The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Capturing ‘A Sense of Place’

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We’ve all seen images that help tell the story of the place we live.

It might be a glorious sunrise on the horizon, or moonlight glowing on a lake.

Perhaps it’s a picturesque country road or a mist rising over a field.

Beauty can take on many forms, including that of a rusted-out tow truck like this one, spotted along U.S. 41 in the northern part of Land O’ Lakes. (Mike Camunas)

It could be a piece of farm equipment at rest behind freshly plowed ground, or a colorful display of fruits and veggies at a roadside stand.

If you’re a reader of The Laker/Lutz News, you’re likely familiar with our popular local wildlife feature.

Our new photography feature, “A Sense of Place,” is launching now.

It is intended to give photographers an opportunity to show off their skills in a broader context, while our readers benefit from the quality of images they capture.

The photos shown here were shot by Mike Camunas to provide an idea of the kind of photos we’re seeking. Mike’s photography graces the pages of our newspaper each week, providing a visual element to our storytelling.

The quality of his work has been recognized by the Florida Press Association.

He will be overseeing our “A Sense of Place” feature, which we plan to publish each week, based on the number and quality of submissions we receive.

Thanks, in advance, to anyone who chooses to share their passion for photography with our readers.

To submit your photo for consideration, send it to .

Please tell us when and where it was taken and any special circumstances or other details you’d like to share. Also, please provide a photo credit and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

Published July 26, 2023

Some years ago, we launched a photo feature called Local Wildlife.

The dock, near Lake Padgett, offers a picture of tranquility, at sunset in Land O’ Lakes.

The idea was to attempt to capture images of birds, raccoons, alligators and other wild creatures that make their home in the region covered by The Laker/Lutz News. We thought it would be a great way to engage our readers – in two ways. One, it provided a vehicle for our readers to share images they captured in our communities. Two, it gave our readers something to look forward to seeing each week.

Today, we are announcing the launch of another series, which we hope will be equally popular — both with photographers who want to share their images and with readers who enjoy viewing them.

This photo feature is called “A Sense of Place.” The idea is to capture photos within our coverage area that help convey the sense of our communities.

We are not looking for images of people, but are rather looking for photographs of scenes or objects that help tell the story of our locale.

This new venture will be under the direction of Mike Camunas, an award-winning staff writer and photographer. His images that appear in our newspaper each week have enhanced the visual presentation of our newspaper.

Please turn to page 1B to see examples of the types of images that we’re seeking for this feature.

The goal is to add it to our weekly lineup, but that will depend upon the number of submissions we receive. If you’d like an image to be considered for publication, please email it to . Please add a sentence or two, describing when and where you took the photo and what the image means to you. Be sure to include who took the photo and contact information, in case we need to reach back.

Thanks, in advance, for helping us to present a newspaper you look forward to receiving each week.

— B.C. Manion, editor of The Laker/Lutz News

Published July 26, 2023

There are some areas where citrus still grows in Central Pasco, such as this unripe orange on a tree in a grove along U.S. Highway 41 in Land O’ Lakes.
This weathered road leads to the hilly backwoods of Dade City, an area characterized by its green pastures.
An artistic interpretation of a cluster of pine trees in Pasco County. The county still offers plenty of ways to get out to enjoy nature’s bounty.

 

New coffee shop, daycare may be coming soon to Land O’ Lakes

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The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning to allow commercial development on 4.99 acres at the northwest corner of State Road 54 and Livingston Road, in Land O’ Lakes.

The application for the rezoning indicates that the site will be used for a coffee shop with a drive-thru, an eight-bay tire store, and a 10,000-square-foot day care.

Access to the site will be from State Road 54, Livingston Road and 20 Mile Level Road, according to the county board’s July 11 agenda item. The board approved the item as part of its consent agenda. Items on that agenda are approved in a single vote without discussion, unless someone asks for an item to be pulled.

