Michael Hinman

Young cancer victim remembered through song

December 18, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Download Taylor Emery’s song, “Harris,” through Apple’s iTunes Store by clicking here.

Many stories will likely be written about Taylor Emery, a standout junior point guard on the Freedom High School girls basketball team, as she progresses her way through college and beyond.

But on a mournful day in mid-October, it was her turn to write.

Taylor Emery, a junior at Freedom High School, listens to the song she wrote and recorded about late classmate Jordan Harris. His battle with cancer helped inspire her on the basketball court, piquing interest from colleges around the country. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

A young man who had cheered the basketball team on from the bleachers, and who had become a symbol of hope for the school and his community, had just lost his long battle with primitive neuroectodermal tumors. And it was then the 16-year-old pulled out a tablet and a pen, and began to share her thoughts on the passing of Jordan Harris.

Unable to grasp this unbelievable news
Not quite being able to refuse
Eighteen years old, he shouldn’t have died
Just a kid living stride to stride

“I never thought about ever pursuing anything in the music industry,” Emery said. “But I felt all the pain from Jordan passing away. And the next day, I wanted to do something for him. I wanted to do something cool that he would’ve loved. And I know he loved music.”

The words flooded Emery’s paper, and it took a few days to organize her thoughts after that and turn her stream of consciousness into something lyrical. It was then Emery shared her work with a 16-year-old friend who played recreational basketball, Kellie Gaston, who also had a passion for singing. They both then turned to another teammate’s brother, Kyle Snelgrove, who even at 17 has his own recording studio in his Brandon home.

“We all got together one night, and did the recording,” Emery said. Gaston sang the chorus, Emery rapped her primary lyrics, and Snelgrove produced. “I had to record my part a lot of times, but Kellie got it on the first try. Kyle said he would have it done in a week, and he did.”

The trio got permission to use an original instrumental base they found on YouTube, and Emery uploaded the final product to Apple’s iTunes Store, offering the song for 99 cents. She won’t know until January how many people downloaded the song in the first wave, but Emery already plans to donate 75 percent of proceeds to the Harris family. The other 25 percent covers the costs of producing it.

“He has helped me and others in so many different ways,” Emery said of Harris, who died Oct. 16 at the age of 18. “He fought cancer three times, and the first two times, he never gave up and was just so happy with what he did. It taught us that no matter how hard things are, there is always a way to come out of it.”

Jordan may be gone
But I’ll never forget …
… I’ll never forget how he inspired me

The Freedom Patriots are locked in a tough battle to win their district, and Emery has been one of the keys to her team’s success. In just two games in December, she scored a combined 75 points. And she hasn’t had a game without scoring in double digits since her first year on the team.

A wall in her bedroom is filled with envelopes sent to her by colleges around the country interested in her hardwood skills. And Emery dreams of not only excelling in college, but possibly earning a spot in the Women’s National Basketball Association.

Her iPhone is filled with all kinds of music, ranging from hip-hop and rhythm and blues to rock, and maybe even a little country. Emery’s favorite musician right now is Macklemore, who she says “raps with a purpose” with songs like “Wing$” and “Same Love.”

Emery is an A student at Freedom, taking four Advanced Placement courses this year alone.

There’s not a lot of room in her schedule to create and produce a song, let alone promote it, but Emery knew sharing “Harris” with the rest of the world was something she had to do.

“I just wanted to help his family so much,” she said. “I know it’s hard to lose anyone to cancer, especially someone who is 18, and I felt this was the only way I could help them. I can’t bring Jordan back, but I hope I can at least help them with this.”

He wants no pain or struggle from us
Just happiness and memories
Loving the past and blinded by our future
A future he never knew

He is watching over us now
What a great thing to bear
Rest in peace, JHarr

Jordan Harris was symbol of hope at Freedom

The cancer Jordan Harris had was so rare, even today it’s difficult to remember its name: primitive neuroectodermal tumors.

Harris was first diagnosed with the condition in 2011 when he was an upperclassman at Freedom High School, and surgeries and treatment would sideline him from some of his favorite activities, like soccer.

“If nothing happened, I probably would have wanted to play college soccer on a scholarship,” Harris said late last year. “But it’ll all be about fun now.”

Harris graduated from Freedom in June, but his condition worsened not long after that. He succumbed to the cancer on Oct. 16.

“In my experience, it’s those with the hardest struggles who seem to persevere the most, and Jordan was no exception,” Freedom social studies teacher Katie Feldman told students, family and friends who joined in a candlelight vigil soon after Harris’ passing. “Talk to anyone who knew him, and they would undoubtedly mention his beautiful smile, the way he always wanted to put other people first, and his unyielding sense of perseverance.”

