The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Kevin Weiss

Zephyrhills welcomes new Main Street director

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Faith Wilson is off to a quick start — as the new director and events coordinator for Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.

In about a month’s time, the 32-year-old has helped relaunch the organization’s website, created a community interview series, increased social media engagement across various platforms, and streamlined membership and sponsorship packages.

She’s also planning the organization’s 17th annual Music & Motorcycles event, set for Sept.11, from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Main Street Zephyrhills is a 501c3 nonprofit that generally facilitates new business, and organizes large events and parades within the historic downtown district — particularly along Fifth Avenue.

Faith Wilson (Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.)

Events include Music & Motorcycles, Halloween Howl and Zephyrhills Christmas Parade, among others.

Wilson was introduced during a Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency (CRA) meeting June 28 at Zephyrhills City Hall.

She is a Lithia native, who lives in Lakeland with her husband and two children.

She graduated from Newsome High School, and studied liberal arts and architecture at Hillsborough Community College and the University of South Florida, respectively.

She officially began working for Main Street Zephyrhills on June 1, with a salary of $38,456.

Her role — as the organization’s only city-funded position —  consists of serving as an advocate and liaison for the downtown district with initiatives to bring economic growth and community connections. The role involves working closely with the Zephyrhills CRA and other groups.

The organization relies on donations, memberships and partner organizations to help fund projects such as public artwork, family friendly events and activities.

Wilson’s background is in retail management, having been an assistant store manager and corporate leadership team member at Stein Mart. She also served on the advisory board for USO (United Service Organizations) Tampa Bay.

Wilson assumed the Main Street position vacated by Paxton McCullough, who held the role from June 2020 to May 2021. Before that, the role was held by Anna Stutzriem, who resigned in March 2020 after more than two years on the post.

Wilson shared her vision for Main Street Zephyrhills and the city’s historic downtown, a subject broached by CRA Commissioner Lance Smith during the meeting.

“I see opportunity overall,” Wilson responded. She cited the potential for events, particularly markets because they draw the community out — something that was hampered by COVID-19.

“When people get out in the community and they shop local, they see their local friends, they see their neighbors out there, it really brings that bond and sense of community back together, and hopefully from that, (people) become inspired to continue to come downtown and support their local businesses,” Wilson said.

Building momentum for Zephyrhills historic downtown, particularly around Fifth Avenue, is a primary objective of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.

Describing herself as personable, as well as a person of action, Wilson said “I want the community to feel like they know me and that they can talk to me at any time.”

She has been keeping busy with Main Street functions.

Initial tasks included being a part of the well-attended Seventh Street Mural ceremony back in late May.

The vibrant mural, titled ‘Ocea,’ is located on the south-facing wall of 5210 Seventh St.

The outdoor event gave residents a chance to mingle with the mural’s artists, partake in refreshment, take pictures and spend time together in downtown.

“That was quite a success,” Wilson said. “It was positively received, and it was a nice community event, especially post-COVID, for everyone to get out and see what we’re doing in the Main Street sector.”

Wilson also has updated the organization’s social media platforms, ensuring presence on Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, TikTok, SnapChat and Instagram.

“I’m keeping up with all of that,” Wilson said. She also is “trying to cater to all age groups of the Zephyrhills community and let them know what Main Street is doing,” she said.

Wilson has been doing a livestream interview series, in which she dialogues with various Main Street members and business owners “to let the community get to know the people behind these organizations, so I think that’s going to be very helpful with connecting the community.”

The most recent interview piece featured Habitat for Humanity ReStores representatives, which can be found archived on YouTube.

Wilson’s “big project” has been the relaunch of a new Main Street Zephyrhills website, MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

She shared details of the website on the council chambers’ projection screen, during the meeting.

The fresh site includes several new user-friendly features and accessibility tools, such as shortcuts to information about dining, shopping, events, activities and service experiences throughout town.

There’s a detailed downtown Zephyrhills business directory, providing information including address, phone number and links to their respective websites.

Other highlights include a city events calendar and listing of upcoming Main Street projects and attractions.

There’s also a business entrepreneur resources toolkit that lists available vacant properties for lease, as well as how-to information about licenses, permits, loans, utilities, community connection opportunities and more.

The website is ADA-compliant, with accessibility tools to alter contrasts and text sizes, too.

Wilson worked closely on the project with The Social Connection — a Land O’ Lakes based marketing agency specializing in website development, social media and graphic/digital marketing, particularly for start-up companies and small businesses.

The website undertaking involved “many, many hours,” Wilson acknowledged.

Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., is a 501c3 nonprofit that generally facilitates new business and organizes large events in the city’s historic downtown district.

CRA Director Gail Hamilton, who serves as Main Street’s ex-oficio, attested: “She’s providing content and she’s having to pull teeth from everybody to get the content to put on there,” also noting that Wilson often has been tackling details, late into the evening.

Hamilton commended Wilson’s efforts.

“She hit the ground running with this (position),” said Hamilton, “so we are very excited about the future.”

Other city leaders came away impressed with Wilson’s presentation and overall work, over the  short time frame.

“I think she’s doing a great job, and I think we’re going to see Main Street grow and begin to flourish,” said Zephyrhills City Manager Billy Poe.

CRA Commissioners also happily observed Main Street’s complete roster of volunteer board members — something that’s been a challenge for the organization in the past.

In fact, Poe pointed out the local Main Street chapter was “very close” to shuttering about a year ago, because there weren’t enough board members per state requirements for a period of time.

Besides Wilson and Hamilton, other key Main Street figures now include president Linda Kerns, vice president Devin Alexander, board members Antwon Gildon, Christin Bennett, Sarrah Vesselov and Grant Posner, treasurers Martin Harm and Keith Wolfe, and Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson.

“We’ve got a great mix of residents who live in the downtown neighborhoods who work and have businesses in the downtown area that are really committed to this,” Hamilton said.

Published July 14, 2021

Dade City approves contract for destination marketing campaign

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The City of Dade City is poised to launch a destination marketing campaign — with the aim of attracting more tourists, as well as engaging area residents.

