The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Land O’ Lakes teen shines light on mental health needs

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Eliza Smith knows what it’s like to struggle with depression.

The Land O’ Lakes 15-year-old, however, has learned some ways to help conquer her challenges.

She writes in a journal.

She adds up the positive things in her life, daily.

And, she does have successes: She has a 4.6 GPA.

She’s a former Miss Land O’ Lakes Teen USA, and is the current Teen Miss Earth Florida USA.

She will compete for the national Teen Miss Earth USA in January.

Land O’ Lakes High School student Eliza Smith is involved in volunteer efforts to help spread the word about mental health programs, such as those offered by NAMI Pasco. She’s also involved in pageants, which she says provide a platform to help raise awareness. (Courtesy of Eliza Smith)

Now, she’s seeking to help others by sharing her story and advocating for mental health programs such as those offered by NAMI Pasco, a local nonprofit chapter of the National Alliance on Mental Illness.

In a new normal, where COVID-19 is upending daily lives and increasing everyone’s stress levels, Smith sees mental health education as a calling.

“I think that this is what I was meant to do,” Smith said — about her goal of making a difference for others.

She said others in her family, including her mother, also have dealt with mental health issues in the past.

“It’s something I struggle with personally, so that’s why I care about mental health for others,” Smith said. “I do know what it’s like, and I know friends who struggle with depression and anxiety.”

In recent months, she has posted weekly video chats and podcasts on Instagram and other media platforms, specializing in one-on-one interviews with family and friends.

She also has completed volunteer service hours, along with other teens, in support of NAMI.

“She is passionate,” said Debbie Proulx, NAMI Pasco’s executive director. “She is willing to just put herself out there.”

NAMI is a national nonprofit with chapters nationwide.

Services include family based support groups, advocacy, one-on-one counseling, school partnerships, education, outreach and referrals.

NAMI Pasco has seen an astounding 1,456% increase in new calls from people needing services in the past year, largely due to the pandemic, said Proulx.

“There is a lot of anxiety and depression,” she said. “Last year it was bad, but not as bad as now.”

Proulx worries about the hostility arising from divisions over masks and vaccines.

“This is affecting everyone,” she said.

In-person support groups aren’t possible for now.

So, NAMI Pasco is relying on virtual support groups to discuss whatever issues people are facing, Proulx said.

“They are really supporting one another,” she said. “You will see disagreements, but at the end of the day, they are really supporting each other.”

The Land O’ Lakes teen said she has seen the impact of COVID-19 at school, as well, particularly while taking classes virtually.

“Everyone kind of stopped doing what they were doing,” Smith said. “I know kids who loved going to school who kind of slumped.”

She said she hopes her podcasts help educate people about mental health but also send the  message that no one is alone.

Help is close by, she said, through organizations such as NAMI Pasco.

Smith said she prefers doing one-on-one interviews because that allows each guest to shine a light on his or her personal journeys.

She enjoys talking with people of all ages and backgrounds.

Her conversations are free-wheeling, funny and open to any topic though, sooner or later, they always get around to mental health education.

Being able to listen to the unique stories of everyone is what makes for a great society, Smith said.

“Your problems matter. You matter,” she said. “And always remember that.”

Smith grew up in Queens and Brooklyn, New York, but her family moved to Tampa about two years ago.

She attended Alonso High School before moving to Pasco County and enrolling at Land O’ Lakes High School.

She aspires to graduate a year early and to enroll at Duke University.

She plans to pursue a nursing degree, and is aiming to attain a master’s degree in nursing by age 25.

She has four completed podcasts, with more to come.

She is taking a brief break from her hosting duties to focus on SAT exams in October, when she also celebrates turning 16.

After the break, she intends to return to a routine of posting podcasts or video chats weekly or monthly.

One especially memorable podcast featured a frank discussion with her mother and her aunt.

“We had a really deep conversation and tears flowed,” Smith said.

The podcast “shows how to be vulnerable in a good way. Even if I have crazy dreams, my family supports me to have a better life than they had growing up in Queens.”

One of her passions is being involved in pageants, which she said encourages her growth and confidence, and has opened doors to her.

“I didn’t hesitate to take the opportunity and try it out,” she said. “I got to volunteer and to promote my platform, and to inspire others to seek help.”

One door that opened was to NAMI Pasco and volunteer service.

“I truly love their organization and what they do,” she said.

