Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

The trees in the medians on a stretch of US 41 in Lutz are staying — at least for now.

Besides putting away the chainsaws, the county also offered an olive branch to pacify an angry crowd gathered at the Lutz Community Center on Jan. 24.

“I apologize that the county government didn’t reach out to you earlier because it’s not the way we want to conduct business,” deputy county administrator Lucia Garsys told a crowd of roughly 100 to 150 people.

“Where did we goof? We goofed because we didn’t get to you in advance to have this conversation way before these trees were marked,” Garsys said.

She asked the community to give the county time to work things out, and she asked for the community’s help in finding a solution.

“I am here to say that we need to figure out a way to work together,” Garsys said.

For their part, speakers made it plain they oppose the removal of the trees. They also voiced skepticism about the county’s sincerity.

The county’s conciliatory tone followed its initial plan to chop down the trees without public input.

Crews had marked trees within the medians of US 41. Some trees have orange ribbons indicating they should be spared, and some have orange Xs to show they should be cut.

Lutz residents began asking questions when they noticed the markings on Jan. 11. The county initially planned to begin chopping down the trees on Jan. 14. But it put the brakes on that plan after residents found out what was going on and peppered the county with complaints. Instead of taking the trees down, the county scheduled the community meeting.

Garsys provided some background on the issue at the meeting.

The county signed an agreement roughly 15 years ago to maintain the trees, she said. At the time, the county intended to partner with volunteer groups to provide the maintenance. That could not be accomplished, however, because the volunteers were unable to meet the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)’s requirements.

In November, the county decided it was going to return maintenance to the FDOT.

When the FDOT learned the county was backing away from the maintenance agreement, it identified 80-plus trees that would need to be removed and about 50 that could stay, according to Jim V. Moulton Jr., director of transportation operations for District VII of the FDOT.

“The Department of Transportation is not in the position to maintain those landscaped areas. That’s not what our budget covers. Our budget is for mowing grassed areas,” Moulton said.

So, the county marked the trees and planned to cut down dozens before residents noticed and rebelled.

Their anger was apparent at the Jan. 24 meeting.

Lutz resident John Hodges put it like this, “I’m not a tea party guy, but I don’t trust anything you all say. These people pay a lot of money in taxes. For the dollars, the people here in Lutz, they don’t get their money’s worth, in my opinion. … You want involvement in government? You got involvement in government.”

Mike White, founder and president of the Lutz Citizen Coalition, echoed Hodges’ sentiments: “There is a distrust, and truthfully there has not been a whole lot of effort on your part to resolve that. There’s a huge disconnect on multiple levels.”

Jan Smith recalled that the trees were planted to provide visual relief from the ugly six-lane highway that was pushed through the community.

Gaye Townsend, who has been active on Lutz issues for decades, insisted that the county has an obligation to maintain the trees. She cited an agreement made in 1997.

“It is legal and it’s binding,” Townsend said.

Ron Stoy, also active in Lutz issues for decades, urged community members to remain involved: “This is a political problem. That’s all it is. It’s a matter of showing up here today and showing people we’re serious about our community.”

Mary Danielewicz-Bryon, a certified arborist, urged officials to keep the trees. She said the trees are planted in a large enough area, are doing well and were planted to replace trees that were removed to construct the road.

Beyond that, they provide many benefits, including beauty, she said.

“They create a sense of place. Don’t remove our sense of place,” the arborist said.

While the community appears willing to help, using volunteers doesn’t seem to be an option.

Moulton noted that the FDOT has standards for who can maintain the medians, with a focus on safety for the people doing the work as well as motorists.

Allowing teenage volunteers, or even older ones, to maintain the medians would not be wise, Moulton said: “It’s just not safe. You need to have professionals.”

State Sen. John Legg summed up the session, which lasted more than two hours, in this way, “You’ve heard the old saying, ‘Don’t mess with Texas.’ Don’t mess with Lutz.”

He told the crowd that he heard the county, the community and the FDOT say that they want to work something out.

The crowd’s reaction to Legg’s assessment of the FDOT’s attitude indicated that they didn’t agree, but Legg pressed on that he thinks the state roads agency will cooperate.

Legg also told residents they shouldn’t be too concerned about how long it takes to find a solution — as long as the county continues to maintain the median landscaping in the meanwhile.

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

Sheriff Chris Nocco has a new plan for law enforcement in Pasco County, and it starts with community involvement.

