Michael Hinman

Mulieri endorses new replacement, crosses party lines

October 16, 2014 By Michael Hinman

No one could ever accuse Pat Mulieri of simply following the herd.

Two months ago, she took a stand in the Republican primary, endorsing underdog Bob Robertson from a group of candidates looking to replace her on the Pasco County Commission.

Robertson lost the primary, so that left the door open for Mulieri to choose yet another underdog — one that is not even a Republican.

Although she stopped short of giving her official endorsement, Mulieri has at least thrown her support behind the Democrat in the county commission District 2 race: Erika Remsberg. It also marked the second time Mulieri chose not to go with the race’s frontrunner — at least financially — Republican Mike Moore.

“I met with Erika,” Mulieri told The Laker/Lutz News. “She is bright, knowledgeable and caring. We have quite a bit in common,” including being from New York, and earning master’s degrees from New York-based schools.

Mulieri also liked the fact Remsberg is a teacher, who works as a liaison to homeless children.

“The next years, there will be many exciting changes in Pasco,” Mulieri said. “The new commissioners have to be ready to do the job. She will respond to citizens and work to solve problems. I believe she will keep learning. She may not have all the answers, but will work to resolve issues.”

Remsberg said she was humbled by Mulieri’s backing.

“Pat has told me she is supporting me, and that she and (husband) Jimmy are both voting for me,” Remsberg said. “I spent a couple hours with her at (Pasco County Animal Services) talking about the county, talking about the commission, and county goals.”

Remsberg has received help from another former commissioner as well. Michael Cox is actually the last Democrat to serve on the board until Henry Wilson Jr. ousted him in 2010. Wilson lost his seat in August in an open primary against another Republican, Mike Wells Jr.

While she won’t name names, Remsberg said others from across the aisle are boosting her as well.

“I am getting more support from Republican voters,” she said. “I believe that my bipartisan message is resonating with people from both parties.”

Moore, who out-spent Remsberg more than 19-to-1 in the campaign, said Thursday in a statement that he is honored to receive the support of many government and community leaders, listing nearly 20 of them. They included Pasco County sheriff Chris Nocco, state Sen. Wilton Simpson — who also has made sizable contributions to Moore’s campaign — and groups like the Pasco County Professional Firefighters Local 4420, and West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association.

The differences between Democrat and Republican did not faze Mulieri in deciding to support Remsberg, the retiring commissioner said.

“We may have some philosophical differences, but she will be the people’s commissioner, and that is needed,” Mulieri said. “Someone to listen, find answers, and realize that commissioners work for the citizens. They are our boss.”

This story was updated 10/16/2014, at 6:10 p.m., to include comment from Mike Moore.

Money raised: Major baseball complex one step closer to reality

October 14, 2014 By Michael Hinman

It’s not as expensive as he pitched to business leaders in Wesley Chapel late last month, but James Talton is moving forward with his proposed baseball complex in the Wiregrass Ranch area he says will put Pasco County on the baseball map.

Talton secured $23 million to build the 19-field complex, and once paperwork is finalized, will add another $11 million from Pasco’s tourist tax to make the project near Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel a reality.

The deal is specifically with a corporation called Pasco Sports LLC, a partnership between Talton’s Blue Marble Strategic Pasco LLC, and retired professional baseball star Gary Sheffield.

The project will be constructed in two phases, according to documents Pasco Sports submitted to county officials, including player dormitories, a 2,500-seat stadium, and concession areas that can serve multiple playing fields at the same time.

Talton had hoped to expand the complex in early phases to $70 million, but reportedly was unable to close a deal with an investor interested in putting up $50 million of the cost. That forced Talton to scale back the plans a bit in order to meet a county-imposed deadline that would make the additional $11 million available.

Once completed, the fields could still help Pasco take a big bite of what’s become a $7 billion youth sports industry, Talton said last month.

“We could make between $18 million and $20 million, and that’s just in the summertime alone,” Talton said to business leaders in September. “If we took the 13- or 14-year-olds, and we did nothing else, I could pay down my debt service of $54 million.”

That debt service, however, will now be half that as Talton moves forward with his plans.

