The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Parish helps others through its weekly food pantry

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Saint Joseph is known as the patron saint of workers, among other things.

So, it seems apt that the Food and Baby Pantry at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church at 5316 11th St., in Zephyrhills is managed and run by hard-working volunteers.

Sandy Wheeler helps provide a bag of food and other items for Luis Cruz at St. Joseph’s Food Pantry, as Maggie Seranic looks on. (Mike Camunas)

The volunteers only mission is to help feed those who can use a hand.

The pantry volunteers are essential, said Beverly Burgess, the church’s business manager.

“It wouldn’t run without them,” Burgess said. “They give that work with all their heart. (The food pantry) is something we wouldn’t be able to do, without them.”

They selflessly give of their time, every week.

The Food and Baby Pantry at St. Joseph’s has been available for years, but for the past three years has been run and managed by husband and wife parishioners, Steve and Maggie Seranic.

Each Wednesday from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., anyone from the community can come receive a bag full of food and other essentials — all donated by St. Joseph parishioners when they attend Mass on Sundays.

St. Joseph’s Food Pantry manager Maggie Seranic picks through donated materials to give to a patron who came by on a Wednesday to pick up a completely free bag of food and other essentials.

“We have one couple that on the dot brings in four cases of food — every week,” said Sandy Wheeler, a pantry volunteer.

“It’s 100% donated from our parish,” added Maggie Seranic.

People who stop by for help typically are from Zephyrhills, Dade City and other nearby areas.

But Maggie Seranic said: “Sometimes we get people who come all the way from Tampa. We don’t turn anyone away. However, I keep a list to help them find a closer food pantry.”

While Saint Joseph’s food pantry day is on Wednesdays, Burgess said exceptions can be made to help on other days.

“We won’t turn anyone away, but we will remind them that we usually can only do it Wednesday,” Burgess said. “If someone comes, we’ll go into the pantry and make them a quick bag of food.”

Steve Seranic, left, and Diane Albring prepare bags of food at St. Joseph’s Food Pantry in Zephyrhills.

While the Food Pantry is much sought after, the Baby Pantry is quite busy, too.

It also is well-stocked with all the essentials, from diapers to formula.

Becky Finley and Peg Blum-Rollins are two volunteers who help run bags of children’s essentials out to the cars of parents and families. COVID regulations are in place, so volunteers meet the parent at the car and take “an order” of what he or she needs.

“It’s very helpful, and I know there are people out there who need it more than me,” said Kassey Williams, a mother of three who lives in Zephyrhills. “I don’t go to this church, but it means a lot to me, it means a lot to other people, and I know a lot of those people are very thankful for them, just like I am.”

Zephyrhills resident Kassey Williams, a mother of three, looks over some of the donated baby clothes with Becky Finely just outside St. Joseph’s Baby Pantry.

The Baby Pantry also is very good at providing clothes and other items for children, many of which are gently worn, returned and donated out again.

Sometimes, the timing is divine.

Blum-Rollins shared this example: “One time we had a mother come in and ask for a stroller, and as she was (asking), another woman came in and wanted to donate a stroller! They just transferred it right into the other car. It’s great to see the community helping each other out in a different way.”

“We want to be able to support those women and to do so is very rewarding,” Finley said.

Just as gratifying is the way the parish supports the pantries, and the generosity of the parishioners to stock them, Burgess said.

“All we have to do is ask,” Burgess said.

“For as long as I’ve been coming to this church, everyone will donate or get what we say is the most needed. People just respond and it is amazing — just amazing to see it happen at our church,” she said.

Published April 20, 2022

Pasco looking to adopt updated landscaping regulations

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Pasco County is considering changes to update its landscaping code — addressing such issues as tree preservation and placements; landscaping and buffering; and planting in rights of way, in residential subdivisions.

Patrick Dutter, a county senior planner, explained the proposed changes to the Pasco County Planning Commission, during its April 7 meeting.

“Probably two years ago, now, we were asked by the Tampa Bay Builders Association (TBBA)  to look at amending some of our policies and our land development code, to clean up some items,” Dutter said.

