The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

For Pasco’s Spotlight on Talent, the show must go on

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For those of you who may have been wondering — yes, Spotlight on Talent plans to continue its tradition of giving young singers, musicians, dancers and artists a chance to compete and show off their skills.

After all, Spotlight on Talent, has been providing a showcase for performers from throughout Central Florida since 1982.

Guitarist Salvador Hernandez performs during the 2020 Spotlight on Talent. (Gary Hatrick/Courtesy of Spotlight on Talent)

The Pasco County tradition will continue in 2021 — but the event might look different this time, due to COVID-19 protocols.

Barbara Friedman, the event producer, said the preliminary auditions are scheduled for Feb. 13, with two final shows set for March 6 at the Center for the Arts at Wesley Chapel.

“That’s what we hope happens because it’s a really big deal for about 200 kids and their families,’’ said Friedman, who also is publicity chairman for the Heritage Arts Center Association (HACA) nonprofit organization.

Performers in the talent showcase compete, with participants ranging from kindergartners through high school seniors.

Ticket sales for the live shows are typically robust.

“People from all over are already calling to ask, ‘Are you going to have Spotlight?’ The answer is yes we are, but given what’s going on in the world, we need a Plan B,” Friedman said.

Under Plan B, the auditions will be canceled and everything will wrap into the March 6 performance date. Tickets won’t be sold. Performers will be presented in small groups with a socially distanced staggered format and all Center for Disease Control (CDC) protocols will be followed, she said.

Either way, Friedman said the event will offer $4,000 worth of cash and prizes, including a $1,000 scholarship to the graduating senior who has the highest score.

“If it all doesn’t go exactly as we’d like it, we won’t be completely heartbroken,’’ Friedman said.

She added: “We’re not sure what the world will be like in February and March, but we’re going to make it (the competition) happen.’’

Dancer Julianna Mazza, who won the top prize of a $1,000 scholarship, performs during the 2020 Spotlight on Talent.

As they say, the show must go on.

That’s what the HACA, which is charged with promoting the arts, has made happen for nearly four decades. Between the Spotlight on Talent and the annual Moonlight and Ivory concert at the Dade City Women’s Club (used to raise scholarship money for performing arts students), the organization has provided numerous opportunities for local performers.

Spotlight on Talent was founded by Sally Blackwood, whose family still runs a dance studio in Dade City.

The annual showcase has grown into a long-anticipated event for performers and audience members throughout Central Florida.

“There just isn’t anything like this in our area, so we draw from well beyond Pasco County,’’ Friedman said.

Spotlight on Talent prides itself on its organization and professionalism. At the auditions and final performances, each participant is analyzed by a panel of five professional judges. Some might be college professors. Others could be dance studio owners, or artists. But, they bring a level of expertise that is valued by everyone.

“We want to develop and reward all these kids with God-given talents who are working really hard,’’ Friedman said. “One great way to do that is through our judges. It’s one thing to prepare a piece, come on a big stage and perform in front of people. But, the judges really make a difference.”

She went on: “We pay these judges to evaluate the performance with a written evaluation, so they get feedback on what they should do to further develop their talent. They get experience at auditioning and performing, plus they get tips from professionals. If kids are serious about their talent, those are exactly the things you need to get to college and get scholarships. Our event is very valuable for the performers — the serious piano students and the serious dance students — in the area. It represents an opportunity for them.’’

The all-volunteer, 15-member HACA board of directors oversees everything from event administration to ticket sales.

“We are very hopeful that everything will work out,’’ Friedman said. “It would be great to have it come off like it always does. I think we’d all like COVID to just go away. But, regardless of what happens, we’re going to be able to offer everything we normally do — with the possible exception of a large crowd.

“We’re moving forward and we’ll make it work,” Friedman said.’

For more information about Spotlight on Talent, including a look at last year’s show, log onto HeritageArts.org.

By Joey Johnston

Published October 14, 2020

Pasco construction board has openings

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The Pasco County Construction Board (PCCB) is seeking volunteers to serve on its advisory board.

There are several vacancies on the board, for both contractors and consumer representatives.

The board hears and decides complaints about contractors, unpermitted work and appeals regarding construction and home improvement, contractor licensing, and Florida Building Code interpretations and amendments.

Contractors interested in applying must:

  • Hold a state or county contractor license
  • Be actively engaged in the construction business
  • Have five consecutive years of contracting experience

Consumers who are interested in applying cannot be either presently or previously a member or practitioner of a profession regulated by the construction board, or a member of any closely related profession.