– Michael Hinman

Teen wins $50,000 after memorizing 766 Bible verses

December 18, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy …

Many remember their childhood Sunday school classes when memorizing the books of the Bible was a necessary step into spiritual adulthood.

The goal of the National Bible Bee is to join families together to learn more about the Bible — not just memorizing passages, but understanding what the passages mean. Katherine Forster, 14, learned more than 750 Bible verses with the help of long study times as well as her family, which includes, from left, mother Sue Forster, and brothers Samuel, 12, and Ben, 9. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

But anyone who thought that was hard never had to compete at the level Katherine Forster has.

The 14-year-old Lutz girl recently won a $50,000 scholarship for being the best in the country in her age division in memorizing Bible verses. And not a dozen, or 50, or even 100. Forster learned 766 verses — the equivalent of learning all of 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians with a touch of Malachi — on her way to winning the National Bible Bee in Sevierville, Tenn.

“To some extent, I had a system where I figured out that I would need to memorize 60 verses a week over 10 weeks, and then have a week and a half to review,” Forster said. “Even on our way up to Tennessee, we drilled most of the way there.”

The National Bible Bee is a rather new concept, developed just five years ago by the Shelby Kennedy Foundation, a nonprofit ministry established in the name of a young woman who died of cancer in 2005 at the age of 23. The organization’s goal, according to its website, is to encourage parents “as they disciple their children through in-depth study” of the Bible, memorizing verses and prayer.

Katherine’s mom, Sue Forster, first learned about the program in 2009 through a home-school group she’s a part of.

“I thought it would be a great thing to do,” she said. “If you think about it, you have spelling bees, which are fun and the kids learn a lot. But I would much rather have them memorizing God’s word than how to spell all these different words.”

Katherine Forster had to memorize each verse perfectly. Any missed word would deduct points from her overall score.

This was her third trip to the national competition, and she earned her way there through Cornerstone Baptist Church’s Kids Bee in June in Brandon. There, Katherine memorized just 24 Bible passages and studied the book of 1 John in depth.

At the finals in Tennessee, Katherine competed against 60 other teenagers from across the country, and was just one of five representing Cornerstone.

Katherine already is planning on another trip to nationals next year, where she will compete at the seniors level (and a much bigger prize of $100,000).

However, studying the verses did open her eyes to some aspects of life she hadn’t realized before.

“1 John has a huge emphasis on sacrificial love,” she said. “That’s what sums up all the commandments, the love of God to keep his commandments, and these commandments are all summed up by loving God and loving others.”

Katherine spent most of November studying the verses to focus on the bee, and spent December catching up on her other studies. On Sundays, they are regulars at Keystone Bible Church in Odessa, and that has fueled Katherine’s desire to some day do mission work, either in person — or through words.

“I love to write stories,” she said. “I have a book that I am writing, but I don’t have time to write much right now. There might be something with writing, but I’ll do whatever the Lord wants.”

By memorizing verses, Katherine is learning how to organize a major project, and execute it, her mother said. But there’s more to it than just that, Katherine added.

“You have to be motivated to study,” she said. “Bible Bee for me is almost like my life at times, and it’s what I’m doing all day long.”

Her brothers — Samuel, 12, and Ben, 9 — also participate in the regional bees, but are still looking for that way to bring all the work together.

“They have other stuff they like to do, so (memorizing) is not their big thing,” Katherine said.

Also competing from the Tampa area Cornerstone group were Thomas Walter, Rutledge Dixon, Ellie Borah and Kevin Cravens.

Seniors once again find hundreds of Santas in community

December 18, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Wednesday is the last day that gifts can be collected for the Be a Santa to a Senior program, but there’s still lots of work to do before now and Christmas.

Home Instead Senior Care local franchise owners Lynelle Bonneville and mother Michele Bonneville look at ornaments listing needs from senior citizens in nursing homes with Sweet Darling Quilts owner Cathleene Tokish, right. Tokish’s store was one of several in Pasco County that hosted trees, collecting gifts for senior citizens in nursing homes as part of the Be a Santa to a Senior program. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

The annual program, hosted by Home Instead Senior Care, brings gifts to senior citizens for the holiday season — a large segment of the population that is many times left out when it comes to Christmas.

“There are a lot of charities out there for the kids, and Christmas is for the kids, but far too often, so many are forgotten,” said Cathleene Tokish, owner of Sweet Darling Quilts on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, who hosted one of the gift-giving trees. “When I do my spreadsheet, I cry, because they ask for so little.”

Tokish’s store is one of the only non-chain stores participating in the program, run locally by Home Instead franchise owners Lynelle Bonneville and mother Michele Bonneville. Yet, she is one of the highest-producing, with many of her customers asking about what they should get for the nursing home residents as early as September.

