The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pasco schools continues work to improve safety and security

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Mass shootings on school campuses — in places like Uvalde, Texas and Parkland, Florida —  highlight the need to focus on continuous improvement of safety on school campuses.

In Florida, it’s the law.

Michael Baumaister, the district’s chief of safety and emergency operations, gave a general overview of the district security plan for 2022-2023 school year during the Pasco County School Board’s Oct. 4 meeting.

Entry buzzers have been installed at schools across Pasco County. Visitors push the doorbell and are buzzed in, individually. (File)

That overview followed a private session between the board, Baumaister,and representatives of law enforcement agencies who work closely with the school district on safety and security issues.

The closed-door meeting was necessary so security professionals could brief the board on issues that must remain confidential.

But during the board meeting, Baumaister explained general steps the district is taking to continue to improve security.

He explained Florida’s law for school safety plans was adopted after 17 people were killed and 17 were injured in the 2018 Valentine’s Day shooting spree at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland.

Those shootings spurred a public outcry and persistent student protests. Ultimately, state legislators mandated a series of new steps intended to reduce threats on campuses across Florida.

Baumaister said even before those state actions, Pasco had been seeking ways to improve safety.

Those efforts continue.

“Every year, our partners do campus tours with us. We walk through our campuses and, from there, we develop new procedures, we plan projects and then we prioritize our projects.

“The partnership we have (with law enforcement) does work. We’re fortunate in our county that we have that. Not every county experiences that. We’re very lucky,” Baumaister said.

Baumaister described some of the current efforts, including a work-order system to make minor repairs at schools, such as repairing fences and cameras.

The district also uses window security film, to harden the exterior of its schools, aimed at making it harder for intruders to penetrate.

It also has added a doorbell system, to give staff the ability to find out who is visiting and why, before allowing access.

It also has polished up its reunification and emergency operations plans, he said.

Fencing also has been added at some schools, to make them “less open access,” while retaining the appearance of the building being a school, he said.

“We also added signage. And, we’re constantly doing more communication improvements,” Baumaister said.

Completing improvements, however, required funding, he said.

The district is asking the state to continue its funding at the current level, Baumaister said.

The district also has allocated funds for school hardening efforts, from potential future Penny for Pasco revenues, if voters approve that initiative.

School board member Alison Crumbley commented on the thoroughness of the presentation the board received during its closed-door session.

She commended Baumaister’s leadership.

“We can’t, obviously, share a lot because of security reasons. But everyone in this county, parents, citizens, should be aware of the work that he has led and that the teams have put together.

“It’s mind-blowing the good things we have in place here in Pasco County,” she said.

She also noted that the Pasco school district is considered a leader regarding its partnerships with law enforcement.

The “state looks to Pasco County for guidance in a lot of areas of school security,” Crumbley said.

She also noted those leading the efforts “are continuing to do work constantly — they’re not just stopping where we are, and it’s incredible.”

Published October 19, 2022

Pasco County Board bans retail sales of rabbits

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The Pasco County Commission adopted an ordinance on Oct. 10 banning the retail sales of rabbits.

The board previously had prohibited the sales of rabbits in public venues, but now is banning the sales at pet stores and retail establishments.

The board previously voted to prohibit the retail sale of dogs and cats, to protect the pet and consumer from unlicensed breeders, pet sellers and pet dealers.

Pasco County has banned the retail sales of rabbits. The Pasco County Commission previously had outlawed the retail sale of dogs and cats, kittens and puppies. (File)

In adopting the retail ban on rabbit sales, the board cited the necessity of the ordinance based on “the increase in abandonment of pet domestic rabbits in the wild and being surrendered in large numbers to rabbit rescues and animal rescue organizations by pet owners who are unable or unwilling to be responsible for ownership and care of their rabbit for the life of the pet.”

The ordinance also cites information from animal welfare organizations, animal rescues and animal shelters that attribute the primary cause for abandonment on the impulse buying from retail pet stores during specific holidays without sufficient forethought or education on the care and pet ownership required for the life of a rabbit.

It also notes domestic unvaccinated and unsterilized rabbits being abandoned in communities or in the wild present a growing threat to the health of native wild rabbit species through the potential spread of Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease Virus, Type 2 (RHDV-2), which is now being monitored by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

During a Dec. 7 meeting, Dr. Betsy Coville, a veterinarian from Lutz, told commissioners that rabbits are the third most-surrendered pet.

“They require higher maintenance than dogs or cats and can live 10 to 12 years,” she said. “Frequently dumped outside, when the rescues are full, they starve, become prey for coyotes, or are hit by a car.”

Bunny mills are consistently the source for these rabbits that become unwanted.

