The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

B.C. Manion

Presenting musical passion, precise choreography

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Their love of singing developed in different ways.

“Singing has always been a part of my life,” said Sandy Everly, of Land O’ Lakes. “On Sunday nights, at home, my mom played the piano, and my sister and my dad and I would sing.

“Actually, I learned to harmonize at a very young age.”

Cathy Frey, of Wesley Chapel, recalled “my parents used to play these reel-to-reel tapes with these singing groups … I was always singing.”

The Toast of Tampa has a number of young members. Overall, the chorus members range from age 10 to 85. (Courtesy of Toast of Tampa)

Nancy Hansel, of Lutz, said her mom had a radio show. “They were Two Girls and a Guy. That was their name.”

Fran Byers, of Wesley Chapel, said her dad used to sing to her in the car. “My dad was a crooner. He could sing like Bing Crosby,” she said.

Beth Bosserman Curts also recalls lots of singing in the family car.

“We had to drive everywhere. Florida to Kansas. Kansas to Boston.

“My parents would throw the four of us in the car and off we would go, and this was before air conditioning, and the radio was not very good.

“Mother and Dad taught us all these rounds.

“We just clicked off the miles by singing rounds. You had to hold your own part.

“I grew up singing different harmonies in the car on those crazy road trips.”

No matter how their musical path began — each of these women now belongs to Toast of Tampa, a group of female a cappella singers that performs in four-part harmony.

Toast of Tampa is one of the more than 700 choruses of Sweet Adelines International worldwide. The group will compete at the Sweet Adelines International 71st annual Convention & Competition, Oct. 9 through Oct. 14, at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Toast of Tampa has had success at the international level, including third-place finishes in 2015 and 2013, and the top prize in 1993. In between, they had a number of top-10 finishes.

It’s a challenge these women relish.

“This will be our 13th time on the international stage,” Curts said. “It is so exciting to sing at the level we’re singing at.”

From left, Beth Bosserman Curts, Fran Byers, Evie Stern, Julie Kelly and Jessica Horner are five members of Toast of Tampa. (Courtesy of Toast of Tampa)

Closer to home, the show chorus will be presenting a public performance on Nov. 4, at the University of South Florida’s School of Music Concert Hall.

Toast of Tampa defies the stereotypical notion of “a bunch of gray-haired ladies with crinoline dresses,” Frey said.

Under the direction of internationally recognized Tony De Rosa, the group sings modern, complex arrangements.

It is also a selective group, requiring its members to audition and holding them to high expectations.

Toast of Tampa practices on Tuesdays, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., with occasional weeks off. The sessions are at the TPepin’s Hospitality Centre, at 4121 N. 50th St., in Tampa.

Those interested are welcome to come to a rehearsal to see if joining the chorus is something they wish to pursue.

The group has 120 active singers, ranging from age 10 to 85, Curts said.

Toast of Tampa draws members from all walks of life, including military veterans, new moms, grandmothers, real estate agents, accountants and others.

Beyond being devoted to singing, members should expect to incur costs of $1,000 to $1,500 a year, added Curts, who in addition to being a member, handles media and marketing duties.

The monthly dues are $51, with prorated dues for those under age 25. A portion of the dues is paid to the national organization and the rest goes to rent the hall, pay the director and cover other costs.

There are also costs associated with regional competitions every year, and international competitions every other year.

The costs are no greater than those for other pursuits, and the value goes beyond voice lessons, Frey said. Toast of Tampa involves dance and choreography, and helps members develop poise and confidence, she said.

It’s a workout on many levels, Hansel said.

“I go to chorus, and I stand on the risers and I sing. It’s physical. It’s mental. And, challenging. But, when I start breathing and singing, and singing properly, on a great night, and we’re really cranking, it’s like I’m running a race, and I am winning. I feel so physically good.”

“It’s empowering,” Byers added.

Chorus members come from throughout Tampa Bay and other parts of Florida, including Jacksonville, The Villages, Sarasota, Bradenton, Fort Myers, Orlando, Melbourne and Crystal River.

Lexi Burkle performs a solo during a Toast of Tampa performance. (Courtesy of Toast of Tampa)

“I drove from Sarasota to Tampa for 23 years, and then my husband had died, and I moved to Land O’ Lakes,” Everly said.

The relationships forged among members go beyond a shared passion for singing, members said.

They describe it as a sisterhood.

When someone is sick, they said, other members respond.

When a member has a new baby, it is deluged with love.

Anyone wanting to know more about the group should call Toast of Tampa Show Chorus at (813) 963-7464, or email .

Toast of Tampa Show Chorus presents Standing Room Only, featuring special guest Voctive

Where: University of South Florida Music Concert Hall, 3755 Holly Drive in Tampa

When: Nov. 4, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.

Cost: $40 patron; $25 regular

Details: The Toast of Tampa Show Chorus is an internationally recognized female chorus that performs four-part a cappella singing. As they perform, they sing and move with emotion and precision.

Published Oct. 4, 2017

 

 

 

Pizza Villa wins ‘Heart of Pasco Award’

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A group of Central Pasco Chamber members gathered in front of Pizza Villa to have its photo taken last week, as the manager of the restaurant received the chamber’s “Heart of Pasco Award.”

Members of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce turned out to congratulate Pizza Villa for winning the ‘Heart of Pasco Award.’ (B.C. Manion)

What group members huddling together didn’t know — except for Cheryl Will, the restaurant’s manager — was that they were posing in the very spot where the photo was taken for the business’ ribbon cutting three decades ago.

Will has seen a multitude of changes in the Land O’ Lakes community since Pizza Villa began operations at 21501 Village Lakes Shopping Center Drive.

For one thing, State Road 54, which fronts the restaurant, was just two lanes back then, she said. For another, as the community has grown so, too, has the restaurant.

It now has 35 employees, Will said.

What hasn’t changed, though, is the spirit of the Land O’ Lakes community, she said. “It’s very heartwarming. Even though it’s growing, it still has a heart for people. Even though the area has grown, it still feels like family.”

She believes that Pizza Villa’s staying power is linked to its sense of community, its customer service and its good food.

“I’ve got some servers who have been here 15, 20 years,” she said. “I’ve had the same prep people, basically.”

