The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Commentary

By

By Randall Grantham

Community Columnist

Sorry about last week.  Even though I was in a Central American country on vacation, I fully intended to get a dispatch off.

We were in Belize to celebrate my wife’s birthday and our 25th anniversary. With a totally different cell phone frequency in use, I knew I would be in “radio silence.” But, I was told there would be Internet access and I was fully prepared to cut into my time-off to get an article out. Until my laptop crashed. On the 3rd day. Bummer.

I’m back now, refreshed and reinvigorated and having scratched one more item off my “bucket list.”

You know Belize, even if you don’t know Belize. It’s at the bottom of the Yucatan Peninsula, below Mexico and next to Guatemala.  It’s a country on the mainland with islands scattered through the Caribbean and protected by the second largest barrier reef in the world.  It’s the country with “The Blue Hole,” for Pete’s sake!  It also has mountains with extensive cave systems, rain forests and a unique history

We stayed on one of the “cayes,” or keys, off the coast.  Ambergris Caye, named after a whale excretion, has come a long way in the past 20 years and there are upscale resorts all over it.  No need to swelter in the heat, they have A/C and fancy drinks and golf carts are the preferred mode of transportation. The reef yields many scuba dive spots just minutes from the beach.

One of the spots is the scene of a regular shark feeding that can be witnessed  “up close and personal” by divers.  It was reputedly where fishermen of yesteryear would stop and clean their fish on the way in, and the sharks got used to it.  Now the government allows it to continue by the dive boats for tourism. I checked it out.

Then there is the restaurant on the west side of the island.  Named “The Sunset,” quite naturally, their hook is that the tarpon around the dock can be hand-fed.  Years ago the fishermen cleaned their catches there (this is starting to sound familiar) and the tarpon came to feed. Now, the restaurant gives tourists fish scraps which you can dangle above the water’s surface until these five foot fish leap out of the water and snatch the bait from your hand. Breathtaking!

Of course there is “The Blue Hole.”  a 480′  deep, 1/4 mile wide hole in the ocean.  It’s visible from space and is the result of an ancient cave roof collapse.  Stalagmites and stalactites taller than me can be seen at about 135 feet.

I dove it. At that depth, you can’t stay long without risking decompression sickness, but a quick dive is worth the trip. Sharks, turtles and whales are often spotted in the area and it’s an once-in-a-lifetime experience.

So, despite the crash of my computer, the hardships of clearing customs without any Cuban cigars and the 11-hour return trip via Dallas/Fort Worth, it was worth it. I got to cross another item off of my bucket list.

I fed the tarpon.

By the way, Billy Clyde wasn’t insane.

Players of all ages come to Lake Padgett Estates

By

By Kyle LoJacono

Karen Truman and Dean Colosimo both wanted an opportunity to spread their passion for tennis and they came up with a weekly round robin at Lake Padgett Estates.

“I tried starting something like this a couple of times at the (recreation) center on Collier Parkway, but this is working out much better,” Truman said. “Really we both just love tennis and want a chance to pass that on to other people…I’m hoping to coach the next Andy Roddick.”

Truman and Colosimo, both of Land O’ Lakes, are certified tennis coaches and conduct clinics at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center on Collier. Truman played tennis at Depauw University, while Colosimo picked up the game later in life.

“I played almost everything else but tennis as a kid,” Colosimo said. “One day I took my kids to a clinic and a coach asked me if I wanted to help. I said yes and as I got into it a found out how fun it is. It’s also great exercise, but it’s more than just physical. It’s like chess on the court.”

The round robins are from 6:30 to 8 p.m. each Tuesday at the Lake Padgett Estates tennis courts, which are located a little more than one mile east on Parkway Boulevard from Collier. Those who attend play mixed doubles matches.

The first night of the event was June 8 when about eight people attended. That number increased to 12 for the third evening with people from Land O’ Lakes, Lutz and even Hernando County.

Land O' Lakes resident Donna Lee during her first time at the Lake Padgett Estates round robin.

One of those who came to the round robin for the first time June 22 was Land O’ Lakes resident Donna Lee. She said she regularly plays tennis, but usually on clay courts and is not accustomed to the faster hard courts of Lake Padgett.

“The ball comes at you so fast on hard courts for someone my age,” Lee, 67, said jokingly. “…I didn’t start playing until I was about 30-years-old, but I’m making up for lost time now. I really like the round robin format because you get to meet and play with a lot more people.”

In round robins people are randomly paired up and then rotated around.