A task force was formed, including county staff, TBBA representatives, experts in landscape architecture, an arborist, and a representative from the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS)/Pasco County Cooperative Extension.

The group looked at some issues raised by TBBA, but a number of other items also surfaced during the review.

One of the changes being proposed deals with how tree replacements are calculated, Dutter said.

Instead of measuring every tree on a project site, representative samples would be allowed, he said.

Dutter explained: “Let’s say you have a 100-acre project and there’s a whole bunch of trees on that. Someone has to go out and measure each individual tree, to figure out, OK, if you’re taking down trees, how many inches do you need to replace over time?

“That can be quite time-consuming.

“So, what we’ve done in the past is, we’ve allowed people to sample certain areas, with county approval,” Dutter said.

This change would allow the sampling to occur, without having to go through an Alternative Standards process.

The update also provides definitions for what constitutes a shade tree and what constitutes an ornamental tree, Dutter said.

It also addresses a requirement that said that 70% of buffers needed to have landscaping in them.

“Essentially, what that ended up doing is most of our buffers would have ground cover plantings and they would have mulch. Those ground covers generally don’t survive very long, so you’ve got most of your buffer basically being mulch and a little bit of landscaping,” Dutter said.

“We tweaked that requirement a little bit, too, rather than have that 70% rule, we added some additional landscaping, specifically in our buffering requirement,” he said.

The update also proposed a change in the vehicle dealership buffer.

“The original vehicle dealership buffer called for it to be 75 feet wide, which is quite a large buffer space,” Dutter said. “The code currently doesn’t even have a visual screening component for it, which is probably the most important thing you want, when  you’re having a vehicle dealership abutting a residential project.

“So, we shortened that buffer width and we added the visual screening component to it, as well. So, we kind of made that swap,” he said.

The proposed code also updates links to outside resources that had become outdated, Dutter said.

It also has a link to an invasive species list.

The tree list that had been presented as part of the code has been moved to the development review manual, so it can be updated on a timelier basis, Dutter added.

Also, the cooperative extension representative and the tree arborist went through the list of trees, found the appropriate spacing requirements, called out where mitigation measures would be needed and where they wouldn’t be needed, Dutter added. The tree list calls out where different types of trees should be placed.

Planning Commissioner Jamie Girardi applauded the task force’s work and resulting recommendations.

“I think this is a very thorough job, and I think there’s a lot of changes that are included in here that needed to be done and were probably long overdue,” he said. “And, I think it was a very good job, putting it together.”

But he also noted: “Simple changes with increases to landscape island widths have pretty substantial impacts.”

The ordinance will be adopted in coming weeks, he said.

“I have several clients out there that purchased property and we’re ongoing in preparing construction plans, and frankly, I don’t know if we can beat those dates,” he said.

Dutter explained the rationale for the change to the planning board.

 “Our current dimension for those islands that we’re talking about is 8 feet wide.

“We spent some time putting together our tree list with our arborist and landscape experts. Most trees to be successful need a little bit more room than that. So, we bumped up that island width from being 8 feet wide to being 10 feet wide, just to give it a little bit room,” Dutter said.

Girardi responded: “Admittedly, the 8-foot width limits what you can actually plant in those islands.”

The issue of landscaping requirements has come up repeatedly during Pasco County Commission meetings, with Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and Commissioner Ron Oakley making persistent calls for changes that would promote better-looking development in Pasco.

The Pasco County Planning Commission voted to recommend the proposed changes be adopted. The Pasco County Commission has final jurisdiction on planning and land use matters.