For more information, visit NAMI.pasco.org, or call 727-992-9653.

By Kathy Steele

Published October 20, 2021

Resurfacing work proposed for Suncoast Parkway

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Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise has included a resurfacing project on the Suncoast Parkway, as part of its tentative work program for fiscal years 2023 through 2027.

Siaosi Fine, of the Turnpike Enterprise, briefed the Pasco Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) board about the sole Pasco County project included in that proposed plan, at the board’s Oct. 14 meeting.

The resurfacing work would be done on the Suncoast Parkway, from just south of the Hillsborough County and Pasco County line to a little bit north of State Road 52, Fine said.

The design funds are included in the tentative five-year work plan in fiscal year 2024 and the construction funds are included in the fiscal year 2025 plan. The total cost would be $23.1 million for work that includes milling and resurfacing, guard rail installation, and signing and pavement marking improvements, he said

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who sits on the Pasco MPO board, inquired about funding for the two pedestrian/bicycle overpasses that are planned at State Road 54 and State Road 52, respectively, to connect to the Suncoast Trail.

Those projects are being funded by Pasco County, while overpasses in Hernando and Citrus counties are being paid for by the Turnpike, the commissioner said.

“It’s not fair,” Starkey said.

“Board members, citizens of Pasco County are paying for the bike/ped overpasses on (State Roads) 54 and 52, and the Turnpike is paying for the overpasses in Hernando County and Citrus County) who have a lot less traffic than us. I don’t understand how that happened,” she said. She added that she’d like to talk to someone at the Turnpike Enterprise about the possibility of it sharing those costs.

Starkey addressed her MPO board colleagues: “Guys, I really think we should elevate our voices on that,” adding that perhaps that can be done when they go to Tallahassee to address concerns.

“Why are other counties getting it paid for, and we have to pay for our own?” she said. “It bothers me.”

In another part of the meeting, Starkey reiterated her concerns about trail design, urging those who are planning trails to use an approach that allows trails to meander away from roads and to place them behind ponds or landscaping, to improve the experience for users and to make it safer.

In some cases, that might increase costs, she said. But it might not.

“There are ways to make the user experience better. You don’t have to buy more right of way, you just have to plan it as a user would like to use it,” Starkey said.

Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick agreed. She said trails should be farther back from roads, not butted up right next to them, to help keep users safe.

MPO Board Chairman Lance Smith, who serves on the Zephyrhills City Council, agreed that more thought needs to be given to trail design.

“I do want to say that I appreciate the commissioners’ input on the trails because I think this trail idea has evolved over the years,” Smith said.

“It used to be —  well — no trails. Then, over the years, as an afterthought, let’s put in a trail. “Now, we’re thinking more on integrating it as part of the actual construction. I think it’s great to have a landscape architect in there and fight as hard as they can to create these nice spaces on the trail.

“It’s great to have a trail, but if there’s not a piece of shade on it, in August, I don’t know how many people will use it,” Smith said.

“And,” Starkey added, “an occasional bench?”

Published October 20, 2021

Land O’ Lakes neighbors turn GIFs into games

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Many people enjoy card games.

Using animated images, called GIFs, on smartphones are a popular way to communicate, too.

So, Land O’ Lakes Connerton neighborhood residents Michael Cornuta and Ramon Jimenez put their heads together and thought — Why not mold the two into a fun, interactive activity?

From left: Michael Cornuta, Ashley Jimenez and Ramon Jimenez, all of Connerton, have made ‘That GIF Game’ a reality. Gamers are taking to the new game, as the trio is coming up with new versions that will appeal to everyone. (Fred Bellet)

They did just that, with “That GIF Game.”

The game is described as a hybrid party group game that combines a physical custom deck of cards with a free smartphone app interface.

Each player anonymously submits responses through the app, and points are awarded to the most fitting, funny, quirky or creative GIF.

The deck of cards includes a total of 265 GIFtions — or situational expressions — which assist in facilitating the game.

The app is available in the Apple App Store and Android Play Store.

The corresponding deck of cards can be purchased on Amazon.com.

Here’s how it works:

Each player must first download the app, then sign up and enter their phone number associated for the game.

A game organizer will select a new game and add all players, of up to 50 people. Players are added through phone contacts or manual entry.

Ashley Jimenez demonstrates how her phone and a stack of ‘That GIF Game’ cards make up the new game.

