The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Local photographers win big at state fair

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Members of the Land O’ Lakes Photography Club claimed a half-dozen awards in the Florida State Fair’s annual contest.

This photo, by Lillian Cucuzza, won first place in the Color-Animals (Wildlife) category. She calls it ‘Sunrise Dip’ because the photo captures an American Avocet taking a drink in the early morning sunrise.

The prize-winning photographers shared their photos with The Laker/Lutz News.

Creative competitions have been part of the fabric of the fair since its beginning in 1904, according to the fair’s website.

“Competitors from every corner of the state have pushed the boundaries of innovation as they battled it out for the blue-ribbon prize in quilting, baking, painting, or other skills. That tradition continues today as our youth and adult artists & crafters, bakers, woodworkers, horticulturalists, needle artists, photographers, and more bring their best work to be judged at the fair,” the website adds.

This year’s fair was held April 22 through May 2 — delayed year because of concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic.

Published May 19, 2021

This image of a colorful array of umbrellas by Velma Herrig captured an honorable mention in the category of Color-Still Life & Things. It was taken in a Safety Harbor art shop that had decorated its ceiling with colorful umbrellas.
This photo, by Allen Craley, won first place in the Color-Scene (Land, Sea, Sky-scapes) category. It depicts a dramatic scene at an agricultural landscape off Route U.S. 301, in rural southern Maryland. The photo was taken last summer.
This photo, by Susan Hill, took home the first place award in the Color: Pets & Farm Animals category. It shows two canine brothers, Charlie, on the left, and Buster, demonstrating some good old-fashioned sibling rivalry as they spar over a toy.
Velma Herrig won an honorable mention in the Black&White-Scene (Architecture & City Scapes) for this photograph of Egg Rock Lighthouse. It was taken at Bar Harbor, Maine, during a boat tour around the bay and Acadia National Park.
George Capaz captured this image of the Amargosa Opera House Hotel, in Death Valley Junction, California. Capaz won third place in the Color-Scene (Land, Sea, Sky-scapes) category.

These gentle alpacas seem to enjoy posing for pictures

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Those traveling to the Sweet Blossom Alpacas open house in Dade City, had plenty of chances to be photographed with alpacas and take photos of the animals, too.

Just to prove that alpacas only have bottom teeth, Ms. Helen, left, a 15-year-old Huacaya, shows off her bottom occlusion, while standing with Cali, an 8-year-old Suri alpaca. (Fred Bellet)

There were also chances to feed and pet the alpacas, and go shopping for yarn, roving, hats, scarves, gloves, shawls, slippers and other items made from alpaca fiber.

People of all ages seemed to be having fun, while getting a look at quite a collection of alpacas and llamas at Sweet Blossom Alpacas, 37543 Pappy Road in Dade City.

Those gathered could also learn about the animals, could treat themselves to a wide assortment of sandwiches from a food truck, and simply enjoy an outing with the family.

Admission was free, but donations were welcome.

For more information about the farm, visit SweetBlossomAlpacas.com.

Published May 19, 2021

Brian Kauffman, of Sarasota, gets a snapshot of the artwork on display at the Sweet Blossom Alpacas farm.
Ten-year-old Mason Powell watches as Lyric Bellows, 11, reaches over the petting area fence to touch a male alpaca. They were at the open house with their mom, Charli Bellows, their brother Sawyer Bellows, 11, and their grandmother, Anne Weddel. They all live in Wesley Chapel.
One year-old Uvel Lane finds a safe spot on his aunt Desiree Peterson’s shoulder — preferring not to interact with the alpacas like the rest of the Wesley Chapel family.
Richelle Jones, 20, shows off her new T-shirt she bought in the gift area at Sweet Blossom Alpacas. She and her mom, Tonya Jones, drove up from Riverview to attend the open house. They also checked out the gloves, slippers, hats and other alpaca products.
Nine-year-old Sarah Witforth, right, of Spring Hill, chuckles as a llama nestles its head on her cousin, 6-year-old Lane Exum, also of Spring Hill. The animal had its sights on a bag of snacks slung over Exum’s shoulder. They were at the open house with their parents, Kim and Mike Witforth, and their grandmother, Linda Carter of Spring Hill.

 

Hillsborough citizens survey launches online

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Hillsborough County is asking residents to weigh in on what matters most to them.

The county’s 2021 Citizen Survey, launched May 14, asks citizens to share their opinions about quality of life issues.

The survey asks residents to share their opinions on a number of key issues, including: the local economy, public safety, life enrichment and recreation opportunities, self-sufficiency programs for individuals and families, and high-quality community assets, according to a county news release.