Christmas trees go up in November at the Be a Santa to a Senior collection sites, with ornaments available displaying the wish list of an individual resident of facilities like the Edwinola Retirement Community and Heritage Park in Dade City, as well as the West Winds Assisted Living Facility in Zephyrhills.

Some of the ornaments handed out at Tokish’s store included a pack of cards, a package of batteries, and one that asked for just one snack.

“Once they hit the nursing home level, Medicaid only gives them $35 a month to spend on incidentals,” Michele Bonneville said. “And that’s why just the little things matter so much for them.”

And when someone gets an ornament with a request of something like just one snack, they usually come back with so much more, the Bonnevilles said. Usually, they’re filling an entire gift bag.

This year, the local Home Instead franchise hopes to hand out 1,000 wrapped gifts to senior citizens in assisted living facilities on Dec. 21. While nearly all the donations are provided unwrapped, volunteers will get together Dec. 20 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the home office of Home Instead, 29149 Chapel Park Drive in Wesley Chapel, to wrap gifts.

Home Instead’s clientele are typically still living in their own houses and apartments, and are usually doing what they can to stay out of an assisted living facility as long as possible. But the program targets those who are no longer in their own homes, and many times missing the companionship and family so many others take for granted on the holidays.

“When you take gifts to them and see their eyes light up, it can be very special,” Michele Bonneville said. “There are people who haven’t spoken in a month who will suddenly get so excited, and they will start talking.”

Be a Santa to a Senior is a nationwide program through Home Instead that has attracted more than 60,000 volunteers, and provided 1.2 million gifts to 700,000 senior citizens over the last six years, according to the organization’s website.

Collection sites were set up around the area, including the Florida Medical Clinic Foundation, T.J. Maxx, Bealls Outlet, the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office, and Village Inn restaurant in Land O’ Lakes.

For more information on how to volunteer or donate, visit BeASantaToASenior.com, or call (813) 991-7524.

Business Digest 12-18-13

December 18, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Red Hydrant moves, expands
Red Hydrant Pet Spa and Boutique is moving to a new expanded location at 21780 State Road 54 in Lutz.
The new space, located at Osprey Cove, is 4,700 square feet, and will feature all-breed dog grooming, natural and holistic treats, toys, and an assortment of goodies.
Red Hydrant also will add “indoor” doggy day care, off-leash playtime for pets. Each pet will be evaluated and assigned to a suitable and compatible playgroup. Each group will be closely supervised by trained coaches, who will help support safe play and assist in the acclimation of new dogs into each of the groups.
The new location has been up-fitted with special ventilation and a return air system that will support a clean and sanitary environment.
For more information, call (813) 388-6810, or visit TheRedHydrant.com.

Support Our Troops get big boost from tax collector
The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office recently raised nearly $7,700 for Support Our Troops, an organization dedicated to strengthening the morale and well-being of America’s active-duty troops and their families.
The money was raised through sales of the specialty license plate that benefits the organization as well as cash donations.
“The brave men and women who leave their families behind to protect our great nation deserve everything we can do for them,” said county tax collector Mike Fasano, in a release.
“These funds will ship hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of assistance to military families overseas, soldiers at the front, and help operate military kids’ summer camps,” said Martin Boire, president of Support Our Troops of Florida, in a release. “Looking out for the service members who are looking out for us is a tall moral obligation. And the generosity of the people of Pasco County will make a big impact at the personal level in the lives of our troops, their spouses, and their kids.”
Support Our Troops operates with a non-program overhead of less than 1 percent, which means 99 percent of donations go to programs and services, which directly impact the troops and their families.
For more information on the organization, visit www.SupportOurTroops.org.

Women-n-Charge to meet in January
Women-n-Charge will meet Jan. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.
The meeting includes lunch and networking.
Cost is $15 for members by the Tuesday before the meeting, and $18 for all guests and members paying after the early deadline.
For more information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

IAAP to meet Dec. 19
The City Center chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will meet Dec. 19 beginning at noon at The Tampa Club, 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., in downtown Tampa.
The meeting will be the monthly luncheon, as well as an ornament exchange and food drive for Metropolitan Ministries.
Cost is $17, with an additional $2 for parking with validation.
RSVP is required at .

Dog caretaker opens in Wesley Chapel
Bryan’s Bow Wow Walks & Cleanup has opened in the Wesley Chapel area, offering daily dog walking, as well as regular pet waste cleanup and all-natural treats for dogs.
It is owned by Bryan Gavros, who says he wants to help people with busy schedules get their dogs out for exercise and companionship. He also said he will donate canned food for each new pet client to the Humane Society of Pasco County.
For more information on the business, call (630) 788-6965, or email .

