The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Honor recognizes decades of service, dedication

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Tim Baldwin, the recently retired president and CEO of San Antonio Credit Union, has been singled out by The League of Southeastern Credit Unions for his outstanding service.

Tim Baldwin was honored by the League of Southeastern Credit Unions for his distinguished service. (Courtesy of San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union)

The League of Southeastern Credit Unions recognized Baldwin’s important contributions to the credit union movement by awarding to him the 2019 Distinguished Service Award.

The award is conferred on one credit union professional each year who exemplifies lifelong service to the credit union movement, service that reaches beyond the person’s credit union itself.

Baldwin spent his entire credit union career – more than 30 years – as the leader of San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union, which is based in San Antonio.

During that time, he expanded the institution from:

  • $22 million in assets to $258 million in assets
  • One branch to five branches
  • 4,263 members to 16,668 members

Baldwin also expanded the credit union’s field of membership twice, allowing all residents of eastern Pasco and Hernando counties to join.

During more than 30 years at the helm of the credit union, Baldwin’s leadership was acknowledged  in the field when he served as the Tampa Chapter of Credit Unions Board as president, vice president, treasurer and secretary, and on the board’s Governmental Affairs Committee from 1991 to 2006.

Baldwin also served as a director on the board of the Florida Credit Union League from 2000 to 2009, and advocated for the passage of the bill, HR 1151, The Credit Union Membership Access Act.

In  addition to these accomplishments, he mentored a child from eighth grade to graduation, and has served his community in other ways, including these:

  • Florida Hospital/AdventHealth Foundation Board from 2006 to present
  • Kiwanis Club from 1995 until present
  • Board of Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Central Florida
  • Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church choir member

Published November 04, 2020

Turning eyesores into assets?

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Imagine if that rat-infested dilapidated house down the street — the one that’s littered with trash and mattresses — could instead become the future site for a Habitat for Humanity house.

Or, maybe the property could be transformed into a neighborhood park, or be used for some other community amenity.

That’s the kind of big-picture thinking that surfaced on Oct. 20, as the Pasco County Commission discussed  problems associated with blighted properties.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey called attention to the issue by sharing an email she’d received with her colleagues.

“This property has been vacant for over a year,” Starkey read from an email. “There was a massive fire there. There was a car that caught on fire, too, in the garage. Everything is charred and burned, terribly.”

The email went on to describe ”chunks of burned debris” that were “just hanging and dangling.”

It continued: “There are rats running everywhere. There are little children playing nearby.”

Starkey wasn’t happy.

“This is a health issue here. This is just not acceptable to me,” said Starkey, noting she’s received many emails similar to that one.

Besides raising concerns about safety, the constituent complained about being unable to get a clear answer from the county regarding the status of the site.

Code enforcement told her the case had been closed; what the caller didn’t know, though, is that it had been referred to the department that handles demolition of properties meeting the criteria for removal.

Starkey asked Kristi Sims, senior assistant county attorney, to give the board a briefing on how the process works.

Sims told board members that an internal shift had been made, regarding demolition of blighted properties.

Sims said the county’s made significant progress — with more than 130 buildings being taken down last year.

“Almost 40% of those were taken down by the owners, not at county expense,” Sims said.

But, she added, there’s a backlog of 200 cases that have built up through the years.

“To make a long story short, we’ve known we’re running behind. We’re behind the eight ball. The eight ball keeps getting bigger. We’re chasing it, we’re chasing it,” Sims said.

The county has come up with a plan that it thinks will help to chip away at the backlog, Sims said. But, as it removes derelict properties, it needs to think about what happens next, Sims added.

“The more we take down, the more empty lots we’re going to have,” Sims said.

“The answer may be for us to assist in getting it into the hands of a nonprofit, like Habitat for Humanity, that will rebuild with a responsible owner and put it back on the tax rolls,” the attorney said.

Or, perhaps there’s a way to create some kind of community asset, she said.

“Community Development has hired a program coordinator who is studying the various options we have for these properties,” Sims said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano wants to find creative ways to turn community eyesores into neighborhood assets.

“There are empty lots sitting there that are not doing the taxpayers any good, aren’t doing the neighbors any good. So, I would love for us to go explore working with the banks, working with nonprofits — maybe even put a special program together, working with a tax break or something to get a new home put in there,” Mariano said.