Proposed changes to the Pasco County landscaping code would:

  • Enable representative samples to be taken, on a property relating to requirements involving calculating requirements relating to tree removal, subject to the county’s discretion
  • Remove the requirement to submit an Alternative Standard Application, when making use of existing trees and shrubs, as part of the landscape buffer.
  • Reduce the requirement that 70% of the buffer be non-grassed
  • Add language that addresses “right tree, right place”
  • Define shade trees
  • Define ornamental trees
  • Clarify the use of palm trees
  • Update ground cover planting requirements
  • Update tree diversity requirements
  • Add language about the proper maintenance of trees
  • Add language about keeping future planting areas free of debris
  • Add a requirement of one shade tree in the front yard of single-family homes
  • Update and clarify requirements in vehicle use areas
  • Require landscape islands to be 10 feet wide (they were previously required to be 8 feet wide)
  • Add requirements for large vehicle use areas (VUA)
    • Clarify plantings adjacent to building perimeters
    • Revamp the Buffer Requirement Table
    • Revamp the Buffer and Screening Requirements Table
    • Adjust the Vehicle Dealership Buffer
    • Add standards for ponds adjacent to rights of way
  • Changes the order of some chapters and moves some elements into the land development manual, which is updated more frequently.

Source: April 7 agenda materials for the Pasco County Planning Commission

Published April 20, 2022

The Edwinola celebrates 110 years in Dade City

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It would be highly unusual for any resident of The Edwinola to be older than the grand lady herself.

After all, the historic structure at 14235 Edwinola Way, is set to turn 110.

A big community party is being planned to celebrate.

An exterior view of The Edwinola, which has been remodeled and reopened as a senior living community, in 2017. (Mike Camunas)

The former hotel that’s now an assisted living facility will host a Southern-style picnic block party on April 23.

The gathering will be at Agnes Lamb Park, across the street from The Edwinola, and festivities will include a live band, games and activities for kids, raffles and more.

Of course, residents of the facility and their families will be there, as well as members of the public.

The celebration is set for 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.

“I think that it’s a great thing to be part of the community, especially as one of the oldest buildings in Dade City,” said Tony David, The Edwinola’s interim executive director. “There’s a lot of history and a lot of families’ memories and loved ones here at The Edwinola, and we’ve never really celebrated The Edwinola like this. We’ve had grand openings when we opened our floors or renovations, but never like this.”

Originally constructed as a hotel in 1912, The Edwinola’s name stems from  a combination of the original owners’ names, Edwin and Lola Gasque.

The building’s use didn’t convert into a retirement community until the 1980s.

The three-story structure has gone through a number of renovations, including the latest in 2017, but it still features its iconic Doric columns, wrap-around porches and Mansard roof.

Besides enjoying the party outdoors, The Edwinola is offering tours that day, for folks who want to take a look around.

David is enthusiastic about the upcoming event.

“It looks like we’re having a really good response and we’re excited for everything — the community seems excited, too,” David said. “I really believe that it will really bring the community closer to The Edwinola and absolutely give our residents something to do, which they might not always get to. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”

The Edwinola’s 110th Celebration
Where: Agnes Lamb Park, 14200 Ninth St., in Dade City
When: April 23, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Details: Southern-style picnic block party featuring live music, games, raffles and more. Open to the public.
Info: Call 352- 567-6500, or visit TheEdwinola.com.

Published April 20, 2022

State studying widening project on U.S. 301

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The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) is studying a widening project, which would add capacity to U.S. 301, from Fowler Avenue in Hillsborough County to State Road 56 in Pasco County.

Amber Russo, a project manager for FDOT, provided an update to members of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization, at its April 14 meeting.

The project’s purpose it to improve safety for motorists, and to improve mobility for pedestrians and bicycles, Russo said.

“Safety is a key element for this project,” Russo said.

“During the five-year period that we studied, from 2015 to 2019, there were 464 crashes, which involved 16 fatalities, 338 injuries, 24 head-on collisions, and five crashes involving a pedestrian.

“A portion of this project, the southern end, the crash rate is almost double the state average,” she said.

She also noted that based on the 2040 projection — which puts the volumes at 29,000 to 48,000 — the road would be operating at a Level of Service F in both directions, during peak hours.

Justin Hall, also from FDOT, noted the current volumes on the road are 12,000 to 14,000.

Presently, this stretch of U.S. 301 is a two-lane, undivided roadway, with a posted speed varying from 50 mph to 60 mph, through the corridor, Russo said. The existing right of way varies from 100 feet to 200 feet wide.