Upcoming SCORE seminars
The Pasco-Hernando Chapter of SCORE, which historically stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives, will host the following upcoming free seminars:
• How to Really Start Your Own Business at Centennial Park Branch Library, 5730 Moog Road, Holiday, Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m. It presents key issues needed to know to start a business, highlighting business structure, the importance of a business plan, cash flow charts, and finding money.
• Advanced QuickBooks at Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson, Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. The seminar is designed for people who have some reasonable experience using the basics of QuickBooks, but who would like to benefit from more advanced features.
• How to Really Start Your Own Business at Brooksville Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville, Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. Presents key issues needed to know to start a business, highlighting business structure, the importance of a business plan, cash flow charts, and finding money.
• Creating a Business Plan at South Holiday Branch Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, on Jan 15 at 5:30 p.m. Participants will learn what data is required to write a plan, review the techniques used to acquire it, and how to use the data to establish realistic goals and objectives.
• How to Use the Internet In Your Business at Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. Will review the various roles that a website can support in enhancing a business.
• How to Really Start Your Own Business at Pasco-Hernando Community College, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. Presents key issues needed to know to start a business, highlighting business structure, the importance of a business plan, cash flow charts, and finding money.
For more information, or to register, visit www.score439.org.

Goodbye Lutz Little League, Hello Lutz Baseball

December 18, 2013 By Michael Hinman

The baseball diamond at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex is empty of ballplayers right now. But when it reopens in 2014, it will no longer be Little League players on the field, but instead members of the Babe Ruth League. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

Last month, the national Little League organization released new rules for the 2014 baseball season that adjusted eligibility requirements and compensation for traveling expenses.

What was missing from the list is what irked Lutz baseball organizers the most — changes in Little League playing style that could help better develop young players, and give them the skills they need to advance in the sport. Skills like stealing bases, leading off of base, bunting, and what players can gain from more tournament play.

But Little League isn’t budging from its decades-old style, and after more than a half century of affiliation, Lutz will break away from Little League on Jan. 1, and join Babe Ruth League.

“What’s been happening is a decline in membership and an increase in costs,” said Rick Parker, a board member and coach for both the current Lutz Little League organization and the upcoming Lutz Baseball operation. “The evolution of the youth leagues have been more toward traveling teams, and that’s where many are going. And during all this, Little League has been akin to the Vatican — they don’t move, and they don’t want to change their doctrine.”

Little League and Babe Ruth have a lot of similarities. Both were born during the golden era of baseball, targeting youth to participate in America’s Pastime. The Little League World Series is one of the best-known youth athletic events in the world, taking place every year in the league’s birthplace of Williamsport, Pa., while Babe Ruth has its annual championship games in various parts of the country.

Where the two leagues split, however, is how they play the game. Little League holds on to its basic game style first established in the 1940s that focus intently on batting and fielding, but not running.

Yet, thanks to its growth at the professional levels, the running game — base stealing, leading off, fighting for extra bases — has become a key part of the sport. Running game skills are necessary not just at the professional and collegiate level, but even at the high school level, which puts Little League players at a disadvantage.

“Kids want to play baseball, they want to have fun,” Parker said. “But when you get to ages of 7, 8 and 9, these are key development years. High school baseball is very competitive, and if you want a chance to potentially open the doors, you’re going to have to know the broader nuances of baseball.”

The Babe Ruth League, named after one of the sport’s most famous players, has two divisions: Babe Ruth Baseball for teenagers, and Cal Ripken Baseball for younger ages.

Lutz joins New Tampa, Bloomingdale, North Brandon and other local communities to make the switch to Babe Ruth, and the decision was virtually unanimous among not only the Lutz board, but its parents and players as well.

“It was not an easy decision,” said Dave Crawford, the president of Lutz Baseball, and formerly of Lutz Little League. “Little League has been good to us, but it’s just a different way of doing business from Cal Ripken. Little League has been around for a long time, and been able to grow and evolve. And just with any business model, they have to do what they need to do.”

Little League officials in Pennsylvania would not comment on the status of its Lutz operation, but did say they would welcome the league back if it ever changed its mind.

“Little League is constantly changing to adapt to today’s standards,” spokesman Brian McClintock told The Laker/Lutz News in an email statement. “As the world’s largest and most respected youth sports organization, we will continue to provide a positive, safe baseball and softball experience for every child in our programs.”

McClintock added that Little League did amend its rules this year to allow for children to play for a Little League in the same boundaries their school is located. They also added an intermediate baseball division this past year for children 11 to 13.

But it was still difficult for the organization to bring in players that with other youth leagues, they’d be able to attract otherwise, Crawford said.

“The Little League boundary policy is the one they are set on. They do that for the protection of the local leagues, and that is very honorable,” he said. “With Cal Ripken, we have a little more latitude, to expand our boundaries for our continued growth, and it seemed very appropriate for us.”