Claudine and Rob Mipps, of north Hillsborough County, were attending their second round robin June 22 and the married couple said they would be coming back again. Both played tennis in high school.

“I grew up playing on these courts,” said Claudine, who graduate from Land O’ Lakes High. “It’s just fun to come out and play with people you know and people you’ve just met. There are some good players and some just starting, so it’s a real good mix.”

Rob went to Gaither High as a senior and graduated in 1991.

“It takes me back to playing in high school,” Rob said. “I didn’t play for a long time so I’m just getting back into the swing of things now.”

Claudine Mipps grew up playing tennis on the Lake Padgett Estates' courts and now plays each Tuesday in the round robin.

The evenings of tennis are not just for adults. Tim Falcon and Jordan Stewart, who both just graduated from Land O’ Lakes and were members of the Gators tennis team, also attend the round robins.

“We want anyone and everyone interested in tennis to come out and enjoy the game,” Truman said. “We’ve got nine courts out here, so we can accommodate more people than we could at the (recreation) center. Hopefully we can work on getting an adult and senior league going like (Colosimo) has with his youth league.”

Colosimo runs a junior tennis league from the Lake Padgett courts. Those interested in playing should come to the courts during the free practices each Friday morning during the summer. Children ages 8 and younger practice from 9 to 10 a.m., kids 9 to 14 from 10 to 11 a.m. and players from 14 to 18 from 11 a.m. to noon.

Anyone interested in attending the round robins who live in Lake Padgett only need to show up on Tuesday with a can of new tennis balls. Those from other places need to pay $3 to play as well.

“We’ve had good turnouts the first few nights and hopefully we can keep things going with fall round robins too,” Truman said. “I’d guess those would be each month instead of weekly, but we’d like to keep things going to spread the love of tennis.”

Former Bulldog reaches College World Series

By

Pitcher Geoff Parker’s Florida State experience
By Kyle LoJacono
When Geoff Parker signed to play baseball at Florida State University three years ago he had dreams of making the NCAA College World Series (CWS).
Parker, who graduated from Zephyrhills High in 2007 and is a pitcher, has now played in two CWS and started the game that sent the Seminoles to the final tournament. He also appeared in two games in the 2010 CWS, but Texas Christian University eliminated FSU June 23.

Former Zephyrhills baseball player and current Florida State pitcher Geoff Parker helped the Seminoles reach the College World Series.
Even though Parker’s season did not end how he wanted, he still managed to see the positives of his junior year.
“I got to pitch in the CWS my freshman year and it was great to have a bigger role this time,” Parker said after the Seminoles were eliminated. “Obviously we would have liked to bring home the first championship in Florida State history and I’m disappointed by that, but we all gave it our best and hopefully we can win it all next year.”
The Seminoles have reached 20 CWS, the most ever for a team without winning a title. This year Parker made two appearances working 2.2 innings with one strikeout while giving up five hits and two earned runs in the CWS.
During the entire season he had a 4-1 record with three saves, a 4.69 earned run average (ERA) and 72 strikeouts to 40 walks. Parker said he throws a fastball and curveball. His fastball is consistently between 91 and 92 mph and tops out around 94 or 95.
Parker, who was born in Dade City and was first introduced to baseball in the city’s Little League, has had a large impact on the Seminoles pitching staff the last three years.
“He’s been a valuable member of our team on the field, in the weight room and off the field as a leader,” said FSU pitching coach Jamey Shouppe. “He made a bunch of starts in big midweek games and was always the first guy out of the pen during the weekend. We think of him as our big-game pitcher because he loves to compete.”
The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Parker said of being on the mound in a big game, “I love having everything come down to me. I love those big pressure situations. It’s just me and the batter and I don’t plan on losing.”
The former Bulldog now plays hundreds of miles from Zephyrhills, but his time at the high school helped shape him into the player he is today. His high school coach was Bruce Cimorelli, who is Zephyrhills’ current athletic director.

