Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Name: Roberta Cutting

Age: 52

Residence: Zephyrhills

Occupation: no response given

Political affiliation: Independent

Political experience: none

Office being sought: Pasco Clerk of Circuit Court

 

Why are you running for this office?

The current clerk, Paula O’Neil, was my inspiration to run against her. I decided to run in October and the things I have seen at the clerk’s offices brought me to where I am now. Not only that, but Paula O’Neil would not get on the phone with me or talk to me via any method, and I vow to never do that to anyone. Now that I am running, I have had time to reflect on all the positive things that I can do for the people of the county. I am 100 percent for the people!

 

What are your top three priorities?

1. Experience: The elected clerk only has to come to work eight days out of the whole year, which does not take much experience. With my open door policy, the people will know I am there serving them. The people in the clerk’s offices are already doing the work. The clerk just makes sure it gets done.

2. Financial records: I will bring in an outside auditor to analyze everything that comes in and goes out of the clerk’s offices to eliminate needless spending and re-channel funds more productively. I am huge on open government and public records. Nothing allowable by law will be hidden from your view!

3. Court system: The clerk’s office puts clerks in the courtrooms and monitors the evidence. While the auditor, the staff and I are analyzing the financial records, we will also analyze the evidence to make sure nothing is missing.

 

Why should voters choose you?

I am 100 percent for the people, and to prove that, I am giving back half of the salary to the people of the county. That is almost $70,000 a year that I am giving back to the people, which can help offset some of their tax dollars. I also have an open door policy that allows anyone to come see me and I will address any concerns they have, personally, as needed. Cutting is my name and I am cutting everything that hurts the people, including cutting corruption, cutting wasteful spending, cutting bureaucracy and cutting mistreatment of employees.

 

What qualifications do you bring to the job?

I have an office system technology degree and a paralegal degree that prepares me for the managerial position of clerk of court, but does that really matter? No, because all the degrees, all the awards and even all the experience in the world will not make someone work for you. The bottom line is this: The two degrees I have does nothing for the people except to show I have these degrees. What really matters is what can I do for you, the people? I have a lot of big, positive plans to implement that will benefit everyone in the county. Sure I ran my own businesses and even held a real estate license, but none of that really matters because it’s not what I have done that will make a difference, it’s what I can do to better the lives of others in the position as clerk of court.

 

Name: Paula S. O’Neil

Age: 55

Residence: Bayonet Point

Occupation: Pasco Clerk of Circuit Court and County Comptroller

Political affiliation: Republican

Political experience: current clerk of circuit court and county comptroller, elected in 2008

Office being sought: Pasco Clerk of Circuit Court

 

Why are you running for this office?

My choice to run for clerk in 2008 was because I felt I was the most qualified, and I believe I am still the most qualified person. With the responsibilities of courts, official records, county comptroller and county auditor, your clerk must have the ability to lead a strong team and safeguard county assets, records and resources. Our mission is to serve with integrity, professionalism and compassion to safeguard our customers’ interests. I have witnessed great successes within my team and anticipate many more.
What are your top three priorities?

My number one priority since my election in 2008 has been the eFuture of the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office. Since my election, we have taken many clerk responsibilities into the electronic world. The largest changes include online foreclosure sales, online jury reporting, electronic payables, electronic payroll, electronic judicial reporting, ACH interface for customers and eTickets for red light cameras. We are in the process of replacing a 1977 court case maintenance system with a next generation system and moving all court files into electronic filing. This process will enable the office to save money.

We have lost more than $4 million in funding since 2009 due to legislative cuts, despite increasing caseload and additional mandates. The only way for us to stay ahead of deadlines is to increase our technology.
Why should voters choose you?

It has been my honor to work for the citizens of Pasco for almost 25 years. Starting in 1987, I was privileged to work with the park bond referendum for the Parks and Recreation Department for six years, followed by nine years with the Community Services Department with Public Transportation, Elderly Nutrition, Social Services, Veteran Services, Animal Control, SAVE, Cooperative Extension and Soil Conservation. I was hired by the former clerk in 2002 and worked in the clerk’s office for six years before being elected in 2008.