The new league will have much wider boundaries, allowing them to bring in players from parts of central Pasco County and northern Hillsborough County.

Although Ruth and Ripken are popular names in baseball, the Lutz program still has some work to do introducing the program locally, and moving people away from its Little League attachment at Oscar Cooler Park.

“Little League is similar to Kleenex,” Parker said. “Everyone uses the phrase ‘Little League,’ but a larger percentage of them don’t understand that Little League is kids baseball. That as you get to the older groups, the Little League brand is not necessary.”

Registration costs for players will actually be less than last year, typically by $10, Parker said. And the hope is that bringing in more tournaments through the new league will help generate more revenue, and defray even more costs in the future.

To learn more about the new league, how it will complement travel teams, and to register, visit LutzBaseball.com.

“There’s no hard feelings on our end,” Crawford said. “We just did some research on some options, and chose the one that was the best for our teams and our future.”

Next step toward elevated road: Public education

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

The biggest obstacle in the way of an elevated road connecting the east and west sides of Pasco County is public education.

At least that’s what Pasco County Commissioners stated last week just before signaling their support of the Florida Department of Transportation’s continued study into an unsolicited bid that would build upward on the State Road 54/56 corridor.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri says Pasco County officials should show this rendering when talking about the proposed elevated road. This concept would have elevated lanes high enough to provide a clear view across the road, and allow better local car and pedestrian traffic below. (Image courtesy of Pasco County Planning and Development)

“I definitely don’t think the public understands what we are talking about,” Commissioners Kathryn Starkey said. “We need to go out to the community, get their input, and let them see what their options are. When I go to them, I see a lot of misunderstanding and misconception, and a lot of understandable objections. But they don’t know what we know. They don’t get to sit up here and see the traffic projections and understand what the alternatives are.”

International Infrastructure Partners Inc. has proposed building a 33-mile elevated toll road down the center of the State Road 54/56 corridor, similar to the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway in Hillsborough County, using private money to fund it. The ultimate decision on whether it happens lies with FDOT, but the state agency wanted the county’s OK before moving forward.

Richard Gehring, Pasco’s planning and development administrator, said one of the main misconceptions is that businesses and homes along the corridor would face giant walls, similar to what’s happened in the elevated portions of U.S. 19 in Pinellas County. However, a completely elevated road could have far less negative aesthetic impact than many realize.

“You could have view lines across the roadway,” Gehring said. “That condition could be enhanced by landscaping and night lighting to soften up the overall infrastructure.”

Gehring showed a rendering of what he thinks State Road 54 could look like from the ground level. The elevated road was about 20 feet high, but the supports were covered in topiary-like vegetation, and businesses across the road were quite visible.

“Have you reached out to the chambers to show them how this road could look?” Commissioner Pat Mulieri asked Gehring after seeing the images. “The elevated road has caused such an uproar since they think it would have this blank wall that would destroy businesses. But this is a totally different concept.”

But not all the commissioners were anxious to move forward with more studies of the elevated road. Commissioner Henry Wilson said he moves through traffic just fine.

“I spend very little time in congestion here in Pasco County,” he said. “The congestion is when I get into Hillsborough County. This is going to benefit the Pinellas and Hillsborough drivers more than it benefits our people, our citizens.”

Although Gehring demonstrated 17 other road options that were carefully considered instead of an elevated road — including the construction of a 20-lane surface highway through the middle of Pasco — both Wilson and Commissioner Ted Schrader felt there could be other alternatives outside of the corridor that could move traffic east and west.

That could include Ridge Road, which Schrader said might not have even been considered by FDOT since it is a county road and not a state one. Elevating that road and connecting it to Interstate 75 could be a possibility.

Gehring, however, said that would still only move traffic over the Suncoast Parkway, and would not connect the east and west sides of the county with an expressway option. And such an option will be needed within the next 30 years if the county doesn’t want to stunt its growth.

In the end, however, commissioners approved a resolution giving their support to more studies on a proposed elevated road unanimously.

The elevated road is still quite a ways away, if it ever happens. A member of Gehring’s team said ground could be broken within seven years at the earliest, although Schrader said it would be more like 10 years if everything goes as planned.

Dade Oaks on way to new home, location

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

From 14th Street in Dade City, it’s hard to imagine the site that has been home to Dade Oaks Apartments since 1977 was once a lakebed.

Yet, there are some parts of the property, maintained by the Pasco County Housing Authority, that drop as much as 55 feet, and flooding has been an issue there for decades.

A good portion of Dade Oaks Apartments remains empty after continuous flooding over the decades made some units uninhabitable. A new Dade Oaks further up on 14th Street could be under construction by next summer. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

That’s why when the time came to do something about the aging buildings, Pasco County decided to tear it all down and start from scratch — somewhere else.

