The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Event showcases brute power, intricate stitching

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Eilen Luft, of Wesley Chapel, enjoys an afternoon at the Farm Fest & Quilt Show held at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, near Dade City. Here, she peruses some of the 91 entries on display in the Mabel Jordan Barn. (Fred Bellet)

Hundreds of people headed to the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, in Dade City, for the 32nd annual Farm Festival and Quilt Show.

The event, on Feb. 6, featured the Southern Draft Horse Association’s Draft Horse Pull and a quilt show, including 91 quilts.

Visitors also could check out a clothing show; purchase quilts and supplies; watch  cane-grinding and syrup-making; and, see demonstrations by a blacksmith and traditional crafters.

Beyond the attractions, visitors could listen to music and purchase pulled pork dinners.

To find out about upcoming events at the museum, at 15602 Pioneer Museum Road, visit PioneerFloridaMuseum.org.

Published February 17, 2021

Masked volunteers, from left, are 15-year-olds Ashley Cvetanovic, of Wesley Chapel; Vivian Chanler, of Land O’ Lakes; and, Anna Ortega, of Wesley Chapel. As a precaution against COVID-19, they each were wearing a mask.
Feisty ‘Louie’ and ‘Bud’ get jumpy at the start of the draft horse event, as a team member for Jason Abrell, of Russell Springs, Kentucky, gains control of the work horses competing in the Southern Draft Horse Association’s Draft Horse Pull.
Colby Gordon, a winter resident from Maine, has his hat over his heart during the Pledge of Allegiance and ‘The Star-Spangled Banner,’ which opened the Southern Draft Horse Association’s Draft Horse Pull, during the Farm & Quilt Show at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village.
Dawn Matthew, shows her mother, Marguerite Stutzman, both of Zephyrhills a pattern on a footstool.
Most of the contestants were men, but Lori Root, daughter of draft horse competitor Francis Root of Bolivar, New York, guided ‘Henry’ and (not pictured) ‘Fred’ to the start of another heat.

Bell Lake Road detour planned in March

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A portion of Bell Lake Road will be closed from Lake Padgett Drive to Peninsular Drive for eight days in mid-March, to allow safety work to be completed on the road.

The road closure in Land O’ Lakes is scheduled to commence at 5 p.m., on March 13 and will continue until 7 a.m., on March 22.

Kamminga & Roodvoets Inc., requested the detour, in order to complete the project. The Pasco County Commission approved the detour request at its Feb. 9 board meeting.

During the closure, those west of the portion that is closed, can take Bell Lake Road west to U.S. 41. At U.S. 41, they can head north traveling toward Hale Road, or south, traveling toward State Road 54.

Those east of the closure, can travel east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway. At Collier Parkway, they can head north to Hale Road, where they can head west on Hale Road to get to U.S. 41.

Or, they can head east on Bell Lake Road to Collier Parkway, and then go south on Collier Park to get to State Road 54.

The project that is being completed consists of extensive infrastructure and safety improvements – including road reconstruction, stormwater modifications, curb and sidewalk – along Bell Lake Road, from east of U.S. 41 to Banjo Lake Road.

The current open ditch stormwater system will be converted to a closed, piped system.

This improvement allows room for sidewalks and reduces drop-off hazard related to the current ditches.

The new roadway will include one 12-foot lane in each direction, curb and gutter, and a 6-foot sidewalk on the north side of Bell Lake Road.

The speed limit is 30 mph.

For additional information, call Matt Kodsi, project manager, at 727-834-3604, or call Pasco County Traffic Operations at 727-847-8139.

Published February 17, 2021

Musicians get their ‘jam on’ at blues festival

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An overcast sky couldn’t dim the enthusiasm of the record crowd gathered for the fifth annual Pasco Blues Festival at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.

Erin Healey, of Lakeland, and Paul O’ Byrine, of Thonotosassa, dance to the blues
at the musical festival, at Heritage Park. (Randy Underhill)

Blues fans appeared to be enjoying themselves, as they listened to top-notch bands, playing blues tunes, from 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., on Feb. 6.