It’s not clear if the fields will try to attract a Major League Baseball team for spring training. Sheffield suggested last month that one of his former teams, the Atlanta Braves, might be interested in leaving its current home in Lake Buena Vista and possibly coming to Wesley Chapel. The lure of a new facility, and being closer to other major spring training teams including the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, could be enough to bring them to Pasco, Sheffield said.

“That is an easy commute for them,” Sheffield said last month. “All those fans could come straight here, plus go to other places like Disney and Clearwater Beach, since they would be close by. That is a possibility that is pretty much there for the taking.”

County officials will need at least a week to review the documents before the final stamp of approval is applied. But that should happen before Oct. 24, barring any complications.

Medical marijuana, Common Core gaining statewide support

October 14, 2014 By Michael Hinman

More often than not, elections become about people: Not the ones politicians are trying to represent, but the politicians themselves.

The latest release from the University of South Florida’s Sunshine State Survey, however, is trying to shift that focus a bit back to issues, including those affecting the state as a whole.

USF’s School of Public Affairs department, under the direction of Land O’ Lakes native Susan MacManus, worked with television audience aggregator Nielsen to ask 1,875 Floridians what they thought about a variety of issues over the first two weeks of August. And while many of the results were expected, there were a few surprises.

The biggest was whether the state should pass stricter gun laws. The issue of gun control has become a Red State/Blue State debate for some time, but in Florida, 55 percent of those surveyed support the idea of making gun laws more strict, while 34 percent were against it.

Marijuana also is gaining support in the state, with 50 percent supporting the legalization of the drug for medicinal purposes, while 32 percent opposed. But there was less support for legalizing same-sex marriage, which was much more split with 40 percent in support, 31 percent against, and nearly just as many with no opinion.

The most divided issues, according to the survey, is whether Florida should allow for offshore drilling for oil and gas. In the survey, 44 percent supported such a move, while 39 percent were against. Oil drilling got its biggest support from men and residents older than 65, while younger people between 18 and 34 were mostly opposed.

Last year, many people across the country were still talking about George Zimmerman, who was acquitted in the 2012 shooting death of Trayvon Martin, and whether Florida’s Stand Your Ground law was an effective law or not.

It seems the debate on that law remains quite divided with 41 percent opposed to repealing the law, 33 percent supporting a repeal, and 26 percent undecided.

African-Americans and people living in the Miami and Palm Beach areas were overwhelmingly for a repeal, while men, Caucasians, and those living in the northern part of the state want to keep the law the way it is.

Implementing a form of Common Core education standards, as developed by the National Governors Association, has earned 42 percent support and 28 percent opposition. However, about a third of those surveyed are still undecided, which means this is an issue that could shift in support in later years.

More than half of the parents surveyed with a child in school supported Common Core, while those with higher income and a college degree felt it was the wrong direction.

The survey sample was pulled from 120,000 randomly drawn phone listings, and has a sampling error of plus-2.2 percentage points.

To get more results from the annual survey, visit SunshineStateSurvey.org.

Where Florida stands
The latest results from the University of South Florida’s Sunshine State Survey showed issues such as offshore oil drilling, repealing the Stand Your Ground law, legalizing same-sex marriage and implementing Common Core educational standards still divide people in Florida.

But what do they agree on?

Those surveyed say these will take the state in the right direction:

Do more to take care of returning military veterans — 91 percent

Make it easier for people to create new businesses — 87 percent

Pass stricter water quality regulations — 67 percent

Develop a high-speed rail system — 58 percent

Implement affordable health care exchanges — 55 percent

And this is where the state would head in the wrong direction:

Give more rights and assistance to undocumented immigrants — 58 percent

Start to collect sales tax on Internet purchases — 49 percent

Repeal the death penalty — 48 percent

Allow law enforcement to use drones — 45 percent

Allow more casino gambling — 43 percent

Moore raises $34K in two weeks, but is it too much?

October 10, 2014 By Michael Hinman

A huge $22,500 haul from developers and real estate professionals over the last two weeks has given Pasco County Commission candidate Mike Moore his best fundraising week of the campaign, raising a whopping $34,250.