To that end, Dade City Commissioners on June 22 unanimously approved a $14,200 contract with The Creative Stable Inc., a Dade City-based advertising, marketing, media and public relations firm operated by Jennifer Frazier. Frazier is the agency’s creative director, senior copywriter and general manager.

The scope of work entails the creation of a photo library ($2,500), the development of an advertising campaign ($3,200), the design of a destination website called DiscoverDadeCity.com ($1,000) and a video and short television spots campaign refresh ($7,500) — in collaboration with other Tampa Bay area multimedia companies.

Jennifer Frazier, creative director, senior copywriter and general manager of The Creative Stable Inc. (Courtesy of The Creative Stable Inc.)

In its proposal, Creative Stable listed its objective is for the municipality “to attract more foot traffic from surrounding areas to the downtown core of Dade City by visually portraying it as a unique, rewarding, memorable, and fun destination, thus increasing sales for area businesses.”

The proposal also outlines some of the city’s unique selling propositions. Those include Dade City’s small-town character; its historic buildings, including some Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles; its specialty retail, restaurants, brewery and events center; its public parks; its biking/hiking/walking trails; its cultural offerings, including the Dade City Center for the Arts and the Dade City Symphony; and, a new Visitor’s Center in the works and a splash zone being planned.

A photo library creation will encompass four days of on-site shooting by Rick Tauceda of Tampa-based Rick’s visual, to give the city hundreds of usable shots, be it streetscapes, historic churches, Kumquat Festival event action, local restaurants, pedestrians walking downtown, children playing at Price Park, cyclists and runners on Hardy Trail, and so on.

Meanwhile, a video refresh will be shot and produced by Tampa-based Diamond View Studios, updating a 2016 video library focusing on new footage and more experiential imagery “to avoid logos and storefronts as much as possible to give it a longer shelf life.” The group also will replace footage no longer relevant in the live, work, play, shop and dine spots, for 30-second high-definition television and social media spots.

In its advertising campaign for the city, Creative Stable will create “a cohesive series of community ads to develop wider market awareness for the downtown core.”

These would include:

  • An outdoor board
  • Print and digital ad series of five ads (live, work, play, shop and dine)
  • Social media campaign promoting 30-second spots and an invitation to visit
  • Event poster format
  • Event digital ad format
  • Event print ad

Meanwhile, the design of a “link-centric” destination website for Dade City would have pages to include, “Shop, Dine, Live, Work, and Play” in keeping with the themes of the marketing campaign. For instance, the “Play” webpage on the site would feature the Hardy Trail and city parks, along with other recreational opportunities such as TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park, and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club.

The marketing plan also provides an option for ongoing support with a retainer fee, which can be modified to fit the city’s needs. The company recommended a monthly retainer of $1,500 (approximately 20 hours per month) to keep marketing consistent for the city over time, to provide event posters, print and digital ads, website updates and so on.

City leaders and merchants of late have expressed a need to attract a younger demographic and more foot traffic to support more contemporary types of businesses, such as bike shops, art galleries and taprooms.

As part of its proposal, Creative Stable garnered anonymous feedback from downtown business owners, who shared a mix of opportunities and concerns for the city’s ability to attract new people and thrive, including:

  • More affordable rent rates compared to Wesley Chapel
  • Too many empty storefronts
  • The need for a concert series at Agnes Lamb Park
  • Targeting day-trippers from Wesley Chapel, Lutz, New Tampa, Trinity
  • Incorporating more crosswalks to make the city more walkable and safer
  • Develop a curated mix of retail to better make the city a destination
  • More events needed to spur foot traffic

Commissioners like Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez expressed enthusiasm with the full-throttled marketing blitz and its desired impacts.

“The time is right for Dade City to really move to that next level,” she said. “We want a very high-quality product.”

The mayor described Frazier as “really talented” and “a tremendous asset” having produced campaigns for Florida League of Cities and First National Bank of Pasco, and many other entities.

The Creative Stable Inc.

Frazier has lived in Dade City since 1985 and raised her family in the area. She recently was inducted into the Tampa Museum of Art and serves on the Gasparilla Arts Festival and Gasparilla Music Festival boards.

Commissioner Scott Black added it’s advantageous that Frazier’s company is nearby on Fort King Road “so we can hold her accountable and we can pull her in more easily anytime there is an event going or a need.”

Meanwhile, Dade City Manager Leslie Porter credited Frazier for recently assisting Dade City pro bono on a newspaper ad campaign where “she was a great help and really helped the city a lot.”

With an influx of growth and development on the horizon, Frazier said it’s an opportune time to begin promoting the city more aggressively.

The East Pasco municipality is poised to see some 14,000 new homes on the books within the next five years, plus a slew of downtown amenities and other unique, adventurous hotspots on the outskirts of town, just outside the city limits.

She put it like this: “I think we’re ready for our close-up now.”

Frazier thanked the commission for being receptive with the forthcoming initiatives, too.

“This has been months, and for a couple of us, years in the making to get to this point to try to create a cohesive marketing program for the City of Dade City, that’s easily repeatable, that’s going to bring in new people to our city, and also ignite those people who are already here, to get back and re-engaged, if they’re not already,” Frazier explained.

Work will begin once a signed contractual agreement is in place, outlining specific deliverables, terms and payment schedules.

As for a timeline for the marketing campaign, Creative Stable plans to complete library and video shoots “as soon as possible to avoid storm season.” From there, an eight-week window is planned “to deliver the videos, spots, advertising campaigns and website.”

Published July 14, 2021

Checking in on locals during MLB’s All-Star break

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The 2021 Major League Baseball (MLB) season has reached its designated July midway point with the All-Star break — with weeklong festivities like the All-Star Game, Home Run Derby, MLB Draft, Futures Game and Celebrity Softball Game all happening in Denver, Colorado.

The league’s breather offers several days off for ballplayers before returning to the extensive 162-game regular schedule (not including spring training or playoffs)  — with most of the 30 teams out of action from July 12 through July 15.

