The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Children’s behavioral hospital opening in Land O’ Lakes

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By Sarah Whitman

Morton Plant North Bay Hospital and Bay Care Behavioral Health will open a new facility this summer in Land O’ Lakes. The Morton Plant North Bay Hospital Recovery Center, an in-patient psychiatric treatment center for children, will begin services July 1 at 21808 SR 54. The new 10-bed hospital will offer long-term mental health care to youth ages 5 to 17.
“The facility is the first of its kind in Pasco County,” said Beth Hardy, media representative for the hospital. “Now children who require hospitalization will not have to travel out of the county. This will make it much easier on families.”
The 45,000 square foot building formerly housed Gulf and Lake Academy, a residential facility for non-violent female juvenile offenders. Gulf and Lake moved to two new locations in Pinellas County. They no longer offer services in Land O’ Lakes.

Morton Plant North Bay Hospital Recovery Center, an in-patient psychiatric treatment center for children, will begin services July 1 at 21808 SR 54. (Photo by Sarah Whitman)

Morton Plant is leasing the Land O’ Lakes building and has made multiple renovations, transforming the facility to a hospital. Clinical treatment will coincide with behavioral counseling such as group therapy in a more residential setting. The facility will include a full-service kitchen, main recreational living areas and private rooms.
“The entire facility has been renovated to meet hospital base standards,” said Stephanie Santiere, media representative for Bay Care.
Morton Plant has treated patients with mental illness for more than 20 years and currently treats children at its main campus in Clearwater. Inpatient conditions include substance abuse problems, depression and psychosis. Plans for an independent psychiatric facility have been ongoing.
In April 2008, Morton Plant filed three applications for a psychiatric facility with a total of 70 beds including 10 child inpatient beds. In June 2008, the state denied the application and approved a competing plan by Ten Broeck Tampa that did not specify plans for children’s beds. Ten Broeck’s plan was to open a 40-bed psychiatric facility on Bruce B. Downs Blvd. Plans have not yet been finalized.
In December 2008, the state approved Morton Plant’s application for the 10 child inpatient psychiatric beds as an exception to the original application’s denial.
Morton Plant made plans to open the Land O’ Lakes facility shortly after, confirming the decision in August 2009. The new hospital will be modeled after and supported by the comprehensive services and infrastructure available within Morton Plant’s main campus.  Susan Wright will be director of the new facility.
“The goal for the new facility is to provide quality mental health care to children and adolescents in the community,” Santiere said. “As the only hospital-based children’s mental health facility in Pasco County, we hope to make receiving high-quality treatment easier and more convenient for children and their families.”
For information on Morton Plant North Bay Hospital Recovery Center, visit www.mortonplant.com or call (727) 462-7000.

N.Y. Times Square Pizzeria offers fresh hand-made pizzas

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By Suzanne Schmidt

N. Y. Times Square Pizzeria owner Essie Priyampowlski decided it was time for a change.
She moved her restaurant from a small place in Lutz to a new location at 226 East Bearss Ave. in Tampa.
“Every pizza we make we put a lot of love into it,” Essie Priyampowlski said. “I am here to pay my bills because of course I need to do that but it is more than that. I have a passion for what I do.”

N.Y. Times Square Pizzeria owner Essie Priyampowlski slices a pizza at her new location. (Photo by Suzanne Schmidt)

She said she decided to move it to the new location because she wanted more space so customers can sit and eat.
“After four years at the other location, I decided I needed a better and bigger location,” Essie Priyampowlski said. “I have a lot of loyal customers from the other location. They have all been calling. They couldn’t wait until we opened.”
Essie said she is a perfectionist in everything she does including making her pizzas from scratch with fresh ingredients. She said she gets her vegetables fresh every day and they are cut by hand every morning. The Italian sausage is baked in the oven and then sliced and placed on the pizza.
“We make everything fresh everyday,” Essie Priyampowlski said. “We make the dough fresh every morning and we make our own sauce. I am very proud of the quality of my food. My number one priority is quality and taste.”
Essie Priyampowlski bought the business in 2002. At that time the restaurant was in South Tampa, then four years later she moved it to Lutz because that is where she lives.
“I use many of the original recipes and add my own little touch,” Essie Priyampowlski said. “We are not just making ordinary pizza, we try to make it perfect.”

