The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Andrew Powell

Audit finds issues with Bright Futures Scholarship Program

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(The Center Square) — The Florida auditor general has released a report detailing problems with the administration of the state’s scholarship and grant programs.

The audit was focused on the administration of both scholarship programs between June 30, 2022 and June 30, 2023.

The Bright Futures Scholarship Program disbursed $547,700,035 in fiscal year 2022-23. A slight drop over the previous FY of 2021-22, which disbursed $549,061,819.

(Brett Jordan/Unsplash)

The audit found three issues — this included the return of advances without identifying students who may be eligible, noncompliance with state law and Florida Department of Education (FDOE) policies, as well as the need to improve disbursement of funds in a timely manner.

The Legislature established the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship Program to provide scholarships to Florida high school students who merit recognition of high academic achievement, and enroll in a degree, certificate or applied technology program at an eligible in-state college or university.

The program, funded by the Florida Lottery, consists of four different awards: The Florida Academic Scholarship, the Florida Medallion Scholarship, the Florida Gold Seal CAPE Scholarship, and the Florida Gold Seal Vocational Scholarship.

Also part of the auditor general’s report was the Florida Public Student Assistance Grant Program, established to provide financial assistance to Florida resident students seeking a degree from Florida public universities or colleges.

The report states that Eastern Florida State College returned around $1.2 million worth of FSAG-Public Program advances, contrary to State Board of Education rules. The auditor general recommended that management at the college continue its efforts to ensure that all eligible students are able to receive the advance and records are properly reported to the FDOE.

The audit also found that the University of South Florida had failed to comply with state law regarding the refund of Bright Futures Scholarship Program funds from students who withdrew or dropped a course on time. The report adds that the university made 146 refunds to the FDOE that totaled $141,476, on average 99 days after the required date.

Lastly, the report found that Pensacola State College needed to improve its procedures to ensure that Bright Futures and the grant program funds received were more promptly put on record when funds are disbursed to students.

Published May 01, 2024

DeSantis signs two bills to bring chaplains, patriotic organizations to schools

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(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed legislation Thursday intended to provide more educational opportunities for public school students.

House Bill 1317 allows patriotic organizations to speak to students and distribute certain materials to encourage participation. Patriotic organizations mentioned in the new law include Big Brothers Big Sisters of America, Boy Scouts of America, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Civil Air Patrol, Naval Sea Cadets and the Marine League Corps.

(JV/Unsplash)

HB 931 authorizes each school district or charter school board to adopt a policy that would allow volunteer school chaplains to provide support, services and programs to students.

DeSantis said that he and the Legislature have worked very hard to support students, including expanding school choice, scholarship programs and mental health support, adding that the new legislation will help bolster these efforts.

“We have ensured that mental health education involves personal resiliency, talks about perseverance, volunteerism, mentorship, problem-solving, empathy, citizenship and honesty. A really comprehensive approach,” DeSantis said, noting that these school years can be tough for students.

Funding for mental health programs in schools across Florida has ranged from $75 million in 2019-2020 to $140 million during the 2022-2023 fiscal year. For the 2024-2025 budget, $160 million has been secured. A further $5.5 million has been earmarked to go toward evidence-based teacher training, so educators can recognize the signs of mental health and substance abuse.

DeSantis added that it is important for children to stay active, as often many children are glued to their devices and are not spending as much time outside as they used to and that the legislation will help encourage students to spend more time outdoors.

“Now you’re gonna have these key groups come in, talk about what they do and ask the students to participate,” DeSantis said. “I really believe when you are engaged in extracurricular activities, athletics, some of these other things, that’s gonna be a net positive for these students.”

DeSantis added that chaplains in schools also will be a positive thing for students, providing useful resources and would have a role similar to chaplains in the Armed Forces.

“I think that model of just having this available as part of the services that you’re providing, like we do in the military, we should be doing the same for our students here in school,” DeSantis said.

Published May 01, 2024

Confused by nutrition labels? You’re not alone

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Shopping for groceries can be like navigating a maze: so many choices in every aisle, food packages covered in marketing claims and little direction on what is truly healthy and what isn’t. People want to make healthy choices for themselves and their families, but how can they when the information available to them can be so overwhelming?

For years, the Nutrition Facts label on the back of food packages has provided important nutrition information, such as the amount of calories, fat, sodium, sugar, protein and vitamins and minerals. But all the numbers can be confusing, and they’re not readily visible. Given America’s high rates of diet-related disease and illness, advocates say that more must be done to make sure consumers have the information they need to make healthy choices.

