Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Tammy Sue Struble

Cherry blossoms only bloom for two weeks, and to the Japanese, it symbolizes the fleeting nature of life. The loss of those blossoms through a large part of Japan this year is a connection Vonnie Mikkelsen can’t help but make as she explains why the Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce wants to assist victims of the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan March 11.

The chamber is joining with area schools and businesses who want to help out the earthquake victims in Japan. Mikkelsen was quick to reach out, since she had lived and worked in Japan for 16 years. Her first two years there were in northern Japan where a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit near the coast on March 11, causing destructive tsunami walls of water.

Although Vonnie has lost touch with most contacts in the Sendai area that was hit, she still has friends in Tokyo. Since the earthquake, the Japanese needs are changing every day, “Now, they are very worried about the (nuclear) reactors.” The epicenter of the earthquake was right off of the shoreline of Sendai, where most of the nuclear reactors are located.

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce sent out a press release on March 16 “calling on citizens of Zephyrhills and the surrounding areas to see themselves in their role as global citizens by offering humanitarian aid to the victims of the earthquake and tsunami…”

“The awareness issue is very important,” Mikkelsen explained.

“We don’t intend to send money. We can increase awareness through schools and such. We saw Haiti and Hurricane Katrina (devastation) in our own backyard. We can turn the TV off…or set an example to our young people.” Mikkelsen and the chamber are working with Principal Steve Van Gorden of Zephyrhills High to get students involved. Care packages and even messages from our own kids will let the victims in Japan know we are here.

“It will be appreciated. The Japanese culture has much gratitude,” Mikkelsen said. “Being good to your neighbors next door, even if that’s around the world,” will show we care.

The chamber discourages people from bringing in items like blankets and clothes. “We will find specific things they need by contacting schools and groups. We will send something that represents goodwill, even messages,” described Mikkelsen.

According to a press release, the chamber plans to find a local, trustworthy contact in the area to distribute the care packages once they are prepared. It is also calling on the community to assist in the effort as a gift of goodwill from the people of Zephyrhills to the people of Japan.

It continued, “Whatever you can do, will go a long way,” Mikkelsen said. “Consider your business making a matching donation — you set the limit. Teachers and club leaders can have your kids or classroom, or members of your club, draw a picture or write a message to send. You can offer your time to put together care packages. Everyone can help get this message out to friends, co-workers, clients and service organization. Your participation in this community effort is what counts.”

To contribute funds to the Zephyrhills – Japan Relief Fund make checks payable to the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. Indicate on the check that you would like the donation to go to “Japan Relief.” Bring the check or mail it to: Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, 38550 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, FL 33542. Donors may also call the office with credit card information (813) 782-1913. Cash will also be accepted, but it is recommended that it be hand-delivered to the chamber office.

By B.C. Manion

As the legislative session continues in Tallahassee, educators are growing increasingly discouraged, said Frank Roder, vice president of instructional personnel for United School Employees of Pasco County.

Hillsborough County educators are also concerned, said Chuck Kiker, director of government relations for the Hillsborough Classroom Teacher Association.

“The governor’s budget, quite frankly, is devastating,” Kiker said, noting Scott’s budget would result in a $108 million cut for Hillsborough County’s public schools.

State lawmakers passed a measure last week that ends tenure for new teachers and links teacher pay to student performance.

Gov. Rick Scott has said he will sign the bill, which is one of several measures affecting education being considered by lawmakers this session.

Scott’s proposed budget calls for a 10 percent funding cut, based on student spending allocations.

Lawmakers are debating the education budget, and as of last week, their proposed cuts were hovering at around 8 percent.

Pasco County school district officials have estimated that the district would have to cut $60 million, based on Scott’s budget.

Since salaries make up the lion’s share of the budget, teachers who are not in core subject areas such as mathematics, English, social studies and science are concerned they could be cut, Roder said.

“There’s not a lot of secure feelings in education right now,” Roder said. “It’s pretty disheartening,” Roder said. “The morale was low already and this is not going to help at all,” he said.

Both Roder and Kiker are concerned that Florida’s teaching ranks will lose good recruits.

Some experienced teachers will exit the system, Roder said. “I think you’re going to see retirements shooting way up.”

The bill that eliminates tenure, expected to be signed by Scott, goes into effect with new teachers hired after July 1. The measure also links 50 percent of a teacher’s evaluation to student performance on assessment tests.

Teachers are concerned about that because “so much of this is out of their control,” Roder said. “You can’t pick which group (of students) you are getting. A lot of those kids come from an environment that’s not supportive,” he said.