Geoff Parker as he signed to play at Florida State. Seen with Parker are his parents, Richard and Cindy, and his baseball coach at Zephyrhills Bruce Cimorelli (standing).
“He was very talented and could play any position,” Cimorelli said. “He’s one of the top five players I had in my 13 years coaching baseball at Zephyrhills High School.”
During his senior season at Zephyrhills, Parker had a 9-2 record with two saves and a team-leading 96 strikeouts to 16 walks. He also had a team-leading 0.73 ERA.
He also played shortstop for Zephyrhills and led the Bulldogs with a .480 batting average, 38 runs scored, 36 hits, 34 RBI, seven doubles and nine homeruns.
“He was the hardest worker and was very humble,” Cimorelli said. “He never said a lot, but everyone liked him. As good as a player as he was, he was a better person off the field.
“I remember when Geoff was a freshman and we brought him up to varsity,” Cimorelli remembered. “He came late to batting practice and did not play that night. After the game his mom wanted to see me. She asked me why didn’t Geoff play and I told her he came late to batting practice. She told Geoff if he ever did any thing wrong again she would personally whip his behind. I knew then we had something special.”
That tough love has not prevented Parker and his parents, Cindy and Richard Parker, from having a strong relationship.
“His family is the biggest part of his life,” Shouppe said. “He just thrives around his parents.”
Parker is majoring in general human sciences, but may have a different career after being drafted in the ninth round of the MLB first-year player draft by the Colorado Rockies this year. Parker has until August to sign with the team or remain with FSU.
“I haven’t thought much about going pro yet.” Parker said. “The season just finished and I’ve got some time to think about that.”

Zephyrhills sports programs rise to challenges

By

By Joe Potter

Laker Correspondent

The 2009-10 school year at Zephyrhills High was a tumultuous one with 14 changes in the coaching staff, said Bulldog principal Steve Van Gorden.

“That’s unheard of,” Van Gorden told about 25 people attending a coaches summit at the school June 24.

The hiring spree of coaches was the result of one coach being released from his contract, some coaches retiring, others being promoted and one leaving to pursue other career opportunities, said Van Gorden, who just completed his first full year as Zephyrhills High’s principal.

Participation in sports, particularly at the high school level, is declining, Van Gorden said.

The conference was arranged to help make Zephyrhills High staff and leaders of community sports programs, such as Little League, Zephyrhills Police Athletic League (ZPAL), Zephyrhills Pasco Police Athletic League and others aware of the situation. Another purpose was to look for ways to revitalize area sports programs.

Several ideas on how to increase participation resulted from brainstorming between those attending the event.

Some of them included:

–      Keeping the costs of participating in sports programs down.

It was noted that approximately 45 percent of Zephyrhills High’s students receive free or reduced price lunches because of their family’s income. Lower income families are also limited in the type of community sports activities in which their children may participate.

“It is really tough for some of those families to afford for their kids to participate in programs,” said Mark LaMonte, ZPAL’s president.

Budget cuts at the Pasco County level recently resulted in the pool at the Hercules Aquatic Center being closed. ZPAL mounted a successful effort to reopen the pool and to have volunteers perform many of the functions that had previously been the responsibility of paid county park’s department employees.

–      ­Providing transportation so more kids can participate.

Some parents work too late to be able to take their children to or pick them up from practices and games. LaMonte said ZPAL recently acquired a bus and is helping to provide transportation for several of the participants in its programs.

–      ­Having a code of conduct that parents, coaches, officials and players need to follow.

This would help to eliminate problems that occur when some parents loudly berate coaches, officials or players during games when they are unhappy about how plays are called, how often their child gets to play and similar situations. Having a code of conduct would help to maintain a higher level of sportsmanship, participants said.

– Doing a better job of getting the word out regarding community-sporting events.

Van Gorden said the high school could provide more information on its Web site. LaMonte said much of ZPAL’s activities are posted on its Web site. Van Gorden suggested area newspapers could help by publishing calendars of upcoming sporting events in the community.

Bruce Cimorelli, athletic director at Zephyrhills High, briefly discussed some issue regarding recruiting to wrap up the summit.

Cimorelli outlined how Jerrell Cogmon had been released as head football coach on Aug. 11, 2009 because an investigation disclosed one of his volunteer assistants reportedly had improper recruiting contact with some students from Wesley Chapel High.

The assistant, Abel Robinson, was teaching at Wesley Chapel High and had coached there the previous year. Robinson insisted he had not attempted to entice any Wildcats students to transfer to Zephyrhills High, but Robinson was also let go by the Bulldogs.

Cogmon insisted he told his coaching staff they were not to have contact with players from other schools and that he was unaware of Robinson’s actions.

Bulldog assistant coaches Greg Mathis and Troy Hochstetler ran the football program for the 2009 season. Reggie Roberts, a Zephyrhills High alumnus, was hired as head football coach Jan. 23.

Van Gorden said his decision to let Cogmon go was one of the hardest he had ever had to make. Handling the situation any differently would not have been the right thing to do, he added Van Gorden.

It was agreed another summit would be prior to the start of the new school year so more discussions could occur and some type of action plan could be put into place to increase participation in community sporting programs.

