Special to The Laker/Lutz News

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Steve Van Gorden’s resignation from the principal’s post at Zephyrhills High may have implications regarding his other high-profile roles in the city.

While he has left his role as principal, Van Gorden remains the city’s mayor and is president of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. When or if those roles will change remains unclear.

Ken Compton, president of the Zephyrhills City Council, has asked city attorney Joe Poblick to collect the facts, review the city charter and provide a list of options, according to City Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson. She said she received that information from city manager Jim Drumm.

The earliest the issue could be considered by council is Nov. 26, Drumm said.

“That’s prudent for the city to do that,” Van Gorden said, adding that he has no intention of stepping down and that he continues to work on improving the city’s economic prospects.

Vonnie Mikkelson, executive director of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, was out of town, but issued this statement via email: “Presently, I am in consultation with the chamber’s key board leadership to determine next steps, if any are to be taken. This is a board of superior community and business leaders, and I have the utmost confidence in their ability to assess the situation and determine whether or not any action regarding Mr. Van Gorden’s role with the chamber is necessitated by these developments.”

She also noted that Van Gorden “has been a consistent and reliable leader at the chamber of commerce and has not skipped a beat when it comes to serving the community in this particular leadership role.”

Van Gorden said he won’t resign from the chamber post unless he’s asked to do so.

Van Gorden’s resignation from the school district came amidst an investigation into claims of sexual harassment.

The Pasco County School Board voted unanimously on Nov. 6 to accept Van Gorden’s resignation, without comment. They appointed Andrew Frelick as the high school’s new principal.

After the board accepted Van Gorden’s resignation, the district released a 346-page investigative file.

Van Gorden noted the size of the investigative report is misleading because roughly 180 pages are related to employment contracts, evaluations and other materials.

The allegations range from Van Gorden using crude language and sexual innuendo to using intimidation.

Van Gorden acknowledges some of the actions contained in the report, but denies others.

“I did make some mistakes,” he said. “They throw 100 things out there. I admit to 15. I’m not owning up to 100.”

Van Gorden denies using intimidation.

One employee told an investigator that Van Gorden made unwelcome sexual suggestions and that she had become so uncomfortable she “would take all measures” to avoid seeing him, even walking outside the school building in the rain.

She said she had so much anxiety that she sought help from the employee assistance program.

Another employee told an investigator she wasn’t surprised that the school district was looking into complaints about sexual harassment involving Van Gorden. She said she and her colleagues had expected it to happen.

The employee told the investigator that Van Gorden spoke disrespectfully to women. In one instance, she alleged Van Gorden put his hands on the desk and said “we should do it.”

Van Gorden denied that allegation.

A different employee alleged she was uncomfortable by the way Van Gorden looked at her. She told the investigator she “felt like he looked at her chest, not eyes.”

Van Gorden called that claim “ridiculous.”

Another employee told an investigator “you have to be careful about what words you use” because Van Gorden would twist the meaning. For instance, she alleged, a conversation about a school position could be turned into a comment by Van Gorden about a “sexual position.”

Van Gorden acknowledged twisting words, but said when he did so, he was joking and did not intend to be offensive.

“I made off-color remarks, and for that I’m truly sorry,” he said.

Van Gorden did, however, acknowledge that a colleague had warned him on a couple of occasions that his comments were inappropriate.

Van Gorden said many of the allegations involve an employee with whom he’d had a personal relationship.

He also acknowledged that his actions were not in the best interests of the school or the students, but said he has paid a price for his actions by losing his job.

When it came to Van Gorden, another employee told the investigator there were three camps at the school. One group liked him, another group disliked him and the third group just did their job and went home.

During Van Gorden’s investigation, the school district placed him on leave. Officials also refused to provide any information about the investigation except that it did not involve criminal conduct or students.

In response to that action, about two dozen people wrote to the district on Van Gorden’s behalf. In general, they praised his leadership, described him as a caring administrator, said he embodied school spirit and lauded his ability to bring the school and community together.

Those letters of support were submitted before the district released its report.