The survey is available in both English and Spanish and typically takes 15 minutes to 20 minutes to complete.

Every Hillsborough County resident, including those who live in the cities of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City, are encouraged to take the anonymous online survey, the release says.

The survey will be used as a baseline for future surveys as well as to  gather information about the services residents think are most important in this community.

The county’s last Citizen Survey was conducted in 2019 and the results are available to view online.

For more information about the 2021 Citizen Survey and to complete it, visit HCFLGov.net/Survey.

Published May 19, 2021

Change would allow 11 more homes in subdivision

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a change that would allow 11 more single-family homes in the Orange State Grove, north of County Line Road, west of Livingston Road, in Lutz.

The request also received a recommendation of approval from county planners and no one spoke for or against the request at the Pasco County Planning Commission’s May 6 meeting.

The applicant is seeking a Small-Scale Comprehensive Plan Map Amendment to change the land use designation from three dwellings per acre to nine dwellings per acre, on approximately 2.32 developable acres.

The existing Orange State master-planned development permitted 206 residential units. However, with the additional 11 single-family residential units, a land use change is needed to support the additional density.

Planners say the amendment will allow five more units than the existing density would permit.

The request now goes to the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction on land use and zoning issues.

Published May 19, 2021

Avalon Applauds

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CONGRATULATIONS to Kyla Booker for being applauded by Avalon Park Wesley Chapel.

Booker is a senior at Cypress Creek High School (CCHS) and has made a tremendous impact during her time there.

For example, Booker was class president her freshman, sophomore and junior year.

“For me it was about building leadership skills and pushing myself out- side of my comfort zone,” says Booker. “I wanted to find a way to interact with my classmates and create relation- ships, while also serving my school and community.”

According to Booker, being class president for those three years allowed her to become a better listener and articulate broader viewpoints.

“I believe these skills are the foundation to great leadership,” says Booker.

Currently, Booker is a member of the National Honors Society and the Chick- fil-A Leadership Academy. She has always had a passion for serving the community, and wanted her extracurricular activities to reflect that passion.

“I come from a family of mentors and volunteers, so community service and volunteering are very important to me,” says Booker.

Through her involvement in the local leadership organization, Booker is able to give back to her community by providing necessities for area students who are in the foster care system.

Booker is also an Advanced Placement (AP) Scholar and is graduating in the top 10% of her class, which also happens to be the inaugural graduating class at CCHS.

“It is surreal that in less than a month, I will be graduating from the place where it all started. I feel like my class got to truly set the tone of the school. I loved being a part of this community and I am proud to be a Coyote,” says Booker.

One person in particular Booker would like to thank for the support throughout the years is her AP literature and language teacher, Cassie Adley.

“Mrs. Adley has pushed me to explore new opportunities, challenge myself and grow both academically and personally,” says Booker.

When Adley first met Booker during Booker’s freshman year of English, Adley knew right away Booker was a star student.

“Kyla is truly one of a kind. She is intelligent, personable and motivated. She is a student who does not give up,” says Adley, “I am so proud of the grace Kyla lives by and I know she will be successful in her future endeavors.”

After graduating from CCHS, Booker plans to attend Florida State University in the Fall. She will be majoring in bio-medical engineering.

Published May 12, 2021

Speed limit reduced on Mentmore Boulevard

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Following a speed study on Mentmore Boulevard, the speed limit is being lowered on the road — from Bexley Village Drive to State Road 54 — from 40 mph to 30 mph.

The Pasco County Commission approved the change on May 4.

The Florida Department of Transportation’s Speed Zoning Manual allows for the application of engineering judgment to establish the speed limit when needed, according to materials in the board’s agenda packet. As a result of the operational review of traffic conditions on Mentmore Boulevard, the judgment of the traffic operations and engineering services agreed that the speed limit be revised.

The reduced speed limit will take effect upon the posting of the speed signs, as required for law enforcement.

The cost to install the signs is estimated at $1,000.

Published May 12, 2021

Deadline soon for advisory committee applicants

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Pasco County is seeking 13 people to serve as policy advisors on the new Northeast Pasco Rural Advisory Committee, according to a county news release.

The board is encouraging property owners, business owners and land use attorneys to apply.

Committee members will evaluate policies and regulations related to the Northeast Pasco Rural Protection Overlay District, and will recommend commercial development design standards and guidelines to the Pasco County Commission.

The deadline for application is May 14.

The advisory committee members must either:

  • Be a Northeast Pasco County rural area stakeholder
  • Have a background in rural land use regulation development or a related field

The northeast rural area is bordered by Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, the Green Swamp, State Road 52 and the Hernando County line.