Once phones are added by the game organizer, each player will select “Join Game” for the fun to begin.

Each individual card in the deck has a list of five GIFtions, or expressions, for a round.

One particular card, for instance, reads the following five scenarios with which a GIF is needed to best match:

  • You look ridiculous right now.
  • Eurotrip!
  • My Valentine’s Day plans:
  • Do you believe in magic?
  • Eww, it’s all sticky!

From there, players have two minutes to select a GIF from within the app, which sources GIPHY, one of the largest public online GIF databases with over a billion selections.

There’s strategy involved in searching for and choosing a GIF —  taking into account the personality and humor of the card reader during each turn, so users can earn points. The first player to score five points wins the game.

“Sometimes you’ve got to know their sense of humor,” said Cornuta, a health care professional.

The game usually works best with a group of five to six people.

Whether you’re sitting across the table or across the world, ‘That GIF Game’ can be played anywhere. Ashley Jimenez demonstrates the game with her husband, Ramon Jimenez.

A typical session — the first to five points — runs about an hour.

“You just laugh and have a good time playing it,” Cornuta said. “It’s really just a fun, easy, quick game. Everybody’s got a phone on them all the time, so all you need is the deck of cards, and you could be anywhere – the beach, a campfire…”

He added, “The best part is when people start laughing at their own GIF that they think is going to be funny.”

The original idea for “That GIF Game” came from Cornuta.

Since Cornuta and friends often use GIFs to express their thoughts in group text messages, he wondered about using them to create some kind of game.

Said Cornuta, “We were like, ‘Everybody’s always got their phone in hand, so what if we come up with an idea, or you have an app with cards and questions? Can we create it? Is it possible? Can we do the app?’”

Jimenez, an Air Force veteran, was the first to jump aboard to assist in the effort.

“I threw it out to a bunch of buddies, and Ramon stepped up and was like, ‘That sounds like a great idea, and was like, ‘Let’s do it,’” Cornuta recalled.

It took about a year to develop the game before its official launch over the summer.

The first edition of ‘That GIF Game’ already is a hit with newcomers. The best part about it is that a free interactive app is included with the game.

The process involved finalizing a business model, then producing the cards and smartphone app with the help of printing and technology companies in Orlando and Miami, respectively.

The cards and app take on a 70s theme with a red-and-yellow color scheme and groovy font.

“I mean, everything we did was right from scratch,” said Cornuta. “The name, the design of the package, the cards, the app. I mean everything was literally from ground zero.”

The duo also enlisted help from over a dozen Connerton neighbors and friends to brainstorm and finalize and narrow the GIFtion sayings to put on each card.

“It was a big, massive collaboration process, getting involved with the neighbors and personal friends,” Jimenez said.

Going forward, Cornuta and Jimenez plan to launch specialty GIFtion card decks, such as sports-themed and celebrity-themed versions.

They also have aspirations of getting the hybrid card game into name-brand retail and convenience stores, as well as gas stations.

“You name it, it could go there; it doesn’t take up much space,” Cornuta said. “It’s a great stocking stuffer.”

The game entrepreneurs received solid reviews when they unveiled the game in Tampa Toy Con at the Florida State Fairgrounds in July. They’ve also seen steady downloads of the app since.

“Anyone who’s played the game has been nothing but positive feedback, and we confirmed it at the convention,” Jimenez said. “So, our sales pitch (at the convention) was, as people walked by, we said, ‘Here, take my phone, we’re about to read you a GIFtion.’ It was very positive.”

Published October 20, 2021

Hillsborough residents can still weigh in on redistricting

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Hillsborough County residents still have time to share their thoughts on the redistricting process, according to a county news release.

Redistricting is the constitutionally mandated redrawing of local, state and federal political boundaries, which occurs every 10 years, after the U.S. Census is conducted.

Redistricting is done to account for changes in population during the previous decade.

The final map for Hillsborough County Commission districts is decided by the county board, but it invites public input.

There are currently three proposed maps that apportion the four single-member commission districts.

Residents are encouraged to go to HCFLGov.net/Redistricting and study the three maps, and provide feedback at the upcoming public hearings.

Residents can participate in person or virtually at the two public hearings listed below.

  • Nov. 8 at 6 p.m., at County Center, second-floor boardroom, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., in Tampa
  • Nov. 16 at 6 p.m., at County Center, second-floor boardroom, 601 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa

The public can sign up to speak virtually or in person at the redistricting public hearing, or can submit written public comment.