Openings on the board include: Consumer representatives and licensed contractors, representing the areas of general or residential contractor, aluminum contractor, roofing contractor, and A/C or mechanical contractor.

Board members serve staggered, three-year terms and typically meet on the third Wednesday or Thursday every other month at 9:30 a.m.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old, and live in Pasco County, or regularly conduct business in the county.

Applications are being accepted through Oct. 30.

Apply online at bit.ly/PCCBapplication.

To learn more about the Pasco County Construction Board, visit bit.ly/34pcKHK, or email .

Published October 14, 2020

Be an ‘elf’ to someone often forgotten

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With the holidays quickly approaching, Aging Solutions Inc., once again is hosting its Elves for Elders Gift Drive, to benefit the individuals it serves.

Aging Solutions Inc., the Office of the Public Guardian, was established to provide guardianship and advocacy for individuals who legally have been found to be incapacitated, according to information on Aging-Solutions.org’s website.

The nonprofit organization, appointed by the court, “provides services throughout Central Florida to individuals with developmental disabilities, frail elderly, veterans, those who suffer from chronic mental illness, and those who suffer from progressive cognitive loss due to dementia or other neurological disorders, and traumatic brain injuries,” the website says.

Some of these individuals rely on family for their care. Others become wards of the Court, and must depend on a guardian to watch over their personal, medical and financial needs.

The wards live in skilled nursing facilities, assisted living facilities or group home settings. Florida Medicaid laws only allow the wards to keep a small monthly allowance of any Social Security, pension or other income they receive, and this money is used to purchase toiletries, undergarments, clothing or anything else they may want or need.

That’s why presents provided through the Elves for Elders are especially appreciated, and

Aging Solutions hopes that people will open their hearts to these often-forgotten individuals.

Participation is simple: Visit Aging-Solutions.org and click on the Elves for Elders link. Then, choose a county wish list to see the names of the wards along with their individual requests. Items that have been requested include T-shirts, pants, slippers, toiletries, candy, games and more.

Select an item or items from the list to buy, purchase a gift card, make a cash donation, or do all three. Call (866) 922-4464 for instructions as to where to drop off your gift. All donations are tax deductible.

Published October 14, 2020

Summit focuses on efforts to end hunger

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The 2020 Sunshine Summit to End Hunger, presented by the Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger in partnership with Bread for the World and Florida Impact, will be hosted virtually for the first time ever, according to a news release.

The 10th annual event is slated to take place Oct. 29 and Oct. 30 from 9 a.m. to 1:15 p.m., Eastern Standard Time (EST), each day, and will act as a forum for participants to learn, share and network while exploring the best practices in solving hunger.

This year’s theme is “Global Effects of COVID-19 on Food Systems and Local Effects on Emergency Feeding Efforts.”

Sessions will be locally, nationally and internationally focused on the experiences of families struggling with food insecurity, and different response programs and techniques.

The keynote speakers will be Feeding India’s founder Ankit Kawatra and co-founder Srishti Jain, who will provide an international perspective on how Feeding India responded to feed their communities during COVID-19.

“We’re excited to be working with local leaders and those from across the globe to promote not only an end to hunger, but to food insecurity and food insufficiency, for a healthy lifestyle,” Caitlyn Peacock, executive director of Tampa Bay Network to End Hunger, said in the release.

“The network works to build a hunger-free community with access to nutritious food for all,” Peacock commented.

Registration for the summit is free.

For a complete agenda and list of speakers, and to register, visit NetworkToEndHunger.org/sseh.

Published October 14, 2020

Pasco Extension gets a new home

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Pasco County Extension is operating out of a new building at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

The organization, which operates under a partnership between the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences and Pasco County, also has adapted its programming to provide services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Whitney Elmore enjoys her new office at UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County. She said most programming is being done online now, but things will change once the threat from COVID-19 subsides. (B.C. Manion)

Dr. Whitney Elmore, director of UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension, recently provided a tour of the new office to a reporter from The Laker/Lutz News.

The 6,400-square-foot facility is a massive upgrade from the Extension’s old office. It features a large, open classroom area — with the potential of adding a sliding wall, to convert the space into two rooms. It also has a small kitchenette and several offices.

“It’s a fantastic new opportunity, not only for the team, but for the citizens — to be able to come here and enjoy it —  a very functional space,” Elmore said.

