Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

When Pasco voters cast their ballots early or go to the polls Nov. 6, they’ll consider a referendum that could have big consequences on daily life in the county.

They’ll decide if they want to tax themselves — and anyone else who spends money in Pasco — to pay for projects or equipment to improve roads, schools and public safety, to purchase environmentally sensitive lands and to promote economic growth through tax incentives, work force training and programs to support both businesses.

In short, they’ll be deciding the fate of Penny for Pasco, a sales tax that is proposed for 10 years and is projected to generate more than $502 million.

Whether they want to vote for or against the tax, voters should know where to look for it. It’s the last item on a crowded two-page ballot.

If approved, the tax would take effect Jan. 1, 2015 and run through Dec. 31, 2024. The tax revenues would be divvied between Pasco County, the Pasco School Board and the county’s cities.

The county would receive 45 percent, the schools get 45 and the cities would split 10.

Voters initially approved the Penny for Pasco tax in 2004, which is set to expire at the end of 2014.

Proceeds from the initial Penny for Pasco have paid for a wide range of public safety improvements, including:

—Purchases of 643 Pasco Sheriff’s office vehicles and 446 laptops, 102 defibrillators kept in public spaces and several ambulances.

—Twenty-two completed transportation projects, four projects under construction and 13 undergoing right-of-way acquisition or design.

—Purchases of nearly 1,500 conservation acres with another nearly 2,600 acres pending.

—Construction of new schools including, Double Branch Elementary and Oakstead Elementary and the renovation of older schools like Cox Elementary, Stewart Middle, Pasco Middle and Pasco High.

—School improvement projects including new wings on existing buildings, roof replacements, cafeteria and room renovations, lighting retrofits and heating, ventilation and air conditioning replacements.

Unlike the last go-round, a portion of the new Penny for Pasco proceeds will be directed toward job creation.

The county has pledged to spend 20 percent of whatever revenue it receives on improving the local economy.

Part of the money would go to enticing businesses to locate in Pasco. Other funding would help existing companies grow and others to get started.

The county also would spend money to strengthen the local work force through training and development programs.

On the public safety front, one of the big-ticket items would be the replacement of Fire Station No. 13 in Wesley Chapel. Other proposed improvements include the purchase of additional laptops and vehicles for the sheriff’s office and upgrades to the public safety radio system and to the fire rescue training center.

The school board plans to use 77 percent of the tax money it would receive for campus renovations and remodels.

Schools slated for renovations include Cox, Pasco, Quail Hollow, Shady Hills and Woodland elementary schools and Land O’ Lakes and Zephyrhills high schools.

Weightman Middle is expected to receive parking and traffic safety improvements, and Pine View Middle is expected to benefit from covered walkways.

The district also has earmarked roughly 16 percent for technology upgrades at 41 school sites.

The sales tax applies to items purchased in Pasco, except for food and medicine. It is capped at $5,000 per a single purchase.

By B.C. Manion

If you enjoy old-fashioned holiday family fun, you may want to circle a couple of dates on your calendar.

Plans are in the works for Scarecrows ‘N Stuff and Traditions on the Green — two popular seasonal events at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 US 41.

Organizers are in the midst of planning the events, which aim to give kids a chance to have fun while friends and relatives socialize.

Sponsors for the community gatherings include Heritage Park Foundation, Keystone Community Church, Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club, Candlewood Community Church, Kemp Farms, Hungry Harry’s, Pasco County Sheriff’s Office and Pasco County Parks and Recreation.

Scarecrows ‘N Stuff is planned from 10 a.m. to noon Oct. 27.

Kids will have a chance to stuff a scarecrow. There also will be face painting, a bounce house and autumn crafts, while supplies last. The event is geared primarily for those ages 10 and younger.

Organizers are also starting to gear up for Traditions on the Green, an annual event that features a Kid’s Christmas Corner, face painting, ornament making, letters to Santa, a puppet show, greeting card coloring, games and other activities.

Traditions on the Green, slated from 9 a.m. to noon Dec. 8, will have vendors, concerts and a student art show.

A Breakfast with Santa is planned from 9 to 10 a.m.

Santa has booked the date, said Sandy Graves, one of the key organizers. And this year, the jolly old elf swears he’ll be on time, she said.

Parks and recreation will be having a cornhole tournament, with the entry fee being a gift for Toys for Tots.

Volunteers are planning to make an even bigger batch of pancakes this year, said Lee Cannon, of the Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club. They thought they had enough batter to feed 400 last year, but apparently some of the pancakes were on the rather large size and some people had more than one serving. So, even though they didn’t serve 400 people, the pancakes ran out.