The Pasco County Commission has approved a rezoning to allow commercial development on 4.99 acres at the northwest corner of State Road 54 and Livingston Road, in Land O’ Lakes.
(Mike Camunas)

In other action, the county board:

  • Confirmed the appointment of Pasco Sheriff’s Office Capt. Eric Seltzer to serve as director of the department of emergency services. Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco selected Seltzer for the position.
  • Approved a rezoning on 2.11 acres at the northeast corner of Jerry Road and Paul S. Buchman Highway to allow general commercial uses. The applicant indicated the site would be used for a Dollar General Store.
  • Approved the purchase of a Gradall Hydraulic Excavator for $493,426. The purchase is being made by using a Florida Sheriffs Association’s contract, and the unit will replace one that has reached the end of its life cycle. 
  • Approved an agreement between the Florida Department of Transportation and Pasco County for the design of the School Road multi-use path, from Community Center Road to U.S. 41, also known as Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. The project will add an 8-foot concrete multi-use path along the east side of School Road, for a distance of slightly under two-tenths of a mile. The estimated design cost is $99,000; FDOT has agreed to pay up to $99,000 for the design project.
  • Approved the purchase of two Skeeter wildland fire apparatuses from Ten-8 Fire & Safety LLC, for a cost not-to-exceed $642,960. The brush trucks are used for Pasco Fire Rescue wildland firefighting needs. The new units will replace two existing units.
  • Provided a letter of support and agreed to provide $25,000 in funding for an effort by the University of South Florida to be selected as a Regional Technology and Innovation Hub Program. The U.S. Economic Development Administration is seeking applicants for the program. Pasco’s portion of the matching funding will come from Penny for Pasco proceeds intended to promote the county’s economic development.

Published July 26, 2023

Pasco County is ramping up code enforcement

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The Pasco County Commission has authorized hiring five full-time code compliance positions in a quest to address code violations and to create a better curb appeal for the county.

The county board unanimously approved an allocation of $306,821 this year for startup costs and $409,097, in fiscal year 2024. Budgeting for the positions will continue to be needed in subsequent years, as well.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who frequently brings photographs to board meetings to call attention to violations, is excited about the additional staff.

Commissioner Gary Bradford, who has urged county administration to find a way to provide additional help for the code compliance team to handle mounting workloads, said he’s glad to see county administration taking this step.

Both commissioners said the need is great.

Besides obvious violations, the county also has a problem with businesses that do not comply with county regulations, Starkey said.

“I am finding many places that never came in for a site plan. They may have got their zoning, but then they just went off and opened their business with no site plan review, no site plan approval,” she said.

Some businesses fail to meet the county’s regulations, or, if they do initially, they fail to maintain their properties, Starkey said.

“If we’re trying to attract quality business here and help our residents with taxes, we have to have curb appeal. I think this is really critical. I don’t want to keep sliding backwards.

“I can tell you, if we don’t stay on top of these things, we are sliding back,” Starkey said.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano said he’d like to see a greater focus on dealing with homeless camps.

Patrick Arotin, director of code compliance, explained how the five additional personnel will be deployed.

“We are going to be looking at businesses and commercial properties a little harder. We’re going to review business tax receipts; research site development plans; and that coincides with that landscaping issue,” he said.

Staff will be asking: “Who has kind of violated that original site plan?” he said.

Additional attention also will be focused on right of way violations, including trash, illegal signs, fence violations and zoning compliance, he said.

Arotin said he also hopes to have staffing on at least one weekend a month, on varying weekends to avoid tipping off potential violators.

Published July 26, 2023

Public comment sought on proposed Suncoast Parkway expansion

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The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization is seeking public comment on a proposal to amend the county’s 2045 Long-Range Transportation Plan to include the widening of the Suncoast Parkway, from the Hillsborough County line to State Road 52.

The amendment calls for widening the Suncoast Parkway in Pasco County from four lanes to eight lanes from the Hillsborough County line to State Road 54; and, from four lanes to six lanes, from State Road 54 to State Road 52.

The public has been invited to weigh in on a proposed widening of the Suncoast Parkway. The widening would be between the Hillsborough County line and State Road 52, in Pasco County. The expressway would be widened from four lanes to eight lanes from the Hillsborough County line to State Road 54, in Pasco; and from four lanes to six lanes, from State Road 54 to State Road 52, also in Pasco. (Mike Camunas)

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise (FTE) are seeking the change to the long-range transportation plan (LRTP).

The Mobility 2045 LRTP includes recommended highway, public transportation, bicycle, pedestrian and freight facility improvements that are planned over a 25-year time horizon, according to a posting on the Pasco MPO’s web page, on the Pasco County website.

