The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

More police needed, as city grows

By

Dade City Police Lt. Robert Tungate was a guest speaker at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce business breakfast meeting, held last month at Golden Corral in Zephyrhills.

Among his talking points during the Sept. 21 gathering was how the local law enforcement agency is managing the municipality’s impending residential and commercial growth and development.

About 6,500 new rooftops and several commercial properties have been approved to be built over the next two decades within city limits.

Dade City Police Lieutenant Robert Tungate was a guest speaker during a Sept. 21 business breakfast meeting hosted by The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, at Golden Corral in Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

Homes soon will be popping up across all parts of the city, Tungate said, pointing to scheduled land clearings along Clinton Avenue and U.S. 301, St. Joe Road, and Roberts Road, among other areas.

With that, the local police official predicted the city’s population of some 7,000 residents will “probably” triple within the next five to eight years, and added, “that’s not counting all the amount of traffic that comes in every day to work, especially if we get all these new developments going on.”

“We’re going to swell during the daytime, and then when everybody goes home, we’re, of course, going to have all these rooftops,” Tungate said. “The houses mean more calls for police services.”

As the city balloons, so will its local police department.

The Dade City Police Department presently has five open positions, Tungate said.

One vacancy is due to a retirement, while the other four are newly funded positions in advance of the ensuing growth.

Other changes on tap include the launch of a Chaplain Corps program, to offer advice, counseling and assistance to police employees, particularly in times of crisis and otherwise.

At full strength, the city has budgeted for 27 full-time sworn officers for fiscal year 2021-2022.

This is a number the department hasn’t seen in some time, Tungate said.

To fill these positions, the agency is recruiting local colleges and universities wanting to land “top of the tier” applicants and hires, Tungate said.

To that end, Tungate shared the ongoing battle of being competitive and on par with other Tampa Bay area law enforcement agencies in not only recruiting qualified officers, but preventing those from bolting for larger, more prestigious agencies once they gain some field experience.

“This new generation of cops coming in, they’re all saying, ‘What’s in it for me?’ It’s not like the old days where people get a job and they stay there,” explained Tungate.

“These guys are coming in, saying, ‘Hmm, this (agency’s) better, that (agency’s) better,’ for whatever the reason. Sometimes, it’s pay. Not always. Sometimes, it’s working next to a best friend, it doesn’t matter…”

Meanwhile, Tungate thanked the Dade City Commission and Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (who was among dozens in attendance during the meeting) for proactively directing more resources to the police department of late.

“The city manager has done a great job to recognize the need for our police department,” said Tungate. “If we keep growing like we’re growing, the city commission and city manager recognizes that we’re going to grow again.”

This has included increased wages and benefits for patrol officers, detectives and sergeants through new collective bargaining agreements between the city and the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association, on behalf of the local law enforcement agency.

Moreover, city leaders recently approved increased public safety impact fees on new single family homes (now $449, up 375% from the prior $94) and retail units (now $462 per 1,000 square feet, up 52% from $304).

The measure was recommended by consulting firm Stantec, given the municipality hadn’t increased since 2004.

Additional revenues from the public safety fees will be used to address the police department’s increased costs of service delivery, operations, capital outlay, training and new equipment, including police vehicles.

The public safety fee hikes, Tungate said, “takes the burden off the city to have to come up with Penny (for Pasco) money or your other tax revenues” to fund local police operations.

Tungate is third in command of the Dade City Police Department and is responsible for the supervision of criminal investigations, forensics, property evidence and records and communications divisions, according to the city’s website.

The lieutenant of police administration also serves as the public information officer and is responsible for agency recruitment and professional standards. He also writes, tracks and manages grants; and supports the annual budget preparation process.

Pasco County District 1 Commissioner Ron Oakley also spoke during the breakfast meeting, offering general updates on some of the county’s roadway and development projects.

He took a mostly positive angle on the impending growth coming East Pasco’s way.

Said Oakley, “You’ve got all these homes coming into Dade City, guess what it’s going to do for the businesses in Dade City? It’s going to increase. The economic value of those homes, that’s going to pour into Dade City and make it better, so it’s a good thing for everybody.”

Oakley acknowledged more traffic buildup occurring in these parts, but pointed out supporting infrastructure like roadway improvements and schools can’t be furnished until residential developments and communities are built out and related impact fees collected.

Addressing the crowd, Oakley said, “I know you all know how much growth is happening in Pasco County, and a lot of it has moved to the eastern part of Pasco County, which for us, that’s a lot of new things happening. We want to be a premier county, and we’re going to do things the right way.”

Published October 20, 2021

Rural residents applaud northeast zoning change

By

Often, during rezoning cases, area residents step up to point out potential problems with traffic, flooding and other negative impacts the new development could bring.

