marlon Torres

Gage Rhule; Alexander Langner

Land O’ Lakes High A-OK Trophies Ana Lopez; Louis Mooney

Madelynn Ellerd; Estefania Acosta

Oakstead Elementary McDonald's of LOL Anshita Sahu; Dayna Schuchman

Leah Piguave; Delaney Hoffman

Odessa Elementary The Holloway Family Andrew Lewis; Amber Clifton

Katelyn Smith; Char-lotte Kifer

Odessa ES Wildcat Achiever The Holloway Family

Odessa es PAWSitive Character

The Holloway Family

Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High

Caroline Contractors Miecyslaw Sicinski Karlie Spencer

Shady Hills Elementary Pasco Education Foundation Allison Anusbigian Chad Freeman

Pine View Middle School Shout Out Award

The Law Offices of Lucas/Magazine

PVMS #IBSTRONG Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel

PVMS Community Service Program

JB's Sweet Addiction

Sunlake High School Shout Out Award

The Law Offices of Lucas/Magazine

Rushe Soaring for Success Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel

Connerton Elementary Rasmussen College Diego Lopez John Fakiolis

Denham Oaks Elementary Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel

Lake Myrtle Elementary Pizza Villa

Land O’ Lakes Christian Hawley Dental Associates Waylon Dimas Eveleen Lonski

OES Otter Achiever Optimum Plumbing

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School News

Staff Reorganization in the New Year By Kurt S. Browning

Superintendent's Staff and I have been working over the last several weeks on a reorganizational plan that restruc-tures the area superintendents and the regional teams and the supports they provide to our schools. I have been meet-ing with our regional team members to discuss the reorganizational changes and how they impact these teams. Over the next few months, staff will transition into the following positions: Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools, Dr. Dave Scanga; Assistant Superintendent for High Schools, Tammy Berryhill; Assistant Superintendent for DA Schools, Dr. Monica Ilse; and, and Kim Poe serving in an executive director position with the specific role of assisting Drs. Ilse and Scanga. The Assistant Superintendent for Middle Schools will be advertised and filled during the second semester. This reorganizational plan does not add any new additional positions to the administrative staff. Todd Cluff, Area Superintendent for the Northwest Region, has expressed a desire to return to school based leader-ship. We are continuing to work with Todd to ensure that he is able to use his skill set and leadership in our schools. I have set the structure and we are working on the details of what the supports will look like for our schools, how they will be delivered, communications and feedback loops and accountability measures for all stakeholders. Kurt S. Browning is superintendent of Pasco County Schools.

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Your Events!

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2016 Constitution Essay Contest Award Ceremony By Paula S. O’Neil, Ph.D., Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller

Pictured: Superintendent Kurt Browning, Clerk & Comptroller Paula S. O'Neil, Ph.D.,

Grace Guercio, Jessica Carver, Anna Carver, Chairman Joanne Hurley

The Honorable Paula S. O’Neil, Ph.D., congratulates Jessica Carver, the 2016 Clerk & Comptroller Constitution Essay Contest first place winner. Jessica is a fifth grader from Lake Myrtle Elementary School. Dr. O’Neil also congratulates second place winner

Grace Guercio of Longleaf Elementary School and third place winner Meseker Feleke of Odessa Elementary School. Former Chief Deputy Clerk Barbra Rulison, reporter Tom Jackson, and author Gail Diederich graciously volunteered to serve on the judging panel. Dr. O'Neil recognized contest winners at the Pasco County School Board meeting on October 18th, 2016. Family members, teachers, and administrators took part in the event. Jessica Carver’s essay stood out among the excellent entries. Summarizing her essay, Jessica wrote, “I think that the importance of our highest law is to protect our freedom. I want to believe that the Constitution will continue to serve as the highest law for my generation and for many generations to come.” Dr. O’Neil extends a thank you and congratulations to all of the participants for their hard work and reflection on such an important topic. Thank you, Jessica, for your hard work, and we look forward to giving you a courthouse tour. Thank you, again, to the contest judging panel and to Superintendent Browning for assisting with this contest

Of interest …. County News

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Chamber Review

PASCO SHERIFF’S OFFICE NEWSLETTER

January is Human Trafficking Awareness month. The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is partnering with several community businesses for an event in January to raise awareness about this silent scourge in our community.

Human trafficking is a form of modern-day slavery that involves the exploitation of vulnerable persons for commercial sex, forced labor or involuntary servitude, plus the inability to extricate oneself from that situation. The trafficker uses force, fraud, or coercion to control the victim.

The name of the event to raise awareness about human trafficking is called Light Up the Night. All of the events are scheduled for Saturday, January 14, 2017. The first event is the Radiant 5K Run, which begins at 4 p.m., at the Pasco-Hernando State College Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel. An awards ceremony for the run will commence immediately after the race at 5 p.m. The Light Up the Night main event will be at The Shops of Wiregrass mall beginning at 6 p.m. The event will be located on the second level of the parking garage, located on the north end of the mall. This event will include music, educational information about human trafficking, and a kids’ zone.

Human trafficking is the second largest criminal enterprise in the world, just behind the illegal drug trade, netting billions of dollars worldwide annually. There are over 20 million persons held in slavery in the world today, more than any other time in history. It is estimated between 500,000 and 2 million are trafficked annually worldwide with an estimated 15,000 to 18,000 being trafficked into the United States every year.

On a local scale, according to national human trafficking hotline tips and complaints, Florida ranks as third in the number of calls to the human trafficking hotline, with the Tampa Bay area being in the top three in the state.

Possible indications of human trafficking include:

• Constantly accompanied by a controlling person or boss; not speaking on their own behalf.

• Lack of control over personal schedule, money, identification or travel documents.

• Transported to and from work; lives and works in the same place.

• Debt owed to employer/crew leader makes them unable to leave their job.

• Bruises, depression, fear, overly submissive.

If you think you have come into contact with a victim of human trafficking call the National Trafficking Information and Referral Hotline at (888)373-7888.

Additional information can be found on the Pasco Sheriff’s website at PascoSheriff.com/human-trafficking or the Florida State Attorney General's website at MyFloridaLegal.com.

Of interest …. County News