There are several ballplayers, and a manager, that have their roots in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Here’s a closer look at these locals’ performances, halfway through the Major League season:

Zephyrhills High product Austin Adams is a reliever for the San Diego Padres. (File)

Austin Adams, San Diego Padres, pitcher
Local tie: Zephyrhills High School
Austin Adams has solidified himself as one of the more important bullpen pieces for the contending San Diego Padres (53-40, third in NL West), posting a 1.71 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 48 strikeouts across 31.2 innings pitched in 30 appearances.

Much of the credit for his success harkens to his high-spin slider, which he throws nearly 89% of the time and averages about 87 mph.

The 6-foot-3, 220-pound righty has struggled with command and control at times (issuing 19 walks and MLB-leading 14 hit batters), yet he’s only allowed 14 hits, with batters averaging just .137 against him.

The 30-year-old has had stints in the Majors since 2017, also playing for the Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners.

Adams grew up in Zephyrhills, playing little league at Sam Pasco Park.

He went on to earn four letters in baseball (and one in basketball) at Zephyrhills High School from 2006 to 2009. He posted a 2.43 ERA and 80 strikeouts in his Bulldog career.

Adams’ high school pedigree led to a baseball scholarship at the University of South Florida, where he was a cog in the program’s first-ever Big East Championship final in 2012, as a junior. Adams went on become an eighth round draft pick by the Los Angeles Angels, signing for $127,500.

Wiregrass Ranch High product John Gant is a veteran right-handed pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals. (FIle)

John Gant, St. Louis Cardinals, pitcher
Local tie: Wiregrass Ranch High School
John Gant began the season in the St. Louis Cardinals rotation, but was assigned to a bullpen role weeks ago.

It’s a role he’s flourished with strike-throwing and walk prevention.

Across 71.2 innings in 21 appearances — the second-most innings he’s thrown in his six-year Majors career — the 6-foot-4, 200-pound righty has posted a 3.52 ERA, 1.59 WHIP and 60 strikeouts, with a 4-6 record for a Cardinals team that sits fourth in the NL Central at 44-46.

Gant’s arsenal features as many as six different pitches, headlined by a sinker (38.6%) and changeup (21.4%), along with a four-seam fastball, slider, cutter and curveball, according to MLB.com’s Statcast metrics.

Like his diverse pitch selection, the 28-year-old also has gone viral on social media for altering hairstyles and facial hair during the course of a season.

He’s sported everything from a full beard and long hair to corn rows to bushy mustache to some more traditional clean-shaven looks.

Gant made his MLB debut in 2016 with the Atlanta Braves, but has played for St. Louis since 2017.

Locally, Gant starred on the Wiregrass Ranch High varsity baseball team from 2008 to 2011 — striking out over 200 batters and sustaining just three losses in four years.

He also was a member of the Wiregrass Ranch basketball and swimming teams. His father, John Sr., was a science teacher at the school and longtime varsity girls basketball coach.

Gant was selected out of high school by the New York Mets in the 21st round of the 2011 MLB Draft, where he signed for $185,000.

Bishop McLaughlin product/Odessa native Nate Pearson is a right-handed pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays. (Courtesy of Major League Baseball Advanced Media)

Nate Pearson, Toronto Blue Jays, pitcher
Local tie: Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School (Odessa native)
Labeled one of baseball’s top pitching prospects, many tabbed Nate Pearson to garner American League Rookie of the Year consideration this year for the Toronto Blue Jays.

It’s been anything but that so far.

The 24-year-old right-hander was quickly optioned to the minors in early May after firing just 2.1 innings in one big league appearance — a 7-4 road loss to the Houston Astros on May 9, where he allowed five walks, four hits and three earned runs.

Since then, Pearson exhibited up and down showings for the Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons (4.74 ERA, 1.176 WHIP, 36 strikeouts in 24.2 innings).

Meanwhile, he hasn’t pitched since June 16 as he nurses a right groin strain — a befuddling injury that has him seeking a handful of different medical opinions, according to various media reports.

Measuring 6-foot-6, 250-pounds — aptly nicknamed “Big Nate,” — Peason’s regarded for a high-velocity fastball that can regularly touch 100 mph and above, along with a mid-80s slider and cutter.

He made his MLB debut during the pandemic-shortened season in 2020, so still maintains rookie-level status.

It remains up in the air if Pearson will pitch for Toronto the rest of this season, which is fighting for positioning in the uber-competitive AL East, where they sit in third place with a 45-42 mark.

Born and raised in Odessa, Pearson starred at Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, helping the program to the Class 3A state semifinals as a senior in 2015.

He wrapped up his prep career with a career 1.24 earned run average and 144 strikeouts in 101.2 innings pitched, with a 12-1 record.

Pearson went on to play college baseball at Miami’s Florida International University, then transferred to College of Central Florida in Ocala.

Pearson was taken by Toronto late in the first round (28th overall) in the 2017 MLB Draft, signing for a $2.45 million bonus.

Gaither High product Oscar Mercado is an outfielder with the Cleveland Indians. (File)

Oscar Mercado, Cleveland Indians, outfielder
Local tie: Gaither High School
Oscar Mercado was one of the Cleveland Indians final roster cuts during spring training, but has since worked himself back to the big league club, earning a promotion from Triple-A Columbus on June 28.

The 26-year-old has cobbled together a respectable .281/.343/.500 line with nine hits (including a homer, triple and two doubles), five runs, four RBIs, three walks and nine strikeouts across 32 at-bats in 12 MLB games, along with two stolen bases. Defensively, he’s seen action in left field and center field.

The 6-foot-2, 197-pound right-handed hitter had an impressive debut season in 2019. That season he batted .269 with 15 home runs and 54 RBIs in 119 games, adding 70 runs scored, 25 doubles, three triples and 15 stolen bases — finishing eighth in the AL Rookie of the Year race.

But what followed was a subpar 2020 campaign — with a paltry .128 with a .348 OPS in 86 at-bats across 36 games.

Mercado’s since worked to revamp his swing after last season’s slump, with help from the coaching staff and front office, according to various media reports.

He now appears on the right track.

A native of Colombia, Mercado and his family emigrated to the United States, and settled in the Tampa area when he was 7 years old.

He became a four-year starter at shortstop at Gaither High School from 2010 to 2013, leading the program to back-to-back district crowns and ranked among the nation’s top prep middle infielders.