But during a recent case involving a property in northeast Pasco County, two residents made it a point to show up to speak in favor of a request.

The request, by Floyd Philmon Groves LLC, involves changing the zoning on 38.02 acres from an agricultural district to an estate residential district, which allows two homes per acre. The site is at the northwest corner of the intersection of Platt and Blanton roads.

The request had received recommendations for approval from the county’s planning staff and from the Pasco County Planning Commission, and since there was no opposition, was included as part of the Pasco County Commission’s consent agenda.

Items on consent are approved in a single motion, without discussion.

But an area resident asked for it to be pulled from the consent agenda because she wanted to discuss it.

So it was pulled, and Nancy Hazelwood, who has been a strong proponent of preserving the rural nature of Northeast Pasco County, stepped up to the podium to address the county board.

“To me, it’s very important to say that this is something that’s being done right, in the Northeast Rural Area, going from Ag (agricultural) to Estate Rural 2,” Hazelwood said.

“It’s something that’s great for us and we hope that this continues to be done in this way,” she said.

Alma Coston, who owns property nearby, told commissioners: “I definitely approve this subdivision.”

Like Hazelwood, she’s been intensely interested in preserving Pasco’s rural areas in the northeast part of the county.

“I’ve been working on this since Sylvia Young was a county commissioner. That’s a long time to go to all of these meetings,” Coston said.

“I’ve been trying to protect this area. I think this whole Northeast Pasco should be 2 ½-acres (lot size) or greater, because this is a rural area and that’s what we want. We want it to stay rural.

“And, most of the new coming people are from Tampa because they want to get away from the congestion, the box home and they want the freedom to have more land with their homes. “They want to have horses, or cattle, or whatever.

“You know, with 2 ½ acres, I’ve seen them have cattle on it.

“I definitely think this is a good plan and all Northeast Pasco (lots) should be 2 ½ acres or greater.”

After the women concluded their remarks, the county board approved the request, 5-0.

Published October 20, 2021

Tourist tax dollars allocated for Dade City visitor center

By

The Pasco County Commission approved an amount not to exceed $250,000 in tourist development tax dollars to be used for a visitor’s information center, in Dade City.

The county board approved the action during its Oct. 12 meeting.

This rendering shows the expected appearance of new visitor information center being built near Hardy Trail, in downtown Dade City. (Courtesy of City of Dade City)

The vote follows a previous agreement between the Dade City Commission and Pasco board to partner with the Destination Management Organization, known as Florida’s Sports Coast, to develop a visitor information center.

The idea, according to the county board’s agenda backup materials, is to take advantage of the strategic location of Dade City and its trail system.

The Tourist Development Council recommended funding of up to $250,000 for the project, which was approved by the county board.

COVID-19 issues delayed the full execution of the agreement, as well as the project itself.

When the project is completed, Dade City will send the county a written “Notice of Work Completion,” and the county will pay Dade City up to the approved amount.

If the project costs less than $250,000, the county has the discretion to transfer the remaining funds to Dade City for uses that are consistent with a specific section in state statutes, according to the backup materials.

The aim of the visitor’s center is to be a cyclist-friendly visitor center — within a trail system and a downtown area — in order to welcome trail users and visitors, and to promote downtown commerce and tourist amenities, both on and off the trail.

The money is being provided through the Pasco County Tourist Development Council, which receives its funding from taxes that visitors pay on accommodations.

Plans include a 1,380-square-foot open floor plan and two family bathrooms that meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards.

The center will be situated on the south side of Church Avenue, near the Hardy Trail multi-use trailhead.

Published October 20, 2021

Full services resume at Dade City tax collector office

By

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano has announced that his office’s Dade City location has resumed full services, effective Oct. 15.

The office is located at 14236 Sixth St., No. 100, in the East Pasco Government Center, in Dade City.

The tax collector’s Dade City location has been providing limited services since early August to enable needed remodeling, according to a news release from the tax collector’s office.

All services provided at the Dade City office prior to the remodel once again will be available including automobile/boat registrations and renewals, driver licenses, title work (Florida title and out-of-state titles transferring to Florida), hunting and fishing licenses, property tax, concealed weapons permits, and property tax payments.

For a complete list of services offered at the tax collector locations, visit PascoTaxes.com.

In addition to the website, call these numbers for more information: 727-847-8032, 813-235-6076 or 352-521-4338.

Calls are accepted Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Published October 20, 2021

Request for Lutz 7-Eleven is delayed

By

The Hillsborough County Commission voted 4-3 to remand a rezoning request for a gas station and carwash off U.S. 41, north of Sunset Lane, in Lutz.

Commissioners Ken Hagan, Kimberly Overman, Mariella Smith and Chairwoman Pat Kemp voted to remand the request and Commissioners Harry Cohen, Gwen Myers and Stacy White dissented.