This sign is now posted proudly near the Pizza Villa sign, off State Road 54. (B.C. Manion)

Of course, serving good food is essential for a restaurant’s success, Will said. Some customer favorites at Pizza Villa include the Greek chicken, the Greek salad dressing and the potato salad.

The restaurant’s prices are good, too, she said, noting “we’ve always tried to keep it affordable.”

Pizza Villa also believes in giving back to the community, Will added.

“People come to us, looking for fundraisers, sponsorships,” she said, and the restaurant responds.

In presenting the Heart of Pasco Award to the restaurant, Rosie Heim, the honorary mayor of Land O’ Lakes, read a letter, and acknowledged the restaurant’s many contributions.

In part, Heim said, “Pizza Villa has been actively involved in the community, and you have given back to the community in countless ways. In many instances, your kind deeds may not have been properly acknowledged, as they should have been.”

After Heim concluded her remarks, chamber member April Saland told Will: “You do give effortlessly, and continuously.”

Sandy Graves, another chamber member noted: “You just have a heart for this community, Cheryl, and you have always served it so well.”

Following the presentation, Graves and others gathered near Pizza Villa’s sign and posted a yard sign proclaiming the restaurant’s accomplishment.

Sandy Graves, left, looks on, as Rosie Heim, right, reads a letter proclaiming Pizza Villa as the winner of the ‘Heart of Pasco Award.’ Cheryl Will, the restaurant’s manager, said she is honored by the recognition.

As Graves pushed in the sign, trucks driving past on State Road 54 tooted their horns in a show of support.

Will was clearly touched by the honor.

The restaurant is a mainstay in the community.

And, it obviously appreciates its customers, as evidenced by these words written on its front door: “Through these doors pass the finest people.

Our customers. Our friends.”

Pizza Villa is fortunate to have many regular customers, Will said.

Over the years, it has lost some through death and greeted new generations of patrons.

“You see ones that came in as babies, and now they’re coming in with their babies,” Will said.

And, there are some who have moved away, but still come in occasionally.

“We have a lot of people who have left the area, and whenever they come back to the area, this is one of their first stops,” she said.

Billy Fotopoulos is the owner of Pizza Villa, and of ABC Pizza, which also is in Land O’ Lakes.

Revised Oct. 5, 2017

 

 

 

Roy T. Hardy was known for fish fries and kindness

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When Mike Carr was growing up in Dade City, he viewed Roy T. Hardy as a giant among men.

“He was just so kind,” Carr said, of Hardy, who died Sept. 19 at the age of 94.

Carr thought so highly of Hardy that he said he routinely referred to him as “the patron saint of Dade City.”

Longtime Kiwanis member Roy Hardy, of Dade City, had been doing fish fry fundraisers in the area since 1949. (File)

The Kiwanis Club and the city of Dade City also thought highly of Roy, and his wife, Martha, and honored them by naming a trail after them.

The couple moved to Dade City in the late 1940s and opened Hardy’s & Lingle’s Department Store, which later became Hardy’s Department Store.

Carr said his family shopped there, and one of the highlights was the Red Goose shoes that Hardy’s sold.

“There was this huge giant Red Goose in the front window of the store,” Carr recalled, noting that whenever a pair of the shoes was sold a child could pull the goose’s neck and an egg would drop out.

“In the egg, there was a prize of some sort,” Carr said, adding it was a huge hit with kids.

Later on, the couple closed the store, and concentrated on farming and their cattle.

Throughout it all, Hardy was devoted to the Dade City Kiwanis Club.

“If it’s in Kiwanis, he’s done it,” Carr said, noting that Hardy was president of the Dade City Club, a two-time Kiwanis governor of the state of Florida and held other offices, too.

Keith Williams, another member, marveled at Hardy’s commitment to the club.

“He had a 69-year perfect attendance,” said Williams, past president of the club.

“It (Kiwanis) was a very big deal to him,” agreed Penny Morrill, another longtime member.

“Even in his last six months, when he was failing, his family brought him every Tuesday to meetings,” she said. “He actually stopped coming to Kiwanis, about a month, six weeks, ago. We knew then that it wasn’t going to be too long,” said Morrill, who met Hardy during the 1980s.

Morrill said she’s sad at Hardy’s passing for herself, but happy for him.

“He was always very clear, particularly in his later years, that he wished that God would take him, so he could be with his Martha.

“He’s been waiting for this for a long time.

“They were glued at the hip.

“If he was out in the field haying, she was in the truck with him,” Morrill said.

Carr agreed: “Until Martha passed away … if you saw Roy, you saw Martha. They were inseparable.”

Karen DeStefano, Roy Hardy and Cathy Blommel, were among those helping at the annual roy Hardy Fish Friday held on April 10, 2008, at the National Guard Armory in Dade City.

Carr also noted the couple was known for their generosity.

“Many, many years ago, he and his wife Martha started a little benevolent foundation called the Hardy Benevolent Fund,” Carr said. “The fund was set up to help cover medical costs of needy citizens around the area, primarily children.

“Our major fundraiser for years and years and years was the Roy Hardy Fish Fry,” Carr said.

“The fish frys were his baby,” Morrill said. “You fried the fish the way Roy said. You made the coleslaw the way Roy said. You used the seasonings, the way Roy said.”

“It was all his.

“Before his wife passed, she would always help make the coleslaw. She and Agnes Lamb — that’s another one who passed. They would always make the coleslaw.”

Hardy left his mark, Williams said, noting he will always think of him as “a true friend. A true gentleman. One of the last really good guys.”

Morrill said his concern for others was consistent and genuine.

“I think it was the nature that God gave him. His focus was always to help others,” she said.

Carr said Hardy left an impression on the community.

“If you were born and raised in Dade City, you knew Roy Hardy,” Carr said.

Published September 27, 2017

Academy at the Lakes turns 25

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The Academy at the Lakes students came striding off the yellow school bus, ready for action.

They’d just arrived at the Old Lutz School, and before long, they were yanking weeds, pushing wheelbarrows and spreading mulch at the historic schoolhouse, an icon in the community of Lutz.

They were also picking up branches and sticks, strewn about by Hurricane Irma.