Following high school, Mercado was picked by St. Louis Cardinals in the second round (57th overall) in the 2013 MLB Draft, signing for $1.5 million.

He spent nearly six years working through the Cardinals minor league system until he was traded to the Indians in July 2018.

Gaither High product/Lutz native Kevin Cash is in his seventh year as manager of the Tampa Bay Rays. (File)

Kevin Cash, Tampa Bay Rays, manager
Local tie: Gaither High School
Unlike most other MLB managers and coaches, Kevin Cash will have on-field duties during the All-Star break.

That’s because he was named manager for the AL All-Star squad — a reward designated for leading the Tampa Bay Rays to a World Series appearance last season.

The 2021 MLB All-Star Game— otherwise known as the midsummer classic — is scheduled for July 13 at Coors Field in Denver, Colorado. The game will air live on FOX at 7:30 p.m.

There, Cash will oversee 34 of the sport’s top players during the contest, including two familiar faces in Rays catcher Mike Zunino and super-utility Joey Wendle, who were both named All-Star reserves.

Cash’s encore from last year’s historic Rays campaign hasn’t been too shabby, guiding the franchise to a 53-37 record — good for second in the AL East (1.5 game back of first-place Boston Red Sox) and tops in the Wild Card race.

The seventh-year skipper has done it navigating tough team injuries (like ace pitcher Tyler Glasnow) and melding an eclectic group of rookies and veterans, with ages ranging from 20 years old (rookie infielder Wander Franco) to 41 years old (lefty veteran pitcher Rich Hill).

Likewise impressive, Cash’s ballclub entered the season with MLB’s fifth cheapest payroll at around $69.1 million — ahead of only the Miami Marlins ($58.5 million), Baltimore Orioles ($58.1 million), Pittsburgh Pirates ($55.9 million) and Cleveland Indians ($52.8 million).

Cash is regarded for his relatability to players, plus his quasi-mad scientist approach to managing, with ever-changing batting orders, substitutions, heavy bullpen usage and substitutions, unique defensive positioning and shifts — all designed to maximize the roster and play to player’s individuals strengths.

Locally, Cash spent his younger days growing up in the Valley Ranch Drive neighborhood, situated across from Lake Park in Lutz.

He first hit the national scene in 1989 — then a 12-year-old second baseman for a Northside Little League team that reached the 43rd Little League World Series.
Cash later starred at Gaither High School, penning that into a successful college run at Florida State University and eight-year MLB career as a journeyman catcher mostly.

Cash comes from a baseball family, as his father and uncle both played professionally, the latter reaching the big leagues in the 1970s.

Published July 14, 2021

Alternative route selected for Morningside extension

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The Dade City Commission has approved an engineer’s recommendation for the Morningside Drive extension route study, but funding for the initiative remains an issue.

The extension of Morningside Drive is intended to connect U.S. 301 to Fort King Road.

Commissioners on June 8 approved an engineer’s recommendation for the Morningside Drive extension route study, pond siting analysis and report — authorizing work to proceed on subsequent phases of the project, including funding acquisition, design/permitting and right-of-way acquisition.

This 1.19-mile route with a roundabout is the preferred choice to extend Morningside Drive to connect U.S. 301/98 to Fort King Road in Dade City. The total estimated cost of the roadway project is $12,401,800. Officials have said the Morningside Drive extension project will yield numerous benefits, such as reducing traffic volume on parallel roadways and stimulating economic development. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

The route study — completed by New Port Richey-based Coastal Design Consultants Inc. — is next slated to be presented sometime in August to the Pasco County Commission.

The civil engineering firm’s recommended 1.19-mile route includes a roundabout at the Morningside Drive/Fort King Road west segment, circling AdventHealth Dade City hospital and the Pasco County Schools bus garage.

The preferred route — somewhat resembling a Z-shape pattern — veers slightly northeast from Fort King Road, winding south through open water and upland areas within Dade City and unincorporated Pasco County, connecting parallel with the Hardy Trail, then cutting across eastward to the entrance of U.S. 301, passing between Walgreen’s, Buddy’s Home Furnishings, Winn-Dixie and other establishments.

The roadway calls for two, 12-foot-wide traffic lanes; 5-foot bicycle lanes; curbs and gutters; a sidewalk on the south side; and a multi-use path on the north side connecting with Hardy Trail.

The design speed for the Morningside Drive extension is 45 mph with a posted speed of 30 mph.

Stormwater management facilities improvements and a flood plain compensation area also are included in the roadway plans.

Coastal Design Consultants president/owner Paul Manuel shared a detailed PowerPoint presentation at last month’s in-person meeting at the Dade City Commission Chambers.

According to Manuel’s presentation, the winding route “was developed to optimally utilize the available upland area and parcels of property owners who have indicated that they support the proposed extension.”

The implementation of a roundabout, Manuel said, requires fewer right-of-way impacts and is more conducive to traffic calming compared to a signalized intersection. It’s also less costly to build and maintain, he said.

Other considerations taken into account during the route study were community long-range planning goals, safety, environmental impacts, property impacts and costs.

The estimated total capital project cost of the selected route is $12,401,800. Two other alternatives were considered and studied, as well as a no-build alternative.

This amount encompasses estimated construction, design, and construction engineering and inspection ($9.1 million), right-of-way acquisition ($1.7 million) and wetland mitigation ($1.6 million).

The route’s right-of-way impacts affect 18.44 acres, 17 parcels, two businesses and one residence, according to Manuel’s report.

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (File)

As plans move forward, funding the entirety of the project remains a problem for the municipality, for the time being.

In 2019, Dade City was awarded a $5 million state appropriation for the Morningside project — less than half the project’s estimated total cost. This funding remains available for use through 2024, unless the city requests the state for an extension to complete the project.

The $5 million is roughly enough to just cover the project’s design, permitting and right-of-way access issues before the build portion.

City Manager Leslie Porter told commissioners that staff is “looking internally at how we’re going to bridge that gap” for monies to pay for the roadway.

Some transportation impact fees will be coming through to help cover costs, but Porter said she doesn’t “have a real hard number on that yet.”