Pasco County Commissioners has set into motion the final days for the 69-unit, single-level complex, eyeing a 12.8-acre site up the road.

“There has been flooding continually at this apartment complex, and HUD has continually threatened to take back all the vouchers there,” said George Romagnoli, the county community development manager.

Not that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would have a lot of vouchers to take back. Flooding and other issues have created unsuitable living conditions there, and with it a high vacancy rate. That means people looking to get housing assistance help have even more limited options than they already had because of the state of Dade Oaks.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri said she’s seen flooding firsthand at the apartment complex.

“There were many times we had our mobile medical unit, and we had this great event with a pig roast, and then because of all the flooding, it had to be discontinued,” she said. “Flooding is a known factor there.”

Razing the complex has been on the table for more than a year, but putting plans and funding together to fix the situation has not been easy.

Now, however, a new Dade Oaks could rise through the Florida Housing Finance Corp. efforts to pick up federal funds. It will take $12 million to build a new complex to house 69 units, along with nearly $330,000 to purchase the new property.

Commissioners approved making a deposit of $13,000 through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership for the land that will allow the housing authority to complete its purchase by the end of February.

Commissioners also approved a local match to federal funds, pulling $1.25 million from its county Home funds as well as from Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2. HUD’s Home Investment Partnerships Program provides grants to states and localities (like cities and counties) that help buy, build or rehabilitate affordable housing. The program allocates $2 billion each year to states.

“It is true that this is a large portion of our budget,” Romagnoli said. “That’s 15 percent of our funds right now,” but because of the dilapidated condition of the complex, something needs to be done soon.

The new site, as proposed, would include some duplexes among its 69 units, and could be under construction as early as next summer, said Dianne Morris, executive director of the Pasco County Housing Authority.

Commissioners approved the measure unanimously, with Ted Schrader abstaining since he had a family member involved in the deal.

Burgess eyes Tallahassee, but path may not be easy

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Although there always was a chance he could run for re-election, Danny Burgess knew he had just a short time as mayor of Zephyrhills when he was elected unopposed earlier this year.

He will step down from that office in April with an eye on a much bigger prize: replacing Will Weatherford as the area’s state representative in Tallahassee.

Burgess has all the qualities of a strong candidate — a solid government service background, the ability to connect with just about anyone, and a winning smile that will look good on campaign posters — as well as the same youthful vigor Weatherford had when he was first elected to the House.

But the badge of the Republican Party, typically so strong that anyone who wore it could practically start picking office furniture at The Capitol soon after they win their primary, may not be what it once was.

And it might mean an uphill battle for Burgess, a registered Republican who has practically lived in the local public spotlight his entire adult life.

“I don’t concern myself with polls and how the federal government is doing,” Burgess said. “I’m going to focus on the election, getting to meet people, and to hear what those people are concerned about.”

Yet, what the federal government is doing could come back to haunt candidates, even ones at the state level.

“This is going to be a very nationalized election from the top of the ballot all the way down,” said Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida, who grew up in Land O’ Lakes. “People’s images of politicians at this moment are based on what’s happening in Washington, specifically the President and Congress, but most basically Congress.”

Weatherford originally won his House seat by more than 20 points in 2006, and despite raising more than $1.7 million through all of his elections, didn’t have to put up too much of a fight.

But next November is an election where many will use the ballot box to share their opinions of Washington, D.C. Although a lot can change in 11 months, current polls have rated the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives at some of its lowest levels in history. And there could be a real blowback on state-level races, including ones like Weatherford’s legislative seat.

“Americans right now don’t like either party,” MacManus said, meaning two things could happen at local races. “Some of the independent candidates, like a Libertarian candidate, could get a lot of protest votes, which can drain from both parties.

“The second is more frightful — turnout drops,” she said.

In Pasco County, independents have a real shot of tipping the political scale one way or the other. They make up more than 27 percent of the electorate, leaving just 39 percent for Republicans, and 34 percent for Democrats.

Two other candidates have already filed to seek Weatherford’s seat, including Republican Minerva Diaz and Democrat Beverly Anne Ledbetter. Diaz made news earlier this year when she told Pasco County Commissioners she wanted to see more stringent background checks on firearm buyers. Ledbetter is a former public school teacher who currently works at Saint Leo University, according to published reports.

Diaz has raised $1,960 in cash so far in the young election, with Ledbetter scheduled to file her first campaign finance report this week. New candidates have until July 28, just before the Aug. 26 primary, to file their paperwork if they want to run.

