The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Michael Hinman

Black takes commanding fundraising lead in Dade City race

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It’s just one week before voters decide whether to give Scott Black yet another term on the Dade City Commission, or turn his seat over to newcomer Angelica Herrera.

But if dollars were votes, Black may have this one in the bag.

Scott Black
Scott Black

In what was a very busy fundraising week for both candidates, Black out-raised Herrera $3,900 to $2,300. That now gives Black $7,825 through March 21, with Herrera amassing just a little over $2,600. And Herrera has needed nearly every penny so far, with just $28.40 left over in the bank up to the latest report, while Black still has $5,900 to spare.

The two have combined to raise more than $10,000, closing in on the $12,000 total raised in the 2012 municipal elections which featured two races.

As of 11:30 a.m. on Tuesday, nearly 1,400 early votes had been cast in municipal elections across the county, according to the Pasco County supervisor of elections office, and more than 200 in this race alone.

Each vote will be quite costly for the candidates, however. In 2012, just 559 voters turned out for the municipal elections that saw victories for William Dennis and Jim Shive, each with a little more than 300 votes. A similar win for either of the current candidates would mean at this point Black has spent $6.24 per vote, and Herrera $8.64.

Over the last two weeks, Black has kept his contributions from Dade City residents with the exception of a $250 in-kind donation from Imagine Solutions Group of San Antonio, who did work on the commissioner’s website. His donors included former city clerk and finance officer Jim Class, who gave $200. Class resigned late last year after the commission decided to suddenly split his position during a workshop meeting.

JDR Properties of Pasco provided the biggest contribution in the period with $1,000, while Hampton Inn Dade City owner Small Street Hotels DC and attorney A.P. Gibbs chipped in $500 each.

Herrera’s contributions have all come from Dade City over the last two weeks, including a $1,000 check from physician David Hernandez and $600 from Peter Hernandez, who described himself in campaign documents as a student and part-time worker. Both David and Peter Hernandez share the same address.

Herrera also received $500 from Frias Family Enterprises Inc., which owns a store on Seventh Street.

The election for Dade City Commission is April 8.

Unfinished mansion finally demolished in Lutz

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In just a one-mile stretch of Crenshaw Lake Road, eight higher-end homes are under construction, a testament to the return of the housing market.

An 8,700-square-foot home on Crenshaw Lake Road in Lutz was never meant to be, apparently, as Hillsborough County-contracted work crews bring the structure down. It had been in a half-built state for six years, and had fines of more than $254,000. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
An 8,700-square-foot home on Crenshaw Lake Road in Lutz was never meant to be, apparently, as Hillsborough County-contracted work crews bring the structure down. It had been in a half-built state for six years, and had fines of more than $254,000.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

But one fossil from the housing boom-gone-bust had cast a shadow over this growing neighborhood for years. On Monday, the unfinished 8,700-square-foot home on an overgrown lot came crashing down — one of the largest single-family homes to ever be demolished by the Hillsborough County Code Enforcement department.

Construction for the three-story home at 3319 Crenshaw Lake Road began in 2008, but a construction permit for it expired in 2009, according to county officials. Construction itself likely stopped at around the same time, leaving concrete block walls, and wood, insulation and unfinished windows to simply rot under the Florida sun.

Country Squire Estate Custom Homes LLC bought the lakeside lot and two others like it in late 2006 for $756,000, according to county property records. It used a $605,000 mortgage from Capital City Bank to fund it.

Construction began in February 2008, but the first liens against the property started in May when Stock Building Supply said it was owed just under $4,000. Route 41 Manufacturing followed a month later with a $25,500 claim against the home.

Later, three other companies would file liens totaling $50,000 for the property, and construction would completely stop.

Code enforcement stepped to the plate in 2010 and found the home in violation of nuisance ordinances, and maintaining a construction site without permits. It’s been accruing daily fines since July 2010, which now total $254,000.