It easily dwarfed the $600 his Democratic opponent Erika Remsberg raised during the same period, bringing Moore’s total for the campaign over $166,000.

However, more than 65 percent of that total came from individuals and companies involved in real estate, development and related industries — something that made Moore a target during his primary campaign from opponents who said they refused to take any money from companies who might be looking for a vote on the commission.

Moore also has paid out more than $123,000 — outspending Remsberg 19-to-1.

Since Remsberg entered the race in February, Moore has received $65,203 — or 57 percent — of his funds from donors inside Pasco County, including 62 percent locally since the primary. However, he’s only spent 34 percent of that money inside the county he wants to represent, and just 10 percent since the primary. Since the end of August, Moore has spent a little less than $2,400 in Pasco out of more than $23,000 in total expenditures.

More than 77 percent of the money Remsberg raised has come from Pasco County since she entered the race, but also has struggled to keep those funds inside the county, spending 59 percent of it outside of the county. Her numbers have improved a little bit since the primary, now spending 43 percent — or a little more than $650 — to Pasco businesses.

Moore has raised the most money since Ronald Oakley’s failed attempt to unseat Ted Schrader in the 2012 commissioner race brought in just under $243,000. He’s closing in on John Nicolette, who collected $170,500 to battle Schrader in 2008, and passed Michael Cox, who raised $162,600 against Henry Wilson Jr. in 2010.

However, despite all that money raised, Moore may not necessarily want to be included in that elite club: Oakley, Nicolette and Cox all lost to candidates who raised less than they did. Schrader had two of those wins, but Wilson’s in 2010 was significant, because he had raised just $8,700 — just 5 percent of Cox’s total.

Remsberg so far has raised just 5 percent of Moore’s total.

Voters will make the final decision between the two on Nov. 4, with the winner set to replace the retiring Pat Mulieri.

The end of East vs. West in Pasco County?

October 10, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Over the decades, the cultural and geographic differences between the New Port Richey and Port Richey area on the west side, and the Zephyrhills and Dade City area on the east side have brought up the question of splitting Pasco County more than once.

But could the real solution be to just move the county government to Land O’ Lakes?

That’s exactly what private planning developer CGL is expected to tell Pasco County commissioners during a workshop Oct. 14 as part of a proposed 15-year expansion plan that will nearly double the amount of office space for the government, move much of that space to south central Pasco, and cost upward of $583 million.

In presentation materials sent to commissioners ahead of Tuesday’s workshop, CGL said the county government would have to increase its office footprint from 1.5 million square feet now, to more than 2.8 million square feet by 2034. The sheriff’s office would get the biggest benefit from that expansion, growing from more than 450,000 square feet now, to 1.1 million square feet in the next two decades.

Also needing more than twice the amount of existing space is judiciary offices from an existing 49,000 square feet to 117,000 square feet in 2034. Administrative offices for the courts would need to grow from 15,000 to 31,000 square feet, while public safety would expand to 364,000 square feet, and utilities to 68,700 square feet.

The administration offices for the county commission would need to grow only 29 percent to 28,000 square feet, CGL said, while storage space would actually drop 5 percent to a little more than 30,000 square feet.

The county also would have to consider upgrading or even replacing about 25 percent of its existing buildings, which CGL rated poor or very poor. That accounted for more than 210,000 square feet — or 11 percent — of existing space.

A lot of the new construction, however, would need to move from the edges of the county, and more in the center, CGL planners said. That could include at huge chunks of land around the Land O’ Lakes jail on U.S. 41, as well as about 30 acres of land in the Lutz area of the county along State Road 54 between Interstate 75 and the Suncoast Parkway.

If that didn’t work, CGL also suggested sites north not far from U.S. 41, through Land O’ Lakes, and even near State Road 52.

Field operations — like public works, fleet management, utilities and public transportation — would completely move out of the New Port Richey area, and instead find bases in central Pasco, the Dade City area, and the Shady Hills area.

CGL is recommending the county demolish 174,000 square feet of buildings, and selling 13 others — including the Hap Clark Building in Land O’ Lakes — that could generate about $7.4 million based on current value.