From left, Hannah Church, Anisa Nanavati and Addison Pollock work to transport mulch from a huge pile across the yard from the Old Lutz School to plant beds closer to the school. The trio of eighth-graders from Academy at the Lakes was taking part in a service day the school organized to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
(B.C. Manion)

This crew was just one of many spending the day doing volunteer work at various locations — as Academy’s students and staff spent the 25th day of its 25th year, giving back to the community.

“Service has always been one of our core values, whether you’re a 3-year-old or a senior in high school. We provide age-appropriate opportunities for children to learn an ethic of service,” said Mark Heller, head of school.

“We need to make sure that all of our children know how to be net givers to the world, as opposed to takers from the world.

“They need to understand, and be taught, and experience how to do things that make a difference for others — and how good it feels to do that.

“That’s part of what we did on the 25th day, thanking the community that has nurtured us and sustained us over our first 25 years,” said Heller, who leads the school, located at 2331 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Suzin Carr, who organized the workday at the Old Lutz School, was delighted to have Academy’s help.

“Today, they’ll help clean up after the hurricane. They’ll do some mulching,” she said, pointing to a huge pile, across the schoolyard.

“That pile will be gone by the time they leave, no doubt,” Carr said.

She also appreciated the timing of the volunteer effort.

“They’ll help us get ready for our market, which is Oct. 14, the Market at the Old Lutz School,” Carr said, putting in a plug for the upcoming fundraiser.

Beth Nevel Rader and her brother, Ben Nevel, were there helping, too.

“My brother and I went to school here, one through six,” Rader said, noting her brother is the chairman of the Citizens for the Old Lutz School, a group that works to preserve the school.

“I think the kids are just awesome to come out and volunteer,” she added.

Colleen McCormick, science department chair, said Academy students routinely volunteer in the community.

“This is something that’s part of our core values,” she said.

Service is one of the core values at Academy at the Lakes, and those acts of service can be tailored to be done by the school’s pre-kindergarteners through seniors, said Mark Heller, head of school. (Courtesy of Academy at the Lakes)

That’s important, she said, because “hopefully, it instills a spirit of giving back that they’ll continue after they leave Academy.”

Kevin Crowley, who teaches video production and is the golf coach, has been at the school for 17 years.

“I can’t imagine doing anything else,” said Crowley, whose daughter attended the school, from pre-kindergarten through high school.

While one group was at the Old Lutz School, other groups were planting sunflowers, cleaning up Collier Parkway or pitching in at Feeding Tampa Bay and Metropolitan Ministries.

Heller attributed Academy’s staying power to its ability to create a culture that works on a scale “that takes great care of the individual.”

“I think there’s great power, in the small school, to unlock human potential,” he said.

In a school with a low student-teacher ratio, the teachers get to know each student “well enough to know how to motivate them to be their best and to inspire them to be their best,” Heller said.

With such familiarity, they can transmit “a sense of that joy in the journey, of how to walk through life finding things that are beautiful, and wonderful and meaningful,” Heller said.

Academy at the Lakes originally opened in 1982 as a preschool operated by Connie Wendlek, but evolved into Academy at the Lakes Day School in 1992, with 32 students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. Connie’s husband, Richard, a former Pasco County principal became the head of school.

Besides drawing students from Land O’ Lakes, the school also attracts students from Odessa, Trinity, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City, Tampa and other Tampa Bay communities.

The school now has more 500 students in pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, in its lower division, middle division and upper division programs.

Essentially all of its graduates pursue education beyond the secondary level, with approximately 80 percent being accepted by their first-choice colleges, according to school statistics.

Heller is gratified by the school’s accomplishments during its first quarter-century, and he’s enthusiastic about what lies ahead.

“There are tremendously exciting things on the immediate horizon for Academy at the Lakes.

“We own 47 acres of undeveloped land just on the other side of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church,” he said.

“We have our stake of the ground right here in Central Pasco, in Land O’ Lakes. As the community grows, so too, will Academy at the Lakes, just as has happened in the first 25 years of Academy of the Lakes.

For more information about the academy, call (813) 948-7600, or visit AcademyAtTheLakes.org.

Academy at the Lakes timeline
1982: Connie Wendlek opens Academy at the Lakes Preschool.

1992: Connie Wendlek’s preschool evolves into Academy at the Lakes Day School, which opens with 32 students in prekindergarten through eighth grade. Her husband, Richard, a former principal in Pasco County Schools, becomes the head of school. Connie is the music teacher.

1997: McCormick Campus opens to house a middle school.

1998-99 school year: The school adds ninth grade. In subsequent years it added 10th grade, 11th grade and 12th grade.

2002: The school has its first high school graduation. There are four members in the class.

2004: The new high school building opens. The structure has the same colonial touches as the middle school.

2006: Academy at the Lakes accepted into the Florida High School Athletic Association.

2008: School gymnasium opens, new sixth-grade classrooms added to the fifth-grade suite, and the school introduces its fifth- and sixth-grade program.

2012: Academy at the Lakes celebrates its 20th anniversary.

2013: Academy acquires 47 acres of land from the MacManus family.

2015: The new Lower Division playground is dedicated.

2017: Master planning for future begins.

Published September 27, 2017

Park bench honors original garden club members

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The San Antonio Founders Garden Club recently paid tribute to the 23 original members of the club by dedicating a park bench in their honor.

Members of the San Antonio Founders Garden Club and community members listen to Donna Swart, the club president, during the dedication of a park bench. (Richard Riley)

The event was at the San Antonio City Park, 32819 Pennsylvania Ave., on the morning of Sept. 7.

The ceremony was meant to celebrate and honor the club’s many contributions through the years.

The club draws its name from the fact that it was the first garden club in the city, according to a history compiled to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary in 2011.

The name also pays homage to the foresight of the original founders of the Catholic Colony of San Antonio who set aside the land for a park, the document adds.

Deacon Irv Lau of St. Rita’s Catholic Church blesses the bench during the dedication ceremony on Sept. 7.

No minutes were taken at the club’s first meeting, the account says, but those attending the second meeting were: Jeanette Barthle, Stella Barthle, Rose Cope, Margaret Cissel, Alice Epperson, Bobbie Epperson, Jo Ann Franz, Marie Harper, Ruth Pike Herman, Mary Jones, Effie McCabe, Margaret Keifer, Patsy Reynolds, Theresa Schrader and Charlene Spalding.