The Pasco County Commission will select the volunteer advisory committee members, who will serve until a final recommendation is made to the county board. Once the recommendation has been made, the committee will be automatically disbanded.

To fill out and submit an online application, visit bit.ly/2G3IqUH.

To learn more about Pasco County Planning and Development, go to bit.ly/2hMXfkD.

Published May 12, 2021

Pasco commissioners get a closeup look at Lombardi trophy

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Brian Ford, the chief operating officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, made a visit to the Pasco County Commission meeting on May 4, to thank the board for honoring the organization for being Super Bowl champions.

Brian Ford, the chief operating officer of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers brought the Vince Lombardi Trophy to the Pasco County Commission’s meeting on May 4, to thank the commissioners for passing a resolution of congratulations for the Super Bowl champion Bucs. From left: Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder, Pasco County Clerk Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Commission Chairman Ron Oakley, commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Mike Moore, Bucs’ COO Brian Ford, commissioners Jack Mariano and Christina Fitzpatrick, and County Administrator Dan Biles. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor, Pasco County)

Commissioner Mike Moore read a resolution, which the board had approved at its April 20, meeting.

In part, the resolutions says: “During the 2020 season, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers set franchise records for number of wins on the road, number of consecutive wins, points scored and touchdowns, and whereas the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were led by Coach Bruce Arians and record-setting performances” by quarterback Tom Brady and several other players.

The resolution also notes that “on Feb. 7, 2021, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers became the first team to play in and win the Super Bowl, in their home stadium at Raymond James Stadium.”

The team defeated the Kansas City Chiefs, 31-9, to become champions of Super Bowl 55.

In his response, Ford said, “The support that we have received during a very unprecedented season is just remarkable.

“I’ve told people across the country that we have the best fan base in all of sports.”

He noted that during the pandemic, the team was united, along with Coach Bruce Arians, and the Glazer family’s No. 1 priority was “the safety of our team, the players, the coaches and the public.”

“But at the end of the day, to be able to win a championship, like we did, in our hometown — the only thing that we missed was having the opportunity to have all of our fans there.”

Ford expressed the organization’s appreciation for the board’s recognition through the resolution, and also for its efforts to keep things open during the pandemic.

He concluded by saying: “We’ve all learned something from the past year and I think we can build on that,” and he reiterated that the “fan support” in the Tampa Bay community is second to none.

Published May 12, 2021

County board relaxes COVD-19 rules

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The Pasco County Commission has changed its rules and is now allowing a limited number of members of the public to attend its meetings in person.

The board voted on May 4 to allow up to 18 people from the public to be in the board’s chambers during meetings at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, and up to 30 members of the public to be in the board room at the government center in New Port Richey.

The board adopted that change before Gov. Ron DeSantis lifted COVID-19 requirements imposed by local governments, so it is unclear how the governor’s order will affect the board’s action.

In adopting the new rules, the board noted the maximum capacity limitations will be posted on signage outside of the board rooms and could change over time, based on the most current public health agency recommendations.

The amended rules also allow for the county administrator or designee to impose additional rules for use of the county’s board rooms through posted signage, including any required ingress/egress points for each board room.

At the time of adoption, the county attorney recommended masks be worn inside the board room.

The amended rules continue to allow other public participation options — email, WebEx and public comment kiosk — but also allow the county administrator or chair to close the kiosk, if it is not needed for overflow capacity and if no one shows up at the kiosk within 10 minutes of the morning or afternoon meeting start time.

Published May 12, 2021

Environmental committee appointments approved

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The Pasco County Commission has approved the following reappointments to the county’s Environmental Lands Acquisition Committee:

  • A one-year reappointment of Patty Fesmire
  • A two-year reappointment of Janie Howie
  • A three-year reappointment of Josh McCart
  • A three-year reappointment of Mona Neville

The committee consists of 11 volunteer members, according to background materials in the board’s agenda packet.

Five members shall have, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree in the natural and/or environmental sciences. These five members also shall comprise the Scientific Subcommittee. Four other members shall have expertise in at least one of the following fields: real estate, business, or finance. One member shall have expertise in governmental affairs (with an emphasis in funding sources). One member shall be a layperson with interest in the land acquisition program.

The committee cannot have more than three members who do not live in Pasco County.

Another committee vacancy will occur soon, as Mac Davis has opted not to seek reappointment.

That leaves a position open for someone with expertise in real estate, business, and/or finance, which the Natural Resources Division intends to fill soon.

Published May 12, 2021