She suggested the city ask state legislators for another round of funding for the project, and seek out opportunities with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and beneficiaries of the project, such as the hospital.

Porter pointed out she’s been in regular communication with state representatives and county partners, so decision-makers are aware of the project’s sizable price tag.

Morningside extension yields benefits, but concerns, too
Officials have said the Morningside Drive extension project will yield numerous benefits, such as reducing traffic volume on parallel roadways and stimulating economic development.

It offers direct access to the hospital, on Fort King Road, which was considered a top priority for the road’s extension, and also improves public safety access for police and fire rescue services.

“I think it’s going to benefit not only AdventHealth, but the community at large with the growth and the other things that are happening,” Mayor Camille Hernandez said.

Having the connection to Hardy Trail is an added bonus, the mayor said.

New Port Richey-based civil engineering firm Coastal Design Consultants Inc., provided the route study recommendation for the Morningside Drive extension project. In addition to the 1.19-mile Z-shaped route, two other routes and a no-build alternatives were considered. (Courtesy of Coastal Design Consultants Inc.)

Addressing the funding shortfall, Hernandez observed, “Clearly, well, ($5 million) isn’t going to work. We do know that we have some work to do.”

She said her concerns include both funding for the project and the time frame for completion.

Commissioner Knute Nathe also expressed support for the recommended route extension for its public safety and fresh development opportunities, but emphasized the importance of considering other community concerns throughout the project’s process.

He referred to some vocal citizens — situated along 10th Street, Fairfield Lane and Willingham Avenue —  who may be affected in one way or another.

Overall, Nathe said, the project will be “very important for our residents,” particularly from the perspective of patients and doctors more easily traveling to and from the hospital, between Dade City and Zephyrhills. “There’s been a lot of public support for extending Morningside,” Nathe said.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive thanked Coastal Engineering for “a phenomenal job with the assessment and the route study.”

Shive continued: “I agree with what’s being recommended. I think it’s going to be a plus for the city.”

In early May, Pasco County Engineering Services hosted an open house for the Morningside Drive extension, which drew about 40 participants at the Dade City Commission chambers.

Public input was received during and after the meeting.

Comments included general support of the chosen route, but concerns were raised about existing flooding conditions within the study area, right-of-way acquisition required for build alternatives, traffic volumes and noise, and wetland and wildlife impacts.

Manuel addressed those concerns head-on.

“There were a lot of concerns about flooding, which we will make an emphasis during the design process, but that is a process that you’re going to get into a lot more deeply when you get into understanding the design of the project,” he explained.

“There were also concerns to right-of-way acquisitions and how close it is to people’s residences and homes,” he added, noting he read through all of the comments and has a good understanding of the concerns.

As for next steps, the project’s design/permitting period will take about a year, Manuel noted.

Back-and-forth negotiations and regulatory processes on wetland and environmental impacts with state agencies takes up the bulk of that time frame, he said.

Published July 07, 2021

Hernandez to represent Dade City at state meeting

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The Dade City Commission has unanimously selected Mayor Camille Hernandez to represent Dade City at the Florida League of Cities’ 95th annual conference in August, in Orlando.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez

The meeting, set for Aug. 12 to Aug. 14, will involve the election of leadership and adoption of resolutions, which will set the direction for the organization. The Florida League of Cities represents municipalities across the state.

In accordance with the league’s by-laws, each municipality’s vote is determined by population, and the league will use the Estimates of Population from the University of Florida.

The conference also provides opportunities for Florida’s municipal officials to learn how to serve their citizens more effectively.

Hernandez thanked her fellow commissioners for allowing her to be the city’s voting delegate, adding that returning to the event in-person again, “will be kinda nice.”

In other action at the commission’s June 22 meeting, Hernandez recognized Kayla Contreras, Diego Grant and LaDanian Johnson — three graduating high school seniors who served various stints on the Dade City Youth Council.

The youth council — formed by the mayor in 2007—devotes a bulk of its time to volunteer service and community enhancement projects. Members of the youth council also have a chance to gain insight into how the municipality interacts with the Florida Legislature and sometimes are able to travel to partake in meetings in Tallahassee.
Hernandez said the youth council is “like my second family.”

She also expressed her appreciation for the group’s dedication to community service and personal growth over the years.
“Dade City should be proud, and that’s why cases like tonight to recognize these young people is really a good thing, and I’m just so proud of them,” she said.

“We’ve got some darn good young people around here, and just to watch them continue to grow and be a part of our community is really cool.”

The city also has set its budget hearing dates for fiscal year 2021-2022 for Sept. 13 and Sept. 27. If the Pasco County School Board or Pasco County Commission sets a budget hearing date on Sept. 13, then Dade City will use Sept. 15 as an alternate date.

Published July 07, 2021

Zephyrhills runner competes in U.S. Olympic trials

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Evan Miller’s sprint for a spot on Team USA for the upcoming Tokyo Summer Olympics came up short — but it was still an experience most athletes can only ever dream about.

The Zephyrhills athlete on June 25 competed in the U.S. Olympic track and field trials at the legendary Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon.

Miller — a rising senior at University of South Carolina — clocked 21.04 seconds in the first round heat of the men’s 200-meter dash, finishing 23rd overall.

Zephyrhills native Evan Miller earned an invitation to the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon, where he competed in the men’s 200-meter dash. Miller missed the cut for a spot on Team USA for the Tokyo Summer Olympics, but his track career is far from over. He next gears up for his senior season at the University of South Carolina, where he earned second-team NCAA All-American honors a few months ago. (Zephyrhills native Evan Miller earned an invitation to the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Oregon, where he competed in the men’s 200-meter dash. Miller missed the cut for a spot on Team USA for the Tokyo Summer Olympics, but his track career is far from over. He next gears up for his senior season at the University of South Carolina, where he earned second-team NCAA All-American honors a few months ago. (Courtesy of University of South Carolina athletics department)

He competed in the same heat against other widely known professional sprinters, including Terrance Laird and Jaron Flourney, among others.

The competition was televised live nationally on the NBC Sports Network.