The following month, Elizabeth Cannon, Blanche Naeyaert, Sylvia Gude and Dolores Nalley joined, and shortly thereafter, Alice Burger, Betty Burger, Sid Corrigan and Mary Schrader joined, the account says.

Betty Burger and Stella Barthle are two of the original founders who are still active in the San Antonio community.

The club still hosts an annual “Christmas in the Park,” which offers an old-fashioned celebration for the holidays.

The event, scheduled for the evening of Dec. 3, aims to encourage families and friends to gather together to celebrate the season.

Festivities generally include a sing-along, a tree lighting and free refreshments.

Published September 27, 2017

UPDATED: Getting help and helping others

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Hurricane Irma is causing some people to turn to others for help, and offering others an opportunity to be of service.

Here are some places to turn for help, or to get involved.

Hurricane Irma blew down lots of trees around Pasco County, including this one, across an East Pasco road. (Richard Riley)

Free well water testing kits
The UF/IFAS Pasco County Cooperative Extension Service is offering free, private well water testing kits for owners whose wells flooded due to Hurricane Irma. The water sampling test kits are available Sept. 28 and Sept. 29, from 8 a.m. to noon, at the extension office, 36702 State Road 52 in Dade City. Only 60 kits are available, and they will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis.

The extension office will collect the water samples on Oct. 3, from 8 a.m. to noon. Kits received after that date will not be accepted for testing.

 

Temporary roof replacement
If your roof was damaged by Hurricane Irma, you may be eligible for free temporary roof repairs by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Operation Blue Roof can install a temporary roof covering. For more information, call 1-888-Roof-Blu (That’s 1-888-766-3258.)

Need to file an insurance claim?

Florida’s Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis and the state’s Insurance Commissioner David Altmaier offer these tips to help consumers:

  • Have all of your insurance policies handy.
  • Document damage. Take photos or shoot video before making any temporary repairs.

A free smartphone app developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners called “MyHome Scr.APP.book” can help you take and store a room-by-room log of photos.

  • Contact your insurance company or agency as soon as possible to report damages.
  • Cover damaged areas that may be exposed to the elements to prevent further damage.

Your insurance company may reimburse the expense of these temporary repairs, so keep all receipts. Remove water-logged and otherwise damaged items from your house to prevent the spread of mold, but document them and do not dispose of any damaged property until your insurance company adjuster has had an opportunity to survey it.

The Office of Insurance Regulation also has additional storm-related materials at www.floir.com/Office/HurricaneSeason/hurricaneresourcepage.aspx.

Trees did not fare well in front of a home near downtown Dade City. (Stefanie Burlingame)

Avoiding rip-offs

  • If you’re having work done, research a company or contractor, ask for references and get multiple quotes before signing a contract. Be sure the contractor carries general liability insurance and workers’ compensation.
  • Beware of any unsolicited offers or contractors claiming they can perform repairs at a discount with leftover supplies from another job.
  • Never pay the full amount up front, and do not make final payment until completely satisfied with the work performed.
    • If you suspect someone of price gouging, call (866) 9NO-SCAM.
  • Keep in mind that federal, state, and county government employees will have identification badges and will not approach you in your home for cash payments or banking information. There is no fee to apply for or to get disaster assistance from FEMA, the U.S. Small Business Administration, or the State of Florida.

Emergency bridge loans available
Small business owners with two to 100 employees, in any of Florida’s 67 counties affected by Hurricane Irma, can apply for short-term loans up to $25,000. These interest-free loans are granted in terms of 90 or 180 days. To be eligible, a business must have been established prior to Sept. 4, 2017, and must demonstrate economic injury or physical damage as a result of Hurricane Irma. The deadline to apply is Oct. 31. For information, visit FloridaDisaster.org.

For more information, call the Florida Small Business Development Center Network at (850) 898-3489.

Hurricane Irma left her mark on Saint Leo University, knocking over trees on campus and causing water intrusion in dozens of rooms. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Individual and household assistance
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has determined that Pasco County is eligible for the Individuals and Household Assistance Program, which provides financial help or direct services for eligible residents.

Available help includes:

  • Housing assistance for renters or homeowners for temporary housing, home repairs and either semi-permanent or permanent housing construction services
  • Other needs assistance, including uninsured, disaster-related necessary expenses; serious needs, such as medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, repair, cleaning or replacement of personal items; and, other eligible expenses
  • Apply online at DisasterAssistance.gov.

Debris removal
Pasco County Utilities, Solid Waste and Resource Recovery Department, was scheduled to begin removing debris this week.

  • In preparation for the removal, Pasco County homeowners must have all debris materials brought to the curb or roadside for pickup. Residents should be aware and be careful not to block fire hydrants, mailboxes, electrical boxes or any other structures. Contractor generated debris will not be picked up.

Do not bag debris. Refrigerators should be empty, with the doors secured or removed.

Requests for debris pickup must be submitted to Pasco County Customer Service Center by emailing , providing the address where the debris is located. Residents can also call customer service at (727) 847-2411.

Debris must be separated into the following categories:

Furniture: Mattresses; couches, sofas, chairs; dressers; lumber, if not pressure treated; particle board; laminated flooring; dry insulation (if wet, pile with construction); carpet and padding

Construction: Drywall, plasterboard, ceramic tile, concrete, lumber (pressure treated), wet insulation

Vegetation: Tree cuttings (must be no more than 5 feet in length, and all branches must be bundled)

White Goods: Appliances, metal furniture, metal shelving, bicycles, items that are more than 75 percent metal

Hazardous Waste – Delayed Pick-Up: Any household chemicals; oil, gas, flammables; lawn and garden chemicals; televisions; computer monitors computer towers (CPUs)

Pasco needs volunteers for disaster assessment
Pasco County needs volunteers who are able to help with disaster assessment in the field.

If faith-based, charitable, or other organizations or civic minded individuals are available and have successfully passed recent background checks, please email your contact information to , or call the Volunteer Hotline at (727) 847-8940.

Other volunteer opportunities may become available. Additional information will be posted at PascoCountyFl.net.

Help record Hurricane Irma’s damage
Pasco County encourages residents and business owners who have been affected by the recent storm to report damages to their homes, properties and businesses by opening the MyPasco App and clicking the Report Irma Damage icon, or by completing a Damage Assessment Survey located online at PascoCountyFl.net. 