The land is still owned by Country Squire Estate, which is no longer in business, according to the Better Business Bureau. The company, which listed John Whitehead of Masaryktown and Kenneth Rosenbaum of Odessa as managers, became inactive last September, according to Florida’s Division of Corporations.

Selling the land will be tricky even beyond that, as the liens for construction and demolition would have to be cleared first. But once the county’s work is complete, the million-dollar-home that never was will be no more.

Published March 26, 2014

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Giving pets a chance, by buying a chance

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Lisa Bekiaris can’t remember any time where the welfare of animals wasn’t forefront on her mind.

There are a lot of pets in Pasco County with full bellies thanks to Lisa Bekiaris and those who donate to Raffle Rescue, her animal advocacy group that provides food for animals in need. (Courtesy of Lisa Bekiaris)
There are a lot of pets in Pasco County with full bellies thanks to Lisa Bekiaris and those who donate to Raffle Rescue, her animal advocacy group that provides food for animals in need.
(Courtesy of Lisa Bekiaris)

She grew up around animals in Maryland, and was always quite involved with her 4-H program there. When Bekiaris moved to Florida several years ago, she stayed busy with work and other projects. But in 2008, she read a newspaper story that would change her focus.

“It was a story about the tough times people were having, and many of them couldn’t even afford pet food,” she said.

While a lot of needed attention goes to finding pets a home, there are many times when pets might have a home, but because of financial or health issues of their owners, their bellies go empty. Or just as bad, they are full, but their owners are not.

“I have had people tell me, ‘I didn’t eat today because I had to buy dog food,’” Bekiaris said. “We as humans can go out and ask for help, but our animals solely rely on us as a pet parent, and too often we’ll make sacrifices for ourselves to keep them fed.”

Bekiaris decided to take action, and in late 2008, she started Raffle Rescue. The idea was to make sure pets had the food they needed so owners and their animals can stay together, and no one has to make unnecessary sacrifices.

She collects food and money from donors all over the county, many who make the trip to her Hudson farm. In 2013 alone, Raffle Rescue provided 27,500 pounds of food to animals. Most of it is distributed from Bekiaris’ farm, but some of it gets delivered thanks to the Meals on Wheels program.

Some might question why someone who struggles to support themselves would also try to support an animal, but the issue is not as black and white as it may seem, Bekiaris said. Many got pets when they were not struggling, but later fell on hard times. For a lot of shut-ins, for example, their pet is the only company they have.

“Pets aren’t just a piece of property. You can’t just get rid of it when it becomes too expensive,” Bekiaris said. “You took that animal into your life to care for it, and just because things get rough and difficult, you can’t just send them away. It would be just like sending away a family member.”

Bekiaris is not the first organization to raise money to feed pets in need, but she may be the first to take her approach. Instead of simply asking for cash donations, Bekiaris provides incentives to give in the form of raffles.

Various companies donate or provide significant discounts for prizes, and Bekiaris uses that to give away. Money is used to make up shortfalls in food, or sometimes to provide food that may not be as easily dropped off.

Like hay.

“We serve mostly dogs and cats, but we will not turn away any animal that someone can prove is their legal pet,” Bekiaris said. “That could be a pig, a goat. All you need is the documentation, and we will help you.”

One family who receives help has a horse, and Raffle Rescue volunteers drop off hay to help keep her fed. Hay, however is expensive — more than $70 a bale — and horses typically eat two of them a month, Bekiaris said.

Although Raffle Rescue started as a one-woman operation, it has since grown to need a number of volunteers, especially drivers to deliver food, and people to promote the various raffles the organization is conducting. She also is looking for other places around Pasco County that might be interested in becoming pet food pickup sites, especially on the eastern side of the county.

Bekiaris, however, isn’t stopping there. She wants to expand her efforts in the near future to include an animal clinic on her farm, and even more ambitious, mobile units.

Right now, some of the closest spay, neuter and vaccination clinics are in the New Port Richey area, Tampa or Brooksville. What’s holding those plans back, however, is simply staffing.

