Local News

Dade City approves contract for destination marketing campaign

July 13, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

The City of Dade City is poised to launch a destination marketing campaign — with the aim of attracting more tourists, as well as engaging area residents.

To that end, Dade City Commissioners on June 22 unanimously approved a $14,200 contract with The Creative Stable Inc., a Dade City-based advertising, marketing, media and public relations firm operated by Jennifer Frazier. Frazier is the agency’s creative director, senior copywriter and general manager.

The scope of work entails the creation of a photo library ($2,500), the development of an advertising campaign ($3,200), the design of a destination website called DiscoverDadeCity.com ($1,000) and a video and short television spots campaign refresh ($7,500) — in collaboration with other Tampa Bay area multimedia companies.

Jennifer Frazier, creative director, senior copywriter and general manager of The Creative Stable Inc. (Courtesy of The Creative Stable Inc.)

In its proposal, Creative Stable listed its objective is for the municipality “to attract more foot traffic from surrounding areas to the downtown core of Dade City by visually portraying it as a unique, rewarding, memorable, and fun destination, thus increasing sales for area businesses.”

The proposal also outlines some of the city’s unique selling propositions. Those include Dade City’s small-town character; its historic buildings, including some Art Deco and Art Nouveau styles; its specialty retail, restaurants, brewery and events center; its public parks; its biking/hiking/walking trails; its cultural offerings, including the Dade City Center for the Arts and the Dade City Symphony; and, a new Visitor’s Center in the works and a splash zone being planned.

A photo library creation will encompass four days of on-site shooting by Rick Tauceda of Tampa-based Rick’s visual, to give the city hundreds of usable shots, be it streetscapes, historic churches, Kumquat Festival event action, local restaurants, pedestrians walking downtown, children playing at Price Park, cyclists and runners on Hardy Trail, and so on.

Meanwhile, a video refresh will be shot and produced by Tampa-based Diamond View Studios, updating a 2016 video library focusing on new footage and more experiential imagery “to avoid logos and storefronts as much as possible to give it a longer shelf life.” The group also will replace footage no longer relevant in the live, work, play, shop and dine spots, for 30-second high-definition television and social media spots.

In its advertising campaign for the city, Creative Stable will create “a cohesive series of community ads to develop wider market awareness for the downtown core.”

These would include:

An outdoor board
Print and digital ad series of five ads (live, work, play, shop and dine)
Social media campaign promoting 30-second spots and an invitation to visit
Event poster format
Event digital ad format
Event print ad

Meanwhile, the design of a “link-centric” destination website for Dade City would have pages to include, “Shop, Dine, Live, Work, and Play” in keeping with the themes of the marketing campaign. For instance, the “Play” webpage on the site would feature the Hardy Trail and city parks, along with other recreational opportunities such as TreeHoppers Aerial Adventure Park, and Lake Jovita Golf and Country Club.

The marketing plan also provides an option for ongoing support with a retainer fee, which can be modified to fit the city’s needs. The company recommended a monthly retainer of $1,500 (approximately 20 hours per month) to keep marketing consistent for the city over time, to provide event posters, print and digital ads, website updates and so on.

City leaders and merchants of late have expressed a need to attract a younger demographic and more foot traffic to support more contemporary types of businesses, such as bike shops, art galleries and taprooms.

As part of its proposal, Creative Stable garnered anonymous feedback from downtown business owners, who shared a mix of opportunities and concerns for the city’s ability to attract new people and thrive, including:

More affordable rent rates compared to Wesley Chapel
Too many empty storefronts
The need for a concert series at Agnes Lamb Park
Targeting day-trippers from Wesley Chapel, Lutz, New Tampa, Trinity
Incorporating more crosswalks to make the city more walkable and safer
Develop a curated mix of retail to better make the city a destination
More events needed to spur foot traffic

Commissioners like Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez expressed enthusiasm with the full-throttled marketing blitz and its desired impacts.

“The time is right for Dade City to really move to that next level,” she said. “We want a very high-quality product.”

The mayor described Frazier as “really talented” and “a tremendous asset” having produced campaigns for Florida League of Cities and First National Bank of Pasco, and many other entities.

Frazier has lived in Dade City since 1985 and raised her family in the area. She recently was inducted into the Tampa Museum of Art and serves on the Gasparilla Arts Festival and Gasparilla Music Festival boards.

Commissioner Scott Black added it’s advantageous that Frazier’s company is nearby on Fort King Road “so we can hold her accountable and we can pull her in more easily anytime there is an event going or a need.”

Meanwhile, Dade City Manager Leslie Porter credited Frazier for recently assisting Dade City pro bono on a newspaper ad campaign where “she was a great help and really helped the city a lot.”

With an influx of growth and development on the horizon, Frazier said it’s an opportune time to begin promoting the city more aggressively.

The East Pasco municipality is poised to see some 14,000 new homes on the books within the next five years, plus a slew of downtown amenities and other unique, adventurous hotspots on the outskirts of town, just outside the city limits.