They’re “no different from the puppy mills that we recognize as inhumane,” she said. “There are currently three locations in Florida that have placed bans on retail sales of rabbits: Orange County, Desoto County and Key West.

“They have all placed rabbits, along with dogs and cats, in their retail sale ban.”

Animal advocate Renee Rivard, who appeared before the board on Sept. 28 and at the Dec. 7 meeting, reiterated her concerns.

On Dec. 7 she said: “The Tampa Humane Society has taken in 246 unwanted pet rabbits so far this year. That’s 100 more than last year.

“Hillsborough County commissioners are taking action, because the Tampa Humane Society is their partner in helping the county with unwanted pets.”

She asked the Pasco board to do the same: “There is no facility in Pasco County that takes in unwanted rabbits. Suncoast House Rabbit Rescue is your partner with unwanted pet rabbits here in Pasco County. Suncoast House Rabbit Rescue has told you that they are overwhelmed.”

In September alone, they had to turn away 66 unwanted pet rabbits.

“It is extremely difficult to find fosters and homes for rabbits. Rabbits are a high-maintenance pet,” Rivard said. “They need specialized veterinarian care, which is expensive.”

She also explained the majority of rabbit sales are impulse buys at retail stores that especially occur around Easter, when children tell their parents they want a bunny rabbit.

Rivard told commissioners: “You have roughly 45 pet stores in Pasco County; 36 of them survive, without selling rabbits.”

The board directed its staff to bring back a proposal to amend the county ordinance to ban the bunny sales.

Mike Shumate, the director of animal services, brought the proposed change to the county ordinance to the board at its Oct. 11 meeting. The board approved the ban on a 5-0 vote.

Published October 19, 2022

Diversity Council seeks new members

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Hillsborough County Commissioners are seeking interested residents to serve on its Diversity Advisory Council.

The council was created to facilitate communication between Hillsborough County government and diverse populations, and to address matters related to diversity that affect county government and its citizens, according to a news release.

The council is comprised of two individuals from each of these categories: African American; Caribbean; Far East Asian; Lesbian, Bisexual, Gay and Transgender; Hispanic/Latino; Indian Asian; Middle Eastern; Native American; Northern and Southern European; People with Disabilities; and At-Large (Identification with a specific category is not required).

Currently, nine positions are being sought. Terms are for two years.

Appointments are voluntary positions; therefore, members serve without compensation.

All nominees must reside in and be registered voters in Hillsborough County.

Citizens who are interested must submit:

  • An essay of 200-500 words highlighting what their goals would be as a member of the council, and state why they are most suited to carry forth those goals
  • A completed Questionnaire for Diversity Advisory Council
  • A Standards of Conduct Form

Forms and more information are available online at HCFLGov.net. Click on “Government” at the top of the page, then “Boards and Committees.”

Forms can be filled out and printed, then scanned and emailed, faxed or mailed.

Applications are due by the close of business on Nov. 3.

Appointments will be scheduled for a meeting in December.

Published October 19, 2022

Pasco schools step up to help Ian victims

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Pasco County Schools plans to send 20 buses to Southwest Florida, to help in recovery efforts from Hurricane Ian.

Superintendent Kurt Browning asked the school board to surplus some of the district’s older buses, in order to give them to districts in need.

(File)

The Pasco County School Board unanimously approved that action, during its Oct. 4 meeting.

The superintendent also informed the board that more help will be provided to districts affected by Ian, but first, more information is required on what’s needed and where.

“There’s a lot of chatter out there: ‘What do we need to do? What do we need to do? We need to do something, we need to do something,’” Browning said. “We are still trying to contact superintendents in Southwest Florida, to find out specifically, ‘What are those needs?’

“As you’ve heard the news, there are still some districts that are not open and do not know when they will reopen,” Browning said.

“The last thing that we want to do, as a district, is get together a lot of supplies and (A), not know exactly what they need; and then (B), expect them to have some place to house and keep supplies dry and mold-free,” the superintendent said.

“I just want the board to know that we are working on a plan, but we’re going to work through the superintendent’s association, obviously working with the FDOE (Florida Department of Education) and the individual superintendents in those impacted districts.

“We are doing something, but we’re going to do it with a well thought-out plan, at the appropriate time, and for the needs that are actually needing to be met.”

Published October 12, 2022

These shelters run so seamlessly, it looks easy, official says

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While Pasco County was spared the death and destruction that Hurricane Ian left its in path, it didn’t escape massive disruptions caused by the hurricane’s threat.

As Hurricane Ian headed toward Florida, weather experts and local officials feared there could be a direct hit on the Tampa Bay region.

