Special to The Laker/Lutz News

By Tammy Sue Struble

A study presented Monday confirmed something residents of Zephyrhills already know — US 301 is not built to handle the traffic it encounters during peak winter months.

During the workshop with Zephyrhills City Council members, Florida Department of Transportation officials presented pre-design studies completed in the area. They presented findings on results of traffic study in the area, noise and air quality, among others.

The FDOT analyzed traffic and examined needed improvements such as additional turn lanes, looking at what type of changes are needed to make traffic move at acceptable levels.

Interest was so high that Florida Department of Transportation officials ran out of handouts Monday at a quarterly workshop on proposed changes to US 301 through Zephyrhills. About 30 people showed up for the afternoon workshop, where they heard that US 301, in its current state, is unacceptable.

FDOT officials presented two other alternatives for improving traffic in the area. One would turn US 301 into a one-way northbound road through the downtown corridor with Sixth Street one-way southbound. The other alternative showed Seventh Street one-way northbound with Sixth Street used as one-way southbound. Under that model, US 301 would remain a two-way street.

Regardless of the model, researchers concluded improvements would be needed somewhere.

The study also looked at cultural resources like Zephyrhills’ historic district for historic preservation. A new historic resource identified as possibly eligible for the National Register of Historic Places was Clyde’s Cottages south of Tucker Road.

Their noise study revealed no adverse effect on the historic properties; the air quality analysis passed also. Looking ahead, FDOT anticipated no adverse issues with noise or air quality with improvement alternatives on 301.

The next step is the preparation of the case study report for further review.

There will be another workshop Apr. 27 at Alice Hall at Zephyr Park in Zephyrhills from 5-7 p.m. to help complete this process. The FDOT will be looking at the potential affect of changes to 301 on historic properties. Any citizens or groups interested in the process will be included. Then, reports will be prepared and presented to the Federal Highway Administration and others. In a long process, predictions hope for federal approval by Jan. 2012 with real design commencing after that.

By Kyle LoJacono

Derek Pieper and Raymond Veluz were shot and killed in 2006 and two years later, Luc Pierre-Charles, 23, was convicted of the murders and given a life sentence.

However, the Second District Court of Appeal ruled Pierre-Charles will get a new trial because jurors heard testimony that has been deemed hearsay and revolves around a simple head nod by his brother, Andre.

Police records from July 28, 2006 state Pieper and Veluz, who were students at Wesley Chapel High at the time, left a party to get marijuana. The two were found dead on Harris Hill Road just outside of Dade City, shot multiple times in the back of their heads. The report states Pierre-Charles made the two kneel on the dirt road and killed them to “protect his drug turf.”

In the 2009 trial, prosecutors wanted to play the video of a police interview with Andre and his parents. Andre denied killing anyone in the interview. When asked by his father if Pierre-Charles had done the killings, Andre lifted his head off the table and nodded without a sound, according to court transcripts.

The video was not shown in the trial because Circuit Court Judge Pat Siracusa ruled it hearsay. However, Andre was questioned about it on the witness stand, where he said he had been nodding, shaking his head and making hand gestures that meant nothing. Andre said he was not saying yes to the question, but instead wanted the interviewers to leave him alone.

The jury found Pierre-Charles guilty after five hours of deliberating, but during that time asked three questions about what Andre said on the stand. The appeals court ruled those questions illustrated that the testimony, which was also considered hearsay, influenced their verdict.

“We believe it pushed the jury over the edge,” said Lane Lastinger, the court appointed attorney for Pierre-Charles. “It should never have been talked about in the case.”

Lastinger said hearsay evidence can be used in a case, but usually to discredit someone through contradictions.

“They used it to show Andre implicating Luc,” Lastinger said. “It can’t be used as admissible evidence for that purpose. You can’t use hearsay for that.”

Assistant State Attorney Manny Garcia said his office is contemplating asking the appeals court to reconsider its ruling. Garcia said he believes certain facts in the hearing were not correct.

If there is a new trial, prosecutors will not be able to ask for the death penalty as it did in the first. Laws prevent another death penalty trial for the same incident.

The appeals court ruling comes only a few months before Tyree Jenkins, 25, goes on trial for the same killings. Police reports state Jenkins was with Pierre-Charles the day Pieper and Veluz were killed. Jenkins is already serving a life sentence after being found guilty of the 2008 murder of William Cherry.