“I have a building already here. I just need to find veterinarians willing to work with me to make it happen,” Bekiaris said. “We want our services to be low-cost, or even free.”

Bekiaris also is always looking for pets in need. Her requirements are simple: be a resident of Pasco County, get some type of government assistance like welfare or disability, and something that shows you’re the legal pet owner.

“After all that, we’ll make one home visit, and determine whether you need to get food delivered, or if you can come and pick it up,” she said.

Raffle Rescue is a 501(c)(3), and donations may be tax-deductible.

To learn more about the organization, visit RaffleRescue.org, or call (727) 697-7034.

Published March 26, 2014

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Opening wallet to help teen earns hotel worker national award

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If you ask Todd Patrick, he did nothing more than anyone else would do if put in the same position.

Word got to him that a teenager was living outside behind a supermarket, not far from a school he was attending. The temperatures were dropping to some of the coldest that Florida had seen in years, and the young man had nowhere to go.

Todd Patrick, director of sales at Hampton Inn & Suites in Wesley Chapel, listens to a conference call where he is named one of just six Hampton Spirit Award winners, the highest form of team recognition award the hotel chain offers. Patrick helped get a homeless high school student get off the street and into a warm hotel room during freezing cold weather over the holidays using his own credit card. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Todd Patrick, director of sales at Hampton Inn & Suites in Wesley Chapel, listens to a conference call where he is named one of just six Hampton Spirit Award winners, the highest form of team recognition award the hotel chain offers. Patrick helped get a homeless high school student get off the street and into a warm hotel room during freezing cold weather over the holidays using his own credit card.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Patrick, the director of sales at Hampton Inn & Suites in Wesley Chapel, couldn’t stand the thought of him suffering or maybe even dying in the cold. He pulled out his credit card, went to the front desk of his hotel, and booked a room for the teen.

Three months later, Patrick found himself in front of a conference phone with one of the chain’s vice presidents, Scott Schrank, on the other line. And Schrank had a surprise of his own for Patrick: a coveted Spirit of Hampton Award, a national honor only a handful of Hampton employees receive each year out of hundreds of applicants.

“I love the fact that to you, people just don’t go unnoticed,” Schrank told Patrick. “This had nothing to do with hospitality, and that’s what I love about examples like this. You believe you were born to care, and you look for opportunities to give, and that’s what you did.”

Patrick learned about the boy’s plight from Terri Williamson, a sales representative with The Laker/Lutz News. Williamson has had a strong working relationship with Hampton Inn general manager Janet Arnold for several years, and hoped Arnold could do something to help.

Patrick overheard the need, and sprung into action without hesitation.

“It’s the highest personal achievement award in the Hampton brand,” Arnold said. “You are nominated by your peers, and it’s just because we noticed you doing something that was extraordinary. We are really proud of this achievement.”

After the cold weather subsided, Arnold and Williamson reached out to Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and then honorary Wesley Chapel mayor Troy Stevenson. They put together a plan they hoped would help the young man finish school, without the distraction of not having a place to call home.

Patrick wasn’t told he won the award until revealed by Schrank. Even then, he seemed uncomfortable with the attention, managing a little more than “Thank you very much” to the hotel employees that had gathered to honor him, including David Larson, managing partner of New Tampa Hospitality Group, which owns the hotel.

“I wish you could see Todd’s face,” Larson told Schrank. “He is one of the most humble people I know, and he just goes out and does what he does every day. We are very proud of him.”

The Wesley Chapel Hampton, located at 2740 Cypress Ridge Blvd., also had another honor to celebrate last week as well. The location won its fourth Lighthouse Award, a national honor that designates the hotel as one of the best in overall accommodations, service and quality, among the chain’s 1,900 locations.

The Lighthouse is based on customer feedback measured through guest satisfaction surveys on the hotel, as well as product quality and service scores measured every three months.

Arnold, however, is now looking straight to the top for the 94-room hotel next year. She wants a Connie, the highest award the Hilton Worldwide gives, named after its founder, Conrad Hilton.