The highest priority structures in the first phase also are the most expensive. CGL is telling county officials they need to build a 1,000-bed detention center and a 12-courtroom criminal courthouse in Land O’ Lakes, that would cost between $206.2 million and $227 million.

Other plans in the first five years include eight fire stations, the first phase of a new centralized location for up to $26 million, and a $3.6 million renovation of the Hap Clark Building on Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

The second phase — beginning in the sixth year — lists the sheriff’s office administration building as well as two sheriff substations and forensics as the top priorities, costing up to $34.3 million. Eight more fire stations would be included, costing up to $16.5 million, while the detention center would receive a $41 million expansion to add 500 beds.

Lower priorities would include new libraries in Dade City, Wesley Chapel, and the east central portion of the county, for $12.7 million.

The final phase, in the last five years of the overall plan, would put the sheriff’s office at the top of the list again with a new Land O’ Lakes campus and vehicle maintenance facility for $19.3 million. It would include yet another 500-bed expansion at the jail, and the possible construction of a new District 4 substation for the sheriff.

How the county would fund all of that is a different question, but a lot of it is needed, CGL said. With Pasco’s population expected to grow 77 percent to more than 842,000 people in the next 25 years — and southern Pasco replacing the west side of the county as the most populous — county government will need to be ready.

The annual average cost to the county would be between $30 million and $39 million per year, according to CGL estimates. That is a little more than 3 percent of the county’s current annual budget of $1.2 billion.

The county commission is set to hear CGL’s presentation during a workshop Oct. 14 at 10 a.m., at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Zephyrhills poised to name Spillman permanent fire chief

October 10, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Four months after being named the interim fire chief, the Zephyrhills City Council is set on Monday to make Daniel Spillman’s job at the head of the city’s fire rescue department permanent.

Spillman took over the department in June when Verne Riggall — under fire for how he had run the agency over a two-year period — resigned before city council members could vote on whether to terminate him.

Spillman interviewed for the permanent position Sept. 22, and competed against Capt. Ralph Velez and former Pasco County fire service officer Stephen Smith for the job, according to city documents. The three made their bids for the job in front of a selection committee that included Zephyrhills city manager Steve Spina, city human resources director Sandra Amerson, former fire captain Scott Winters, and Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce executive director Vonnie Mikkelsen.

Velez has been a captain with the fire department for more than seven years, according to an online social media profile, and also has served on the board of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc. between 2005 and 2011. Velez has spent 24 years total with the Zephyrhills fire department, according to published reports, and graduated from Zephyrhills High School in the early 1980s.

Smith spent six years as a training chief for Pasco County Fire Rescue, according to an online business profile, and retired from that job in 2010. He’s currently a charge paramedic and trainer in Manatee County, and has consulted with and worked as an expert legal witness for EDT Corp., for nearly 25 years.

Spillman joined the Zephyrhills fire department in September 2013 after spending more than a year as a fire chief in Escambia County. He received his bachelor’s degree from Florida International University, and a master’s degree from City University in Bellevue, Washington, according to his resume.

As city manager, Spina has the power to appoint and even remove the chiefs of both the fire and police department, as long as he has a simple majority approval from the city council.

Riggall worked in High Springs as the fire chief the same time now former Zephyrhills city manager Jim Drumm led that city’s administration. Drumm resigned his job in Zephyrhills less than two months before Riggall after realizing he didn’t have the council’s support to continue as city manager.

Before he left, however, Drumm already had considered investigating issues in the fire department under Riggall. Spina continued the investigation after he took over as interim city manager, and said there were problems in how Riggall staffed fire engines and emergency response vehicles. Some of the staffing records also showed there were not enough workers on hand to safely respond to necessary calls, Spina said, and even they didn’t have all the appropriate equipment they would need.

The fire department was suffering from low morale, as well, and Riggall reportedly did not keep regular office hours, Spina’s report at the time said. Instead showing up at non-traditional times so that he could work around his wife’s schedule.

The city council will make the final decision during its regular meeting Oct. 13 at 6 p.m., at Zephyrhills City Hall, 5335 Eighth St.