Bracing for that possibility, local governments issued mandatory evacuations for residents living in the most vulnerable areas.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning praised the school district’s staff and volunteers for the smooth operations of the district’s shelters for Hurricane Ian evacuees.(File)

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning closed the district’s schools and child care programs, and canceled school-related events.

The district was forced to close its schools because of the serious nature of Hurricane Ian’s potential dangers, Browning said.

The district also opened shelters to give evacuees a place to go.

The operations ran so smoothly that people often forget the massive amount of effort required to make that happen, Browning said, during the Pasco County School Board’s Oct. 4 meeting.

The superintendent complimented everyone involved in the shelter efforts.

He took a few minutes to detail the efforts required.

He thanked the staff and volunteers who were involved in getting schools ready to serve as shelters, then operating the shelters and then getting the schools ready for classes to resume.

The district had shelter operations at Cypress Creek, Sunlake, Wiregrass Ranch, Wesley Chapel and Fivay high schools; at Cypress Creek, Centennial, Weightman and Pasco middle schools; and, at the River Ridge Complex.

The superintendent told the school board, audience and those watching the board meeting on YouTube that he couldn’t let the day pass without expressing gratitude for the district’s incredible team.

“The folks that make it look seamless in this district are sitting before you today,” Browning said. “These men and these women, around this table, are the ones that make it happen.

“The problem with making it look so seamless is that people don’t actually understand the amount of work that goes into preparing to close schools, open shelters, make sure they’re staffed, make sure you have food,” Brown said.

“They make it seamless. They do. But I’ll tell you, the people who are sitting around this table today worked their tails off.”

The superintendent praised the efforts of Mary Martin and her human resources team, who ensured the shelters were staffed.

“Mary and her team just knocked it out of the park,” Browning said.

He singled out Stephanie Spicknall, director of food and nutrition services (FNS), and her team, too.

Browning said he suspects some evacuees are “somewhat shocked” when they arrive at a school-based shelter and are served hot meals, instead of cold sandwiches.

“That doesn’t happen by accident, it happens because the FNS teams are there in those schools and they are preparing meals for those evacuees,” the superintendent said.

Browning also highlighted the efforts of Gary Sawyer, transportation director, and his drivers for getting people where they need to go.

He gave a shoutout to the system’s maintenance and custodial crews for getting the shelters ready for evacuees, and then after those sheltering had left, getting the schools ready to resume classes.

Browning also had good words for Michael Baumaister, the district’s chief of safety and emergency operations, and for Lt. Tom Perron, on that team, who was at the county’s Emergency Operations Center.

School board member Allen Altman noted that during Hurricane Irma, district shelters had a greater influx of evacuees, and issues arose because they had not been staffed with security or medical teams.

Those issues have been resolved, improving shelter operations, Altman said.

The changes occurred because of suggestions made after Hurricane Irma, the school board member said.

Browning said he’s looking forward to the debriefing regarding this year’s shelter operations, to see what other improvements can be made.

Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services, told the board: “I know there are things that our shelter operations can do better, but I think, overall, we were very encouraged by what we saw.”

Kuhn was happy to see improvements implemented in this year’s operations, based on lessons learned from Hurricane Irma.

She expressed gratitude for the help by human resources, to manage shelter staffing.

“That was a huge lift,” Kuhn said.

She also mentioned the contributions from Chief Baumaister and Lt. Perron, of the safety and emergency operations team.

“Issues like this really show how people come together and how amazing of a team we have,” Kuhn said.

She described a moment that was particularly gratifying.

She said she was at a shelter and observed a principal checking in an evacuee.

“You would have thought this person was checking into the Ritz Carlton, the way this principal was treating this evacuee,” Kuhn said.

“It was just a very heartwarming thing to see that our team comes together in a crisis. No egos. Everybody pitches in, does the work and gets it done,” Kuhn said.

School board chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong also weighed in: “I can tell you what’s most meaningful to the evacuees … is the fact that they felt so welcomed and they felt so safe.

“That’s what our employees and our staff, and our teachers and principals were able to do — able to give those people a place where they felt safe and they felt welcomed,” the board chairwoman said. “If we can make them feel like that, then we were a success.”

Published October 12, 2022

Wisteria Loop residents ask for sidewalk near their homes

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Earlier this year, a developer agreed to build a road in a Land O’ Lakes neighborhood, to help handle area traffic.

The agreement regarding the road — which came after considerable discussion and compromise — was added as a condition for a rezoning to allow a 108 single-family subdivision on 50.5 acres, on the south side of Bexley Road, about a mile west of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Wisteria Loop.

As part of the conditions for approval, the county staff agreed that the developer could receive up to 66 certificates of occupancy before having to make roadway improvements.