The plan identifies strategies and improvements aimed at alleviating congestion, improving safety, and promoting increased system efficiency, the posting says.

In addition to physical improvements, strategies include systems management techniques and coordination with land use planning and development activity.

In drafting the adopted Mobility 2045 LRTP, considerations included different modes of transportation to accommodate the movement of people and goods throughout Pasco County and the region, the posting adds.

The notice, posted by the Pasco MPO, alerts the public of an opportunity to provide input on the proposed amendment to plans for the Suncoast Parkway.

The public is entitled to a reasonable opportunity to comment, in accordance with the MPO’s Public Participation Plan and in compliance with federal law and Florida statutes, the posting adds.

The comment period began on July 17 and continues through Aug. 16.

Comments received during the comment period will be recorded by MPO staff and provided to the appropriate parties for review. 

The Pasco County MPO is responsible for countywide transportation planning. Its board members are made up of elected leaders from Pasco County, Dade City, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and Port Richey.

The Pasco MPO board will consider the requested amendment to the Mobility 2045 LRTP at their regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 17 at 10 a.m., in the Pasco County Commission’s boardroom, on the first floor of the West Pasco Government Center, 8731 Citizens Drive, in New Port Richey.

The proposed amendment to the Mobility 2045 LRTP is available for public review and comment in the Metropolitan Planning Organization section of the Pasco County Public Notices web page and at the MPO Office at the West Pasco Government Center in New Port Richey. Persons wishing to obtain additional information, or a copy of the proposed Mobility 2045 LRTP amendment, may call the MPO at 727-847-8140, ext. 8804.

Published July 26, 2023

Pasco school board approves Pepin’s charter school application

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The Pasco County School Board has approved the charter school application for Pepin Academies Wesley Chapel, to be located at the campus of Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation.

The charter school, which will serve third- through 12th-graders, is scheduled to open in the 2024-2025 school year.

The application clearly states that the school will enroll students with learning or learning-related disabilities and a current Individual Education Plan. The school is focusing on students with learning disabilities in Wesley Chapel, St. Leo, San Antonio, Dade City and Zephyrhills.

The application for the school was submitted by Jeffrey Skowronek on March 10, 2023. The school board approved the application at its July 18 meeting.

The campus will be on land that was acquired for the school through a partnership and memorandum of understanding between Pepin and Pasco County Schools, according to materials in the school board’s agenda packet.

The school will be opened in phases, with maximum enrollments increasing over a period of five years, as follows:

  • Year 1 (2024-2025): 85 students in grades three through six
  • Year 2 (2025-2026): 155 students in grades three through eight
  • Year 3 (2026-2027): 225 students in grades three through 10
  • Year 4 (2027-2028): 255 students in grades three through 11
  • Year 5 (2028-2029): 285 students in grades three through 12

The mission of Pepin Academies Wesley Chapel at Kirkland Ranch is to “empower students with learning disabilities to maximize their potential in a positive therapeutic educational  environment,” the board’s agenda packet said.

In Pepin’s charter application, an evaluation determined that 16 of 22 sections of the application “meet the standard,” and six of the sections “partially meet the standard.” None of the sections were rated as “did not meet the standard,” the budget materials reported.

The application review noted, in part, that Pepin “clearly explains a therapeutic model and classroom environments that cater to the specific needs of their unique student population.”

Also, the “applicant has a clear understanding of the value of making data-driven decisions when setting educational goals,” the evaluation said.

Although a contingent of Pepin representatives attended the board meeting, none of them spoke.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, remarked that the partnership is a unique arrangement among public schools in Florida.

Published July 26, 2023

Talks continue over taking regional approach to transportation planning

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Opinions continue to shift regarding the wisdom of creating a regional board to tackle transportation issues in Tampa Bay.

When the issue came up at the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization’s meeting in June, officials resisted the idea when they found out that Pasco would have far fewer seats on the board than Hillsborough or Pinellas counties.

At the time, Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said he’d resist a regional approach — without assurances that Pasco’s voice would be heard.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is a staunch advocate for a regional approach to tackling transportation issues. She says that failure to do so is a disservice. (File)

But the county board member told his board colleagues that he came away with a different opinion, after attending the June 23 meeting of the Tampa Bay Area Transportation Leadership Group and Suncoast Transportation Planning Alliance Board.