“We were so close the last time, and I know we can do it,” Arnold told her employees. “We just have to keep working hard.”

Published March 26, 2014

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This tour the closest most of us might get to this house

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It’s sometimes too easy to equate luxury with lots and lots of space. Just look at New York Yankees legend Derek Jeter’s nearly 31,000-square-foot home in Tampa.

But the newest home model offered by Arthur Rutenberg demands elegance, but in just 10 percent of the space.

Looking for a home like this? Just be ready to pay out $4,000 a month … just for your mortgage. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photos)
Looking for a home like this? Just be ready to pay out $4,000 a month … just for your mortgage.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

“We are finally getting back into the upper echelon of the housing market again,” said Lew Friedland, president of Trinity developer Adam Smith Enterprises Inc. “We have really received a lot of interest in people that haven’t been shopping in our market for the last four or five years. It’s been a long time since we’ve had this much activity.”

Friedland unveiled his latest model earlier this year in Trinity’s Champions Club, a 3,200-square foot model large enough to comfortably welcome a family, but not so spacious that it requires a large maintenance team to keep it clean.

But this latest home isn’t exactly open to the average local resident. Getting a house just like this would set you back at the very least $550,000. Houses in Champions Club could top $3 million.

“If you would’ve asked me in 1989 if I would be selling million-dollar homes in Pasco County, I would’ve looked at you kind of funny,” Friedland said. “We have multi-million dollar homes there now, and we feel like they have a good price for a good quality home.”

Want to see more pictures? Check out this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or check out our new free e-edition right here.

Published March 26, 2014

Political Agenda 03-26-14

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Political landscape around elevated road leaning negative
Two more candidates seeking to replace Pat Mulieri on the Pasco County Commission have spoken out against the elevated toll road.

Ken Littlefield, a former state representative seeking the Republican nomination for the seat, told a debate audience earlier this month that he was waiting to get more information before deciding whether he would support the project proposed along a 33-mile stretch between U.S. 301 and U.S. 19 on the State Road 54/56 corridor.

However, during a town hall meeting hosted by Commissioner Kathryn Starkey last week, Littlefield announced publicly he was against the toll road.

“If there is one thing I detest, it’s an unsolicited call,” Littlefield said. “I will hang up. Ladies and gentlemen, what I think we need to do on this unsolicited bid is hang up.”

The next day, the lone Democrat seeking the seat so far — Erika Remsberg — said in a comment on LakerLutzNews.com that she was against the proposal as well.

“I opposed a state roadway being a system in which those able to pay more have a ‘fast pass’ option like an amusement park,” Remsberg wrote. “This will impact those of us living and running businesses along (State Road) 54 negatively. I do not support this proposal.”

Bob Robertson, who also is seeking the Republican nod, spoke out against the elevated toll road during a debate earlier this month, while his opponent Mike Moore has yet to take a public position.

Moore fundraiser at Primebar
Pasco County Commission candidate Mike Moore will host a fundraising reception March 27 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Primebar at The Shops at Wiregrass, 28211 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel.

To RSVP, email .

Ross gives money back to Treasury
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, says he’s returned nearly $88,000 from his 2013 office budget back to the U.S. Treasury.

“I am constantly striving to do more with less while continuing to provide Central Floridians with the best constituent services,” Ross said in a release. “I work for the people, and using their money wisely is of utmost importance.”

Ross so far is facing Democrat Alan Cohn in the November elections, but has already raised more than $548,000 through the end of last year for this election cycle. Cohn, on the other hand, has raised $75,400, according to the Federal Election Commission.

“Ever since I was elected to serve in Congress, I have kept my promise to promote a financially responsible government — both in how I vote as well as how I run my office,” Ross said. “I have worked hard to ensure that every dollar counts, and I have returned more than a quarter million taxpayer dollars to the Treasury throughout the past three years.”

