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Recycling center plans to move By Kathy Steele
ksteele@lakerlutznews.com
Land O’ Lakes Recycling is in hot water with a state regulatory agency for failing to meet an Oct. 7 deadline to build a retention pond or shut down its business. Staff members of the Southwest Florida Water Management District referred the matter to the agency’s Office of General Counsel on Oct. 18 “because corrective actions have not been taken at this site,” according to an email from the agency, known as Swiftmud. Also, staff members observed on Oct. 3 and Oct. 10 that the business was still operating despite locked gates and a sign displaying a message that Land O’ Lakes Recycling is closed.
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The company has recycled paper, plastic, metal and cardboard from its site at 5710 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., for decades. Owner Greg Conaty said he plans to
move his business to Brooksville, and he plans to continue providing paper-recycling services to existing customers. He said he hasn’t decided what will happen with the Land O’ Lakes property. “We’re looking at our options,” he said, in a phone interview with The Laker/Lutz News shortly after the sign was posted, but prior to Swiftmud’s latest action. His sign puts the blame for the recycling center’s situation on business neighbors at Lakes Auto. But, John and Peter Inhofer, the father and son owners of Lakes Auto, say Conaty is responsible for years of violating county codes and state environmental regulations. See RECYCLING, page 19A
Local businesses are ‘companies to watch’ By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
Three local businesses will be honored on Nov. 3 as being among 50 “companies to watch” in Florida. Gator Cleaning Solutions, RISA and XLink Medical Software Interfacing will receive their awards at a celebration at Hard Rock Live, Universal CityWalk, in Orlando. These companies were selected from 500 nominees in the annual Florida Companies to Watch annual awards program. The statewide program identifies companies that are expected to achieve significant growth over the next several years. The awards program is managed by GrowFl, the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida, in association with Edward Lowe Foundation and with programmatic support from the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity. Winners of the distinction were singled out based on several factors, including their entrepreneurial management teams, competitive marketing positions and strong community involvement. The 50 companies making the list generated more than $1.1 billion in combined revenue and added nearly 1,200 employees, between 2012 and 2015, according to information provided by the Pasco Economic Development Council. Businesses on the list also had a 30 percent increase in revenue and 33 percent increase in job growth in 2016, the Pasco EDC reports.
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Mary Lynn and Gary Gorsline lead X-Link Medical Software Interfacing, which has been identified as one of 50 companies to watch across Florida.
Gary and Mary Lynn Gorsline, owners of X-Link Medical Software Interfacing, are delighted that their Land O’ Lakes-based company is one to watch. Their company, which began in March 1988, now has 12 employees, but has immediate needs to add three more, Mary Lynn Gorsline said. The couple is pleased to see secondstage companies receive recognition and support. “It’s a group of companies that are not startups, and they’re not Ford Motor companies,” Gary Gorsline said. Mary Lynn, added:“Second-stage companies are hugely important because they
generate more jobs — yet get very little attention. Startups get lots of attention. Tiny little businesses get lots of attention, but second-stage that drive the economy are largely overlooked.” Innovation has played a huge role in the company’s success and remains essential, she added. “We have to never, ever, ever stop innovating because if we do, we’ll go away,” she said. One pivotal moment for the company came from the exposure it derived from being among 80 top U.S. vendors that See LOCAL, page 19A
Halloween tricks, treats and traditions on tap By B.C. Manion
bcmanion@lakerlutznews.com
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If you’re looking for a way to celebrate Halloween, you’ll find plenty of options across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., is hosting a Family Fun Festival that it’s calling “Light the Night.” The event will be from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., on Oct. 31. Cars will be decorated with favorite kidfriendly themes and will line up on the Yellow parking lot and grounds outside the church’s Gatheria. The cars’ trunks will be full of candy for children through fifth grade. Each car also will provide a game, face painting, puppet show or other opportunity for fun. Other highlights will be inflatables, balloon animals and a hayride. Bring a camera to take advantage of photo opportunities. Admission is $3 per person, with a maximum charge of $15 per family. Children age 2 and under will be admitted without charge. Hungry Harry’s BBQ will be available for purchase for $5, and other food items also will be available through the church’s kitchen. The trunks will be open for children to pick up candy from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.The inflatables will be available the entire evening. Register by Oct. 30 at Idlewild.org/children, to avoid waiting in long lines.To find out more, call (813) 264-1515, ext. 1561. Meanwhile, in Pasco County, the 12th annual Wesley Chapel Fall Festival & Carnival is set for Oct. 28 through Oct. 30, at 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd. This year, the event has added a day to give families more time to enjoy carnival food, midway games and rides.
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Pumpkin patches are popping up all over Hillsborough and Pasco counties, as area residents prepare for Halloween and fall festivals.
For additional Halloween activities, see our What’s Happening section on Page 4. The festival will be from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Oct. 28; 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Oct. 29; and, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., on Oct. 30. Highlights on Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 will include live music, a business expo, pumpkin patch, petting zoo, pony rides, fall foods and beverages, food trucks, interactive craft activities, arts and crafts exhibitors, vendors, a doggie fun area and pet adoption event. Kids can celebrate Halloween in a safe environment on Oct. 29, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., at the Trunk or Treat activity. For more information on the festival, a Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce event, visit GroveShopping.com. Visit DreamlandAmusements.com for coupon savings on ride wristbands, ride tickets and carnival food. Meanwhile, over in St. Leo, Saint Leo
University’s Office of Residence Life is inviting the community to Haunted Marmion, an event set for Oct. 27, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., at Marmion-Snyder Hall, 33701 State Road 52. All floors of the residence halls will be transformed into a themed haunted house. Trick-or-treating will occur on two floors of Snyder Hall.There will be games and other activities in the Lion’s Den (a common area for both halls) for those not participating in the haunted house or trick-or-treating. The event is free; however, those attending are asked to donate one or more canned/nonperishable food items at checkin, which will be given to a local food bank for distribution to those in need in the community. In Land O’ Lakes, those who enjoy a good scare may want to drop by the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., to experience The Haunted House on 41. The event, slated for Oct. 27 from 7:30 p.m. to 9 p.m., and Oct. 28 and Oct. 29 from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m., promises three nights of bone-chilling terror. Admission is $1 each. Some scenes, the organizers with Pasco County Parks, Recreation & Natural Resources say, may be too intense for young children. For those who enjoy staying active, the Northdale 5K Pumpkin Run & 1 Mile Family Run/Walk may be just the thing. The event is set for Oct. 29, at the Bob Sierra YMCA Youth & Family Center, 4015 Ragg Road in Tampa. The chip-timed race will have a costume contest and is dog friendly. A portion of the proceeds benefit the Bob Sierra Y’s annual campaign to ensure the facility keeps its doors open to all, regardless of an individual’s financial hardship. For more information, call (813) 9623220. See HALLOWEEN, page 19A