Burgess won’t defend Duke Energy, despite donation

October 9, 2014 By Michael Hinman

A state regulatory agency ordered the company to refund $54 million to customers last week, yet many Duke Energy customers remain unhappy about being charged for $3.2 billion in failed nuclear power plant projects.

And one candidate for the Florida House is feeling the heat.

Danny Burgess, left, and Beverly Ledbetter are campaigning to replace Will Weatherford in state House District 38. Both shared their views at a recent forum hosted by Lexington Oaks. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Danny Burgess, the former Zephyrhills mayor looking to replace Will Weatherford in Tallahassee, had to answer some tough questions from a crowd during a forum at Lexington Oaks last week about accepting a campaign contribution from Duke, and how that might affect his stance on what the nation’s largest utility is charging Florida residents.

“The answer is very simple: nobody can buy my vote,” Burgess said. “I have been very fortunate to receive a lot of local support, and I have to be able to lay down my head at night. When I make a decision, it’s for every single person in this room.”

Burgess, like other Legislature candidates from both parties, accepted a $1,000 contribution from Duke on July 25. He also received indirect support from Duke through a $2,000 contribution from the Republican Party of Florida, according to state campaign finance records, an organization that has received $100,000 from Duke this year, as well as in-kind donations of $32,250.

Duke customers pay a $3.45 surcharge on their bills each month to help fund the company’s closed nuclear power plant in Crystal River, as well as the cancelled nuclear power plant project in Levy County.

“Duke Energy donated to my campaign,” Burgess said. “Does that mean I support their decisions? Absolutely not. And I believe that we should repeal the Nuclear Cost Recovery clause.”

Beverly Ledbetter, the Democratic challenger for House District 38 against Burgess, said she has not taken any money from Duke. She also acknowledges, however, she has an uphill climb against Burgess, raising just $24,000 compared to his $119,000 haul.

“I didn’t take money from utilities, and I don’t take money from those who do not have the same values that I have,” Ledbetter said at the forum. “I am not as well funded as Danny, but I am proud of what we’ve done at the end of day. You have to look at yourself in the mirror, and you have to be proud of who you are and what you represent.”

Ledbetter, a retired educator with Pasco County Schools, says she supports a controversial version of the Common Core school curriculum that is being integrated into Florida schools. Setting standards is exactly what educators need, with some of what she called political pressures removed from testing.

“Every teacher believes in testing,” she said. “They want to assess where our students are so that we know what they have learned. The problem is that these tests are being used for things that tests should not be used for. Too much is riding on the outcome — school grades, teacher pay, graduation and promotion for our students.”

And it comes with a $250 million price tag, money that could be spent on vocational education instead, Ledbetter said.

But Common Core takes away from the ability of local schools to tailor educational needs to their specific students, Burgess said.

“I am not in favor of putting more of our education decisions in the hands of Washington bureaucrats,” he said. “We need to focus on local autonomy and local control, and nobody knows the needs of our students here locally better than the teachers in our classrooms, and the administrators at the local level.”

Based on his experience as a small city mayor, Burgess said he saw firsthand how important local control can be.

“It is the most important form of government, and nobody knows the needs of the community more than the people on the ground,” he said.

But the federal government did not develop Common Core, Ledbetter said. Instead, the National Governors Association — a bipartisan organization consisting of state governors — created the standardized education system.

Once kids get out of school and into the work force, Burgess says he’s optimistic about their chances. And while raising wages should be considered, he’s not convinced it’s something the government should mandate.

“What we also need to take into consideration is small businesses in our communities that create jobs,” Burgess said. “If you raise the minimum wage, you have to be careful that it may, in turn, have unintended consequences. It may cause employers to have to lay people off, and even may cause employers to shut their doors.”

Yet, raising the minimum wage could, in itself, provide a boost in the economy, Ledbetter said.

“This talk about the living wage is because people who are working these minimum wage jobs now can’t afford to buy a home, and they don’t have a lot of disposable income,” Ledbetter said. “Demand creates jobs, and when you have money to spend, you can buy goods and services.”