 

 

Andrew Frelick has been transferred from Ridgewood High to fill the vacancy at Zephyrhills High resulting from the resignation of Steve Van Gorden.

Frelick began his career in Pasco County in 1985 as a teacher at Pasco Middle. In 1987, he transferred to Pasco High. He was promoted to assistant principal at Marchman Vocational Center in 1991. He transferred to Pine View Middle in 1994.

In 1996, he was promoted to principal at Weightman Middle, and in 1999, he transferred to Wesley Chapel High when the school opened. He became principal of Ridgewood in 2009.

 

Land donated by Porters is first step toward that vision

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Pasco County commissioners have started the ball rolling on a quest that could yield a sports complex in Wesley Chapel aimed at attracting national tournaments.

After lengthy negotiations, commissioners voted 4-1 on Nov. 7 to accept a land donation of 224 acres from the Porter family that would provide a place to build the sports complex near The Shops at Wiregrass.

J.D. Porter applauded the board’s action and pledged his family will do what it can to help the county be successful in the venture.

“We want to be the best teammates possible,” Porter said. “We’re excited about this.”

The Porters are making the contribution as a charitable donation. They also are giving 100,000 cubic yards of clean fill dirt to be used for the county’s project.

At the same time, commissioners agreed to commit $14 million in tourist development tax dollars to develop the area. As part of the deal, the county pledged to seek a company to operate the sports complex.

If the county is unable to make the sports complex happen, the land would instead be developed as a park, under terms of the deal.

The proposed sports complex would include multi-purpose fields to accommodate soccer, lacrosse, field hockey and/or football, including at least one championship field.

It would include youth size baseball/softball diamonds to accommodate adult softball and Little League with at least one championship field with bleachers. It would also have parking, restrooms and concession facilities.

Initially, the Porters proposed building and operating a world-class sports complex themselves, but talks with the county about that deal broke down. The family instead offered to give the land to allow Pasco to pursue the current option.

Commissioner Jack Mariano opposed the deal, saying he’s not comfortable committing the tourist development tax money. He suggested the county instead add fields at the Wesley Chapel District Park, and he sought to delay the vote.

Commissioner Ted Schrader pushed for the commission to take action.

“You’re going to try to do whatever you can to scuttle this,” Schrader told Mariano.

Schrader said he thought it was important for the board to vote on the issue because it was Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand’s last meeting.

Hildebrand, who was on the board when it adopted the tourist development tax 20 years ago, concluded 28 years of service at the meeting.

The deal gives the county the flexibility to test the waters regarding the development of a sports complex or to build a district park if that doesn’t pan out, said county administrator John Gallagher.

“I kind of look at this as a courtship,” Hildebrand said.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri said the county would be foolish to reject the Porters’ deal.

“This is going to be a world-class facility,” Mulieri said. “It’s so important to move ahead with this.”

Commissioner Henry Wilson agreed: “This needs to happen for Pasco to move forward.”

Mariano said the new arrangement deviated too much from the original approach.

“To me, we’re taking backward step after backward step,” Mariano said.

Another part of the deal requires the county to include the words Pasco County and Wiregrass in the name of the sports park property and overall complex.

The county has agreed to seek an agreement for the operation and maintenance of the sports complex within 24 months of the conveyance of the land to Pasco by the Porters.

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

An American flag flapped in the breeze as a crowd of more than 150 gathered in Dade City on Veterans Day to pay tribute to those who stepped forward to defend freedom.

Those assembled at Travelers Rest Resort on Nov. 11 filled rows of folding chairs, stood along the edge of the road or pulled up and parked their golf carts on the perimeter of the crowd.

The audience also turned out to celebrate the groundbreaking for the Travelers Rest Veterans Memorial that will honor veterans of the past, present and future.

Micky Graham, who was a corporal in the Marine Corps, is leading the efforts to create the memorial and he served as master of ceremonies at the event.

The ceremonial groundbreaking came near the end of a solemn and dignified tribute to veterans.

The ceremony began with the Pledge of Allegiance led by Dick Revell, an Army veteran who is helping with the memorial effort.

After reciting the pledge, the crowd joined in singing The Star-Spangled Banner, as music for the anthem played on a loud speaker.