The new office, which opened in June, was about five years in the making.

It was constructed through a $1.1-million state grant combined with $244,000 in funding from Pasco County and $197,000 from the Pasco County Fair Association. The fair association applied for the state grant, which required local matching funds.

“Now, we have this nice, new facility that really meets our needs, and again, is an excellent educational facility,” Elmore said.

Though the doors are open, people aren’t streaming in yet — as Extension takes precautions to prevent the spread of COVID-19, following UF/IFAS and Pasco County protocols.

Like other operations throughout Florida, the Extension office closed when Florida went on lockdown.

Then, Extension pivoted.

“We went virtual, quickly. It’s not a surprise, because that’s what Extension is, anywhere — we adjust, we’re flexible, we’re adaptable.

“Honestly, I can’t be prouder of this team. I’m not surprised, but I can’t be prouder of the team.

Receptionist Michelle Jedych loves Pasco County Extension’s new office, at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. She said it provides an inviting venue for people who are coming there to receive services.

“They just, literally, overnight, said, ‘OK, we’re not in person — which has been the standard for 100 years for Extension —  we’re going to make the best of this, we’re going to adjust and we put everything on line.

“So, they just picked up and ran with it,” she said.

Even those who were not particularly comfortable with technology made the switch.

“They knew this is what had to be done. There was not one complaint. There was not one grumble from this team,” Elmore said.

The staff stays focused.

“We are very mission-oriented. We have servant’s hearts. The public needed us in so many ways, and that shifted some, especially with what we call ‘pandemic’ gardening.

“The horticulture questions went through the roof, with people working in our community gardens. Our community gardens employees were considered essential because that’s food systems related and those continued on, not missing a beat.

“We set up dozens of online learning opportunities. We partnered with the Pasco EDC, the Sheriff’s Office, you name it, to offer a wide variety of learning opportunities,” Elmore said.

The efforts received a tremendous response.

“Just our social media engagement went up about 4,000%, in a month,” the Extension services director said.

“We had people from other countries that were tuning in. Definitely, other parts of the state. They learned about us and they also learned about Pasco County,” she said.

Extension and the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., also work together at a facility, called the One Stop Shop, on Lock Street in Dade City. The facility has a commercial kitchen and Pasco EDC offers programs aimed at helping entrepreneurs to establish businesses, and to help existing businesses thrive.

“We had people wanting to come from Miami to use our commercial space, at our One Stop Shop, because of some of the learning opportunities. It put a spotlight on Pasco County, and not just on Extension,” Elmore said.

Concerns about COVID-19 have caused a significant reduction of in-person classes and events.

“We do have some very small, in-person, teaching events. Those typically revolve around people needing to get a license, a certification, to continue or get new employment,” she said.

The University of Florida UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County now has a new facility at the Pasco County Fairgrounds.

Some changes made to remain safe during COVID-19 will become permanent.

“At the end of the day, it’s been in a lot of ways, very beneficial,” she said.

Online programs are not only safer, they’re more convenient, Elmore said.

Extension has introduced new programming, which Elmore expects to continue on — even after in-person activities pick up.

“It opened up lines of creativity and collaboration, across program areas that we never really explored before, that just make sense now,” Elmore said.

Despite valuable changes that have resulted from COVID-19, there have terrible consequences, too, Elmore said.

“There are tremendous negatives to what has transpired. Economics. Jobs. People getting sick and dying.

“We have experienced that loss in our Extension family. Dorothy Moore, she was one of our master gardeners. She passed away in July, in Dade City.

“That was a hard hit for us. Emotionally, that took a toll,” she said, plus it required Extension staffers who had been in contact with Moore to quarantine for 14 days.

Published October 07, 2020

Pasco experiencing recent spike of overdoses

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Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) has reported a record-setting spike in drug overdoses.

A lethal dose of the painkilling opioid Fentanyl is 2 milligrams, almost imperceptible, but the PCSO Narcotics Unit removed 435,000 lethal doses of the drug from the county’s streets during a six-week period.

The story doesn’t stop there.

Even a 2-milligram dose of the painkilling opioid Fentanyl, although almost imperceptible, can be fatal. After a recent uptick in overdoses, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized rehabilitation solutions. (Courtesy of Pasco County Sheriff’s Office)

Aided by a federal grant, the PCSO has established a Behavioral Health Intervention Team, which helps citizens with mental-health issues or substance-abuse problems. Members of the 16-person team contact overdose survivors within 48 hours of the incident, then connect them with community rehabilitation partners such as BayCare.