Low pay can also burden taxpayers, too, Ledbetter said. She cited a study about Walmart employees, who have to seek public assistance for basic needs because their low-wage jobs won’t cover it.

Burgess said he wouldn’t completely discount the possibility of a state minimum wage, just that it be thought through thoroughly.

“It’s a serious issue,” he said, “and something that needs to be seriously evaluated.”

Published October 8, 2014

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Both want jobs, but disagree on how to get them

October 9, 2014 By Michael Hinman

One of the biggest challenges facing the Pasco County Commission in recent years is how to create more jobs here, and not force nearly half the population to travel elsewhere to find work.

It’s likely a problem that won’t be fixed over the next four years, but that hasn’t stopped the two candidates looking for a seat on the commission to share their ideas on how it might happen. They are just quite different.

Mike Moore, left, and Erika Remsberg both want to succeed Pat Mulieri on the Pasco County Commission. Moore has raised nearly $132,000 in his effort, while Remsberg, who has raised slightly more $7,700, wants to be the first Democrat on the commission since 2010. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Mike Moore and Erika Remsberg both want to succeed the retiring Pat Mulieri on the commission, and both believe it’s jobs and growth that will finally put them on the dais.

“Penny for Pasco is giving us $45 million for economic development, and those dollars need to be put to work,” Moore said during a recent candidate forum at Lexington Oaks in Wesley Chapel. “I know the (Pasco Economic Development Council) has some ideas on how to put those dollars to work, and I have some of my own ideas.”

The Pasco EDC has long taken a position of working to attract big employers to the county, competing with Hillsborough, Pinellas and even Polk counties, to get companies here. Earlier this year, Pasco EDC president and chief executive John Hagen suggested using some Penny for Pasco money to assemble chunks of land and make it ready for a large employer.

Companies like Amazon and Bristol-Myers Squibb could have brought many high-paying jobs to the county if they had chosen Pasco over Hillsborough, Moore suggested.

“We need to incentivize those companies to come into the area,” he said. “When you bring in large companies, that helps some of the smaller businesses, too. You’re going to have more people eating at restaurants, and they will have the money to buy goods at mom and pop stores. We need to keep the economic engine going.”

But the county has had little luck in bringing those companies here, Remsberg said. Instead, millions of taxpayer dollars have been put aside for companies like T. Rowe Price, who was supposed to bring 1,600 jobs on the promise of a $30 million commitment from the county, only to change its mind a few years later.

“It’s very expensive to do that, and more often than not, the projects do not work out,” Remsberg said. “It’s an expensive gamble that we should not be taking and using the minimal dollars we already have.”

Instead, Remsberg suggests the county take cues from the Pasco EDC and the communities of Dade City and New Port Richey to fund more small business incubators. Facilities like the one at the Dade City Business Center provide low-cost commercial space for upstarts, as well as advisory help from business experts to help those companies become profitable.

“They are resource centers for these small businesses, and they have training available to help make these businesses successful,” she said. “We should be taking these Penny for Pasco dollars and investing them in provable strategies that we know work here, and which will benefit Pasco residents.”

Because of his own background starting and running companies, Moore said he’s perfect to talk to chief executives of larger companies, and promoting the county to them. Pasco’s push to bring tourism-related amenities like the proposed 20-field baseball complex by Blue Marble Strategic in Wesley Chapel will make it easier to sing those praises.

“We need to gamble, we need to show them our area and how all these people are excited about it,” Moore said. “We want to create lots of opportunities for people who want to come here.”

But the work to wine and dine executives, and to compete with neighboring counties, carries a hefty price tag, Remsberg said.

“The consulting fee alone could’ve helped Meals on Wheels feed the 200 homebound elderly people who are going without food right now,” she said. “We need a steady stream of qualified workers, and we need comprehensive public transportation so that we are able to move those people around.”

Voters will decide between Moore and Remsberg Nov. 4.

Published October 8, 2014

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Business Digest 10-08-14

October 9, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Shampoo company signs distribution deal
Sielos All-Natural Hair & Skin Restoration Co., has signed an agreement with Grassroots Development in Port Orange to distribute its products nationally.