She put it like this: “I think we’re ready for our close-up now.”

Frazier thanked the commission for being receptive with the forthcoming initiatives, too.

“This has been months, and for a couple of us, years in the making to get to this point to try to create a cohesive marketing program for the City of Dade City, that’s easily repeatable, that’s going to bring in new people to our city, and also ignite those people who are already here, to get back and re-engaged, if they’re not already,” Frazier explained.

Work will begin once a signed contractual agreement is in place, outlining specific deliverables, terms and payment schedules.

As for a timeline for the marketing campaign, Creative Stable plans to complete library and video shoots “as soon as possible to avoid storm season.” From there, an eight-week window is planned “to deliver the videos, spots, advertising campaigns and website.”

Published July 14, 2021

Getting out and cleaning up

July 13, 2021 By Mary Rathman

From left: Joanne O’ Ryan, Brooke Gerrity, Hayley O’ Ryan and Shay O’ Ryan were among the many volunteers at the first Keep Pasco Beautiful World Oceans Day. (Courtesy of Kristen King)

The first Keep Pasco Beautiful World Oceans Day cleanup event was hailed a success – with the environment reeling in the biggest benefits, according to a news release.

Pasco County has more than 20 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico.

In Central Pasco and East Pasco, there are several watersheds that lead to Tampa Bay and various rivers.

Volunteers donated their time in June, at two Pasco County locations: Anclote Gulf Park in Holiday and Cypress Creek Preserve in Land O’ Lakes.

Combing the roadways and shoreline, they removed everything from televisions and sofa cushions to car bumpers and tires.

“Trash along the roadways ends up in the stormwater system, which ultimately leads to the Gulf,” said Keep Pasco Beautiful Coordinator Kristen King. “We live in an amazing place, and we all have to do our part to protect it.”

Here are statistics from the event:

1,460 poundsof trash collected
59 volunteers
118 volunteer hourslogged
$3,368 cost benefit(Volunteer Time Value)

To volunteer or learn more about Keep Pasco Beautiful, visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org.

Published July 14, 2021

Stay safe: Hurricane season can be deadly

July 6, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Tropical Storm Elsa was headed toward the Tampa Bay region this week, and it was too early to know what the impacts would be — as The Laker/Lutz News went to print.

Regardless of Elsa’s impact, experts are predicting an above-normal Hurricane Season 2021.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Climate Prediction Center has predicted a 60% chance of an above-normal Atlantic hurricane season, a 30% chance of a near-normal season and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.

NOAA is forecasting a range of 13 to 19 named storms, with winds of 39 mph or higher. Of those, six to 10 could become hurricanes, with winds of 74 mph or higher, including three to six hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5), with winds of 111 mph or more, according to the predictions.

Laura Wilcoxen, interim director for emergency management in Pasco County urges people to prepare now, so they can take any actions that become necessary, if a big storm heads our way. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

An average hurricane season – which runs from June 1 through Nov. 30 — produces 14 named storms, of which seven become hurricanes, including three major hurricanes, according to NOAA’s updated statistics.

The last hurricane to hit Pasco County was Hurricane Irma, in 2017. County officials have estimated that more than 200 homes were damaged, with 56 homes suffering major damage and four homes destroyed, according to the 2021 Pasco County Disaster Preparedness Guide.

Of the 261,000 addresses in Pasco County, approximately 217,000 addresses reportedly were without power, the guide adds.

As this issue of The Laker/Lutz News was going to print, experts were keeping an eye on Tropical Storm Elsa that was brewing, but it was too early to tell whether the storm would affect the Tampa Bay region.

Of course, it’s impossible to predict when or where a hurricane or tropical storm will strike, so that’s why emergency management officials urge residents to be ready to take whatever actions are necessary.

Laura Wilcoxen, interim director for emergency management for Pasco County, said residents need to prepare now, so they can be ready if a threat arises.

Prepare now
It’s important to keep in mind there are just a couple of thousand first responders, Wilcoxen said, compared to more than 550,000 Pasco County residents.

“So, personal responsibility is extremely important for us all to be able to recover as quickly as we can,” she said.

First, know your hazards, she said. “Are you in an evacuation zone? Are you in a flood zone?

“You know best where you live. You know best the route that you routinely travel,” Wilcoxen said.

Perhaps you’re new to the area.

In that case, Wilcoxen suggests: “Talk to your neighbors. Ask them what their experience has been in past storms.”

Perhaps you haven’t geared up yet for this storm season.

Wilcoxen offers this advice: “Prepare a simple go-kit: Quick things that you can grab, in a backpack. Water, some food, your medications, batteries, a flashlight.”

Prepare a larger home kit, too.

That kit should include 1 gallon of water per person, per day, for up to 7 days; nonperishable food, a non-electric can opener, hygiene items, and so on.