Speaker signup forms open 48 business hours before the start of each hearing.

Visit the county’s website to learn more.

Published October 20, 2021

Parking lot upgrades planned at rec center

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Florida Parking Inc., doing business as Yellow Dawg Striping of West Central Florida, has been awarded a bid to repair and resurface the existing parking lot at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Center Complex, off Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

The bid was awarded in an amount to exceed $249,516, according to agenda backup materials in the Pasco County Commission’s Oct. 12 meeting.

The county sent automatic email notices to 142 vendors, including 19 from Pasco County.

Additionally, 20 manually searched for and downloaded the solicitation, including two from Pasco.

The parks, recreation and natural resources department requested the bid be awarded to Yellow Dawg, and the purchasing department concurred.

There was no discussion by commissioners, who approved the bid award as part of the county board’s consent agenda.

The project will be paid for with parks, recreation and natural resources budget for fiscal year 2022.

Published October 20, 2021

Status of Women appointment confirmed

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The Pasco County Commission has confirmed Julie Rockwell as the United Way of Pasco County’s appointment to the Commission on the Status of Women for a three-year term, effective Oct. 12.

The Commission on the Status of Women serves as an advisory body to the county board, the county administrator and the community, on all matters pertaining to women, according to backup materials in the board’s agenda.

The Commission on the Status of Women is made up of representatives from 10 agencies, as well as an appointee from each county board member.

Summer Blevins had been representing the United Way of Pasco, but stepped away from the post in January. Rockwell was nominated by United Way to replace Blevins.

Published October 20, 2021

Moffitt and Pasco Schools have big plans

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Pasco County Schools and Moffitt Cancer Center envision great possibilities of working together when the school district builds its planned 6-12 magnet STEAM school on land near Moffitt’s planned campus in Land O’ Lakes.

Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, recently updated the school board about a meeting between school district and Moffitt staff members.

“We had our first real, live, meeting with the administrative staff of Moffitt Cancer Center. And, it went really very, very well,” Gadd told the school board on Oct. 5.

“On the Angeline property, as the crow flies, is kind of back behind Land O’ Lakes High School, Moffitt is putting in a hospital and a big research center, and we have a school right across the street,” Gadd said.

“That school, we’ll start construction on that, I think, about mid-October. We’ll probably be the first building up out there. And, we are currently working with Moffitt and Pasco-Hernando State College to develop a very unique school setting.”

The campus will serve students in grades six through 12.

“More than likely, the upper classmen will have an opportunity to interact in the Moffitt hospital, with Moffitt researchers; (and) participate in apprentice programs and internships.

“It would be something that is very unique to the Pasco school system,” Gadd said, noting that Dr. Kim Moore, assistant superintendent who oversees the district’s career and technical programs, was at the meeting, as well as Dr. Monica Ilse, assistant superintendent for high schools, and Steve Hegarty, public information officer.

“We had a very, very positive reception from the Moffitt folks,” Gadd said.

In remarks to her school board colleagues, Cynthia Armstrong said it’s exciting “that we’re going to have a magnet school right next to their campus, which is going to be huge. So, we’re very excited about that.”

That meeting was a follow-up to a previous session between Gadd and Dr. Patrick Hwu, president and CEO of Moffitt.

Gadd previously briefed school board members about his meeting with Hwu.

During that briefing, Gadd told board members that he’d “heard through the grapevine that he (Hwu) was a big supporter of education, public education.”

But Gadd added: “My meeting with him was beyond expectations. I went there with a few ideas and he had hundreds of ideas about how our new STEM magnet in the Angeline area could be a partner with Moffitt.”

Gadd noted: “We’d have to work through all kinds of legal issues, as he and I discussed, but having students actually sit in, participate in procedures, surgeries, internships. Having graduate students and doctors actually come to the school building and teach courses and work with us, district-wide on virtual programs for kids, who are in nursing programs, health programs, biomedical engineering and those kinds of things.

“He was exuberant, and we made arrangements to connect my staff with his staff. I am really looking forward to the potential we have to work with Moffitt,” Gadd said.

Funding for the construction of the district’s planned 6-12 school in Land O’ Lakes was approved on Oct. 5, when the school board adjourned, then reconvened as the Pasco County School Board Leasing Corporation to approve $85 million in financing that will pay for the lease‐purchase financing of that school, and projects Hudson and Gulf high schools.