New law limits solicitations by individuals and organized groups

By Kyle LoJacono

The Hillsborough County Commission voted a resounding yes to a ban of panhandling on some of the busiest streets, including US 41 in Lutz.

The ban includes all state roads in unincorporated Hillsborough, which is everywhere except areas within the city limits of Tampa, Temple Terrace and Plant City. The latter two cities have already passed similar bans, while the Tampa City Council rejected one last month.

There had already been a ban on the most used county maintained roads, but ones controlled by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) were beyond the Hillsborough Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction. Sheriff Col. Gregg Brown said the deputies were calling in FDOT authorities to move panhandlers before the ban.

“This is going to make it much easy,” Brown said. “We don’t have to worry about what road people are on.”

Deputies have the authority to fine people up to $500 and put them in jail for as long as 60 days for violating the ordinance. Brown emphasized the goal of the new ordinance is not to put people in jail.

“It’s to get them off the roads,” Brown said. “It’s a safety issue.”

For the most part, first-time offenders are given a warning and asked to leave the road. The stiffer penalties would be imposed for repeat violators.

The provision passed by a 6-1 margin and also puts an end to people selling things and asking for charitable donations, such as the periodic boot drives done by the Lutz volunteer fire department.

Commissioner Mark Sharpe said causes like the Girls and Boys Scouts selling cookies and popcorn are worthy ones, but felt it is not safe for them to do so in intersections.

“I know I wouldn’t want my kid selling cookies and popcorn in the streets,” Sharpe said.

Additionally, Sunday newspaper vendors are no longer able to sell on the streets. Commissioners Sharpe and Les Miller each said they did not want the vendors to lose their jobs because of the ban.

“I had to work as a bartender to support my family when times were tough,” Miller said. “I know that’s why a lot of people sell Sunday papers.”

The commissioners were initially working to create an exception to the ban for Sundays, but Miller said any such plan would have to include Tuesdays and Friday as well. Those are the days the Florida Sentinel Bulletin, a newspaper that covers Hillsborough’s African American communities, comes out.

Pasco County is not affected by the ban. Panhandling and authorized vending and charitable donations are still legal north of County Line Road on US 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard.

By B.C. Manion

Tokyo Ice Cream, a Lutz-based business, began with a simple concept: A mother wanted to have a flexible schedule to enable her to spend time with her two young children as they grow up.

So her family decided to begin selling ice cream from a truck.

The business plan got a little more ambitious when this woman and her husband decided they could use their company not only to help themselves, but to support community causes, too.

And now, their mission has morphed into making a commitment to do their part to help the people in Japan, who are reeling from an earthquake, tsunami and radioactive leaks.

The company combines the old-fashioned concept of driving a truck around neighborhoods to sell ice cream, with a twist. Its ice cream truck is a neon green van. And, when it is used at special events, such as birthday parties, the couple dresses up to make the gatherings more festive. The woman dresses as Hello Kitty or Hatsune Miku costume, while her husband dons an Optimus Prime costume.

The company was launched on Valentine’s Day, said Rachel Kline, who owns the company with her husband, David.

She said they had no idea the company would be taking so many turns, so soon.

Initially, Kline thought it would just help her family.

But then she got to thinking: “What if, instead of just doing the ice cream truck, we were ice cream vendors that helped the community? What about helping schools raise money, or (what about helping) churches?”

So, she put out some feelers offering this deal: The company would sell ice cream at fundraisers and would split the profits.

And, the company has already had some events and has lined up others, Kline said.

“Booking is always free,” she said. “You don’t ever have to pay anything to us. You simply invite us to your event.”

Sharing the proceeds seems only fair, she said.

“To me, if someone is going to bring me their congregation or bring me their student body, I would feel greedy taking any more than 50 percent (of the profits).”

She thinks the timing was perfect for her company.

“There was a need for it. A lot of our schools are having programs cut. Churches are trying to pay their own mortgages. We’ve already worked with schools and churches,” she said.

The company is willing to work community yard sales, hospital fundraisers or other kinds of fundraiser, Kline said.

It’s also available for special events. A birthday party, for instance, costs $100 and includes 50 servings of ice cream, costumed characters, balloons and face painting.

The bulk of the company’s business comes from the route it drives in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes and its stops at the recreational complex, Kline said.

She and her husband love interacting with children and their families.

The personal connections they make are much like the ones that were made by the milkman and the bread man in years gone by, Kline said.