But judging by past elections in this district, the successful candidate is going to have to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars — far more than Burgess has ever needed running for city council or mayor in Zephyrhills. Yet, he feels that city-level experience gives him a significant leg up over anyone who might run against him.

“Having the opportunity to serve at a local level as a councilman has given me a keen understanding of municipalities and local government,” Burgess said. “And local governments are exactly what encompasses your district as a state representative. I am currently the mayor of the largest city in the district, and I feel like I have the opportunity and the understanding of what the district means to help make it better.”

While he wouldn’t get into specifics, Burgess said he is ready to serve, even if the governor after the next election isn’t Republican.

“I’m a team player, and I look forward to working with people on both sides of the aisle,” Burgess said. “I do what I am elected to do, but I also understand that there’s much stuff that gets done up there for whatever reason, so I hope to be a good positive change in Tallahassee, and hopefully, to get some good things accomplished.”

Timeline of Danny Burgess
2004 — Graduates from Zephyrhills High School.
2005 — Becomes youngest member of the Zephyrhills City Council in history at 18.
2006 — Faces scrutiny when it’s believed he spends more time living on campus at the University of South Florida. However, city attorney confirms his permanent residence remains in Zephyrhills, which is needed to remain on the council.
2007 — Re-elected to city council.
2008 — Graduates from USF and is elected council president; later resigns to attend law school in Orlando.
2011 — Graduates from Barry University School of Law, and later passes the Florida Bar examination to become a lawyer.
2013 — Elected unopposed as youngest mayor of Zephyrhills; joins Johnson Auvil Pratico & Chane P.A. of Dade City, practicing in commercial litigation; Announces run to replace Will Weatherford for the state House seat in District 38.

Tubas, euphoniums invade Zephyrhills for Christmas

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

In a holiday world where trumpets and hand bells reign supreme, it’s about time tubas and euphoniums get their due.

And they will Dec. 21 when TubaChristmas returns to Times Square on Fifth Avenue in Zephyrhills.

The low brass instrumentalists will perform Christmas favorites from the gazebo, made up of players both locally and regionally. And all of them will play together as a single unit for the first time, just hours after their one and only practice.

You know it’s Christmas in downtown Zephyrhills when TubaChristmas — a national effort to bring tuba and euphonium players together for public performances — takes over downtown’s Times Square. (Photo courtesy of John Wheeler)

That just adds to the fun, said John Wheeler, a longtime TubaChristmas performer, who is organizing the Zephyrhills event for the seventh year.

“They tend to be musicians who have a good time,” Wheeler said. “They are low-key, and this is a bit of a come-as-you-are party.”

TubaChristmas has performances all over the country, each performance never conflicting with others so that players can attend as many as they want. In fact, some of the 25 or so musicians that show up for the Zephyrhills event have already done other events, like one last week in Lakeland.

And anyone with a tuba or euphonium, and a $10 registration fee, can join in. Those who would like to watch need only show up with lawn chairs at 7 p.m. to get a free one-hour show.

“The tubas and euphoniums are the lower brass instruments in the band, and it is a mellow rumbling sound that you get from it,” Wheeler said. “It gives people a chance to sing along.”

Euphoniums, which have a sound that’s a step higher than tubas, typically take on the melodic parts. And without the rest of the higher-pitch instruments, it gives these players — usually relegated to the background — a chance to stand out.

“You usually get buried by everybody else, and this is the one chance that we get to star,” Wheeler said.

The rehearsal for this performance will begin at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 38635 Fifth Ave. Players not only get a chance to perform for the community, but they also receive a commemorative TubaChristmas button honoring their participation in the event.

The performers are all ages, and some of them even come from the local high schools, Wheeler said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity, especially for the younger generations,” he said. “No one is judging them on playing right or wrong notes.”

Some players might just stay local, but others travel quite a bit.

“We have players from all over who’ll participate, and one time we had a guy who showed me on a back of an envelope where he had recorded the dates that he played in TubaChristmases all over the country that year,” Wheeler said. “He attended 84 of them.”

Because players can wait right up until the same-day practice to show up, Wheeler does admit as an organizer it can be a little frightening wondering if enough players will show up to play. The Zephyrhills event, however, has really taken root in the town over the last several years, which means only a little stress for Wheeler leading up to the concert.

“I lost a little sleep the first time out,” he said.

Wheeler has performed with TubaChristmas for 28 years, getting his start in New Hampshire and other parts of New England.

“I remember playing once in Maine with the snowflakes coming down and the valves (on his instrument) tend to freeze up,” he said. “We’re in Florida now, so we don’t have to worry about it. I’ve had the pleasure of playing in a variety of instances, and Zephyrhills is the most enjoyable one.”

For more information, call John Wheeler at (813) 788-7408.