Those preparing disaster kits also should keep in mind the need to pack personal protection equipment, such as masks and gloves, in case they are needed, she said.

As you make preparations, consider any special needs of elderly or disabled people, infants and pets, she said.

Also, if you will need a special shelter, be sure to know where they are and how to register.

This is the list of 2021 Atlantic Tropical Cyclone Names from the World Meteorological Organization and presented in a graphic by The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. See page 1B for a lengthy list of practical tips intended to help you prepare before storms threaten; stay safe if severe weather hits; and, respond in the aftermath. (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)

Stay safe
“Each storm is different. Some of the worst damage that this county has experienced has been because of a tropical storm,” Wilcoxen said.

Residents need to know their evacuation zone.

“Heed the warnings. There can be a lot of complacency based on previous experience,” Wilcoxen said.

“If county officials are giving you a warning that it’s time to evacuate, it’s because there’s a high potential for threats to life and safety,” the emergency response expert said.

Areas of special concern include coastal areas that are subject to storm surge and buildings that would be susceptible to wind damage, such as mobile homes or homes that are not secured to their foundation, she said.

There are public shelters available, but they should be the option of last resort, Wilcoxen said.

It’s better for people to find friends or family, or stay in a hotel, Wilcoxen said.

“You are going to be much more comfortable than you would be at a shelter,” she added. “Shelters are really like the lifeboat —they’re the lifeboat, not the cruise ship.”

County shelters will follow guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Florida Department of Health, Wilcoxen said.

There will be isolation areas, if needed, because of COVID-19, she added.

Protect your property, and yourself
“Know what your insurance covers,” Wilcoxen said.

If you need flood insurance, get it now.

New flood insurance policies cannot be obtained, if a storm is approaching.

It’s also a good idea to take action now, such as trimming your trees, to reduce potential property damage, she said.

When a storm is approaching, store items — such as patio furniture, grills and planters — in a garage or in another secure place. Those could become projectiles during high winds.

If you have emergency equipment, be sure you know how it works. That’s particularly true about generators, Wilcoxen said.

“Make sure they’re (generators) properly installed. You don’t want to put them inside your garage. Don’t put them next to your bedroom window. Make sure the way it is wired in, is correct,” Wilcoxen said. “You don’t want to have a disaster, within a disaster.”

Be sure you have a communication plan.

Whether you are evacuating or sheltering in place, be sure to share the specifics with someone who is outside of the danger zone.

Keep informed
Wilcoxen encourages residents to register for the AlertPasco app, which provides timely reports.

The county also has the social media NextDoor app, which can push out more information, easily, she said.

Wilcoxen also recommends that residents read the county’s disaster guide.

“It’s been updated and designed to make it user-friendly,” Wilcoxen said.

The county’s preparedness videos, on the emergency management page of the county’s website, are helpful, too, she said.

“If you have people who are interested in learning about how to properly fill a sandbag and stack them, we have a video about sandbags. If you want to learn more about what to take to a shelter, we have a video on our shelters. We also have one on how to build a kit.

“They’re just great, useful, educational tools,” Wilcoxen said.

“If you have any questions ever, make sure you’re reaching out and asking. Our team is here to help,” Wilcoxen said.

Preparing for a disaster
Would your organization or association like to know more about preparing for a disaster? Pasco County’s emergency management department has speakers available to provide presentations. To find out more, call 727-847-8137.

Written for July 07, 2021 publications

Revised July 05, 2021

Hurricane Season 2021 could be a busy one, experts predict

July 6, 2021 By B.C. Manion

In 2018, Hurricane Michael was the first Category 5 hurricane to impact the contiguous United States since Hurricane Andrew did in 1992. Weather experts are predicting that Hurricane Season 2021 will have higher-than-normal activity. (File)

Florida’s annual Hurricane Season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30, and Tropical Storm Elsa was heading toward the Tampa Bay region, when The Laker/Lutz News went to print.

Regardless of what happen with this storm, experts are predicting higher-than-normal activity, and they urge residents to be ready to respond, if a hurricane or tropical storm threatens.

Here are some practical pointers to help you to prepare for the storm, stay safe when it hits and recover after it.

What to do now:

Assemble hurricane kits
Supply kits vary, depending on the size of the family and whether there are infants, elderly people or pets. Be sure to consider individual needs, when assembling your kit.

Your pet emergency kit should include: Sturdy leashes, harnesses and/or a carrier; pet food, drinking water, bowls, cat litter, a litter pan; pet health records, current photos of your pets, in case they get lost; pet beds and toys.