The restaurant serves up pizza, garlic knots, Greek salad, calzones, pasta, wings and more. (Photo by Suzanne Schmidt)

Yan Priyampowlski works with his sister Essie. He said the only way to get the right pizza dough texture is to do it by hand.
“It gives it the perfect texture so that there is the crunch and it melts perfectly in your mouth,” Yan Priyampowlski said. “It is not the same if you just pull the pre-made dough from a shelf. It is also made in a brick oven. That is one of the big differences with our pizza. You can come to our restaurant to get high-end food in a nice family restaurant-style atmosphere. ”
Soon, Yan said the restaurant will be serving beer and wine.
“We have applied for a beer and wine license,” Yan Priyampowlski said. “We are hoping to get that soon and start having happy hours from 5 to 7 p.m.”
Essie Priyampowlski said she wanted to have a pizza restaurant because it is her passion.
“If I don’t like something I will not sell it to a customer,” Essie Priyampowlski said. “I will only sell what I want to eat myself. You will not see any brown lettuce in my salad.”

Yan Priyampowlski tosses the pizza dough to get the right texture. (Photo by Suzanne Schmidt)

Suzin Carr, Lutz Guv’na, said she has been eating the pizza from the pizzeria for three years because she loves it.
“I am from the northeast originally so I know it is true New York style pizza,” Carr said. “The texture is definitely right. I also love her Greek salad. I like Essie because she is always open to helping out in the community.”
For more information, call (813) 962-0400 or (813) 300-2784.

Land O’ Lakes Transmission moves to new location

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By Suzanne Schmidt

Anyone who has ever brought their car to Land O’ Lakes Transmission & Total Car Care in the last couple years knows Matt Martin.

Matt Martin, the new owner of Land O’ Lakes Transmission & Total Car Care, works on a truck in the shop’s new location. (Photo by Suzanne Schmidt)

He has been a mechanic there working for Larry Savage for four years until recently, when he bought the place and moved it to its new location at 21426 Carson Drive in Land O’ Lakes.
Martin bought the business after Savage decided to move out of the area.
“I figured with two new babies at home, it was time to be a business owner instead of an employee,” Martin said. “When he decided to move, I knew I wanted to own the business.”
Martin, 26, is married to Gretchen Martin and has two sons Cameron, 2, and Connor, 1. He has been a mechanic for 10 years. He started learning about cars when he was at Wesley Chapel High School. Since then he has earned ASE certifications for brakes, steering and suspension, air conditioning and heating and cooling.
“I have always liked cars,” Martin said. “Through high school, I did on-the-job training. I started out as a full-service mechanic and learned transmission over the last four years. I can fix anything but the tires.”
The new location offers a few amenities the old shop did not have like an air-conditioned waiting room.
“It is nice because we are in a new building now with better amenities,” Martin said. “I have room to work on the cars inside which helps me to be more efficient. I don’t have to stop working now because of the rain.”
Martin said the most important thing to him is to be honest with people and to make sure his customers are happy.
“I am not going to sell you something you don’t need,” Martin said. “I try to find the problem and give the customer the options needed to fix it. I offer service with a smile. I want to make sure people are happy with the services they receive here.”
Martin said he always makes sure he and the customer are talking about the same thing.
“I try to get the most information I can to diagnose the problem,” Martin said. “The first thing I need to do is to find out what the customer is experiencing because they know more about the car then I do. I will take the customer on a ride with me if I can’t get the same experience. I like to make sure the customer and I are on the same page.”
Martin said he does not usually charge to find the problem.

The new location is at 21426 Carson Drive behind Wendy’s in Land O’ Lakes. (Photo by Suzanne Schmidt)

“Initial inspections and estimates are no charge,” Martin said. “If it gets more involved then I call the customer and charge accordingly.”
James Wright owns Stems USA, a wholesale florist in Land O’ Lakes. He has three vehicles he uses to deliver flowers to gift shops and grocery stores. He said he only trusts Martin with his cars.
“I would not go to anybody but Matt,” Wright said. “He is super honest. For three years I have been going to only him. His pricing is very fair and I know he won’t do work I don’t need.”
Wright said he also appreciates how Martin is willing to go above and beyond.
“I like how I can call up and he knows who I am,” Wright said. “He is a really caring person. I will take vehicles to him when I am deciding to buy it.”
For more information, call (813) 996-3680.

