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She wrote her way to an all-expenses paid trip to the Netherlands

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Amy Lewis initially noticed the AAA contest on her Facebook feed.

Then, the Land O’ Lakes woman saw it again, about a month before the contest’s deadline, in  AAA’s magazine.

She encouraged her 14-year-old daughter, Sky, to give it a try.

Sky Lewis and her mom, Amy, share details of their trip to the Netherlands in an interview after returning home to Land O’ Lakes. Sky was one of 60 eighth-graders who won an all-expenses paid trip, accompanied by a chaperone, in a contest sponsored by AAA. (B.C. Manion)

The eighth-grader, who attends Pasco eSchool, got busy doing her research and composing her submission.

She turned it in and they waited.

Amy was sitting in a doctor’s office when she got the word that Sky had been selected.

“It felt like she won the lottery. My heart was racing out of my chest,” Amy said, who couldn’t wait to get home to share the news.

Sky recalled that moment: “ We were jumping around and yelling and screaming.”

“My husband (Richard) just sat there, dumbfounded,” Amy said.

Sky was thrilled.

A group of 60 eighth-graders won an all-expenses paid trip to the Netherlands and Belgium, in a contest sponsored by AAA, along with travel partners AmaWaterways and Allianz Global Assistance. Sky Lewis, of Land O’ Lakes, was one of the winners. She is seen here, seated on the deck, in the center of the photo. She is in the first row, second from the left. (Courtesy of Amy and Sky Lewis)

“They picked 60 eighth-graders for the trip, out of 800 applicants,” Sky said. (There were 13 winners in Florida, including two in Tampa.)

She was excited, but she had a dilemma.

“She had to pick a chaperone. She was so upset,” her mom said. “She couldn’t choose.”

Her dad saved the day.

“He saw that she was upset. He stepped up,” Amy said.

Richard told Sky: “‘There’s no question. You and your mom are going,’” Amy said.

Preparations for travel begin
Once they knew they’d be making the trip, they got busy.

“We needed big puffy coats,” Sky explained, noting the Netherlands gets much colder than Land O’ Lakes.

Amy and Sky Lewis marveled at the architectural styles, and the age, of buildings in the Netherlands. (Courtesy of Amy and Sky Lewis)

“We don’t own those kinds of clothes,” Amy added.

They hit thrift stores to assemble their winter wardrobes.

They also needed passports: AAA took care of that.

In fact, AAA partnered with AmaWaterways and Allianz Global Assistance to cover all of the costs of the nine-day, all-inclusive trip.

Sky and Amy departed from Tampa International Airport on March 11 — which just so happened to be Amy and Richard’s 23rd anniversary.

“So, he drove us to the airport. He was like, ‘Happy Anniversary — bye,’” Amy said, with a laugh.

Sky had traveled to places such as Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia, but she’d never been out of the country before, had never been on an airplane and had never taken a cruise.

They jetted from Tampa to Atlanta to Amsterdam, meeting some members of their travel group in Atlanta, and the rest of them when they arrived in Amsterdam.

Hordes of bicyclists make their way around the Netherlands, many traveling at breakneck speeds. (Courtesy of Amy and Sky Lewis)

Their travel group was dubbed Discovery Crew, and they journeyed on the Amalucia, during an AmaWaterways river cruise. They followed a custom-designed itinerary, with ports of call and excursions focused on local history, science, nature and food, according to a AAA news release.

Each morning, tour guides led the travelers — sharing the sights, sounds and history of Dutch culture.

A jam-packed itinerary
There was so much to see and do, they headed out early in the morning and often didn’t wrap up the day until late evening, Sky said.

They had breaks for meals and a smidgen of personal time, too.

The pace was brisk.

“We were running some of the time. They were going so fast,” Sky said.

They barely had time to take photos and sometimes the itinerary was so tight they couldn’t even finish lunch, before heading off on another excursion.

Sky Lewis had the chance to taste samples at chocolatier shops during her trip to the Netherlands and to Belgium. She enjoyed the sweet confections so much, she brought home a sizable amount of souvenirs. (Courtesy of Amy and Sky Lewis)

At the end of each day, they were exhausted.

“The second we hit the pillow. We were just done. Every night,” Amy said.

Before the trip, Sky had pictured Holland primarily as a place of windmills and tulips. And, in her mind’s eye, Amsterdam was more rural in nature, instead of being the big city that it is.

Sky was surprised by the relative lack of cars and the hordes of bicyclists — racing past at breakneck speeds.

“The bikes have the right of way — over pedestrians and even cars,” Sky said. “They told us: ‘Be careful for the bikes. They’ll run you over.’”

Both Sky and Amy were fascinated by the housing, the architecture and the historic landmarks.

