The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Not-for-profit utility refunds more than $350,000 to Pasco County

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The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc. (WREC), an electric utility company based in Pasco County, presented a refund check for $352,760.31 to the Pasco County Commission on Dec. 5.

David Lambert, executive vice president and general manager of the WREC, and Joe Marina, its district manager, made the presentation.

Marina made most of the remarks. He told commissioners:  “As you know, Withlacoochee is proud to be based in Pasco County. We’re a member-owned, not-for-profit electric utility. We had another year of growth, averaging over 700 accounts a month, and we’ve been successful with that, despite supply chain constraints, as you all experience yourselves.”

The Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative Inc., is a not-for-profit electric utility that is member-owned. Typically, it delivers a refund check at the end of the year to Pasco County, which this year totaled more than $350,000. Shown here during the check presentation are, from left, Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Seth Weightman, Ron Oakley, David Lambert, Jack Mariano, Joe Marina, Kathryn Starkey, Gary Bradford and Mike Carballa. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

He said the WREC’s educational foundation donated $152,000 to Pasco-Hernando State College to pay for ballfield lighting. The electric utility also awarded 110 scholarships, valued at $12,000 each, including 62 of those in Pasco County.

“Since that program’s inception, we have awarded 2,414 scholarships, valued at $18.5 million,” Marina said.

“Our charitable foundation, WREC Cares, helped 12 families this year. Since that program’s inception, we’ve awarded $2.45 million, helping 673 families through catastrophic events that were no fault of their own.

“We also partnered this past year with the Boy Scouts, Habitat for Humanity, Mid-Florida Community Services, Special Olympics, United Way and many other agencies helping to better the communities that we serve.

“We all experienced the hurricane this past year. We did have some flooding and damage, but thank God there was no loss of life.

“Our employees right now are busy finishing up with Withlacoochee’s Angel Tree program, which we’re very proud of.

“We’re very proud of our employees and what they do in the community as well.

“We will soon be providing toys, clothing and necessities for children so they can also experience the joy of Christmas.”

All total, the WREC is refunding a total of $23.2 million, which is a new record for the utility, Marina said.

Ron Oakley, who is the county board’s new chairman, and Jack Mariano, who just wrapped up a year in that role, both praised WREC for what it does for the county.

“Joe and David, both of you, the working relationship that the county has with WREC has been a great relationship for many, many years. We’ve got a lot more to do, but we know that you all are prepared and when the growth comes, you’re ready for power when we need it,” Oakley said.

Mariano added: “For all the years, Withlacoochee has been just the best partner the county has ever had. As far as utilities go, you are No. 1. What you do for the community, what you do as far as keeping rates low, the effectiveness and everything. Your community involvement is unparalleled, unbeaten. Thank you guys.”

Published January 03, 2024

County changes name of Fern Park Place to Wiregrass Road

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The Pasco County Commission has renamed Fern Park Place to Wiregrass Road, beginning at its southern end, extending north to Starkey Boulevard.

The road currently known as Fern Park Place, in Land O’ Lakes, will be extended to existing Wiregrass Road, according to the county board’s Dec. 5 agenda backup materials.

The extension will create one contiguous road.

The street will need the same name for 911 purposes.

Wiregrass Road has existing addresses, so keeping that name instead of changing the street name to Fern Park Place alleviates the need to change addresses.

The name change was approved as part of the county board’s consent agenda. Items on that agenda are considered non-controversial and are approved in a single action, unless someone pulls an item from consent for discussion.

Published January 03, 2024

A man of quick actions, and a man of few words

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Jeremy Dallaire shakes hands with Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley. Dallaire was honored by the county board for taking quick actions to save a man who was struggling to breathe, after overdosing. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The Pasco County Commission recently honored Jeremy Dallaire, a field inspector who took quick actions to save the life of a man who had overdosed and was struggling to breathe.

A resolution adopted on Dec. 5 by the county board describes what happened.

It says Dallaire was in a restroom of a local Walgreens on Oct. 10 when he heard a man gasping for air.

The field inspector recognized the man had overdosed and immediately went to get the store’s pharmacist, who administered two doses of Narcan. Dallaire performed chest compressions.

The combination of the chest compressions and the Narcan were able to resuscitate the man and keep him alive until Pasco County Fire Rescue arrived. The emergency responders stabilized the man and transported him to the hospital.