After that came remarks from honored guests.

Toni Gross, president of the American Gold Star Mothers Tampa Gulf Coast North, addressed the crowd. She became a member of the group after her only son, Army Cpl. Frank Gross, died on July 16, 2011 from injuries he received from an improvised explosive device in Afghanistan. He was 25.

“We live in the land of the free because of the brave,” Gross said, adding she looks forward to seeing the completed veterans memorial, which is expected to be showcased in January.

Revell reminded the crowd of the importance of setting aside Veterans Day to honor those who have stepped up for this country.

“There is loyalty in the act of remembrance,” Revell said. “That’s what this is all about today — being loyal to the men and women who have served this great nation. … I want to thank the veterans who are here today and all veterans from the Revolutionary War to Afghanistan or any place that our men and women are put in harm’s way. We can’t do enough to thank them.”

Warren Sherlock, chairman of the recreational vehicle resort’s board, said the veterans memorial will be a fine addition to the park.

“I remember growing up going to my grandparents house every Sunday for dinner,” Sherlock said. “On the walls, there were pictures of all my uncles in uniform. I also remember them talking about how my mother and my aunts used to sit around the radio trying to hear what was going on with the war. … This memorial is a great way to remember my uncles, all of our families, our neighbors, our friends who served in order for us to be here today.”

After the speakers were done, Graham and several other men grabbed shovels and lifted a scoop of dirt in the official groundbreaking.

The event ended with the playing of a recording of Taps.

Graham said he is pleased with the progress being made on the memorial. So far, more than $16,000 has been raised for the project, which is expected to cost about $20,000.

The memorial will feature an American flag atop a 25-foot flagpole flanked by flags on both sides representing each of the military branches, Revell said. There also will be flags for the National Guard, those missing in action and prisoners of war, he said.

Granite stones will be placed in front of each flag containing the service emblem of the branch of the military, Revell said.

The memorial also includes a veterans memorial walk, which will consist of bricks containing the names of veterans, their unit and branch of service.

 

Want to help?

The cost of the project is being paid for through the sale of the commemorative bricks, which go for $100 for the first brick and $50 for each additional brick.

To purchase a brick or to simply make a donation, make a check out to Travelers Rest Veterans Memorial Fund and send it to Dick Revell at Travelers Rest, 29129 Johnston Road, Dade City, FL 33523.

 

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

It was a good evening for winning candidates on Election Day, but the Pasco County supervisor of elections office may have felt even better.

The county received national spotlight from CNN, Fox News and chief of staff to former President George W. Bush, Karl Rove, who touted the hourly turn out figures from Pasco’s website and election supervisor Brian Corley’s Twitter page.

“Pasco County, FL is offering real-time turnout figures,” Rove tweeted with a link to the election’s website to his nearly 500,000 followers.

The number of people visiting the election website was so high that it crashed the server for a period of time.

Corley said it was good to see his county highlighted nationally.

“We were on Fox with Karl Rove and CNN, we even had journalists from the United Kingdom calling,” Corley said. “The attention it garnered was actually quite flattering, and it speaks to my amazing staff and Pasco’s excellence running these (elections).”

Corley said the county started using electronic poll books to provide real-time results in 2007 as a prototype to replace the outdated paper method. Corley added that it quickly took off and his county is the only one in the country to put out exact turnout results online hourly.

“It’s just as simple as we’re taking the electronic poll books and just monitoring the number of electronic voting passes issued and the key is turnout,” Corley said. “(The computer) breaks it down by party and by precinct. I do the Twitter page myself and somehow it got to Mr. Rove’s level, which was very, very flattering.”

Incumbents finished with a major advantage over their challengers as many clinched new terms.

Sheriff Chris Nocco, a Republican, won his first full term by handily defeating Democratic challenger Kim Bogart by 30 percent.

Other winners in the county were Republican property appraiser Mike Wells, who will enter his fifth term; Republican Paula O’Neil, who won a second term as clerk of court, and Democrat Mike Olsen, who will be serving as tax collector for the ninth time.