“They don’t have sprawling space like our country does. There aren’t houses with yards and gated neighborhoods. It’s all high and tight,” Amy said.

Some homes date back to the 1400s, and people live on houseboats because there’s nowhere left to build, Amy added.

Plus, there are canals everywhere.

Both Sky and her mom thought they might encounter language barriers, but that didn’t happen.

“We had downloaded a translating app, so we could talk to them. We didn’t use it at all. Most people spoke English,” Sky said.

Sky Lewis bicycles at Kinderijk, a place where windmills date back to the 1500s. This was just one of many famous sites that Sky and her mom, Amy, visited during their all-expenses-paid trip to the Netherlands. (Courtesy of Amy and Sky Lewis)

And, while they dined on foreign food, it wasn’t Dutch. They took advantage of the French cuisine served to them, as part of the all-inclusive package, on the Amalucia.

“We got to try lots of new things,” Amy said, noting they particularly enjoyed the bread and desserts.

Sky added: “One of the nights they had a chocolate buffet. They had chocolate fountains.”

Memorable places, people
The trip included a visit to the Anne Frank House, the place where Anne Frank and her family hid, and where she wrote her famous diary.

The Franks, another family and a single man hid in a secret annex, from 1942 until 1944, during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands during World War II.

A year after they were discovered, Anne died in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.

But Anne’s diary survived and bore witness to life during those times.

Sky said she saw where Anne and the others hid and the bookcase that swung open to their hiding place. Sky and other students in her tour group also saw where Anne slept and the desk she used, when she wrote in her diary.

Other trip highlights included a chance to learn about the craft of lace tatting, chocolatier tours and a chance for the students to meet their Dutch peers.

The group also visited windmill and tulip farms.

They stopped at Pilgrim Fathers Church, the final prayer site for the pilgrims before they set off for the “New World.”

Their travel group included people from big cities and little towns, wealthy people and people of moderate means. There was a good mix of moms and dads on the trip, too.

Beyond expanding their horizons, the memories and the mementos — Amy and Sky said they both returned from their trip with something else of great value, too.

“We both met some nice friends,” Amy said.

Published May 31, 2023

Guv’na candidates launch campaigns

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Campaign season has begun.

And, the three candidates vying to become Lutz’s newest Guv’na are revving up their campaign promises, their playful mudslinging and, of course, their fundraising skills in an effort to raise the most money to help various local causes.

The 2023 Lutz Guv’na candidates met at the Old Lutz School on May 13 for the annual ‘debate’ in a quest for the coveted Guv’na sash. The title of Lutz Guv’na goes to the candidate raising the most cash to help the community and local charities. This year’s slate includes Tim Davis, left, Jerome Smalls (not pictured) and Sharon Monahan, right. (Mike Camunas)

“It’s a community event that means so much to Lutz and is so much commitment and love for Lutz,” said Stephanie Ensor, who won the race in 2010 and is a committee chairperson for this year’s competition. “We can’t do it without it being all about the Lutz community and, each year, I think all the candidates, whoever ends up winning, really embodies what Lutz is all about.”

This year’s candidates are Tim Davis, president of the Lutz Chiefs Football and Cheer Organization; Sharon Monahan, a local exceptional education teacher; and Jerome Smalls, founder and owner of the Lutz-based soccer instructional academy, SoccerGemz.

The Lutz Guv’na Campaign Season kicked off May 13 with the annual “debate” at the Old Lutz School. Suzin Carr, the only two-time Guv’na winner, moderated the debate.

Atlas Cortecero, the reigning Guv’na, led the festivities.

The current crop of candidates answered over-the-top and somewhat topical questions which were passed around to the crowd — friends, family and members of GFWC Lutz-Land O’Lakes Woman’s Club. The questions are designed to elicit humorous responses and spoof actual politics.

The debate featured Davis, Monahan and Smalls’ daughters — Ivoryele, 14, and Anora, 9 — who filled in for their dad because he could not attend.

Impromptu Guv’na debate moderator Suzin Carr, the only Guv’na to hold the office twice, holds up ‘cryptocurrency’ made by the daughters of Jerome Smalls — Anora, 9, left, and Ivoryele, 14, right — during the Guv’na debate on May 13 at the Old Lutz School. On the left, fellow Guv’na candidate Tim Davis approves of the design. The girls were filling in for the dad, who wasn’t able to make it to the event.

The candidates answered questions to earn “points” or monies awarded to each’s cause. Candidates also competed to see who could fling a dried-out cow patty the farthest.

The whole process — the campaigns, the debates, the speeches and promises — is  tongue-in-cheek, mocking real-life politics that often flood the news cycle.

Despite beginning in the 1950s, the annual tradition has only been historically tracked since 1991 when the Lutz Civic Association began managing the annual contest.