The resolution says Dallaire’s actions serve as “testament to the (field inspector’s) dedication, professionalism, and readiness to help.”

His actions also resulted in Dallaire receiving a “Point of Light award, which is given to ‘recognize humanitarian accomplishments that occur outside of a team member’s normal work duties,’” the resolution notes.

Dallaire received a standing ovation from the audience at the board meeting.

Board chairman Ron Oakley offered the field inspector a chance to say a few words, but he politely declined.

The only thing he said was “thank you” in response to individual board members and Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles who praised his actions.

Published January 03, 2024

Pasco needs to do more to protect trees, commissioner says

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey wants the county to figure out a way to deter landowners from clear-cutting trees.

During the county board’s Dec. 5 meeting, Starkey told her colleagues: “We had somebody come in without a permit and (he) cleared a beautiful, beautiful forested property with an intent to put something on there that I think we would never ever, ever allow.”

She then asked: “What’s the penalty for clearing without a permit?” And then she added: “It’s not enough.”

The penalties meted out do not deter bad actors, the commissioner said.

“I hear it all of the time: ‘It’s better to just do it and pay the penalty fee,’” Starkey said.

Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder told Starkey: “The fines are capped by state statute.”

But Starkey responded, saying there must be another way the county can take action.

“What else can we put on there? Don’t call it a fine, call it something else. Let’s get creative.

“We need a deterrent. People are coming and they’re clearing lands without permits all of the time.

“And then, we have to figure out, how do we count the trees that they cut down? 

“It needs to be more punitive, in my opinion,” she said.

County Administrator Mike Carballa said: “I thought we were limited, $500.”

Steinsnyder responded: “That’s what I just said to the commissioner and she told me to get creative.”

Carballa added: “We’ve done things like stack the charges, if you will.”

Steinsnyder: “Technically, depending on how the code officer writes it, violations could be each and every tree that is taken down and that gets the number up.”

Starkey responded: “But then you have to figure that out.”

Steinsnyder said he’s not sure if it’s possible, but the county might be able to create a “timeout” for someone who violates the code.

Starkey urged county staff to continue seeking creative ideas to tackle the problem.

Published January 03, 2024

Service initiative helps to spread holiday cheer

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(Courtesy of Sarah Watson, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints)

The youth of the Land O’ Lakes congregation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints participated in a service project at the Metropolitan Ministries Trinity location. Twenty-six youth and nine adults came together to make a positive impact on the local community. The focus of the project was to provide assistance to Metropolitan Ministries by delivering food and helping with shopping for those in need during the holiday season. The youth also shared the joy of the season by singing Christmas carols. ‘We believe in the importance of giving back to our community and spreading love and joy, especially during the holiday season,’ said RJ Anderson, the JustServe specialist for the church, in a news release.

Celebrating the accomplishments of Pasco women trailblazers

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The Pasco County Commission paused during its Dec. 5 meeting to honor Pasco County women who have distinguished themselves and created new pathways for others.

A group of Pasco County women were honored by the Pasco County Commission recently for helping to open the door to new opportunities. Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano, who was the resolution’s sponsor, is seen holding his grandchild. His daughter, Amber Mariano Davis, was one of the honorees. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

“These are pioneers,” said Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, as she prepared to read a resolution honoring a group of Pasco women.

The resolution, sponsored by Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano, recognizes the role that the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce, established in 1944,  has had in supporting female leaders. It also pays homage to the contributions of the Professional Women in Business, a group that was initially established as a book club.

It also recognizes individual women singled out by The Professional Women in Business.

That group, according to the resolution, “would like to recognize the achievements of Pasco County women who have broken through the glass ceiling and risen above invisible barriers that have marginalized women when seeking career advancements.”

Women honored in the resolution are: Amber Mariano Davis, the youngest State Representative elected in Florida history to represent District 36 in the Florida House of Representatives; Republican State Committeewoman Sandy Graves, founder of the Republican Club of Central Pasco; Marilyn DeChant the first female Rotarian of the New Port Richey Rotary Club;  Dr. Paula O’Neil, the first female Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller; Debbie Manns, the first female city manager for the city of New Port Richey; Margaret Sutterlin, the first female council member for the city of Port Richey; and, Elaine Todneri, who revitalized the Pasco Chapter of the National Organization of Women (NOW) in 1966 and is the current chapter president.

