The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Joe Potter

Memorial in Pasco County honors fallen law enforcement officers 

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DADE CITY – More than 100 people turned out Sept. 11 in downtown Dade City to witness the unveiling of a memorial honoring law enforcement officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse was the result of nine years of fundraising efforts, according to attorney Craig Laporte, who was one of the speakers at the event.

Attorney Craig Laporte, District 1 County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Dade City Police Chief James Walters and Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco unveiled the Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial during a ceremony Sept. 11 on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in downtown Dade City. Photo courtesy of Joe Potter

Laporte, who had been a Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputy in the 1970s and 1980s, said he understood the stress that families of law enforcement officers experienced when their loved ones were working. He added that the memorial is a good thing for families to relate to.

“Everybody chipped in to help to make this possible,” Ronald E. “Ron” Oakley said, adding that the memorial “was very much worth the wait.”

Oakley, who is chairman of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, was another one of the speakers at the event. He represents District 1, which is located in eastern Pasco County.

“We’re not only honoring those who gave their lives . . . we’re honoring their families as well,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said. 

He added the memorial would be a place families of fallen officers could find solitude and receive God’s comfort.

Nocco noted he was at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on the night of Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists had attacked it along with both towers of the World Trade Center in New York. 

The demand for the memorial had been so great that it was actually ordered six years before the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial and Benefit Foundation Inc. had enough money to pay for it, according to Laporte.

Several donors combined their efforts to contribute $100,000 in a week and a half, Oakley said. 

The final cost of the memorial hasn’t been disclosed but it was completely funded through charitable contributions to Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial and Benefit Foundation Inc., which is a 501c3 nonprofit.

Members of the foundation and its supporters were reportedly inspired to create the memorial after having seen one in Polk County honoring law enforcement officers who had died there in the line of duty.

Brian Brown, the sheriff’s office’s chaplain, said a prayer at the beginning of the ceremony. Part of what he said was that fallen law enforcement officers had put their lives on the line so that others might live.

Several people who assisted in raising funds for the Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial are shown in front of it after it was unveiled on Sept. 11. Photo courtesy of Richard K. Riley

Other things that occurred before the unveiling of the memorial included Jennifer Ferguson singing the National Anthem and Dade City Police Chief James Walters leading attendees in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

District 4 County Commissioner Lisa Yeager read a list of donors who had contributed toward the cost of the memorial.  

Donors recognized for their contributions were Adam Smith Enterprises, Barbara L. Wilhite P.A., BRW Contracting, Deeb Construction & Development, Deeb Family Homes, Heidt Design, JDR Properties of Pasco, members of the Maggard Family, Make A Difference (a 501c3 nonprofit), Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells, Pasco Office Park, PCS Civil, Randy & Shannon Blankenship, Ronald E. Oakley, Santo Carollo, Floria Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Sunrise Consulting Group, Tew & Associates, Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Waist-Aid Systems and Wiregrass Ranch Foundation.

Cancer battle inspires a new path for Jolie Dopa

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olie Dopa shifted from music to fashion as she battled Stage 4 breast cancer. Photo courtesy of Jolie Dopa

Jolie Dopa has been working in the fashion industry for the past couple of years. This is a new interest of hers that was inspired, in part, by surviving breast cancer.

Dopa, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, was originally diagnosed with the disease in November 2017. It was at stage 4 at that time.

Dopa said she has survived since then due to having had 78 rounds of chemotherapy treatments and through God’s help.

Dopa has accomplished two significant dreams during her lifetime.

Her most recent accomplishment was being able to work in the fashion industry.

Prior to that, the other dream she had shortly after graduating from Land O’ Lakes High School was to become a musician. She began accomplishing that dream in Atlanta, Ga., when she was 19 years old.

She’s now well known for her album, “Struggling 4 Thee Diamond Life,” which was released in December 2020. She traveled far and wide as a singer and songwriter. 

Having cancer resulted in her mind being “totally reprogrammed” to do things that would bring her happiness and help her to heal, Dopa said. 

Healing, for her, is an ongoing process because Dopa said she will have to receive cancer treatments for the rest of her life.

She started to focus on things that didn’t require her to be in the public eye after taking a break from the entertainment industry. It was during that time that she felt led to choose to create unique clothing. 

“I believe God gives us the vision and then we must act on that vision. So I did and do,” she told Bold Journey magazine in a Sept. 29, 2023, interview.

Her career in fashion designing originated as a jacket line but has since grown into mostly wire bras, bikini bras and vest/jackets, she previously told Bold Journey. 