“U.S. 301 is an important north-south corridor,” Russo said. It connects regionally significant corridors, such as I-75, I-4 and state road 56, 54 and 52.

“It also connects regional centers in Zephyrhills and Temple Terrace to the Tampa Bay area,” Russo said.

The proposed project, which would cost an estimated $200 million, has not yet been funded.

Proposed improvements are divided into two segments.

The southern portion would be from Fowler Avenue to Stacy Road.

“This is a suburban, typical section: with widening to four lanes, divided with a raised 30-foot median. We also have paved 5-foot outside shoulders, a 6-foot sidewalk on the east side, and 12-foot shared-use path along the west side,” Russo said.

The design speed for that segment is 55 mph. The total right of way varies from 169 feet to 200 feet wide.

The north portion of the project would be Stacy Road to State Road 56.

This would be a more-rural section of the road. It would be a four-lane divided road, with a 40-foot depressed median.

It would have 5-foot paved shoulders and a 12-foot shared-use path on the west side.

The design speed would be 65 mph. The total right of way width would be 235 feet.

Russo told the Pasco MPO board that some changes are expected, based on public comments.

Hall said those issues essentially fall into three categories: environmental concerns, concerns about widening the road beyond Hillsborough’s urban service area, and questions about increasing capacity on a rural highway.

Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore said apparently Hillsborough is not aware of the planned projects near U.S. 301 and State Road 56, on both sides of the county line.

Moore noted that he used to frequently travel U.S. 301, when he had a private business.

“Wow, that was scary,” Moore said. “If you go off the shoulder, you’re in a ditch and you definitely don’t want to cross the center line.”

He thinks it makes perfect sense to widen U.S. 301.

“We’re at the point in this region where we need to get ahead. All we hear from our citizens is, ‘Why didn’t you do this before?

“Well, here’s that perfect opportunity. Let’s get ahead of the game, because it’s coming. It’s already coming.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley agreed.

“I’ve already gotten emails from people about congestion, when they go to (U.S.) 301, from (State Road) 56. It’s crowded. It’s terrible.

“If this road had already been done … a person would not have died this morning at 2:45, when they had a head-on collision and they closed 301.”

Hall said there were actually two fatalities in that crash. He also told the MPO board that the state roads department plans to proactively address some intersection signaling needs along U.S. 301.

Published April 20, 2022

First Baptist of Lutz to get a new look

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From left to right: retired Senior Pastor Charles White, Senior Pastor Scott Talley’ Senior Administrative Pastor Paul Vahue, Worship Pastor Steve Biles, Next Gen Pastor Tanner Biles, Chairman Campus Revitalization Committee member Kevin Sturgill, Rob Glisson, AIA of ROJO Architecture and Barry Henderson of Wilson & Co., hold a ceremonial groundbreaking at First Baptist Church of Lutz, at 18116 U.S. 41 North. The church, which was built in the 1940s, is getting a $3-million modern renovation, expected to be completed by May 2023. (Courtesy of Kim Seymour)

One of Lutz’s oldest buildings is getting a makeover.

The First Baptist Church of Lutz, originally built in 1944 (and rebuilt in the early 1960s after a fire), is set to get a $3 million renovation, expected to be completed around May 2023.

“This church was started in a member’s living room in the 1940s and it’s just been adding buildings over time,” Administrative Pastor Paul Vahue said. “The church is looking tired and old, so it’s getting a facelift. We’ll give the church a brand new modern glass entrance and we’re all really excited about it.”

An artist rendering of the $3 million update of the First Baptist Church of Lutz

With the renovation, the entire front of the church will be enclosed with an entirely new look.

The church also will add an atrium that will be the centerpiece and will connect the sanctuary to the fellowship hall.

The atrium will be a large open space for welcoming guests, checking in children to the children’s wing, and hosting events.

There also will be new, larger, handicap-accessible restrooms at the front of the fellowship hall, on both the first and second floors.

During the renovation, the main sanctuary will be unaffected, so services will remain there.

The construction work, however, will require several community groups, such as home-schooled students and Boy Scouts who meet at the church, to relocate their meetings to other buildings on the church campus.