Republican Gus Bilirakis defeated Jonathan Snow, a Democrat, by 34 percent to represent U.S. Congress District 12 for the third time.

Nationally, President Barack Obama defeated Republican challenger and former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney clinching 332 of the 538 possible electoral votes. U.S. Senator Bill Nelson also defeated former U.S. congressman Connie Mack, a Republican, with 55 percent of the vote.

Eight of the 11 proposed amendments to the state constitution failed to pass.

 

Pasco results:

Sheriff – Chris Nocco (R) 65%, Kim Bogart (D) 35%

Clerk of Court – Paula O’Neil (R) 76%, Roberta Cutting 24%
Property Appraiser – Mike Wells (R) 67%, Allison Newlon (D) 33%
Superintendent of Schools – Kurt S. Browning* (R) 100%

County Commission – Kathryn Starkey (R) 59%, Matt Murphy (D) 41%

Tax Collector – Mike Olson (D) 68%, Ed Blommel (R) 32%
Penny for Pasco – For 70%, Against 30%

* Write-in opponent only

 

 

By Meaghan O’Neal
The Laker/Lutz News Correspondent

 

The sixth annual Hike for Hospice brought more than 400 participants out to support Gulfside Regional Hospice at Rasmussen College in Land O’ Lakes Nov. 11, Veterans Day.

The theme of the event was honoring veterans, and many of those in attendance came out to run or walk in memory of their family members who have served in the armed forces.

Family members of veterans gave tribute to loved ones by either posting a note on a designated memory wall or pinning them to their shirts.

The event was also attended by several war veterans and soldiers currently serving in the military. The soldiers ran the 5-kilometter course dressed in there military fatigues.

Gus DePietto, a World War II veteran who served in the Army, remarked on the young soldiers saying, “It was special to stand with such strong and young men who have been overseas. It reminds me of myself when I went to war in the 1940s.”

DePietto has attended the hike for the past five years and said that “it means so much to know that there are events like this.”

The event also included skydivers flying in with the American flag.

Former Buccaneers fullback Mike Alstott, a partner and supporter of Gulfside, took part in the day’s activities.

“Everybody is out here in memory of their loved ones, and at the same time thank hospice for everything that they do,” said Alstott, who has been a part of the hike since it started. “I’m honored to be here.”

Linda Ward, president of Gulfside, was excited to be able to organize the event.

“All of these people have raised funds for hospice costs that aren’t covered by insurance,” Ward said. “We’re so thankful for their support. It’s a great day.”

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Entrepreneurs flocked to BizGROW 2.0 to learn what to do — and what not to do — to help them succeed in business.

The Pasco Economic Development Council (PEDC) at the Pasco-Hernando Community College Conference Center in New Port Richey hosted the event.

About 100 people registered for the all-day conference, with around 60 in attendance at the morning session Nov. 7.

Panelists Rosie Paulsen, Nicole Denzik, Brad Savage and Chad Carter offered their insights about what has helped their businesses succeed and what they would do differently if they had the chance.

Paulsen, who owns Good Faith Insurance Services and is the founder of the Pasco-Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, said she got into the business world because she had an idea and followed her passion.

She said part of being successful is recognizing one’s strengths and weaknesses.

“I don’t care about details that much,” Paulsen said. “I care about relationships.”

She focuses on her strengths and has found help in other areas.

Denzik, owner of United Underwriters of Tampa, said she encountered a variety of difficulties when she started.

“Cash flow absolutely was the biggest challenge. Working 60- to 80-hour weeks and not taking home a paycheck will wear on you,” said Denzik, whose business is located in Lutz.

If she were starting over, Denzik also thinks she would budget her resources differently.

“In hindsight, I would have spent money on a better website, better SEO (search engine optimization),” Denzik said.

Savage, vice president of Digital Brainz, said if his family-run company were starting from scratch, he would recommend consulting with a professional to help identify the business’ target market.

Initially, Digital Brainz focused on providing repair services in the information technology (IT) industry, Savage said. In essence, they waited for people who had problems to call them.

They realized that wasn’t a productive use of their time, so they adapted. They became a company that helps businesses keep things flowing by anticipating their IT needs and making changes before problems develop, Savage said.