Featured bands were Memphis Lightning, from Cape Coral; Sean Chambers, of Tampa Bay; and Damon Fowler, of Brandon.

The crowd was clearly pleased during the final few numbers — a jam featuring all three acts.

Besides the music, there were plenty of food and refreshment trucks on hand, plus vendor tents offering T-shirts, jewelry, handmade crafts, and free blue fedora hats for the crowd.

The event was family friendly, with kids under 12 admitted for free. Social distancing was enforced, too.

Parking was free and tickets were $20 on the day of the event, or $15 for advance tickets.

The festival was presented by T-Mobile, with sponsors Morgan Exteriors, WellMed Medical Management, Florida Blue Medicare, and Pasco County Recycling.

The festival, produced by Florida Penguin Productions, benefited the Stano Foundation and the Land O’ Lakes Rotary.

By Randy Underhill

Published February 17, 2021

Blues artist Damon Fowler, left, of Brandon, is a national recording artist. His bandmates, drummer Justin Headley, of Pensacola, and bassist Chuck Riley, of Zephyrhills, perform to a large and enthusiastic crowd at the fifth annual Pasco Blues Festival.
Debbie Rosenfelt, of Largo, and Bob Harmon, of Pennsylvania, enjoy a day of listening to the blues on Feb. 6, in Land O’ Lakes.
Jimmy Medina, of Spring Hill, and daughters, Luna, age 4 months, and Gia, age 7, take a time out to relax and enjoy some ice cream.
Wormtown was one of many vendors offering items at the fifth annual Pasco Blues Fest on Feb. 6, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park.
Sarah Shackett, of Wesley Chapel, stops by Supreme Cuisine Grill for a refreshment. The grill was one of many food trucks on hand at this year’s blues fest.

Prescribed burns planned in local preserves

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A number of prescribed burns are planned by the Southwest Florida Water Management District, as a preventative step to reduce the risk of wildfires.

Between now and March, the district will be conducting these prescribed burns:

  • Cypress Creek Preserve, east of Ehren Cutoff and south of State Road 52: Approximately 115 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Conner Preserve, west of Ehren Cutoff and south of State Road 52: Approximately 500 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Starkey Wilderness Preserve, east of New Port Richey, west of the Suncoast Parkway, north of State Road 54 and south of State Road 52: Approximately 800 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Upper Hillsborough Preserve, south of the County Road 54 and east of Chancey Road in Zephyrhills: Approximately 320 acres will be burned in small, manageable units.
  • Weekiwachee Preserve, north of Hudson, west of U.S. Highway 19 and includes the Aripeka Sandhills tract: Approximately 25 acres will be burned in small, manageable units. Some trails may be temporarily closed during prescribed burn events.

Major benefits of prescribed burns include the reduction of overgrown plants, which decreases the risk of catastrophic wildfires; the promotion of the growth of new, diverse plants; the maintenance of the character and condition of wildlife habitat; and, the maintenance of access for public recreation.

The water management district conducts prescribed fires on approximately 30,000 acres each year.

Published February 17, 2021

New light industrial, commercial approved

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A rezoning has been approved on approximately 90 acres to clear the way for light industrial and commercial development, near the northeast corner of the intersection of Interstate 75 and Blanton Road.

The Pasco County Commission unanimously approved changing the zoning on the land from agricultural, agricultural resident and general commercial to general commercial and light industrial.

The applicant proposes to develop the southern 14.66-acre portion of the property in conformance with general commercial standards and the northern 74.41-acre

portion of the property in conformance with the light industrial park standards.

The applicant has volunteered to record these deed restrictions:

  • Commercial uses in the general commercial district shall not exceed 140,000 square feet
  • Multi-family apartments are prohibited
  • No auto towing services are allowed, or the connected storage of vehicles
  • No yard trash disposal facilities are allowed
  • No construction and demolition debris disposal facilities are allowed
  • Truck stops shall be prohibited

On the light industrial portion of the property, restrictions include:

  • Light industrial uses are capped at 500,000 square feet
  • No yard trash disposal facilities are allowed
  • No construction and demolition debris disposal facilities are allowed

Some conditions also spell out how the property should be developed.