Those who voted to send the case back to the zoning hearing master for further review specifically said they want the county’s Department of Environmental Protection to take a closer look at whether a septic system will be capable of  handling the discharge from a proposed carwash.

They voiced concerns about potential problems because the area has lakes, private wells and sensitive wetlands.

Commissioner Smith said the hearing can explore other issues, too.

“I would not have it limited,” she said, noting that citizens are free to discuss other topics, such as light pollution and compatibility, she added.

During the Hillsborough board’s Oct. 12 public hearing, Smith said the county also needs to take a closer look at its rezoning process.

Under current procedures, no testimony can be presented to commissioners during a rezoning hearing unless it was part of the record before the zoning hearing master.

The zoning hearing master recommends approval or denial on zoning cases, but the county board has the final word.

The request, by RKM and 7-Eleven, drew both support and opposition at the county board’s hearing and also at the zoning hearing master hearing on Aug. 16.

Attorney Cami Corbett, representing the applicants at both hearings, described the proposed gas station as a modern building, designed specifically to fit within the character of Lutz.

She said it is within the node that’s specifically designated for neighborhood commercial development within the Lutz Community Plan.

Natalie Davis, of 17880 N. U.S. 41, in Lutz, spoke in favor of the request at both hearings.

She noted that Lutz typically has wanted to slow development — but even so, a significant amount of new projects have popped up along U.S. 41.

Those developments have included a Publix, a Dunkin’ Donuts, restaurants, McDonald’s, a self-storage unit, a Walgreens, a bank, and professional office parks, as well as new neighborhoods.

Davis favors growth along U.S. 41, which she noted is a six-lane road, and questioned why a gas station should be excluded.

“I am here to represent the next generation of Lutz,” she said.

Gus Weekley, who owns the property up for rezoning, along with his brother, said the family has deep roots in Lutz.

The proposed site of the gas station is land that was owned by his grandmother and where she sold fruit raised on the land to those traveling by on the only major road into Tampa.

“We believe that Lutz is a special community,” he said, adding the 7-Eleven will be a good fit.

Sam Calco, president of the Lutz Citizens Coalition, spoke against the request.

He noted an error in the hearing master’s record and said that was sufficient to merit a remand.

County staff, however, said that the hearing officer’s recommendation was based on accurate information, despite the error in the report.

Jay Muffly, a longtime community activist, was direct: “I oppose this rezoning because it is not compatible with the Lutz community. Period.”

He also expressed concerns about potential negative impacts from light pollution.

Both Kemp and Overman voiced concerns about allowing a car wash to operate on a septic system.

The idea of dropping the carwash from the application was raised, but the applicant indicated no interest in taking that approach.

The project would hook onto public water and sewer, but it is not available, Corbett said.

Questions also were raised about whether the proposed development meets the county’s locational criteria.

That standard says the project should be within 900 feet of the intersection of U.S. 41 and Sunset Lane. But a portion of the proposed project is 960 feet away from that intersection, according to testimony provided during the county board’s discussion.

Commissioner Hagan initially said he wasn’t sure the board had legal grounds to deny the rezoning.

Ultimately, though, he went along with three of his colleagues when they called for a remand to pursue additional information.

The next hearing has been set for Nov. 15 at 6 p.m.

In-person and remote hybrid Zoning Hearing Master meetings are held at Robert W. Saunders Sr. Public Library, in the Ada T. Payne Community Room, at 1505 N. Nebraska Ave., in downtown Tampa.

Published October 20, 2021

NAMI Pasco names Heroes of Hope

By

NAMI Pasco County has named its 2021 Heroes of Hope, recognizing those who go the extra mile to help people with mental health conditions.

Joey Johnston, a contributor to The Laker/Lutz News, was recognized as the Media Person of the Year, for work published in The Laker/Lutz News.

Other recipients were:

  • Professional of the Year: Dr. Eddie Williams
  • Board Member of the Year: Elaina Sabra
  • College Advocate of the Year: Heather Snyder
  • Justice Hero of the Year: Brandi Geoit
  • Unsung Hero of the Year: Alyssa Smith
  • Innovator of the Year: Joe Chatham
  • Teen Advocate of the Year: Andrew Snyder
  • Officer of the Year: Karen Norris
  • Peer Support of the Year: Avery Lomax
  • Volunteer of the Year: Robin Boyko
  • Office of the Year: Trinity Behavioral Health

NAMI Pasco County is affiliated with the National Alliance of Mental Illness, a not-for-profit organization that provides free support, advocacy, outreach and education to those with mental health conditions and their loved ones.

The Heroes of Hope 2021 awards were presented on Oct. 9.

Published October 20, 2021

Land O’ Lakes teen shines light on mental health needs

By

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

By

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

By

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

By

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