Residents of Wisteria Loop near Bexley Road in Land O’ Lakes are asking for a sidewalk to connect with a planned sidewalk to the west. (Mike Camunas)

No additional certificates of occupancy will be granted before the improvements are made.

Now, some residents on Wisteria Loop are asking the county to figure out a way to build a sidewalk on Wisteria Loop, to link it to a planned sidewalk to the west.

Jeremy Couch, who lives on Wisteria Loop, appeared before the Pasco County Commission on Sept. 22, asking the board to require the sidewalk, as part of the proposed development agreement between the developer and the county.

“I’m not here in opposition.

“I’m here because I live on this street and how it is built is important to me, especially since the county is giving mobility fee credits.

“I’m very happy that the road is going to get fixed. It’s nice.

“My issue is what we’re building. So, we’re building this really big typical section. We’re leaving huge gaps in the sidewalk. The applicant is not required in the code to build a sidewalk along a substandard portion.

“On( U.S.) 41, there’s a multi-use path and a sidewalk. Then you have 1,000 feet across two parcels that has no sidewalk.

“A lot of kids use this to ride their bikes and go to Land O’ Lakes High, which is right there.

“Then in front of Arden Preserve, you have a 5-foot sidewalk.

“And then, as proposed in front of my house, for another 1,000 feet, you have no sidewalk. “And then, when you get down west of me, 1,000 feet, in the middle of nowhere you’ve got bike lanes, a multi-use path, a sidewalk and everything.

“I understand that the typical section shows bike lanes. But when you have bike lanes, a multi-use path, that’s completely redundant. It seems to me like the bike lanes should go away,” he said.

Instead of building the bike lane, Couch suggested allowing the applicant to build an off-site sidewalk and be granted mobility credits.

Planning board member Jon Moody saw Couch’s point.

“I’d rather have that pavement added to the multi-use path, or the wider sidewalk. There’s no need to pave 10 feet of extra roadway, when that’s not an 8-foot multi-use path, that’s a 12-foot multi-use path.”

But Deputy Chief County Attorney David Goldstein said: “To a certain extent, bike lanes probably shouldn’t be viewed (as) bike lanes. I think the engineers view them as effectively being a breakdown lane.

“Any road needs some area of shoulder, breakdown area, that can be used so people aren’t breaking down in the middle of the street,” the attorney said.

So, while it is called a bike lane, it’s not functioning only as a bike lane, Goldstein said.

“You’ve got to remember that, when you start getting rid of bike lanes,” he added.

At the same time, the idea of granting mobility fee credits for an off-site improvement can be considered, Goldstein said.

“It is a legitimate request, but I don’t know if anybody has looked at whether there’s sufficient right of way, sufficient drainage capacity,” Goldstein added.

Attorney Shelley Johnson, representing the applicant, said more research is needed to see if a sidewalk could be achieved there, but added that her client is willing to consider the possibility of building the sidewalk in exchange for mobility fee credits.

Ray Gadd, who also lives on Wisteria Loop, said Couch’s idea has merit.

“I’m an avid cyclist. I would never use a bike lane on a road that has a multi-use trail,” Gadd said.

He also submitted a drawing for the county to consider regarding a potential improvement.

The planning board recommended approval of the proposed development agreement, with the issue of the potential sidewalk not yet resolved.

Johnson told the planning board her client will look into the issue before the proposed development agreement reaches the Pasco County Commission, which has final jurisdiction over land use and zoning issues.

Published October 12, 2022

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church celebrates 70 years

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Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church celebrated 70 years of operations with special Rosary processions before each of its Masses last weekend.

The church is a mainstay in Land O’ Lakes, providing a spiritual home for families in many communities within The Laker/Lutz News’ coverage area.

Besides conducting regular services, the church is known by many for its Lenten Fish Fry suppers, its active scouts programs, and for helping others in need through its St. Vincent de Paul food pantry, among other things.

In a recent interview, the church’s newest pastor, the Rev. Justin Paskert, recounted the church’s early days.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, located at 2348 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, moved to its current 26-acre campus in 1999. (Mike Camunas)

“In ’52, there was a place called The Florida Bar, on (U.S.) 41,” Paskert said. “Back then, bars had to be closed on Sunday. We rented it out and had our first gatherings over there.”

Next, the church used the VFW Hall on U.S. 41 for its meeting space.

When Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church was formed, it pre-dated the Diocese of St. Petersburg, so it was a mission church, as part of the Diocese of St. Augustine.

To get it started, Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley, of the Diocese of St. Augustine, asked the Benedictine monks from St. Leo, to support the mission, Paskert said.