 

What qualifications do you bring to the job?

Since assuming office as the elected clerk of circuit court in 2009, we have faced a lot of challenges. Our budget was cut, and we reduced staffing by more than 100 employees. Experience in the office is key to understanding and managing priorities to safeguard the public. In addition to 25 years of experience in Pasco government, I have earned a Ph.D. in management. This education has enabled me to explore options from a global perspective and redesign the organization. Experience and education are important to the management of a billion dollar budget, collaboration with elected officials and the public, and fulfilling the statutory duties of the office. I have integrity and am honored to have the privilege to serve.

 

 

Name: Ed Blommel

Age: 63

Residence: Dade City

Occupation: retired

Political affiliation: Republican

Political experience: none

Office being sought: Pasco County Tax Collector

 

Why are you running for this office?

The Tax Collector position is truly a function of offering customer services to the residents of Pasco County. My 40 years of working for Tampa Electric Co. offered me the opportunity to learn and demonstrate some of the best business practices in the industry. My past 18 years in Pasco County I have shown my passion for people and my leadership ability to serve through both the professional and community environment.

 

What are your top three priorities?

1. Employee moral: I believe through open and honest communications that employees will see the benefits of creating an environment that encourages professional development, individual accomplishment and can draw on their creative ideas.

2. Growth/demand: Pasco is projected to have a population of 750,000 by 2025; a 50% increase. I would handle this increase in demand by expanding the talents of each employee to be multi-tasked. I would evaluate the need of additional locations. Should there be the need to add an office, I would lease the location as to not add long-term debt.

3. Collaboration: When you look at the people we serve, it is the same people at the county and state level they may require different types of services. I would work to become involved with the other county agencies to see where we could help each other enhance overall service of our residents.

 

Why should voters choose you?

I believe that I bring unique qualifications having worked in the private sector in customer service. I have the ability to motivate team members and create a working environment that will be positive for the customers and team members. I have a proven record of being fiscally conservative, and I have been involved throughout Pasco through different organizations to stay in touch with the needs of the residents. I realize that this is a position that belongs to the people and to serve the people of Pasco and not to any one individual.

 

What qualifications do you bring to the job?

A proven record of being fiscally responsible and 40 years of business leadership experience. My years of managing customer service functions and a solid understanding of how to deliver such service will give Pasco County an edge in the future. I know that with integrity and trust as priorities along with open communications, I can create a Tax Collector agency that will be the envy of other counties. The incumbent has served 32 years and the residents of Pasco County are deserving of new and fresh leadership. I will not lose sight of the fact that this position reports to and works for the residents of Pasco County. I would like for them to consider Ed Blommel as their option in November for Pasco County Tax Collector.

Land O’ Lakes teen makes habit of donating her locks

By Jeff Odom

When it comes to helping others facing hardship, 13-year-old Lila Baker is no stranger.

The Pine View Middle eighth-grader has been donating her hair to Locks of Love since she was a kindergartener. While it’s hard for her to recall the first time giving to those who have lost their hair due to cancer or other treatment, she knows the idea came from her mother, Denise.

“My mom took me for the first time when I was in kindergarten, 5 years old?” Lila said. “I don’t really remember it. It was a long time ago.”

Lila has donated her hair three more times since that first trip to the hair stylist, giving a total of 48 inches, or 4 feet.

Denise said she got the idea to have herself and Lila donate from a friend and is amazed at how much passion her daughter has for helping those faced with cancer and other life threatening illnesses.

“We used to live in Orlando, and I was a teacher, and I had a friend that donated her hair, and I thought ‘Oh wow, that’s pretty cool,’” Denise said. “So, when we moved (to Land O’ Lakes) I decided to donate my hair and Lila said ‘That’s really cool mommy.’ So, I decided to take her. … Her hair grows fast, and she wants to go every two years and donate again.”

Outside of her donations to Locks of Love, Lila has been a member of the Girl Scouts since she was 5 and is a member of Pine View’s school band. She is also a student-athlete, competing in girls soccer as a defender for Central Pasco USA and track at her school.