(Courtesy of the Food and Drug Administration)

That’s why the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which sets standards for nutrition labeling, is developing a new labeling system that would appear on the front of food and beverage products, offering clear and concise information to help people quickly and easily identify healthier foods. Research from other countries shows that front-of-pack labeling helps consumers make healthier purchases and even gets manufacturers to make healthier products.

What could a front-of-pack label look like? More than 40 countries already require it. Some countries use stoplight colors like red, yellow and green, or a grading system like a report card — A, B, C, D, E — to indicate how healthy a product is. Other countries use a warning system that indicates whether products include high amounts of added sugars, saturated fat or sodium. Approaches like these make it easy for consumers to understand with a quick glance what’s healthy and what’s not.

The success of front-of-pack labeling in other countries suggests it will help people in the United States make healthier choices that can improve well-being and reduce high rates of diet-related diseases, including some forms of heart disease and cancer. In fact, the National Academy of Medicine (formerly the Institute of Medicine) recommended such a system more than 10 years ago, and national polls show most Americans support it.

The FDA plans to release a proposal for a front-of-pack food labeling system in the United States that can get everyone out of the food shopping maze. To stay informed and learn more, visit YoureTheCure.org/FOP.

“Clear, concise front-of-pack nutrition labeling is the answer. After all, grocery shopping shouldn’t require a degree in nutrition,” says Nancy Brown, CEO of the American Heart Association.

-StatePoint

Published May 01, 2024

Swimmers aim to fight cancer by hitting the waves

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Swimmers from across Florida will be participating in the 13th annual Swim Across America – Tampa Bay, an open water swim and fundraiser with all proceeds benefiting Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital for cancer research. 

The charity event will be held on May 4, at North Shore Park, 901 North Shore Drive, NE., in St. Petersburg. 

Heather Pryor and Haley Campbell of Team Hakuna Ma-Tatas (Courtesy of Swim Across America)

Most participants have a personal connection to the fight against cancer, with many joining the charity swim to honor survivors, commemorate loved ones or simply to find the hopeful camaraderie of community swims.

Two of the participants are Haley Campbell and Dr. Heather Pryor who are joining with the team name Hakuna My-Tatas — a nod to Pryor’s battle with breast cancer.

“Through Swim Across America, I not only help myself recover from breast cancer treatments, but I can also help fund research to help others overcome cancer, too,” said Pryor, in a news release. “I am swimming in honor of all the people who are currently fighting cancer and in memory of those who lost the battle. I am hopeful that my efforts help find a cure for cancer, so others will not have to endure what I and so many others have faced.”

As a family physician for 25 years, the doctor has discovered cancer in many of her patients, and getting in the water with her friend Haley is a way to fight back.

“We both have competed in some form, whether it be competitive swimming or triathlons, and we both wanted to get back in the water,” said Campbell, in the release. “For Heather, it was more than swimming. She had just finished heavy treatments for breast cancer and wanted to find a way to get active again.”

Campbell also has a familial connection to cancer — her father was diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia when she was 5 years old.

“At the time, he was given three to five years to live. He looked the doctors dead in the eyes and said, ‘No, I WILL watch my kids graduate from high school,’” said Campbell. “Not only did he get to see us graduate high school, he saw my brother graduate from college. He passed away 16 years after he was diagnosed. I have no doubt that modern advances in cancer research – and his incredibly positive attitude – are the reasons that I was able to not only grow up with my daddy, but I was also able to make memories that I never would have been able to make.”

Swim Across America was founded in 1987, and has since raised over $100 million to fight cancer through the swims of over 100,000 participants. More than 24 communities hold open water swims each year.

To learn more about the May 4 Swim Across America – Tampa Bay swim, visit SwimAcrossAmerica.org/tampa. 

Published May 01, 2024

65th Birthday Bash

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(Courtesy of Deborah Erdahl )

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club enjoyed a fun, exuberant 65th Birthday Bash to commemorate GFWC Florida Federation Day, to which Federation the club has belonged since 1960.  A wonderful buffet was served, along with beautiful cake centerpieces handcrafted by club member Aniko Solomonson. For more information on this community service organization and membership opportunities, visit gfwclutzlandolakeswomansclub.org or its Facebook page.

