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Transportation drives agenda

By JODIE TILLMAN
Published January 22, 2007

SAN ANTONIO - Seems everybody in congested west-central Florida has someplace to go. But when will they have a good way to get there?

Working on the region's transportation problems will be the subject of a Friday luncheon at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, featuring state officials and transit advocates.

The luncheon, part of the annual Business Development Week, will examine efforts to create an eight-county authority that would have the power to build and operate such regional projects as bus transit and light rail, which the growing metropolitan area lacks.

"We need this for the region," said Joe Alpine, president of the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce, which puts together the week's events.

The Pasco Economic Development Council is sponsoring the luncheon, which costs $25 to attend and runs from noon to 1:30 p.m.

Speakers include state Sen. Mike Fasano, Department of Transportation planner Robert Clifford and Tampa Bay Partnership president Stuart Rogel.

In addition to the transportation luncheon, Business Development Week is packed with other events, including tips on using the Web to market your business, managing your time and learning to be a supervisor.

The week kicks off at 11:30 a.m. today at Spartan Manor in New Port Richey, when licensed counselor and professional speaker Connie Podesta of Texas presents "Life Would Be Easy If It Weren't For Other People."

You can get to know plenty of other people Wednesday at a business card exchange at Catches Waterfront Grille in Port Richey. The mixer runs from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Other highlights of the six-day event:

-A presentation Tuesday by the Pasco Sheriff's Office about how to prevent the fast-growing crime of identity theft. In addition, Victor M. Collazo, student development coordinator at Valencia Community College, will speak on creating a positive workplace culture.

Both of those programs will be held at Pasco-Hernando Community College's west campus.

-Seminars Wednesday at Marchman Technical Education Center in New Port Richey on starting your own business. Workshops, which start at 8:30 a.m., will include considering whether you have realistic expectations and how to get bank financing.

Sessions for high school students will also be held at Marchman and include a speech at noon by Times movie critic Steve Persall.

Fast Facts:

Week's events

A full schedule is available at the West Pasco Chamber of Commerce's Web site, www.westpasco.com/westpasco/bdw.html.

For information: Call the chamber at (727) 842-7651.

To register for the regional transportation luncheon: Call toll-free at 1-888-60-PASCO (607-2726).

[Last modified January 21, 2007, 23:27:06]