Her academic record in mathematics and science gave her the opportunity to join the National Junior Honors Society (NJHS) and take the SAT as a seventh-grader.

Lila is currently in the planning stages for her Silver Award with the scouts and hopes to deliver goodie bags with pens, stickers and humorous stories to cancer patients around the Tampa Bay area. She calls the project a Bag of Sunshine.

“(My mom and I have) been tossing out some ideas and maybe we could write little, funny stories and make cute little pens to give to them and make them happy,” Lila said.

As for her future, Lila hopes to pursue a career in pharmacy or education, but said the door is wide open to what may interest her. Denise said she could do anything she puts her mind to because of her work ethic and dedication to what she believes in.

“She is an amazing young lady,” Denise said. “Teachers always have great things to say about her and how well mannered and sweet she is. She’s just a very giving person with the service to the Girl Scouts and also giving her hair to help other people.”

Lila added, she learned the importance of giving through her mother and wants to continue helping others as long as she can.

“It’s just the right thing to do to put yourself before people and help people out,” Lila said. “It gives you a really good feeling afterwards, knowing that you helped someone who needed it.”

By B.C. Manion

Tampa Hillsborough Public Libraries is gearing up to celebrate the system’s 100th anniversary in 2014, and staffers are visiting each of the system’s 25 branches to gather artifacts and stories to preserve the history.

Margaret Rials, the system’s chief librarian, is heading up the Library History Roadshow. She and staff members made a stop at the Lutz Branch Library on June 28 to scan documents and photos while collecting memories from the community.

Historian Susan MacManus was on hand to share photographs and stories of Lutz and Land O’ Lakes, two communities that have been linked together by churches, schools, businesses and a highway now known as US 41, initially known as SR 5 to the area’s earliest pioneers.

Although not many people were bringing in artifacts or memories to share on Saturday, Rials and staff were able to scan in materials at the library’s archives. She is confident more will turn up.

Lutz residents have a reputation for being connected to their community and their community’s story, or as Rials put it: “They are very history-minded.

“It would be wonderful to get an early library card from here,” Rials said, or an artifact from the original library building. “We’d love to get an opening day program.”

Rials said an earlier stop at the now closed Old Hyde Park Branch Library turned up the original sign, which was in someone’s garage. She thinks similar artifacts and memories will turn up from Lutz residents.

“We get very touching stories about what the library meant, still means to people,” Rials said, noting they put together brief videos of those recollections.

Some share their memory of going to the library as a child or reminisce about getting their first library card.

Others remember the first book they read or talk about the impact that using the library has had on their life.

Rials would love to see someone do a documentary about the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Libraries system and have its premiere during its 100th anniversary year. “We just don’t have the staff or the expertise to do it.”

However, she has been thinking that might make a great documentary project for University of South Florida filmmaking students to do.

Robin Gibson, the site supervisor of the Lutz Branch, was thrilled to have the Roadshow drop by. She said many of the community’s founding families have descendants who routinely visit the library, along with newcomers.

“On a weekly basis, I must have two or three people who come in who are new to the community and would like to know more about the library or Lutz,” Gibson said. She added, “We always pull out Susan’s (Susan MacManus) two books to start them because everything is documented in there.”

The timing of the library system’s centennial is convenient because it is being celebrated in 2014, the year after Lutz will pull out the stops to celebrate its community’s 100th birthday.

Like many things in this sometimes contentious community that crosses the Hillsborough and Pasco county lines — there’s even a debate over what year Lutz was formed.

“There’s an argument in this community about when Lutz became Lutz. Lutz is not an incorporated place,” said MacManus, who along with her mother, the late Elizabeth Riegler MacManus, wrote two massive local history books about the communities of Lutz and Land O’ Lakes.

“They’re having the 100th year anniversary in 1913 because that’s when the post office opened. But it was named, really, in 1911,” MacManus said, during a talk about the community’s history during the Roadshow’s stop in Lutz.

No matter which year it was, the community is gearing up to celebrate Lutz in all of its glory.

The big ceremony will be during the community’s annual Fourth of July bash.