“We sell Good Humor ice cream. It’s been around for almost 100 years,” she said.

When the familiar music of the ice cream trucks plays, while rolling through the neighborhood, children come running.

“They’re so excited to see you,” she said. “They all run outside.”

And the treats are not expensive.

“What’s a dollar?” Kline said. “Kids get such a kick out of it.”

It’s a feel-good business, she added. “Our customers are always happy.”

The name Toyko Ice Cream stems from an abiding affection Kline has had for the Japanese culture that began when she was a young girl, growing up in upstate New York.

“I love their philosophy of inner peace, respecting your environment, helping your fellow man,” Kline said.

She said her husband had recommended a local name for their business: Lutz Ice Cream.

She wanted something with a bit more flair.

Besides reflecting her love for all things Japanese, it also establishes a link to the fun side of Japan, including its Anime cartoon characters.

Kline had no idea when she registered the company’s name that Japan would be reeling from not only an earthquake and a tsunami, but also from radiation leaks from a nuclear power plant.

“It just hurts my heart,” Kline said.

“Thousands of lives were lost in the tsunami. There are villages that are gone.”

And no one can predict the potential long-term effects of the radiation leaks, she said.

After she heard the news, she reflected on how she could help.

She thought about putting out collection jars, but she decided it would be more effective to post a sign encouraging people to make donations to the American Red Cross.

“The Red Cross is a world leader in relief. All you have to do is send a text. It’s a $10 donation,” she said.

She also intends to stay informed and to pass along news about what’s happening in Japan to customers who inquire.

“We have a platform to raise awareness,” she said, and she aims to use it.

“They inspired me and now, I feel it is my duty to raise awareness for them.

“Japan is a country that has often helped other countries in the world with disaster relief. Now, it is time for the world to help them.”

Tokyo Ice Cream offers a variety of services. For more information go to www.tokyoicecream.net

Gov. Rick Scott will be appointing the new Pasco County Sheriff in the coming weeks after Bob White announced his retirement from the post March 16.

White, 60, announced he will retire April 30. He has been the county sheriff since being elected in 2001 and is currently in his third term, which ends in 2012. Department spokesman Kevin Doll said he is the first three-term Pasco sheriff since the 1960s.

White released a statement to the department’s 1,140 employees, which said he is no longer totally committed to his position. He said his priorities changed after his granddaughter was born 18 months ago.

“I care deeply for all of you, but there is a little girl who needs her papa right now,” White wrote in the statement. “Nothing says I love you to a child more than time. The truth is, my focus has changed. I can’t give you my total commitment; therefore I can’t stay in office.”

-Kyle LoJacono

By B.C. Manion

Libbi Ponce can’t recall a time in her life when she wasn’t expressing herself artistically.

She said her parents said she was still a baby when she began making art.

“My parents told me I would draw on walls,” the 13-year-old Rushe Middle School student said.

Over the years she has continued to develop her skills and recently, she took top honors at the district level in the National PTA’s 2010-11 Reflections Program.

The contest, launched by the National PTA in 1969, seeks to encourage students to pursue artistic expression.

Jacob VanDeilen, another Rushe student, placed among the top three in Pasco and is competing at the state level. His entry is a video he produced for the filmmaking category.

The competition has at least three levels in each state, including local, state and national.

In some cases, there are regional competitions, too.

The winners are chosen from more than 530,000 submissions from across the nation. The National PTA recognizes a national winner in each of these six categories: Dance choreography, film production, literature, musical composition, photography and the visual arts.

The association also recognizes 72 students with Awards of Excellence and 120 students with Awards of Merit across four grade divisions — primary, intermediate, middle and senior in each arts category.

Statewide winners in Florida will be announced on March 31. National winners are expected to be announced at the end of May.

The six national winners will be honored at the 115^th annual National PTA Convention and Exhibition in June in Orlando.

Ponce said she drew her inspiration from the competition’s theme, “Together, we can.”

“I started thinking, “What ways is something symbolized by togetherness?” said the eighth-grader, whose painting portrays four arms linked together. Each arm represents a different race and a different theme.

VanDeilen’s project was inspired by the props he had on hand: some camping equipment in the family’s garage.

The 12-year-old tapped two of his friends — Miguel Castro and Nic Calvo — to star in his video, which he dubbed, “The Lost Campers.” They used a nearby field as the videotape’s location.

He describes the process of creating the video in a matter-of-fact manner: “We took the camping equipment out into the field and we sort of came up with the script there, and then I typed it up and we filmed it the next day.”

