Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By B.C. Manion

 

Four candidates are squaring off this campaign season for the honor of placing a palm on “Green Eggs and Ham” and taking the oath of office.

Yes, it is that time of year again – when hopefuls step into the fray to seek the honorary title of Lutz Guv’na.

This isn’t the kind of campaign where you’ll be bothered by robo calls or be bombarded by endless negative ads.

There won’t be huge media events to announce endorsements in the race, or $40,000-a-plate benefits to generate campaign cash.

But this is a campaign where money talks.

Seriously.

The candidate who raises the most cash wins. It really is that simple.

That’s the way it has worked since 1991, when the tradition began.

And, the candidates do debate — although debate may be too strong of a word.

They mostly just try to figure out how to do outdo each other with clever jabs.

Indeed, this year’s hopefuls will be conducting a “candidate debate” during the Guv’na kickoff, which is set for 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. May 19 at the Old Lutz School House, 18819 US 41 N. Besides hearing from the candidates, event-goers also will be able to enjoy food, games and music.

Competing for the Dr. Seuss-style hat and red sash this year are Karin D’Amico, who is representing the civic association; Robin LeBlanc, proprietor of Good Behavior Dog Training; Brian Vindick, proprietor of Philly Cream of Tampa; and Connie Dorton, proprietor of the Dorton family.

They join an assorted cast of characters who have sought the coveted title of Lutz Guv’na through the years. In one contest, the competitors even included Sticky the Duck, according to published accounts.

While it’s called a race, the annual event actually is about pulling the community together for a host of fun events, which double as fundraisers. Typically, the candidates do flea markets, hold car washes or host spaghetti dinners, chicken dinners, luncheons and barbecues to raise cash for their campaigns.

Every cent they collect goes to support community causes.

Over the years, the proceeds have been used to purchase scouting tents, support scholarships, buy plants for a butterfly garden, support Little League teams and the Lutz volunteer fire department.

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Saturday, May 12, was a festive and emotional day at 39307 Coit Road in Dade City.

Jessica Avalos and her daughters marked a milestone, along with Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County. At a special ceremony, Avalos received the keys to the home that she and her girls, Layla Brandt and Shaelyn Moats, helped to build. And Habitat celebrated the completion of its 100^th home since it began building homes in 1994.

Cars and trucks lined the street for the housewarming party, which was festive, with balloons, banners, hot dogs, chips, popcorn, snow cones and plenty of folks on hand who helped with construction of the three-bedroom bungalow.

Avalos was brought to tears, as she accepted the keys for her new home.

Now, instead of sharing a bedroom with her two girls at her grandmother’s home, she and her daughters will each have a room of their own.

Avalos wasn’t the only one whose eyes welled up.

“I’m just so happy for her,” said Crystina Avalos, after touring her daughter’s house. “I’m overwhelmed.

“Every kid deserves a lift up. I’m on disability. I just don’t have the means to help my children, and they’ve been working so hard to help themselves.”

Marijane Graham, Avalos’ grandmother, said she had no words to express her gratitude.

“It is beyond belief. I just can’t believe it,” Graham said.

She also said her great-granddaughter, Shaelyn, used to slip out of bed at night to sleep with her. Now, she said, her great-granddaughter told her:  “Gramma Nanny, now you can come sleep with me.”

Avalos was not surprised about the home. After all, she and her daughters contributed more than 800 hours of sweat equity toward building the frame home, which sports a concrete front porch with brick columns and wooden pillars.

The 29-year-old, however, had no idea it would be furnished.

Contributors chipped in to buy furniture from the Dade City ReStore, 15029 US 301, where Avalos is an assistant manager, having worked her way up from cashier.

Avalos had seen the living room set at the store and knew that it had gone out. But she had no inkling the set would find its way to her new living room.

Donors also furnished the three bedrooms, stocked the bathroom and provided new and barely used items for the kitchen, including a coffee maker, an iron, a crockpot, pots and pans, dishes and storage containers.

Contributors even gave 5-year-old Shaelyn stuffed animals, which the girl snuggled immediately.