Based in Lutz, Sielos has manufactured their hair restoration shampoos, conditioners and scalp cream for nearly 10 years. Sielos has had limited distribution in health food stores, and recently added its organic skin treatment line to stimulate and nurture chronic skin conditions, according to a release.

Grassroots will promote Sielos to health food stores throughout the southeast, with plans to include national distribution within two years. The company also will develop an online presence that will include a shopping cart for online retail sales, and a social media application to create more interactive relationship between Sielos and its customers.

West named health care fellow
Kenneth West, chief operating officer of Medical Center of Trinity, has become a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation’s leading professional society for health care leaders.

Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development, and is bestowed on 7,500 health care executives. Fellows have to fulfill multiple requirements, including passing a comprehensive examination, meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits, and demonstrating professional and community involvement.

Formal recognition will take place in Chicago on March 15.

West has served in his current position at Trinity since February. He received his bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University, and a master’s degree in health systems administration from Georgetown University.

DelGiorno joins Preferred Properties
Steve DelGiorno has joined Preferred Properties Real Estate at 19909 U.S. 41 in Lutz.

DelGiorno brings “years of experience” in residential and commercial real estate to the office, according to a release.

He can be reached at (813) 948-0354, or at (813) 629-1560.

Jackman wins national hotel award
Brian Jackman has received the Spirit of Hampton Award, a national recognition for his work at Hampton Inn & Suites in Wesley Chapel.

Jackman was honored because of what managers said was his tireless work to resolve hotel issues, and making a number of connections with guests.

He’s also helped guests find alternate hotel accommodations when needed, and has even personally driven some to the airport and other locations when needed.

The hotel is located at 2740 Cypress Ridge Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Busy Buddy awarded microloan
The Busy Buddy LLC is the newest recipient of a Pasco Economic Development Council microloan, using the money for business operations, training and marketing.

The company is located at the SmartStart Dade City business incubatory, and is the 15th company to receive the loan.

“We’re a startup in the business of helping other businesses, so it’s nice to get a little help of our own,” said Kellye Dash, owner of Busy Buddy, in a release.

Dash’s company has been a part of the incubator at the Dade City Business Center on U.S. 301 since February, and started as a part-time business for Dash in 2009.

For more information on the microloan program, visit PascoEDC.com. To learn more about Busy Buddy, visit TheBusyBuddy.com.

Promotion for Bartholomew at Gulfside
Larry Bartholomew has been named the director of business technology and physical plant services at Gulfside Hospice & Pasco Palliative Care.

Bartholomew will have oversight of business technology as well as physical plant services.

Bartholomew started working at Gulfside in 2010 in the informatics department as a clinical trainer. He was promoted to information technology manager in 2012.

He previously worked for two IT consulting firms — Basic Innovations Inc. and Ecompromo Inc. Before that, he spent 10 years as a nurse and in other supervisory roles.

He has a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Pennsylvania State University, and a master’s degree from the University of South Florida.

Zephyrhills chamber up for award
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has been named a finalist for the 2014 Impact Awards by the Tampa Bay Businesses for Culture & the Arts.

The award is based on demonstrated impact in recent years to Tampa Bay’s quality of life through innovative arts programming, outstanding business practices, or neighborhood revitalization, according to a release.

“We are thrilled and grateful for this recognition, and for the opportunity to shine the light on Zephyrhills and the many volunteers and supporters that make the world go ‘round here,” said chamber executive director Vonnie Mikkelsen, in a release.

Pam Marron of the Suncoast Arts Festival, nominated the chamber and its Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues festival. Both festivals had received a VisitFlorida grant earlier in the summer to promote the Pasco Weekend of the Arts in January.

The Impact Awards were created in 1989 to recognize and honor business support of the arts. Winners will be announced Oct. 23 at The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club.

Dade City chamber hosting awards banquet
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will have its annual awards banquet and general meeting Oct. 16 beginning at 6 p.m., at the Tampa Bay Golf & Country Club, 10641 Old Tampa Bay Drive in San Antonio.

Cost is $50 per person, or $500 per table of 10.