Littlefield yet to raise any outside money
Former State Rep. Ken Littlefield jumped into the Pasco County Commission race to replace Pat Mulieri long after his two primary opponents, Mike Moore and Bob Robertson, but he has a long way to go if he wants to catch up to their fundraising.

In his first full month running for office, Littlefield has not received a single donation, according to his campaign finance filings. He’s been working with $1,000, but that’s money he loaned his campaign.

Moore added another $1,650 to his coffers, and despite February being his slowest fundraising month yet, the Wesley Chapel entrepreneur has now raised more than $44,000 since last summer.  All but $200 of his donations came from Pasco County.

Robertson pulled in another $600 in February, bringing his total to $10,600. Only one of the donations, for $100, was from someone within his district. The rest came from a water manager in Orlando and an information technologies specialist in Winter Park.

Erika Remberg, the lone Democrat seeking Mulieri’s seat, raised just over $450 over the past few weeks. A little more than $160 was what Remberg herself gave to her campaign, but the rest did come from Pasco County residents.

The Republican primary for the seat is set for Aug. 26, with the general election wrapping up Nov. 4.

 

BUSINESS DIGEST 03-26-14

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NetFest on April 3
Pasco County Economic Development will host NetFest April 3 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Starkey Ranch, 12959 State Road 54 in Odessa.

The 12th annual event is for business and community leaders around Tampa Bay, and includes music and barbecue.

Tickets are $45 each, or $35 for Pasco EDC investors and their guests.

For information, call (888) 607-2726.

Marlene Squires-Swanson
Marlene Squires-Swanson

Visit Florida hires locally
Marlene Squires-Swanson is relocating from Land O’ Lakes to join Visit Florida in Tallahassee as director of advertising.

In her new role, Squires-Swanson will handle both domestic and international paid media, leading the development of television ads and media placement to the state’s official tourism marketing corporation.

Squires-Swanson most recently was director of corporate marketing for Ashley Furniture Homestores, and has worked for Advo Direct Mail, Gannett Co., and Journal Communications, among others.

Visit Florida is a public-private partnership created in 1996, and raised nearly $109 million in private sector matching funds in a recent fiscal year, according to the group’s website. It has about 115 employees, and contracts with others internationally as well, to boost tourism in the state — a $72 billion annual industry.

Ribbon cutting for Apollo Group
A grand opening and ribbon cutting for Apollo Group/Apollo Clinical will take place March 27 beginning at noon at 14141 Fifth St., in Dade City.

The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is hosting the event.

For information, call (352) 567-3769, or email .

Information on health insurance
The Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting an information session about the health insurance marketplace March 27 at 6 p.m., at 5300 Eagleston Blvd., Wesley Chapel.

For information, call Elena McCullough at (813) 525-3417, or visit PHHChamber.com.

SmartStart open house
The SmartStart Business Incubator at Dade City Business Center will host an open house April 4 from noon to 3 p.m., at 15000 Citrus Country Drive in Dade City.

Managed by the Pasco Economic Development Council, SmartStart encourages a business environment where companies work collaboratively with other small businesses. That includes round-the-clock access to office space, co-working space, conference rooms, seminars and more.

There are now five companies taking residence at SmartStart, with a second incubator planned for New Port Richey.

For information on SmartStart, visit SmartStartPasco.com. To RSVP, email Krista Covey at .

Days numbered for Zephyrhills city manager?

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Jim Drumm is working hard to get support on his side. But if he wants to keep his city manager job in Zephyrhills, it’s going to come down to collecting as many city council members on his side as possible, or that a judge agrees he can’t be let go.

At least part of that battle, however, is being lost as a third council member joined Lance Smith and Ken Burgess in opposing renewing Drumm’s contract. Yet, the fear of a lawsuit has bought the city manager some more time as the council opted to get a third opinion on how they can legally cut ties with Drumm.

Charles Proctor, who admits that if the decision were completely up to him he would keep Drumm, turned against the city manager during Monday’s council meeting. He said talking to various people inside the city government, as well as many of his constituents, Proctor came to a conclusion he didn’t like: Drumm had to go.