Securing accurate information will help the State of Florida and the Federal Office of Emergency Management to determine if the county has enough damages to seek a federal declaration for our residents to receive financial assistance to make necessary repairs to their properties.

New summer camp aims to offer fun for kids with special needs

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A plan that began more than five years ago will finally reach fruition next summer when Camp Idlewild is scheduled to open in Land O’ Lakes.

The camp is being developed by The Roach Family Foundation. Irene Roach, founder and president, and her family, intend to provide recreational and camping experiences for children with autism spectrum disorders, who have learning differences and other unique challenges.

Roach said that before her husband Bill died, seven years ago, they talked about doing something for special needs kids.

From left, Wendy Neal, Irene Roach and Sherri Shuman are members on the board of directors for Camp Idlewild, which is being developed by the Roach Family Foundation. (B.C. Manion)

“We started thinking about a school,” she said, but that idea was dropped because there was too much red tape.

So, the family decided to create a camp instead, Roach said, during an interview along with her daughters, Wendy Neal and Sherri Shuman, at Roach’s Land O’ Lakes home.

“Wendy’s son has Asperger’s. That kind of made up our mind that we wanted to do something for special needs,” Roach said.

Phase one of Camp Idlewild will have a 5,000-square-foot lodge and four cabins, which can accommodate 12 overnight campers each.

“Our lodge is going to be done by December, and the first four of our cabins will be done by February,” Roach said. The lodge includes a lunchroom, a kitchen and a business office.

Plans in phase two include adding four more 12-camper cabins.

Beyond hosting overnight campers, Camp Idlewild also will host day campers. It also has six recreational vehicles spaces, to accommodate families, Roach said

“A lot of people who have special needs kids don’t like to leave them,” she explained. This way, the children can experience overnight camping, but the parents will be nearby.

The camp’s main mission is to be a place where people can have fun, Roach and her daughters said.

The family has done its homework.

Their research began five years ago. They joined the American Camp Association, and have been to conferences in Orlando; New Orleans; Greenville, South Carolina; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“They’re people who have camps from all over the world, even Russia, China. They all come and network, and it’s amazing,” Roach said.

During one of the first conferences they attended, they met Scott Arizala. He’s a nationally known speaker and author, and runs Camp Tall Tree, a camp for children on the autism spectrum in Michigan.

They have hired him to be their consultant.

“He’s going to come and help us train,” Roach said.

This is what the lodge being built at Camp Idlewild will look like at completion. The lodge is one part of a new camp intended to provide recreational and camping experiences for children with autism spectrum disorders, who have learning differences and other unique challenges. The camp is scheduled to open next summer. (Courtesy of Camp Idlewild)

“Now, we’re ready to fine-tune all of programming and our scheduling,” Neal said, adding it will be invaluable to have someone with the depth of his experience to guide them.

The family also has secured necessary approvals and permits from Pasco County, installed needed infrastructure and had the design work done.

The camp is situated on 40 acres that has been carved out of the family’s 140-acre homestead.

In addition to her property, Roach said there’s another 150 acres of cypress swamp surrounding the camp.

Besides working with young campers there also will be some adult programs.

Neal, who is the camp director, expects Camp Idlewild to host some make-and-take workshops to give parents tools for working with their children.

For instance, parents will hear that they need to put together a visual schedule, Neal said, but they have no idea how to do that.

“Of course, I’m a (former) school psychologist, so I knew what those things were. But a lot of my friends, who had kids, they didn’t know what a visual schedule is,” Neal said.

The target market for the camp is kids ages 6 through 17, who are mild to higher-functioning, said Shuman, the camp administrator. “They have to be able to use the bathroom and dress themselves, that sort of thing,” she said.

The camp will operate when school is out, from June through August. Overnight campers will be able to come for a week at a time and can stay for multiple weeks. Day campers may be able to come for as little as three days at a time, Shuman said.

Camp Idlewild will be marketed not only across Florida, but also outside the state, Shuman said.

There may be families that want to vacation to Florida. They’ll be able to go on a vacation, while their special needs child has a chance to experience overnight camping, she said.

Besides having a fully trained staff, the camp will offer a multitude of volunteer opportunities, Roach said.

During the off-season, the facilities will be available for rental for people who want to run their own camps, hold family reunions, have group retreats, do staff trainings and so on.

“We also will be doing our own specialty camps, possibly,” Shuman said.

Programming for Camp Idlewild will include arts and crafts, as well as outdoor activities such as canoeing, fishing and boating.

“We’ll cover the arts, whether it’s music, dance, theater,” Neal said.

“Autistic kids like to perform,” Roach said.

“A lot of them have a lot of talent that they don’t have a chance to express,” Neal said.

“We want to give them a chance to unplug from the technology, but we don’t want to take that all away from them,” she added.

A small petting zoo and organic gardening are also in the plans.

If the kids are involved in gardening, they may be more open to tasting new foods, Neal said.

“Food is a big issue for pretty much all of the kids (on the autism spectrum) that I know,” Neal said. “If they kind of see how they are part of the process, they might actually try something different.”

In addition to summer camp, the organization may also offer some weekend activities during the year, Shuman said.

“One of the big challenges for the kids, especially the big kids, is socialization,” Shuman said. “In our off-season, we’re hoping to continue programs for on the weekends for kids that are peers in the local community to have a place to come, and have a movie night — a way for them to continue the relationships.”

Giving these kids a chance to develop friendships is important, Neal said.

“From my experience, the major gap is the socialization, the friendship, the relationships,” she said.

“They don’t get invited to birthday parties, things like that, because, ‘What if he has a meltdown?’” Neal said.

Camp Idlewild will be a place where kids “can be who they are,” Neal said. “If they want to flap, or if they’re stressed — we’re not here to stop behavior, correct behavior.”

Or, Roach, said, “say no to everybody.”

Neal went on, “Whatever they need to do at the time that they’re doing it — if they’re not hurting anyone or themselves, that’s fine. A lot of kids do things that other people consider as just odd. They try to stop that behavior.

“It’s OK,” Neal said. “It’s a release. If they get a little nervous. They’re not hurting anyone. That’s just who they are. If it makes them feel better, if it’s comforting, then, we’re not going to try to correct that.”

