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Pasco Letters to the Editor

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 13, 2008

Center Moving Forward

In response to the letter "West Pasco Blues" by Kerri Bowman Ousley (Wednesday), I would like to emphasize that the Trinity Town Center is continuing construction and is not out of money as Ms. Ousley stated.

She is correct that Old Harbor Bank is now serving customers from its new location. However, she is wrong to imply there is little construction activity.

Trinity Town Center continues to move forward with development. The underground infrastructure for water, storm and sanitary sewer for the entire project is complete. Vertical construction is either complete or underway for 12 of the 16 buildings, and much of the construction has moved to interior build-outs.

The original schedule has only been altered slightly by the need to obtain permits when additions and updates have been made to the project to serve the needs of our tenants. Tenant build-out permits are applied for weekly, and we continue to add amenities to serve the Trinity community.

Additional amenities include a clock tower, band shell and fountain, all items that will add to the overall aesthetics of the project.

Currently, Trinity Town Center is over 71 percent leased and continues to add new tenants. In the next few weeks Raymond James Financial will open its offices. Phase I will further be complemented by The Cherry Tree Gift Gallery.

Later this summer, as Phase II opens, they will be joined by the Bilirakis Law Group, Psetas Law Group, Zinzow Martin P.A., The One, Trinity Family Pharmacy, Seraya Jewelers and MSP Architecture.

At the same time Trinity will welcome a number of brand-new eating experiences. Pacific Palate, providing Pacific Rim-inspired dishes, Gaetanos Italian Restaurant and Mariposa Mexican Grille will break the chain restaurant mold and offer gastronomic experiences not available within a 45-minute radius.

Late summer also brings Tealuxe, offering traditional and exotic blended teas, and Bear Creek Coffee, providing European cafe ambience combined with gourmet coffees, delectable desserts and pastries. The pair will provide a quick refreshment stop, or a place to relax anytime.

Phase III of the project welcomes First Impressions Salon and Any Time Fitness. By late September, Master's Steakhouse will start serving Midwestern, corn-fed certified Angus beef, and at the same time Rare Select Vintage Products (RSVP) will begin catering to wine and spirits connoisseurs.

Additional businesses will join this elite group. Before long the parking garage Ms. Ousley mentioned will be in full use, as will the entire development. We look forward to serving the Trinity community and the surrounding areas.

PAUL AIELLO

Trinity

Jeffrey's Law

Although schoolyard teasing and taunting may be considered a part of growing up, we've all heard the stories and may even know children of friends and family members who have suffered at the hands of school bullies.

Bullying - whether physical, verbal or over the Internet - can have tragic consequences for our children. This year, the Florida Legislature took an active stance to protect our children by cracking down on bullying and for the first time making all school districts adopt anti-bullying rules.

This spring, both chambers unanimously supported the Jeffrey Johnston Stand Up for All Students Act, which prohibits bullying or harassment of any public school student or employee during school or on a school computer and network. The bill was named for a student in Cape Coral who committed suicide after suffering from prolonged bullying by a classmate as a young student.

Over the past several years Jeffrey Johnston's mother worked hard in Tallahassee, telling her son's tragic story and pleading with legislators to make a difference in the future of children like her son.

We wrote the legislation to intentionally provide protection for all students and school employees. It requires the Department of Education to adopt a model policy prohibiting bullying and harassment, and directs all school districts to adopt a similar policy.

School districts are directed to work with students, parents, teachers, administrators and local law enforcement on developing this policy.

I am proud to have supported this bill and encouraged other members' support to ensure its passage. The new law will help protect our children and give all Florida children the opportunity to learn and grow up in a safer environment.

WILL WEATHERFORD

Wesley Chapel

Editor's note: On Wednesday, the American Dream Congress will be held at Wesley Chapel High School's Center for the Arts on Wells Road. The theme this year is "Bullying: Beyond the Schoolyard." It's open to the public and free of charge. Registration begins at 8 a.m.

A Good Coverup

Tuesday morning the NPRhomeschool.com group was playing at Sim's Park. My 10-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, came to me because she found some profane graffiti on the playground. She asked for a marker to color over the words. Instead, I had her call the New Port Richey Recreation and Aquatic Center.

Elizabeth spoke to Angie, who works at the front desk. Angie assured her they would send someone right out.

We were all shocked when 10 minutes later a city truck pulled up at the playground. John immediately went to work covering the graffiti. He was so patient as nine children kept calling him from different parts of the playground to show him more "bad words!"

The kids learned a great lesson in civic responsibility and what a difference it can make to just speak up.

We are so proud of our city employees! Thank you, John, Angie and Sean, the assistant director.

NANCY GIORDANO

New Port Richey

The writer is senior vice president, Real Estate Development, for South Capital Construction Inc. of Palm Harbor. The writer represents District 61 in the Florida House of Representatives.

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