The celebration included symbolic gifts from both Habitat and East Pasco Quilters. A member of the quilting group told Avalos that the quilt represented her group’s desire that the family  “sleep under a blanket of love.”

This kind of project takes many hands, said Stephanie Black, director of development and public relations for Habitat. More than 200 women participated in Women Build 2012, donating funds and helping to construct the home. There were other fundraisers, too, including the highly successful Men Bake event, to help cover costs.

Avalos expressed amazement at the generosity people have shown.

“You don’t think that anybody is going to be so nice,” she said. She’s especially happy to be able to provide a home for her girls.

“They’re going to be much happier,” she said.

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

The Cheval Athletic Club – once only available to residents of the exclusive community — has put out the welcome mat for people living outside its gates.

Larry King Jr., son of the famed television interviewer, purchased the athletic club last year.

King said, via email, that he has lived in Cheval for nearly 10 years and saw an opportunity to improve the club for the community, and to provide quality equipment that members could enjoy with their families.

He purchased the property last November.

“At this point, and we are not done yet, but I expect to invest $350,000-$500,000 in improvements in this effort,” King said.

Before he began the upgrade, King said he surveyed the community and researched other clubs in Tampa Bay and elsewhere.

“I was looking to match the demand for services I was hearing from the potential customer to the best of what is available in and out of our area,” he said.

The club, at 4142 Cheval Blvd., already has launched a broad selection of fitness classes and soon will initiate a summer camp for kids, said Pete Young, director of youth development for the club. It also plans to offer an after-school program at the beginning of the coming school year.

King said he built his programming around existing and potential club members.

“I asked them what they wanted and what they needed,” he said.

His first goal is to meet the demand of the Cheval community, he said. But he also wanted to make the facility available to others, if they want to take part.

In addition to its current offerings, the club staff will listen to members to see if there’s demand for additional programs, he said.

Young said King has been renovating the club ever since he purchased it.

“This is a brand new workout room. It used to be the tennis pro shop,” Young said, during a recent tour of the facility. King knocked down a wall in the room and expanded it, stocking the enlarged space with fitness equipment.

He also renovated the group exercise room.

“This used to be a dumpy workout room with some really bad cardiovascular and weight-training equipment. They just completely gutted it,” Young said.

There also is a new spinning room upstairs, equipped with 20 top-of-the-line bikes for group exercise classes.

“These are much, much better facilities now and they have the personnel that can operate a high-end fitness facility, with group exercise programs and private exercise program as well,” Young said.

King also has assembled a highly respected staff, Young said.

Dayna Davidson is the new director of fitness for the facility and Jill Martino is in charge of group exercise.

“Anybody who is seriously interested in fitness in this area will be impressed,” Young said. “Everybody knows Jill Martino. She is extremely well regarded. She’s as well known as any group exercise instructor in this area.”

Group exercise options include indoor cycling, swimming, TRX boot camp, tai chi, kickboxing, yoga stretch, silver spin, zumba and yoga. They also are forming a triathlon club.

The club offers personal training, heart rate training, explosive speed and power training. The summer program for students in kindergarten through eighth-grade is called Camp Cheval 2012. It will begin the week of June 11 and will run for 10 weeks, concluding on Aug. 17.

The camp borrows on the theme of the 2012 Olympic games, Young said. Each week has a theme, such as “Let the Games Begin! Opening Ceremony,” “Be amazing, Go for the Gold,” “In the Nick of Time,” and “Survival of the Fittest.”

The kids in this inaugural camp will be the first to test out the new playground equipment, the new sand volleyball court and the half-court basketball courts. They’ll also be able to go for a dip in the club’s swimming pool and get a workout on its tennis courts.

Kids will be grouped by age for activities. Families can sign up for as much or as little as they want, Young said.

“You can do a single day. You can do half-days for a week. You can do full days for a week, or you can do two weeks, four weeks, six weeks, eight weeks, 10 weeks – whatever combination you want.

“It doesn’t matter if you’re a Cheval member or not a member, although the pricing is different. The most a member would pay a week for Camp Cheval is $150 a week; and the most a non-member would pay is $190. That’s full day.”