For instance:

  • The architectural design of building facades facing I-75 shall include windows at ground level and/or at clerestory and shall not include overhead doors.
  • Outside storage of any materials, supplies, or products shall not be permitted in the front of any structure
  • When outside storage is exposed to I-75, these areas shall be screened to a height at least 1-foot higher than the highest material being screened
  • Loading docks, utility meters, HVAC equipment, trash dumpsters, trash compaction, and other service functions shall be incorporated into the overall design of the primary building using screening walls of compatible material, style and color.

Edward Dutkiewicz, appearing for Cynthia Dutkiewicz of 32710 Blueberry Hill Way in Dade City, outlined seven reasons why the rezoning should be denied.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite, representing the applicant, said Dutkiewicz’s objections were a misapplication of language from the county’s comprehensive land use plan.

She also pointed out the rezoning prohibits multifamily development.

“We thought the better use of the property was to have no residential, to maximize the use of the property for the employment-generating uses,” Wilhite said.

Commissioner Mike Moore spoke in favor of the rezoning.

“We talk about wanting and needing more industrial for the county. Unfortunately, we’re actually losing many industrial sites, where people are rezoning from industrial sites to something that’s not a job-creating site. And this is right on Interstate 75, which is obviously the access you want for tractor-trailer trucks,” Moore said. “This is exactly what you want to do at an interstate interchange.”

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey agreed with Moore’s assessment — calling the proposed site a great location for that type of use.

Published February 17, 2021

PHSC panel seeks solutions on racial equity, social justice

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Pasco-Hernando State College (PHSC) is leveraging its community connections to foster meaningful discussion on matters related to social justice and racial equity.

Pasco-Hernando State College hosted summit titled, ‘Equity and Advancement of Minority Males in America.’ The daylong Feb. 1 virtual event featured a panel discussion and breakout sessions related to social justice and racial equity issues. (File)

As part of ongoing Black History Month programming, the local college organized a virtual summit titled, “Equity and Advancement of Minority Males in America.”

The Zoom event on Feb. 1 included breakout sessions with educators and professionals on topics such as leadership and mentoring; politics, policing and civic responsibility; life skills; and, mental health and spirituality. The summit’s keynote speaker was Dr. John Montgomery, Humana’s vice president and medical officer for its Florida commercial markets.

The daylong summit kicked off with a 45-minute panel discussion made up mostly of college students, and moderated by Emery Ailes, an adjunct humanities instructor and LIFE coordinator at PHSC.

Boosting graduation rates
The diverse panel first pondered ways to improve graduation, success and retention rates for Black and other minority students at colleges and universities.

Dorian Howell is president of PHSC’s Student Government Association.

The student leader believes it’s important to identify at-risk minority students early on in their college experience, then pair them with a mentor or counselor to closely monitor and support them throughout their college years.

He pointed out some students immediately get discouraged with college when they have trouble navigating digital access codes and connecting to online course materials.

Dorian Howell is president of Pasco-Hernando State College’s Student Government Association. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Others, meanwhile, are unaware of the myriad financial aid and scholarship resources readily available to them, he said, which could keep vulnerable students in school.

“It’s really about identifying the people at-risk and educating them on the tools we have, step by step,” Howell said.

He also emphasized the importance of getting involved in student-led clubs or extracurricular organizations. Those, he said, can foster academic success and accountability among one another.

“I found that my friends, a lot of them didn’t feel supported, but when they joined a club they connected with the community in the college, it helped them stay with it, it motivated them to stay with the courses,” he said.

St. Petersburg College (SPC) student Ericka Jones expressed similar sentiments regarding ways to improve minority student success rates.

Jones — set to earn a business degree in December — correlated her academic achievements to involvement with SPC’s Badeya Club, a Black student organization that aims to create a sense of community and respect among all students.