Besides feeding themselves, event organizers want to help feed the hungry. They’ll be collecting canned goods to give to the Land O’ Lakes drop-off for Metropolitan Ministries, which is distributed in Pasco.

Vendors who want to offer some goods for sale will be able to rent a space for $20.

Volunteers who want to pitch in, organizations that want to donate items for the events, groups that want to provide entertainment or vendors who want to reserve a booth should call Graves at (813) 996-3011.

A new monastery is planned, too

Compiled by B.C. Manion

The Benedictine Sisters of Florida have sold 37 acres of land to Saint Leo University (SLU), including the site of the Holy Name Monastery on SR 52 directly west of the school.

SLU’s purchase includes parcels on the south side of SR 52 directly across from the monastery. The land allows the university to accommodate enrollment growth.

The Benedictines decided to leave the monastery and build a smaller one for the community of 16 sisters. Their new home will be a single-story building on 40 acres they still own on the south side of SR 52 at Wichers Road.

The university and the sisters announced their plans during a news conference Oct. 3.

The sisters intend to remain in the existing 100,000-square-foot monastery until their new 28,000-square-foot home is built. That is expected to be completed within two years and will include a fundraising effort.

“This is a historic day for the Benedictine Sisters,” Sister Roberta Bailey, the prioress of Holy Name Monastery, said in a release. “It is the result of five years of prayerful discernment, ongoing consultation with our advisors at Zielinski Companies and many conversations with the administration at Saint Leo University.”

The sisters noted that their current home is no longer suitable “because of its challenging layout characteristics.

“The 100,000-square-foot, multi-floor concrete structure is simply too large and expensive to operate and renovate,” the release states. “The building’s narrow corridors, low ceilings and nonhandicap accessible bathrooms are obsolete and cannot be easily renovated for our sisters’ needs. In addition, the elevator is old and costly each time it needs to be repaired, and the infrastructure (boilers, ventilation, etc.) and life safety systems are obsolete or need to be replaced.”

Bailey noted that the monastery, built in 1960, was the sisters’ second home during their 123-year history in East Pasco County.

“We plant our roots deep and feel blessed that we can transplant ourselves across the street here near the university and in our hometown of Saint Leo,” Bailey said. “We are pleased that the land will remain in the family and continue to be used for educational ministries that uphold the same Benedictine values that the sisters espouse.”

The sisters will celebrate their 125th anniversary Feb. 24, 2014. The order is embarking on a special gifts campaign to help fund the construction of the new monastery.

While the sisters are gearing up for a new building, the university’s board of trustees will consider how best to incorporate the new holdings as part of the campus’ updated master plan.

Arthur F. Kirk Jr., president of SLU, expressed gratitude for the ongoing relationship with the sisters.

“We have been so blessed to have the sisters’ involvement in Saint Leo since our founding as the first Catholic college in Florida,” Kirk said in a release. “Now the sisters’ work will continue, they will live nearby, their presence will continue to enrich our university, and they will be able to see on a daily basis how the addition of this parcel enhances our educational mission.”

The university notes that this purchase does not include or affect Saint Leo Abbey Church or Saint Leo Abbey, which are owned by the Benedictine Monks of Saint Leo. The sisters and monks, while sharing the same faith, are legally separate entities.

Name: James DeMio
Age: 46
Residence: Tampa

Occupation: realtor
Political affiliation: no party affiliation

Political experience: elected Democratic Party precinct committeeman
Office being sought: Hillsborough County property appraiser

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

I am the only candidate with real estate experience, 20 years. 2003 to Present Licensed Realtor in  Hillsborough County Florida with Century 21 and now I am the Broker/ Owner of Florida Property International. Closed transactions include Apartments, Retail strips, Office and Hotel Condominiums as well as Residential Property. Managed various commercial/residential properties from 1990 to present. From 1990 to 2000 Officer/Administrator at a Criminal/Civil Court in Ohio with jurisdiction over housing & building codes, landlord/tenant law and zoning issues, testifying on about 1,000 cases. I also performed administrative duties for 4 years of purchasing, payroll and managing a multi million dollar budget, never going over budget in any one of the years of budgeting.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

I want to re-connect this office with the community in the 1st 6 months, if elected. Bring knowledge to the home owners of Hillsborough County of how the office works. I will make owners aware of the appeals process, if an owner disagrees with their assesses value, which affects how much property tax is paid, so they can object to the assessed value.