Zephyrhills dominates at Summer Shuffleboard Nationals

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By Kyle LoJacono

Betmar Shuffleboard Club hosted this year’s Summer Nationals Doubles tournament June 7 to 8 and the team of Earl Ball and Stan Williamson earned the championship.

Not only is Ball, 66, a Zephyrhills resident, but the runner-up team of Chuck Moulton, 70, and Jim Barnes, 66, also calls the city home.

“There are a lot of great players in Florida and around the world, but Zephyrhills is where it’s at,” Ball said of the number of good players from the city. “Zephyrhills has great players and is one of the hot spots for the game.”

Moulton agreed with Ball, calling Zephyrhills, “The mecca of shuffleboard.”

Earl Ball (left) accepts the plaque for winning the Summer Nationals tournament from Terry Rainwater.Ball and Williamson won the title match in three games 18-80, 79-70, 77-32. It is the seventh national crown for Williamson, of Daytona Beach, and the 13th for Ball, which gives him the second most all time.

“The record is 15 and it’s something for me to shoot for,” said Ball, who was recently elected to the International Shuffleboard Association Hall of Fame. “…There are about nine national tournaments each year around the country and I get in as many of them as possible.”

The duo has been playing together for about 12 years. Back then Ball was just starting to learn the game.

“Both of us worked together today,” Williamson said of winning the title. “It takes two to win and when one of us is down the other picks them up…We have a lot of respect for each other and we don’t want to let the other one down.”

Moulton and Barnes ran away with the first game, but the last two were very close with the third lasting nearly one hour.

“We should have won in the second game,” Barnes said. “We missed a couple shots and that turned the whole game around. They just outplayed and outlasted us in the third game. They’re a very tough team and are probably the best in the world honestly.”

Had they pulled off the upset it would have been the first national title for both Moulton and Barnes, but it was not to be. Despite coming up short, the team had a good attitude.

“It’s just a lot of fun to get together with some of the best players in the world and play,” Moulton said. “After all it’s just a game. A challenging game, but a game.”

Chuck Moulton shoots while Earl Ball watches during the championship match of the Summer Nationals Doubles tournament June 8.

Barnes added that his team won the consolation event during the tournament last year. He said it would have been nice to win the title, but felt the better team won.

Ball and Williamson had to defeat the team of Ellen Davis and Glenn Peltier, both of Clearwater, in two games to earn a spot in the finals. Peltier is the president of the Florida Shuffleboard Association and Davis was the only women to reach even the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“It was only because of my partner,” Davis said of reaching the semifinals.

While Davis and Peltier are thought of as two of the better players in the state, they were unable to record a positive score in either of the semifinals games. The Clearwater team attributed that to the fact Ball and Williamson play together throughout the year.

Many of the players at the two-day event live in Florida, but Henry Strong traveled from Canada to participate in the tournament. Strong is the vice president of the Canadian Shuffleboard Association and lives in Zephyrhills in the winter, but returned to Canada in April.

“It was awful hot for a Canadian,” Strong said jokingly. “Those who made the finals really deserve it because they outplayed the rest of us…I mean three of those guys are from Zephyrhills, which shows you the talent of the players here.”

Strong and teammate Chuck Stansburge, of Vero Beach, placed fourth in the consolation event. The team was defeated by Terry Rainwater and Bob Gearsbeck, both of Zephyrhills, in the consolation semifinals. Rainwater, who is president the Betmar Shuffleboard Club, and Gearsbeck went on to win the consolation event.

“Terry (Rainwater) is one of the rising stars of shuffleboard,” said Bob Christen, 20-year Zephyrhills resident and spectator at the tournament. “He’s only been playing about four years and he is already one of the better players in the area.

“Earl (Ball) is one of the best players in the world because of his determination,” Christen added. “Other people need something to get them motivated. For Earl the motivation comes from within and that’s why he is so great.”

Last scholarships under coach Castelamare and Colding

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By Kyle LoJacono

Wesley Chapel High seniors Chris Pierre-Charles and R.J. Nixon signed to play at the college level June 9, the last day of school for the players and coach John Castelamare.

From left are R.J. Nixon, coach John Castelamare and Chris Pierre-Charles as the two players sign to play football at the college level. They are the last football players of Castelamare to sign from Wesley Chapel.

Committing on the final school day is symbolic for the Wildcats football program as the two players are the last from coach Castelamare’s time with the school to sign with colleges.