“If it wasn’t for them, I would’ve given up. I’m telling you, it’s so important to have a support system,” said Jones, who now serves as political action director of the college organization.

Jones brought a unique perspective to the panel — she’s raising a Black son while trying to earn a college degree.

“I can’t teach him all the things that a Black male is able to teach him. I believe in what this (summit) stands for. We need to uplift our Black males and our family in this society,” Jones said.

Dana Hind is a representative from Black Coalition of Hernando County.

She said more robust and accessible mentorship opportunities are needed before minority students get to college — perhaps throughout their high school years.

“To actually get kids driven into getting into college, we have to start earlier, and it’s been a challenge for me as a parent,” Hinds said. “You should have someone there to advocate for you as you’re going through, to make sure you get those scholarships, to make sure you get all those opportunities.”

Countering negative stereotypes
The conversation then turned to negative media portrayals of young and adult Black males and other minorities — and seeking ways to reverse promulgated views.

Demarvion Brown is a freshman men’s basketball player at Pasco-Hernando State College. (Courtesy of Pasco-Hernando State College)

Panelist Demarvion Brown said such meaningful change must first come through Black families fostering nurturing childhood environments and identifying positive role models.

“It starts at home,” said Brown, a freshman men’s basketball player at PHSC.

“Some people have good households, and some people don’t, but to change that, to turn that into a positive way is to stand out in front of everybody and become a different person and become a role model. Most people don’t believe in role models, but I think we need more of them to make the world a better place.”

Xavier Edwards is a student at Eastern Florida State College, in Cocoa.

He said one way to eradicate the media’s negative portrayals of Black men is to create new channels of communication.

Edwards, who is studying digital television and media production, suggested Black leaders and entrepreneurs venture to create their own newsletters, new stations, social media sites and  YouTube pages, focusing on “pushing out more positive images of Black people graduating, minorities getting scholarships…

“It’s about trying to get people who have the power to change the narrative of the image of Black and brown men. It might take us creating our own news (outlets),” he said.

Howell concurred with the idea of developing alternative news outlets highlighting inspiring Black figures and experiences, such as former President Barack Obama, Dr. Ben Carson and PHSC President Timothy Beard.

“We can use those as role models of changing the image to a positive image of, ‘OK, there’s doctors, there’s presidents that are all role models,’” Howell said.

The student body leader also called for boycotting news and entertainment outlets that portray  Black males and others in a negative light.

“If the media is perpetuating this negative image, hit ‘em where it hurts, stop supporting the media, don’t share the media that’s showing this negative image,” he said.

Resolving economic inequalities
The panel also broached the nation’s inequities in wealth.

Eastern Florida State College student Xavier Edwards is studying digital and media television production. (Courtesy of Eastern Florida State College)

Various reports point out that Black-owned businesses and individuals historically have been at the mercy of loan denials and subprime lending practices, Howell said.

He referenced one study that a Black-owned businesses get about 10 cents for every dollar that a white-owned business receives from a bank, a situation he characterized as “sickening.”

Howell called for a more equitable lending system and he encouraged individuals to simply inspire people to support Black-owned businesses.

“For us as individuals, we see a minority-owned business or restaurant or whatever, support it with our dollars, buy from them,” Howell said.

It also would be helpful to have more financial workshops led by Black business leaders, to encourage and educate others on stocks, saving, and general money management tips, Howell said.

Edwards also called for increasing efforts to educate minorities about how to acquire loans and start their own businesses.

Giving Black employees opportunities for advancement in their professions also can have broader implications, Edwards noted.

As more Black individuals earn senior management positions, they can slowly amass  generational wealth for their families and communities, he said.

“It’s not that it can’t change, it’s just going to take some work, but it just starts with more minority people being able to get to those high positions,” he said.

Published February 17, 2021

Pigz in Z’Hills festival set for April 10

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A scaled-down version of the annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest has been set for April 10.

The festival, being held for the 11th year, will take place at the Zephyrhills Community Venue, 5200 Airport Road, directly across from the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport. Event hours are from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Melonie Monson, executive director of Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Director (File)

Unlike previous years, activities will be staggered throughout the day, to accommodate health and safety protocols related to the coronavirus pandemic.