“So, the first handful of pastors — they were all kind of short-term — but they were the Benedictine Brothers,” he said.

Occasionally, Jesuits from downtown Tampa’s Sacred Heart Church would help out, too, he said.

Early on, just a handful of families attended the mission church.

The church bought land for a permanent building in 1957, began holding services there in 1958 and had a formal dedication ceremony, with Archbishop Joseph P. Hurley presiding, on April 26, 1959.

Monsignor Ron Aubin, who led Our Lady of the Rosary for 27 years, shared some of the big changes regarding the church, in an interview before he retired in June 2021.

When Aubin arrived at the parish on July 1, 1994, about 830 families belonged to the church, he said, in The Laker/Lutz News story, published on June 23, 2021.

At the time, the church was still located on the southwest corner of U.S. 41 and State Road 54, Aubin said.

Both of those roads were two lanes then, and there were very few stoplights, he added.

“There are two churches there now. One on the north side of the highway and one on the south side of the highway. Both were ours. Except the one on the north side of the street used to be on the south side of the street.

“When they widened the intersection there — widened (U.S.) 41 to four lanes, did the whole intersection — they were going to chop off the (smaller) church,” Aubin said.

Instead, the building was sold to the Episcopal Church, which paid $1, and moved it across the street.

Bishop Gregory Parkes (seated), of the Diocese of St. Peterburg, participated in the formal installation of the Rev. Justin Paskert (standing, facing the congregation), as the new pastor of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church, at 2348 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes. The installation ceremony occurred at the 11:30 a.m. Mass on Sept. 18. (Courtesy of Our Lady of the Rosary Church)

Our Lady of the Rosary had already been using the larger building on the site on the south side of State Road 54. The structure later became home to Keystone Community Church.

Our Lady of the Rosary moved to its current campus at 2348 Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes, on Nov. 27, 1999.

Initially, the new site had a church and an office. Over time, it added an early childhood center and a youth center.

During Aubin’s tenure, the church weathered the Great Recession and shutdowns caused by COVID-19.

As Aubin departed, he expressed optimism that the new pastor would bring fresh energy and be able to revitalize the parish that had been forced to limit gatherings and personal interactions because of the pandemic.

In his previous role, Paskert ran the campus ministry for six years at the University of South Florida’s Tampa campus. He believes that background will prove useful in his new role.

“With doing campus ministry, the entire focus is on evangelizing,” he explained.

He believes his outreach experiences will help promote growth in the Land O’ Lakes church community.

“It’s not just trying to take care of the Catholics who show up, it’s really kind of challenging our whole community to kind of get out and share who we are and what we’re about, and share the Gospel,” he said.

When Paskert arrived at Our Lady of the Rosary, “we still had limited capacity, and we had just stopped having to register if you were going to come on the weekend.

“The first thing I did was put all available chairs back into the church — which was way more than what we needed — but it was kind of a signal to everybody: ‘We’re going to fill this back up again.’”

The efforts are showing results.

“Last summer, after I first got here, after Fr. Ron retired, we probably had about 1,300, 1,400 people on a weekend. This past month, we’ve been about 2,400 people.

“That’s been a very good momentum.

“I think people are being excited, in coming back to church,” the pastor said.

He also shared this thoughts about the various influences the pandemic has had, on church attendance.

“You had some people, kind of regular and prayerfully participate in church. Then, everybody stopped going. People very strong in their faith came back right away, as soon as the doors were open,” he said.

(Mike Camunas)

Now, he added, “a lot of people who are coming are a lot of new people that we didn’t necessarily see before the pandemic and the shutdown.”

Some are likely newcomers to the area, Paskert said. But others are people, who during COVID, decided to find a church home.

“People were asking themselves what they wanted their life to look like. I think it was kind of a hinge-point, a lynch pin, for people establishing new priorities for themselves or their family, post-pandemic,” Paskert said.

“People aren’t just necessarily going back to what they were doing before. They might be trying some things that are different,” he added.

Paskert noted that it’s not enough to attract people to try out the church.

“It’s constantly the work of how to welcome people, how to integrate them into the community,” the pastor said.

That challenge is likely to continue, as Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church moves forward beyond its first 70 years.

Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church milestones
1952: The Mission’s first official Mass was celebrated on Oct. 5, at the VFW Hall on U.S. 41. The celebrant was Abbot Francis Sadler, O.S.B. The mission’s patroness, and title, is established because the feast of Our Lady of the Rosary is Oct 7.
1957: Land is purchased of the south side of State Road 54, a quarter-mile west of U.S. 41. The groundbreaking ceremony happened soon after signing of contract.
1958: The first Mass celebrated at the new church building on State Road 54.
1959: A formal dedication ceremony is held at Our Lady of the Rosary Church on April 26.
1970: The last Benedictine pastor, the Rev. Edward Martineau, completes his assignment. The Rev. Peter Reynolds becomes the first diocesan-assigned pastor.
1979: The parish hall is constructed on the State Road 54 property.
1984: Our Lady of the Rosary Church purchases 26.75 acres, four-tenths of a mile north of State Road, on the east side of Collier Parkway.
1996: Planning and permitting begins for the new church, on Collier Parkway.
1999: Bishop Robert Lynch, of the Diocese of St. Petersburg, dedicates the new church on Collier Parkway. The dedication occurs on Nov. 27. The new location includes a multipurpose building, with the church, offices, rectory and a large parking area.
2001: An extension is added for a fourth living space for associate priest.
2007: Construction is completed on Immaculata Hall and the Early Childhood Center (Mary’s House).
2018: The Mater Dei building is completed, to be used for youth and adult formation.

Source: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

Pastors of Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church:

  • Reverend Stephan Herrmann, O.S.B.: 1953 to 1955
  • Reverend James Hoge, O.S.B.: 1955 to 1956
  • Reverend Cassian Foley, O.S.B.: 1956 to 1958
  • Reverend Michael Leap, O.S.B.: 1958 to 1963
  • Reverend Aloysius Dressman, O.S.B.: 1963 to 1966
  • Reverend Edward Martineau, O.S.B: 1966 to 1970
  • Reverend Peter Reynolds: 1970 to 1972
  • Reverend John Bolger: 1972 to 1973
  • Reverend Stephen Dambrauskas: 1973 to 1994
  • Reverend Ronald Aubin, J.C.L.: 1994 to 2021
  • Reverend Justin Paskert: 2021 to present

Source: Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church

Published October 12, 2022

Community service is in this club’s heart, history

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The women of The Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills are busy bees.

And, that’s nothing new for this group, which was established 107 years ago to be of service in Pasco County’s largest municipality.

“Bee kind — that’s our theme,” said Emily Keene, the club’s recording secretary.

“Be kind, be generous, be happy. All those be’s, all of them, are part of every woman here and what brings them here,” said Keene, displaying her fun-loving spirit by sporting a bee-antenna headband. Each member of the group has one.

Members of The Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills pose together with their bee headbands, which is part of their motto to ‘Bee Kind.’ (Mike Camunas)

“There are all walks of life (in this club), and they come to this club because they want to provide services to this community that make a difference,” said Keene, a member of the club for eight years.

“It is a lot of fun, we have a good time and we’re friends, but it’s not a social club — it’s a working club,” she emphasized.

The Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills has been working for 107 years to help improve life in its community. It is the Zephyrhills branch of the General Federation of Women’s Clubs that was established in 1889.

The GFWC Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills was formed on Nov. 11, 1915 by 15 civic-minded women, while, through the efforts of Walter R. Gail and Mayor B.F. Parson, The Works Progress Administration built the clubhouse, located at 38545 Fifth Ave., from native rock hauled from a quarry on the Hillsborough River.

The Women’s Club first meeting at the clubhouse was April 18, 1941, and the club maintains the building through renting it for events. The club’s rent for the building is $1 year.

“We’ve been growing in leaps and bounds,” the club’s seventh-year president Gina Granger said. “We have a very diverse group of ladies, who all have a servant’s heart, and they just want to serve their community in some way, shape or form.”

Within every GFWC woman’s club, there are five committees, each focusing on a different aspect of the community. There is Arts & Culture; Civic Engagement & Outreach; Education & Libraries; Environment; and, Health & Wellness.

These committees help clubs light a path for the future. They also help focus efforts to address the current and upcoming needs within the community.

“We ask all members to join at least one committee, but some of them have multiple interests, so they might join more than one,” Granger said. “Those committees then come up with an annual service project — this is in every woman’s club.”

GFWC, nationwide, also has a signature service program: Domestic and Sexual Violence Awareness and Prevention, with an aim to increase awareness of and to help prevent the widespread occurrence of violence against women in communities.

Group is devoted, has staying power
The Zephyrhills club’s efforts to address the national GFWC’s signature program involves working extensively with Sunrise of Pasco, the Dade City-based center that helps victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.

The club also works with Meals on Wheels, Zephyrhills Task Force, St. Joseph’s Baby Pantry, Helping Hands Food Pantry, and Support our Troops, and Hospice.
The club, as well as its Education Committee, works with the ABC Program at Zephyrhills High, West Zephyrhills Elementary and Woodland Elementary.