“Do I think Mr. Drumm was perfect? No,” Proctor said. “But I thought he did a good job as far as city managing. When I went out and talked to some people, the majority, unfortunately … the majority of the people who talked to me did not want me to move forward with the renewal of (Drumm’s) contract.”

Much of the problem has been poor communication, and trouble with some people inside the city government able to work with him, council members said.

 That has left council members Jodi Wilkeson and Kenneth Compton alone in their support for Drumm, who was hired by the city in 2011 to replace longtime city manager Steve Spina. Compton had tried to get a workshop scheduled where the council could talk more freely about the pros and cons of Drumm’s work. However, such a move didn’t get the support of Smith, Burgess or Proctor.

Compton, however, was not ready to give up. City Attorney Joe Poblick has said that it would take a supermajority of the council — four of the five members — to renew Drumm’s contract, which is set to expire in May. Yet, having a contract with a set end date is not addressed in the city’s charter, essentially Zephyrhills’ constitution, Compton said. That would give Drumm ammunition to fight the city legally on whether he was lawfully terminated.

“To me, in reference to the opinion provided by the labor attorney, the charter is the controlling document,” Compton said. “Anything inconsistent with the charter is wrong.”

Drumm, speaking in his own defense, said from the legal opinions he’s received, he can continue working as city manager whether he has a contract in place or not, until he quits or is removed by four council members. He noted that his predecessor, Spina, worked both with and without a contract, and that he has that ability, too, thanks to the way the Zephyrhills city charter is written.

Danny Burgess, an attorney himself serving his last full meeting as mayor, said that everything he’s seen from the two legal opinions the city’s already received on Drumm’s status checks out. Doing more would waste taxpayer money, especially if the council looks at high-profile firms like Tampa’s Fowler White to offer a third opinion.

“How much weight are we going to give this third opinion?” asked Burgess, who did not seek re-election to the city after announcing his bid for the state legislature. “We had two attorneys that we paid for opinions who are very qualified and very good at what they do. And here we’re just going with a firm (for a third opinion) based on name recognition.”

Why some members of council want to oust Drumm is something the city manager says he doesn’t understand. He told the council that he heard rumors that, among other things, he was not close to the powerful families in town, and it’s possibly them pulling the strings. Drumm also said that some in the city know Spina is out and about looking to manage a city again, and may be eyeing his old job in Zephyrhills.

Spina, however, denied that rumor when asked Tuesday by The Laker/Lutz News.

Drumm said if the council did indeed want to bring Spina back, he would gladly step aside and allow the city to negotiate, and when they came to a deal, he would negotiate a severance and move on. However, Drumm said he came to Zephyrhills planning on making this a long-term home. If he had any inkling that he would only be here three years like his contract suggests, he may have not even considered the position in the first place.

The council decided not to take any action on Drumm, and instead, wait to hear a third opinion before moving forward.

The Zephyrhills City Council is set to meet again after the April 8 elections where one council member (and Drumm supporter) Jodi Wilkeson will try to defend her seat against former high school football coach Alan Knight.

Story was updated 3/25/14 to include comment from former Zephyrhills city manager Steve Spina.

Corcoran’s Phantom Campaign

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Running a political campaign is not cheap. The recent Congressional race between David Jolly and Alex Sink — where millions of dollars were spent — can easily attest to that.

State Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, confers with State Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, last year in Tallahassee. Corcoran so far has spent more money than any other House candidate this election cycle, despite the fact he has yet to draw an opponent. (Courtesy of Meredith Geddings)
State Rep. Richard Corcoran, R-Land O’ Lakes, confers with State Rep. Rob Schenck, R-Spring Hill, last year in Tallahassee. Corcoran so far has spent more money than any other House candidate this election cycle, despite the fact he has yet to draw an opponent.
(Courtesy of Meredith Geddings)

Many candidates, if not most, are faced with a reality where money is just as important as votes. And they will look everywhere to try and fill their coffers.