Published September 20, 2017

Area spared worst of Hurricane Irma

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Hurricane Irma devastated other parts of Florida, causing less damage than feared in Tampa and surrounding communities.

But area homes, businesses and other locations were not entirely spared from Irma’s wrath.

Concerns continue over rising floodwaters, which already have flooded homes and roads.

Rising water on River Road in Dade City made the road live up to its name in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. (Stefanie Burlingame)

And, Irma’s whipping winds knocked down trees, shredded billboards, damaged fences, ripped off shingles and siding and did other types of damage to locations throughout The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Power outages became a major hassle for residents and businesses, causing many businesses to remain closed after Irma blew through and utility crews to swarm to widespread power outages.

Pasco’s four power companies — Duke Energy, Tampa Electric, Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative and Sumter Electric Cooperative — reported 217,382 addresses without power, according to statistics provided by Pasco County’s emergency management officials.

Still, Pasco County officials were grateful that the area did not feel the full force of Irma’s fury.

Throughout Pasco County, Irma destroyed four homes and caused major damage to 56, according to county statistics. Additionally, 124 homes had minor damage and 205 were affected. Plus, 90 businesses reported property damage.

Hurricane Irma shredded billboards as she made her way through northern Hillsborough and Pasco counties. (B.C. Manion)

“I think we’re fortunate. We were forecasted to possibly see a Category 3 or (Category) 4 hurricane come right through here. We are fortunate that did not happen,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley noted there was concern about the county’s mobile home communities, in particular, given the high winds that were predicted.

“If you look at Zephyrhills, they really came through,” Oakley said. “We’re very fortunate.”

Both commissioners said they continue to be concerned about rising floodwaters and property damage, but they also praised the community’s response to Irma.

“Our citizens in Pasco County are just amazing,” Moore said. “I have just witnessed so many people being so generous in helping one another, and offering to help each other.”

In the run-up to the hurricane, for instance, people were filling up sandbags all over the county to help them protect their businesses and homes.

Utility crews could be seen all over Pasco and northern Hillsborough counties, as crews worked to restore power. (B.C. Manion)

At one location, Moore said, he began chatting with some of the folks, who told him: “We were here to get sandbags. We saw people needed help, so we’ve been here for five hours. (They were) all walks of life, all types of people. The community has really come together.”

Irma’s potential threat prompted the opening of 26 hurricane shelters across Pasco County, which housed 24,100 people, including those with special needs.

Nearly 800 students and support personnel sheltered at University Campus in St. Leo.

Damage assessments are ongoing, but Irma knocked down a number of trees on the campus, and water got into at least 60 rooms, according to a university report.

After Irma passed, Moore said he put out a call for volunteers to load equipment at Wesley Chapel High School to help get some nursing home residents back home.

“I put on a Facebook call to action and said, ‘Hey, if anybody can down here, we’re loading U-Haul trucks with equipment.’

A tree crashed down on a mobile home in a mobile home park on Morningside Drive in Dade City. (Stefanie Burlingame)

“You wouldn’t believe the response,” he said, noting he wound up telling some volunteers that they already had enough help.

“I was touched by that, just knowing that our citizens are there, wanting to help one another and not looking for any accolades.”

Another bunch of volunteers showed up on Sept. 15 to help load cleaning supplies, snack foods, clothing and other donations onto a convey of 10 vehicles at Wesley Chapel Nissan, to take them to the Pasco County Staging Area, a temporary distribution center near the Suncoast Parkway.

The donations came from customers and employees of the dealership, members of the Wesley Chapel Rotary Club Noon, members of the community, area churches and Support the Troops.

Hurricane Irma also caused plenty of disruptions.

Besides the power outages, parents were forced to find new day care options, as public schools in both Hillsborough and Pasco counties closed as Hurricane Irma approached, and remained closed for the week following its landfall.

Those venturing around The Laker/Lutz News coverage area found it more difficult to get around, too.

At the peak of the storm, 749 county roads were closed, and in the aftermath, 97 of the county’s 260 traffic signals weren’t working because of power outages.

There were stop signs at some normally lighted intersections; generators strapped to utility boxes at others; and, in most cases, motorists were expected to treat the intersection like a four-way stop. Some motorists did, but others did not.

Considerable efforts were made to keep the public informed.

Those stepping up to provide emergency help drew high praise from elected officials.

The county’s Resident Information Center fielded 20,340 calls between Sept. 8 and Sept. 14, and throughout the storm, the Joint Information Center used social media, news releases and video links to provide timely information in English, Spanish and American Sign Language. Those communications included 57 news releases, 42 media alerts, five news conferences and 67 media inquiries. There were 12 reporters embedded in the Pasco County Emergency Operations Center.

Pasco County officials also are grateful for a lengthy list of community partners and agencies that have been helping in recovery efforts. Those partners include law enforcement agencies, utility companies, city governments, the school board, the University of South Florida, Pasco-Hernando State College, the Florida National Guard, volunteer ham radio operators, emergency response team volunteers and external rescue teams from Ohio, Arkansas, Illinois, among others.

Commission Chairman Moore put it this way: “The team has just been incredible. These people are running on fumes. You never hear anybody complaining.”

He planned to express his appreciation at the board’s session this week.

“I will give them a standing ovation at the meeting,” Moore said.

Published September 20, 2017

She knows local history, and is preserving it

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If you want to learn a thing or two about local history — particularly as it pertains to Wesley Chapel, Dade City and Zephyrhills — a telephone call to Madonna Jervis Wise will put you on the right track.

Madonna Jervis Wise has written several books, including four which help preserve the history of Zephyrhills, Dade City and Wesley Chapel. (B.C. Manion)

Wise has written books about all three communities.

“I’ve always been interested in history,” she said. “We’re sitting in my dining room, and these are some of my family heirlooms that came on a covered wagon from Pennsylvania,” the retired educator said, during an interview in the Zephyrhills home she shares with her husband, Ernie.

Her interest in the history of people, places and things began early.

As a little girl, she would go with her father, who was a farmer in Indiana, as he went out to plow fields.

As he worked, he would have her wait in the home where he was plowing.