Each campaign season, which begins May 1, candidates raise several thousand dollars for about 20 Lutz nonprofit beneficiaries.

Cortecero followed in the steps of his wife, Michele Northrup, the 2007 Guv’na.

He raised $11,919.11 in 2022, while his wife still retains the record of raising the most money in the history of the Guv’na — nearly $17,000.

In 2022, candidates raised a total of $25,079.07 used to help worthy causes.

Whomever is crowned Guv’na earmarks 10% of the proceeds to a Lutz charitable organization of his or her choice.

Davis and Smalls have yet to pick a specific charity for the 10%, but Monahan said hers will go to Lutz K-8, which is close to her heart because both of her children went to school there.

Cortecero gave money to several organizations, but his 10% went to the Old Lutz School, which benefited from several window replacements in 2022.

Now, Davis, Monahan and Smalls are working diligently on the campaigns and promises, such as Davis teaching everyone the “Lutz Song” or Monahan “looking forward to having fun” but also “refuting ridiculous claims by my opponents.”

“I’m very excited to run again,” Ivoryele Smalls said for her absentee dad, who has run previously. “(Speaking for myself), I’ve been here ever since I was a little girl and this area means a lot to my family and I.

“And we hope that second time’s the charm!”

After the debate, the candidates will be busy raising campaign funds by having raffles, car washes, lunches or other events. The candidates can even panhandle during the parade, in the final push to raise cash for the sash.

The campaign season culminates when the candidate with the most successful fundraising effort is announced as the winner. The announcement comes shortly after the community’s annual parade concludes. The swearing-in ceremony is held on the stage of the train depot building, at Lutz Lake Fern Road and U.S. 41.

At the debate, Cortecero, who is wrapping up his reign as this year’s Guv’na, expressed his gratitude for the experience.

“It’s been an amazing year, as Guv’na, with all the support of the Lutz community,” Cortecero told the crowd at the Lutz School. “I just want to say thank you for the beautiful results of the past year that went by so fast.

Sharon Monahan

“I absolutely loved being your Guv’na.”

MEET THE CANDIDATES 

Sharon Monahan
Bio: As a teacher of exceptional education for 26 years, Sharon Monahan has taught at Tim’s preschool, Maniscalco K-8 and Gaither High, and she now serves as a district resource teacher with Hillsborough County Schools. Her husband of 21 years is a local photographer with James Monahan Photography. The couple have a son, who is a U.S. Marine and an Eagle Scout from Troop 12. They also have a daughter, who is a junior at Gaither High School and a member of the school’s cheerleading squad.
Quotable: “Don’t be alone-a; vote for Sharon-a!”

Jerome Smalls
Bio: Jerome Smalls, who moved to Tampa in 2005, opened SoccerGemz in 2012. The program teaches the basic skills and fundamentals of soccer for children 18 months to 8 years old in the Lutz community. Smalls was aided by his two daughters, who filled in for him at the Guv’na debate on May 13. He’s a very active member with Lutz First Baptist.
Quotable: “This is my second time running for Guv’na so hopefully second time’s a charm!”

Tim Davis

Tim Davis
Bio: Tim Davis is the president of the Lutz Chiefs Football and Cheer Organization and a partner at McNary Bergeron and Associates, an engineering firm specializing in construction of complex bridges. The entire Davis family is active at the Lutz Chiefs and have also played Lutz Baseball and Rangers Soccer. The candidate acknowledges that his wife, Anne, does all the work at the Chiefs, while he gets all of the credit. Their kids play football, cheer, hockey, wrestle and occasionally work concessions.
Quotable: “I don’t know — I just live here!”

Past Lutz Guv’nas
2022 – Atlas Cortecero
2019 – Amy Lancaster
2018 – Domenic Difante
2017 – Kori Rankin
|2016 – Greg Gilbert
2015 – Jennifer Rankin
2014 – Dr. Cindy Perkins
2013 – Suzin Carr
2012 – Karen D’Amico
2011 – Kevin White
2010 – Stephanie Ensor
2009 – Suzin Carr
2008 – Teri Burgess
2007 – Michele Northrup
2006 – Edwina Kraemer
2005 – Liz Iaconetti
2004 – Dean Rivett
2003 – Joni Cagle
2002 – Brett Montegny
2001 – Helen Kinyon
2000 – Vince Arcuri
1999 – Danny Neeley
1998 – Sandy Ruberg
1997 – Earl Smith
1996 – Ben Nevel
1995 – Kay Dahman
1994 – Lorraine Dabney
1993 – Leslie Dennison
1992 – Betty Neeley
1991 – Jo Van Bebber

Published May 31, 2023

Planning board recommends OK for Plantation Palms cell tower

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The Pasco County Planning Commission has recommended approval of a 195-foot cell tower to be erected on land at the Plantation Palms Golf Club, 23253 Plantation Palms Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

That decision came after the planning board’s second hearing on the request. Planning commissioners delayed action on the request at their April 6 meeting — requesting additional information on a cell tower’s potential impacts on the property values of neighboring properties and investigating another siting option.