Pieper was a lacrosse player for Wesley Chapel, and after his death, the Derek Pieper Memorial Cup was established. It is played each November at the Wesley Chapel District Park and attracts nearly 100 teams from around the Southeast.

The event also raises money for the Derek Pieper Memorial Fund, which gives money to help needy families buy lacrosse equipment and to scholarships for the players. The tournament has raised more than $100,000 since it started in 2006.

By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Schools’ Superintendent Heather Fiorentino has decided to change the district’s procedure for alerting parents when a public health issue arises at a school.

In addition to sending any letter required by the health department home with students, the district also will use its automated telephone system to let parents know a letter is being sent and to ask parents to be sure to read it, said Summer Romagnoli, district spokeswoman.

The change is being made in response to a recent health alert at Zephyrhills High, after a case of bacterial meningitis involving a Zephyrhills High student.

A Zephyrhills High student died last week, but neither the school or health department confirmed the link.

The school district was notified of the confirmed case of meningitis late at night on Feb. 15. The district followed its protocol and alerted the health department, which sent personnel to the school on the following morning.

The health department worked with school officials to identify and notify any close contacts where treatment may be recommended.

Health department officials also prepared a letter to send home with students explaining what bacterial meningitis is and how it is transmitted.

After word got out about the issue, some parents expressed concern and frustration because they weren’t able to find out what was happening.

Federal privacy laws about health information and student privacy forbid the school district from providing identifiable information about the student who contracted the disease or others exposed to it.

An upset parent asked why the district didn’t use its automated telephone system to alert parents and Romagnoli brought that issue to Fiorentino’s attention.

The district has decided it will use the automated system if a future health alert arises, letting parents know a health department letter has been sent home with their child and asking parents to be sure to read the letter.

By B.C. Manion

They weren’t munching on corn dogs or funnel cakes, going for rides on a Ferris wheel or catching a show in the livestock tent — but the fair goers at the Lutz Senior Center were having a grand time, just the same.

They had a lunch of hot dogs, baked beans and coleslaw.

A little later, they sampled pies and had root beer floats.

They even played bingo, tossed horseshoes, square-danced and had a chance to win some prizes.

The whole idea was to give the seniors a chance to enjoy the fair, even if they’re no longer able to go to the Florida State Fair, said Janet Horton-Vines, the senior center manager.

“We were just hoping to bring some good memories back to them,” she said.

Besides planning a special lunch and activities, the center staff also decorated the center, to help create a festive day.

It’s just one of the special events the staff has at the center, and they’d like to offer even more, Horton-Vines said.

Center revives senior advisory council

To help make that happen, the center is reviving its Senior Advisory Council.

The council will help plan festivities and will have fundraisers to help pay for extras around the center and for special outings, said Joseph Alesnik, who has agreed to serve as chairman of the advisory board.

The board will also have several committees, said Ross Massey, who will be the bookkeeper and Juneirene Bonds, who will be the treasurer. There will be several committees, including one for fundraising that will be led by Rose Ryals.

The senior center has three primary functions, Horton-Vines said. It provides an elderly day care for people who need socialization, supervision and nutrition during the day.

It also provides a nutrition program, which serves lunch, for those who don’t need the other services. And, it’s a hangout for people who enjoy playing pool, pinochle and other card games and who get together for outings, she said. The center is for people who are 60 and older.

Horton-Vines hopes the advisory group will be able to raise money, so the center can do more activities that the seniors will enjoy, like the Fair Day.

“We gave them a fun day,” she said.

About Lutz Senior Center

The Lutz Senior Center is at 112 First Ave. N.W. (behind the Lutz public library).

It is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday

It provides senior day care, a lunch program for seniors and social activities for seniors.

The center is for people age 60 and older.

For more information call (813) 264-3803

But sparks fly on airport building

By Tammy Sue Struble

What started as an upbeat Zephyrhills City Council meeting on Monday evening, Feb. 28, ended in a bit of fireworks and tense moments between city council members.

The meeting was moving forward until the council arrived at Item 5: Progress Energy – Spec Building Update.

City Manager Steve Spina explained at the previous City Council meeting that members had agreed to work on a project in 2008 with Progress Energy to build a spec building at the Airport Industrial Park. No ground has been broken, yet. The private contractor hired at that time to construct and market the building was CLS Zephyrhills LLC.