Business Digest 12-11-13

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

New massage therapist at Cameo Salon
Kiki Young has joined Cameo Salon & Spa as a licensed massage therapist.
Using a unique combination of Lomi Lomi techniques and traditional massage, Young develops individualized therapeutic treatment plans for every client. Her massages include sports, Swedish relaxation, customized deep tissue, prenatal and trigger point.
Cameo is located at 1817 Collier Parkway in Lutz.
For more information, call (813) 948-7411.

Connerton’s $1,000 Grand Tour
Connerton, the planned community of 8,000 homes in central Pasco County, is offering visitors a chance to win $1,000 by taking part in its grand tour of homes. But anyone looking for a chance to win will need to hurry, as the drawing is set to take place Dec. 15.
Builders taking part in the tour include Ryland Homes, Taylor Morrison, M/I Homes, and Homes by WestBay. Each offers different types of homes ranging in price from the higher $100,000, to more than $700,000.
Ryland can be reached at (813) 996-1800, or at Ryland.com. Taylor Morrison is at (866) 495-6006, or at TaylorMorrison.com. M/I is at (813) 388-6836, or at MIHomes.com, while WestBay can be reached at (813) 428-5973, or at HomesByWestBay.com.
Since the community’s grand re-opening in May, more than 75 homes have been sold in the community.
Connerton is located west of Interstate 75 on U.S. 41, five miles north of State Road 54.
For more information, visit Connerton.com.

Kirk speaking at chamber breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will host a business breakfast Dec. 17 beginning at 8 a.m., at the Hornbuckle Room of the Dade City Business Center, 15000 Citrus Country Drive in Dade City.
The guest speaker is Arthur Kirk Jr., president of Saint Leo University.
Cost is $5 per person.
For more information, and to RSVP, call (352) 567-3769.

New community phase opens at Connerton
Ryland Homes recently opened a new phase for single-family homes beginning at $190,000 in Connerton. It’s located at 8641 Savory Walk Drive in Land O’ Lakes.
Mike Finley, vice president of sales and marketing for Ryland Homes in the Tampa Bay region, said the homebuilder has released 32 conservation and water view lots in the new phase.
Connerton is a master-planned, designated “New Town” community with a theme park-style pool, community center, restaurant, and a highly rated elementary school within the community.
For more information, visit www.Ryland.com/Tampa.

Cross Insurance comes to Lutz
Douglas Scribner is helming the newest office for Cross Insurance from his Lutz location.
The office is located at 1423 Kensington Woods Drive in Lutz. Scribner will become Cross’ head of Southeast Surety Operations, and will be responsible for handling the bonding and risk management needs for a diverse group of construction companies and businesses within Florida’s surety marketplace.
“With Florida poised to become the third largest state in the nation, we feel there’s room in this marketplace for a strong player to duplicate Cross Surety’s successful Northeast business model in the Southeast,” said Michelle Orlando, president of Cross Surety Inc., in a release. “Doug’s knowledge of the surety industry in Florida makes him the perfect choice to lead our new office.”
A native of Maine, Scribner has worked in Florida’s surety industry for the past 24 years. Prior to joining Cross Insurance, he has served as an account executive and officer for Travelers Casualty and Surety’s Construction Surety Division in Tampa. Scriber also worked with ProSure Group, Aon Risk Services and Amwest Surety.
Cross Surety is a wholly owned subsidiary of Cross Financial Group, and currently has offices in Massachusetts, Maine and New York.

Chamber hosts quarterly membership meeting
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce will host its quarterly membership meeting Dec. 11 beginning at 9 a.m. at the chamber office, 38550 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills.
Scheduled to speak are Krista Covey from the SmartStart Business Incubator, chamber president Carolyn Sentelik, and chamber executive director Vonnie Mikkelsen.
For more information, call (813) 782-1913, or email .

New home style introduced at Grand Hampton
ICI Homes recently hosted a grand opening to showcase its new Salerno luxury model home at New Tampa’s Grand Hampton.
The homes, according to ICI’s vice president of sales and marketing Rosemary Messina, offers contemporary styling and an open floor plan with four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and an optional bonus room and additional full bathroom in a little more than 3,400 square feet of space.
Prices for the building style begins at just under $440,000, with plans to build 35 of them at Grand Hampton, located in New Tampa between Bruce B. Downs Boulevard and Interstate 75, just south of East County Line Road on Dunham Station Drive.

Dade City eatery has new owner
Tropical Café in downtown Dade City has opened its doors under new ownership.
Luis Rivera said he will keep the name and same style of cuisine that has been a part of the restaurant since it opened.
He purchased the restaurant from Ivelisse Martes, who was recently hospitalized and then advised by her doctors to step away from the restaurant business, according to a release.
Tropical Café is located at 14249 Seventh St., in Dade City.