Starkey agreed: “I think we have to have a comprehensive plan.”

It doesn’t do any good, she said, to take down a house and then have the site become a dumping grounds, “where everyone puts their washing machine and their sofa and all that stuff.”

Another problem arises when people move onto the lots, pitch their tents and live there, Starkey said.

Sims told the board that research is being done to seek solutions to these issues.

Board members said they need more time to delve into the issues, so they agreed to bring the issue back as a board agenda item — during which staff, community nonprofits and others will have the chance to share ideas for how to turn an eyesore into an opportunity.

Published November 04, 2020

Enthusiasm not lacking in this year’s election

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By the time that readers pick up this week’s copy of The Laker/Lutz News on Nov. 4, the nation may know who won the presidential election — or not. It will depend on whether it’s a razor-thin result, or a landslide.

Republican supporters turned out to the Land O’ Lakes Recreational Complex during Early Voting on Oct. 24. From left: John Keller, Sandy Graves, Paul Blevins, Summer Blevins, Kurt Browning, James Mallo and Steve Graves. Summer Blevins is the deputy chief of staff for Congressman Gus Bilirakis, on the ballot for an additional term; and Browning also is up for reelection as superintendent of Pasco County Schools. (Randy Underhill)

But, based on ballots cast by mail, or at early voting sites — there’s no doubt that this election motivated people to get out and vote.

Election officials in both Pasco and Hillsborough counties said operations went smoothly during early voting and that turnout was high.

“Pre-Election Day turnout was 60% of our entire voter roll and far surpassed the Pre-Election Day turnout from 2016,” said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley, via email.

“We expect a strong election day turnout and to far exceed 2016 General Election turnout.”

Corley added that the county had the greatest number of days and locations for early voting in Pasco.

Voters had no problems voting at the Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library on Oct. 25. The wait was less than 15 minutes.

He also said “voters were very pleased with the precautions we took to ensure a safe environment.”

The supervisor said that he appreciates the county’s poll workers, who continually step up to serve voters.

He also thanks the patience of voters, as his office administers “the most scrutinized election, during a pandemic.”

In Hillsborough County, the vote totals for early voting and Vote by Mail are already approaching the total voter turnout for 2016, said Gerri Kramer, director of communications for  Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections Craig Latimer’s office.

Vote by Mail drop-off tents — used for the first time this year at Early Voting sites and offices —proved to be very popular with voters.

To find out the latest turnout numbers, go to VoteHillsborough.org or PascoVotes.com.

Published November 04, 2020

Towing companies must clear crash debris in Pasco

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Companies that remove vehicles from the scene of an accident in Pasco County must be sure to clear away the crash debris, too.

That’s the word from the Pasco County Commission, which adopted an ordinance to that effect during the board’s Oct. 20 meeting.

Commissioner Mike Wells had called for the local ordinance in the spring, to ensure that towing companies do a thorough job when clearing accident scenes.

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder said the ordinance came to commissioners several months ago, but was delayed because of the pandemic.

“It basically mirrors state law, but gives us some teeth with towing companies that fail to clean up the scene of an accident,” Steinsnyder said.

Wells told the county attorney: “I’m glad it has finally made it back to us.”

The ordinance says that the board “recognizes that its streets and intersections are littered with debris from accidents and that this debris creates dangerous conditions for other persons using the roads.”

It also requires that: “Any person removing a wrecked or damaged vehicle from a street, road, or highway shall remove and lawfully dispose of any glass, debris, or other injurious substance dropped upon the highway from such vehicle.”

The ordinance aims to hold tow-truck drivers to the standards that state law requires.

In calling for the ordinance earlier this year, Wells said he didn’t think every hauler is guilty of leaving debris in the road, but he wanted to increase the level of accountability.

The ordinance was adopted without public comment, on a 4-0 vote, with Commissioner Kathryn Starkey absent.

Published November 04, 2020

Donations being sought for law officer memorial

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Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano’s five offices are accepting donations during the month of November to help build the Pasco Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

This rendering depicts what the permanent memorial for fallen law enforcement officers is expected to look like. (File)

The memorial is planned to be located on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, and will honor law enforcement officers who died in the line of duty, according to a news release from Fasano’s office.