Miller’s trials mark was a shade off his personal best of 20.50 seconds — which he recorded at the Weems Baskin Relays hosted on-campus at South Carolina in late March. He wound up earning second-team NCAA All-American honors during the season, too.

A last-minute heat and lane scheduling change at trials in Oregon arguably impacted his performance, in some form or another.

Miller originally was slated to compete in heat 2, lane 5, but event officials switched him to heat 3, lane 9 just hours before the race.

Here’s why it matters: The middle lanes (such as lane 5) are viewed as more advantageous in track, as it allows sprinters to visibly pace themselves against competitors in real time, Miller said, “to have someone to kind of push me toward where I’m trying to go, how fast I’m trying to run.”

But being positioned in outside lanes (such as lane 9) is more out on an island of sorts — unable to see if you’re going too fast or too slow against the competition. “You’re just out there, (so) you’ve just kind of got to run your own race,” Miller said.

Miller was one of about 30 sprinters nationwide who either qualified or accepted an invitation, and declared for the men’s 200-meter trials event.

From there, the top three men’s 200-meter finishers at trials earned spots on the U.S. Olympic team — Noah Lyles (first, 19.74 seconds), Kenny Bednarek (second, 19.78) and Erriyon Knighton (third, 19.84). (Knighton is a 17-year-old sensation from Tampa who attends Hillsborough High School and became the youngest track and field athlete to join Team USA since 1964.)

While disappointed with his own trials output overall, Miller relished the opportunity so very few earn — let alone coming off a 2020 track season hampered by the COVID-19 pandemic.

He had plenty of support at the momentous event, as both his parents and sister were in attendance, along with several coaches and teammates.

“All around, it was a really good experience,” Miller said. “It was kind of surreal that I was there with the top athletes in the country. It was just a really good feeling. I was kind of trying to take it all in, but I also couldn’t like believe it at the same time.”

Miller has since flown back to the Tampa Bay area, but may soon head back to Columbia, South Carolina, for the remainder of the summer to take on more in-person instruction from college coaches.

He’s already eyeing the next trials in advance of the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. He plans to be a professional track athlete by then.

Miller appears on the video board ahead of the U.S. Olympic track and field trials at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. (Courtesy of Erica Miller)

“I’ll definitely be there,” he said. “This isn’t going to be the last time.”

More immediate tasks, however, include the upcoming college indoor and outdoor track seasons, as well as the 2022 World Championships.

Goals are set on running in the low-20s in the 200, somewhere between 20.1 and 20 seconds flat for the time being.

Miller also is considering adding the 400-meter dash to his repertoire, with the aim of reducing his time in the 200, he said.

Focusing on nutrition will be key to moving forward, Miller said. He noted his calves cramped up a few days before the trials, showing perhaps a sign of dehydration.

Further fine-tuning sprint techniques — from starting block to transition and finish — also is on his mind, to yield improvements.

“There’s a lot of stuff I’ve got to work on,” he said, “so that’s why I’m confident that I’ll be able to drop my time, because there’s still a lot to be done.”

From Zephyrhills to Olympic hopes
Miller has generated buzz athletically since his days at Zephyrhills Christian Academy.

He was better known for his play on the football field, but he took track more seriously following a broken ankle while playing in a 7-on-7 tournament.

As a teenager he eventually linked up with AAU track and high school coach BB Roberts, who runs the Wesley Chapel-based Speed Starz Track Club, and lists NFL and MLB athletes as training clientele.

Roberts, a former track star in his own right at Wesley Chapel High School and Coffeyville (Kansas) Community College, worked to correct Miller’s sprinting form and technique, among other tips.

Miller proceeded to win the Class 1A crown 100-meter dash (10.75) at the 2018 FHSAA State Track & Field Championships, as a senior at Zephyrhills Christian. He also was a member of the program’s 4×100 relay team that won back-to-back state crowns in 2017 and 2018, respectively.

He would go on to qualify for AAU nationals, too.

Miller initially planned to compete in football and track at Warner University, a small NAIA school in Lake Wales.

Zephyrhills athlete Evan Miller readies for warm-ups at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, held at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon. He finished 23rd in the men’s 200-meter dash, clocking 21.04. (Courtesy of Erica Miller)

That was until the more prestigious South Carolina track and field program came calling with an offer from longtime head coach Curtis Frye — who’s overseen over 60 NCAA champions, 121 SEC champions, 20 Academic All-Americans and more than 500 NCAA All-Americans across his 25-year career.

It’s all been a whirlwind for the hometown speedster, from small private school off Eiland Boulevard to joining a blue-blood SEC college program, to much-grander Olympics aspirations.

“I definitely wish I would’ve discovered track sooner, but I really didn’t expect to be able to do all these things,” said Miller.

“The switch from Warner to (South Carolina), that happened so fast, and then, once I got to (South Carolina), I knew, I wanted to be great at anything I do, not just track but anything in general, so I made it work.

“I’m glad I’ve made it to where I am, in such a short amount of time.”

Miller has grown to love the sport over time. It not only feeds his competitive nature, but also forges mental toughness, he said.

Said Miller, “I like to be the best, in anything that I do, but also I started to realize, it’s a very mental sport. You’ve got to be very mentally strong, and that just also helps me with life in general, being able to handle certain situations, having that mental strength to push through anything.

“It definitely helps me push through certain situations, but just everyday training, it just makes me mentally stronger.”

Published July 07, 2021

All-Star bound

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(Courtesy of Toni Spilotro)

Land O’ Lakes resident Niko Spilotro was chosen to play in the Sports Illustrated National Junior Liberty Bowl All-Star Showcase at Bradenton’s IMG Academy, from July 1 through July 4. The event is comprised of standout football players throughout the country ages 7U through 14U. Spilotro, a 6-foot-2.5, 285-pound lineman, recently graduated from Pine View Middle School and plans to attend Land O’ Lakes High School. Spilotro has been a part of several other prestigious all-star teams, including Future Stars Game (FSG) and Football University (FBU). He helped lead the Pine View football team to a conference championship, and also claimed a middle school track and field conference title in discus.