The drop-off will be from 7 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. and pickup would be no later than 6:30 p.m.

In the after-school program, kids would do their homework and then be able to take advantage of the club’s facilities, which include television screens for Xbox and Wii games, a racecar simulator, a flight simulator, air hockey, skee ball and a basketball game.

Young said the club has sent out mailers announcing the upgraded facilities and expanded programming to residents of Cheval and the nearby communities of Heritage Harbor, Villa Rosa, Calusa Trace and several small communities in between.

Residents in Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and other communities also are welcome to take advantage of the facility and programming, Young said.

King is confident the venture will be successful.

“I am very passionate about this business opportunity,” he said. While recognizing there are no guarantees, he cited three reasons he expects his team to succeed.

“We are hiring the best people. It starts there. Just making all these improvements does not make a difference if we do not have the best team to support our members.”

Second, there is a strong customer demand, he said. “Response to a normal survey is 3 percent, tops. When I surveyed the community the response rate was 18 percent. This validated what I heard talking to neighbors in the community: People wanted to see the club improved and were tired of past failed promises to do something.”

Third, he and his staff are passionate and committed to making the club the best.

For more information about the athletic club’s offerings, call (813) 949-8281 or visit www.chevalac.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Marketing director named

Tracy Clouser is the new director of marketing for Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel.

Clouser, who has lived in Wesley Chapel for 13 years, has 19 years of marketing and communications experience with health and human services organizations in Tampa Bay.

She is responsible for marketing and communications related to the new hospital and Health and Wellness Center. Her key responsibilities include branding, service and product line strategy, marketing communications, employee communications, public/media relations, web services and community outreach.

She is a past board member of the American Marketing Association’s Tampa Bay Chapter, the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association, and The Junior League of Tampa.

 

Hospital gets new marketing director

Michelle Oswald is the new director of marketing for Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. She  will be responsible for the strategic development; direction, implementation, and tracking of marketing plans; driving growth through optimized advertising and promotional mix; and overseeing marketing and communications for the hospital, employed physician group, centers of excellence, and outpatient services.

Oswald has more than 15 years of experience in strategic marketing, project management, leadership, and communications.

 

Wesley Chapel Chamber names executive director

Mary Adele Cluck has been named executive director for the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

She was selected after the hiring committee reviewed dozens of resumes from the community and around the country and was chosen for her strong management and organizational skills as well as her many years of involvement with the chamber, states Debra Kaplan, the chamber’s president, in a news release.

Cluck has been on the chamber’s board since 2006 and an executive board member since 2008. She has served the chamber in numerous capacities.

 

Taylor Morrison gears up for busy year

Taylor Morrison West Florida Division increased sales contracts by 35 percent in the first quarter, compared to the first quarter of 2011.

Traffic from interested buyers also has increased by 33 percent in the first quarter.

As a result, Taylor Morrison has added these new staff members to its team: Karen Weiss, warranty coordinator; Erin Ferguson, sales and marketing coordinator; Tuan Le, senior purchasing agent; Carolyn Tonachio, design studio consultant; and,

Marty Schond, construction employee.

Taylor Morrison has more than 20 active communities in West Florida and more in the works. For more information about Taylor Morrison contact (866) 495-6006 or visit taylormorrison.com.

 

2012 Parade of Homes winners

The winners of the Tampa Bay Builders Association’s 2012 Parade of Homes include several builders with homes in Northern Hillsborough, Central Pasco and East Pasco.

They were selected from nearly 90 model homes built by 36 homebuilders in more than 50 Tampa Bay area communities.

This year’s new-home showcase boasted a 26 percent increase in entries from last year, and a 70 percent rise from the market bottom in 2009.

An independent panel of home-building experts judged the competition. They considered such factors as site plan, curb appeal, design, materials, outdoor living spaces, architectural detailing and workmanship.

Grand and merit awards were given to area homes in the following price ranges:

Homes priced $151,000-$200,000:

Grand award – Lennar, the Siesta Key at Thousand Oaks, Trinity.

Merit award — Ashton Woods Homes, the Amhurst at Palm Cove, Wesley Chapel.