Nocco, 36, was sworn in Jan. 2 after handily defeating Democrat challenger Kim Bogart in November’s election to win his first full term as sheriff 18 months after being appointed by Gov. Rick Scott to replace the retiring Bob White.

Since taking over, the county has seen its crime rate drop across the board, according to statistics released by the sheriff’s office. For that, Nocco credits citizen involvement and a rejuvenated focus on criminal activity.

“What’s important has been our partnership with the community,” Nocco said. “We’re getting a lot more feedback from our citizens; they’re providing us with tips, and they are much more engaged with the sheriff’s office. The more we have that partnership between the sheriff’s office and the citizens, the safer we’ll be.”

One of the biggest tasks facing Nocco during the first few months on the job was widespread prescription drug abuse. In order to prevent that, the sheriff’s office implemented intelligence led policing, which led to the shutdown of multiple illegal clinics in the county.

“We’re still working, because drugs are a constant issue we have had in Pasco,” Nocco said. “Our detectives are still hitting on the prescription pills, and we’re getting into deeper investigation. I think that’s one of the areas, working with the (Drug Enforcement Agency), we’re never going to let that go.”

Aside from crime, Nocco has begun to re-organize the sheriff’s office to grant residents a part of the ownership in making the county safer.

He said they will be updating all technology during the next four years and will be opening a customer service department, along with a new smart phone application so people can get an answer directly instead of being transferred to different phones.

“We’re in a major overhaul of our computer system, and we’re working right now to create an app for the phones,” Nocco said. “We’re going to redo our website so that it’s more locally based. If someone lives in Land O’ Lakes, they’re going to know what’s going on in their community right then and there. We want to make that as good as possible so that the citizens have the most up-to-date information we can provide them.”

The smart phone app, titled One Solution, will be the first of its kind in the state, according to Nocco. It is aimed at convenience for deputies and the community.

“Everything in the agency will be on one computer system, so law enforcement records, detention records and personnel records will be right there,” Nocco said. “You won’t have to go through and switch to different programs. If somebody is arrested, the deputy will only have to write their name down one time, and if they’re brought in to booking, all of that information will already be there.”

Projects Nocco and the sheriff’s office have already accomplished include the creation of a unified SWAT team, school safety initiatives, expansion of the Pasco Police Athletic League (PPAL) football and cheerleading organization and the creation of Strategic Targeted Area of Response (STAR) units to track down prolific offenders and put them in jail.

Nocco also plans on raising physical fitness standards and educational requirements for deputies to continue building for the future.

“I joke with people, and I tell them we’re like Sparta,” Nocco said. “We have limited resources, but the resources we have are extremely effective, because we have a saying that we fight as one. If you’re a criminal and you’re coming to Pasco County, we’re going to be on you very quickly. … We are a very efficient agency and we continue every day to build a reputation that we don’t mess around, and we don’t apologize for being tough on crime.”

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

Courtney Prengaman wrote her name into the record books at Wesley Chapel High more than once last season.

Not only did she set the Wildcats’ record for the high jump four times, which now stands at 5-feet, 7-inches, but Prengaman became the first girl in the school’s 13-year history to win a state track and field championship by clearing 5-6 at the Class 2A final.

The 6-foot-2 senior isn’t content with what she has already achieved and has been hitting the weight room, running her steps and working on her form with the goal of keeping the state crown atop her head.

***

Prengaman started high jumping while in seventh grade at Weightman Middle in Wesley Chapel.

She decided to compete in track because her older brothers, Justin and Alex, were distance runners, but the middle school coach thought her height would make her a better high jumper.

Prengaman’s first encounter with the event was anything but positive.

“I was terrified of it,” Prengaman said. “I was so scared to hurt myself. My very first track meet I didn’t even jump. I ran in circles the whole time. Just kept running up to bar and didn’t jump until I withdrew myself from the competition. The second meet I jumped, but I didn’t clear. Since then I’ve just kept setting higher marks.”

She continued to improve and tied Wesley Chapel’s record at 5-2 as a freshman. Two years later she hadn’t improved on that mark.

Prengaman admitted she wasn’t working as hard as she should have, but there was also something missing.

No one was pushing her to get better — until last season.

***

Brad Allen took over as the Wildcats girls track coach last season. He was an assistant the year before, which was when he first saw Prengaman.

“I went over and watched her one day, and she thanked me for doing that because no one ever did,” Allen said.

Allen is also Wesley Chapel’s boys cross country coach and trains the distance athletes, but he decided to take on the challenge of improving Prengaman’s jumps despite having no experience with the event.