The new Angeline mixed-use community — which is being billed as a wellness-themed community — will be developed on thousands of acres of land, east of the Suncoast Parkway and south of State Road 52.

Moffitt plans to create a massive research and corporate innovation district.

Site entitlements for Moffitt’s project, which encompass 24 million square feet, include plans for a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multiyear, multiphase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.

The school district’s new school in Angeline will be designed for 1,694 student stations, which at 90% capacity translates to about 1,530 students, according to a previous report in The Laker/Lutz News.

The school board hired Ajax Building Company at its Sept. 15, 2020 meeting to do pre-construction work at the 6-12 STEAM school site.

The school is planned on an 18.8-acre site within Angeline, south of State Road 52, north of the future Ridge Road extension and west of Sunlake Boulevard, according to Ajax’s website.

“Campus plans include a one-story administration area, a one-story dining and multipurpose area with a full kitchen, two-story media, band and art areas, and a four-story classroom wing, with all areas connected by a one-story and two-story atrium/central corridor, the website post says.

The site development also includes “walkway canopies, aluminum shade system, fencing, walking trail, sidewalks, chiller/generator plan, site lighting, underground utilities, landscaping and irrigation,” according to information posted by Ajax.

Harvard Jolly is the architect on the school district project.

Published October 13, 2021

Interstate 75 traffic to be detoured, Oct. 15 through Oct. 17

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One direction of Interstate 75 traffic in the Wesley Chapel area of Pasco County will be detoured to local roads each night between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m., beginning on Oct. 15 and finishing up on the morning of Oct. 17, according to officials from the Florida Department of Transportation.

The detours are needed to set concrete beams for one of two new Overpass Road bridges, FDOT officials say.

Southbound traffic will be detoured Friday night, Oct. 15, and northbound traffic will be detoured Saturday night, Oct. 16. Here are the details and detour routes:

  • Southbound I-75 traffic will be detoured off the interstate between State Road 52 (Exit 285) and State Road 54/County Road 54 (Exit 279) between 9 p.m. Oct. 15 and 9 a.m. Oct. 16.

Detour route for southbound I-75: Traffic will be directed off at Exit 285. At the bottom of the ramp, turn right onto State Road 52 and continue for approximately one-half mile. At the next traffic signal, which is Old Pasco Road, turn left and go south on Old Pasco Road for approximately 6.75 miles to County Road 54/State Road 54. Turn left at the traffic signal onto State Road 54/County Road 54 (which also is known as Wesley Chapel Boulevard) and continue east about seven-tenths of a mile to re-enter southbound I-75.

  • Northbound I-75 traffic will be detoured off the interstate between State Road 54/County Road 54 (Exit 279) and State Road 52 (Exit 285) between 9 p.m. Oct. 16 and 9 a.m. Oct. 17.

Detour route for northbound I-75: Traffic will be directed off northbound I-75 at Exit 279. At the bottom of the ramp, turn left onto State Road 54/County Road 54/Wesley Chapel Boulevard and continue west about eight-tenths of a mile to Old Pasco Road. At the traffic signal for Old Pasco Road, turn right and go north for approximately 6.75 miles to State Road 52. Turn right at the traffic signal onto State Road 52 and go east about three-quarters of a mile. After passing under I-75, turn left onto the entrance ramp to re-enter northbound I-75.

Motorists should be aware that Old Pasco Road is a two-lane road — with one lane in each direction. It is expected to be very congested during the hours of the detour. The posted speed limit along Old Pasco Road must be observed.

Motorists are urged to plan plenty of extra time to drive the detour and return to the interstate, or to consider alternate routes.

Law enforcement officers and traffic management personnel will be active along the detour route to assist with traffic flow.

Detour signs and message boards will be placed along the detour route for guidance.

Detour maps and directions are posted on the project web page, tinyurl.com/usysjbx6.

Published October 13, 2021

Zephyrhills woman is showcased on the TODAY show

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When Shannon Brennan heard the promo for “Flip your Fall,” a new TODAY Show segment, she immediately knew who to nominate.

The show was looking to shine the spotlight on someone who goes out of their way for others, and Shannon knew that her co-worker Leondra Thomas-Robinson was perfect for that honor.

So, Shannon, who happened to be in Syracuse, New York, visiting her mother, immediately filled out a nomination on TODAY’s website.