Saddlebrook member John Isner’s marathon match

By

Several professional tennis players train at Saddlebrook Resort and one recently had to use his endurance gained at the Wesley Chapel facility to get through the longest match in the sport’s history.

Tampa resident and professional tennis player John Isner trains at Saddlebrook Resort.
Tampa resident John Isner recently won a five-set match at Wimbledon against Nicolas Mahut which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes, making it the longest contest in professional tennis history. The previous record for a match was 6 hours and 33 minutes in 2004.
The final score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 70-68. The fifth set alone was more than 8-hours long.
The first-round contest was originally scheduled for June 22 and it did not finish until June 24. Both players passed the previous record for aces in a match. Isner had 112 aces to Mahut’s 103.
After play was suspended June 23 because of darkness, Isner said in a courtside interview that nothing like this will ever happen again.
Isner, 25, became a professional in 2007 and has a singles record of 69-56 and one title entering Wimbledon, according to the Association of Tennis Professional’s Web site www.atpworldtour.com. He is currently ranked No. 19 on the tour and was ranked 23rd in the tournament.
“Watching that match was incredible,” said Howard Moore, program director of Saddlebrook tennis since 1986. “It just kept going on and on.”
Isner had little time to rest as he faced his second-round match the following morning. He fell to Thiemo de Bakker 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in 1 hour and 14 minutes, making it the shortest match at Wimbledon to that point.
Other professional tennis players who train at Saddlebrook include James Blake, Mardy Fish and twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan.

Saddlebrook member John Isner’s marathon matchSeveral professional tennis players train at Saddlebrook Resort and one recently had to use his endurance gained at the Wesley Chapel facility to get through the longest match in the sport’s history.Tampa resident John Isner recently won a five-set match at Wimbledon against Nicolas Mahut which lasted 11 hours and 5 minutes, making it the longest contest in professional tennis history. The previous record for a match was 6 hours and 33 minutes in 2004.The final score was 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-6(3), 70-68. The fifth set alone was more than 8-hours long. The first-round contest was originally scheduled for June 22 and it did not finish until June 24. Both players passed the previous record for aces in a match. Isner had 112 aces to Mahut’s 103.After play was suspended June 23 because of darkness, Isner said in a courtside interview that nothing like this will ever happen again.Isner, 25, became a professional in 2007 and has a singles record of 69-56 and one title entering Wimbledon, according to the Association of Tennis Professional’s Web site www.atpworldtour.com. He is currently ranked No. 19 on the tour and was ranked 23rd in the tournament.“Watching that match was incredible,” said Howard Moore, program director of Saddlebrook tennis since 1986. “It just kept going on and on.”Isner had little time to rest as he faced his second-round match the following morning. He fell to Thiemo de Bakker 6-0, 6-3, 6-2 in 1 hour and 14 minutes, making it the shortest match at Wimbledon to that point.Other professional tennis players who train at Saddlebrook include James Blake, Mardy Fish and twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan.

Wesley Chapel dominates in T-ball

By

The American and National T-ball all-star teams in the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association (WCAA) finished first and second in the district 6 tournament played in Wildwood.

The Wesley Chapel American all stars after winning the regional championship.
The Americans then advanced past the regional tournament, played in Bushnell June 19 to 23, and will play in states in Wauchula July 4.
Members of both teams are 5 to 6-years-old and play in the A division, which is the highest level of T-ball.
The two teams met in the tournament championship game June 12, with the American team coming out on top 18-5. The win avenged a loss to the National all stars from earlier in the tournament.
The American’s offense was led by Tyler Armstrong, Connor Hull and Jacob Rodriguez, who each had three hits in the title game. Axel Torrellas had two hits and Caden Kwiat had two doubles.
The American’s finished the tournament with a 4-1 record and outscored their opponents 121-52. During the event the champions also defeated teams from Ridge Manor, South Lake and Wildwood.
The win against their Wesley Chapel rivals advanced the American’s to the regional tournament in Bushnell June 21. The Americans went 5-1 in regionals, defeating teams from West Volusia, Okeechobee and South Lake again.
In the regional championship Wesley Chapel  scored seven runs in the first inning in route to a 26-17 win.
The Americans include Hull, Armstrong, Kwiat, Torrellas, Rodriguez, Kyle Doran, Brenden Rappaport, Luke Fischer, Cole Callicoat, Brad Simpson, Seth Martinez, Evan Richter and Jackson Choinski. Coaches include Ed Richter, Rich Doran, Larry Callicoat and John Choinski.
-All stats provided by American all-star assistant Ed Richter