But there will be smaller celebrations all year long at the library, Gibson said.

She envisions a Saturday night band, a Saturday afternoon movie, a cooking demonstration and all sorts of other old-fashioned fun.

She has a sense of what Lutz people enjoy.

When plans were being made for refreshments at the Roadshow stop, Gibson said she knew just the thing: “Lutz is red-checkered table cloths and lemonade and cookies.”

And, judging from the crowd’s response, she was right.

 

Library Roadshow

For more information about the Library History Roadshow call Margaret Rials at (813) 272-6341 or visit www.thplhistoryroadshow.blogspot.com.

By B.C. Manion

She just graduated from high school, but Rachel Wise already has racked up an impressive list of achievements.

Recently, she traveled to Mexico as part of a group of Lombardi Stamps Scholars from the University of Florida (UF).

Being selected as a Lombardi Scholar was a huge deal for Wise, said Julie Moore, guidance counselor at Zephyrhills High, where Wise graduated at the top of her class.

“She’s a pretty spectacular kid,” Moore said.

As a Lombardi Scholar, she will travel with professors and the other scholars each summer as an undergraduate student, funded by UF, during her four years at the university. She is one of just 11 students selected for the program this year.

During this past summer, Wise has been living with a host family in Mexico while taking classes in ecology and Spanish. She’s had the chance to visit Mayan ruins and see local crafts and masonries, while learning about Mexican culture.

Steve Van Gorden, Zephyrhills principal, said Wise has accomplished much at an early age.

“Rachel is the whole package,” Van Gorden said, who has seen the young woman excel academically while being engaged in myriad activities on the high school campus, in the community and beyond.

“I am excited to see what great things she does in the coming years,” Van Gorden said.

In an email interview from Mexico, Wise was unable to single out her most meaningful achievement to date but said she’s been changed by the opportunities she experienced while serving as the Florida 4-H Council, an organization with nearly 240,000 members.

“This role taught me so much about how to do what is right for the vast majority of people, and not just myself,” Wise wrote. “I learned about responsibility, leadership, citizenship and my own self in my role. I would never give those lessons up.”

Wise has a knack for creating consensus, said Michael Wickersheim, a volunteer 4-H advisor.

At the same time, Wickersheim said, she is “very good at speaking up for youth that might not always have a voice. She has no problems with sticking to her guns.”

Wise understands the value of getting involved in the political process, Wickersheim added.

Along those lines, she chaired the Florida 4-H Mock Legislature and co-chaired 4-H Day at the Capitol.

She also co-chaired the University of Florida Youth Development Advisory Council, which is sponsored by the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension (IFAS) at UF.

“She knows how to lead,” said Wendi Armstrong, a 4-H advisor who works for IFAS. Wise is equally adept at stepping aside and letting others take the reins, Armstrong added, who describes the 18-year-old as being personable, outgoing and caring.

“She’s a bright, articulate young lady,” Wickersheim said, adding that she wants to make a difference.

During her high school years, Wise amassed nearly 2,000 hours of community service.

Her contributions did not go unnoticed.

She received many awards and scholarships, including $1,000 from Kohl’s for her anti-bullying efforts. She co-wrote a book on the topic and made presentations to about 3,000 students to help prevent bullying.

During the course of her high school years, she was involved in numerous organizations and activities. Wise was a member of show choir, lettered in high school tennis, served on the school advisory council, served on student council and was also the editor and chief of her school newspaper, The Paw Print.

While she’s already started her college experiences, Wise credits her second-grade teacher, Cindy Fettig, for having an enormous influence on her academic success.

“She taught me how to read and never let me slack,” Wise said. “That may seem like a miniscule lesson to some people, but it always stuck with me.”

Fettig has become Wise’s friend. She was there when Wise graduated from high school and helped her celebrate by attending her party.

Wise said her parents and her siblings are her role models.

“Both of my parents have multiple master’s degrees, and yet they were both the first members of their families to graduate from college, period,” Wise noted.

She also admires the accomplishments of her brother and sister, who are now both lawyers.