Big Bass

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(Courtesy of John Medvid)

Roy Woodhouse, left, and Rick Schueller teamed to win the South Pasco Bassmasters (SPBM) June tournament on the Kissimmee Chain, hauling five fish that weighed a combined 17.91 pounds. The catch also included the biggest bass of the tournament, at 6.60 pounds. The duo caught their fish using swimbaits, flipping grass and pads. The next SPBM tournament is July 17 on the Winter Haven Chain. For information, visit SouthPascoBassmasters.com.

Wesley Chapel’s Union Park community celebrates Juneteenth

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The second annual Juneteenth Family Day Celebration in Wesley Chapel’s Union Park community brought on added significance.

Just days prior to the weekend event, the U.S. Senate passed legislation declaring June 19 a federal holiday, and then President Joe Biden signed it into law.

The groundbreaking development brought extra spark to all involved, event organizer Melissa Akers-Atkins acknowledged.

Tamika Diaz, of Wesley Chapel, leads children in an uplifting and inspirational dance during the Juneteenth Celebration at Union Park. (Fred Bellet)

“We were very excited,” Akers-Atkins recently told The Laker/Lutz News. “It happened Thursday, so we were excited that Saturday we were able to announce that and celebrate it again, even more. It was just a little different you know.”

The event was held to commemorate the day – June 19, 1865 – when the last enslaved Blacks, in Galveston, Texas, learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

The June 19 celebration at Union Park was coordinated by a handful of neighborhood residents, led by Akers-Atkins. Other members of the planning committee included Tamika Diaz, Alexandra Archibald, Mesha Pierre, Talana Brown, Antoine Williams and Michaela Steward.

Songs, dance, music, food, prayer, prizes and fellowship filled a day of activities from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Union Park clubhouse on Bering Road.

Faraasha Bell Fonoti, 14, and NeVaeh Akers-Atkins, 13, both of Wesley Chapel, receive a round of applause that left them delighted after performing a step dance, which requires the shoes on the pavement to be the percussion aspects of the dance. Derived from African and slave dances, stepping or step dance is energetic and expressive.

The festival drew over 100 attendees and also had several Black-owned vendors and other organizations on hand. This included multiple young entrepreneurs like 14-year-old Jordan Parramore, the owner/operator of Jordan’s Juice Bar, selling juice pops and coco bombs.

The event began with an opening prayer from Carmel Friendship Church pastor Quincy Stratford, then a discussion on the meaning of Juneteenth led by co-organizer Tamika Diaz.

Neil Archibald, a Wesley Chapel-based attorney, delivered a reflection speech called “Affirmations to Live By,” about what it’s like to be an African American male in society today. He also encouraged young people to pursue their dreams and never give up on lifelong goals.

Multiple poems were presented throughout the event, too.

Aiyana Gabrielle Williams, 15, delivered “Never Give In” by Greg Thung. Deidre Kelsey-Holley read an original poem, titled “Chosen.”

The family friendly event also included all sorts of activities for kids, including volleyball, football, Connect 4, Jenga, corn hole, checkers, hula hoop and bounce house.

The recent deaths of Black individuals by police officers, including George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement and street protests brought greater attention to Juneteenth celebrations over the past couple years.

Neil Archibald and his sons Nicholas, 6, left, and Noah, 7, watch a step dance performance on the Union Park sidewalk. It was all part of the entertainment at the Juneteenth Celebration.

The background and history of Juneteenth is enlightening.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, freeing slaves living in the Confederate states.

But, the news in those days traveled slowly, or in some instances, wasn’t acknowledged by slave owners.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers came ashore at Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. The date was 2 ½ years after Lincoln’s proclamation.

A few months later, on Dec. 6, 1865, the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery everywhere. The following year, Juneteenth celebrations, often hosted by African American churches, took root.

Raising awareness of the importance of Juneteenth was among Union Park event organizers goals.

But, they also want to foster unity, a sense of safety, and civic participation through voting.

Uplifting and providing outreach to area youth likewise was imperative during the Juneteenth celebration, Akers-Atkins said.

Several kids were incorporated into the celebration, including a step dance performance from Wesley Chapel teenagers Faraasha Bell Fonoto and NaVeah Akers-Atkins.

Trevor Roberts, 40, of Wesley Chapel, said he really only learned about Juneteenth eight years ago, while living in Oakland, California. He is happy the day is now well-known and the history behind the day will now be widely taught to children in school.

Derived from African and slave dances, stepping is energetic and expressive, and requires the shoes on the pavement to be the percussion aspects of the dance.

Meanwhile, the celebration’s youngest performer was five-year-old Joilene Jones, who delivered a gymnastics routine for all to see.

“I think as the youth see the community within which they live care about their education, whether they’re in school or out of school, we care enough about them, and we’d like to still encourage them in that and let them see that you don’t just have to learn what they teach you in school,” Akers-Atkins explained.

“Your neighbors, your community, the people around you, we’re all here to help build you up and mold you into this well-rounded individual, seeing and doing and modeling for them, and also including them in these activities and including them in the planning, so I think it’s very important that we do that, and that we continue to push them.

“We hope there’s more kids next year that aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone and they’re able to share their artistic talents with their community,” Akers-Atkins said.

Melissa and fellow organizers plan to host a Juneteenth celebration each year at Union Park, with grander visions to someday collaborate on a countywide event incorporating several other neighboring communities — a get-together that could be held at Wesley Chapel District Park.

Meanwhile, they also plan to host other cultural events through the year at Union Park, including celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Published June 30, 2021

Officials praise Pasco’s progress

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has personally witnessed how the area where he grew up and now governs has evolved over the past several decades.

Case in point: When Fasano moved with his family to the Holiday area some 50 years ago as a 12-year-old boy, he recalls seeing signage advertising homes selling for just $6,999.

That’s quite the far cry from today, with billboards promoting $300,000 to $500,000 residences along State Road 52 and 54.

“It’s just absolutely amazing where we’ve come over time,” said Fasano, speaking during an East Pasco Networking Group breakfast meeting earlier this month, at IHOP in Dade City.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, left, stands alongside East Pasco Networking Group chairman Nils Lenz. Fasano was the featured guest speaker during a group breakfast meeting earlier this month, at IHOP in Dade City. (Diane Kortus)

The area’s reputation also is changing, Fasano said.