Wesley Chapel dominates in T-ball The American and National T-ball all-star teams in the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association (WCAA) finished first and second in the district 6 tournament played in Wildwood.The Americans then advanced past the regional tournament, played in Bushnell June 19 to 23, and will play in states in Wauchula July 4.Members of both teams are 5 to 6-years-old and play in the A division, which is the highest level of T-ball.The two teams met in the tournament championship game June 12, with the American team coming out on top 18-5. The win avenged a loss to the National all stars from earlier in the tournament.The American’s offense was led by Tyler Armstrong, Connor Hull and Jacob Rodriguez, who each had three hits in the title game. Axel Torrellas had two hits and Caden Kwiat had two doubles. The American’s finished the tournament with a 4-1 record and outscored their opponents 121-52. During the event the champions also defeated teams from Ridge Manor, South Lake and Wildwood.The win against their Wesley Chapel rivals advanced the American’s to the regional tournament in Bushnell June 21. The Americans went 5-1 in regionals, defeating teams from West Volusia, Okeechobee and South Lake again.In the regional championship Wesley Chapel  scored seven runs in the first inning in route to a 26-17 win.The Americans include Hull, Armstrong, Kwiat, Torrellas, Rodriguez, Kyle Doran, Brenden Rappaport, Luke Fischer, Cole Callicoat, Brad Simpson, Seth Martinez, Evan Richter and Jackson Choinski. Coaches include Ed Richter, Rich Doran, Larry Callicoat and John Choinski.-All stats provided by American all-star assistant Ed Richter

Athlete of the week

By

Lutz BMXer takes three Alabama state medals
Lutz resident Tyler Heinrichs, 14, participated in a National Bicycle League BMX race that was part of the 2010 Alabama State Games June 18 to 20. He won three medals at the event, competing in the 14-year-old expert class and the 13/14-year-old cruiser class. He earned a gold medal in the cruiser class and a gold and silver in expert. Heinrichs has been competing in BMX since he was 11 and trains at Tampa BMX Raceway at Lake Park in Lutz. In four years of competition he has represented the United States in China and Australia, held the No. 1 ranking in the southeast United States and was also No. 12 in the world. He attends Gaither High.

Lutz BMXer takes three Alabama state medalsLutz resident Tyler Heinrichs, 14, participated in a National Bicycle League BMX race that was part of the 2010 Alabama State Games June 18 to 20. He won three medals at the event, competing in the 14-year-old expert class and the 13/14-year-old cruiser class. He earned a gold medal in the cruiser class and a gold and silver in expert. Heinrichs has been competing in BMX since he was 11 and trains at Tampa BMX Raceway at Lake Park in Lutz. In four years of competition he has represented the United States in China and Australia, held the No. 1 ranking in the southeast United States and was also No. 12 in the world. He attends Gaither High.

Saint Leo graduate drafted by Los Angels

Saint Leo 2010 graduate Seth Fowler was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and has since signed with the club.

After Tommy John surgery forced Fowler to sit out a season, the 6-foot-3 right-handed pitcher rebounded to play his final two seasons at Saint Leo, posting an overall record of 2-3 with one save in 30 appearances and added 66 strikeouts, according to the Lions’ athletic department.

He transferred to Saint Leo prior to his medical redshirt year after playing two seasons at Hillsborough Community College.

Fowler is now training at Tempe Diablo Stadium, where the Angels’ minor league team is.

Ulrich family remembered at Wiregrass vigil

By

By Sarah Whitman

Alexa Rae Ulrich will not be forgotten.

Alexa Rae Ulrich. (Photo by Anthony Masella)

More than 600 people gathered Friday night at Wiregrass Ranch High School for a vigil remembering Alexa, 15, her little sister Carlie, 5, and their parents, Jeff and Ronni.
The family was killed last week when their single-engine plane inexplicably crashed into an Arizona high school. They were headed to the Grand Canyon for vacation. Instead, the week ended with a funeral service at Congregation Kol Ami in Tampa.
Alexa, known to her friends as Lexi, was an honor-roll student, a cheerleader and a cross country athlete. She was well known for her upbeat attitude and infectious smile. Classmates described her as happy, kind and full of energy.
“She was the most amazing girl I’ve ever met,” said David Villarreal, one of the students who helped organize Friday’s vigil. “It’s only fitting we do something to honor her and her family. They meant so much to all of us.”
Villarreal, who wore a shirt reading ‘Save me a spot in Heaven,’ was one of several people to speak at the flashlight vigil. Wiregrass principal Raymond Bonti, teachers and friends stood one by one at a podium looking out at the football field. They spoke about the family and what they meant to the community. They spoke about Alexa and what she meant to the Wiregrass alma mater.
Alexa’s friend and Wiregrass graduate Nicole Phillips, struggled to speak through her tears.
“We were best friends,” Phillips said. “Her family was like my second family…Before Lexi left she was making a scrapbook with pictures of us and she said she would finish it would she got back. It was going to be filled with pictures of us from summer. Now it will be filled with pictures from tonight.”
Principal Bonti remembered Lexi’s school spirit and passion for cross country.
“In a school with more than 2,000 students, everyone knew Lexi for all the right reasons,” he said. ”She loved life, school, cross country and cheerleading. Most of all she loved her friends and her family. Her ever shining light will live in all of us forever.”