Homes priced $201,000-$250,000:

Grand award  – Lennar, the Hamilton at Live Oak Preserve, New Tampa

Homes priced $301,000-$350,000:

Grand award – Ryland Homes, the Celebration in Pinewood Village at Live Oak Preserve, New Tampa.

Merit award – Standard Pacific Homes, the Chelsea in Peregrina at WaterGrass, Wesley Chapel.

Merit award – Mobley Homes, the Briarwood in Bassett Creek at K-Bar Ranch, Tampa.

Homes priced $351,000-$400,000:

Grand award – Avalon Building Corp., the Antigua in Watermark at Seven Oaks, Wesley Chapel.

Merit award – Standard Pacific Homes, the Venetian in Sterling Oak at Live Oak Preserve, New Tampa.

Homes priced $401,000-$450,000:

Grand award – M/I Homes, the Grandshore at Easton Park, New Tampa.

Homes priced $451,000-$500,000:

Grand Award – Southern Crafted Homes, the Strathmore II at Stonegate, Land O’Lakes.

Merit Award – Homes by WestBay, the Calusa at LakeShore Ranch, Land O’Lakes.

Homes priced $501,000-$550,000:

Grand award – Bakerfield Custom Homes Corp., the Belle Soleil II in Summerglade at WaterGrass, Wesley Chapel.

Merit award – Mobley Homes, the Nantucket V in Bassett Creek at K-Bar Ranch, New Tampa.

Homes priced $551,000-$650,000:

Grand Award – Homes by WestBay, the Key Largo III at Live Oak Preserve, New Tampa.

Homes priced $901,000-$1 million plus:

Merit award – Taylor Morrison, the Tuscany at Ladera, Lutz.

 

Networking at Lexington Oaks

The Wesley Chapel Business Forum & Networking group meets from 8 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. Mondays, at the Lexington Oaks Golf Club, 26133 Lexington Oaks Blvd. in Wesley Chapel.

There is no cost to attend. Coffee and breakfast are available for purchase.

The group is a gathering of local business leaders in the South Central Pasco and North Hillsborough areas, who are interested in growing their businesses and incomes.

For more information, contact John Roth, the group’s coordinator, by calling (813) 377-2622 or .

 

Ribbon cuttings in May

Ribbon cuttings and open houses in May include:

–Wesley Chapel Law Group held an open house May 3 at 2412 Cypress Glen Drive, Suite 101 in Wesley Chapel.

–Baja Fresh Mexican Grill held a ribbon cutting May 9 at 2653 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., Suite 120 in Wesley Chapel.

–Dash of Salt N’ Pepper held a ribbon cutting May 10 with ARVE Interiors, with wine tastings by Time for Wine at 10335 Cross Creek Blvd., Suite D in Tampa.

–Cabinets & Flooring by PGT will have a ribbon cutting at 5:30 p.m. May 22 at 26240 Golden Maple Loop in Wesley Chapel.

 

State Business and Professional Women conference

The Florida Federation of Business and Professional Women (BPW) will host its annual state conference June 15 through June 17, at the Tampa Sheraton Riverwalk Hotel in Tampa. Keynote speakers include Tallahassee Fire Chief Cindy Dick and Susannah Randolph, director of Florida Watch Action and recipient of the BPW/Florida Glass Ceiling Award 2012.

For more information about the event, contact Christy Crump at or call (850) 528-7099.

 

Hospital accepting applications

Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel, expected to open with 80 beds in the fall, is now accepting applications for its medical staff. For more information about submitting a medical staff application, call (813) 929-5496 or email .  Professionals interested in employment positions with the hospital should visit http://www.fhwesleychapel.com/careers.html.

 

By B.C. Manion

 

Wesley Chapel High is set to break ground May 21 at 8:30 a.m. on a $1.5 million structure to house the Academy of Automotive Service Technology.

Pasco County School Board members approved the facility May 1, and Principal Carin Nettles is enthused by the prospect of expanding student opportunities at the school at 30651 Wells Road.

“It will take the capabilities of our automotive academy to a new level and will give our students the ability to work in a functioning six-bay automotive shop,” Nettles said, via email. “Nothing can beat real-world, hands-on experience — and we will have that on our campus.”