According to Sheriff’s Office records, Pasco County overdoses reached an all-time monthly high of 167 (37 fatal) in May, then maintained a steady pace in June (146, 18 fatal); July (140, nine fatal); and August (147, 24 fatal).

From 2017-2019, the largest overdose total in any month was 89.

In 2020, there were startling overdose upticks in May (297% increase), June (239% increase), July (204% increase) and August (234% increase), compared to the average of those month’s totals in the previous three years.

But, to Pasco County Sheriff’s Capt. Toni Roach, the key number is 49. Those are the people who have been placed under the care of a substance-abuse program because of the intervention team’s work.

“I know that doesn’t seem like a large number, but we’re running at about a 25% commitment into a program (after intervention),’’ Roach said. “That’s (49) people I know who aren’t going to potentially overdose and die in our community. That’s because the detective has been able to engage them and help them get appointments with behavioral health providers.

“We’ve created a path, giving these overdose subjects a golden ticket, getting them to the head of the line for services. These overdose subjects, they overdose, they almost die and they want help. “The overall effects of withdrawal and addiction manifest themselves within the first 24 hours. That’s why it’s crucial to get to them before they use again. If we get them into services quickly and reduce the withdrawal effects, they’re going to be more successful in staying,” she said.

Sometimes, it’s difficult to follow through, though.

Roach said the intervention team has worked with approximately 1,000 overdose follow-up assignments in the last year. About one-third of the subjects couldn’t be located, potentially because they were homeless, transient or intentionally avoiding authorities.

For subjects who are located, about half of them are interested in services. Most of the time, Roach said, they don’t know where to start.

“We have that hard conversation and tell them, ‘This is your rock bottom, and we’re here to help you,’” Roach said. “We help take away all the excuses. We do all the legwork and take people to their first appointment. If the process is intimidating or they don’t have transportation, we get them that help.’’

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, that help has been needed more than ever.

“We definitely saw an increase in the overdose numbers and there were multiple potential reasons,’’ Roach said. “Some of it was stimulus related. When the stimulus checks came out, some people partied like it was 1999. The substance abuse community relies heavily on peer support and interaction. So when we stopped meeting in person, churches closed and things went online, it wasn’t the same as having that human interaction.

“The whole aspect of social isolation has been a huge part of the pandemic and overall mental health. No doubt, isolation has played into it in a very big way,” she said.

Fentanyl also plays into it in a very big way. It’s the drug of concern for local officials.

“It’s extremely cheap and it’s extremely addictive because of its potency level,’’ Roach said. “It creates a bigger problem for us. The things that seemed more benign by comparison, such as marijuana, can now overdose and kill you because it’s now laced with something that is very fatal and highly toxic. It throws our entire community into a new playing field.’’

But, the intervention team continues to make headway.

“We’ve had a lot of great wins during this process,’’ Roach said. “As time goes on and we learn more and more, I think it will be even more effective.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published October 07, 2020

Mom and Pops may get help with landscaping costs

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Pasco County commissioners recently directed the county’s staff to find a way to ease the burden of landscaping costs for small businesses, when they redevelop.

Commissioner Ron Oakley raised the issue, noting that a small Dade City restaurant wants to add a porch, but found itself facing expensive county landscaping requirements.

“They have no place for people to wait. It’s a small restaurant. If the restaurant is at full capacity, there’s no place for people to wait, so that’s part of why they were going to do like a porch, or something, out in front of it, so people would have a place to sit and wait to have breakfast or lunch,” Oakley said.

The commissioner added:  “It seems like the cost of upgrading their landscape is just very, very expensive, and makes it prohibitive.”

Oakley said he’s not advocating that the restaurant do nothing, but that the requirements be less extensive and thus less expensive.

“When you take into consideration — a Mom and Pop restaurant — if that landscaping is going to cost them $40,000 or $50,000, they’re forever trying to earn that money, just to stay open.

“So many of them are having a hard time, now, so we need to look at that,” Oakley said.  “Some of these businesses, right now, are closing down. They just can’t make it. It’s a shame.”

Commissioners Jack Mariano and Mike Wells said they’ve also noticed the problem.

“I agree with Commissioner Oakley,” Mariano said. “That (landscaping requirement) is causing a problem. I think it has really hurt redevelopment along (U.S.) 19.”