“Pasco has changed over time, not only politically, but also as far as the businesses in Pasco County.

“We’re no longer the stepchild to Pinellas and Hillsborough (counties), if you will. We’re now looked at as a leading community, and you can see it, especially in the Wesley chapel area, the Land O’ Lakes area,” he said.

The emerging growth in Pasco and surrounding Tampa Bay area is being felt at the local tax collector’s office, too.

Fasano said the agency sees roughly 60,000 in-person customers per week across its five branch offices — in Dade City, Gulf Harbors, Land O’ Lakes, New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel — not including additional services handled via phone, mail or website.

This is up from around 40,000 customers per week at only four branches when Fasano first was appointed to the role in 2013 by then Florida Gov. Rick Scott, and following 18 years served as a legislator in the Florida House and Senate.

Anticipating a forthcoming population boost, the agency swiftly opened a new branch back in August 2014, in Compark 75 at 4610 Pet Lane, just off Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

When it first opened, the office in southeast Pasco was serving just 50 customers per day, Fasano said.

It’s now averaging anywhere from 600 to 800 customers daily, and is the tax collector’s second-busiest office, he said.

With that, the agency also is considering opening up yet another office somewhere along State Road 54 or State Road 52 near the Suncoast Parkway “because that area is growing,” said Fasano.

“All you need to do is drive up, especially (State Road) 54, it’s luxury apartment complex after luxury apartment complex — a lot of them are younger families needing services, driver’s licenses, (because) they’re moving in from out of state,” he explained.

Busy offices are not just a byproduct of the county’s residential and business growth, however.

Some partly is due to word spreading that the Pasco Tax Collector doesn’t require appointments for service (except for road tests) and also welcomes out-of-county residents from surrounding Hernando, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties.

Helping non-Pasco residents mitigates financial losses the agency takes on handling motor vehicle-related services, Fasano said, noting it’s Florida Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles that takes in most of those fees, and not the county.

The blanket, come-all service is something Fasano takes pride in — noting tax collectors in adjacent counties oftentimes require appointments two or three weeks in advance, while only serving their respective county residents.

“We welcome everyone,” Fasano said, proudly. “We have people that come up from Hillsborough County, pleading us, ‘Please don’t change it, please don’t change it,’ because they come up there, and wait maybe 30 minutes, 40 minutes or 45 minutes, and they’re able to get the service. It’s either wait 35 or 45 minutes, or you wait three weeks with Hillsborough County to get an appointment.”

Conversely, Fasano pointed out even the Hillsborough County Tax Collector’s Office (and its eight branches) appreciates Pasco shouldering the workload.

“Hillsborough County loves us,” Fasano said.

“They’re happy that we’re taking their customers because it’s less people that have to make these appointments and yell at them down there.

“They, in fact, say to people, ‘Hey look, if you need something done right now, go up to Pasco.’”

The Pasco Tax Collector is open all five days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., while 4 p.m. onward is reserved for Pasco residents only.

Pasco residents also can get service on Saturdays, from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at the branches in Gulf Harbors and near Wesley Chapel.

“We wanted to make sure that Pasco residents have a day to themselves and that’s what happens on Saturday, and I will tell you that Pasco residents love it,” Fasano said.

He added: “I’ve got to make certain that we take care of our Pasco residents. They’re the ones that pay our salary, my salary, and the rest of our employees.”

The Pasco Tax Collector is mandated for a number of responsibilities, including providing driver licenses, auto registrations, property taxes, hunting and fishing permits, concealed weapons permits, birth certificates, fingerprints, vehicle identification checks, business receipt taxes and other services.

Fasano said the agency recently has witnessed an “an enormous amount” of title transfer on cars and boats, speculating it could be a result of stimulus dollars and returns on income taxes coming through.

The Gulf Harbors office recently handled over 800 boat titles in just one business day, he said.

“My staff tell me, after seeing all this title work on boats, they wonder if there’s boats out there to buy anymore, you know,” Fasano quipped.

Issuing concealed weapons permits also is bourgeoning, with Fasano pointing out the county leads in the state in terms of providing or renewing such permits: “It’s way ahead of every other county,” he said.

He then joked, “I think our office has armed everyone in Pasco.”

Prioritizing tax collector employees
One of Fasano’s more notable undertakings has been increasing wages and promotional opportunities for its some 200-plus employees at the tax collector’s office.

Starting salary was around $9 per hour when Fasano first arrived to the constitutional post.

“We had employees who were employed at our tax collector office for over 10 years collecting food stamps. Unacceptable. We changed that immediately,” he said.

Now the starting wage for an entry-level customer service representative is $16 per hour.

“Our employees are making a decent salary where they don’t have to reach out, and probably not need a second job any longer,” he said.

“I’ve had employees come to us and say they are now buying homes,” he added.

Fasano underscored the necessity to increase wages — to keep governmental effectiveness, reduce office turnover and otherwise “to let our employees know that they are important, that they are the key to keeping our county going.”

He observed, “Let’s remember this, we collect the taxes, and we provide those dollars to our board of county commissioners, to our school board, to mosquito control, to water district, to CDDs (community developmental districts), to paying those at the county collecting the street lights services and the road assessments, and the list goes on.

“If we’re not around, nobody can collect those dollars, so we needed to stay open to make certain that people were able to pay their taxes, and we could collect them and turn those dollars over to the taxing entities, and we’ve been successful in doing that.”

Meanwhile, Pasco County Chief Deputy Tax Collector Tim Couet has developed a leadership program where lower-level employees within the organization are identified by branch managers and directors for training for future advancement opportunities.

“We have made it a goal that when a new position of leadership opens up, we do not go outside our offices to hire someone,” Fasano said.

“If I have to go outside to Ohio or New York or wherever to hire somebody for a management position, for a director’s position, or for a supervisory position, I haven’t done my job.

“Two-hundred nine (employees), there has to be someone in there that’s qualified to take that job, and we’ve been successful over the past seven years. We’ve made it our policy that we will hire within.”

Published June 30, 2021