At both public hearings, a couple living near the proposed tower urged the planning board to consider the impact the tower would have on their view and also potential negative consequences it could have on their property values.

This cell tower at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, at 3032 Collier Parkway, cannot accommodate the kind of antenna that T-Mobile wants to install, so a 195-foot tower is being proposed at nearby Plantation Palms Golf Club. (File)

The proposed anchor tenant at the Plantation Palms cell tower site would be  T- Mobile, which currently has antenna equipment on a flagpole-style cell tower at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, at 3032 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Mattaniah Jahn, representing the applicant, Vertical Bridge, brought in an expert to address the property values issue.

David Taulbee told the planning board that he has compiled data for years relating to property values. He said “there’s no indication that this tower is going to have any impact, whatsoever, on property values.”

During the April 6 meeting, planning board member Jaime Girardi asked if an alternative site had been considered, on another site at the county’s Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

But according to testimony provided on May 4, the parks department has no interest in adding another cell tower at the recreation complex site.

Another issue that came up at the previous meeting was whether the revenue was needed to support the golf course’s maintenance.

Plantation Palms has more than 800 homes whose values were threatened when the golf course previously closed.

During the April 6 meeting, Charles Grey, the planning board’s chairman, said he thinks the revenues from the cell tower likely would help to maintain the golf course — which is important in maintaining property values throughout Plantation Palms.

Grey reiterated that position on May 4: “I don’t know anyone that’s getting rich off of running a golf course. If I were living there, it would be important to me to keep the golf course. I’ll put up with the tower rather than lose the golf course.”

But one of the neighboring opponents disagreed with Grey’s premise, noting that he’s a golfer and it can be hard to get a tee time at the course.

Bill Place, owner of Plantation Palms, described the golf course’s need for revenues in an April 25 letter that Jahn read for the record.

Place led the efforts to restore the golf course, after it had been closed for two years.

The initial estimate of $2.5 million to restore the golf course was too low, according to Place’s letter.

“Damage from two years’ of closure and neglect resulted in the need to replace all 18 greens, AC systems, irrigation pumps, most drainage pipes, and fixing just about every square foot of the course and clubhouse,” the letter says.

“Over $3 million has been invested so far, and deferred maintenance remains that will take at least five years and hundreds of thousands of dollars,” the letter continues.

Residents invested in helping to repair the golf course, but that golf club subsidy ended in 2020, according to Place. However, Place’s letter says, “repair and renovation continues with more drainage work, turf improvement, roof replacement, irrigation system restoration and bunker repair work.”

“Plantation Palms knows what it’s like to lose their golf course and see the property values plummet. They’re also very aware of the high cost of restoration,” Place wrote

“When the opportunity to gain some recurring revenue by hosting a cell tower presented itself, we enthusiastically supported the proposal, especially since it could be located in a remote area, near our maintenance barn.”

Place attended the meeting virtually and confirmed he’d submitted the letter.

While opposed to the placement of the tower near their home, the couple also asked the planning board to allow Plantation Palms homeowners to weigh in on the tower’s design — if one is to be erected.

Jahn presented four potential designs which can accommodate T-Mobile’s service goals: a monopole, a shrouded monopole, a bell tower and a monopine design.

Planning board member Derek Pontlitz said he understands the couple’s concern.

“No property owner wants to have anything  unsightly in their backyard,” he said, whether that’s electrical lines or something else.

“At the same time, the world is changing, technology is changing every minute and there are ramifications to the other side as well, if we don’t have this technology,” he continued.

The planning board has “to think about the greater good,” Pontlitz added. He called upon his colleagues to recommend approval of the request, with the stipulation that Plantation Palms residents are allowed to weigh in on the cell tower’s design.

Planning board member Chris Poole seconded the motion, saying he could support it, as long residents have a say in the cell tower’s design.

The issue now goes to the Pasco County Commission for final action.

Published May 31, 2023

Starkey Ranch families prevail in cell tower fight

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First, families from Starkey Ranch battled the Pasco County School Board over a proposed easement that would grant access to a proposed cell tower.

After they lost that battle, they set their sights on the Pasco County Commission, which was considering the actual lease for the tower, at the county board’s May 23 meeting.