For information, or to reserve a seat, email .

IHOP honored by Rotary
The Sunrise Rotary Club of Dade City has named IHOP its 2014 Business of the Year.

The restaurant first opened in Dade City in October 2005, and welcomed Amanda White to its staff a year later. By 2009, she was the general manager, and used that opportunity to reach out to the community.

“I truly believe that if you want the community to give to you, you must first give to them,” White said, in a release. “You must be there for your community, and you must be involved.”

IHOP is partners with three local elementary schools, and sponsors student awards. The restaurant also partners with Pasco High School by donating to the football team, cheerleaders and basketball team.

Political Agenda 10-08-14

October 9, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Say cheese
Alyssa Pumo poses with Gov. Rick Scott during a campaign stop at Benedetto’s at Village Lakes Shopping Center in Land O’ Lakes recently. Scott is running against Charlie Crist in the Nov. 4 general election.

Paula O’Neil endorses Mike Moore
Pasco County’s clerk and comptroller has made her choice on who she would like to work with on the Pasco County Commission the next four years.

Paula O’Neil endorsed Mike Moore, the Republican candidate for the seat that will be vacated by the retiring Pat Mulieri.

“Mike Moore is committed to creating a brighter future for Pasco County,” O’Neil said in a release. “Mike is a family man, and an entrepreneur who knows what it takes to grow a business from the ground up in today’s economy. Mike’s experience, combined with his involvement in our community, has prepared him well for the Pasco County Commission.”

Moore faces Democrat Erika Remsberg in November.

Bondi to make statewide campaign address
Informal groups of women will meet statewide Oct. 9 to hear state attorney general Pam Bondi. One of those gatherings will take place at Copperstone Executive Suites, 2632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Beginning at 6 p.m., and using webcast technology, Bondi — who is seeking re-election to the state’s highest law-enforcement office — women will have a chance to hear Bondi’s take on issues she says is most important to women in the election cycle.

Those issues include the economy, public safety, health care and education.

Bondi faces a challenge from Democrat George Sheldon in the November election.

Women who wish to participate locally can call (813) 996-3011.

Starkey to speak at Republican club
Pasco County commissioner Kathryn Starkey will be the guest speaker at the Wesley Chapel Republican Club, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m., at Hyundai of Wesley Chapel, 27000 Wesley Chapel Blvd.

For information, call Mike Moore at (813) 777-6171, or at .

Kenyon new communications acting director
The Pasco County Public Safety Communications department has selected Jody Kenyon as its acting director, replacing Dona Fernandes, who resigned Sept. 25.

Kenyon was the technical support manager in the communications center, and has worked as the acting director in the past.

The center last year consolidated its efforts with the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Pasco Fire Rescue, which Fernandes put in charge of the transition beginning in August 2013.

Officials did not provide a status on its search for a permanent director.

Natural gas growing, senator says
Sen. Wilton Simpson says legislation he introduced last year creating a natural gas vehicle incentive has since produced 1,820 jobs and $68 million in wages throughout the state.

“This fuel provides significant budget savings to governmental entities, the business would and our citizens,” the Trilby Republican said, in a release.

Simpson called natural gas a “game changer” for both the state and the country, “not only for motor vehicles, but for the energy sector, commercial businesses, and the manufacturing industry.”

Before his bill, Simpson said there were 18 compressed natural gas stations in Florida. Now there are 61, with another 29 planned — a 238 percent increase over that period.

A CNG station costs an average of $1.5 million, according to a report by the Florida Natural Gas Vehicle Coalition, meaning the investment into CNG station infrastructure has been $91.5 million over the past two years.

Since Jan. 1, Florida has spent $4.7 million in rebates issued under the program. Using methodology employed by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, that investment has generated a total economic output of $204.5 million.

To read more of the study, visit FuelForJobs.com.

Candidate forum in Dade City
The Greater Dade City and Greater Zephyrhills chambers of commerce are joining forces to host a candidate forum Oct. 20 beginning at 6:30 p.m., at the East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road, in Dade City.

The public is invited to submit questions to the moderators for consideration, and will include a variety of candidates up for election on Nov. 4.