In general, kits should include:

Drinking water (at least 1 gallon per person per day, for at least seven days)
Food that doesn’t require refrigeration and a manual can opener. Be sure to have a seven-day supply of food, including items such as protein bars, dried fruit, canned pastas, canned soup, canned tuna, peanut butter, crackers, baby formula, baby food.
A two-week supply of medications
Personal hygiene items, including toothbrushes, toothpaste, wet wipes, deodorant, toilet paper, face masks, hand sanitizer, gloves and diapers, if needed.
Clothing and footwear
Books and games, to help pass the time

Other useful items:

A battery-powered or hand-cranked radio (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Radio)
A first aid kit
A flashlight, batteries, a helmet and a whistle.
A solar-powered phone charger
A printed list of important telephone numbers.
Filter masks to protect your mouth and nose
A whistle to signal for help
Seasonal rain gear, sturdy shoes or boots
Paper plates, plastic utensils, plastic cups
Grill, cooking tools, fuel, charcoal
Hand tools, automotive repair tools
Duct tape and heavyweight garbage bags or plastic sheeting
A wrench or pliers (to turn off utilities)

Protect your property

Trim your trees and shrubs, to avoid damage from high winds.
Clear out clogged rain gutters and downspouts.
Document your valuables, by making a list of them, and taking photos of them and your property.
Cover windows with pre-cut plywood or hurricane shutters.
Store outdoor furniture, windchimes, garbage cans, decorations, potted plants and other items that could become projectiles in high winds.
If you have a boat, determine how and where to secure it.
If you live in a flood-prone area, use sandbags to help keep water from entering your home or property.

Have a plan for staying, or evacuating
Whether evacuating or sheltering in place, be sure to put important documents into a waterproof and fireproof container. These documents can include driver’s licenses, your insurance agent’s name and phone number, copies of medical information, insurance policies, and property inventories. Take photos of your documents or scan them and save them on a USB drive, or a cloud-based computer application.

Plan how you will evacuate, in the event you are ordered to do so.

If evacuating:
Have a go bag ready. It should include medications, clothing and important documents.

Have an evacuation plan. Check now with family and friends, to see if you can stay with them. If not, look for places to stay that are 10s of miles, rather than hundreds of miles away.

Know how to find the state’s evacuation routes.

Keep your gas tank 3/4s full or more, during hurricane season. Have cash on hand.

If you need assistance to evacuate, be sure to line that up now. If you need to go to a special needs shelter, register now.

Be sure to share your evacuation plan with someone who is outside of the danger zone.

If staying:
Know what to do, if a storm is threatening. Experts suggest that you:

Go inside immediately; take family and pets with you.
Close all interior doors. Secure and brace exterior doors. Take refuge in a small interior closet, or hallway on the lowest level. Choose a room with as few windows as possible. Lie on the floor under a table or another sturdy object.
Fill bathtubs or buckets with water to use for cleaning and toilet flushing.
Monitor local TV stations and radio stations.
Don’t be fooled by a lull in the storm. It could be the eye of the storm and the winds could resume.
Stay in place until advised it’s safe to leave.

Staying safe, after the storm

Avoid walking through standing water. Floodwaters may contain fecal matter, bacteria and viruses.
Don’t drive through moving or standing water. Water 2-feet deep can disable most vehicles.
Treat non-functioning traffic signals as a four-way stop.
Observe all barricades and detours. They are there for your protection.
Clear yard of debris or items that can block water flow and storm drains.
Assume downed power lines are live; avoid them.
Keep an eye out for alligators and other wildlife. Floods create an opportunity for them to come into residential areas.
Drain items that collect rainwater to help prevent mosquitoes from breeding.
Re-enter your home with caution.
Open windows and doors to ventilate and dry your home.
Check refrigerated foods for spoilage.
Beware of snakes, insects and other animals driven to higher ground by floodwater.
Turn power off if house was flooded.
Do not burn charcoal in your house or garage, the fumes can be deadly.
Do not use gas-powered generators indoors or in a garage, the exhaust can be lethal.
If you’re using a generator, do not plug it into a building’s wiring. This can cause generator back-feed, which is extremely dangerous for utility workers and for anyone in the public who comes into contact with a downed electrical wire.
If you have been evacuated, do not return to your home until authorities tell you that it is safe to do so.

Dealing with property damage

Make emergency repairs to limit the damage. Be sure to keep receipts for tarps, lumber and so on. But be careful, because inexperienced people attempting repairs are sometimes injured.
Take photos of the damage to help in filing insurance claims.
Contact your insurance claims agent as soon as possible.
Be wary of potential scams. Use licensed contractors to make repairs. Be sure to obtain a written estimate or contract. Require start and completion dates, and payment terms in the contract. Do not pay in full before the work begins and do not pay the final balance until the work is finished.

Counseling & support

Living through a disaster can be overwhelming. Take time to process the experience. Reach out to family and friends for support. If additional help is needed, take advantage of free counseling services that are available. Children may experience fear, nightmares or other symptoms. Talk to them honestly about the disaster and share your emotions about it.

Sources: Pasco County and Hillsborough County websites, their 2021 emergency preparedness guides and The Laker/Lutz News archives.

Keep up to date about storm dangers
Sign up to ALERT PASCO for emergency updates. Visit bit.ly/AlertPasco.
Visit HCFLGov.net/HCFLAlert to sign up for Hillsborough County emergency updates.