She began to make money off of her clothing by offering them for sale on Instagram after her mother had suggested that she do that, Dopa previously told Bold Journey. This led to her being invited to do her first fashion show as a vendor, Dopa also previously told Bold Journey.

The first show she was talking about was during the annual 2023 SKIN! Art Show, which was held at the Art Institute of Tampa on July 14 and 15, 2023.

Some of her other displays have also been featured at The Armature Works and Hotel Haya, both of which are in Tampa; and at Coastal Creative – The Factory, which is in St. Petersburg.

The past two years working in the fashion industry have been wonderful, Dopa said. She does about two to three events a month as a vendor. 

And she has also been posting her unique clothing on various other social media platforms since 2021.

But her life isn’t just about being involved in the fashion industry, Dopa said. 

She’s a single parent who’s actively involved in the life of her son, Josiah, who’s 10 years old. 

 

Want to reach out?

Learn more about Dopa by visiting her Instagram @d0paminedreamz or by emailing her at .

 

Tentative Pasco County budget of $2.262 billion is approved

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Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco is on track to receive more resources in terms of deputies, vehicles, and investigations for the next fiscal year. Here, he is seen working with youth from the 2024 class of Leadership Pasco. Photo courtesy of Leadership Pasco

DADE CITY – The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners adopted a tentative budget of $2,262,949,228 for fiscal year 2025 during a Sept. 3 hearing.

Commissioners also adopted a tentative aggregate millage rate of 10.156 mills per $1,000 of assessed property value.

This is an increase of 9.61% over the roll back rate.

A public hearing will be held Sept. 17 in New Port Richey after which both the budget and the millage rate will be officially adopted by the board. 

The new fiscal year will begin Oct. 1.

The amount of the budget and millage rate will have to be adjusted downward before they are presented to the commissioners for final adoption. 

This is because a proposed Municipal Services Taxing Unit that would have funded capital maintenance on the county’s 37 parks wasn’t approved on Sept. 3. That MSTU would have raised $8,000,000 during 2025 if it had been approved. The proposed millage rate of 0.714 that would have funded that MSTU won’t be included in the county’s final aggregate millage rate for 2025.

The MSTU required a unanimous vote of 5-0 since it was a new tax that would be levied on the county’s property owners. Commissioners Seth Weightman and Jack Mariano both said they favored funding for parks maintenance to be obtained from elsewhere within the county’s budget. Vice Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey said she favored the MSTU because she didn’t want the county’s parks to fall into disrepair like they had during a recession that had occurred in 2008.

Meanwhile, commissioners tentatively approved fully funding the budget for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, which will receive $174,524,315 during fiscal year 2025.  This is a 15.6% increase over the sheriff’s office’s 2024 budget of $150,000,000. 

Sheriff Chris Nocco had requested the additional funds in June so that 40 additional deputies could be hired and trained. The amount his department will receive will enable 50 new deputies to be added to his staff. This has been made possible through the sheriff’s office receiving 40% of the new property taxes the county receives annually because of its growth. Also, an additional amount of $4,137.702 is being provided by the county from ad valorem revenue along with other money from tax incremental financing money obtained from its public works department.

The sheriff’s office’s budget will also enable it to obtain an armored Special Weapons and Tactics vehicle along with two armored vans for $725,000; upgrade its forensic unit resources for $650,000; have a pole barn built for $300,000 to provide shelter for vehicles and equipment; and $125,000 for the design of an armory for the department.

Budgets were also tentatively adopted for other constitutional officers, including those of:

  • Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Esq., who is requesting $9,250,747, which is an increase of 11.6%; 
  • Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley, who is requesting $6,256,432, which is a decrease of $645,922, or 9.36%, because only one election – the general election on Nov. 5 – will be held during fiscal year 2025; 
  • Property Appraiser Mike Wells, who is requesting $7,761,214, which is an increase of $501,370, or 6.9%. Part of that increase is needed to pay the salaries of two new employees who have been hired along with salary increases given to employees. 

The budget for Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s office remains to be determined because information hasn’t been received yet from the Florida Department of Revenue.

