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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Pasco County is ‘stable and secure,’ administrator says

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Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles gave a briefing on the county’s current rating to the Pasco County Commission at its meeting on Sept. 21.

“Both Fitch and Moody’s did a new credit rating on the county, as part of its bond offering that’s going out shortly,” Biles said.

Both of the ratings held constant, with Moody’s giving the county’s an Aa2 rating and Fitch giving the county an AA/Stable rating, Biles said.

“Fitch’s rating included a stable outlook, which puts the county in a very low credit-risk category,” Biles said. “Keep in mind that we’re right in the middle of a pandemic. Local governments and state governments across this country have had significant financial distress.”

The county administrator added: “Our unemployment rate in Pasco County is down to 6.7%, which I’m not sure I was expecting to see that number until after the turn of the calendar. Not only that, when you actually dig into the numbers, 10,000 more people are working in August than were working in July. That’s a pretty substantial number. Still a little less than where we were last August, but getting there and getting there pretty fast. That’s good for Pasco County. That’s consistent across the Tampa Bay region. Those kinds of numbers.

“That puts us in a pretty stable and secure position,” he said.

After an afternoon recess, commissioners came back at 5:15 p.m., to hold the final public hearing on the county’s $1.5 billion budget for the 2020-2021 fiscal year.

No one spoke during the public comment portion of the hearing, and the board adopted the budget without discussion. The board had discussed budget issues at previous meetings and workshops.

The new budget takes effect Oct. 1.

Some highlights of the budget include a 3% raise for county employees and increased spending for the county’s library system, and its parks and recreation department.

Many initiatives the county had been considering for next year, however, were not brought forward because of negative economic impacts from COVID-19.

In other action, commissioners:

  • Approved a request to allow the Zephyrhills Volunteer Fire-Rescue Squad to operate as a support services entity in Zephyrhills. The fire department in Zephyrhills is merging with Pasco County Fire Rescue.
  • Approved a resolution proclaiming Sept. 25 as Disabled American Veterans Day, celebrating the DAV’s 100th anniversary, and recognizing the organization for its assistance to service-disabled veterans, and their families and survivors.

Published September 30, 2020

Pasco County retains masks, for now

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After a briefing from the director of the county’s health department, the Pasco County Commission has decided to continue its mask mandate — at least for now.

Mike Napier, director of the Pasco County office of the Florida Department of Health, told commissioners at their Sept. 21 meeting that positive COVID-19 cases had been trending in the wrong direction recently.

“I wish I had better news as far as what our cases have been over the last several weeks,” Napier said. “We’ve started to see some increased number of cases,” Napier said.

Mike Napier, director of the Pasco County office of the Florida Department of Health (File)

Pasco County’s cumulative number of cases he told commissioners was 8,834 cases, as of Sept. 21, the health director reported.

“The concern here really is, we were doing pretty well back in the early part of September, averaging about 3%, as a rolling average on our positivity. Last week, it was the first time in almost a month that we got almost a 6% positivity rate and we had 1,300 cases.

“The number that should be a little bit alarming to you is that in this past week, we’ve had a 61% increase in cases in the last seven days. So, we’re headed in the wrong direction at this point,” Napier said.

“At the low mark, the county was averaging 29 cases a day — to where we are today, where we’re averaging almost 50 day, and that’s over a two-week period,” Napier said.

“I know that schools were a big question.

“We had a total of 79 students and 26 staff that have tested positive, for 105 total cases (as of Sept. 18),” he said.

“There’s a lot of criteria that goes into the determination of whether or a not a student has to be excluded or not,” Napier said.

Out of the nearly 1,400 exposures at school, there are 857 students and staff currently quarantined, but also 542 people have been released, Napier said.

The public health officer said he knows there’s a lot of interest on when it would be appropriate to lift mask mandates and social distancing restrictions.

“From public health standpoint, I have to tell you, when we have a vaccine or when we have medication to treat COVID,” Napier said. From a practical standpoint, the number of positive cases needs to be lower. “We’re at 49 averaging a day.”

“We’re trending higher in our positivity rate. We were at 3%, we’re at 4% right now. That 1% does matter,” Napier said.

He said he’s on regular conference calls with health officers and county officials around the region.

“We’re all getting the same questions, right? We’re all trying to come up with that answer.