Written for July 07, 2021 publications

Revised July 5, 2021

Pasco stormwater utility fee expected to stay the same

July 6, 2021 By B.C. Manion

The Pasco County Commission has decided that the county’s stormwater utility fees will remain unchanged for the 2021 fiscal year.

The current rate is $95 per equivalent residential unit — which is based on an average amount of impervious area of 2,890 square feet for a single-family home, according to agenda background materials.

County staff recommended that the ERU rate and square footage remain the same for the 2021 tax year, and commissioners signaled their approval, without discussion, during their June 22 meeting.

The public hearing for the Annual Stormwater Management Utility System Rate Resolution is scheduled for 9 a.m., on Sept. 14, in the board room at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, at 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City. At the hearing, the board must adopt a final rate resolution. It can reduce the fee, but cannot increase it, at that hearing.

In other action, commissioners approved these items, without discussion, as part of their consent agenda:

The award of a professional services agreement with HDR Engineering Inc., to provide the required roadway design services for the widening of Old Pasco Road, from north of Deedra Drive to north of Overpass Road, in an amount not to exceed $2,570,032.37. That figure includes $595,973.19 in optional services for fiscal year 2021.
The appointments of Dennis Baker, representing Tampa North Aero Park, and Spencer Brass, representing Pilot Country Estates Airport, to the Airport Zoning Commission. Zephyrhills Municipal Airport Manager Nathan Coleman will continue to serve on the commission, too.
A contract to Pacscon GeoEnvironmental Inc., for as-needed gopher tortoise surveying, permitting capturing transporting and after-action reports. The contract is for an amount not to exceed $90,000 for fiscal year 2021; not to exceed $90,000 for fiscal year 2022; not to exceed $110,000 in fiscal year 2022 and not to exceed $90,000 in fiscal year 2024. The total not to exceed amount is $400,000.
A task order revision in the amount of $109,910 with Stroud Engineering Consultants to cover additional design and construction inspection engineering services due to the addition of a 16-inch pipeline. The Florida Department of Transportation is fast-tracking the completion of the widening of U.S. 41, from north of Connerton Boulevard to south of State Road 52. After the original task order was approved, additional improvements were identified, which consist of construction of a new 16-inch diameter force main along U.S. 41 to provide wastewater capacity for new development expected to be built in the vicinity in the near future.

Including the piping now will help meet future demands and avoid costly work later, according to the agenda materials.

Published July 07, 2021

Author hopes Bible study guide will lead to richer relationships with God

July 6, 2021 By B.C. Manion

It’s not like Liz Lyon-Hall was just looking for something to do.

After all, she’s a professional guardian for the elderly with Alzheimer’s and dementia. Plus, she and her husband, Alan, have two daughters, 15-year-old Eliana and a 12-year-old Alyssa, and two sons, 5-year-old Daniel and 3-year-old Jaidon.

On top of all that, the Wesley Chapel family has dogs, a cat, a bunny, a mouse, a bird and two pet sharks.

Liz Lyon-Hall experienced what she characterizes as a revelation, as she was reading a particular Bible verse. The experience was so inspiring she decided to write a Bible study guide to encourage other Christians to deepen their relationship with God, by reading scripture.

Still, when Lyon-Hall was reading a particular verse of the Bible she experienced what she characterizes as a revelation — and she was inspired to share it with others.

“I realized at one point that any revelation from God, no matter how big or how small, is not necessarily just for the person receiving it, but also to be shared with other Christians,” she said.

“I really want to encourage people to be reading the Bible and studying it for themselves. That’s a big life message for me — just encouraging Christians to spend time in the Bible,” she said.

It’s important, she added, to “know your scriptures and study it as much as you can.

“One of the ways that God speaks to his people is through the scriptures and if you’re not reading them, you’re missing that opportunity.

“Christianity is not just a belief system. We’re meant to have a relationship with God,” she continued. “If you’re missing out on his primary way of communicating to you, you’re really missing out.”

So, what began as a personal inspiration turned into a research and writing project.

“I typically wrote about an hour a night, pretty much from midnight to about 1 a.m.,” she said. She squeezed in some extra writing time on Fridays, which she generally takes off from her day job.

She estimates she spent about six months creating the study guide, which is called “Hezekiah, A Conversation With the Enemy.”

The guide’s release will be celebrated with a book launch on July 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at Bridgeway Church, at 30660 Wells Road in Wesley Chapel.

The six-week Bible study is divided into six weeks of study, five days a week.

“That’s kind of a standard format for a lot of Bible studies,” Lyon-Hall said.

While Bible studies can be done individually, that’s not the general approach.

“The main goal for most Bible studies is to be done with a group of people, so that you’re having discussion and you’re fellowshipping — getting to know each other and helping each other throughout life, praying for each other, that sort of thing,” Lyon-Hall said.