At that meeting, Oakley said David Gwynn, the secretary for the District Seven office of the Florida Department of Transportation, explained the advantage of joining the region’s forces together on transportation issues.

“I was looking at a small picture of supporting Pasco County. I wasn’t looking at the big picture, which supports the region,” said Oakley, whose comments came during the Pasco County Commission’s July 11 meeting.

If the individual counties in Tampa Bay joined together, they’d stand a much greater chance to attract a greater share of federal funds, the Pasco board member said.

Because of the population it would represent, the Tampa Bay regional board would rank No. 17 in the nation, Oakley said.

“It’s a lot bigger picture than what I was thinking at first. It’s very important for us to be a part of that group, so we can get some of those monies in our area,” Oakley said.

His board colleague Kathryn Starkey, a staunch advocate for regional  transportation planning, agreed.

She told Oakley: “I am really grateful that you came. We had some new people there.”

She said the mayor of Temple Terrace was there and she believes he initially felt the same way that Oakley had felt, regarding representation, prior to that meeting.

“But afterwards, he told me, he really had his eyes opened,” she said.

Starkey said FDOT Secretary Gwynn was eloquent in explaining the disadvantage that results from a lack of a regional transportation approach in Tampa Bay.

She added: “This is not about our local votes and our local issues. We get that money, and that money will still come to us in the same formula. This is about working together on big projects, for West Central Florida. And, we’re not doing it and it’s such a disservice.

“I was very happy with some of the comments I heard around that room.”

“Some people in Hillsborough had been hearing a story from a few commissioners that don’t really reflect what the importance of this regional MPO (Metropolitan Planning Organization) means to the community, and they had their eyes opened at that meeting. I was grateful for that,” said Starkey, who has been elected chairwoman of the Tampa Bay Area Transportation Leadership Group.

“There’s still discussion of how our representation falls out,” she said, adding that there are also federal rules that must be followed.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Jack Mariano agreed that the county must pursue potential opportunities.

“I think it’s important that we make the right step forward to get that money. If it allocates a whole ‘nother pot of money that we weren’t getting, it’s definitely something to pursue.”

Starkey is confident that a regional approach to transportation can occur in Tampa Bay.

“We’re going to get this done. We’re going to get our regional MPO in place,” she said.

Published July 26, 2023

Global data breach could affect thousands in Hillsborough County

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Hillsborough County has notified more than 70,000 people whose information may have been compromised by a global data breach that has affected the county, according to a news release.

“It is unknown how many people might have had their health or identification information compromised, but in an abundance of caution, Hillsborough County has mailed notification letters to clients of Healthcare Services and known affected vendors of Aging Services – a total of 70,636 people – of the data breach,” the county’s news release said.

The county also is notifying the credit monitoring bureaus of all those potentially impacted by the data breaches, as well as the Florida Department of Legal Affairs/Office of Attorney General and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Civil Rights.

The county also is advising those who were notified of the potential breach to consider taking these steps to protect themselves from potential fraud: 

  • Call the toll-free numbers of any one of the three major credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit report. This can help prevent thieves from opening additional accounts in your name. (As soon as one credit bureau confirms your fraud alert, the other two credit bureaus automatically will be notified to place alerts on your credit report as well.)

Here are the credit bureau numbers:

When you establish a fraud alert, you will receive a follow-up letter that explains how to receive a free credit report, according to the county’s news release.

When you receive your credit report, the county advises you to be sure to examine it closely for signs of fraud, such as credit accounts that are not yours. Continue to monitor your credit reports.

Even if a fraud alert has been placed on your account, you should continue to monitor your credit reports to ensure that an imposter has not opened an account with your personal information, the news release added.

The county was notified on June 1 about the global data breach, involving the MOVEit file transfer tool, according to the release.

When the county was notified, its cyber security staff immediately contacted the company for additional details and instructions and installed all updated security patches as provided by the vendor, the release added.

During the next two weeks, county staff continued to work with the vendor on additional security patches and received more information.  

The cyber security staff learned on June 18 that Hillsborough County files could have potentially been impacted by the breach and in coordination with the County’s HIPAA Officer reviewed the affected files.

A determination was made that the files belonged to the Healthcare Services and Aging Services departments and potentially contained protected health information and personal information, the news release added.

Protected health and personal information could include first and last names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, home addresses, medical conditions and diagnoses, and disability codes, according to the release.