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

I will lower taxes on homeowners and small business property owners. I will also see to it that large corporate property owners, such as big banks, pay their fair share of property taxes.

Correcting errors in the public record will also be a priority, such as square footage of a property. I will use the 20 years of real estate experience and administrative experience I have to run the property appraisers office efficiently. A balanced budget will be a priority in my 1st term at the property appraisers office as well.
List your political endorsements:

No response given

Name: Allison Newlon
Age: 42
Residence: San Antonio
Contact information: (813) 263-8644, www.AllisonNewlon.com

Occupation: real estate broker
Political affiliation: Democrat

Political experience: none
Office being sought: Pasco County property appraiser

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

As  a real estate industry professional, I have been assessing the values of homes for buyers and sellers for over eleven years. I am uniquely qualified for this position due to the nature of my current occupation. I understand the shifting condition of real estate in this county as only one whose livelihood depends on it can understand it. As a taxpayer myself, I know the importance of meeting residents’ needs as they arise. As someone with no political background, I am sincerely interested in making the office the best that it can be through the use of technology and community outreach programs. This county office and the residents who live here would benefit from my hard work ethic and fresh perspective.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

During the first six months, I look forward to working with the dedicated staff to improve internal efficiencies and to make it quicker and easier for the customer to do business with the office by improving service and information available online.

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

By the end of my term I hope I will have achieved the following:

—Improved the health of the tax roll by using more effective ways to identify property owners receiving exemptions to which they are not entitled

—Improved the website to include more online services, more information and having easier access to information

—Successful implementation of community outreach programs
List your political endorsements:

none

Name: Mike Wells

Age: 65
Residence: Dade City
Occupation: Pasco County property appraiser
Political affiliation: Republican

Political experience: 1984 to 1992 Pasco Commissioners, 1997 to present Pasco Property Appraiser
Office being sought: Pasco County property appraiser

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

The most important credential for being an effective Property Appraiser is proven leadership. This office requires a business leader who has experiences in and understands budgeting, hiring and retention of quality personnel, meeting deadlines, setting customer service standards, interacting with taxpayers, business leaders, elected leaders as well as the press in an honest straight forward manner.

This is a big job that is multi faceted requiring extensive knowledge of the county, the property and the people in it. I have personally visited every square mile of this county. My County Commission experience gives me a unique institutional knowledge of the inner workings of county government. I have been a licensed real estate broker for over 25 years and am also a Certified Florida Appraiser.

My website is the main reason I have been able to cut personnel by over 30%. I have also reduced my operating budget each year for the past five years. They are part of a long term business plan conditioned on the premise of being stingy with your tax dollars.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

Should I be re-elected, I will do what I do the first half of every year, like mail out homestead verification cards and expense request to income producing properties, gathering and analyzing data for the 2013 tax role, scheduling and participating in speaking engagements to civic, fraternal, homeowners and veteran’s organizations, begin the cost/benefit analysis of best practices presented to me by staff and others, begin process of making operational changes as required by new legislation and constitutional amendments, begin work on early estimates and the June 1 estimates for all taxing authorities and receive and analyze input and requests from staff for the 2013 budget. This involves discussing wants and needs. Once the needs are determined we then, once again, conduct a cost/benefit analysis on every sizable request. Our budget request will be fine tuned and delivered to the Florida Department of Revenue by June 1.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

Many in and out of the public sector talk about smaller and more efficient government. I plan to continue delivering on my pledge to reduce the size and increase effectiveness of the Pasco Property Appraiser’s Office. Through prudent expenditures on technology. I will close one location and reduce office size in the remaining locations. As the public becomes more accustomed to technology and as Statutes and Rules are updated to match our on-line world more and more services will be conducted via the Internet. Working with the Pasco Delegation, I want to begin delivery of TRIM Notices by email. While not decreasing the bottom line for the property appraisers’ offices it will benefit the taxpayers. Strive to deliver the most concise tax roll in terms of value estimates and exemptions possible. I was to move from the fifth most efficient out sixty-seven property appraiser offices to the most efficient.
List your political endorsements: Tampa Bay Times; Tampa Tribune; West Pasco Board of Realtors; Tampa Bay Builders Association; West Central Florida Federation of Labor; Congressman Gus Bilirakis; Senator Mike Fasano; Commissioner Ann Hildebrand; State Representative Will Weatherford; Commissioner of Agriculture Adam Putnam; Attorney General Pam Bondi