 

SR 54 to be closed at US 41 at Night

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(Courtesy of Department of Transportation)

Portions of the intersection of U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 will be closed for milling and paving work from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., on May 1,  May 2, May 5 and May 6, weather permitting, according to a news release.

The Department of Transportation said the work is planned to keep at least one lane open on US 41 in each direction. No SR 54 traffic will be able to cross US 41 and will be detoured to right turns at the intersection. Lane closures will be in place in all directions leading into the intersection and no left turns will be permitted at the intersection. Drivers who planned to make left turns at the intersection will need to use one of the detour routes listed below. Drivers are advised to plan extra travel time to travel through the area or choose alternate routes, the release says.

Detour routes:
1) Eastbound SR 54: Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane and detoured to southbound US 41, U-Turn at Lake Floyd Drive, then go north and turn right to continue east on SR 54 or stay straight to continue north on US 41.

2) Westbound SR 54: Traffic will be reduced from three lanes to one lane and detoured to northbound US 41, U-Turn at Morgan Road, then go south and turn right to continue west on SR 54 or stay straight to continue south on US 41.

Project information: https://www.fdottampabay.com/project/759/441659-1-52-01-441658-1-52-01

Commissioner Gary Bradford passes away, tributes pour in

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Gary Bradford, the Pasco County Commissioner representing District 4, died on April 21, of leukemia. He was 65 years old.

He was elected in November of 2022 to serve a four-year term and announced his diagnosis publicly on Facebook in May 2023.

County Administrator Mike Carballa announced Bradford’s demise through an email he sent to county employees on April 22.

“It is with a heavy heart that I inform you of the passing of Commissioner Gary Bradford. Commissioner Bradford has served our county with dedication and passion since 2022,” Carballa wrote. “As a testament to his strength and spirit, Commissioner Bradford never missed an opportunity to attend important events and meetings representing Pasco County, even while enduring cancer treatment. His loss leaves a significant void in our organization and in our community.”

(Courtesy of Pasco County)

A special election will be held during Pasco County’s primary election on Aug. 20 and during the county’s general election on Nov. 5 to fill the remaining two years of Bradford’s term that would have expired in 2026, said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.

Bradford first sought the District 4 seat in the Aug. 18, 2020 primary. He was one of four candidates running to fill the remaining two years of the seat vacated when Mike Wells was elected as Pasco County property appraiser without opposition in June 2020.

District 4 is located in western and central Pasco County. Commissioners must reside in the district they represent although they are elected countywide. 

Christina Fitzpatrick won that seat in 2020 but was ousted by Bradford when he ran against her again in 2022. 

He became vice chairman of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners during its December 2023 reorganizational meeting in New Port Richey. Ronald Oakley, who represents District 1 in east Pasco, was named chairman at the same meeting.

“I’m shocked and saddened to hear the news of Commissioner Bradford’s passing,” Oakley said. “My heart goes out to his family. He always had unwavering support for our law enforcement, firefighters, employees and citizens of Pasco County. I appreciate his unwavering support for doing what’s right for the citizens of Pasco County. His passing is a great loss.”

“Remember, we are not promised tomorrow,” Oakley said during the opening of the county commissioners meeting on April 23 in New Port Richey. He encouraged listeners to tell their loved ones daily “you love them.”

“I had the wonderful honor to serve with Commission Vice Chairman Gary Bradford,” said Commissioner Seth Weightman who represents District 2. “Gary and his family fought a difficult battle and endured a tragic loss. He will be sorely missed. I’m thankful for his lifetime of dedicated service to the law enforcement community and to the people of Pasco County. Our prayers are with his family during this challenging time.”

Weightman and Bradford were both elected on Nov. 8, 2022, and they both took their oaths of office on Nov. 22. “It’s kind of like a brotherly bond to be sworn in together,” Weightman said during the BOCC’s meeting.

“The passing of Commissioner Gary Bradford is a profound loss felt deeply by all who knew him,” Commissioner Kathyrn Starkey, who represents District 3, said. “A man of dignity, Gary embodied the values of hard work and lived life with a vibrant spirit that touched everyone around him. I know that being elected a Pasco County commissioner was a dream job for him. During his term, he served with passion and made a lasting impact.” 

Starkey added that she thought it was “really tragic” Bradford had not been able to serve his full four-year term of serving the people of Pasco County.

“It was easy to be in a room with Commissioner Bradford because he always made you feel welcome,” Commissioner Jack Mariano, who represents District 5, said. “Our community must take time to grieve with his family, honor his memory and celebrate his zest for life.