Hillsborough County files were not specifically targeted in the cyberattack, but as a customer of MOVEit, the county potentially was affected.

Individuals with questions may reach out for more information. For additional details, call the county’s dedicated toll-free number 1-833-963-4357 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m., on Mondays through Fridays.

Published July 26, 2023

New law aims to protect consumers from online fraud

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A new law, which was authored by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis and U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, has been adopted to provide better protections for consumers to help reduce online retail crime.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sent letters to 50 online marketplaces nationwide notifying them about their obligation to comply with the new Integrity, Notification, and Fairness in Online Retail Marketplaces for Consumers (INFORM Consumers Act), according to a news release from Bilirakis’ office.

The businesses were told they must be in full compliance by June 27, 2023 or face enforcement that could result in civil penalties for violations, the release said.

The INFORM Consumers Act directs online platforms that allow for third-party sellers of consumer products to verify the identity of high-volume third-party sellers, which will help prevent organized retail crime.

The new law also ensures that consumers can verify basic identification and contact information for high-volume third-party sellers of consumer products on online marketplaces. The agency recently released a guidance for businesses to better understand their obligations under the law.

“Our pro-consumer legislation enacts uniform, nationwide rules to promote safety, increase transparency, and provide greater accountability for online sales. It will provide a layer of enhanced protections for consumers from stolen and counterfeit goods without adding undue burdens on small mom-and-pop businesses,” Congressman Bilirakis, said in the release. “This new law is a win-win for consumers and legitimate businesses in the online marketplace, and I am pleased to see the law will soon be fully implemented.”

Schakowsky added:  “For too long, criminals have raked in profits by selling dangerous, counterfeit, and stolen products online. This ends next week when the INFORM Consumers Act, which Rep. Bilirakis and I fought so hard for, is finally enacted. This new law will require platforms to verify the identity of online sellers, which will discourage criminals and fraudsters, protect consumers and legitimate businesses, and will increase trust in the marketplace.”

Published July 26, 2023

Committee seeks to preserve — and make — history

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Anything this old needs some help — not only to be preserved, but also to persevere.

That’s where the Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee comes in.

Dade City Cemetery, 38151 Martin Luther King Blvd., has several distinctive architectural features including mausoleums, decorative structures and monuments to territorial women and military veterans, dating back to the 1920s and ’30s. The oldest burial dates back to 1884. The Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee, based out of the Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum, is working to have the cemetery listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. (Mike Camunas)

The group, formed five years ago, works to beautify, preserve and maintain the city’s historic cemeteries. It seeks to raise awareness, respect and appreciation for them, as well.

The committee routinely works with city staff and the Dade City Commission to implement projects that include much-needed improvements to the cemeteries. Currently, the committee’s board and volunteers are focused on getting the Dade City Cemetery, at 38151 Martin Luther King Blvd., listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.

“It’s a process,” said Joy Lynn, committee board member and founder of Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum. “I update the commission on that when I can, but then they ask us what they could do for us, and I mentioned we could use seating in the cemetery. It’s difficult for some folks to be on their feet for 90-minute tours.”

The committee provides Monuments By Moonlight Tours, which is a fundraiser that allows the committee to do work and restoration to the cemeteries.

When the committee was formed, most of the city-owned cemeteries were in disarray, so the funds they raised allowed fences and headstones to be mended and cleaned, fallen trees to be cleared, the addition of things like seating and better markers. And, of course, there’s the crusade to get the Dade City Cemetery on the National Registry.

For a property to be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places, it must meet at least one of four criteria — an event of historic importance must have happened there; a person of significant importance must have had an impact on the place; design or construction of the place must have great artistic and/historical importance; or there is potential historical information that can be found at the site.

Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee board member Joy Lynn stands near the sign that tells the history at Dade City Cemetery. Its first burial dates back to 1884.

Each nomination contains a narrative section that provides a detailed physical description of the property and justifies why it is significant historically with regard either to local, state, or national history.

The Dade City Cemetery dates back to the start of the city, with its first burial being in 1884. People laid to rest there include soldiers who fought in the U.S. Civil War and many of Dade City’s founders.