The proposed 6,200-square-foot building will allow the school to use equipment the district purchased for the academy but was not able to use because of inadequate space at the high school and fire code requirements, Nettles noted.

Jason Hallman, the automotive academy teacher, estimates he has $20,000 to $30,000 worth of equipment in storage that he’ll be able to use in the new center.

Hallman – who has extensive automotive industry experience – said he’s pleased he was able to weigh in on the center’s design and make suggestions about how it’s equipped.

There are two things that are very different about this shop than what is typically found at the high school level, Hallman said.

For one thing, it will be equipped with a dynamometer – a device that allows diagnosticians to simulate what a car does under driving conditions, the teacher said. For instance, a car can be strapped to the device, and students can learn what’s causing it to shake at a high rate of speed, he said.

“Secondary schools don’t have that,” Hallman said. “We’re trying to build a world-class facility.”

The other big difference is that the center will not have an alignment rack – something that’s found in nearly every high school shop, Hallman said.

It’s an expensive piece of equipment that takes up a lot of room, and is not frequently used, Hallman said. Not only that, but it teaches a skill that employers would not expect a new hire to have, he said.

“I want to put kids out there that are employable,” Hallman said, noting he is a product of a school district in Detroit that had a very strong vocational program.

“I’ve never been without a job my entire adult life,” Hallman said.

Completion of the project is expected in mid-November, said Rob Aguis, director of the school district’s community, career and technical education department.

Nettles said the automotive technology program has been very popular. There are 140 students enrolled now, and 275 have requested courses next year.

Hallman is the program’s only teacher now, but Nettles plans to request an additional position in the 2012-2013 school year.

Aguis and Nettles both praise the area’s automotive industry for taking an active interest in the high school’s program and lending their expertise.

Dealerships with representatives on the academy’s advisory committee are Parks Ford, Wesley Chapel Toyota, Wesley Chapel Nissan, Pasco Motors Buick GMC, Precision Kia of Wesley Chapel, Hyundai of Wesley Chapel, Napa Auto Parts and Wesley Chapel Honda.

“They currently provide direction and support to keep us current with industry standards and trends in the industry, participate within the classroom, provide shadowing and internships, (and) sponsorships for promotional items,” Aguis said.

Aguis said there’s also a close collaboration between the high school, his department and the district’s construction services department, which have contributed to the program’s success.

Nettles praised the determination and dedication of Assistant Principal Shelley Carrino, along with Hallman and industry partners, for their roles in turning what was once just a thought into a facility that will benefit students.

“This building will prove to our business partners that not only is WCHS serious about our automotive academy and its impact on students and the community, but Pasco County is in full support of what our program will mean to the Wesley Chapel community and the students our school serves,” Nettles said.

At the current facility, students do oil changes, replace filters, do car detailing and replace car body parts for staff members at Wesley Chapel Elementary, Weightman Middle and Wesley Chapel High.

Once things are rolling at the new building, students will be able to complete any service that a car repair shop can do, Nettles said. Work is under way to iron out the details to clear the way for students to do repairs on cars from the general public.

 

 

By Kyle LoJacono

When construction on Connerton started in 2004 there were grand visions for future growth in Central Pasco County.

Up to 8,500 homes were to be built in the heart of Land O’ Lakes. Hundreds of businesses were sure to follow. Basically a mirror of what happened in Wesley Chapel around Meadow Pointe.

Then the economy went south and all progress came to a slamming halt. Connerton’s development supervisors are attempting to bring back the green light with a unanimous vote to restructure a bond deal for the community, which allows more flexibility financially and in home construction.

The agreement is welcomed by Adam Krug, senior managing director of Connerton’s Texas-based owner, Hayman Woods.

“We’ve already got contracts with homebuilders to start putting shovels in the dirt in Connerton,” Krug said.

The agreement restructures the estimated $40 million for the neighborhood’s debt. It also gives Hayman Woods flexibility in lot sizes in Connerton — to a point.