A drive-thru BBQ meal pickup line will be in place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m., followed by a live blues concert from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., with select food vendors, such as gourmet French fries and kettle corn, as well as alcohol sales and more barbecue options.

Other happenings include an all-day cornhole toss tournament and free tours of the Zephyrhills Museum of Military History, to get look at refurbished wartime planes and other unique memorabilia.

Tickets are expected to be made available for purchase within the next couple weeks.

Various packages will be sold separately for the drive-thru meal and concert, plus cornhole tournament entry fees.

The popular food and music shindig has been twice postponed already — pushed back from scheduled dates in January and February.

A socially distanced live music concert will be among the happenings at the 11th annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest. Chuck Riley’s All-Star Band will be one of the lead acts, among other performers.

This latest reboot is all but set in stone, however.

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Committee recently came to a consensus with how to proceed with a setup, taking into account various COVID-19 protocols.

Working in the festival’s favor is an anticipated increased rollout of coronavirus vaccines by springtime, plus a venue of more than a dozen acres, Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce Director Melonie Monson told The Laker/Lutz News in a recent interview.

“We just kept building and formulating, and we really felt, ‘Let’s go forward with this. This event is really important to Zephyrhills, so we wanted to do it,” Monson said.

“It was a relief to finally come up with a plan of action, and to be able to find a way that we could put this on safely and still really just showcase our community. Now comes the hard work though of making sure we put it all together, but we’re excited about this format, and we’re kind of really thrilled to see where it goes.”

While this year’s Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest will be pared down amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there’ll be a variety of barbecue options to go around for all attendees.

Noticeably absent from this year’s makeshift event is the prized BBQ cookoff contest that often attracts more than 60 competitive teams, plus a slew of judges and countless volunteers.

The BBQ showdown often draws professional grilling teams who travel to barbecue events all over the United States.

Monson said it was “a hard decision” among stakeholders to remove the hit cookoff competition from this year’s festival, but “we knew we could not do that safely in a COVID environment, so unfortunately, that had to go away this year.”

Other elements, such as a classic car show, a business expo and a kid’s fun zone won’t be part of the festivities this year either, according to Monson said.

With a date, time and location locked in for Pigz In Z’Hills, organizers and volunteers are working diligently to get the logistics all in place over the next two months.

This includes finalizing a full music lineup.

One of the confirmed headliners is Chuck Riley’s All Star Band, a longtime festival act.

As for other performers, Monson teased, “I think everybody’s going to be shocked when they see who all is going to be there.”

Here’s how the concert will be laid out for attendees:

  • Spots are reserved by purchasing a 10-by-10 foot grid, good for up to six people.
  • Price points will be based on vicinity to the music stage, with prices ranging from $40 to $100.
  • Concert-goers are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets.
Between all the grub and tunes, a daylong cornhole toss tournament figures to be a popular spot at this year’s Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest.

For individuals or families just looking for a hearty BBQ meal, the drive-thru option will offer a choice of pulled chicken or brisket, plus an assortment of sides. Cost for that is $15 per person, though there is expected to be family meal option, too.

Meantime, the cornhole tournament will be broken into a recreation and competitive divisions, with a $500 prize to the winning team.

Entry fees are expected to be $20 and $40 per team, based on division.

Pigz in Z’Hills is not just a community entertainment tradition, but a major fundraiser for student scholarships, and about a dozen nonprofits and community organizations, such as Boy Scouts, East Pasco YMCA, and Relay for Life of Zephyrhills.

To help make up for anticipated funding shortages from this year’s pared down event, the local chamber this month launched a campaign called “Love Your Non-Profit” which showcases different organizations and solicits public donations for each.

“Being able to give scholarships to our youth here in Zephyrhills is a big deal, and we just need to do it. They don’t need to suffer. They’ve already been through enough,” the chamber director said.

For more information, call 813-782-1913, or email .