Locally, State Rep. Richard Corcoran is feeling how expensive it is to defend his seat in Tallahassee. The Land O’ Lakes Republican has raised more than $186,000 for his re-election bid so far, and already has spent just under $119,000 — more than any other House candidate in the state.

Corcoran’s campaign costs $9,100 each month, with thousands of dollars earmarked to printing costs, consulting fees, accounting and advertising.

There is just one small thing to mention about Corcoran’s 13-month campaign so far: The man in line to become House Speaker in late 2015 has been running for re-election … unopposed.

Corcoran is one of 59 incumbents who have yet to draw a challenger for the November elections. Because there’s still time for many of them to attract opposition, these lawmakers have kept fundraising in high gear, pulling in $4.5 million so far.

Yet, these candidates have only spent $1.1 million, or 24 percent, of the money they raised. Corcoran, on the other hand, has already spent 64 percent of his funds. He’s shelled out nearly twice the cash of other local unopposed candidates — Dan Raulerson, Janet Cruz and James Grant — combined.

Why would someone without an opponent need to spend $119,000? Because with or without a challenger, Corcoran sees the campaign as a chance to connect with his constituents.

“If there’s any chance you get where you can communicate with the voters and get their input, we do it,” Corcoran said. “Anytime you get input from the voters, that just makes you much more effective.”

Through the end of February, Corcoran has spent nearly $54,000 in printing and postage fees, $15,400 in advertising and $12,800 in consulting fees. A lot of those funds, however, were geared toward the representative’s tele-town hall, the most recent one featuring Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Corcoran used funds to print mailers and get them into his constituents’ mailboxes, inviting them to call in and get updates on criminal justice issues and other topics affecting lawmakers.

“We had 2,000 people on the phone, and they got to ask whatever question they want,” Corcoran said. “We get great feedback on this, telling us thank you so much for doing this. But honestly, as much as they’re appreciative of us, I’m much more appreciative of them, because they help me be a much better legislator.”

Still, those costs alone are double the annual median income of a Pasco County resident ($43,787, according to the U.S. Census Bureau). It’s also far more than Republican House candidate Danny Burgess, Democratic State Rep. Mark Danish, and former State Rep. Mark Harrison, who combined to spend just a little more than $35,000 in printing, advertising and consulting.

And those three candidates have opposition.

Yet, Corcoran’s spending habits are not as unusual as they seem. Unopposed candidates around the country spend lots of money, especially if they can afford it.

While it might help maintain avenues of communication with voters, it also has much more strategic purposes as well, said Craig Holman, a government affairs lobbyist for Public Citizen’s Congress Watch in Washington, D.C.

“It is designed to intimidate any opposition from entering the race,” he said. “Incumbents are able to raise funds from special interests who have business pending before the official, regardless of whether the official faces any serious election challenge.”

But a candidate spending a lot of money in an unopposed race could be looking to the future as well.

“The incumbent appears to be planning some future candidacy for higher office, and is using this opportunity (to) get his name well publicized across the state of Florida,” Holman said.

Seeking the state senate, a Congressional seat or even the governor’s mansion is not on Corcoran’s mind at all, he said. He has no interest in challenging Wilt Simpson or John Legg for their Senate seats, and Gus Bilirakis will likely occupy his Congressional seat for a long time to come.

Corcoran knows his approach is unusual, but that’s what he likes.

“If you talk to a lot of pundits, they say doing this much communication with the voters this early is not something they recommend,” Corcoran said. “I’m going against the grain.”

And Corcoran knows people are watching him closely. Back in 2010, his primary opponents accused him of using a credit card issued by the Republican Party for lavish spending, including a later-canceled family vacation to Spain. But Corcoran got support from then state Sen. Mike Fasano — now the Pasco County tax collector — who said Corcoran was an aide for then state House Speaker Marco Rubio, and that Corcoran was simply following orders.

Finally, what if someone decides to jump into the race for Corcoran’s seat? Would the lawmaker be ready, even though he’s already spent close to $120,000?