This is the cover of Liz Lyon-Hall’s Bible study guide. She lives in Wesley Chapel and attends Bridgeway Church.

“This Bible study, when I wrote it, I did it with my own personal little small group Bible study,” she said. She also ran it through a Bible study at Bridgeway Church, where she has been a member since 2015. A second Bible study group at the church began using the guide recently.

Lyon-Hall said her guide is designed to be used by Christians of any church denomination.

She plans to get the word out about the book by attending church events, conferences, breakfasts and so on. She is scheduled to sell her book at Palm Harbor’s New Hope Church’s Women’s Dream Conference, Aug. 13 and Aug. 14; at Tampa’s St. Clement’s Episcopal Church’s Blessing of the Animals event Oct. 2; and, at Lutz’s St. Timothy Catholic Church’s Annual Women’s Club Boutique on Nov. 13.

Whether or not it’s a big seller, Lyon-Hall said she’s glad she pursued the project.

She knows that the guide was extremely helpful to one of the participants of the first Bible study group that used it.

“It was a blessing to her, specifically — helped her kind of break through some issues she was having,” the author said.

“I’m not looking to make my millions off this book. I’m just looking to share it and encourage people to be reading their Bible.

“I figure God is going to use it for whatever he’s going to use it for. He will put it in the hands of who needs to read it,” she said.

For more information, visit LizLyon-Hall.com.

Bible Study Book Launch
What: Meet local author Liz Lyon-Hall at an event celebrating the launch of her first published Bible Study: “Hezekiah, A Conversation With the Enemy.”
Where: Bridgeway Church, 30660 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel
When: July 11, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Details: Enjoy Christian fellowship across a variety of denominations. There will be light hors d’oeuvres and drinks. Bring or buy a book for author signings.
Please RSVP to , to ensure adequate provision of food and drink.

Need a guest speaker for your Christian group? Liz Lyon-Hall, author of the Bible Study, “Hezekiah, a Conversation With the Enemy,” is available to speak to your group. Email her at to make arrangements.

Published July 07, 2021

Shop a little, give a little back

July 6, 2021 By Mary Rathman

While running routine weekly errands, area residents can help to reduce single-use plastic in the environment — while also giving back to the community — by shopping at the Dade City Winn Dixie.

Through Winn Dixie’s Reusable Bag Program, with every $2.50 reusable community bag purchase, a $1 donation is made to a nonprofit that is local to the grocery store at which it was bought.

The nonprofit Pioneer Florida Museum & Village has been selected by store leadership at Winn Dixie, 12649 U.S. 301 in Dade City, to benefit from the program during the month of July.

The museum will receive $1 for every reusable bag sold at this location.

“It’s more important than ever to help reduce single-use plastic in the environment,” Stephanie Bracknell Black, executive director of the museum, said in a news release.

“Nonprofits at the local level, like us, are in need of community support. This program offers the perfect solution to multiple issues of the world today. We hope you’ll support us in July by purchasing one – or two – community bags at our local Dade City Winn Dixie,” Black said.

For information about the reusable bag program, visit WinnDixie.com.

Published July 07, 2021

Pasco gains state funding for wide assortment of projects

July 6, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Initially, things were looking pretty bleak on the state fiscal front — before the last session of the Florida Legislature.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey recalled some previous remarks from the county’s state lobbyist, Shawn Foster, of Sunrise Consulting.

“Before session started, you were like: ‘This is going to be a really bad session. We’re going to be billions of dollars in the hole,’” Starkey said, during the Pasco County Commission’s June 22 meeting.

Foster said that was before the dollars that came in from the America Rescue Act.

Nearly 10% of the state’s $101.5 billion came from the federal government, Foster said.

“If it had not been for that $10 billion that we got from the federal government, there would be no good here. There would be no good,” Foster said.

Without the federal money, he added: “There would be none of these projects on here, none of these other big grants.”

Instead, “the state took $7 billion of the American Rescue Act and implemented it into this year and held off another $3 billion for the next budget,” Foster said.

Instead of being decimated, the statewide budget includes:

$1 billion for community substance abuse and mental health
$3.2 million for homeless program challenge grants
$500 million for the Resilient Florida Trust Fund and programs
$626 million for septic to sewer and stormwater improvements
$146.7 million for the State Housing Initiative Partnership program
$74 million for the Florida Job Growth Grant Fund, including $24 million from last year
$1.5 billion in the Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The county can apply directly for funding through the Septic to Sewer/Stormwater Improvement program, Foster said.

“That was our Sen. (Wilton) Simpson’s priority and has been for years. I think it started with an idea a few years ago; it was $50 million. So, to see it up to $626 (million) is amazing.”

The lobbyist also noted that the Emergency Rental Assistance Program is one in which constituents can make direct applications, through OurFlorida.com.

Three Pasco County projects also went through to the governor.