(Mike Camunas)

Cell tower opponents wore red, cited research and spoke passionately about their concerns about the potential negative health consequences that could result, if the cell tower was allowed so close to Starkey Ranch K-8. The proposed site is on the south side of the Starkey Ranch District Park’s football and soccer field. 

The proposed agreement involved a cell tower ground lease agreement between the county and a company called Vertex, which would have allowed a cell tower on property that’s part of a four-party shared-use agreement between the county, the school board, the county library system and the developer.

Speaker after speaker offered reasons why allowing a cell tower there could be harmful, or, at the very least, risky.

Opponents also submitted a petition signed by hundreds of Starkey Ranch residents.

Some parents threatened to pull their children from the school, if the cell tower went through. Community residents said they’d move away.

Speakers also raised questions about potential negative impacts on property values.

Speaker after speaker after speaker addressed the issue — essentially taking up much of the morning, before the county board broke for lunch.

During the lunch break, Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey conferred with Keith Wiley, director of the county’s parks, recreation and natural resources department.

She said Wiley said an alternative location could be found at the park to accommodate the cell tower.

The county said it would share the proceeds from the leasing agreement with the school district, since that was part of the original plan.

The county said a delay for 120 days also would allow another solicitation for bids to occur, which needs to happen, if the site is shifted. Vertex is the only company that submitted a bid at the first location.

Board members voted 4-0 to approve the delay.

Given the potential for relocating the cell tower, it now appears the issue has been resolved — provided, of course, that actually happens.

If it doesn’t, it’s fairly safe to assume that another large crowd will be back to address the board, and it’s also likely they will have plenty to say.

Published May 31, 2023

Higher Pasco park impact fees expected to be approved this summer

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The Pasco County Commission has signaled its intention to increase its park impact fees to $3,450.15 per residential dwelling, whether single-family or multi-family.

That’s a whopping increase from the current rates of $891.82 per single-family unit and $627 per multi-family unit.

Impact fees are charged to new construction to address new demands caused by growth.

County held their first public hearing on the proposed fees on May 23 and are  scheduled to hold a second public hearing on July 11, where they are expected to take a final vote. If adopted, the new fee takes effect on Jan. 1, 2024.

The Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, 3032 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, provides a chance to sit on a bench and relax for a while, watch a ball game, go for a ride on a swing and do all sorts of other activities. Pasco County wants a substantial increase in its park impact fees, which are intended to pay for additional demands caused by growth. (File)

During the May 23 meeting, the board reiterated support it had expressed last September, when it directed its staff to bring the proposed fee schedule back for action.

State law limits impact fee increases to 50%, unless extraordinary circumstances can be demonstrated.

Keith Wiley, the county’s director of parks, recreation and natural resources, said the county clearly qualifies.

The county hasn’t raised its park impact fees since 2002; it has experienced rapid growth in recent years; and it has encountered steeper costs for construction materials due to inflation, Wiley said.

The county’s current facilities cannot keep up with increasing demands, he said.

He also noted the proposed impact fees will be used to support projects outlined in a plan that addresses the county’s park needs through 2045.

“What we’re trying to do is close the gap for level of service for parks throughout the county, through 2045,” Wiley said.

But the higher impact fee is needed, he said. Wiley added: Under existing revenues, it would take 42 years to accomplish the plan.

Stakeholders had asked the county board to phase in the fees over two years, but board members were not interested in that approach.

Wiley thanked the county board for its support.

“Parks are essential, we all know that. Everyone deserves an awesome park. We have a really cool plan, but without finances, you can’t get anything done,” Wiley said.

The county board’s support for the full amount of the proposed impact fees came despite concerns raised by the Pasco County Planning Commission, during its April 20 meeting.

A majority of planning board members said the county had failed to demonstrate extraordinary circumstances, and thus would be limited to a fee increase of 50%.

Planning board members questioned the timing of the giant increase, noting economic conditions have changed since the county board initially indicated support for the proposed fee last September.

Planning board members also questioned the proposed fee, in light of lesser charges in nearby counties, and they said it didn’t seem fair to place the entire burden of the increased costs on the housing industry.

Published May 31, 2023

Pasco School Board pays tribute to Dennis Alfonso

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At the Pasco County School Board meeting on May 16, there were flowers on the school board’s dais, in front of the seat where the board’s attorney, Dennis Alfonso, normally sat.

Alfonso, the board’s attorney for a quarter-century, lost his longterm battle with cancer, on the weekend before the board’s meeting.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning paid his respects to Alfonso during the board’s session.

“Dennis had battled cancer for a good number of years,” Browning said. “He fought the good fight, until Saturday morning, early.”

The Pasco County School Board and Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning recently paid tribute to Dennis Alfonso, the longtime school board attorney who recently passed away. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

The superintendent recalled that in his previous role, as Florida’s Secretary of State, Alfonso was one of the first attorneys to sue him, over the 2000 Election.