Also, at the last Feb. 14 city council meeting, it was voted that the line of credit for $400,000 be extended for one year at a cost of $2,000 to the city and $2,000 to CLS. The motion passed with three in favor of the extension and one against, council member Manny Funes.

Council president Lance Smith is a part of that company, but was not on the city council at the time the company was hired. He recused himself and handed the gavel to council member Jodi Wilkeson.

During various discussions of the spec building on Monday, council member Manny Funes raised some questions about the project. It was clear Funes had an issue with Smith being a part of CLS.

Funes also questioned the contract with CLS and indicated the council had not been notified enough about the project; specifically, that the project was at a standstill.

Spina assured Funes that the issue had been on the calendar and budget. With more intense questioning Spina stated at one point, “Manny, do you want me to sit down and read the budget to you?”

Funes answered, “I don’t want you to do that.”

Added Spina: “It’s your responsibility to read the budget.”

Funes, upset at the stalled project and lack of notification, said “There was a time when you realized that that project was not going forward. And, Lance, along with his people, knew exactly what was taking place … after six months his schedule says that project was supposed to be complete. Nothing was said.”

Mr. Smith responded, “you’re complaining about us … not going ahead with the building, Manny; so you’re saying you’d rather have a building out there that’s unoccupied right now? After six months, the economy tanked.”

After the fireworks died down, it was decided there would be more discussion in the future for the spec/ shell building. The council is still waiting on Progress Energy’s answer regarding extending the agreement for construction.

Earlier on the agenda, Ryan Pickett’s family was recognized. Pickett, a Zephyrhills High graduate, is a member of the NFL’s Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers Although Ryan was not in attendance, father Rubin was at the meeting to accept a plaque and proclamation from the city.

Zephyrhills also honored the Girl Scouts, who are celebrating the organization’s 99^th anniversary.

Volunteers seek to turn park into community gathering spot

By B.C. Manion

Sandy Graves and Lee Cannon recall simpler times in Land O’ Lakes, when people gathered for old-fashioned fun at carnivals and dances.

As members of the Heritage Park Foundation, they hope to revive that sense of community by pitching in to organize more wholesome events that families can enjoy on the parkland next to the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

The board envisions a time when people will be able to gather for school concerts, performances and other events on an outdoor stage at the park.

They also imagine park visitors strolling down Heritage Park, a path lined with historical markers that help tell the story of the community’s history and families.

The county’s parks department is expected later this month to unveil a proposed plan for the stage and walking path.

Foundation members staged a car show last month to help raise money for an outdoor stage and Heritage Walk. They also want to raise money so they can offer more free or low-cost community events.

But one of the issues they encounter when they want to stage an event is the cost of insurance, said Graves, president of the foundation’s board. It is quite possible to have a fundraising event that raises barely enough to cover the cost of insurance, she said.

Cannon said he thinks people would be willing to make cash donations if they were aware that their contributions to the 501c3 organization are tax deductible.

The foundation is looking for volunteers willing to help with events, and for those who have ideas for future gatherings.

“Let’s all work together,” Graves said, noting that the community banded together to build the community center — it was not provided by the county.

“Everybody gave of their time and talents,” Graves said.

That’s what foundation members hope will happen again, so they can revive the park and make it a gathering spot for the community.

Help out

If you would like to help the Heritage Park Foundation by volunteering or contributing funds, call Sandy Graves at (813) 996-3011.

About 100 businesses are expected at the Central Pasco Chamber event

By B.C. Manion

When times are tough, small businesses need to band together, said Mary Lynn Gorsline, the leasing agent for Copperstone Executive Suites and Office Space.

That’s why she thinks it is important for business owners to meet and mingle with each other and with patrons — and that the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce’s 2011 Business Expo on March 4-5 provides an excellent venue to make that happen.

The event, now in its 21^st year, also features Taste of Town on March 5, giving patrons a chance to sample foods from about a dozen local restaurants, said Kathy Dunkley, executive director of the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce.

This year’s expo has a Rock around the Clock theme, and exhibitors are encouraged to deck out their booths to help attract people to drop by and see what they have to offer, Dunkley said.

Dunkley expects about 100 businesses to have booths, representing everything from banks and real estate firms to fine jewelers and water conditioning companies.

Many of the exhibitors will be handing out freebies and door prizes, Dunkley said.

