PASCO PROFILES: A COMMUTER

By Compiled by Times staff writer

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 16, 2000

KAREN MARTIN, 46-year-old mother of three, who commutes from Land O'Lakes to a job at Dillards in University Mall in Tampa:

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE PASCO TO LIVE IN? Martin cites Land O'Lakes' safe schools, green space, lower taxes and "elbow room." "People think of Pasco County being out in the sticks," she said. "But it takes me only 20 to 25 minutes to get to the mall."

WHAT'S THE BIGGEST CONCERN TO OTHER PEOPLE IN YOUR POSITION? That population growth in Land O'Lakes is outstripping services. Martin fears a future in which schools are crowded, the volunteer fire department can't function and youth soccer leagues disband for lack of playing fields. "What's going to happen to Land O'Lakes as a community?" she said. "Is it going to turn into a town?"

HAS THE BOOMING ECONOMY AFFECTED YOUR BUSINESS? Martin, who sells men's shoes at Dillards, said the healthy economy has actually cut into her earnings. "They opened the other mall at Citrus Park, so it kind of clobbered the business. I work on commissions, and I was making more money three years ago."

DESPITE ALL THE PEOPLE FLOCKING TO LAND O'LAKES, DO YOU PLAN TO STICK WITH PASCO? As a vote of confidence in the community, Martin and her family have put an addition on their house. "I really care about the community," she said. "I like going to Publix and running into people I know. I still feel very safe here."

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