He characterized Alfonso as a dear friend, who was devoted to Pasco County Schools.

“He loved this district. His wife, Nancy (who also serves as the board’s attorney), loves this district. They raised their kids here and he was invested in this district,” Browning said.

The superintendent said he didn’t always agree with Alfonso, but he added that he will dearly miss him.

He recalled a phrase that Alfonso frequently used, when the attorney was about to reject one of Browning’s ideas.

“He’d say, ‘You know, I love you like a brother … But you can’t do what you want to do.’”

School board members also offered their condolences.

School board chairwoman Megan Harding began the meeting by offering a prayer for Alfonso’s family.

“Dennis has given our school district such wise counsel for over 25 years. I know, for me, he’s always been there to answer my questions, a sound mind — always made sure that we were following the law, within our district.”

Al Hernandez, the newest member on the board, said he didn’t know Alfonso as well as his colleagues, but he looked to him for guidance.

“I can tell you that as a new board member, the second phone call I got was from Dennis — talking about what I needed to do and what I shouldn’t be doing.

“He was definitely somebody I could call. Clearly, he is going to be missed.”

School board member Cynthia Armstrong said she frequently kidded Alfonso about how long it took him to answer a question.

“There was no short answer. With Dennis, what we knew is that we were going to understand every aspect of that answer and all of the nuances, and all of the different ways of looking at it. That just made it so valuable to us to have him as a board attorney.

“He was such a caring person. He cared so much for our district and for our students,” Armstrong said.

School board member Colleen Beaudoin struggled to maintain her composure, as she spoke about Alfonso’s contributions to the school district.

“Dennis was always available, to answer questions and to talk through concerns. He spent many evenings and weekends on the phone.”

He was particularly helpful during the COVID shutdown during the spring and summer of 2020, said Beaudoin, who was chairwoman at that time.

“It was a difficult time and I’m eternally grateful that he was at my side,” she said.

School board member Alison Crumbley described Alfonso this way: “He was kind and he was calm and he was great to have as our board attorney. He is going to be so terribly missed.”

Published May 31, 2023

Pasco code officers to expand roles during emergencies

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Pasco County’s code compliance officers are undergoing training to be able to medically assist people who may need emergency help, as the officers encounter them during their rounds in the community.

The training will prepare the officers to administer Narcan, apply Auto External Defibrillators (AED) and to properly perform CPR, according to a county news release.

Narcan is used to treat narcotic overdose in an emergency, and Pasco’s code officers sometimes find themselves in situations where immediate intervention can be lifesaving, the release says.

The training sessions are intended to help code officers who experience these situations:

  • Suspected opioid overdose
  • Exposure to fentanyl
  • Self-exposure or injury during work

Pasco County Code Compliance Director Patrick Arotin notes in the news release that training has become a large part of the department’s ongoing efforts to improve safety for both code officers and members of the community.

The county’s code compliance vehicles are now equipped with Narcan, and officers are required to complete Narcan and CPR training/certification by the end of May.

The AED equipment is expected to arrive later this year, the release says.

For more information about Pasco’s Code Compliance team or to report an issue, visit MyPasc.co/CodeCompliance.

Published May 31, 2023

 

Connerton Elementary competes at world finals

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They’re set to take a real odyssey — not just one of the mind.

Connerton Elementary School’s Odyssey of the Mind team is competing at the World Finals, from May 24 and through May 27 at Michigan State University in East Lansing.

It’s a major accomplishment for a relatively new team.

Connerton Elementary’s Odyssey of the Mind team is headed to the World Finals starting May 24 in East Lansing, Michigan. The team competed in the state finals at the Orlando Convention Center in April, winning with their skit about an outer space restaurant. The team consists of students Abigail Sherburne, Alaina Marsh, Grayson Eaton, Mallory Zoller, McKinley Ruland, Noah Philpot and Riley Ruland, and coaches Krissie Marsh, Tricia Sherburne and Deidre Ruland. (Courtesy of Krissie Marsh)

Team members collaborated to use creative problem-solving to tackle a predefined long-term problem, involving many months of writing, design, construction and then, a theatrical performance.

“Usually, Odyssey of the Mind teams, they’re together for four or five years, and never make it this far (to the World Finals),” Connerton co-coach Deidre Ruland said. “For them to do this well and make it this far in the first year, we’re so proud.

“It is a pretty big deal,” she added. “They use everything they learn in school towards this and it involves a lot of thinking on their feet and problem-solving, so it just shows how well they all work together.”

The Connerton team won at the state finals at the Orlando Convention Center in April, securing a trip to the exciting event in Michigan. The team also came in third at regionals, held at Thomas E. Weightman Middle School in February.