“My concern isn’t so much that they’ll upgrade the size of the lots so much as reducing it below the 40-foot minimum,” said Don Anoff, Connerton’s district supervisor. He added building small “tract homes” would reduce the value of the neighborhood’s existing houses.

No existing homeowners will be affected by the deal in terms of their daily life, according to Anoff.

The deal allows Hayman Woods to avoid debt service payments for two years on undeveloped areas of Connerton, much of which has no access roads. Krug said this will allow them to put money into other areas of the neighborhood to spur growth.

“It helps everyone involved with Connerton,” Krug said. “Current homeowners, investors, businesses in the area and future home buyers all benefit.”

Sons and daughters share their favorite memories of Mom

 

Mr. Blue Eyes

 

Lynn Duriez, 42, a maintenance worker for Pasco public schools has many happy memories of his mom, Alycia Duriez, who lives in Zephyrhills.

But the Dade City man offered up this one, in particular: “When was I was in elementary school, I was overweight and had low-self esteem.

“I never had a lot of friends to talk to.

“One day, I went to school … I went to get my paper out to write notes for my class and there was this letter from my mother.

“She said the most amazing things about me, about having the most beautiful eyes and being the most handsome little boy.

“She said, ‘If I wasn’t your mother, I’d definitely be your girlfriend.’

“I think I still have the letter. It was so wonderful.”

 

Serving up sweets

 

Thirty-five-year-old Dawn Smith, an assistant manager at Dave’s Twistee Treat in Zephyrhills, can’t think a single favorite memory of her mom, Becky Mondello.

But that’s because Smith is so fond of her mom, there are too many good memories to choose from.

“I see my mom everyday,” she said. “We’re best friends. We do everything together. We go to the beach. We go to Busch Gardens.

“I can call my mom anytime, day or night, and she’s there.”

 

A fun-loving mom

 

Claudia Harris, 69, recalled the year that her mother, Lillian deJong, watched her twin children when she was away for a weekend in New York City.

“She dressed them up in diapers – you know, the New Year Baby. Her friends loved it. She showed me pictures later. She had them all dressed up. She got such a kick out of it. They had so much fun. They loved their grandma,” said Harris, who lives in Land O’ Lakes.

“It was a hoot. It really was. It’s a wonderful memory.”

Harris’ mother passed on at the age of 87.

 

Military mom

 

When Christy Vervisch thinks of her mom – Janet McAfee of Sarasota — she thinks of a woman of incredible strength.

“She is just so even-keeled. Rock solid. She never loses it,” said Vervisch, a 40-year-old stay-at-home mom with four kids.

“My dad was in the Air Force, so he was gone a lot,” Vervisch said.

And now, with her husband in the Army, the Lutz woman has an even clearer idea of the challenges her mom faced.

Fortunately, she’s not alone.

“With my husband being gone a lot, she’s always there to help. She and my dad will come up and we’ll be able to go to different soccer fields.”

 

“An incredible moment”

 

Seventy-year-old Nathan Pearlman has wonderful memories of his mother.

He chose this one to share: “When I retired about six years ago, there was a surprise party that my office had for me – all of the people at the office, and some friends.

“We all went the Chattanooga Lookouts’ baseball game.

“And my mother was there. I guess she was in her late 80s. To see the smile and the love on her face when she saw me walk through the door at the surprise party was phenomenal. She just glowed.

“It was an incredible moment. That was just an awesome memory of my mother. She was a great woman.”

Pearlman, who lives in Heritage Harbor, is a retired partner in a certified public accountant firm in Chattanooga. His mother, Sadye Pearlman, passed on a few years ago at 93.

 

Dialing for advice

 

As a stay-at-home mom of two children, Beth Stahl said she frequently finds herself needing a little guidance.

Fortunately, she said, her mom – Chris Esslinger of Ohio – is an excellent source of advice.

“I immediately pick up the phone and call her if I ever have any questions or concerns. “She’s always real level-headed and always knows the right thing to say. She’s very knowledgeable.

“That helps a lot.”

The 37-year-old Stahl, of Land O’ Lakes, was sporting a Wonder Woman shirt at a soccer field in Lutz. She said her mom’s the one who should be wearing a Wonder Woman shirt.