Students say, ‘Save a spot for me in Heaven’

Teacher Frank Shearrow also shared his memories of Lexi.
“Lexi lived it to its fullest,” he said. “Her smile was untamed by the troubles of this world. When she left school for the summer, the last thing I said to her was ‘I’ll see you later’ Lexi knew I didn’t like goodbyes. So tonight I won’t say goodbye, I’ll say ‘I’ll see you later’. ”
Class of 2010 graduate Jack Whidden, who co-organized the vigil, remembered Lexi by talking about the good times.
“Thank you Lexi for always making my day brighter,” he said. “Thank you for being an amazing friend that will never be replaced.”
On the field, mourners held pink balloons given out before the ceremony. The balloons were released into the sky at sunset. As they drifted away into the clouds, the people below looked up.
“We’ll see each other again Lexi,” Villarreal said at the podium. “We just have to wait. One day, we’ll all get back in touch. Rest in paradise.”
Under a clear night sky, the flashlights were turned on and shined as bright as Alexa’s smile.

At Round Valley High School in Arizona, where there were no injuries due to the crash, the school has started a scholarship fund in Alexa’s honor.

Park fees to start, others increase in Pasco County parks

By

By Kyle LoJacono

County commissioners are poised to create and raise fees to make up the more than $900,000 budget shortfall in the Pasco County Parks and Recreation Department.
“We tried to look at what other counties in the area were doing to make up for their budget problems,” said the department’s director Rick Buckman. “Hillsborough and Pinellas have both created admissions fees for regional parks and raised fees for summer programs and athletics leagues. We’d rather have fees than close parks during the week and cancel programs.”
In Hillsborough, officials created fees to enter regional parks last November, according to spokesman John Brill. It also increased the fees to participate in certain activities, such as summer programs and athletic leagues.

Wesley Chapel District Park is home to the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association, which has adult and kid sports programs. (File photo, www.OurtownFLA.com)

“When we asked for public input the majority of people said they would rather see fees than parks closed during the week or programs eliminated,” Brill said. “…The thought behind adding fees instead of raising taxes is the department felt the people who use the parks the most should be the ones paying to maintain them. We didn’t want to tax people who never use the facilities.”
Buckman echoed Brill’s sentiment, saying, “That’s what we saw in Hillsborough County and things seem to be working. They haven’t had to shut down their parks and that’s what we are working to do in Pasco County.”
Pasco Commission chairwoman Pat Mulieri said she and the other commissioners were in agreement to adopt Buckman’s proposal.
“We’ve basically decided to keep the sheriff’s budget where it is, which means we won’t have to cut elsewhere to make up for that,” Mulieri said.
The current budget for the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is $85.5 million and the department was asking for an increase to $89.4 million. Had the increase gone through, the parks department would have had a large budget shortfall.
“The suggestions by Mr. Buckman will allow us to maintain our park services,” Mulieri continued. “We didn’t want to close parks or cut park services and the new plan should allow us to avoid those things.”

Kyle Morel during the last season of the men’s softball league at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center. (File photo, www.OurtownFLA.com)