Pasco County is the only one of Florida’s 67 counties without a permanent law enforcement memorial, so efforts led by Attorney Craig LaPorte and other volunteers have been ongoing to raise enough money to build one. Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley also has been involved in the fundraising efforts.

An annual memorial service is held to honor the officers who have been lost, but the memorial will provide a place to visit year-round.

Cash donations can be made at any of the five tax collector locations in Pasco County. They also can be included in registration renewals mailed to the tax collector during the month of November, the release says.

For more information about the charitable giving program at the Pasco Tax Collector’s office, contact Assistant Tax Collector Greg Giordano at (727) 847-8179, or visit PascoTaxes.com.

For more information about the Fallen Law Enforcement Officers Memorial, call Craig LaPorte at (727) 863-1553.

Donations also may be mailed to the tax collector’s office at the following address: Tax Collector Mike Fasano, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL 33526.  Please note on the check’s memo line “Law Enforcement Memorial.”

Published November 04, 2020

Tax collectors returns more than $3 million to county

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When the COVID-19 pandemic slammed the brakes on the local economy, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano thought it would mean that he’d be able to return about half of the money that he typically returns to the county each year.

But, it turned out that the tax collector’s offices were able to continue operations — with adaptations, and last week, Fasano presented a check topping $3 million, more than double what he expected.

“God bless my staff; we were able to keep things going, even though we had to close our lobbies. We still continued to provide service,” Fasano said. “I will also tell you that we’re No. 1 in the state, and continue to be, in giving out concealed weapons permits.”

He praised the work of County Administrator Dan Biles.

“Dan Biles has been phenomenal in leading us through this serious crisis,” Fasano said, noting  his offices were able to stay open — using temperature gauging and other precautions to keep people safe.

“We’re able to give people tickets so they can wait in their cars, and they are texted when their numbers come up. And, Dan has been outstanding in making sure that happened, and we appreciate that,” Fasano said.

Fasano presented a check for $3,457,000 to the county, of which he requested $305,000 to renovate a building in San Antonio to house his office’s department that oversees printing and mailing of tax notices, registration renewals and other materials.

“With that said, we’re asking that from that $3,457,000 — $305,000 be put to the side,” Fasano said, to pay that contractor. “You can keep $3.1 million. I want $305,000,” Fasano said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore assured Fasano that the request was on the board’s consent agenda, which was subsequently approved by the board.

Published November 04, 2020

Cleanup a success, amid pandemic

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Small teams made for mighty results during this year’s socially distanced version of the annual International Coastal Cleanup, presented by the Rotary Club of New Port Richey and Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative, according to a Pasco County news release.

Olivia O’Malley, of Land O’ Lakes, holds a trash bag open, as her father, Michael, throws away a decaying trash bag that was found on the side of Parkway Boulevard, during last year’s coastal cleanup. O’Malley and her dad also found a piece of a car bumper. (File)

Volunteers worked throughout Pasco County to pick up nearly 40,000 pounds of trash and litter along roadways, public spaces and waterways.

Here’s a breakdown from the cleanup:

  • 19.52 tons of trash and litter
  • 36 locations in Pasco County
  • 922 volunteers
  • 3,248 volunteer hours logged

“We always strive for a year-over-year increase, but not all success is measured in numbers,” said Kristen King, Keep Pasco Beautiful coordinator.

“Even during the pandemic, we had a volunteer turnout that we are extremely grateful for, and we’re consistently welcoming a younger generation who cares about the environment and will ultimately create lasting behavior change,” King said.

The Pasco County Department of Public Works assists with trash pickup from the cleanup, and it manages the Adopt-a-Road program for volunteers who are interested in additional efforts.

For information, visit KeepPascoBeautiful.org.

Published November 04, 2020

Tourist Development Council has board opening

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Pasco County’s Tourist Development Council (TDC) has an opening on its volunteer board for a representative or operator of a hotel, motel, RV park, or other tourist accommodation, according to a county news release.

Experience Florida’s Sports Coast, which is Pasco’s Destination Management Organization, is recruiting volunteers to apply to serve on the board.

Applications are being accepted online through Nov. 30, at bit.ly/TDCApp2020.