“We are looking at a regional approach for face coverings,” Napier said.

They’re trying to reach a consensus on the numbers and benchmarks to use.

“We’re actually looking to the academics, to be able to come up with something from a regional standpoint. We know that we have a community that moves from Pasco to Pinellas, and from Pinellas into Pasco. Hernando. Hillsborough — all of those counties.”

Initially, the increase in cases stemmed from the virus spreading within families, the public health official said. But now, there’s community spread.

Labor Day could have affected the spread. It’s too early to tell whether the recent opening of bars has had an impact,  he added.

COVID-19 remains a threat
“The pandemic is not over. I understand that face coverings are inconvenient and uncomfortable, however, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Medical Association continue to support the use of face coverings to reduce the exposure of COVID-19,” Napier said.

He continued: “Just as recently as last week, the CDC director Robert Redfield said, “The best defense that we currently have against this virus are the important mitigation efforts of wearing a mask, washing your hands, social distancing and being careful around crowds.”

Commissioner Ron Oakley said most of the people he’s heard from favor continuing the requirement for masks.

“I’d say that 80% to 85% of the citizens think it’s too early to remove masks, which is good to hear because I think they realize that it’s not over, and they still need to be taking precautions,” Oakley said.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said steps that have been taken to reduce the spread have been working.

“The county has seen a decrease of about 72%, in its seven-day rolling average, from its peak,” Biles said.

Commissioner Mike Wells said he’s not a big fan of wearing a mask. But, he added: “I wear a mask when I have to. It could possibly save lives.”

At the same time, he has empathy for business owners who are trying to impose the mandate.

“I’ve seen businesses get in arguments with folks. It’s just tough,” Wells said. “I’ve been in WaWa, people yelling. I’ve been in Walmart. I’ve been in Target. Folks yelling. ‘You’ve got to wear a mask. You’ve got the wrong mask,’” Wells said.

But, Wells told Napier that he respects him, and added: “I support it (the mask mandate) until you tell us otherwise.”

Napier said if the numbers were trending down, he would be in a different position.

As it stands now, he told board members he wouldn’t lift the requirement before getting another update, which is expected in October.

Published September 30, 2020

County approves purchase of new library furniture

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The Pasco County Commission has approved the purchase and installation of new furniture in conjunction with library renovations at the Hugh Embry, Land O’ Lakes, Regency Park and South Holiday libraries.

The purchases include new library furniture, shelving, book trucks, waste and

recycling receptacles, according to Pasco County Commission agenda documents.

The contracts call for purchases not to exceed:

  • $269,235.57 for the Hugh Embry Library
  • $491,252.12 for the Land O’ Lakes Library
  • $483,452.64 for the Regency Park Library
  • $289,326.90 for the South Holiday Library

The total for all four is slightly more than $1.53 million.

The new furniture is part of the library improvements being funded through the issuance of General Obligation Bonds that were approved by voters.

The interiors of the Hugh Embry, Land O’ Lakes, Regency Park, and South Holiday libraries will be completely renovated and restructured, the county documents say.

Renovations include removal of existing partitions, doors, windows, fixtures, devices, furnishings, lighting, HVAC, and finishes throughout the interior spaces.

New construction for the interior includes new doors and windows, storefront, partitions, fixtures, finishes, visual display, HVAC, plumbing, electrical lighting, and a security system. The new library furniture and shelving will be compatible with the new design.

The purchase of new library furniture, multi-purpose furnishings, library shelving, library book trucks, and recycling and waste receptacles from a single vendor is required to maintain standardization, and will benefit the county by maintaining interchangeability and compatibility with other libraries, the agenda documents say.

This purchase has been budgeted as part of the furniture, fixtures and equipment of the overall renovation project.

Published September 30, 2020

Residents call for upgrades to Naomi Jones Park

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First, it was the Washington Heights community that weeks ago raised various concerns with Dade City leadership, asserting their local neighborhood and subdivision has been neglected in funding and resources.

Now, the Mickens-Harper community has come forward to levy complaints to the city, particularly for what they view as inadequate amenities and upkeep at Naomi S. Jones Park and the James Irvin Civic Center, at 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez (File)

Over a handful of middle-aged residents from the predominately Black neighborhood stepped forward during a Sept. 20 virtual city commission meeting, sharing written letters and making statements during a public comment period.