“Gary was a great man. He just had that passion — he wanted to serve,” Mariano said, adding, “The way he did it from the get-go, he elevated our staff people. He wanted to make a difference and he did make a difference every step of the way.”

“Commissioner Bradford was always a public servant — from his days in law enforcement to this chapter of his career as a commissioner,” Pasco County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said. “It was an honor to work with him for the past two years.”

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles said, “Even after he was diagnosed, he came over to the clerk’s office and wanted to know what the clerk’s office did.”

Prior to becoming a county commissioner Bradford had retired from the Tampa Police Department after 25 years and then worked for 15 years as a lobbyist for the Florida Police Benevolent Association.

He was a conservative who heavily favored issues related to public safety.

Bradford had participated in several BOCC meetings virtually since being diagnosed with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. He had posted on Facebook that he was “upbeat and positive, working with Florida’s most renowned facility, H.L. Moffitt Cancer Center.”

The form of leukemia he had was “the most common form of blood cancer among adults and it’s highly survivable, with an 85.5% average recovery rate,” Bradford had posted on his Facebook page.

“I will be focused on my treatment and convalescing from home for the next several weeks,” Bradford wrote.

It was posted on Facebook in March that Bradford had “been released to a private rehabilitation health care facility for physical therapy and healing.”

Unfortunately, although his attitude was so positive and upbeat, Bradford succumbed to the disease he had been battling for nearly a year.

Bradford reportedly died at home with his loving family and friends by his side. His wife, Debbie Bradford; son, Daniel Bradford; and daughters, Melissa Lembo and Jessica Anaya, survive him.

Pasco County will request authorization from Gov. Ron DeSantis’ office to fly flags at half-staff in honor of Commissioner Bradford after the family announced funeral arrangements, Public Information Officer Sarah Andeara said.

NOTE: Since publication of The Laker story, the service for Commissioner Bradford has been scheduled for April 30 at 10:30 a.m., at Generations Christian Church, 1540 Little Road in Trinity.

Published May 1, 2024

Report: Rays’ stadium, development district to exceed initial cost estimates

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(The Center Square) — A new report shows that a new Tampa Rays stadium could cost taxpayers far more than initially thought.

The new stadium for the Tampa Bay Rays would include the development of 65 acres in the historic Gas Plant District that surrounds the field, which would offer affordable housing, shopping and entertainment venues at an initial cost estimate of $1.3 billion.

The cost of the project would be shared between the City of St. Petersburg, Pinellas County and the Tampa Bay Rays’ ownership group Rays-Hines.

Tropicana Field infield, as seen from a May 28, 2022 game. (Vmartin12, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

The city would pay an estimated $287.5 million, which would include $130 million towards infrastructure, while the county would pay $312.5 million and Rays-Hines would pay the remainder and any overruns.

However, a report from Florida TaxWatch raised concerns about the real cost of the project to the city and the county, which is estimated to be a total of $2.4 billion, not $600 million, when accounting for parking garages, infrastructure support and lost revenues.

According to the report, the city would pay an estimated $1.6 billion, including $704 million for the new stadium and supporting infrastructure, $411 million in lost property taxes and $545 million in lost city revenue from the sale of 64 acres to Rays’ ownership.

Pinellas County would pay its share of $809 million — $587 million towards the new stadium and $222 million in lost property taxes. Neither the city or the county has the funds to cover this expense.

The report further notes that as of 2022, per game attendance averaged 13,927, while revenue generated in 2022 by the franchise was $248 million, ranking the Rays 28th out of the 30 Major League Baseball teams.

“To be clear, Florida TaxWatch is not drawing conclusions as to whether the Tampa Bay Rays’ ballpark proposal is ‘good’ or ‘bad,'” said Florida TaxWatch acting president and CEO Jeff Kottkamp in a news release. “With this report, we simply outline a variety of important factors, including a few major risks, that should be taken into consideration by local officials in order to determine if the plan is in the best interest of Tampa Bay area taxpayers.

“At the end of the day, fulfillment of the deal will require hundreds of millions of local taxpayer dollars — which could be used to pay for other needed services and improvements in the community — and therefore, we believe it should receive close and careful scrutiny before a decision is made. We look forward to discussing our research and recommendations with all involved stakeholders as the matter comes before the St. Petersburg City Council and Pinellas County Commission.”