Those were:

$6.5 million for the Handcart Road water and wastewater improvements
$200,000 for the Ackerman Street drainage improvements
$3,818,208 for the Lindrick sewer and water quality

“The county as a whole, really did well,” said Ralph Lair, the county’s intergovernmental affairs officer.

Other county projects receiving funding were:

$3 million to extend the runway at Zephyrhills Municipal Airport
$4,665,000 for the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills
$25 million for a Florida National Guard Armory in Zephyrhills
$1.25 million for a CARES One-Stop Senior Center in Dade City
$450,000 for AmSkills Workforce Training
$25 million for a Pasco-Hernando State College student success and community engagement center in Dade City
$34,738 for a Pasco Association of Challenged Kids Summer Camp
$5 million for Metropolitan Ministries to expand its campus in Pasco County
$700,000 for Bridging Freedom Program in Pasco County

While Commissioner Mike Moore expressed gratitude for this year’s appropriations, he said the county needs to focus on securing funding to address flooding issues in areas such as Quail Hollow and around Eiland Boulevard.

“That needs to be a big focus, going forward,” Moore said. “Those are very important. Those affect our citizens on a day-to-day basis,” he said.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she’d like to follow the Pinellas County Commission’s example of meeting with their county legislative delegation and with their federal legislative delegation.

She wants Pasco to be more proactive in seeking state and federal funding to help address county needs.

Foster expressed optimism about the state’s revenue prospects for next year.

Committee meetings will begin in the fall, and the next session of the legislature is set to start Jan. 11 and end on March 11.

Published July 07, 2021

Alternative route selected for Morningside extension

July 6, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

The Dade City Commission has approved an engineer’s recommendation for the Morningside Drive extension route study, but funding for the initiative remains an issue.

The extension of Morningside Drive is intended to connect U.S. 301 to Fort King Road.

Commissioners on June 8 approved an engineer’s recommendation for the Morningside Drive extension route study, pond siting analysis and report — authorizing work to proceed on subsequent phases of the project, including funding acquisition, design/permitting and right-of-way acquisition.

This 1.19-mile route with a roundabout is the preferred choice to extend Morningside Drive to connect U.S. 301/98 to Fort King Road in Dade City. The total estimated cost of the roadway project is $12,401,800. Officials have said the Morningside Drive extension project will yield numerous benefits, such as reducing traffic volume on parallel roadways and stimulating economic development. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

The route study — completed by New Port Richey-based Coastal Design Consultants Inc. — is next slated to be presented sometime in August to the Pasco County Commission.

The civil engineering firm’s recommended 1.19-mile route includes a roundabout at the Morningside Drive/Fort King Road west segment, circling AdventHealth Dade City hospital and the Pasco County Schools bus garage.

The preferred route — somewhat resembling a Z-shape pattern — veers slightly northeast from Fort King Road, winding south through open water and upland areas within Dade City and unincorporated Pasco County, connecting parallel with the Hardy Trail, then cutting across eastward to the entrance of U.S. 301, passing between Walgreen’s, Buddy’s Home Furnishings, Winn-Dixie and other establishments.

The roadway calls for two, 12-foot-wide traffic lanes; 5-foot bicycle lanes; curbs and gutters; a sidewalk on the south side; and a multi-use path on the north side connecting with Hardy Trail.

The design speed for the Morningside Drive extension is 45 mph with a posted speed of 30 mph.

Stormwater management facilities improvements and a flood plain compensation area also are included in the roadway plans.

Coastal Design Consultants president/owner Paul Manuel shared a detailed PowerPoint presentation at last month’s in-person meeting at the Dade City Commission Chambers.

According to Manuel’s presentation, the winding route “was developed to optimally utilize the available upland area and parcels of property owners who have indicated that they support the proposed extension.”

The implementation of a roundabout, Manuel said, requires fewer right-of-way impacts and is more conducive to traffic calming compared to a signalized intersection. It’s also less costly to build and maintain, he said.

Other considerations taken into account during the route study were community long-range planning goals, safety, environmental impacts, property impacts and costs.

The estimated total capital project cost of the selected route is $12,401,800. Two other alternatives were considered and studied, as well as a no-build alternative.

This amount encompasses estimated construction, design, and construction engineering and inspection ($9.1 million), right-of-way acquisition ($1.7 million) and wetland mitigation ($1.6 million).

The route’s right-of-way impacts affect 18.44 acres, 17 parcels, two businesses and one residence, according to Manuel’s report.

As plans move forward, funding the entirety of the project remains a problem for the municipality, for the time being.

In 2019, Dade City was awarded a $5 million state appropriation for the Morningside project — less than half the project’s estimated total cost. This funding remains available for use through 2024, unless the city requests the state for an extension to complete the project.

The $5 million is roughly enough to just cover the project’s design, permitting and right-of-way access issues before the build portion.

City Manager Leslie Porter told commissioners that staff is “looking internally at how we’re going to bridge that gap” for monies to pay for the roadway.