Published February 10, 2021

Don’t forget, Sunday is Valentine’s Day

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Whether it’s a childhood crush, a budding romance or a lifelong love — Valentine’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate the joy that your love brings to your life.

Here’s hoping you enjoy this small selection of love stories will help inspire some sweet memories for you, and that you have yourself a Happy Heart’s Day, too.

A shared love of Disney, and pets
Around 2014, I joined the online dating app called Plenty of Fish.

Both my husband and I came across each other’s profiles and our conversation started very quickly.

(Courtesy of Brittany Desmarais)

We finally agreed to meet in person and decided on a Dunkin Donuts/Baskin Robbins Combo, because who doesn’t like coffee and ice cream?

We hit it off immediately and ended up at IHOP for a “Breakfast for Dinner” date night.

Our biggest love that we share is for Disney; he loves the parks and I love the original movies. We also both absolutely love animals.

Over the next five years, there were obstacles that came between us like jobs, distance and other potential relationships, but we always ended up going back to one another.

We finally made the decision that we were meant to be.

My husband moved into my home in February 2019, and we decided to make it official and were married in February 2020.

We bought our first home together in March 2020 following our wedding, and are hopeful for a baby to join our family this year. We have many fur babies (three dogs, two cats), two fish and a very large Sulcata Tortoise, but truly want to have a “human” baby of our own!

Happy Valentine’s Day to my husband Christopher James!

I love you and hope that our life together continues to surprise us, and make each and every single day worth it!

— Brittany Desmarais (She and her husband are from Lutz).

(Courtesy of Katie Fernandez)

What a good guy, great connection
Clark and I met eight years ago when we worked at the same restaurant together in Tampa. We lost touch after we both found new jobs, but reconnected this past year. I love him because he is my best friend, a good guy, and we have a great connection.

— Katie Fernandez (Katie is the sales assistant at The Laker/Lutz News)

(Courtesy of Mary Rathman)

Almost 37 years, and still going strong
Joe and I both lived in the same town and went to the same high school. We met in 1980, and although we have different versions of how we met, it all worked out for the best! I fell in love with him because he lets me be me, loves me unconditionally, makes me laugh, and wants to see me happy. We’ve raised three amazing kids and will be married 37 years in May.

Mary Rathman (Mary is the editorial assistant at The Laker/Lutz News)

Published February 10, 2021

Pasco Animal Services to get cooling, heating upgrade

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The Pasco County Commission is moving ahead with a project to upgrade the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system at its Animal Services’ Adoption Center.

Commissioners approved a staff recommendation to proceed with a project design, and build a heating, ventilation and air conditioning upgrade for the Adoption Center, for a cost not to exceed $506,190. The agreement calls for utilizing Omnia Partners, with Daikin Applied Americas Inc.

The Adoption Center consumes more energy per square foot than any other county building, according to the board’s Jan. 26 agenda background materials.

The building currently averages an annual electric bill over $160,000 per year, the agenda materials say, and the installation of three new energy-saving HVAC units would save approximately $90,000 annually.

Using Omnia would allow for standardization with current systems already installed throughout the county, the agenda materials said.

In other action, commissioners allocated $40,000 to help pay for amenities at the intersection of the Starkey and Suncoast trails.

The primary source of support for the project is a $160,000 grant from a Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) recreational trail program grant. Pasco County also set aside an additional $10,000, for possible cost overruns.

The money will be used to add a restroom with a composting toilet, an ADA hard-surface access trail, a well/water fountain, a bike repair station, a solar charging station, a bike rack, a wayfinding locator, and a kiosk with trail use/trail safety educational literature.

In another action, commissioners approved the purchase of 1.09 wetlands mitigation credits in the amount of $131,100 from North Tampa Mitigation LLC.

The credits are needed to offset additional wetlands impacts for the Wesley Chapel Boulevard (County Road 54) widening project, from north of State Road 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard, according to the agenda backup.