The Women’s Club of Zephyrhills Clubhouse, at 38545 Fifth Ave., is a distinctive structure, built from native rock hauled from a quarry on the Hillsborough River. The building is used for club meetings, but also is available for event rentals. Money raised from those rentals is used for charitable endeavors and scholarships. (Mike Camunas)

Through their members’ education focus, the club created the Pasco-Hernando State College Lola Lambert Memorial Scholarship. Named after a former president, the $15,000-a-year perpetual scholarship supports students who demonstrate financial need and maintain a 3.2 or higher GPA.

“Well, Zephyrhills (High) is a Title 1 school, and it’s been a tough few years to be a teacher,” said Granger, who is a teacher at the high school. “So, there have been ladies here who have adopted my classroom, and collected supplies and even prizes and other things to motivate (students). They’ve done the same at West Zephyrhills (Elementary), and even one year they took care of the teachers, getting them supplies and other stuff to thank them.

“We always try to do service projects that are near and dear to our hearts, but we like to focus on education a lot.”

Granger added that the club also awards 10 $1,000 scholarships, as well as participates in Take Stock in Children of Florida — a nonprofit mentoring, college success and college scholarship organization that will look after a student all the way through high school and into college.

“That one is definitely important to me, and it means a lot to me that others have joined in helping me with Take Stock in Children,” Granger said.

As a new service season gets rolling, members expect to keep themselves busy.

“I have seen this group grow and grow,” said Linda Weyer, a former club president.

“I joined in 2008 and next year I became the president and was president for the 100-year anniversary in 2015. That was a big deal, because (GFWC) is, nationally, one of the oldest community service organizations around.

“And, in all my time, never have I seen the group not be enthusiastic or not dedicated to community service. Members come and go, but we’ve always had amazing numbers and amazing women.”

The Woman’s Club of Zephyrhills
Where: 38545 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
Details: Founded in 1915, the club, with about 80 members, is dedicated to community service, civic participation and educational programs. Members work together in the spirit of friendship for the betterment of the community, and support local national and international relief efforts. The club has a more than 100-year history of community service and is open to any woman 18 years of age or older. The club’s outreach includes education, scholarships, supporting local food banks and charitable, nonprofit organizations, and more.
Info: GFWCWomansClubOfZephyrhills.com

Published October 12, 2022

Pasco School Board continues to push for more sidewalks

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Months are passing since school began, and Pasco County and Pasco County Schools appear to be no closer to finding a solution for a lack of county sidewalks than they were on opening day in August.

The Pasco County School Board has sent a letter to the Pasco County Commission asking the county to put a priority on getting some sidewalks built.

But as of Oct. 4, there had been no response from the county board, according to Pasco County school board member Megan Harding.

A shortage of bus drivers and insufficient state funding for transportation prompted the school district to drop “courtesy” busing for students in grades six through 12 who live within 2 miles of school.

(Mike Camunas)

That action prompted an outcry from parents who are worried about their children’s safety, as they walk to school on roads that often have no sidewalks or street lighting.

Parents have appeared at school board members expressing their concerns and describing conditions they believe are dangerous to their children.

In many cases, parents said they are not able to give their child a ride to school because they have to be at work.

A suggestion was made at one school board meeting to allow children who are walking to fill empty seats on the bus.

But Superintendent Kurt Browning said the district can’t do that because it would be inequitable to similarly situated students the district could not accommodate.

Meanwhile, the school system continues to deal with a driver shortage.

“We currently have 54 vacancies for our regular 331 routes,” Harding reported to her colleagues.

Many students are still arriving late to school and are not getting home on time, she said.

“I am worried about those students who are missing first period,” Harding added, noting she’s heard that students are being given an unexcused absence when they don’t arrive on time to get to class.

Harding said she’s discussed the problem with Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent for support services and it is being addressed.

School board chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong said work to provide additional sidewalks can begin soon.

“We’re seeing a lot of complaints with parents, having 11-year-olds, not having safe walking (conditions),” Armstrong said.

On another issue, the school board agreed with a plan to provide 2.37 acres of right of way in conjunction with a new townhome project across from Woodland Elementary School in Zephyrhills. As part of the project, the development is required to make improvement to Henry Drive, which runs along the south side of Woodland Elementary and Zephyrhills High.

In exchange, district staff has negotiated that a crosswalk, with pedestrian flashing beacons, be installed along Henry Drive at a location to be determined in the future.

The improvement will be made when the City of Zephyrhills develops its park site, adjacent to Woodland Elementary, which is expected soon.

In other action, the school board has selected the Williams Company, of Tampa, to be the  construction management firm to oversee the construction of a new classroom building at Starkey Ranch K8 School, in Odessa.