Buckman said he thought the fees to enter regional parks would be $2 per car, which is the same as in Hillsborough. An annual pass will also be offered for frequent uses, but the price is still being discussed. In Hillsborough the fee does not apply for entry to other department facilities and Buckman believed it would be the same in Pasco.
Another area that will see fees for the first time are youth leagues co-sponsored by the county. In the past these leagues only had to pay direct expenses like electricity.
“We’ve never charged children in leagues we co-sponsor either, but we had to do something if we were going to keep them,” Buckman said. “The choices were to either make small fees or have the leagues take care of the facilities on their own. We talked to the league presidents and they favored the fees.”
Some of those co-sponsored leagues include Central Pasco Youth Soccer, the Wesley Chapel Athletic Association and Dade City Little League. There are 35 such youth programs in the county.
Mulieri, who represents District 2 including Land O’ Lakes, Odessa and Shady Hills, said it will cost participants $10 for two sessions in these leagues and $25 or children who come from other counties.
“The families from outside counties will pay a little more because they aren’t paying into the tax pool,” Mulieri said. “That makes it more fair for the people who live in Pasco County.”
Like Hillsborough, the new Pasco fees will allow people in financial need a way to enjoy the parks and services as well. Children receiving free or reduced price lunches will pay $5 for two sessions in Pasco sponsored leagues and may even qualify for a scholarship.
Buckman also proposed raising fees for athletic programs and other services offered, such as adult softball offered at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center.
“It’s been a rough year for everyone and we’ve had to make a lot of cuts,” Mulieri said. “People want to maintain their quality of life and need a place to raise their kids. Parks are an important part of people’s lives and raising healthy children and we believe Mr. Buckman’s ideas are the best way to maintain our services and keep our parks open.”
Brill said the Hillsborough department has collected $500,972 from regional parks’ entry fees and annual passes from November through May 30.
Buckman said he is not sure if further elimination of department services will be needed to make the budget. The Hillsborough department had to eliminate its special events team, which helped during the set up of such events as the Lutz Independence Day Celebration.
The final fees will not be set until the budget is finished Oct. 1, but the proposal will be submitted in July.

Proposed changes
$2 fee to enter regional parks
Increased fees for programs offered through the parks department
Fees for co-sponsored youth leagues
Fees to launch boats at regional parks

Some central Pasco parks and centers
Land O’ Lakes Community Center in Land O’ Lakes
Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex in Land O’ Lakes
Turtle Lakes Park in Land O’ Lakes
Suncoast Trail in Odessa
Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park in Odessa/New Port Richey
Crews Lake Wilderness Park in Shady Hills

Some east Pasco parks and centers
Samuel W. Pasco Recreation Center in Zephyrhills
James Irvin Civic Center in Dade City
John S. Burks Memorial Park in Dade City
Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City
San Antonio Athletic Complex in San Antonio
Wesley Chapel District Park in Wesley Chapel

Some north Hillsborough parks and centers
Lake Park in Lutz
Lutz Community Center in Lutz
Oscar Cooler Sports Complex in Lutz
Nye Park in Lutz
Lake Rogers Park in Odessa
Keystone Recreation Center in Odessa
NFL Yet at Mort Recreation Center in Lutz
Lettuce Lake Park in north Hillsborough

Wish list emerges from early redevelopment plan discussions

By

By Joe Potter

A larger park system, more bicycle and hiking trails, a pedestrian friendly shopping district, clean industry and a new community center were items placed on a wish list for Zephyrhills’ future June 16.
The ideas were presented during a workshop held at Alice Hall Community Center regarding updating the city’s decade-old Comprehensive Redevelopment Plan. About 40 people attended the session that was coordinated by Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc.
Maine-ly New England provided breakfast for the 7 a.m. meeting.
Kimley-Horn is a Sarasota-based consultant working with Zephyrhills to update its Community Development Plan. The plan covers what type of development may occur within a Community Redevelopment Area in downtown Zephyrhills.
The city is in the early stages of updating the plan. It will likely take eight to nine months to complete the process. Additional public meetings will be held during the coming months to receive input from the public, affected property owners, city officials and other interested parties.
Mayor W. Cliff McDuffie said he would like to see Zephyrhills, which is Pasco County’s second largest municipality, attract more businesses and more local jobs.
Another goal would be to see East Pasco YMCA be able to enlarge its facilities at 37301 Chapel Hill Loop and to be able to offer additional programs.
Todd Vande Berg, Zephyrhills’ development director, said a good working relationship exists between the city and Pasco County. That may help to move some of the city’s goals forward, Vande Berg added.
It was noted that skydiving activities, which draw approximately 70,000 visitors to Zephyrhills each year, has an approximately $8 million annual economic impact on the city. Skydive City, located at the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport, is one of the premier skydiving locations in the country. It even draws visitors from Canada, Europe and other nations.
Vande Berg said he thought more residents and businesses could be attracted to Zephyrhills if the city were able to find one key catalyst project that could be developed within the CRA.
“We need to get economic improvement resources imported more to east Pasco,” said Randy Stovall of Pasco-Hernando Community College. “We need to wave our flag every chance we get. We need to be wherever they’re talking about economic development and to make our needs known,” Stovall said.
Realtor Michael Prilliman said Florida Hospital Zephyrhills “is the one thing that has improved the quality of life in Zephyrhills.”
Others attending the meeting also commented upon the positive impact Florida Medical Clinic has had on Zephyrhills.
“It seems like you have a lot of economic development assets to work with. You need to do a better job of identifying the city’s brand and marketing it,” said Kenneth H. Creveling, president of Urbanomic$. The Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.-based firm is a subcontractor to Kimley-Horn. Urbanomic$ specializes in Urban and Real Estate Investments.
Martin P. “Marty” Black of Kimley-Horn said Zephyrhills is already very well associated with the bottled water industry. Zephyrhills bottled water is known throughout the world, Black said.
City Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson said Zephyrhills has a reputation for being a healthy city in which to live. She suggested more attention could be focused on that aspect to help attract businesses and people to the city.
Kimley-Horn also met with various other groups during sessions held June 16 and June 17 at various locations.
Results of the sessions will be available on Zephyrhills’ city website, www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/, Black said.