The new approach has resulted in giving Digital Brainz, which recently moved to Lutz, a broader market, Savage said.

He has this advice to startups: “Take advantage of professional help that’s available.”

Chad Carter, owner of Tampa Bay Urodynamics, said his company is in such a niche market that he tries to learn from a wide variety of businesses instead of trying to learn from similar firms.

Carter said he is always on the lookout for effective business practices he can incorporate into his own business.

Both Paulsen and Denzik emphasized the importance of networking and building relationships.

Paulsen said she started the Hispanic chamber because there are many, like her, who have ideas for businesses but don’t know how to turn their ideas into reality.

“We have this dream and we don’t know where to start it,” Paulsen said. She added, “Networking groups work.”

However, Paulsen added, entrepreneurs must be judicious in how much they network and must do it as a means of creating business opportunities.

“You can network all day and never work,” Paulsen said.

In this age of social media, it’s important to have an Internet presence, Savage said. It’s a good idea to have a website that offers useful information about your company, he advised.

But, a website is just one tool, Savage added. Most of his business comes through referrals.

John Hagen, president and CEO of the PEDC, is optimistic about the business climate in Pasco.

“I think the economy is going to be turning around,” Hagen said.

The PEDC wants to help small companies succeed and grow, Hagen said. He used this baseball analogy: It’s better to get 50 singles than one homerun.

It makes practical sense to try and work with diverse companies to give the county’s economy various paths toward growth, Hagen said.

Hagen also noted that his organization offers loans of up to $35,000, if a company qualifies.

The goal is to provide loans that may not be available through a bank, but will help the company succeed and become better candidates for future loans.

Speaker John Morrow told the audience about a plan he co-authored called the Tampa Bay 6/20 plan.

The plan aims to make Tampa Bay more attractive to startup companies by finding talent and investors to encourage new businesses, Morrow said.

The idea is to create an economic ecosystem that creates so much opportunity that both investors and talented people want to become part of it, he said.

Morrow spent 30 years launching and growing technology companies, and now he’s hoping to help transform Tampa Bay into a place that’s known for its innovation and opportunity.

By encouraging more companies to start here and by providing the environment for success, there will be more business for everyone in the area and more higher-paying jobs, Morrow said.

Tampa Bay has had some highly successful startup companies that have left the area, Morrow said. When that occurs, more talent is lost, more jobs are lost and Tampa Bay’s branding opportunities suffer.

Kyle Mastronardo, another conference speaker, told the audience about the massive exposure his family business received from being featured on the reality television show Shark Tank and also on Good Morning America.

Mastronardo lives in St. Pete Beach. He and his three brothers own and operate Nardo’s Natural, a skin-care product that won the backing of Barbara Corcoron on Shark Tank.

They also landed a product endorsement from David Price, a pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays.

The exposure from being on national television helped enormously, Mastronardo told the crowd, but the keys to his family’s success were finding the finances to launch the business, putting together a winning team, successful marketing and the quality of the product they sell.

“It’s very important to me what’s in our products and what we leave out of our products,” Mastronardo said.

It’s also important to be willing to work hard and to learn from mistakes, Mastronardo added.

Tammie Nemecek, director of partner development with the Florida Economic Gardening Institute at the University of Central Florida, also spoke at the conference. She explained a program that provides loans for businesses that qualify.

“We’re trying to bring new wealth into the local economy,” Nemecek said.

Companies that desire to grow and are facing specific challenges may be good candidates for the program, she said. The loan program has specific criteria, but companies that can demonstrate growth in revenue and employment may be able to qualify for loans and market research assistance, Nemecek said. Those interested in learning more should check out the organization’s website, www.growfl.com.

 

To learn more:

—About the Tampa Bay 6/20 plan, visit www.tampabay620.com

—About the Pasco Economic Development Council, visit: www.pascoedc.com

—About free counseling, seminars and tools for small businesses, visit www.score.org/resources/pascohernando-useful-local-links

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Heritage Bank of Florida in Lutz has been bought by Centennial Bank of Conway, Ark., according to a release from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Heritage was closed by state financial regulators Nov. 2, but reopened three days later as branches of Centennial.