The preconstruction services component is established as a fixed fee in the amount of $39,659.52. In addition to these base services, there is an additional $2,000 in not-to-exceed allowances.

The guaranteed maximum price proposal for the project will be presented to the school board at a later date.

Published October 12, 2022

Big changes are being proposed in Saddlebrook, in Wesley Chapel

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A proposed large-scale comprehensive plan amendment has been requested for Saddlebrook Resort, a place that helped put Wesley Chapel on the map.

The request calls for amending the county’s future land-use map on about 420.5 acres of land, south of State Road 54 and east of Service Road.

The property has an existing master-planned unit development (MPUD) — Saddlebrook Resort — which has existing entitlements, development and infrastructure.

But a substantial modification has been requested to add acreage to the existing MPUD and to convert one existing golf course and the driving range into commercial/retail, multifamily, single family, dorm rooms, clubhouse and restaurant uses, according to information contained in the Pasco County Planning Commission’s Sept. 22 agenda packet.

Saddlebrook Resort, located in Wesley Chapel, is a hotel, spa, tennis and golf complex that opened in 1981 and is home to Saddlebrook Tennis Academy, Saddlebrook Golf Academy, Saddlebrook Preparatory School and two 18-hole, Arnold-Palmer designed golf courses. (Mike Camunas)

The Saddlebrook Resort currently contains a number of different uses including commercial/office, multi-family, single-family, recreational and hotel/convention center uses. The proposed use calls for converting the area which is the golf driving range into the town center for Saddlebrook, the background materials say.

But at the planning board’s Sept. 22 meeting, the request being considered was whether the proposed change to the land-use should be recommended for approval.

The request still must go through public hearings before the Pasco County Commission to change the long-range plan and to change the zoning to clear the way for the proposed plans.

The request had been on the planning board’s consent agenda — meaning it would be approved in a single action with other items, unless it was pulled.

Planning board member Jon Moody pulled the item for discussion.

He said he did that a matter of principal, reminding board members that he had previously expressed a concern about too many items being placed on the consent agenda, and noting it is not the role of the planning board to rubberstamp requests.

“The consent agenda is for the duplexes, Mrs. Jones’ variance for her shed, but not a large-scale comprehensive plan amendment,” Moody said.

“The second reason that I pulled this and want to discuss this has to do with public notice.

“Saddlebrook Golf Course — the proposal here is that we’re going to change the golf course to single-family homes, townhouses, multifamily dorms for a golf academy — and all of these things may be good things, and I’m not necessarily opposed to them.

“But I know this, if I bought a house in Saddlebrook on a golf course and paid $750,000 or a million dollars for that, my expectation is that’s a golf course.

“And, maybe I don’t have the right to have that expectation, but at least if someone is going to change it, they need to let me know what’s going on, so I can come out and exercise my right as a citizen, to speak for or against the proposal.

“So, that’s the issue and the reason that I brought it up,” Moody said.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, told the planning board: “Although the code only requires an ad, we did post three signs.”

She also noted: “My client has had communications with all five homeowner associations within Saddlebrook and made presentations to them.

Saddlebrook Golf Club, in Wesley Chapel (File)

“This is a pre-transmittal hearing. This is the only time that you’ll hear the comp plan amendment, but what you do is you recommend to the board.

“Then the board will have a transmittal hearing, where they send it to the state. We have an MPUD (master-planned unit development zoning request) pending, so it will be coming,” she said.

Under the MPUD requirement, letters must be sent to everyone.

Wilhite told the planning board that its vote on the request before it would merely get the process started.

The MPUD request will spell out the specifics, and when it comes back to the planning board it will be fully noticed, she said.

Moody reiterated the need to discuss projects, such as the Saddlebrook request.

“My concern is, when we put comprehensive plan amendments on the consent agenda, or we don’t hear the accompanying MPUD consecutively, we’re laying the groundwork for a legal argument in the future, if we want to deny the zoning, if they argue ‘Well, wait a minute, my MPUD is consistent with the comp plan amendment that you passed a month ago or two months ago.

“My particular concern in Saddlebrook is that a great number of the property owners, adjacent to the golf course, to which this comp plan amendment applies, live out of state, many of them live out of country, so they didn’t see the sign posted,” Moody added.

Moody said the county should require that written notices be sent to property owners whose rights could be affected by proposed land-use and zoning changes.

Denise Hernandez, the county’s zoning administrator, told Moody a proposed change to the county’s land development code will require that notices of proposed changes be mailed, posted and published.

She expects that proposal to be back before the planning board in coming months.

No one from the public spoke for or against the proposed Saddlebrook changes.

Published October 12, 2022