“I ordered a DVD on high jumping from a magazine and looked up everything I could on YouTube,” Allen said. “I subscribed to an email to get links sent to me about high jump tips. Just pulling stuff from all these places.”

The help was welcomed.

“Before last year no one would ever watch me,” Prengaman said. “I had to teach myself to high jump, and I’d always end up napping on the mat during practice. Nobody ever said I was supposed to run fast or step a certain way. I was just relying on my height to get myself over.”

They started with the basics.

“First week of track he made me run the steps, and I wasn’t allowed to jump,” Prengaman said. “Then we piece by piece put it together until it was all right. … I ran my steps probably 300 times in a matter of a week. Now I can just do it and they’re perfectly fine because of that.”

Once they got the physical side down, Allen started working on Prengaman’s mental makeup.

“She always freaks out when she reaches a new height,” Allen said. “She’s got it physically. I’ve been working to make sure that she can see it too. … We have her keep trying to do something over and over without much rest in between. Jump, jump, jump so she doesn’t have to think about it.”

Having the school record and state title have helped show Prengaman what she can accomplish.

“I grew up with brothers who were really good at sports, and I never thought I could do anything like them,” Prengaman said. “Now that I’m learning that I can really do these things it still surprises me, but it’s starting to be real.”

She went into the offseason with a new mindset and motivation to become even better.

***

Prengaman kept training throughout the summer to keep her form.

She took a break from track to compete with the Wildcats volleyball team, a sport she picked up in middle school, but has focused on the high jump ever since that season ended.

“We’ve been putting her through a lot more workouts leading into the season,” Allen said. “A lot more jumps, lots of frog leaps, lots of upper body stuff too. We’ve got a couple weighted vests, and she’d be wearing them the whole time. I don’t know of anyone out there who can last as long as her with the vests, even the boys.”

Form has also been a focus.

“We’ve been trying to get her to arch her back when she’s going over and keeping her head back when she goes over, so there’s more that we can do on her form to make her even better,” Allen said.

The goal is not just for Prengaman to repeat as state champion, but to put up heights that will garner national attention.

“I have no doubt in my mind that we’re going to be doing 5-8, and really early in the season,” Allen said. “I’ll admit I kind of underestimated her last year, and I’m not going to do that anymore. There’s really no reason why she shouldn’t be clearing 5-10; 6-foot I hope. … This year for her parking pass I gave her 72 for 72 inches, which is six feet. I want her to be thinking about it. Getting 6-foot would put her in the top 10 in the nation going from last year’s stats.”

Prengaman said she is already jumping higher than she was last year, which gives her confidence in achieving her goals.

“I want to keep my state title; I want it to be mine,” Prengaman said. “I want to break the school record, make it a little higher and harder for someone to take. I want to do really well so that I can go into college and be ready for it. … Right now I’m a lot stronger than I was last year. Once I put my form with my steps, I’m going to jump so high.”

Prengaman said everything she has and will accomplish in the high jump is thanks to Allen.

“No one was going to let me cheat myself anymore,” Prengaman said. “He started making me actually work hard, and everything changed. … I wouldn’t have jumped 5-7 if he wasn’t my coach, and I wouldn’t have won states if he wasn’t my coach. I honestly believe that. I’m really thankful that he’s been my coach. He took the time to learn something so I could get better. I wouldn’t be going to college to high jump if it wasn’t for him. There’s no way.”

Prengaman plans to announce her college decision on Feb. 5 at the Wildcats signing ceremony. She starts her title defense in the Chasco Invitational at Gulf Feb. 22 at 4 p.m.

Prengaman and Wesley Chapel will compete in the Class 2A-District 9 meet is at Berkley Prep April 12, followed by regionals at Titusville Astronaut April 18 and states at the University of North Florida April 27.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

He’s just 16 years old, but Kiran Sharma made memories to last a lifetime during the second inauguration of President Barack Obama.

Sharma, a junior who attends the International Baccalaureate Program at Land O’ Lakes High, was one of 2,000 scholars nationwide selected to participate in the five-day High School Presidential Inaugural Conference.

Sharma recalled the thrill of being able to share in the collective experience of hundreds of thousands of people on Jan. 21 when Obama and Vice President Joe Biden were ceremonially sworn into office after private events the previous day.

Gearing up for the day of the 57th presidential inauguration festivities began early for Sharma.