Some transportation impact fees will be coming through to help cover costs, but Porter said she doesn’t “have a real hard number on that yet.”

She suggested the city ask state legislators for another round of funding for the project, and seek out opportunities with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and beneficiaries of the project, such as the hospital.

Porter pointed out she’s been in regular communication with state representatives and county partners, so decision-makers are aware of the project’s sizable price tag.

Morningside extension yields benefits, but concerns, too
Officials have said the Morningside Drive extension project will yield numerous benefits, such as reducing traffic volume on parallel roadways and stimulating economic development.

It offers direct access to the hospital, on Fort King Road, which was considered a top priority for the road’s extension, and also improves public safety access for police and fire rescue services.

“I think it’s going to benefit not only AdventHealth, but the community at large with the growth and the other things that are happening,” Mayor Camille Hernandez said.

Having the connection to Hardy Trail is an added bonus, the mayor said.

New Port Richey-based civil engineering firm Coastal Design Consultants Inc., provided the route study recommendation for the Morningside Drive extension project. In addition to the 1.19-mile Z-shaped route, two other routes and a no-build alternatives were considered. (Courtesy of Coastal Design Consultants Inc.)

Addressing the funding shortfall, Hernandez observed, “Clearly, well, ($5 million) isn’t going to work. We do know that we have some work to do.”

She said her concerns include both funding for the project and the time frame for completion.

Commissioner Knute Nathe also expressed support for the recommended route extension for its public safety and fresh development opportunities, but emphasized the importance of considering other community concerns throughout the project’s process.

He referred to some vocal citizens — situated along 10th Street, Fairfield Lane and Willingham Avenue — who may be affected in one way or another.

Overall, Nathe said, the project will be “very important for our residents,” particularly from the perspective of patients and doctors more easily traveling to and from the hospital, between Dade City and Zephyrhills. “There’s been a lot of public support for extending Morningside,” Nathe said.

Mayor Pro Tem Jim Shive thanked Coastal Engineering for “a phenomenal job with the assessment and the route study.”

Shive continued: “I agree with what’s being recommended. I think it’s going to be a plus for the city.”

In early May, Pasco County Engineering Services hosted an open house for the Morningside Drive extension, which drew about 40 participants at the Dade City Commission chambers.

Public input was received during and after the meeting.

Comments included general support of the chosen route, but concerns were raised about existing flooding conditions within the study area, right-of-way acquisition required for build alternatives, traffic volumes and noise, and wetland and wildlife impacts.

Manuel addressed those concerns head-on.

“There were a lot of concerns about flooding, which we will make an emphasis during the design process, but that is a process that you’re going to get into a lot more deeply when you get into understanding the design of the project,” he explained.

“There were also concerns to right-of-way acquisitions and how close it is to people’s residences and homes,” he added, noting he read through all of the comments and has a good understanding of the concerns.

As for next steps, the project’s design/permitting period will take about a year, Manuel noted.

Back-and-forth negotiations and regulatory processes on wetland and environmental impacts with state agencies takes up the bulk of that time frame, he said.

Published July 07, 2021

Hernandez to represent Dade City at state meeting

July 6, 2021 By Kevin Weiss

The Dade City Commission has unanimously selected Mayor Camille Hernandez to represent Dade City at the Florida League of Cities’ 95th annual conference in August, in Orlando.

The meeting, set for Aug. 12 to Aug. 14, will involve the election of leadership and adoption of resolutions, which will set the direction for the organization. The Florida League of Cities represents municipalities across the state.

In accordance with the league’s by-laws, each municipality’s vote is determined by population, and the league will use the Estimates of Population from the University of Florida.

The conference also provides opportunities for Florida’s municipal officials to learn how to serve their citizens more effectively.

Hernandez thanked her fellow commissioners for allowing her to be the city’s voting delegate, adding that returning to the event in-person again, “will be kinda nice.”

In other action at the commission’s June 22 meeting, Hernandez recognized Kayla Contreras, Diego Grant and LaDanian Johnson — three graduating high school seniors who served various stints on the Dade City Youth Council.

The youth council — formed by the mayor in 2007—devotes a bulk of its time to volunteer service and community enhancement projects. Members of the youth council also have a chance to gain insight into how the municipality interacts with the Florida Legislature and sometimes are able to travel to partake in meetings in Tallahassee.
Hernandez said the youth council is “like my second family.”

She also expressed her appreciation for the group’s dedication to community service and personal growth over the years.
“Dade City should be proud, and that’s why cases like tonight to recognize these young people is really a good thing, and I’m just so proud of them,” she said.

“We’ve got some darn good young people around here, and just to watch them continue to grow and be a part of our community is really cool.”

The city also has set its budget hearing dates for fiscal year 2021-2022 for Sept. 13 and Sept. 27. If the Pasco County School Board or Pasco County Commission sets a budget hearing date on Sept. 13, then Dade City will use Sept. 15 as an alternate date.

Published July 07, 2021