Name: Craig Latimer
Age: no response
Residence: Lutz

Occupation: chief of staff, supervisor of elections office
Political affiliation: Democrat

Political experience: first-time candidate
Office being sought: Hillsborough County supervisor of elections

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

I am the only candidate who has conducted elections. I have served with great success as Chief of Staff in the Supervisor of Elections office since 2009, first with Phyllis Busansky (Democrat) and then with Earl Lennard (Republican). I know the statute and rules governing elections processes; I am familiar with the voting and tabulating equipment we use; I have implemented efficiencies and best practices in office procedures and election practices; I have demonstrated my commitment to protecting voter rights and providing voter education. I was born and raised in Hillsborough County, and prior to serving as Chief of Staff at the Supervisor of Elections Office, I spent 35 years protecting life and property as a proud member of the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office, retiring in 2009 as a Major. I spent most of my career working homicide and major crimes, and, at the request of Sheriff David Gee, as my final assignment I led the transition of child protective investigations from the state to the Sheriff’s Office.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

When I became Chief of Staff in 2009, the biggest challenge was to rebuild an office that had been wracked by years of mismanagement and incompetence. In 2009, public confidence in the office was at an all-time low. Lost ballots, polling places moved without notice to voters, $400,000 in misspent grant funds, election results reported hours – even days – after the polls closed—these were the serious problems facing the office just four years ago when Supervisor Busansky and I assumed office.

There has been a remarkable turnaround since 2009:  leadership and accountability restored, election results reported in a timely and accurate manner, the office is impartial and nonpartisan, we are a model of ethics and professionalism, we provide excellent voter services, and we are a responsible steward of taxpayers’ funds.

I will protect and build upon these advances to maintain the public’s restored confidence in the elections process.

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

The most serious problem facing the office now is maintaining fair, accessible and transparent elections in which every eligible voter is entitled to cast their ballot confidently and securely, free of barriers, intimidation or suppression.

In addition to working every day to maintain our advances and build on the successes we have had in the Supervisor of Elections Office, I will continue to fight to protect the integrity of the voting process and the rights of voters.    The elections process should not be swayed by ideology or ideologues, but must be fairly administered for the benefit of all eligible voters. I will remain a leader among my peers in elections offices throughout the state in protecting voter rights, and I will assure that elections in our county continue to be conducted in a transparent, accountable and efficient manner.
List your political endorsements: West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association; Tampa Police Benevolent Association; Fraternal Order of Police State Lodge; Fraternal Order of Police District 3; Hillsborough Firefighters Local 2294; Tampa Firefighters #754; U.S. Representative Kathy Castor; Alex Sink; Bill McBride; Jim Davis; Judge Don Castor (retired);  Former House Speaker T. Terrell Sessums; Former Sheriff Cal Henderson; Former Sheriff Malcolm Beard; Sandy Freedman; Marvin R. Knight; West Central Florida Federation of Labor; Hillsborough County Commissioner Kevin Beckner; Gil Sainz; Jane and Gary Gibbons; Tampa Bay Builders Association; Capt. Bill Miller; Julie Jenkins; Jetie B. Wilds Jr.; Former Supervisor of Elections Robin C. Krivanek Sol Davis; Flo and Joe Felicione; Warren Bennett; Joe Voskerichian; Teamsters Local Union No. 79; Ron Llauget; Tampa City Council members Harry Cohen, Lisa J. Montelione and Yvonne Yolie Capin.

Name: Richard “Rich” Glorioso
Age: 68
Residence: Plant City

Occupation: retired U.S. Air Force 27 years, Logistics Group commander, instructor pilot
Political affiliation: Republican

Political experience: 2004-2012 – Florida State Representative for northeast Hillsborough and one precinct in west Pasco.

Office being sought: Hillsborough County supervisor of elections

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

I believe that the foundation of our government starts at the ballot box.  Having spent 27 years in the US Air Force protecting our Country and Constitution, I now want to protect the voting process.

The main differences between me and my opponent are that I will bring an unmatched level of integrity, competency and vast proven leadership to the office.

As a retired Air Force Colonel who earned the title of Commander and served in worldwide leadership positions including Flight Commander, Squadron Commander and Logistics Group Commander, I have proven the leadership qualities necessary to run this office.

As a State Representative, I served as Chairman of numerous committees. In these leadership roles I handled complex policy decisions while building consensus and significantly affecting the State of Florida.