In other business on Sept. 3, commissioners:

  • Continued until Oct. 8 making decisions on a couple of requests that had been made by CPA Fletcher. The applicant is seeking to have a change in the county’s comprehensive plan for and rezoning of approximately 100.8 acres of property located adjacent to Pilot Country Airport in the area of U.S. Highway 41 and Leland Avenue. The applicant would like for 160 townhomes, 350 multi-family apartments and 100,000-square-feet of commercial to be developed on the property. These requests were delayed because residents of the airport’s community told commissioners that they hadn’t been consulted regarding the proposed project.
  • Approved a State Housing Initiatives Partnership funding agreement between Pasco County and Port Richey Leased Housing Associates, III, LLLP in the amount of $3,000,000 for The Anchors at Gulf Harbors. The Anchors will be a newly constructed 388-unit apartment complex in New Port Richey that will provide critically needed affordable housing that will be income restricted and dedicated for the elderly.
  • Approved a required local match of $64,900 for the Ekos at Bayonet Point II project. This will enable the project’s developer to apply for full funding from the Florida Housing Finance Corporation for a multi-apartment community for elderly housing in Pasco County. The project, Phase II of their master-planned community located along the west side of Lakeshore Boulevard in Hudson, consists of 160 units dedicated to seniors at 70% and below of the area median income. 

Pasco sheriff explains officer-involved shooting

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Sheriff Chris Nocco (Pasco Sheriff’s Office Facebook page)

NEW PORT RICHEY – A suspect wanted for a federal warrant was shot Aug. 29 as Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputies attempted to apprehend him. 

Deputies were part of a U.S. Marshals Task Force trying to locate suspect Tom Rose, 40. 

“Tom has a very long history of criminal history – a 35-page rap sheet,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said. “He has numerous gun and drug violations – spent over 10 years in state and federal prison. He is a very violent individual.”

Nocco said Rose warned others that if someone contacted the police about his whereabouts they would have to answer to him and that he would “take cops with him.”

“Clearly this individual is not going to go back to prison and clearly he didn’t care who he harmed to make sure that he did not go back to prison,” Nocco said, in explaining the heightened sense of awareness among his deputies. 

After surveillance and tracking, officers found Rose at the Home Depot at Ridge and Little roads. Rose was able to elude law enforcement but officers opted to reestablish surveillance instead of continuing their pursuit. 

A plain-clothes Pasco County detective later spotted Rose in the River Ridge neighborhood. Nocco said the detective was wearing a carrier issued by the sheriff’s office that had the word sheriff on it.

He said Rose attempted to strike the detective with his vehicle, prompting the detective to fire at the vehicle. Rose was taken to the hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, according to officials. 

“I thank God Almighty because the suspect, Tom Rose, tried to kill one of our detectives today,” Nocco told reporters. “I thank God Almighty that detective did a hell of a job ensuring that he was safe and ensuring the community was safe.”

Nocco reiterated that the detective thought his life was in danger and that it was obvious just listening to the radio traffic. 

“It’s a sad day in society where people think there is no consequences or negative actions,” Nocco said. “In our community, in our region, there absolutely is. And today, the Pasco deputies, the Pasco detectives did one hell of a job getting him off the street.”

The detective was placed on administrative leave. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is handling the investigation. 

 

Pasco County Schools pays tribute to Ray Gadd

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Ray Gadd

Pasco County Schools paid tribute to retiring Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd during the Aug. 20 school board meeting. Gadd will be retiring Sept. 20 after 44 years with the district. 

Gadd remembers when he was interning with the district as a psychologist that he had a job offer in Hillsborough County and a job offer at Pasco County Schools. Despite being a broke college kid, he passed on the higher-paying offer.
“Pasco County is where I want to work,” he remembered thinking at the time. “It was the best decision I ever made. I have no regrets.”

​​Superintendent Kurt Browning touted Gadd’s generosity, hard work, institutional history, disdain for bureaucratic red tape and courage to share a difference of opinion because he believes it’s the right thing for the district.

“I can not imagine having to serve as superintendent of this district for 12 years without having Ray Gadd by my side,” Browning said. 

He credited Gadd and former school board member Allen Altman for shepherding the Penny for Pasco campaign in 2004. From that campaign, voters approved a 1-cent sales tax that generated more than $320 million for education over 10 years. Voters supported the campaign again in 2012 and 2022. 

Browning said the district would not have been able to build, remodel or outfit schools with buses, technology and other resources had it not been for their work on the campaign.

“There was literally blood, sweat and tears put into that first campaign for the penny,” Browning said. “I’m grateful because I was able to reap the benefits of being the superintendent that had money that was able to build those schools.”

Gadd said he has worked with several superintendents but never had he worked with one with as much passion and compassion as Browning. Under Browning’s leadership, Gadd has had the opportunity to try new things. 