It wasn’t the sixth-grader’s first video.

“I sort of taught myself. I’ve watched videos on YouTube and I’ve done some by myself in my room. I’d get my friends together sometimes and we’d all go out and do videos.”

VanDeilen said a career in filmmaking is one possibility, or perhaps one that involves reptiles. At this point, he’s not quite sure what career path he’ll take.

Kye Maury, chairwoman of the Reflections contest at Rushe Middle, said she’s proud of how well the students did.

“I think it’s such an honor. We had wonderful entries at the school level. We were very proud of their work when it went on to district. To have them come out of district, being honored again, I just think is amazing,” Maury said.

Some students may find entering contests to be a bit daunting, Ponce said.

“People are intimidated by the thought of entering a contest and just knowing that you might not turn out on top. It’s kind of scary,” the teenager said.

But Ponce said Laure Gilliam, the school’s gifted language arts teachers, encouraged students to give Reflections a try.

“She really did persuade us to enter,” Ponce said. “We give a very big “thank you” to her. She encouraged us all.”

VanDeilen credited his parents for encouraging him to give it a shot. They told him: “You’ve got nothing to lose if you enter.”

Ponce said she wants to continue honing her artistic skills. She doesn’t expect art to be a full-time pursuit, but she hopes to combine it with her other interests.

Ponce aspires to become a biomedical engineer and has an interest in making artificial lungs.

“What I really want to do is execute my love for the arts and execute my love for the sciences,” Ponce said. She wants “to give back to people and to help them. I just think helping people is the best thing ever.”

Serving others, she said, provides a sense of fulfillment.

Cancer survivor, age 8, inspires donors at West Winds

By Gary S. Hatrick

The West Winds Assisted Living Facility took crafty steps to assist in the fight against cancer Monday when the residents presented $365 to Kylie’z Crusaderz, a Zephyrhills Relay for Life Team built around 8-year-old bone cancer survivor Kylie Pederson.

The residents earned the money from a craft fair they held recently and chose to donate the money to the American Cancer Society through Kylie’s team.

West Winds invited Kylie’s family and members of Kylie’z Crusaderz as guests of honor to a special lunch to present the funds. Also in attendance were three of the ALF residents who are also cancer survivors, Alice Angelo, Edith Biggs and Pat O’Keefe.

Kylie and her parents, James and Katherine, moved to Zephyrhills less than a year ago from California where they had participated in their first Relay for Life. Kylie’s dad had come to take a job at Zeagle Systems. In fact the “Zs” in Kylie’z Crusaderz is an homage to Zeagle Systems, the main supporter of the team. It was a new start for a family whose lives had been drastically changed forever.

Kylie’s story is a story of hope triumphing over fear. The story still brings tears from the uncertainty and the threatening despair of just about three years ago.

Kylie was 6 when she was diagnosed with Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare type of bone cancer that usually attacks the young between the ages of 10-20. A tumor attaches to a bone; Kylie’s had attached to her ribs.

“It was scary,” Katherine said through tears as James took over. “It was scary, it was devastating, it was shocking, you just didn’t know. You know you hear one thing and that’s cancer and automatically go to the worst place where you don’t think they re going to be around anymore.”

Being 6, Kylie was not aware of the seriousness of her condition.

“She handled it really good,” Katherine recalled. “She didn’t have the same perception of what cancer was as we did, so she just knew that she had to take medicine but she didn’t really understand what could happen.”

Kylie was immediately started her on a chemotherapy regimen one week on and one week off, and after two months, the doctors were able to do surgery to remove the tumor. She started chemotherapy about two weeks after surgery, and it continued for the nine months after that.”

All total, Kylie spent about five months in the hospital. She lost all her hair, but she took it in stride, her parents said. She is still checked every three months to keep an eye out for a reoccurrence.

Kylie is now 20 months cancer-free and to see her, talk to her and watch her play, one would never suspect she has ever had a care in the world. She is an honorary co-chair for the 2011 Zephyrhills Relay for Life.

James and Katherine offer this bit of wisdom to parents whose children are diagnosed with cancer: “Stay strong and support each other.”

“A lot of parents start attacking each other,” James said. “The best thing to do is stay strong with each other. We never tried to show any negativity around Kylie; we always stayed positive. Any scary thoughts we had, we’d wait and share them together rather than in front of her.”