The TDC is an advisory council to the Pasco County Commission.

It is made up of elected officials and tourism industry professionals who provide recommendations to the staff of Experience Florida’s Sports Coast on promotional/partnership proposals, marketing opportunities and oversight of tourism tax expenditures – also known as the “Bed Tax.”

Position Details:

  • Must be an owner or operator of a motel, hotel, RV park, or other tourist accommodation in the county subject to the tourist development tax
  • TDC members serve four-year terms; appointments are staggered.
  • The position is voluntary; there is no financial compensation.
  • The TDC typically meets monthly, alternating between New Port Richey and Dade City.
  • Applicants must live in Pasco County, and must be registered to vote.

To find out more, visit bit.ly/PascoTDC.

For additional information, email Kolby Kucyk Gayson at .

Published November 04, 2020

Treating others —  to a happy, haunting Halloween

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Every year, right after Labor Day, Sid Simandl starts sorting out his Halloween décor.

He begins early because it takes weeks for him and his wife, Kathy, to create a haunted attraction that will, well, raise people’s spirits.

“It started out small, just a little display. And, each year, it just got a little bit bigger and a little bit bigger. It’s taken on a life of its own,” said Simandl, who lives in the Stagecoach subdivision in Land O’ Lakes, just off Wesley Chapel Boulevard.

If spiders give you the creeps, you’ll likely want to steer clear of the massive one in front of this home, in the Stagecoach subdivision in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Sid Simandl)

“We change it every year. We do new props every year,” said Simandl, noting the display has 68 props, including many that light up and are animated.

The attraction has developed a reputation.

“Everyone knows that’s the Halloween House,” said John Higgins, who lives next door to the Simandls.

Hundreds of people typically drop by the house, at 3651 Mossy Oak Circle, on Halloween night — the only night the display is open, Simandl said.

For many, the annual visit has become a ritual.

Simandl has been setting up his display for 18 years.

It’s never quite the same, from year to year.

Typically, he has constructed a Haunted House, inside his garage, which people would tour through.

These skeletons like to lounge around in front of the house at 3651 Mossy Oaks Circle, in the Stagecoach subdivision in Land O’ Lakes.

But, this year, he’s changing that up because of a need for COVID-19 precautions and to provide social distancing.

Instead of traipsing through an enclosed Haunted House, visitors will be able to check out a haunted trail, outdoors.

This year, there’s also a bonus: “We’re actually sponsoring a movie in the park at 9 o’clock (p.m.) We’re right across the street from the rec center,” Simandl said.

There’s no admission charge to visit the Halloween display or to watch “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein,” but nonperishable foods and canned goods are being accepted for a local food pantry, Higgins said.

The annual Halloween display at the Simandls is fun for both children and adults, Simandl said. It has become a tradition in the neighborhood: “There’s a whole group of us that gets together and hangs out,” he said.

This sign provides an inkling of how excited the Simandls get about Halloween each year. Sid Simandl, who puts up a giant display, says Halloween is his favorite holiday.

Typically, trick-or-treaters start showing up around 6:30 p.m., on Halloween.

Besides getting a feast for the eyes, the kids get a fistful of candy, too.

That’s because a lot of his neighbors hang out in the driveway, and the trick-or-treaters each get six or seven pieces of candy.

Higgins praised his neighbor, for creating such a nice experience for families and kids.

“He just does it for the pure joy of it,” Higgins said, noting that the couple’s children are grown and live out of town.

Simandl who has nicknamed himself “Mr. Halloween,” puts on a pumpkin sports coat for the occasion.

“It’s my favorite holiday,” he said.

He and his wife have a solitary goal, in sharing their seasonal showcase: “We want them to love Halloween as much as we do,” he said.

Typically, the last trick-or-treaters trickle in around 9 p.m., or shortly after, but this year that could be later, because Halloween is on Saturday.

All are welcome, Simandl said.

“We’re there until the last ghost goes home,” he said.

Check out Halloween décor galore
What: Visit a haunted Halloween trail in the yard at Sid and Kathy Simandl’s home. Dozens of animated and lighted props will be on display.
Where: 3651 Mossy Oak Circle, Land O’ Lakes
When: Oct. 31, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; nonperishable foods and canned goods will be accepted to benefit a local food pantry.