Mariano suggested using funds from the county’s tree mitigation fund to provide an incentive for landscape improvements.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey concurred: “I like Commissioner Mariano’s idea of maybe helping them more. We don’t know the facts, here. I want to make sure that they know that right off the bat, there’s $10,000 that we can help them with their landscaping, Commissioner Oakley.

“But, let’s look to see if there’s some way we can help them more. We don’t want it to be a disincentive and not let these businesses expand,” Starkey said.

On the other hand, Starkey said she doesn’t want things to go back to the way they were when an entire site was covered with a building and parking, without landscaping.

County Administrator Dan Biles said “landscaping reimbursement out of the tree fund is capped at $10,000. We could look at increasing the cap. I think that cap has been there for a while. Inflation happens to landscaping, like everything else.”

Biles said he believes the fund now has more than $1 million.

“We could look at maybe bumping that cap up, to cover some more of these costs. Let’s take a look at that,” Biles said.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore said he’d like a more detailed discussion of what triggers the landscaping improvements and more information about landscaping reimbursements from the tree mitigation fund, when Biles bring the issue back to the board.

Wells said he can think of two projects in his district where exceptions were made and they received reimbursements exceeding the cap, with the board’s approval.

“I think if you’re not adding to the square footage, it shouldn’t necessarily trigger it. That’s why we matched these folks with the funding,” Wells said.

“It’s tough for these businesses, not only now, but for the last several years. We need to help them to expand, move, hire more people and so forth.”

Mariano also would like to see if the process could be set up for the landscaping companies to be paid directly by the county, instead of having the business owner pay the landscaper and then be reimbursed for their payment.

“A lot of them can’t float that,” he said.

“I think most of your landscaping companies would probably be comfortable to work that way,” Mariano added. “We’ve just got to be flexible.”

Biles said he will take a look at increasing the cap for reimbursements, and at streamlining the process to get approvals more quickly — and then will bring it back to the board.

Published October 07, 2020

The Dade City Banner chronicled local news

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By the time Katharine Graham became publisher of the Washington Post in 1963, Margaret Bazzell had already been the publisher for The Dade City Banner for 20 years.

Both women became owners of their family owned newspapers upon the deaths of their husbands.

Succeeding in a male-dominated industry, Graham was the first female publisher of a major American newspaper. Her paper’s coverage of the Watergate scandal eventually led to the resignation of President Richard Nixon in 1974.

The National Guard was brought in to protect dozens of homes and businesses damaged by a tornado, as reported by The Dade City Banner on April 2, 1959. (Courtesy of the University of Florida Digital Collections)

Bazzell became the first female publisher in Pasco County during World War II. Her husband died when he was just 42.

The newspaper reported the death under the headline — “H. S. Bazzell died suddenly Sunday p.m.,” spelled out in all capital letters.

An account, published Jan. 22, 1943, said in part: “When an employee is called upon to chronicle the passing of his employer and intimate friend it borders on the impossible.”

Prior to the Banner’s first publication on July 25, 1913, it chose a name that was briefly considered for Pasco County in 1887.

Volume 1, number 1 of the Banner was a “well-edited and well-appearing paper,” observed its first editor John Tippen.

Published on the Banner’s front page was a picture of “the beautiful Edwinola Hotel.” It was completed the previous year at a cost of about $50,000.

The structure was described this way in the Banner: “It is a fire-proof concrete building of three stories, containing 32 guest rooms, all of which are located on the second and third floors, the first floor being used for office, parlor and a dining room.”

In a notice to its readers and advertisers in 1915, the Banner promised “to conduct a clean, wholesome newspaper, which will give in every instance a fair deal to all.”

For much of the Banner’s history, that public pledge was followed by Margaret Bazzell.

During her time as owner and publisher until 1968, Margaret Bazzell would see her son, Harley S. Bazzell Jr., become editor.

She also hired her daughter-in-law Roszlyn “Ro” Bazzell (who died earlier this year); Harold Taylor, as typesetter; and William R. Branas, as advertising manager.

Calling itself “Pasco County’s Leading Newspaper,” the Banner became a daily and would eventually cover all of East and Central Pasco County, including the towns of Blanton, Dade City, Land O’ Lakes, Richland, Ridge Manor, San Antonio, Trilby, Gator (Wesley Chapel) and Zephyrhills.