 

A second chance

 

Sonny Caliskan, 42, shared this memory about his mom, Mufide Caliskan, who has passed away.

“I was 22 years old. I went bankrupt from my first business. I really didn’t even have a penny to buy cigarettes.

“My mom – she came up with this money and she gave it to me. It was $1,100.

“I started a new business and became very successful.”

He now owns four vendor stands, including Lily and Max at The Shops at Wiregrass, and a warehouse business.

 

Willing to go the extra mile

 

Fifteen-year-old Martin Astigarraga of Wesley Chapel, said his mom, Peggy, is always looking after him.

“She gives me a ride to church every day, basically. She listens to me when I have problems, when I need help with something. She’s always there for me.”

 

A dispenser of comfort

 

Thirteen-year-old Alexsis Torres, of Wesley Chapel, said her mom Anna Sonnier, knows how to lift her spirits.

“When I have a bad day at school, she’ll buy me something comforting. She gives me cake or Gummy Bears. She either surprises me, or we go to the store and she’ll buy me stuff.

“She works at the hospital. Each time that I’m sick, she brings me home a teddy bear.”

 

Making accomplishments special

 

Kimberly Pita, 15, of Wesley Chapel, said her mom, Maria Pita, knows how to make her feel special.

“I got an honor roll certificate and she made my favorite meal. It was something called tingas. Those are like tortillas with pulled chicken and you put whatever you want on them, like sour cream, tomatoes,” said the girl, who was born in Puerto Rico.

Her mom grew up in Puerto Rico and the teenager lived there until she was 10, but then the family moved. “We moved here because they wanted to give us a better life.”

 

A spiritual adviser

 

Ruth Laguna, who is 40, said her mother, Orlet Saldarriaga, who lives in Colombia, South America, keeps her straight spiritually.

“Momma is always with me in my good times and my bad times. She is my support,” the New Tampa woman said.

“I live with my two kids here, and when I can’t handle them and they’re driving me crazy, I call my mom.

“She’s a really Christian person. She always had the right thing to say. She has the right verse – go read this. (Her mom tells her) ‘Wake up early in the morning and pray. Put everything in God’s hands.’ ”

 

A special delivery

 

Berenice Blanco recalls the difficulty of recovering from the delivery of her first baby, Joshua, who arrived by cesarean section nine years ago.

But another memory is even more vivid for the 36-year-old Wesley Chapel woman.

It was the loving care her mother, Lucinda Martinez who lives in Venezuela, displayed following the delivery.

“She came here to take care of me,” Blanco said. “She cooked for me, made me feel better. She made me everything that she knew that I liked,” the Wesley Chapel woman said.

 

 

 

 

By B.C. Manion

 

A rate increase is in store for customers of Mad Hatter Utility, who can voice their opinions at a public hearing on May 15.

The Florida Governmental Utility Authority, or FGUA, is holding the rate hearing because it plans to buy Mad Hatter, which provides water and wastewater service to about 3,500 customers in areas of Lutz and Land O’ Lakes near SR54 in Pasco County.

Mad Hatter and FGUA have been negotiating the sale off and on since 2009, said Matthew Rihs, FGUA community service representative.

FGUA’s proposed rate would be $89.29 – compared to Mad Hatter’s $51.28 — for 6,000 gallons of water with a 5/8-inch meter. Mad Hatter, however, has asked the Public Service Commission for an increase of about 100 percent, which would cost its customers $103.95 per month.

The FGUA is a government entity created by Florida law and an agreement between several counties. It focuses solely on water and wastewater utility ownership, operation and management and is governed by a board appointed by local governments that are parties to the FGUA interlocal agreement. The FGUA serves about 80,000 customers.

Mad Hatter was organized as a private utility in 1978 by Larry De Lucenay. The FGUA became interested in Mad Hatter after the Pasco County Commission identified it in 2008 as one of the private utilities it would like to see FGUA acquire, Rihs said. The goal of such acquisitions is to reduce the potential for substantial rate increases and improve the reliability of services, he said.