And, the television show responded quickly, choosing Leondra, to be featured in the segment.

Behind the scenes, the TODAY team conspired with Shannon and her boss, Betsy Strickland, to pull off the surprise.

As Leondra was going about an apparently normal Sept. 16 morning at the Postal Authority in Zephyrhills, Betsy took a call in the back room.

From left: Shannon Brennan, Leondra Thomas-Robinson and Betsy Strickland all work at the Postal Authority in Zephyrhills. Shannon and Betsy pulled off a big surprise for Leondra, who was spotlighted for going the extra mile, during a segment of the TODAY show. (B.C. Manion)

Moments later, Betsy came out, holding her cellphone up in the air, while two voices were talking to Leondra.

Leondra didn’t have a clue what was going on.

It became clear soon enough.

“Leondra, it’s Hoda (Kotb) and Jenna (Bush).

“We’re from the TODAY show. We know you’re working usually during this hour, but we have a live television show that you’re on, right now,” Hoda said, asking Leondra if it was OK to record her.

“Here’s what happened,” Hoda continued. “Your boss and your co-worker, Shannon, nominated you for a Flip your Fall.

“Basically what this is, is we are honoring you because you are so nice. You are so kind to all of the people you meet. So, we thought, you know, maybe it’s a good time that someone said ‘Thank you’ and showed you appreciation.”

Jenna told Leondra that her co-workers said “you make coming to work a delight — that your positivity, your energy — makes everybody around you feel great.

Hoda: “First we just want to say ‘Thank you.’”

Then she asked Leondra: “How do you feel in this moment?”

Leondra responded: “I don’t even know,” tearing up with emotion.

Then, Jenna asked: “Betsy, do you have something?”

Betsy responded: “I do. I have flowers for you (Leondra) and I have some chocolates for you,” handing them to her. Leondra laughed with delight.

Then Hoda said, “Hey Leondra, we like flowers and we liked chocolates, but we do have one more thing for you.”

Then Jenna said: “You know what we have for you? The Terranea Resort is treating you and a guest to three nights, with airfare, in Ranchos Pallos Verde in Southern California. Luxury amenities. Sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean.”

Hoda added: “Leondra, it’s the vacation you have deserved for a long time.

“What do you think?”

Leondra answered:  “I’m overwhelmed. Thank you so much.”

It was a big moment for Leondra, and for Betsy and Shannon, too — because her friends were equally thrilled she had been chosen to be showcased.

All three are women of faith and all three believe that God had a hand in Leondra’s selection.

For her part, Shannon said if she hadn’t been visiting her mom, she wouldn’t have been watching the show and would not have nominated Leondra.

And, Leondra said she never would have been working at Postal Authority, in the first place, without divine intervention.

She explained that before she began working there she was employed at a bread store that closed down due to COVID.

A bread store customer asked her what she was going to do.

Leondra responded: “I’m going to trust in God. He’s always taken good care of me. He will continue.”

Long story short, the customer — who turned out to be Betsy’s acupuncturist — got involved and Leondra wound up going to work for Betsy.

That, Leondra said, was God.

The store, at 32789 Eiland Blvd., in Zephyrhills, doesn’t just ship packages. It has mailbox rentals, provides notary services, shreds documents, handles certified mail, completes fingerprinting and provides a variety of other services.

People arriving there are often in some sort of transition.

“We have two or three criers a week,” Shannon said. “We fax a lot of stuff, so there’s a lot of death certificates going out. We have a lot of Powers of Attorney that we notarize, and wills and end-of-life instructions, and a lot of times when we’re shipping, we’re shipping people’s valuables that they pack up from their parents’ house, who just passed away.

“They’re really at a crossroads.

“It’s hard for them, so it just can’t be business as usual. It’s not business as usual,” Shannon said.

Leondra tunes into those needs and responds, her co-workers said.

The store has lots of repeat customers, too.

Leondra remembers their names and faces, and details of their story, Shannon said.

“I think it’s a great avenue to minister to people,” Leondra said.

“They come in. They’re sending packages,” Leondra said. “But sometimes they just need a word of encouragement. Or, they need a smile. Or, they just need somebody to reassure them. ‘Yeah, you’re going through something right now, but it’s not the end of the world, and you’re not alone.

“I hear everything that people say, but I also hear what they don’t say,” said Leondra, who is taking her mother along for her resort vacation.