Watch a spooky movie
What: Sid and Kathy Simandl are hosting a free outdoor Halloween movie at the Stagecoach park.
What: A screening of “Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein”
Where: 3632 Mossy Oak Circle, Land O’ Lakes
When: Oct. 31 at 9 p.m.
Cost: Free admission; nonperishable foods and canned goods will be accepted to benefit a local food pantry.

Published October 28, 2020

Diverging Diamond is behind schedule

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A road project that’s expected to reduce congestion at the Interstate 75 and State Road 56 is running behind schedule, and Pasco County commissioners aren’t happy.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore raised the issue during the board’s Oct. 20 meeting — citing the apparent lack of workers on the project.

“I drive it daily. My wife drives it daily. My oldest daughter probably drives it three to four times a week,” he said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore is calling on state road officials to apply greater pressure to get the Diverging Diamond project back on track. (File)

“Yesterday, when I drove through there, I took a few photos. I saw one truck. I don’t know what he was doing, I’m not a contractor. And, I saw two guys standing on the side, down below.

“On a project of that magnitude, those are the only people I saw working on it Monday — a sunny Monday.

“That was about 1:15, 1:30 (in the afternoon), when I drove through there. Those were the only people working on that project when I drove by there.

“That’s insane.

“That’s ridiculous.

“That’s embarrassing,” Moore said.

“I know Commissioner (Kathryn) Starkey and I received a letter from a group of businesses over on the west side of the interchange, everywhere from the outlet mall to across the street to Sierra’s properties (Cypress Creek Town Center), too,” Moore said.

“It’s frustrating to all of our constituents here. It’s frustrating to the business owners,” he said.

It’s particularly irritating given the fact that the county worked with local state legislators to get the project moved, and now it’s behind schedule, Moore said.

“Now, we’re going into 2021. This was supposed to be done in the summer of ‘21, and be finished and completed. Unfortunately, they’re delayed.

“We have absolutely zero control, and when I say zero, we have zero control over these contractors for that project because that is a DOT project,” the commission chairman added.

Moore said he expressed the county’s displeasure to David Gwynn, secretary for District 7 of the Florida Department of Transportation.

Gwynn responded with an email outlining what’s happened so far in the project, and the DOT’s actions.

The project was started in early 2019 with an original schedule of 800 days, which would result in a finish date of April 2021, Gwynne’s email notes.

Commissioner Jack Mariano said the county needs to keep the pressure on, to get the state road project finished closer to its original completion date.

That schedule did not account for rain and holiday allowances or other factors outside the contractors control, the email adds.

To date, the contractor has been granted:

  • 99 days for weather
  • 34 days of holiday time
  • 30 days for unforeseen conditions

As a result, 163 days will be added to the contract, bringing the new end date to Aug. 26, 2021, the email notes.

“The department has discussed its concern with the contractor, DAB Constructors, as a result the contractor has gone to a 6-day work week to mitigate the schedule, and has agreed to focus their resources on completing existing work,” the email says.

The DOT also is looking for opportunities to move the job forward, the email notes, including:

  • Approving the use of alternate fill materials less sensitive to water, to accelerate work in low lying areas
  • Examining ways to combine traffic phases to shorten the overall duration of the project
  • Utilizing alternate road base options to accelerate new roadway construction
  • Examining ways to reconfigure walls on the project to shorten construction duration

Gwynn’s email says that “should the contractor not meet the contract end date, liquidated damages, of $9,837 a day, will be assessed for every day that the contractor is late in completing the project.”

The email goes on to say that the department sent a letter of concern to the contractor on March 23, and continues to review the contractor’s progress.

Finally, Gwynn said, “Please be assured that we are doing everything we can to hold the contractor accountable and accelerate the schedule where possible.”

Starkey said “I think DOT is doing as much as it can, to push it along,” but, she would like to see changes in the way contracts are awarded, to put a higher value on a company’s performance.

Moore said he’s happy to see what the DOT is doing, but isn’t satisfied with the results.

“The pressure needs to stay on,” Moore said.

“Basically, what needs to happen, is they need to hold their feet to the fire,” Moore said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano agreed: “Keep the pressure on.”

Published October 28, 2020