“When you engage in innovation, there’s a lot of failure,” Gadd said. “Every now and then when you engage in innovation, you get one right and it’s like yahoo. It takes a strong board and a strong group of peers to stick with it, because usually you hit a couple of failures and you quit. This school board, this school district and the team of people who work around me never give up on trying to innovate and do a better job.”

School board chair Megan Harding thanked Gadd for making sure the district always did what’s best for kids. Harding presented him with a plaque commemorating his 44 years of service to the district. 

District 1 rep Al Hernandez thanked Gadd for his friendship and mentorship. 

District 2 rep Colleen Beaudoin described Gadd as an innovator.

District 3 rep Cynthia Armstrong said Gadd has a rare talent to see past obstacles to get things done. It also helps that he has people skills and the ability to think outside of the box. 

“What you’ve been able to accomplish not only for the school district but also for the county itself has really made our district better,” Armstrong told Gadd. “It’s made the county a better place to live.”

 

School thanks Zephyrhills for its reading buddies

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Principal Christina Twardosz thanked the City of Zephyrhills staff Aug. 26 for volunteering to read with students last year at West Zephyrhills Elementary School.

Twardosz presented the Florida Department of Education Commissioners Business Recognition Award on behalf of Pasco County Schools during the Zephyrhill City Council meeting. 

“City staff came at least once a week and read chapter books with our students, asking them comprehension questions,” Twardosz said. “Not only did it provide extra reading support but it built a unique bond and a mentorship opportunity for our students as well.”

She mentioned how City Manager William Poe provided release time to staff so they could be reading buddies at West Zephyrhills and Woodland elementary schools.

Twardosz attributed the partnership, as well as help from the community, for helping West Zephyrhills Elementary improve its academic grade from an F in 2021-22 to a C in 2023-24.

“Thanks to all of our staff that have done that,” Council President Kenneth Burgess said. “That’s a pretty good jump in grades there from an F to a C.”

Poe believes the reading buddies program is great for the community to get involved with children and serve as role models.

“I think it’s important for us to continue that and be part of the schools,” he said.

Poe pointed to the district’s increased security measures, which includes fingerprinting for volunteers. The district website mentions that Level 2 background screening is required every five years for volunteers and costs $41.25.

Poe said the city will pay those fees associated with the fingerprinting for its staff so they may continue volunteering without cost. 

Zephyrhills leaders offer ideas to enhance parks

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Zephyr Park not only has five tennis courts but also a playground, walking trail, picnic shelters and fishing within the 34-care site of 5th Avenue. File photo

Members of the Zephyrhills City Council shared thoughts on how to enhance enjoyment of parks toward the end of their Aug. 26 meeting. 

Below are excerpts of remarks they made that have been edited for space or clarity. 

 

Jodi Wilkeson

Jodi Wilkeson: Connecting parks to people

I was fortunate enough to attend the Florida League of Cities conference recently and they talked a little bit about the creative class.

They made some analogies between what has happened – that 80% of the people in the U.S. were farmers just 100 years ago. Then there’s changes with the Industrial Age, where most people worked in factories for a period of time. Now, much of our community makeup is based on the creative class and those are people who work from home. 

Some of these people who work from home, they actually work in libraries, restaurants, etc. 

It’s a way to save our Main Street from the trend of dying retail centers. 

They talk about the development of parks. One idea I had was that as we get all these parks developed that we have free internet service at those locations, so that they become sharable, Instagrammable locations and we’re connecting with the next generation of young people in our community.

 

Lance Smith

Lance Smith: Making parks safer

My wife and I have been using the tennis courts at Zephyr Park for about two months now. We’ve been going down there in the evenings and it’s great. 

There’s a lot of people there; however, there are some people that come by there that are either homeless or have mental illness. 

I have asked staff to look at ways that we can help make the park a little bit safer. 

There’s a lot of things that we can do with lighting, possibly with some panic call stations that are on the college campuses, but we’ve got to get a handle on this and make it a safe environment for everybody. 

I know the staff’s working towards it. Matter of fact, [Chief Derek Brewer] said he’s going to have more patrols down there. 

It’s something that as our city grows, it’s part of the growing pains. So we’ve got to just combat it and try and make sure that the people feel safe in these parks.

Councilwoman Wilkeson said something about a coffee shop or something like that. We need to look at opportunities around our park to have these coffee shops, sandwich shops. The commercial element is really nice around these parks. We need to be open and

looking for those opportunities.