“One of those people that I remember, when I was about 6 or 7, was Mrs. Hefley. And, I remember her showing me the crochet work and the tatting work. She would begin to tell me about the family and the experiences they had. I just always made those connections.”

She also recalls spending an enormous amount of time with her grandparents.

“My grandfather was a blacksmith during World War I,” said Wise, who began her career in education as a history teacher.

Dade City women organized the Alpha Sorosis Club, which met regularly for intellectual pursuits. The club was founded in 1909, and continued through 1968. (File)

She’s always been a writer, for as long as she can remember and, wherever she’s worked, people have turned to her to do newsletters and other writing chores.

Her foray into authoring local history books began while she was working as the principal at West Zephyrhills Elementary School and she began compiling information about the community of Zephyrhills.

“I just started researching it,” she said. “I would get more and more stuff. I was like, ‘This has to be preserved.’ That’s kind of how it happened.”

To capture that history, she self-published a book called “Zephyrhills – An Anthology of its History Through Education.”

The book was a family affair. Her husband and daughter, Mamie, edited the volume.

Downtown Dade City, during the 1940s, was a thriving hub of activity.

Around the same time, she published a book called “Juanita in Blue,” a four-year project showcasing her mother’s recipes.

“My mother was an extraordinary cook. She ran this little restaurant in Indiana. It was called The Rainbow Café.

“After she passed away, I had all these boxes of recipe cards,” Wise said.

So, she created cookbooks for each of her three kids: Jervis, an attorney in St. Petersburg; Mamie, an attorney in Tampa; and Rachel, who is studying to become an attorney, in Gulfport.

The three community history books that Wise has written are part of Arcadia Publishing’s Images of America series.

The publisher, which has now merged with History Press, invited Wise to do a local history book about Zephyrhills. After that, the publisher invited her to do books on Dade City and Wesley Chapel.

Before accepting the offer to do the Dade City book, Wise said she cleared the idea with various groups from the Dade City community because she didn’t want to be presumptuous or intrusive.

Any concerns along those lines were alleviated by Dade City folks who not only encouraged her to pursue the local history book, but helped her in tracking down the documents and photographs that she needed to tell the community’s story.

“It really came together,” Wise said.

Pasco Packing was the home of the largest citrus processing company in the world, when citrus was in its heyday in Florida.

Next, she tackled the task of compiling Wesley Chapel’s history.

Figuring out how to approach that took some thought, she said, because unlike Zephyrhills and Dade City — which are municipalities with city records — Wesley Chapel is unincorporated.

So, she turned to genealogy skills to help track down the families who have shaped the community’s history.

Initially, she thought the book would focus primarily on ranching, and would include some ranching artifacts.

But then, she went into some genealogy sites and plugged in some key names, which led to interviews with families.

One interview led to another, and the story of Wesley Chapel emerged.

A desire “to preserve the stories” motivates her to do the research, conduct the interviews, gather the photographs, track other documents and compile the local history books, she said.

Wise said she enjoyed digging into the history of residents who settled in Pasco County, adding they remind her of the people in Patrick Smith’s book, “The Land Remembered.”

“It’s a young history, relatively speaking,” Wise said. It’s an area where “rugged people cleared the land and settled and persevered. I’ve always been drawn to those stories.

“I become really enamored with the people,” Wise added. “That was a hard life. The mosquito-ridden frontier of Florida — no air conditioning.

“It was something else,” she said.

Published September 20, 2017

Hurricane Irma: A disruptive force

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With Hurricane Irma threatening Florida last week, officials weren’t taking any chances on where or when the massive storm would make landfall.

The deadly storm was churning in the Atlantic, when Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency on Sept. 4, warning residents that Irma is a “a massive storm” that could prove devastating.

Hurricane Irma is deemed to be one of the strongest hurricanes to hit the Atlantic. It had sustained wind speeds of 185 mph. (Courtesy of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

“This storm is bigger, faster and stronger than Hurricane Andrew,” Scott said, during a news conference, referring to a Category 5 Hurricane, ripping through Miami in 1992. Andrew claimed 65 lives and caused an estimated $26.5 billion in damages.

“If you’re in an evacuation zone, you’ve got to get out,” Scott said, during one of several interviews he did on national television.

In addition to closing all state offices on Sept. 8, he also closed all state colleges, universities and public schools. He said he wanted to provide ample space for shelters.

Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel is one of several schools in Pasco County serving as a shelter.

It opened at 11 a.m. on Sept. 8 and people were already beginning to arrive.

Ninety-one-year-old Mac McKechnie, of Zephyrhills, and his wife, Rae, were among those planning to stay at the shelter.

These beds, set up at Wiregrass Ranch High, were awaiting special needs residents who needed to be evacuated for Hurricane Irma. (B.C. Manion)

McKechnie said they came to the shelter because they live in an area that floods. Plus, he added: “My wife is a nervous wreck.”

Robyn White, principal of the high school, said the shelter has a capacity of around 1,700.

“Right now, we don’t have rooms set up for that. We’re going to open us rooms as needed,” she said.

The areas are divided into a special needs area and areas for adults and families, White said.

The special needs areas will have oxygen and electricity for people who need it for their nebulizers, said Denise Fackender, of the Pasco County Health Department.

“We will be supplying oxygen, so that they don’t have to use up their small tanks,” Fackender said.

White said the shelter will stay open until officials tell her the event is over, which she expects might be for a few days.

Other local schools that were designated to serve as shelters were Sunlake High School, Wesley Chapel High, Centennial Middle, in Pasco County and Hammond Elementary in Hillsborough County.

Robyn White, principal at Wiregrass Ranch High School in Wesley Chapel, said the school could shelter as many as 1,700 people from Hurricane Irma’s effects, if that becomes necessary. (B.C. Manion)

The Laker/Lutz News, regularly published on Wednesdays, went to press on Sept. 8. The initial goal was to deliver the newspaper before Irma made landfall, but the plan changed when it became clear that it would not be possible to achieve that.

As the monster storm approached, it was obvious that residents were taking it seriously.

Gas and bottled water were in short supply, and parking lots were full at home improvement stores, as customers picked up plywood and other supplies to fortify their homes and businesses.

The threat of Hurricane Irma, whose path still remained uncertain at press deadline, caused government offices to close and scores of businesses and local organizations to postpone or cancel events.