Kylie’z Crusaders will be at the Zephyrhills Relay April 1-2 in Bulldog Stadium at Zephyrhills High.  To donate money to the cause, you can go to relayforlife.org. At the top right enter 33542 in the box that says “Find Local Events.” Click on the Zephyrhills search result and once there click on “Donate” and then “Donate to Team” and the “Search for a Team.” Select the “search for a team” option and fill in the box with “Kylie’z Crusaderz” (don’t forget the Zs) and you can take it from there.

Kylie’s parents aren’t the only ones with a message. Kylie’s message to kids like her who find themselves threatened by cancer is a simple one, but one that resonates loudly from one so young who has endured so much: “Keep fighting.”

By Kyle LoJacono

It isn’t what the Pasco County Commissioners wanted to hear, but it was better than they expected.

Pasco budget director Michael Nurrenbrock revealed the projected county budget for next year with a $5.7 million shortfall, about half of what was expected a few months ago. That was good news for the commissioners after two straight years of budget turmoil.

“We aren’t rejoicing over it, but it could have been a lot worse,” said Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand. “It’s still a big hit to the budget, but after the last few years and what we were expecting, it seems like a win.”

The county eliminated 260 positions in 2009 to make up for the shortfall. It also recently caused the temporary halt of the Paving Assessment Program, which allows homeowners associations to petition the county to repave county maintained roads. That program began in 1977.

The Pasco Parks and Recreation Department also felt pain during the last three years, losing $1.8 million or about 40 percent of its budget, according to department director Rick Buckman. There was also discussion of closing parks several days each week and eliminating some services.

The Pasco Library System’s budget has taken a $2.26 million hit during the last four years, according to former system director Linda Allen. The department has also seen a 20 percent reduction in its staff and a 30 percent drop in its operating hours. There was also the threat of closing the Centennial Park Branch Library in Holiday, one of the system’s original locations.

Nurrenbrock’s projection accounts for a 5 percent reduction in property tax revenue and is a worst-case scenario.

“That’s been the big problem the last several years is the property value keeps dropping,” Nurrenbrock said. “That means less revenue for the county. Hopefully this will be the last year it drops.”

The 2011-12 fiscal budget for Pasco goes into effect Oct. 1. The commissioners will have budget workshops throughout the year, including ones specifically for the public to voice their opinions on how the county should spend its money.

By Kyle LoJacono

The Pasco commissioners are ready to upgrade the county’s website, phone system and other outlets to keep citizens better informed about their government.

Assistant County Administrator Michele Baker said the commissioners want to use several multimedia methods to reach more citizens. They include social media, teleconferencing, live video streaming and electronic town hall meetings.

“For people to hear and see a commission meeting they either have to take time off from work, come out on a Saturday or go after work,” Baker said. “It’s a hassle just to stay informed and we want to make it easier for our citizens.”

Baker said the commission is planning on creating a Facebook page, sending out mass e-mails and having the first town hall meeting via telephone.

“The plan is to try and have the phone town hall meeting in April to replace the usual budget meeting,” Baker said. “People are always interested in the budget, so the commissioners feel it’s a good time to break out that new option.”

Baker said most budget meetings have about 50 people mostly from special interest groups. The telephone option would allow thousands of people to listen in and will give about 15 the chance to ask questions.

Commission Chairwoman Ann Hildebrand said the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transportation Authority, which she is a part of, had a similar telephone town hall meeting.

“It was very successful,” Hildebrand said. “We took calls for about two hours and got a lot of information out to the public.”

Commissioner Pat Mulieri also backed the telephone town hall option.

“We say we want to reach as many people as we can and this would be a good way to have people easily tune in,” Mulieri said. “We have the meetings at different times and on different days and people still don’t come and see us. This would let them do it from their homes or from wherever.”

Commissioner Jack Mariano said he will push to have the meetings streamed on the Internet as soon as possible.

“I think that would get more people involved than teleconferences,” Mariano said.

Baker said they are unequipped to stream the meetings now, but that could be a goal for next year.

Pasco Chief Information Officer Jim Cerny recently gave the commissioners a list of technology upgrades his department will be focusing on in the next few years. They include:

–New radios for police and fire rescue personnel that will allow them to communicate with local and state agencies.

–Using Voice Over Internet Protocol, or VOIP, to reduce cell phone costs.

–Using more video conferencing to reduce transportation costs. Cerny estimates the county spends $54 in gas and wages each time one employee drives between the two government centers in Dade City and New Port Richey.

For more information on the Pasco County government, visit portal.pascocountyfl.net.