The team is made up of five third-graders and two fifth-graders. Team members are Abigail Sherburne, Alaina Marsh, Grayson Eaton, Mallory Zoller, McKinley Ruland, Noah Philpot and Riley Ruland. The coaches are Krissie Marsh, Tricia Sherburne and Ruland

“They really had to work hard, together, to figure it out,” Krissie Marsh said. “They used it as a way to find their voices, their wits, their charm and creativity and once they did figure it all out, they did so well.

“Just seeing how they came up with making everything for the skit and all the writing, it was very creative.”

The team started on their project, or skit, back in October, with the first month dedicated to team building. During that time, they came up with a theme and plot, then started working on a script. Then, they moved on to designing the props and costumes for their skit.

Their dramatic performance is set against a rocket ship backdrop, to create a place called Zlupnark’s. There, an outer space restaurant patron is continuously ignored, unable to get what she wants from the establishment.

“The team is very theatrical, especially since we have a lot of great actresses,” Sherburne said. “I think that if the boys had their way, they would have done a lot more Lego building, but all the boys are great actors, too.

“So, as a project and as a team, they use everything from math, engineering, reading and writing, and then they’ll practice and practice and make sure all the props and costumes are done, so it’s a lot of work — and a lot of it on the weekends — all year-long.”

Odyssey of the Mind competitions, and judges, are keen on teams using creative problem-solving and on recycling materials to create sets, props, costumes and anything else their skit may need.

Connerton’s team accomplished that.

The students used Doritos bags, pool noodles, milk crates and other items “nearly considered trash” to design everything they needed — constantly refining the various elements until the next competition, the coaches said.

“All the kids, they look like aliens in their costumes,” Sherburne said. “Then they had to go online and research dramatic styles — both comedy and drama — as well as research ideas on how to use recycled materials. They did all the research and then figured it out themselves before winning the (state) competition.”

The team also must be prepared to stand in front of judges to respond to situations where they’ll need to problem solve, on the fly. That section of the competition is intended to demonstrate their ability to think on their feet.

“It’s a lot of critical thinking, but they are a very creative, quick-thinking team,” Sherburne added.

That will come in handy at the World Finals, a once-in-a-life trip for the team that needed to raise nearly $15,000 to attend.

Ruland said the achievement and the opportunity are huge.

Odyssey of the Mind is “an extracurricular activity that uses a lot of academics and problem-solving, so for a small team from Land O’ Lakes to go to the World Finals, it’s very impressive.

“Especially since they never quit, figured it all out and did it on their own.”

Odyssey of the Mind World Finals
When: May 24 to May 27
Where: Michigan State University
Details: A creative problem-solving program where team members present their solution at a competition to a predefined long-term problem that takes many months to complete and involves writing, design, construction and theatrical performance. A spontaneous portion of the competition requires the team to generate solutions to a problem it has not seen before.
Info: Visit OMWorldFinals.com.

Published May 24, 2023

U.S. 301 logjam in Pasco prompts priority switch

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization has decided to shuffle the order on its priority project list to take aim at congestion problems on U.S. 301, near State Road 56, a few years earlier.

That decision came during the Pasco MPO board’s meeting on May 11.

Carl Mikyska, executive director of the transportation planning organization, brought the issue to the board for information and discussion.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley called for shuffling the order of Pasco County’s transportation project priorities to tackle a congestion problem on U.S. 301, near State Road 56, sooner than had been planned. (File)

He noted that the intersection of U.S. 301 and State Road 56 “experiences a great deal of congestion, particularly during the morning and afternoon peaks.”

The area also is poised for significant development, the transportation planning executive added.

There are expected to be between 5,000 to 7,000 new certificates of occupancy issued in the State Road 56/U.S. 301 area by 2024, according to materials in the board’s agenda packet.

The background materials also note that the transportation model for the 2045 Long Range Transportation Plan appears to have underestimated the amount of traffic that has occurred in the area that impacts the segment of U.S. 301, from the Pasco/Hillsborough county line to Chancey Road.

There are six active developments in the area that, at build out, will contain nearly 13,000 housing units; 593,600 square feet of commercial space; 1,390,555 square feet of office space; 1,335,000 square feet of industrial space; and 630,000 square feet of retail space, the background materials say.

The widening of U.S. 301 in that area ranks as the No. 3 priority on the MPO board’s list, with right of way acquisition proposed in 2027-2028 and construction expected to occur beyond the current five-year plan.

Only two projects in Pasco ranked higher on the priority list are the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54, which is No. 1, and paired one-way roads at U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills, which ranks No. 2, Mikyska said.

He also noted: “Pasco County is probably growing faster than ever anticipated. Pasco County is the fifth fastest-growing county in the nation. So, we are experiencing some very rapid growth and with that growth comes congestion.”