“We lived within walking distance of our jobs,” former reporter Nell Moody Woodcock recalls on the Pasco County history website Fivay.org.

This old post card shows the offices of The Dade City Banner sometime in the early 1920s. The newspaper’s staff is pictured on the front steps, while a company car is shown on the right. (Courtesy of David Ward)

Keeping a finger on the pulse on Pasco
“The Banner was the newspaper of record for legal advertisements. Hard news was generated at the Pasco County Courthouse or city hall,” Woodcock recalls.

It was convenient that the Coleman and Ferguson Funeral Home was located on the opposite side of Seventh Street from the Banner.

“Their ambulances were called to emergencies, and a check with the front office would reveal the location and severity of the incident,” explains Woodcock, who grew up in Lacoochee and later retired as a staff reporter with The Tampa Tribune.

Readers especially enjoyed the Society Page by editor Catherine H. McIntosh. This section of the Banner was filled with articles about children’s birthday parties, families entertaining out-of-town guests, and weddings that were not complete without full descriptions of the dresses worn by the brides.

Typical was the following published on June 30, 1952: “Given in marriage by her father, the bride (Miss Vivian Bailey) wore a gown of candlelight satin with the full skirt terminating in a cathedral train. An overskirt of princess lace was a feature of the gown, which was fashioned with a basque bodice, with jewel neckline and long fitted sleeves with points over the hands. Her fingertip veil of illusion fell from a Queen of Scots cap, caught with orange blossoms, and appliqued with princess lace. She carried a shower bouquet of lilies of the valley and stephanotis, centered with a white orchid.”

With no door-to-door delivery, “subscribers got the paper in the mail (and) those who were in the military could learn all about what was happening back home by having the paper mailed to them,” according to the Fivay.org website.

That included local sports coverage by Gerald Newton, who was hired by the Banner in 1965 while still a 23-year-old student at Southeastern Bible College in Lakeland.

“I was once warned about being too wordy with some of my articles,” Newton posted on his Facebook page for Feb. 23, 2020.

This undated photograph shows the new Edwinola Hotel near downtown Dade City. Opening on March 8, 1912, it made front page news published in the first edition of The Dade City Banner on July 25, 1913. (Courtesy of Fivay.org)

The 1979 Dade City Little League state championship and the 1992 Pasco Pirate state title were covered during his 47-year career that spanned three newspapers following the Banner, as well as sports director for radio station WDCF in Dade City, and as a coach and teacher for Pasco County Schools.

Nearly 3,000 issues of The Dade City Banner are part of the digital collections on file at the University of Florida.

Preserving the newspaper began with efforts by the Pasco County Genealogy Society in 2000.

“They thought it would be a good idea to start indexing the births, deaths and marriages in The Dade City Banner,” explains Glen Thompson, a member of the Friends of the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City.

Following seven years of work on issues printed from 1913 to 1923, these copies were sent to the University of Florida. Also shipped out were Banners found in a dumpster, and others stored in archival boxes at city hall.

According to Angelo Liranzo, the library’s manager, copies of The Dade City Banner were digitized from 1914 to 1971 at a cost of approximately $15,000.

While the digital files are all PDF, the original papers still survive.

They chronicle news including construction of the new Evans bulk orange juice concentrate facilities south of Dade City in 1957, and the closing of the Cummer & Sons Cypress Company in 1959.

But, the stories of generations of families are the primary history that is preserved, in part, on the pages of The Dade City Banner.

The records are not clear, but sometime between 1973 and 1974, The Dade City Banner changed its name to The Pasco News under new management.

Doug Sanders has a penchant for unearthing interesting stories about local history. His sleuthing skills have been developed through his experiences in newspaper and government work. If you have an idea for a future history column, contact Doug at .

Published October 07, 2020

Conveyor Consulting and Rubber Company expands

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Conveyor Consulting and Rubber Company in Pasco County, which opened in Pasco County in 2014, is constructing two new facilities at One Pasco Center, near Interstate 75 and State Road 52.

The company is investing $2 million to construct a 20,000-square-foot building and a 12,000-square-foot building at One Pasco Center business park, according to an announcement from Pasco Economic Council Inc.

The expansion also includes new manufacturing capabilities for conveyor parts and systems.

“Our company continues to grow, and we are expanding to meet the demand of our clients. Adding to our capabilities to include manufacturing is very exciting,” Ron Fernandes, president of Conveyor Consulting and Rubber Company, said in a release.