Rihs said FGUA and Mad Hatter have agreed on a $14 million price, including a $9 million payment at closing and $5 million note, at 4 percent interest with the balance due after 12 years. The closing is scheduled for June 7.

The rate hearing is set for May 15 at 6 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 20735 Leonard Road in Lutz. Afterward, the rate proposal will go to the FGUA board of directors on May 17 at 1 p.m. for final approval. That meeting will be at the Microtel Inn & Suites, 1320 Business Way, Lehigh Acres.

The majority of Mad Hatter’s customers are residential but there are pockets of commercial customers, too.

Those with questions or comments can attend the public hearing or call FGUA’s customer service office at (727) 372-0115.

By B.C. Manion

 

She’s just heading to college and already Elizabeth Fox, who is graduating from Wesley Chapel High, has made an agonizing choice.

She had to choose between attending Pratt Institute in New York, a prestigious art and design school, or a respected regional school  – much closer to home – that offered her a better package.

After discussing her options with her parents, she chose The Ringling School of Art and Design in Sarasota.

It was a decision that meant letting go of the dream of living in a big city and attending a world-renowned school, the 18-year-old said.

“Ultimately, it came down to money,” Fox said. “Pratt was almost double what Ringling was,” she said, estimating a degree from Pratt would have cost about $300,000.

Like thousands of graduating seniors making college choices, Fox had to consider these questions: “How successful are you going be in your career and can you really see yourself paying off those debts? Is it going to be worth it?

“You have to go with what’s smart,” she said.
While disappointed that Pratt was beyond her financial reach, she is pleased she was admitted. The school had about 6,000 applicants for 680 available slots and offered her a $15,000 scholarship, renewable for four years.

She’s also grateful for Ringing’s support in awarding her the Presidential Scholarship, which goes to the strongest applicant within each major. The award is worth $20,000 a year, Fox said.

“Since they gave me their No. 1 scholarship for interior design, they obviously have faith in me. It’s a lot to live up to, but it’s also a compliment,” said Fox, who intends to be an interior designer.

“Even before I could put a name to interior design, I was just really into it.

“Whenever I walk down an aisle in Home Depot, or something, with tiles and finishes – there’s just like a little spark in me. I’m just so happy. I don’t think this is normal, but it shows that I’m really passionate about it,” Fox said.

Being accepted to Ringling and Pratt was an enormous boost for her confidence.

“When I got the first acceptance to Ringling, I was just blown away. I couldn’t believe it.

“And then, they sent me their scholarship – their top presidential scholarship and I actually cried. I was just so shocked.

“And then I got my letter from Pratt. That was just a double shocker. I really did feel special that they wanted me,” said Fox, who lives with her parents, Kathy and Jim, in Wesley Chapel. She also has a brother, Jeff, 28, and a sister, Sarah, 26.

Fox credits her mom for fostering her creativity and appreciates her support. The young woman has been taking art classes since preschool and has taken just about every class available in high school. She also has attended a three-hour evening class at Ringling, with her mom driving her to Sarasota and waiting patiently in the parking lot.

The art student’s portfolio includes works in oil, pencil and watercolor. She also has worked on interior designs. Last summer, through her church, she helped design rooms for a pregnancy center called Life Choices Women’s Care in Lutz, said Fox, who attends Our Lady of the Rosary in Land O’ Lakes.

“I spent the majority of my summer putting together a bunch of paint colors and fabrics. I did the labor, too. I got like 300 hours of community service,” she said.

The experience was instructive. For instance, she learned that paint may appear one way on a paint chip and another way on a wall.

“Definitely, always buy paint samples,” she advised.

Lighting matters, too, she said.

“You might have fluorescent lights in one room and natural lights in another – and it changes everything.”

Perhaps her biggest lesson was learning how to deal with “everyone from teen volunteers to board members to people that had very, very strong opinions and were not afraid to share them.

“I’m a little sensitive,” she acknowledged, noting she’s going to have to develop a thicker skin.

Her high school art teacher, Kathleen Taylor, said Fox “produces excellent artwork.

When she’s creating a piece, she goes into a zone,” Taylor said.

“Elizabeth has got the whole package. She’s bright and she’s talented. She stands out.”