“It’s our last hurrah at the school,” Castelamare said. “It’s hard to say goodbye to all the guys. I remember when we started the football program here in 1999. We had no weight room, no stadium and no field. I’ve been fortunate to see a lot of great kids grow up.”

Castelamare has to leave the school because this was his fifth year in the Deferred Retirement Option Program, which gives teachers financial motivation to retire. He helped guide Wesley Chapel to two undefeated regular seasons, three districts championships and a 63-50 record.

“I was blessed to play under coach Castelamare,” said Pierre-Charles, who played tight end and fullback. “I can’t put it into words. He helped take me from a child to a man in football and in life. I’ll always remember the things he taught me.”

Also leaving the football program is line coach Brian Colding, who was recently named to the same position with Pasco. Colding will remain at Wesley Chapel as a physical education teacher and will continue to coach track and field for the Wildcats.

“They’ve both been great coaches and I’ve learned a lot from them,” Nixon, lineman, said. “They both helped me and everyone else whenever they needed anything with football or life.”

Colding said of leaving the program,” I’ve known coach (Castelamare) for 17 years and I’ve coached with him the last nine. He’s a great coach and runs a very organized program. I’ve learned a lot from him.”

The only coach in Wesley Chapel history will still coach the Wildcats next season, but next year it will be with Wildcats at Academy at the Lakes. While Castelamare had to retire from public schools, he can coach at private ones like the academy.

“I was fortunate that the academy gave me a chance,” Castelamare said. “It’s a transition going from a big program with 80 or 100 kids to the academy where we have 15 now. The goal is to get the program to 11-man from six-man football by getting kids to come out and join the team. It’s kind of like when we started here at Wesley Chapel. I’m energized to get started there.”

Castelamare said the two scholarships were the latest signed in program history.

“In a way it’s kind of a symbolic goodbye for us,” Colding said. “Those two schools are getting great kids because both love football and academics. They will do Wesley Chapel High School proud.”

Pierre-Charles will play slot receiver at Dean College in Massachusetts and will study sports management. Last season he had 257 yards rushing on 63 carries and five catches for 87 yards and one touchdown. He is listed at 6-foot-1, 237 pounds.

Pierre-Charles has lived his whole life in Florida and said he needs to buy a winter for the cold Massachusetts winters.

“He’ll have to learn how to ice fish,” Castelamare said jokingly.

Nixon is part of the first football class at Ave Maria University in Naples and will also study sports management. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder will likely see time at all the positions on the offensive line.

“We won’t start playing until next year,” Nixon said. “I picked it because it’s close to home and has strict educational standards. I also wanted to be part of the growing process of the new school.”

While Castelamare knows the two players are ready, it is still difficult for him to say goodbye.

“They both come from great families,” Castelamare said. “Nixon can play every o-line position and can long snap, but loves playing center…Chris (Pierre-Charles) is a hard worker, but he has to learn how to stay warm up there. I’ll miss them.”

The next chapter in Castelamare’s coaching legacy began with spring practice at the academy in May. The spring season ended with an intra-squad game and the coach likes what he saw.

“Having 15 kids is great because there are about 45 high school boys at the academy and the team only had eight players last year,” Castelamare said. “I’m really excited to start at the academy because I love every minute of coaching.”

Summer football workouts at the academy start June 21. Castelamare added the school offers scholarships to athletes. Those interested in attending the school should call (813) 948-7600 and ask for athletic director Tom Haslam.

Former Bulldogs pitcher drafted by the Rockies

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Geoff Parker selected in the ninth round

Zephyrhills graduate and former Bulldogs pitcher and shortstop Geoff Parker was selected in the ninth round of the MLB first-year player draft by the Colorado Rockies June 8.

Former Zephyrhills pitcher Geoff Parker was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round of the MLB draft.

Parker graduated from Zephyrhills in 2007 and just completed his junior season at Florida State University (FSU). He has until August to sign with the Rockies or remain with the Seminoles.

As a senior at Zephyrhills, Parker went 9-2 with two saves as a pitcher and recorded a team-high 96 strikeouts while allowing 16 walks. The right-hander also had a team-leading 0.73 earned run average (ERA).

As a shortstop, Parker led the Bulldogs with a .480 batting average, 38 runs scored, 36 hits, 34 RBI, seven doubles and nine homeruns. Zephyrhills went 16-11 in his senior season.