“I really appreciate the Pasco EDC and Pasco County staff helping us keep the momentum going by expediting permitting and offering us mobility fee waivers. They are committed to helping businesses grow in Pasco,” he said.

Fernandes looked at numerous locations; however, he found One Pasco Center to have the direct access to major highways he needed to quickly and efficiently distribute to his clients, and provide easy access for business-to-business sales, the release adds.

“I want to congratulate Ron Fernandes and his team on their expansion. The I-75 and SR 52 interchange is rapidly developing, and I think he will find it the perfect fit,” Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said, in the release.

Bill Cronin, president/CEO of Pasco EDC also weighed in: “The Pasco EDC is always excited to help our current businesses expand and find ways to grow in Pasco County.

“Our road network in Pasco provides a unique transportation network across the county and region. Conveyor Consulting and Rubber Company chose their location because it provides them with quick access for distribution. I am thrilled they were able to remain here and continue to grow with us.”

Published October 07, 2020

Chambers in East Pasco considering merger

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Chambers of commerce representing the business communities in Zephyrhills and Dade City are beginning to explore the possibility of merging into a single chamber.

The boards for the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce have approved the formation of a task force to look into the logistics and possible benefits of merging the two organizations.

Melonie Monson, the CEO of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, and John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, recently told The Laker/Lutz News that it is unclear how long it will be before a merger, if one occurs, will happen.

“All we’re looking at is the opportunity to be able to put options on the table,” Moors said.

The idea of a merger is not new.

He explained why combining forces is being considered.

“(The) No. 1 reason is that we feel that a larger chamber — in my perspective, in any case — would better represent businesses in the eastern Pasco area,” Moors said.

“With the influx of residential, we know that commercial is following that, that this area continues to grow and grow and spread, as we’ve seen in Wesley Chapel. We’re not suggesting that’s a great thing. We’re not suggesting it’s not,” he said.

However, Moors added: “We would be better prepared as a chamber, to service our business members, if we were somewhat prepared for that growth.”

Monson noted: “We’ve seen successful mergers of other chambers in Pasco County and the strength that that can bring in numbers. So, we felt that this was the opportune time, to look at this more closely right now.”

She also noted that impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic have affected the timing of the discussion.

“With all that everyone is going through, due to the pandemic, we felt that it was time to revisit it,” Monson said.

The task force will be made up of people from both communities, including businesses and larger organizations.

The task force will look at such things as: “What are the benefits of this? Will it strengthen each community? Will it strengthen each chamber? Will it expand advocacy?” Monson said.

The task force also will consider potential obstacles, as well as how to preserve the identities of each community, if a merger occurs, she added.

It also will explore: “Is this something we need to do?” she added.

Zephyrhills is among the largest municipalities in the county, if not the largest municipality, and Dade City is the county seat, Monson said.

Does it make sense to join forces to come together with one voice for advocacy and economic development, she asked.

Once the task force completes its due diligence, it will bring a recommendation to the boards.

Input from members will be sought, too, she said.

Moors said he has no speculation of the future structure of the chamber because that would come out of the task force.

“There’s really nothing for sure. All we’re really doing is forming a task force and looking at the combination, and at what best practices there might be, in a joint chamber,” he said.

One question that will be asked is: “What should the focus of the organization be?” Moors said.

The effort is being made to make sure the chambers are doing the best they can to remain sustainable and continue serving their members, he said.

Besides creating a more powerful voice, by merging memberships, there also might be a reduction in overhead, both chamber leaders said.

“There’s an economy of scale,” Moors said. “If there’s an opportunity to be able to maximize their economies of scale, then in most cases, businesses will do that. It’s only good fiduciary responsibility,” Moors said.

“Primarily, people join a chamber of commerce because they want to network and they want to interact with people of like minds, from a business perspective. And, they want to have a voice in initiatives that are moving forward in their area both from a political point of view and from business associations, and that sort of thing,” Moors said.

Work is expected to get started on naming a task force and studying the issues, Monson said.

It’s hard to say how quickly that work will be done, the recommendations will be made and whether the chambers will decide to move forward with a merger — or drop the idea.

A merger between the Zephyrhills and Dade City chambers would be the third merger of its type among Pasco County chambers.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber is made up of chambers that previously represented Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Trinity and Odessa.

The Greater Pasco Chamber of Commerce resulted from a merger between the West Pasco  and Central Pasco chambers.

Published October 07, 2020