The Pasco County Commission issued a local state of emergency on Sept. 6 for Pasco County, allowing the county administrator and assistant county administrator of public safety to waive everyday procedures as they feel necessary to ensure the health and safety of the community.

The Southwest Florida Water Management District closed all district-managed lands including these properties in the Laker/Lutz News coverage area: Conner Preserve, 22500 State Road 52, in Land O’ Lakes; Cypress Creek Preserve, 8720 Pump Station Road in Land O’ Lakes; the Green Swamp West, in Pasco County; Starkey Wilderness Preserve, Serenova Tract, 14900 State Road 52, in Land O’ Lakes.

A sandbag operation at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey was shut down due to traffic issues. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Department closed all county parks on Sept. 9, until further notice, because of concerns about inclement weather and potential flooding. Camping ceased on Sept. 8 and no reservations will be accepted until further notice.

Pasco County bus service was still running on Sept. 8, but officials said passengers should expect delays. Bus service will be cancelled if winds exceed 39 mph.

All of Tampa’s YMCA locations were closed on Sept. 10 because of concerns for safety of the Y’s members and its staff.

Hillsborough County’s sandbag operations were halted temporarily when the county ran out of sand and bags due to the high demand. At one point, the county was distributing sandbags at an unprecedented clip of 10,000 per hour, county officials said.

As of Sept. 7, Hillsborough had distributed nearly 200,000 sandbags, estimated to be about seven times more than distributed in any previous storm event, officials said.

Evacuation zones were announced as Irma’s proximity grew closer, and as the track of the storm continued to shift.

The threat of Hurricane Irma also caused a number of events to be cancelled.

Pasco County Schools cancelled all of its sporting events and activities that were scheduled for Sept. 8 or over the weekend.

An event that the Tampa Bay Suicide Prevention Task Force and the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay planned for Sept. 9 will be rescheduled to a date not yet determined.

In announcing that Pasco County Schools would be closed, Superintendent Kurt Browning said he realized that many people may wonder why all of the district’s schools would be closed.

He explained the decision this way: “The EOC (Pasco County Emergency Operations Center) doesn’t want school buses full of school children on the roads, as evacuees from other parts of the state are arriving here. We expect thousands of south and east coast Floridians to seek shelter here, or to pass through on their way further North.

“We also use school buses to help evacuate special needs citizens to shelters.”

The Shops at Wiregrass in Wesley Chapel announced it would be close at the end of business on Sept. 8 and hoped to reopen at 3 p.m., Sept. 11, depending on the conditions.

Bishop Gregory L. Parkes of the Diocese of St. Petersburg announced that, for safety reasons, a dispensation of the obligation for attending Mass had been given. He also advised the faithful to check with their local parish regarding any potential cancellations of services.

Dangers remain, after a hurricane passes
While storm surge and high winds are the biggest threats that hurricanes pose, there are dangers that go on well after a hurricane has passed. Here are some pointers to help keep you safe, in the wake of possible impacts from Hurricane Irma.

Be careful

  • Do not drive into areas when you don’t know the depth of the water.
  • Do not touch power lines, anyone or anything in contact with lines.

This could include a fence or other object a line may fall onto. Always assume lines are
energized and stay away.

  • Don’t drive over downed power lines, and if a downed power line makes
    contact with any part of your vehicle, stay inside and tell others to stay away untilthe line is safely removed and power is turned off. Attempting to get out of the vehicle could result in serious injury or death by electrocution.
  • Never trim trees around power lines. Only qualified tree contractors should trim trees
    around power lines.
  • If you are using a generator, be sure it is outside, well away from doors, windows and vents. Generator exhaust is toxic. Carbon monoxide is deadly, can build up quickly and can linger. Do not use a generator inside a home, garage, crawl space, shed or similar area.
  • Don’t use a charcoal grill indoor, either. That, too, creates a potential for carbon monoxide poisoning.
  • Limit contact with floodwater, which may have high levels of raw sewage, bacteria, viruses and contaminants.
  • If returning home after evacuating, be sure to keep an eye out for snakes and other animals that may have entered your home during the storm.

Watch what you eat and drink
If you need to boil your drinking water, be sure to bring it to a rolling boil for a full 1 minute, to kill major water-borne bacterial pathogens.

If your power has gone out, keep the refrigerator and freezer doors closed as much as possible. A refrigerator will keep food cold for about four hours if the door is kept closed. A full freezer will hold its temperature for about 48 hours (24 hours if it is half-full).

Use dry ice or block ice to keep a refrigerator as cold as possible during an extended power outage. Fifty pounds of dry ice should keep a fully stocked 18-cubic-foot freezer cold for two days.

Food safety after a flood

  • Do not eat any food that may have come into contact with floodwater. Discard food that’s not in a waterproof container if there is any chance that it came into contact with floodwater.
  • Inspect canned foods, and discard any food in damaged cans.
  • Check each food item separately. Throw out any food that has an unusual odor, color or texture, or that feels warm to the touch.
  • Check frozen food for ice crystals. Food that still contains ice crystals may be safely refrozen.

Cleaning up, making repairs

  • Remove mold because it can cause serious health problems. The key to mold control is moisture control. After the flood, remove standing water and dry indoor areas. Remove and discard anything that has been wet for more than 24 to 48 hours.
  • Be sure to use plastic sheeting to cover roof damage and/or broken windows, to keep water from entering your home or business.
  • Wear protective clothing and use proper equipment when cleaning up the mess the storm left behind. Before trimming trees, make sure there are no power lines nearby. Only qualified tree contractors should trim trees around power lines.

Making claims, avoiding scams

  • Contact your insurance agent to report any covered damage to your home, apartment or vehicle. Be sure to have detailed photographs, so you can submit them with your claims.
  • If you had to evacuate, save receipts for all dining, hotel, medical, hygiene and even entertainment. Some of these items may be eligible for reimbursement. Save the receipts from the time you leave your home until you return to stay there.
  • Watch out for scams and unlicensed contractors. Verify the contractor’s business license and insurance. Make sure quotes are in writing.
  • If you suspect price gouging, call the state’s Price Gouging Hotline (866)-9-NO-SCAM (66-7226).

Sources: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Tampa Electric Co., the State of Florida’s Attorney General’s Office, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Published September 13, 2017