So the upcoming year is expected to have a hectic look at the First Baptist Church of Lutz, but it will be a most welcome one.

“Many parents didn’t want to bring their kids to this aging building where it just looks like a blast from the past,” Vahue said. “People like stuff that is new and we want to get modern here. The church isn’t going anywhere — it’s just going to get modern and new.”

Published April 20, 2022

 

Proposal calls for modernizing county code

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Pasco County is considering updates to its landscaping code — and, while doing so, is contemplating how to deal with electric charging stations for cars and for carports within parking lots that have solar panels on top.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, asked county planners and the Pasco County Planning Commission to consider including the electric charging stations and solar-paneled carports, as the county amends its code.

He made the suggestion during the planning board’s April 7 meeting.

The attorney said he’d been out West recently, where he saw that in many parking lots, “they have these, what I’ll call solar car ports.”

They provide shade for the cars, while also generating solar energy for businesses, Goldstein said.

“As I saw them, I was thinking: ‘Is that even possible to do in Pasco and still comply with our landscape ordinance?” Goldstein said.

“What I noticed was where these solar panels were, the footers that were holding them up were basically where we would normally have these landscaped islands,” he added.

Patrick Dutter, a senior planner for the county, told Goldstein that the code amendments didn’t address those particulars.

But Dutter added: “The main goal of those trees (required in the landscape code) in those vehicle use areas is to provide shade, right. And, if those carport structures are doing that, it’s meeting the main intent. So, staff would probably be OK with approving an alternative standard.”

Goldstein, however, suggested adding the solar carports to the list of exceptions included in the proposed code.

“I’d just hate to see someone have to go through an alternative standards process for something that we probably would encourage, because it’s providing shade, it’s providing solar energy. Why not write it into the code, as opposed to saying, ‘You’ve got to go through an alternative standards process?’” Goldstein said.

He continued: “If it is providing just as much shade as the landscaping and it’s encouraging solar, I would think we want to encourage that.”

Brad Tippin, the county’s development review manager, responded: “I think that is something we could probably add to that list of exceptions, with a caveat that the county sees to what’s being proposed, to see if it actually meets that.

“We may also want to address things like electric charging stations,” Tippin said.

Goldstein responded: “That was going to be my next question.

“A logical place to retrofit putting in an electric charging station is in the landscape islands, and I wouldn’t want us to preclude those,” Goldstein said.

“I think there should be some allowance for that,” the attorney said, providing the planning board approved that direction, which it did, later in the meeting.

Tippin said county staff will draft language to address those issues, before bringing the proposed landscaping update to the Pasco County Commission for a vote.

Goldstein said it makes sense to include the changes in the code update.

“We don’t amend the landscape code very often,” he said.

“This is probably the first time in 15 or 20 years. I just don’t want to have to wait another 15 or 20 years to amend the code, and allow for electric charging stations and solar facilities.

“We should anticipate the future that these things are probably coming, and we shouldn’t have our code preclude them,” he said.

Published April 20, 2022

Pasco’s emergency response times under fire

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It often takes too long in Pasco for responders to get to fires and medical emergencies, two men representing the county’s professional firefighters told the Pasco County Commission at its board meeting earlier this month.

Robert Fuerst and Dixon Phillips — spoke during the public comment portion of the board’s April 5 meeting, and they had plenty to say.

Fuerst told the county board that “41,365 calls for service in 2021 exceeded the 10-minute threshold to get the first unit on the scene.”

He continued: “That means it takes more than 10 minutes to get a fire engine on a scene in a day and age where houses can be fully engulfed in flames in less than 5 minutes.”

Additionally, nearly 10,000 of the 89,447 calls for service in Pasco County last year took 15 minutes to get the first paramedic on scene, Fuerst added.

“Imagine having to perform CPR or rescue breathing for one of your loved ones for that period of time and then having to possibly wait longer (for the ambulance to show up), while the fire engine does the same thing you did for the past 15 minutes,” he said.