The Florida Office of Financial Regulation appointed the FDIC as a receiver for the bank, which entered into a purchase and assumption agreement with Centennial in order to protect the depositors, the release states.

Heritage had three branches, which were in Lutz, West Tampa and Wesley Chapel.

Depositors of Heritage have automatically transferred to Centennial, and deposits continue to be insured by the FDIC up to applicable limits.

The FDIC release notes that customers of Heritage should continue to use their existing branch until they receive notice from Centennial that it has completed systems changes to allow its other branches to process their accounts as well.

Heritage, an independent community bank, began operation in August 1999. Its primary service areas were Central Pasco and North and Central Hillsborough counties.

As of Sept. 30, Heritage had approximately $225.5 million in total assets and $223.3 million in total deposits, according to the FDIC. In addition to assuming all of the deposits of the failed bank, Centennial agreed to purchase approximately $193.7 million of the failed bank’s assets.

The FDIC retains the remaining assets for disposition at a later time, the release notes.

Heritage is the 48th FDIC-insured institution to fail in the nation this year, and the eighth in Florida.

The FDIC estimates the cost to the Deposit Insurance Fund (DIF) will be $65.5 million. Compared to other alternatives, Centennial’s acquisition was the least costly resolution for the FDIC’s insurance fund, the FDIC’s release states.

Centennial is a wholly owned subsidiary of Home BancShares, a bank-holding company headquartered in Conway. Centennial has locations in central Arkansas, Florida and Alabama.

“We are excited to welcome the customers and employees of Heritage Bank to our family and look forward to the benefits this acquisition should bring to the businesses and residents of the northern Tampa area,” said Randy Sims, chief executive officer, in a release.

“We want depositors of Heritage Bank to be confident in knowing that they will be banking with a strong, community banking-oriented financial institution,” Sims continued. “We also want to reassure all customers of Heritage Bank they will continue to conduct business as normal with the employees with whom they have built a solid long-term relationship.”

Customers who have questions about the sale should call the FDIC at (800) 830-4731 on weekdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or visit www.fdic.gov/bank/individual/failed/heritage_fl.html.

 

 

By Jeff Odom

 

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local doctors are telling pregnant women it’s best to get vaccinated against whooping cough.

The recommendation comes after the disease, also known as pertussis, has been reported at levels not seen in nearly 50 years.

In a report released last month by the CDC, a widespread outbreak of the highly contagious disease was felt across America. Florida has seen a 10-year high in reported cases.

As of Oct. 30, 515 cases were reported across the state, according to the Florida Department of Health. That’s up from just 53 in 2002.

Dr. Michael Weiss, who specializes in obstetrics and gynecology at Pasco Regional Medical Center in Dade City, said while there is no mandate on getting the vaccine, women who are pregnant are more likely to contract whooping cough and pass it to their children. He added, even teenagers should get immunized.

“Infants can get very severe symptoms of pertussis, become hospitalized and even die from it if it is bad enough,” Weiss said. “That’s why (the CDC is) basically recommending this booster injection and they are also recommending this for adolescents who are around the potent areas.”

Symptoms of whooping cough include, but are not limited to, coughing fits lasting from one to six weeks, runny nose, low grade fever and, for infants, apnea.

While it generally affects infants, teenagers and adults are just as likely to catch it without proper immunization, which generally lasts 10 years.

At the end of the 2011-12 school year, Hillsborough County saw 10 of its schools affected by the disease, with nearly 40 reported cases.

Weiss said public places like schools can be breeding grounds for spreading the illness, which is why children should get it early.

“Schools are good environments for it,” Weiss said. “People get generally vaccinated when they are children to make sure they have immunity to it. The side committee is recommending that all women should be vaccinated by their third trimester of pregnancy.”

With the new report published by the CDC, Weis said it is likely that changes will have to be made in medical centers, including Pasco Regional, to supply greater amounts of the vaccine.

For more information on whooping cough and how the vaccine works, go to www.cdc.gov/pertussis/index.html.