The resolution also notes that the Professional Women in Business of the Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce “is immensely proud of the achievements of these women and encourages women in Pasco County to continue the tradition of rising above barriers and empower all women distinguishing themselves in their roles in the community.”

The women’s accomplishments drew applause from the audience.

Published December 27, 2023

Church in Zephyrhills is changing its affiliation

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The First Methodist Church of Zephyrhills has dropped its previous affiliation with the United Methodist Church and has re-established its affiliation with the Global Methodist Church, according to a news release from the church. The transition occurred on Dec. 15.

The church’s new name is a return to its name prior to 1968, when the United Methodist Church merged with the Evangelical United Brethren Church to form the United Methodist Church.

“After a three-year discernment process, our congregation chose to reaffiliate to the Global Methodist Church, a new denomination founded for more traditionally minded Methodists who want to remain faithful to orthodox Christian theology, stand on scriptural authority, and be part of a leaner and simpler denominational structure,” Dr. Steve Ezra, senior pastor of the church, said in the news release. “We are excited to continue building on our 111 years of worshiping God and making disciples of Jesus Christ in Zephyrhills but doing so as part of a new and rapidly growing worldwide Methodist movement.”

Founded in 1912, First Methodist Church of Zephyrhills has ministered to thousands of people locally and around the world through their mission partnerships. The church offers two worship services on Sunday mornings: 9:30 a.m. contemporary worship and 11 a.m. traditional worship, both live-streamed through its Facebook page, at Facebook.com/fumczhills/.

The church offers a variety of discipleship opportunities for children, students and adults throughout the week, as well as multiple opportunities for ministry and service, including a thrift shop and food pantry. Its mission is “to make disciples of Jesus Christ who worship passionately, love extravagantly, and witness boldly.”

Published December 27, 2023

Providing the ‘tools to help veterans

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(Courtesy of LIberty Manor for Veterans)

Liberty Manor for Veterans was presented with 25 assembled picnic tables donated by ToolBank and Home Depot Tampa. Liberty Manor promotes the developmental and social needs of disabled and honorably discharged veterans who have fallen victim to homelessness. It provides transitional, supported housing and establishes objectives designed to contribute to self-sufficiency. ToolBank’s mission is to serve community-based organizations by providing tools, equipment and expertise to empower their most ambitious goals. For information, visit LibertyManor.org. For more about ToolBank, contact ToolBank USA at 727-239-4601.

As dry conditions persist, here are some tips to reduce outdoor water use

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Pasco, Hillsborough and Pinellas counties are operating under a Modified Phase 1 Water Shortage declared by the Southwest Florida Water Management District’s governing board.

Under that order, all three counties are limited to one day a week for outdoor irrigation.

Katherine Munson is the lead conservation education coordinator for the Southwest Florida Water Management District. (Courtesy of Southwest Florida Water Management District)

Katherine Munson, lead conservation education coordinator for the Water Management District, has compiled a list of questions and answers to help individuals reduce their water use by taking a few simple steps. A condensed version of that Q&A is presented here.

Q: Why is it important to conserve water outdoors?
A:  Outdoor water use accounts for about 50% of water consumed by households, so it’s important to pay attention to your outdoor water use. If using a permanent in-ground irrigation system, be sure to conduct regular maintenance to ensure it is working properly and make seasonal adjustments throughout the year. If using a non-permanent above-ground sprinkler, only run the sprinkler when you’re home, water slowly to reduce runoff and allow deep penetration, and be sure to use a kitchen timer to remind yourself to turn it off.

Q: What are signs to tell me my in-ground irrigation system is working properly?
A: Manually test run your system to visually check for broken or misdirected sprinkler heads, where water is shooting into the air or into the road or driveway. Also, look for areas where water may be spraying unevenly across your lawn.

Q: Does it matter when I water my lawn?
A: You should only water on your designated day and only if needed. You can learn more about local water restrictions at WaterMatters.org/Restrictions.

Q: What should I check on my irrigation controller to make sure it’s set to water more efficiently?
A: There are three main elements to check on your irrigation controller — the start time, run time and schedule. The start time refers to when your sprinkler system will turn on. Only one start time is needed to initiate watering all irrigation zones. The run time refers to how long each zone in your system will run. Check with your local UF/IFAS Extension office for run time recommendations. The schedule refers to the days of the week your system will turn on. Always check local water restrictions before setting your start time and schedule at WaterMatters.org/Restrictions.