“I have to look, but we still have about $60,000 in the bank, and I could raise more,” he said. “We feel good with having enough money.”

Published March 19, 2014

Soaring Sound family earns accolades on, off field

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This week is spring break for Pasco County schools, meaning thousands of students are enjoying some well-deserved time off and maybe even a little time at the beach.

Tonya O’Malley works with some of her percussionists ahead of a pep rally to kick off spring break last week. The band director is in her eighth year in Pasco County, and her fifth at Sunlake High School. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Tonya O’Malley works with some of her percussionists ahead of a pep rally to kick off spring break last week. The band director is in her eighth year in Pasco County, and her fifth at Sunlake High School.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

But that’s not so for members of the Sunlake High School Soaring Sound. These band students have spent hours on end in the school’s gymnasium, where there is no air-conditioning when school’s not in session, getting ready to represent Sunlake on the state and national level … once again.

Sunlake’s marching band was a finalist in Class 2A competition last fall — one of the only Pasco schools even competing — and now its color guard is getting ready for a trip to the University of Central Florida near Orlando this weekend to compete at the Southeastern Color Guard Championship. And percussion members have a competition of their own coming up in the next week or so in Daytona Beach.

The Soaring Sound members are first to credit the efforts of director Tonya O’Malley, who’s now in her fifth year at Sunlake. But it’s O’Malley who quickly turns and credits her players.

“It all comes down to our student leaders. This is what has made our program thrive,” O’Malley said. “We have one or two kids in every single section of the band that demands excellence in that section. I can teach them, but it’s these leaders who make sure everyone in their section are there, and all prepared.”

Leaders earn their positions every year, including drum majors like Nonna Stutzman, who started in the band as a flute player, but was approached by O’Malley last year to serve as one of two field leaders for the band. Even as her junior year is drawing to a close, Stutzman already is working hard to earn the privilege of continuing as drum major next year.

“You have to try harder than you did last year,” Stutzman said, adding that her level of involvement has prompted her to think quite seriously about a future in music. “Marching band honestly has made up my whole high school experience. I played the flute for so long, maybe I can even teach it.”

Troy Moeller is one of the younger leaders, a sophomore who serves as the brass captain. During marching season, he plays a euphonium — one step down from a tuba — and right now is part of the percussion group preparing to head to Daytona.

Moeller, however, has other talents as well, including the cello. And he dabbles a bit on saxophone as well.

Moeller doesn’t like to talk about all of that much, but that hasn’t stopped O’Malley from singing his praises.

“The biggest selling point for me on Troy is that he was an amazing player, even as a freshman,” O’Malley said. “I sent out emails to all his teachers looking for some feedback, and what I got was that Troy is an exceptional student who is well beyond his years. The way he behaves in class is impeccable.

“It’s all those types of things I expect of the kids in leadership. They need to be well-rounded individuals, and represent the band well in the community and in the school.”

O’Malley starts the recruiting process early for Soaring Sound, working closely with younger students at Rushe Middle School, and preparing them for the transition.

“All of this can be somewhat intimidating for eighth-grade kids,” O’Malley said. “Our members go frequently and talk to the kids there, and make sure they are comfortable. They let them know the high school band is not big and scary, and they can fit right in.”

Soaring Sound has just under 75 members right now, but the latest success of the band could cause that number to swell. In fact, O’Malley has a list of 60 Rushe students interested in taking part in Soaring Sound next year.

“They’re looking to find their place,” she said.

When those new freshmen arrive, they’ll find a band ready to help them do just that, thanks to people like color guard captain Sara Pickernell.

Pickernell is graduating in May, but she hopes leaving her mark will help encourage others to be strong leaders in Soaring Sound as well.

“My leadership experience is way more off the field than on the field,” Pickernell said. “If the kids are having a hard time, like their boyfriend just broke up with them or they are having trouble in class, I pull them aside and see what I can do to help.”

Published March 19, 2014