Kennesaw State professor J.C. Bradbury opposes these types of stadium deals and posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that stadiums are “terrible development anchors,” and that the initial $600 million proposal alone would cost $5,263 per household.

However, according to the new estimated cost to the city being $1.6 billion, this would translate to $14,035 per household.

“The social benefits of hosting sports teams are difficult to measure, but they’re not incalculable. I doubt most residents would be willing to pay that much and that’s the burden they’re required to bear to fund this proposal,” Bradbury posted to X.

Published April 24, 2024

Florida enacts new measures designed to protect law enforcement officers

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(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law several measures on Friday intended to protect and support law enforcement officers.

Senate Bill 184 increases penalties to a second-degree misdemeanor for those who knowingly harass, physically harm or impede a law enforcement officer or other first responders from carrying out their duties.

(Rama, CC BY-SA 2.0 FR, via Wikimedia Commons)

House Bill 601 prevents anti-police activists from carrying out extrajudicial investigations against law enforcement. The bill ensures that allegations against law enforcement are investigated by those properly trained to handle such investigations. County sheriffs will also receive an increase in their base salary of $5,000 for each population group.

“We’ve developed a track record in Florida of supporting law enforcement that is quite simply, second to none,” DeSantis said during a news conference. “We understood how important it is to have safe communities, and the way you do that is to support the people that are putting the uniform on and risking their lives to keep us safe.”

DeSantis noted that it was essential that his administration and the Legislature took this position after other states began to defund police. He added that because of this, many law enforcement officers wanted to leave their careers.

“We saw that as an opportunity for the state of Florida, given our posture was much different,” DeSantis said. “So, a couple of years ago, we enacted $5,000 recruitment bonuses for new law enforcement officers, some of that is recruiting from other states, but also, young people have decided to go into the profession in Florida.”

DeSantis pointed out that since the recruitment bonuses were offered, over 400 law enforcement officers from other states, namely California, Illinois and New York, have moved to Florida.

“That’s not by accident, they’re doing that because they don’t have the support of the community; a lot of these politicians weaponize against them and a lot of the laws are so lax that it gives the criminals the advantage to be able to commit crimes really without major repercussions,” DeSantis said.

Florida Department of Law Enforcement Commissioner Mark Glass said that the new legislation protects the rights of law enforcement and ensures they remain safe while on the job.

Published April 24, 2024

DeSantis signs education reform bill into law

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(The Center Square) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed an education reform bill into law that will have long-reaching implications for the state’s education system.

House Bill 1285 does several things, including addressing school districts with “Turn-Around” status, repeals the Florida College System’s employment equity and accountability program, and requires the State Board of Education to establish specialized teaching certificates for classical school educators.

(Kenny Eliason/Unsplash)

DeSantis said during a news conference in Jacksonville that Florida has a reputation for giving parents the leading hand in how they choose to educate their children, as well as keeping the public school curriculum transparent so parents are aware of what is being taught.

DeSantis noted that the Legislature has enacted many other education-related bills — one in particular now has every school district in Florida involved in civics education, as well as the civics and debate initiative, which only had around 12 schools participating five years ago.

“We’ve also increased teacher salaries every year since I’ve been governor. We now have in this budget that I will be signing… the biggest increase in teacher compensation,” DeSantis said.

In-state tuition for higher education in the Sunshine State has also remained affordable, and according to DeSantis, Florida is number one out of all 50 states for lowest tuition and number two in the U.S. for two-year graduation rates, and fourth for four-year college graduation rates.

“Part of the reason why you’re able to get people through in four years is because we’re not charging an arm and a leg,” DeSantis said. “We’re not trying to keep them for six years just to make more money off that, we want you to go get your degree and then move on.”

DeSantis noted that he and the Legislature have ensured that colleges and universities do not become “cauldrons of ideological indoctrination,” instead, lawmakers are focused on core subjects.

“So this (bill) has a huge number of things that are really gonna make a difference,” DeSantis said. “One, we really believe in supporting military families when it comes to our school system, and we believe in creating pathways for students who may want to go into the military as a career.”

The bill further requires school districts and charter schools to provide 11th- and 12th-grade students with the opportunity to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test.

“With the signing of House Bill 1285, Gov. DeSantis has further solidified Florida’s higher education system as number one in the nation,” said Ray Rodrigues, chancellor of the State University System of Florida. “HB 1285 establishes additional accountability measures and creates opportunities for universities to enhance research and innovation to meet the workforce and economic demands of our state.”

Published April 24, 2024