Q: Can smart irrigation controllers help save water outdoors?
A: Yes, smart irrigation controllers help to reduce outdoor water use by automatically adjusting your irrigation run times and/or frequency depending on local weather and other site conditions. Smart controllers are an especially great option if you travel often or live in Florida only part of the year, and still want your irrigation system to adjust to seasonal changes. If properly installed and programmed, a smart irrigation controller can result in water savings of up to 30% to 40% during dry conditions and up to 70% to 90% during the rainy season.

To find more water conservation tips, visit the District’s website at WaterMatters.org/Water101.

Published December 20, 2023

Avoid these ’12 scams of Christmas’

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The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has compiled its ‘naughty list’ of the top 12 scams of Christmas, according to a news release from the organization.

You can avoid most of these scams, however, by exercising caution.

Be careful when shopping or donating during this holiday season and keep an eye out for schemes that are trying to swipe your cash or steal your personal information, the BBB advises. If you are asked to make a payment or donation by wire transfer, through a third party or by a prepaid debit or gift card, regard that as a red flag and refuse to do so.

Here’s the BBB’s 12 scams of Christmas, in condensed form:

Be wary of misleading social media ads. Online purchase scams are the most common cons reported to BBB’s Scam Tracker.

Avoid social media gift exchanges. This scam aims to collect your personal information. Stick to buying your friends gifts from trustworthy businesses.

Be careful with holiday apps: There are dozens of holiday-themed apps that allow children to video chat live with Santa, light the menorah, track Santa’s sleigh and so on. Be sure to review privacy policies to be aware of what information will be collected and also be aware that some of these apps may contain malware.

Watch out for fake texts that say you’ve been hacked. BBB receives tons of reports on Scam Tracker about fake texts and emails, many of them claiming your Amazon, Paypal, Netflix or bank account has been compromised. Be extra cautious about unsolicited calls, emails and texts; contact the business directly and don’t click on any links.

Be wary of free gift cards. Scammers have been known to take advantage of our weakness for ‘free things’  by sending bulk phishing emails requesting personal information to receive free gift cards. In some of these emails, scammers impersonate legitimate companies and promise gift cards to reward their loyal customers. They may also use pop-up ads or send text messages with links saying you were randomly selected as the winner of a prize. Mark these emails as spam or junk. If you did open the email, do not click on any links.

Temporary holiday jobs: Retailers typically hire seasonal workers to help meet the demands of holiday shoppers. Shippers and delivery services are top holiday employers this year because of the increase in online orders and the need to get most of these packages delivered before Christmas. Job seekers need to be wary of employment scams aimed at stealing money and personal information from job applicants. Watch out for opportunities that seem too good to be true.

Look-alike websites: Be wary of emails with links enclosed. Some may lead to look-alike websites created by scammers to trick people into downloading malware, making dead-end purchases, and sharing private information. If you are uncertain about the email, go directly to the official website.

Fake charities: Keep a look out for fraudulent charities and scammers pretending to be individuals in need. Avoid impromptu donation decisions to unfamiliar organizations. Where possible, donate to the charity through their website and use a credit card.

Fake shipping notifications: As more consumers make purchases online, there’s an increase in the number of notifications about shipping details from retailers and carriers. Scammers are using this new surge to send phishing emails with links enclosed that may allow unwanted access to your private information or download malware onto your device. They may also try to trick people into paying new shipping fees. 

Advent calendars: In the past, BBB has received reports to Scam Tracker about advent calendar ads on social media not delivering as promised. Some were not received, and others received inferior products or incomplete orders. Do your research before placing an order.

Top holiday wish list items: Low-priced luxury goods, jewelry, designer clothing, and electronics are almost always cheap counterfeits and knockoffs. The same applies to popular toys. This year, Barbie and Ken, Bitzee, and Paw Patrol headphones are some of the items in high demand. Be very cautious when considering purchasing popular toys from resellers or on social media platforms.

Puppy scams: Many families may be considering adding a furry friend to their household this year. However, be on the lookout for scams. Experts say as much as 80% of sponsored pet advertisements may be fake. Be sure to see the pet in person before making a purchase.

For general information on how to avoid scams, visit BBB.org/AvoidScams.

Published December 20, 2023