In all of my vast leadership experiences, I was able to create efficiencies, serve and lead diverse populations, build consensus on contentious issues and motivate people to the benefit of the mission. I will bring these qualities to the office of Supervisor of Elections.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

I will initiate a review of all processes within the Supervisor of Elections office. It will be driven by staff with voter involvement.

A lack of consistent outreach to diverse communities, the negligible participation of the customer in all voting changes, low voter turnout, costly election errors, internal conflict of interests by office employees and voter rolls that are woefully out of date are just a few of the many places where a comprehensive review are necessary.

It is crucial for the work product of this office to be nearly perfect. That is much more easily accomplished when you have full buy-in from the talented employees of the office. I will institute a true open-door policy that allows subordinates to have clear expectations, a concept of what success looks like and a stake in the outcome. We will be a TEAM.

What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

We will be the best and most efficient Supervisor of Elections office in the State.

By the end of my first term, the Supervisor of Elections office will be fully exchanging best practices with other offices throughout the country. We will be sharing our successes and using successes by others in our ongoing process of continual improvement.

We will be known for our outreach to the schools and to the community. We will not forget any population in the community. These populations will include traditionally disenfranchised groups like foster kids, unaccompanied youth and voters with special needs.

Hillsborough will have the most honest and up-to-date voter rolls in the state. We will work hard to make sure not one ineligible vote is cast and that anyone that is eligible to vote has all of the necessary information to participate in the voting process.
List your political endorsements: United Christians of Florida; Hillsborough Farm Bureau; Association of Builders and Contractors; Senator Marco Rubio; Agriculture Commissioner Adam Putnam; Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater; Mayor Dan Raulerson; Speaker-Designate Will Weatherford; Former Secretary of State Kurt Browning; State Representative Dana Young; State Representative Jamie Grant; State Representative Shawn Harrison; County commissioners Ken Hagan, Sandy Murman. Al Higginbotham, Victor Crist and Mark Sharpe

Name: Kathy (Kathryn) A. Lambert, nickname “KAT”
Age: 61
Residence: Dade City
Occupation: former substitute teacher, bilingual and migrant teacher aide; district media services video assistant
Political affiliation: write-in candidate
Political experience: none
Office being sought: Superintendent of Pasco County Schools

What separates you from your competitors(s)?

Mr. Browning and I both live in East Pasco, and we are both well educated. He has a Masters in Public Administration. I do not. I completed my degree in 1973 at the Univ. of Mo. at Rolla, now renamed Missouri Science and Technology. I am a magna cum laude. I came to Dade City in ‘73 and found that Dr. Malone at Pasco Comp. H.S. would not use me to teach history unless I could coach football, but he made sure I was welcomed by East Pasco schools as a fully degreed substitute teacher. Later, I worked for the district as a video assistant for Pasco County schools. In 1989-90, I was taught English II and Spanish I for Hernando District. I am a communicative person, out in the open with my ideas. Browning is “shrewd,” political and will not communicate openly with the public, only to his inner circle. I am not like that! Also, he is a millionaire, successful and popular. I am a free spirit who values  the poor and the successful, with the same regard for their ideas.
What do you hope to accomplish in your first six months in office?

Amend the budget for savings. Contract out lawn care at all schools. Sell off, at public auction, any and all lawn  equipment. Our mission is education; our money will be directed only to our educational goals. Each school is not its own “fiefdom.” Maintenance workers retrain in solar power installation. Work with board to enforce district administrators opportunity to devote time to fill in for teachers at schools, as stated in previous district agreements. Implement any and all cost savings ideas from teachers as presented to board. Meld adult education programs into “E-School.” Seek inter-local agreements with county and municipalities regarding any possible land swaps, sales, etc. Find any and all ways to heal teacher morale, reconcile relationships. Begin solarizing schools in Progress Energy Corporation corridor to save energy costs.
What do you hope to accomplish by the end of your term?

My hope is after 2 years in office, that our Pasco School Board will agree to my idea to have them seek out a professional educator with experience in running a district with almost 70,000 students, and hire such a person after a wide search, such as does Pinellas County. Its Superintendent is appointed, not elected. That would be in my mind, the pinnacle of success, because my goal, my dream, is to remove our public schools from under the thumb of politics. Teachers cannot thrive under political rule. Neither do taxpayers get their full due. After two years maximum, I will be happy to hand over the job to a professional, not a politician. This will require a public referendum. Our board can do it. I know they can. Also, a pool to teach swimming for the poor children of Northeast Pasco keeping the name “Moore-Mickens” AQUATIC EDUCATION CENTER, would be the ultimate dream!!!!
List your political endorsements:

No response given.