“When we came in five years ago, (the cemetery) was a disaster,” Lynn said. “You couldn’t see (markers and headstones), fences were broken, trees were all on the ground and the company hired to mow it wasn’t mowing like you should in a cemetery. No one was keeping care of the cemeteries, so I can only sing praises for how the city has helped and worked with us to improve them.”

The tours have become quite popular with local residents and out-of-towners alike coming to hear stories about the cemetery’s history, and possible hauntings.

Joy Lynn, Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee board member and founder of the Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum, gives Monuments by Moonlight Cemetery Tours at Dade City Cemetery. The tours attract locals and out-of-towners.

“Normally, entering a cemetery entices individuals to think of death, a topic that is taboo or unpopular in most cases,” Lynn said of the tours. “However there is more than meets the eye in these eerie but intriguing places: Art, architecture, symbolism, science, nature, gardening, remembrance, and of course, a curiosity about whether it’s haunted.

“The purpose of this tour is to raise awareness of Dade City’s historic cemetery landmarks,” Lynn added. “Some people just want the history, a lot of people want the haunted aspect, some want both, and we have had sightings. 

“I honestly think, though, if someone were out here and to see something, they’d run right out of the cemetery (laughs).”

Lynn noted that several Dade City Police Officers have claimed to have seen something on the grounds and that some city workers “just refuse to come out here after dark.”

But beyond the intrinsic value of the tours, there’s also a financial benefit.

Lynn — assisted by Museum Director Jayde Archbold and Museum President Charlotte Lewis — provided a tour for 13 people in May, raising nearly $400 to support the committee’s causes.

Lynn also hosted Haunted Happy Hour, which was a paranormal-inspired walking tour that went to Locke Inn. That’s the site of the former 1892 Pasco County jail that was restored into an AirBNB.

Lynn is committed to Dade City history and sharing its stories.

There are reports of paranormal activity all over Dade City, she said, citing locations such as the cemetery, the jail, the former Keefer Building as examples.

“There’s a lot of activity,” she added, “and Dade City always wants to keep it kind of quiet, but anything we can do to preserve and restore our cemeteries, well, it’s helpful.”

Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee
Details: The Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee is organized under the nonprofit organization of the Dade City Heritage & Cultural Museum Inc.; the committee of volunteers is dedicated to the beautification, historic preservation, maintenance, education, appreciation, and respect of Dade City Historic cemeteries.
The committee is working with Dade City’s Commission to implement significant projects currently in the historic Dade City Cemetery and to have this cemetery listed on the National Registry of Historic Places.
To learn more, visit DadeCityHeritageMuseum.org/cemetery-committee.

Published July 19, 2023

Dade City Cemetery, 38151 Martin Luther King Blvd., features several burials from the late 1800s. The Dade City Historic Cemetery Preservation Committee is working to have the cemetery added to the National Registry of Historic Places.

 

Mayor Monson moves in

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Her new title was coined years before she was elected, but has always had a nice ring to it.

“It’s Mayor Melonie or Mayor Monson,” Melonie Bahr Monson said, with a laugh. “My friend came up with that well before I was running, but was like, ‘Nooooo — we have to save it!’ … I guess I’m glad we did!”

That turned out to be a good call since Monson became the city’s new mayor, after tallying a whopping 59% of the vote in the April municipal elections. She assumed the role after Gene Whitfield stepped away after three terms as mayor.

Newly elected Zephyrhills Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson became the city’s 21st mayor in April after receiving 59% of the vote, defeating two other candidates. Before becoming mayor, Monson spent eight years as the CEO of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce. She’s seen here in front of her new home at City Hall in downtown Zephyrhills. Monson is the second female mayor in the city’s history. (Mike Camunas)

Monson, the city’s 21st mayor,  is just the second female mayor in the town’s history.

“It’s exciting because, in my whole lifetime, there’s never been a female mayor in Zephyrhills!” the 62-year-old said. “That was exciting when I was campaigning because I heard there was excitement — ‘Let’s have a female mayor!’

“I also didn’t want to run on that platform because I felt my experience and expertise was much more than just being a woman.”

Hometown hero
Monson came to Zephyrhills in 1969 when her family established Bahr’s Mobile Home Park.

She went to Zephyrhills Middle (now Raymond B. Stewart Middle) and was in the graduating class of 1979 from Zephyrhills High. She was named American Legion Student of the Year when she was in eighth grade, and played softball and golf in high school.