Fuerst also told the board that between Jan. 1 and March 13, of this year, Pasco Fire Rescue declared Signal 40 — meaning no ambulance was available on one side of the county, or the other side, or both — for a grand total of 1,586 minutes.

That equates to a total of 26 hours in a period of roughly 100 days, he said.

“As staggering as this statistic is, it’s only the beginning. How many minutes was there only one ambulance, or two ambulances to send in Pasco County? How long was the response to the next 9-1-1 call for that ambulance. What was the preventable, negative effect on that person or that house that we were trying to protect from a fire?” he asked.

County’s rapid growth affecting response times
Normally, the annual increase in calls is around 5%, but Pasco’s was 16% in 2021, he said.

“We attribute it directly to the growth, the unfettered growth, in the county,” he said.

“We need more funding to perform essential services we are tasked with providing. We need this board to be the public safety advocates they claim to be and provide the funding we so desperately need,” he said.

Dixon Phillips, the District 3 representative of IAFF Local 4420, reminded board members that he and other union members had appeared before the board in July requesting an increase in the Municipal Services Taxing Unit to increase support for fire and rescue services.

“We told you that response times were longer than ever and we were experiencing an increase in call volume that this county has never seen.

“You ignored us,” he said.

He said the National Fire Protection Association has a standard that calls for an advanced life support unit to arrive on scene in less than 8 minutes, on 90% of all incidents.

He said Pasco isn’t meeting that standard.

“Earlier this year, a witnessed cardiac arrest occurred in Pasco County. It took 8 minutes after the 9-1-1 call was received to find units available to send. Ladder 37, which services the Sunlake area, came in service and was dispatched to the call. It took 14 minutes for Ladder 37 to arrive on scene, where unfortunately the patient was deemed dead on arrival.

“This is not the first time this has happened and, unfortunately, it won’t be the last for the foreseeable future,” Phillips said.

Besides the potential for a patient to die, there’s also the possibility of patients suffering brain damage if it takes too long for help to arrive, he noted.

Phillips also reminded the county board that County Administrator Dan Biles said that two new fire stations would be coming online and that a station that services New Port Richey would be getting another rescue.

“Well, commissioners, here we are, nine months later and we have no new stations in service, no new engines in service and no new rescues in service.

“Rescue 230, which has a station waiting for it, has sat outside of Wesley parked for months.

“Until Fire Rescue is given what it needs, civilians, both young and old, will continue to die unnecessarily. Maybe one day soon, we’ll be able to call Pasco County safe,” Phillips said.

Biles told board members that Rescue 230 is waiting for trainees to get through their training.

He also said that “Station 3 will go out to bid and start construction here, shortly, within the next quarter.”

Biles said the county is working on the next budget.

He also noted that Station 2 and Station 4 are both bond-funded fire stations and will be under construction in the next 18 months, which would include two new rescue units.

“There is a lot of stuff going on. Over the past five years, the board has increased the rescue piece of the budget almost 120%, which dwarfs just about any other increase in the county. So, there is a lot going on,” he said.

He also noted that during COVID, a lot of fire schools shut down, so the county is playing catch up.

“For a while, we had more vacancies than we had applications for. I think we have on the order of 20 to 30 firefighters going through our current training program and onboarding, in the training center, and then there’s another group after that, which should get us close to about the 20 vacancies that are planned for Station 3. They’re budgeted but won’t be filled until we’re ready to permit that station,” Biles said.

Published April 20, 2022

Starkey Ranch event features ‘a little night music’

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The outdoor basketball courts on the edge of the physical education field at Starkey Ranch K-8 provided a place for the audience to watch the performance. (Fred Bellet)

The Starkey Ranch K-8 School teamed up with Michael Francis, music director for The Florida Orchestra, to present the Starkey Symphony Spectacular.

The outdoor concert featured performances by Starkey K-8 musicians, community members, and members of The Florida Orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Francis.

The event was held outdoors on the physical education fields at Starkey Ranch K-8, in Odessa.

Attendees were encouraged to bring a blanket or lawn chairs, and purchase food from the food trucks there.