“Outstanding young man,” said current Zephyrhills athletic director and former baseball coach Bruce Cimorelli. “One of the hardest workers I ever had.

“His senior year he was the player of the year,” Cimorelli continued. “I talked to Geoff (June 8) and told him how proud I was of him. Could not be happier for this young man. Geoff always has a kind word to say about everyone. He’s the type of boy you would not mind seeing your daughter dating. I told Geoff good luck at the Super Regionals.”

FSU (47-18) advanced past the NCAA baseball Super Regionals by beating Vanderbilt University. Parker started the deceive game three, giving up two hits and one run during 3.1 innings pitched striking out four batters. The Seminoles won the game 7-6 and will play in the College World Series.

Parker only pitched for the Seminoles this season and had a 4-1 record with a 4.60 ERA in 30 appearances and 10 starts, according to FSU’s sports information department. He also had three saves and struck out 71 batters while walking 40.

-All additional stats as provided to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of June 14.

Jason Garcia goes to the Boston Red Sox

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Land O’ Lakes pitcher taken in the MLB draft

Jason Garcia goes to the Boston Red Sox

Land O’ Lakes High baseball player Jason Garcia was the only Pasco County senior selected during the MLB first-year player draft June 8. The Boston Red Sox took the right-handed pitcher in the 17th round, 533rd overall.

Garcia had a 6-4 record in 11 appearances, all starts, and six complete games in 2010. He posted a team-leading 1.46 earned run average and also led the team with 107 strikeouts while walking 24 batters.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Garcia has until August to either sign with the Red Sox or retain his amateur status, which allows him to play at the college level. He signed to play at St. Petersburg College and has said he is unsure if he will sign with the Red Sox or stay in school.

Garcia was not only the pitcher with Pasco ties selected June 8. Former Zephyrhills pitcher Geoff Parker was picked by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round as well. Parker graduated from Zephyrhills in 2007 and just completed his junior season at Florida State University.

-All stats as provided to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of June 14.

Check this out

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Bulldogs still need track coach

John McDougall’s term as Zephyrhills High boys track and field coach lasted less than three weeks.

He was named the Bulldogs coach May 25 and informed Zephyrhills principal Steve Van Gorden June 10 he was resigning from the school to take a position at Pasco Middle.

“Coach McDougall will be the head football coach at (Pasco Middle) and work with at-risk students,” Van Gorden wrote in an e-mail. “I wish coach McDougall the best of luck in his new position.”

Bulls reach national combine

Wiregrass Ranch High football team has three players invited to the National Underclassmen Combine Ultimate 100 Camp. The three players are junior Nick Lomba, running back and free safety; sophomore Brandon Teeling, defensive end and offensive lineman; and junior Dwayne Houston, defensive end and linebacker.

The southeast combine is in Atlanta June 19 and 20 for sophomores and juniors respectively. Those at the camp will run through similar drills prospective NFL players go through before they are drafted.

Ultimate 100 selects the top-100 football players in each region to participate. The organization says 50 percent of those who have attended the camp have gone on to Division I colleges. The event is sponsored by Rivals.com, which ranks incoming college athletes, and is covered by ESPN.com and Scouts Inc.

“To have three players go and represent their immediate and our Bulls football family is a great honor,” said Wiregrass Ranch football coach Jeremy Shobe. “To be included within the top 100 in the southeast is saying a lot about their parents, themselves and our team. I know that they will give their best and make us proud.”

For more information on the combine, visit www.ultimate100caps.com.

Herrera to Southern University

Sunlake High midfielder Carlos Herrera signed the first college scholarship in Seahawks soccer history by signing with Southeastern University in Lakeland.

Sunlake coach Sam Koleduk said Herrera will likely play defense for Southeastern.

Herrera scored 10 goals while adding 21 assists as a senior and was a three-year varsity starter and team captain for Sunlake, according to Koleduk. The 21 assists are a school record. He also helped the Seahawks (19-4) set a program record in wins.

“He is a great leader and soccer player, but an even better person,” Koleduk said. “Southeastern University is the perfect fit for Carlos and I’m extremely proud to have coached him.”

Jamie Byrd gets Iowa State offer

Pasco senior Jamie Byrd recently received his fourth official scholarship offer.

Pasco High linebacker and fullback Jamie Byrd recently received a scholarship offer from Iowa State University.

Byrd has also drawn attention from University of Florida and University of South Florida scouts. He also has offers from Purdue University, Georgia Southern University and Youngstown State University.