City’s southern gateway needs facelift
By JOE POTTER
Laker Correspondent
The southern entrance to Zephyrhills along U.S. 301 is blighted and needs to be improved, according to residents and a city consultant working to map the future of Zephyrhills.
Run-down homes, semi-demolished or mostly unsecured mobile homes and dilapidated commercial buildings line both sides of a section of U.S. 301 on the city’s southern side, according to Martin P. “Marty” Black of Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc.
Kimley-Horn is a Sarasota-based consulting firm that is helping Zephyrhills to update its decade old Community Redevelopment Plan.
The plan outlines how development may occur within the city’s Community Redevelopment Area that consists of a several block area in downtown Zephyrhills. The CRA is broadly outlined by 11th Avenue to South Avenue along U.S. 301 and 1st Street to 10th Street along State Road 54. Tax dollars generated by improvements within the CRA are set aside to pay for projects within the CRA, including streetscape, façade improvements and infrastructure.
Most of the approximately 40 people attending Wednesday’s meeting at Alice Hall Community Center agreed the city’s other gateways – from U.S. 301 north, State Road 54 West, and Eiland Boulevard/County Road 54 – presented a much better overall impression of the city.
Todd Vande Berg, the city’s development director, said many people are unaware of where the city limits begin on the south side. Generally speaking, properties at C Avenue and to the north are within the city. Properties south of that location are in the county, Vande Berg explained. The city does not have control over blighted areas in the county, he continued.

Roundabouts could make some Zephyrhills intersections safer
By JOE POTTER
Laker Correspondent
Having roundabouts at key Zephyrhills intersections could help traffic to flow more safely and reduce the number of accidents an engineer told city officials Wednesday.
Ken Sides was participating in one of several workshops held Wednesday by Kimley-Horn and Associates. The Sarasota-based firm is helping Zephyrhills to revamp its Community Redevelopment Plan.
A roundabout is a type of circular intersection with yield control of entering traffic, islands on the approaches, and appropriate road curvature to reduce vehicle speeds said a Federal Highway Administration brochure provided by Sides.
Handling how traffic flows through the city’s Community Redevelopment Area is one of the objectives of the plan that is now approximately 10 years old. The CRA is roughly bounded by 11th Avenue to South Avenue along U.S. 301 and 1st Street to 10th Street along State Road 54.
There are currently four roundabouts in Tampa and 18 in Clearwater.
Roundabouts are used to slow the speed of vehicles navigating through an intersection. Reducing vehicle speeds helps to reduce the likelihood of collisions and the severity of injuries incurred if a collision does occur, Sides said.
A study by the FHA shows roundabouts reduce fatalities by more than 90 percent. Also, a roundabout reduces the so-called “kill zone” in a regular signalized intersection by three quarters. And the likelihood of a vehicle-pedestrian accident in a roundabout is reduced by two thirds compared to a regular signalized intersection, Sides said.
Modern roundabouts differ from traffic circles that have been used in various places in the United States for more than 100 years, Sides said. The older traffic circles lack the effectiveness of modern roundabouts because they do not adequately reduce the speed of vehicles entering the circle, Sides continued.
The presentation by Sides, the engineer, was intended to give city officials some options to consider as the Community Redevelopment Plan is revised over the next several months.
No specific intersections in Zephyrhills have been identified at this point as likely candidates for a roundabout.
More information about the sessions Kimley-Horn has been holding on the Community Redevelopment Plan will soon be posted on the city’s website at http://www.ci.zephyrhills.fl.us/.