“We had to wake up at 4 in the morning, grab our breakfast,” he said. “Since I’m from Florida, I’m very sensitive to the cold. It was freezing up there. I was under four pairs of clothing.”

Even with special access, the group he was with watched from about four blocks away as Obama took the oath.

The distance didn’t diminish Sharma’s experience. He said he could see and hear everything on the big screen.

Even on that day, he noticed some political bickering.

“Partisan politics was going on both sides, the usual, but when President Obama came out and showed his face to America — and had a nice pleasing smile on his face — all of the flags, they just waved everywhere,” Sharma said. He added, “That’s when time stops. They focused on Obama and what he was going to say.”

At that moment of Obama’s arrival, Sharma said it felt as though the people were united as “one nation under God.”

Besides being able to watch the action on big screens, Sharma soaked in the atmosphere.

“You can see the (U.S.) Capitol building and all of the banners, and you can hear the music,” he explained.

“I made video recordings of Vice President Biden being sworn in and President Obama being sworn in,” he continued.

The event was more than the nation’s leader taking the oath of office.

“It’s not just swearing in, but it’s also taking responsibility for the nation’s actions,” Sharma said. He added, “He was very inspirational.”

While the inaugural ceremony was exciting, Sharma said he had other inspiring experiences during the conference.

He heard speeches from former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and four-star general and former NATO Commander Gen. Wesley Clark.

The group also heard from Nick Clooney, a journalist who is actor George Clooney’s father. Sharma said he was lucky enough to have his photo taken with Nick Clooney.

Clark’s speech, in particular, resonated with Sharma. The talk was not laced with the clichés that many inspirational speeches seem to have, Sharma said.

“He really spoke from the heart,” Sharma said. “He gave us three specific stories about how he was a kid, he was a teenager and then he served in the military. They had three distinctive lessons. It really opened my eyes up to actually become more involved in the community,” said Sharma, who aspires to become a heart surgeon and to do international pharmaceutical sales.

Conference-goers also watched the movie All The President’s Men and heard from Bob Woodward, one of the investigative reporters featured in the movie, which detailed the Watergate scandal that led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon.

Besides hearing from widely known speakers, the conference-goers had a chance to discuss what they’d heard and to form friendships, Sharma said.

He plans to stay in touch with several of the other students that he met, and he hopes they will return to experience the inauguration of the nation’s next president together.

 

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

 

The Wiregrass Ranch boys basketball team has played 132 games with 86 victories the last five years, and during that time the same person has been a part of kicking off every home contest.

John Long Middle eighth-grader Andreyné Fye began singing the National Anthem at each boys game in the Bulls’ gym while in the fourth grade when her family moved to the area from Georgia.

“They were looking for a singer at that time, and my mom (Jewell) told them I could do it,” Andreyné said. “They said sure. I guess they liked me, and ever since then I’ve done it.”

The last four years she sang the anthem with her sister and current Bethune-Cookman University student Jordanyné, but Andreyné is now doing the honors solo.

“I’m so nervous every time she sings, because that’s my baby,” Jewell said. “I’m nervous, but she always sounds so good. She’s got such a beautiful voice, and I’m so proud of her.”

Andreyné said she started singing around age 4 because she “grew up in a church” with a lot of Gospel music.

“I was just always singing, and then people started complimenting me,” Andreyné said. “That made me want to keep singing.”

Andreyné said she had to train herself to be able to hit the anthem’s wide range of pitches.

Today, she sings with the strength, skill and beauty of an experienced performer, but she still hits the common obstacle of a novice.

“I do get stage fright,” Andreyné said. “Usually I’m just a little bit nervous, and I get butterflies. I try to calm myself down and just think of the music.”

Andreyné said she plans to continue to sing the anthem when she starts attending the school next year.

Wiregrass Ranch has one more regular season home game this year, which is against cross-town rival Wesley Chapel Feb. 1 at 7:30 p.m.

—Follow Kyle LoJacono on Twitter: @Kyle_Laker

 

Just Say Cheese

Wesley Chapel Elementary students recently sampled a variety of cheeses purchased through a grant from The American Dairy Council. Students had a chance to taste provolone, pepper jack, mozzarella, Swiss and cheddar during their lunch break.

Shown here are Chris Gorman, who teaches physical education, and Landyn Williams, a second-grader who is tasting pepper jack cheese. (Photo courtesy of Wesley Chapel Elementary)

 

Kindergarten Round Up

Hillsborough County Public Schools is having its Kindergarten Round Up for the 2013-14 school year until Feb. 8.