Wise hasn’t settled on her career path. Trying to make that decision as an 18-year-old is daunting, she said.

“I have narrowed it down to certain areas of study,” Wise noted. “I am currently a public relations/psychology major who hopes to attend law school after undergraduate study. I know I somehow want to be involved with politics, law and writing.”

Armstrong said no matter what Wise chooses to do, it will have an element of service.

“I think she will end up helping her community,” Armstrong said. “She wants to help the public.”

 

Some of the awards and scholarships Rachel Wise has amassed

—University of Florida Lombardi Scholar

—Owen Gall Pasco County Educational Foundation

—Lowe’s National Scholarship

—Cargill National Community Scholarship via FFA

—AXA Life Insurance “AXA Achiever” National Scholarship

—Cumberland Farms Foundation Scholarship

—San Antonio Citizens Credit Union Scholarship

—Florida Agricultural Hall of Fame Youth Mentor’s Scholarship

—Pasco County Farm Bureau Scholarship

—American Legion State Scholarship, second place

—A Faye Goodwin Scholarship-Pasco County Educational Foundation Scholarship

—Sons of the American Revolution Essay Scholarship, second place

—Florida Scholastic Press Association High School Journalist, Finalist of the Year, third place

—Bright House Youth Service

—The Law Firm for Family Law Scholarship

—Florida 4-H Foundation for State 4-H President Scholarship

—Stanley Kendrick Memorial Scholarship

—Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Youth Scholarship

—Zephyrhills News Scholarship

—Masters & Warden’s of Florida Mason Scholarship

—VFW Essay Speech Scholarship

—Kohl’s Store & Regional Scholarship

By B.C. Manion

When Pasco County public school teachers and students return to school in the fall, they’ll see new faces on administrative teams.

These are the leadership shifts in Central and East Pasco schools that were recommended by Superintendent Heather Fiorentino and approved by the school board:

—Wendy Lane has been promoted from her post as assistant principal at Woodland Elementary, in Zephyrhills, to become principal of West Zephyrhills Elementary.

—Vaughnette Chandler has been promoted from her post as assistant principal at Denham Oaks Elementary, in Lutz, to become principal at Double Branch Elementary, in Wesley Chapel.

—Wendy Carswell from assistant principal at Connerton Elementary, in Land O’ Lakes, to assistant principal at Denham Oaks Elementary, in Lutz.

—Claudia Steinacher from assistant principal at Odessa Elementary to assistant principal at Connerton Elementary, in Land O’ Lakes.

—Heidi Morris from assistant principal at Pasco Elementary, in Dade City, to assistant principal at Sunray Elementary, in Holiday.

—Rick Saylor from principal of Moore-Mickens Education Center, in Dade City, to principal of Centennial Middle School, in Dade City.

—Jackson “Buff” Johnson from principal of R. B. Stewart Middle, in Zephyrhills, to principal of Moore-Mickens Education Center, in Dade City.

—Shae Davis from principal of Weightman Middle, in Wesley Chapel, to principal of R.B. Stewart Middle, in Zephyrhills.

—Kathy Leeper from assistant principal at Ridgewood High, New Port Richey, to assistant principal at Land O’ Lakes High.

—Marcy Maxwell from assistant principal at Wesley Chapel High to assistant principal at Land O’ Lakes High.

—Steve Page from assistant principal at Land O’ Lakes High to assistant principal at Gulf High’s International Baccalaureate Program, in New Port Richey.

The board also approved these administrative appointments recommended by Fiorentino:

—Angela Anglin-Porterfield, district supervisor of pre-kindergarten

—Nena Green, assistant principal at Pasco Elementary in Dade City

—Deborah Collins and Myra Croft as assistant principals at John Long Middle in Wesley Chapel

—John Thomas, assistant principal at Odessa Elementary

—Diane Vitello, assistant principal at Watergrass Elementary in Wesley Chapel

—Timothy Light, assistant principal at Wesley Chapel High

—Susan Lepisto, assistant principal at Pine View Middle in Land O’ Lakes

—Traci Bruno, assistant principal at Weightman Middle in Wesley Chapel