As part of finalizing the design plans for the C.R. 54 (Wesley Chapel Boulevard) widening project

from north of S.R. 56 to north of Magnolia Boulevard, two stormwater management facilities located at the south end of the project needed to be reconfigured and relocated. In addition, a right-turn lane was added on northbound Wesley Chapel Boulevard, 54 at Compark Drive to replace the existing right-turn lane.

These design changes resulted in additional wetland impacts, which need to be mitigated in order for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) to approve the county’s permit modification application.

On another issue, commissioners approved a resolution requesting the Pasco County Legislative Delegation to sponsor and support a local bill that would support a Net Metering Program in Pasco County.

At the end of 2024, Pasco County’s energy contract with Duke Energy (Duke) will expire. Presently the sale of renewable electricity supplied by the Waste To Energy (WTE) Facility accounts for approximately 40% of the solid waste department’s enterprise fund’s annual revenue, according to a county documents contained in the board’s agenda materials.

Under Duke’s currently available standard offer contract, the county’s annual electrical revenue would decrease by over $22 million, the document says.

If the proposed local bill is adopted, Pasco County would be able to realize fair market value for the renewable electrical energy that it is already generating.

Published February 10, 2021

Looking to recruit 55 good men

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Super Bowl LV has put an international focus on Tampa during the past week — with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers claiming victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, at Raymond James Stadium.

The impact of the Super Bowl, however, goes far beyond football.

Heather Castle poses with Tyrone Keys. Now director of activities and training for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, Castle credits Keys for having a positive influence on her life. She wants her organization to have the same kind of impact on young people helped by her organization. (Courtesy of Heather Castle)

Beyond giving Tampa a chance to show itself off to the world, the event is a magnet for megastars and offers the experience of a lifetime for many spectators.

It’s also a chance to gain a huge audience for special causes.

That’s where Big Brothers Big Sisters Tampa Bay comes in.

The organization — which covers an eight-county area, including Pasco and Hillsborough counties — has been using Super Bowl LV as its platform to recruit 55 men to become Big Brothers to boys, ages 5 to 13.

Heather Castle, director of activities and training for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay, said finding more mentors is especially important during this difficult COVID-19 time.

The push for 55 men is in recognition of the 55th Super Bowl, Castle said.

“The reason for the big push on men is because we have many Little Brothers on the waitlist and not enough male role models,” she explained.

She knows the value, firsthand, of having a mentor take an interest in her.

Heather Castle was 17 when she attended her first Bucs game, accompanied by her mom, Kathy. Tyrone Keys gave Heather the tickets to the game.

Tyrone Keys, a member of the 1985 Chicago Bears Super Bowl championship team, became Castle’s mentor when she a 15-year-old attending Gaither High School.

After his football career, Keys founded All Sports Community Service Inc., which aims to help youths pursue college scholarships.

That’s how he met Castle.

Keys worked with her to help her achieve her dream of playing college basketball, which she did at Saint Leo University.

“He took me under his wing. He believed in me. He sat down with me and said, this is what exactly what you need to do,” Castle said.

He also taught her about the value of community involvement, and helping others, whenever possible.

And now, Castle has come full circle in her current role at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay.

“Because Mr. Keys equipped me with the tools, I am able to help them.”

Besides helping youths pursue their potential, the organization provides opportunities for new experiences and fun.

Heather Castle meets on the field with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Lavonte David and Litzy Maya-Nopal before the beginning of a Bucs game.

Now, Castle is able to take youths to their first Bucs football game, just like Keys did for her.

She said Keys gave her two tickets to a Bucs game when she was 17, and told her to invite a friend. She took her mom, Kathy Castle, because her mom was her best friend.

She still relishes the memory of that day, especially since her mom passed away five years ago.

While the Big Brothers Big Brothers of Tampa Bay’s current campaign focuses on drafting 55 men, the organization needs the help of women mentors, too, Castle said.

The need for help is obvious.

Her organization currently has more than 500 kids on its waiting list, Castle said, noting mentors can make a profound — and life-changing difference.

Anyone interested in learning more about getting involved can visit the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Tampa Bay’s website at BBBStampabay.org.

Published February 10, 2021