The bottleneck on U.S. 301 resulted from the four-lane extension of State Road 56, from Meadow Pointe Boulevard, in Wesley Chapel to U.S. 301, in Zephyrhills.

As traffic comes and goes from State Road 56 to U.S. 301, it creates maddening backups in both directions.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley called for making the U.S. 301 widening near State Road 56 the second-highest priority and dropping the paired one-ways, closer to the Zephyrhills’ core, to rank it the third-highest priority.

Widening U.S. 301 near State Road 56 will improve the flow for the entire stretch, Oakley said.

Commissioner Seth Weightman said “we can’t wait until 2028 to address this.

“I think we need to have a sense of urgency in making a decision on this,” Weightman said.

Zephyrhills City Councilman Lance Smith said there’s no denying the problem.

“Right now, the traffic backs up coming into Zephyrhills on (U.S.) 301, all of the way to the river in the evenings. “Going out in the morning, it’s 30 minutes to get through the cycle of lights. It’s a bad stretch and we know it,” he said.

On top of that, development is rampant, Smith said.

“When you look at this, it is pretty staggering to see the number of units that are going to be put in there,” he said.

Smith asked if interim steps could be taken to provide relief.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey had the same question.

Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein said consultants had looked at the question and intersection improvements would not be enough.

“The volumes are just too high on this segment. You need to improve the segment,” Goldstein said. “It is not an intersection issue. The issue is when you hit (U.S.) 301, (U.S.) 301 and (State Road) 56, (and, U.S.) 301 and Chancey (Road) — they just fail,” Goldstein said.

Without shifting the priorities, this improvement would be five years or six years later than the one-way pairs near Zephyrhills’ core.

Then Smith asked: “Why do we keep entitling units on substandard roads?”

Goldstein responded: “This is the same developer that’s paying a lot of money for (the four-lane extension of) State Road 56.”

Then Smith made this point: “My fear is that I have seen us get pushed before. Every time it gets pushed, it seems to further down the list,” Smith said.  “The one-way pairs get pushed and pushed and pushed.”

Oakley responded: “I think the section (of U.S. 301) south of Zephyrhills that goes to (State Road) 56 needs to be four-laned, prior to  doing the one (one-way pairs) in Zephyrhills.”

The ideal case would be the projects come in together, the East Pasco commissioner added.

Oakley made a motion to switch the priorities, which was seconded by Starkey and approved by the board.

The Pasco MPO’s board is made up of elected leaders from Pasco County, Zephyrhills, Dade City, New Port Richey and Port Richey. The Pasco MPO is the lead transportation planning organization for Pasco County. The Florida Department of Transportation uses local transportation planning organizations’ priority lists when making its funding decisions and seeking other potential sources of funding.

Published May 24, 2023

Community dedication recognized

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Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes recently recognized its volunteers for their time and dedication.

Renee Wingeier, center, receives the President’s Volunteer Service Award from Bryanna Tanke, left, and Michelle Cooper. (Courtesy of Gulfside Hospice)

Two volunteers received the President’s Volunteer Service Award from the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation, an award that is given to individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.

The awards were given to Renee Wingeier, a volunteer at the thrift shop in Hudson, for her 8,833 hours of service since 2016, and Joan Foreman, a volunteer at the Lutz shop, for 4,590 hours of service since 2009, according to a news release.

“Our volunteers are such a special part of what we do at the Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes, and because of them, we are able to raise as much funding as possible to support patients in need,” Aaron Barrish, director of Thrift Shoppes at Gulfside, said in the release.

Jennifer Schweikhart, right, presents the President’s Volunteer Service Award to Joan Foreman.

“Renee and Joan have given so much of their time to Gulfside, and we could not be more grateful for their time and service through the years,” said Barrish.

In addition to Wingeier and Foreman, awards were given for hours of service volunteered throughout 2022.

Eight volunteers received the Gold award for more than 500 hours of service; 26 volunteers received the Silver award for 250 to 499 hours; and 26 volunteers received the Bronze award for 100 to 249 hours.

In total, the 122 Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes volunteers gave 17,017 hours of service throughout 2022.

Gulfside also recognized five volunteers during its appreciation activities for having more than 15 years of service: Frances Hunt, 17 years; Margaret Rice, 17 years; Jeanette Tatro, 18 years; Janet Toth, 15 years; and Mary Wainwright, 15 years.

The Gulfside Hospice Thrift Shoppes are primarily run by volunteers, and all proceeds from the stores go to benefit hospice patients and their families through Gulfside Hospice.

For more information, call 800-561-4883, or visit Gulfside.org/thrift-shoppes.html.

Published May 24, 2023