Byrd led the Pirates with 129 tackles, six sacks and four fumble recoveries in 2009. As a rusher he had 136 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns.

Weatherford gets two more offers

Land O ‘ Lakes High quarterback Stevie Weatherford recently received two more scholarship offers, this time from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Gators quarterback Stevie Weatherford recently received two more scholarship offers.

The offers come on the heels of Weatherford completing 11 of 17 passes for 351 yards and six touchdowns to one interception in the Gators 42-0 spring victory against Wiregrass Ranch. The game was called at halftime because of bad weather.

Weatherford already had offers from the University of South Florida, Boston College, Iowa State University, East Carolina University and Southern Methodist University. He finished last season with 128 completions, 2,052 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Wildcats pick Florida Atlantic

Wesley Chapel High track and field athletes Dana Cannon and Ashley Hinds recently signed letters of intent to attend Florida Atlantic University. Both compete in the 400-meter dash.

Cannon set her personal record of 57.75 seconds to finish runner-up in the Class 2A Region 3 tournament this year. Hinds is still somewhat new to the event, but showed enough potential to earn the scholarship offer.

-All states as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of June 14. Kyle LoJacono can be reached at or (813) 909-2800.

Athlete of the week

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Dakota Weicht lands 8-pound bass
Dakota Weicht, of Zephyrhills, recently caught an 8-pound bass while fishing in Ocala on Fig Lake.
Weicht is 13-years-old and fishes and hunts regularly with his father, sisters and friends. The 8-pounder was caught while on the lake with his friend Jake Whitfield.

Dakota Weicht lands 8-pound bassDakota Weicht, of Zephyrhills, recently caught an 8-pound bass while fishing in Ocala on Fig Lake.  Weicht is 13-years-old and fishes and hunts regularly with his father, sisters and friends. The 8-pounder was caught while on the lake with his friend Jake Whitfield.

Commentary

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By Randall Grantham

Community Columnist

Many years ago, when I was a young assistant public defender in Dade City, I regularly appeared before Judge Wayne Cobb. Now as you know, I’m a country boy, born and raised in Lutz, but Dade City and Judge Cobb out countried me. They were bonafide. After having worked in the big city of Jacksonville for the previous four years, I had yet to get my country legs back.

Judge Cobb is now retired and Dade City has changed some as civilization has encroached upon it, but a story I read in DiscoveryNews magazine the other day brought back memories of one particular case and a country saying that I had not heard before it was uttered by the Judge.

I was representing a guy who was charged with violating his felony probation. He had been on probation for quite some time and was supposed to do certain things as part of that sentence. He had fines and court costs to pay, community service to do, letters of apology to be written and counseling that he had to complete. Well, he had done nothing.

As I argued to Judge Cobb why my client should be given another chance or at least more time to do these various things, the judge listened patiently to me. After I was done, he looked at my client and, with a very grave tone to his voice, said, “Son, you’ve been on probation for two years now and you haven’t hit a lick at a snake”. With that he found him guilty of violating his probation and sentenced him accordingly.

I had never heard that saying, but it stuck with me. Growing up in the country, I knew all too well what he was talking about. While we loved non-poisonous snakes, and I often caught them and kept them as “pets”, you would never hesitate to kill a poisonous one. Whether by sling shot, shovel, gun or even hitting it with a stick, rattlesnakes and cottonmouths (vipers) were quickly dispatched on sight. Hitting a lick at a snake was the least you could do.

So, when I saw the article headlined “Snake Populations Mysteriously Plummet,” it caught my eye. It seems that snake populations around the world have declined in exactly the same time and in the same manner. For a change, they’re not blaming global warning on the decline but are perplexed about the cause.

As I read the piece, I learned that of 17 populations of snakes, 11 had declined drastically and the researchers were trying to piece it together. They looked at the specific populations to see if there were any common traits among the ones that were dropping and there were. Several types of vipers were dropping off around the world in a synchronous manner. Surprise, they think it might be because people are killing them.

Despite my childhood training that the only good viper is a dead viper, these animals do have a critical role to play in the food chain and should not be eradicated. They feed on pestilent rodents and nuisance critters whose populations have been know to explode when the snakes are taken out of the equation.

So, for a change, for the good of the planet, not hitting a lick at a snake is a good thing. Too bad for my client that it took so long to figure out.