“My mother (Edna Bahr, 86) was very adamant that girls are going to be able to do anything boys can do,” Monson said.

Monson became a cosmetologist when she was 17 years old and did that for 33 years. She owned and operated her own business for 25 years. She moved from Zephyrhills to California, where she raised her children and ran her business.

But she came back to Pasco County’s largest city about 12 years ago. She knew it would be the place where she, and her husband of 29 years, Dennis, would retire.

“I thought I would just retire and play with grandbabies,” she said. “Nope. That’s not me.”

She worked as the town’s assistant city clerk, then joined The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, where she eventually became CEO, a role she held for eight years before stepping down in late 2022.

“I thought I’d just do it for fun, but I ended up running the show for eight years, so that was a little unexpected,” Monson said.

It was eight years well spent.

Monson calls running the chamber “one of the most political non-political jobs you can have” because of all the relationships she built, as well as being an ambassador to the city. That includes promoting the city, and its businesses, and trying to attract new businesses.

“There’s hardly anyone who doesn’t know Melonie,” new chamber CEO Vicki Wiggins said. “She loves to talk to people and has such a welcoming personality that you can’t help but like her. The chamber is the way it is because of that personality. She is the best ambassador for this city.”

Wiggins also knows Monson relished her chamber role.

“You’re the voice of the business community. You’re the voice of a lot of people, so you’re at everything and involved in everything, from festivals to meetings — everything,” she said. “You’re out there talking to everyone.

Melonie Monson’s campaign to become mayor included taking part in Zephyrhills’ Founder’s Day celebration in March. She considers herself to be an ambassador for the city and she intends to promote the town to both residents and visitors. (Mike Camunas)

“It was like everyone already knew me — or felt like they did.”

Which would come in handy running for mayor.

Running on familiarity
While it may be cliche, Monson feels she has hit the ground running as mayor.

That may be because she had thought about running for mayor for some time. When Whitfield announced on Dec. 16 he would not seek reelection, it ended up being the “perfect storm” for Monson to enter the race.

“I said for years, when the mayor retired, that I was going to run, and the kids thought it was a joke, but the hubby knew I was serious,” Monson said. “Everyone already saw me as the ambassador to the city and so it was a natural fit.

“If the citizens wanted someone with experience who was ready to rock and roll, “then I knew they’d vote for me,” she said. If they wanted someone different than that, they wouldn’t.

“One thing Mayor Whitfield told me is you can’t solve every problem — but you can listen to the people and direct them in the right way and really learn a lot of what people really need and want.”

Not only will Monson listen to her citizens and residents, she also listens to her fellow government officials, especially the City Council members.

“I think it’s important to have an ambassador like Melonie,’” City Manager Billy Poe said. “As we go through these changes and address various issues, someone like Melonie brings a level of trust to the community at-large. To have an additional leader who understands the issues and can go out and communicate the city’s direction for the community and our solutions, I think that’s extremely beneficial.”

Monson agrees.

Mayor Melonie Bahr Monson was sworn into office in April as Zephyrhills’ 21st mayor in town history.
(Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

“One of the biggest reasons I ran for mayor and not city council was the influence I knew I would have with my work behind-the-scenes — to talk things out,” she said. “I don’t get a vote, but when I’m at City Council meetings, I bring up points, and they still want to hear what I have to say because I’m the voice of the citizens.”

Children are the future
Monson already has initiatives in mind for her term as mayor.

“I’m passionate about the youth,” she said.

She recognizes Zephyrhills — the city, its downtown — has changed since she was out riding her bike down to places such as the movie theaters or the bowling alley.

It’s important, she said, for the city to have a place for the city’s children and teens.

“I want to get a civic center for our kids, if it’s the last thing I do in my term or terms,” Monson said. “We need a new place — something for kids to keep them off the streets and teach them how to be adults. I talked to (State) Sen. (Danny) Burgess about it and he was like, ‘Go for it!’”

Monson has an optimistic outlook.

“I’m excited about what the future holds, but I also don’t know how anyone could do this without any experience,” she said. “I’m grateful for my experience at the chamber because of the relationships I built and, now, I feel I’m making a positive impact for the citizens.

“I’m approachable — I’m going to interact with people, and sit down and talk with them. That’s why they elected me, and I really stepped into a great job — if you even want to call it a job.”

Published July 19, 2023