Published October 13, 2021

Pasco School Board wants in on redistricting talks

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Pasco County is in the midst of its redistricting process and the school board is interested in being involved.

On Oct. 5, the school board asked its attorney, Dennis Alfonso, to reach out to the county to let them know of their interest.

The request came after Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent, said he’d had some discussions with members of the Pasco County Commission and learned “they are actively involved in redrawing those boundaries.”

Redistricting occurs every 10 years, following the completion of the United States decennial census.

Changes to district maps are made based on changes to the population, but the way the lines are drawn in redistricting can have a significant influence regarding whom is elected to a particular office. So, those interested in the political process tend to keep a close eye on redistricting.

When the redistricting issue surfaced at the school board meeting, Alfonso noted: “Just to remind the board that we’re not bound by whatever redistricting is done by the county, but as a historical practice, it’s been practical for the board to just accept those districts.

“It’s not required by law, so the board, could in fact, draw its own boundaries, if it chose to do that.

“Either way, I’ll at least reach out and speak with the county attorney’s office to say, ‘Hey, we’re aware of this and we want to know whether or not we’re invited to participate in the discussions,’” Alfonso said.

School board chairman Allen Altman responded: “We went through that process 10 years ago. We cooperated together,” and noted that historically that’s been the case.

Altman told Alfonso: “If you would reach out to them on behalf of the board, let them know that we’d like to see what they are working on and participate in the process.

“My understanding is that they are the recipient of the (U.S. Census) information, and that it flows through them. And, we have heard nothing, so communication would be appreciated,” Altman said.

School board member Alison Crumbley added: “As I recall, 10 years ago, we had a co-meeting with them.”

Altman responded: “We did. So, we will go to work on that.”

Superintendent Kurt Browning announced that the district just completed its reaccreditation process, which occurs every five years.

It will be receiving the full report in coming weeks, but the district has been informed that it will recommend a continued system accreditation, Browning said.

“It is all about continuous improvement, how we become a better district,” he added.

In his remarks to the school board, Don Peace, president of the United School Employees of Pasco, noted that negotiations continue between the union and the district.

“We are hoping to be able to finalize the $1,000 payments to those employees who are not covered by the state (Gov. Ron DeSantis’ COVID-19 bonus plan) very soon,”  Peace said.

The union also hopes that negotiations will include how the district can move toward “addressing longtime teachers and raising the ceiling on teacher salaries, as these are the leaders and role models we desire to keep in front of our students.”

The union also is interested in lessening the amount of required paperwork.

“Let’s work together to streamline data where we can,” Peace said.

On another topic, the board approved additional spending for extra instructional time to help close achievement gaps for students and to help support students who are below grade level.

In keeping with the grant requirements, the program targets students who are performing below grade level in one or more academic areas, according to agenda background materials.

The extra instruction will be provided from Oct. 18 to March 11.

The elementary extended school day program will focus on reading and mathematics. The secondary extended day program will focus on core content courses.

A total of 11,500 instructional hours will be devoted to elementary students; 2,628 for middle school students and 9,824 hours for high school students.

On another issue, board member Colleen Beaudoin reminded parents that the district’s school choice program, known as Pasco Pathways, will be hosting virtual expos soon to familiarize parents with the various education options available in the district.

The virtual expo for West Pasco is scheduled for Nov. 15 and the virtual expo for East Pasco is set for Nov. 18. Each expo is from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Beaudoin said she wanted to draw attention to the expos, to help ensure parents will be able to take advantage of them.

“I frequently have parents say they didn’t know there were certain programs available at schools,” she said.

“I would like to encourage parents to please attend the (virtual) expos and then you’ll learn all of the things that are offered at the different schools, and then you make informed decisions for your students for the year.

“Pasco Pathways is talking about all of the different pathways that your students can take to go through our schools, pre-k through 12. That is school choice.

“That’s a chance to learn about the programs, the opportunities that we have.

“And then, the window to apply for school choice, is Jan. 6, 2022 to Jan. 20,2022, which will be here before you know,” Beaudoin said.

The expos provide a tremendous opportunity for parents to find out about their options, Altman agreed.

“They (school district staff) did an outstanding job putting it (expos) together last year,” Altman said.

The notification and acceptance window for the district’s choice program is Feb. 23 to March 4.

For more information, visit the school district’s website and then go to the Pasco Pathways page.

Published October 13, 2021