There’s also a contest, which gives participants a chance to win a $1,000 U.S. Savings Bond by touring the booths and finding the image of a clock in select booths and having the exhibitor sign a form. Completed forms will be eligible for the drawing to win the prize.

Exhibitors can also win prizes for being creative with their booths.

The idea is to give patrons a place to find out about a vast array of companies offering products and services in Central Pasco, and to give those businesses a chance to showcase themselves, Dunkley said.

It’s also a great place to sample the fare of area restaurants for a steal, she added. Tickets are a $1 each or six for $5, and each sample costs one ticket, Dunkley said.

Many restaurants serve up generous portions, Dunkley said.

“You can eat like a king,” Dunkley said, adding the Taste of Town benefits a scholarship fund.

One event highlight will be a cooking demonstration by Ben Pumo, executive chef and owner of Benedetto’s Ristorante Italiano. He’ll display his culinary skills in an 11 a.m. demonstration on March 5 at the expo hall.

Pumo will be preparing “Chicken Benedetto,” the first recipe he created as a new chef.

Gorsline said she’s happy to take part in the expo.

She thinks the event offers businesses a wonderful opportunity to get to know more about each other and to introduce themselves to consumers.

In this economy, it’s especially important for small merchants to band together, Gorsline said. “People are hurting,” she said. “The more we can help, the better. We’re all in this together.”

She hopes people will pop by her booth to have their photos taken in the ‘50s-style cutout.

Gorsline plans to get into the spirit of the expo’s theme by wearing a pink poodle skirt and a white blouse and putting her hair in a ponytail.

“It’ll be fun,” Gorsline said.

If You Go

What: Business Expo and Taste of the Town

When: 4-7 p.m. March 4 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 5 for Business Expo

11 a.m. to 2 p.m. March 5 for Taste of the Town

Where: Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway

Who: Businesses that offer products and services and people who are interested in finding out about what’s available, or who want to sample foods from area restaurants.

Increase in high school use may be related

By Kyle LoJacono

Wintergreen, apple, grape, peach, cherry, vanilla and berry. All are favorite flavors for children, but they are also some of the most common in new smokeless tobacco products.

In the last 10 years, the prevalence of Pasco County high school students who have used smokeless tobacco has more than doubled.

Those numbers, according to the 2010 Florida Youth Tobacco Survey, show that 3.3 percent of county high school students used the substances within 30 days of the survey in 2000. That numbered jumped to 7.3 percent in 2010, higher than the Florida average of 6.4.

“Nationally and in Pasco County there has been a rise in smokeless tobacco use,” said Pasco health officer Dr. David Johnson.

Lisa Sloan, the county’s tobacco prevention specialist, suspects the increase has something to do with the creation of more smokeless forms of the drug.

“It seems like candy-flavored tobacco, smokeless tobacco and new products like Snus are unfortunately having an impact,” Sloan said. She went on to say some new flavors can be very appealing products on the first try.

The Food and Drug Administration has banned the sale of fruit and candy-flavored cigarettes, but that did not affect smokeless products.

Johnson said many people wrongly believe that smokeless tobacco products are harmless, but said the substances have 28 cancer-causing agents that may lead to oral cancer and gum disease.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports oral cancer is the sixth-leading form of the disease in males and one of the most difficult types of cancer to diagnose, treat and cure. The reason is the substances are very addictive, but there are few symptoms associated with early stage problems.

This is the opposite of smoking, which can cause coughing, trouble breathing and discomfort of the heart.

The CDC said the first real signs are usually changes in the gums and tissue around them, which generally indicates cancer has already set in. Treatment for such cancers can result in the removal of the jaw.

The county health department created “Through with Chew Week,” which was Feb. 20-26, to help reverse that increase. To spread the word about the dangers of smokeless tobacco, the county health department worked with Students Working Against Tobacco clubs at the different schools.

Tobacco Free Florida also has a new website dedicated to smokeless tobacco prevention, www.SmokelessKills.com.

Additionally, the county’s department hosts a quit smoking support group each Monday from 1-2 p.m. at its education center, 10841 Little Road in New Port Richey. The group also helps smokeless tobacco users. For more information about quitting either smokeless or traditional tobacco products, call (727) 861-5250 ext. 279.

Information/help for tobacco users

–The Florida Quitline:(877) 822-6669 or floridaquitline.com

–Pasco’s Health Department: (727) 861-5250 ext. 279

–Tobacco Free Florida: www.SmokelessKills.com