Families interested in enrolling their child in their assigned attendance area school should attend the event scheduled for that school. The round up gives parents a chance to learn about the school their child will be attending.

Parents who go are encouraged to bring birth date, health and home address documentation to register their child for kindergarten. Parents unable to make it to the Round Up are encouraged to enroll their child by the end of June. Parents who would like to research their kindergarten options may visit various Round Ups and apply for School Choice or a magnet school.

 

Zephyrhills student citizens of the month

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce has recognized these students as its student citizens for the month of January: Camdyn Hudgins, Woodland Elementary; Elysia Oder, The Broach School; Brittany Sanborn, West Zephyrhills Elementary; Amanda McEwen, Zephyrhills High; Robert Tackett, Heritage Academy; Mary Geist, Raymond B. Stewart Middle; Ethan Rich, Chester Taylor Elementary; and Clark Unarranged, East Pasco Adventist Academy.

Students are selected for exemplary effort, achievement and contribution to their school, family and community.

 

Financial aid night

Hillsborough County Public Schools Guidance Services is hosting a financial aid information night for high school students and their families at 7 p.m. Jan. 31 in the auditorium at Hillsborough High, 5000 N. Central Ave. in Tampa.

University financial aid representatives will explain the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) process, review how colleges and universities compile financial aid packages and discuss available federal aid.

For more information, call (813) 273-7203.

 

Steinbrenner ACT practice test

There will be an ACT Practice Test and Strategy Session from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Feb. 23 at Steinbrenner High, 5575 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz.

Check in begins at 8:30 a.m. The deadline for preregistration is Feb. 21, and the cost is $20. Walk-ups are welcome, but the cost is $25. The fee includes lunch.

For more information, contact Laurie Keith at .

Registration forms can also be downloaded from the Steinbrenner webpage or by emailing a request to Keith.

 

Loran Tripp receives scholarship

The North East Tampa Women In Business selected Loran Tripp as the organization’s 2012 scholarship recipient. Tripp, of Latitude 27 Marketing, was chosen for her community involvement and dedication to local business.

 

Scholastic achievement honored

Aaron Pleus, of Lutz, received a President’s Recognition at Clearwater Christian College for scholastic achievement during the 2012 fall semester. To be eligible for this honor, students must be attending school full-time and must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.90 on a 4.00 scale. Pleus was home-schooled before attending the college. He is the son of Gene and Jocelyn Pleus, of Lutz.

 

Seeking Fulbright scholars

The Fulbright Commission has selected Shakespeare’s Globe Education Theater Program, which is part of The American Institute For Foreign Study (AIFS), as one of its prestigious Summer Institutes for the next three years.

Three Fulbright scholarship winners will attend AIFS’ Shakespeare’s Globe Education Theater Program each year from 2013 to 2015. Students who win the award have the majority of their program costs covered, including round-trip airfare, tuition and fees, accommodations, insurance, social program and meals.

Students applying for the Fulbright award should submit their application materials directly to the Fulbright Commission. The application deadline is March 11. For more information, application criteria or to apply, visit www.aifsabroad.com.

 

Art teachers receive grants

Eleven art teachers have received grants from the Fine Arts of the Suncoast to supplement their art programs.

More than 20 elementary, middle and high schools will receive grant awards. These grants are the result of Art for Kids, through which the Suncoast Arts Fest raises funds annually to supplement funding for Pasco art educators and schools.

Grants totaling $10,813.91 were awarded.

 

CDS names new high school principal

Carrollwood Day School has appointed Christopher Ryan as its new high school principal.

“We conducted an international search to identify the right leader to build on the excellence already in place at CDS’s high school,” Mary Kanter, the head of school, said in a release. Kanter also chaired the principal search committee.

The new principal is replacing Ryan Kelly who will be stepping into his new role as CDS’ head of school on July 1.

 

Hillsborough Choice Options Elementary

The deadline to submit elementary school applications for Magnet programs and School Choice in Hillsborough County is Feb. 14.

Under Hillsborough Choice Options, students can apply for a magnet school or another public school with available space within the county. Students who wish to remain at their current magnet or choice school, or prefer to attend their attendance area school, do not need to complete an application.

Students currently enrolled in a Hillsborough public school should apply online. Students new to the county must download the paper application found online, complete it and mail it to the address listed on the application.

Applications are available online at http://choice.mysdhc.org. For more information, call the Choice Information Line at (813) 272-4692