The event was free, but the school received a portion of the food truck proceeds and donations, to support the school’s music programs.

Conductor Mariah Walukonis led the orchestra with Maestro Michael Francis during the Starkey Symphony Spectacular.
Violinist Jeffrey Mutter, of The Florida Orchestra, performs a piece for the audience.
Scott Carlson’s phone captures the performance by the Starkey Ranch K-8 Chorus. Carlson, of Odessa, is the school’s physical education teacher; his wife, Megan Carlson, teaches kindergarten. The video of the day was of their son, 11-year-old Lucas Carlson, who sang in the chorus.
From left: 5-year-old Guga Alvarenga, 6-year-old Duda Alvarenga, 9-year-old Brianna Semsedin, 6-year-old Liam Semsedin and 9-year-old Lilly Labruzzo watch the concert from the VIP section.

 

 

Michael Francis leads an orchestra comprised of sixth- and seventh-grade students from Starkey Ranch K-8; high school students from Mitchell, Gulf and River Ridge; community members; and musicians from The Florida Orchestra. That brought the total size of the group to 75.
Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of Pasco County Schools, offers remarks about the musically talented students at Starkey Ranch K-8.

Honoring this public servant’s service

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From left: Commissioner Curtis Dwyer; Commissioner Donna DeWitt, O.S.B.; Mayor Richard Christmas; Mayor Pro Tem James Hallett, O.S.B.; and Commissioner Mike D’Ambrosio. (Courtesy of Andrea Calvert)

Mayor Richard Christmas was honored during the April 12 St. Leo Town Commission meeting. He received a proclamation and a plaque, commemorating his 27 years of service on the Town Commission, including 13 as mayor. He did not seek reelection this year.

During his tenure, St. Leo underwent many projects and improvements, including the expansion of Saint Leo University, relocation of Holy Name Monastery, revision of the Land Development Code and Comprehensive Plan, development and contraction of the portion of Lake Jovita subdivision that was in the Town, and improvement of streets throughout St. Leo, according to information provided by the town.

The countywide Penny for Pasco initiative also was implemented, as was the Municipal Association of Pasco.

(Courtesy of the City of Dade City)

Going out on a high note
Before the Dade City Commission meeting began on April 12, Mayor Camille Hernandez was honored for 16 years of service to the community. Hernandez is retiring from her position as mayor, effective April 26. She was a commissioner for six years and then served as mayor for 10. From left: Commissioner Normita ‘Angel’ Woodard, Hernandez, Commissioner Knute Nathe, Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem James Shive and Commissioner Scott Black.

Published April 20, 2022

A spring cleaning was in order

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Keep Pasco Beautiful once again encouraged volunteers to scour 43 locations in Pasco County for debris pickup, during its annual 2022 Great American Cleanup.

More than 750 volunteers logged 2,244 hours to help to clear public spaces, roadsides and waterways in Dade City, Holiday, Hudson, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Wesley Chapel.

Zephyrhills Public Works’ employees were on hand to assist with cleanup and drop-offs during the city’s annual Neighborhood Clean-Up. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills Public Information Office)

The effort yielded 45,300 pounds of collected trash throughout Pasco County.

For information on how to reduce litter, promote waste reduction and encourage beautification, call 727-834-3611, ext. 1072, or email Keep Pasco Beautiful coordinator Kristen King at .

The City of Zephyrhills also hosted its seasonal “Neighborhood Clean-Up,” targeting Gall Boulevard to 12th Street and 12th Avenue to Fifth Avenue.

Fifteen Zephyrhills Public Works employees were on hand to assist with check-ins and roving cleanup in alleyways, and to facilitate the drop-off site at Zephyrhills City Hall, according to a news release.

Numerous items were disposed of, including tires, electronics, appliances, yard debris, mattresses and more.

Collection totals in Zephyrhills were: 150 cubic yards of mixed-debris; four appliances; seven TVs/electronics; 35 tires; and 17 drive-up drop-offs.

The idea of the city’s clean-up program is to help alleviate various Code Enforcement issues in certain areas, and the municipality at-large.

Published April 20, 2022