Many of the speakers expressed how the park and its recreation center have fallen in disrepair, and is a shell of its former self decades ago.

Citizens called for additional features to be installed at the park — including more pavilions; a covered playground area with new exercise equipment; more picnic tables and seating, upgraded lighting; and more routine landscaping, like edging and weeding, among other upgrades.

They also outlined various issues with the civic center building. They said the roof is leaking. There’s mold and it needs a new coat of pain. They complained about limited space in the kitchen, and outdated appliances and furnishings. The building needs expansion to accommodate larger events, residents said.

Chloe Senia recently moved back to Dade City after being away for about 45 years.

She recalled fond memories at the park when she was growing up as a youth decades ago, but was troubled to see the park’s conditions upon return to her hometown.

“I am very excited to be back in the City of Dade City, but it was very disturbing to walk out to and see the upkeep, and the condition of the park and the recreation center. …To see that there have been no improvements to the building, was pretty sad.”

She, too, pointed out the city recently upgraded other parks, such as Price Park on Magnolia Avenue, while Naomi Jones Park seemingly has been ignored: “When I look at other parks, it makes me wonder, ‘Where is the funding for Naomi Jones?’”

Those sentiments were summed up in a letter by Ella Mae Hamilton, who has been in the city the past 22 years.

While she complimented the city for funding a new bathroom/concession stand at Mickens Field and planning out a downtown community splash park, she said more needs to be done at Naomi Jones Park. She specifically requested shading for playground equipment, another pavilion and an updated kitchen: “I pray that these projects will be met for the betterment of the citizens of this city. After all, we pay taxes like everyone else.”

Meanwhile, long-time resident Anita Blake shared a recent negative experience at the park and civic center.

Blake detailed how she organized a birthday party for her 5-year-old granddaughter in November, but discovered the civic center’s kitchen oven was inoperable when she tried heating up food. Moreover, she ordered tables and chairs from the city, but they weren’t delivered on time, forcing her to scramble to make other accommodations.

This was all after she had paid designated permit and rental fees to the city, she said.

“The city knew some of this stuff was not intact, and they were still OK with me paying the whole payment,” Blake told commissioners, adding she’d have been better off renting out the Alice Hall Community Center in nearby Zephyrhills for the same price, surmising they offer better service and amenities.

She later underscored how the park’s features haven’t been upgraded since she was in school many years ago: “If you go out there to the park, the swings that are out there are the (same) swings when I went to Mickens.”

In response to all the concerns and demands, Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez said the matter is being addressed by department heads, who will be performing site visits and coordinating a priority improvement list. City workers might be able to make some of the improvements, the mayor said. Other upgrades “are much bigger line items that need to be put on some type of list so we can get those accomplished,” she added.

Hernandez said she appreciates residents for bringing the issue to the commission’s attention.

“We take this matter very seriously,” Hernandez said. “We’ve heard your pleas to address this area, the importance of it, from not only the community and the heritage and the legacy of those families that have preceded us, but the importance of the future of our children that are there in our communities,” Hernandez said.

Meantime, the city is already in the works of applying for a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding to install sun shade covers over the playground equipment at Naomi Jones Park. Grant funding also is being requested to install an inclusive and ADA accessible playground apparatus on the proposed downtown community park on 10th Street, and install ADA compliant playground apparatus in Watson Park on 19th Street.

Published September 30, 2020

Pasco to resume collecting fares on buses

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(File)

Pasco County Public Transportation will begin collecting fares on buses again, effective Oct. 1, according to a Pasco County news release.

The change comes after the county provided fare-free ridership for five months, to support customers facing a hardship during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Riders will be required to board through the front door and exit through the rear doors, to minimize crowding at the fare box. Riders are strongly encouraged to wear a mask, practice social distancing guidelines, and be mindful of the health and wellness of customers and transportation department staff, the release adds.

Learn more about PCPT fixed route fares and bus passes by visiting bit.ly/faresandpasses. Find paratransit fares at bit.ly/paratransitfares.

To learn more about Pasco County Public Transportation, including bus routes, transportation news and schedules, visit the PCPT website at RidePCPT.com.

Published September 30, 2020

DeSantis says businesses can reopen to full capacity

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Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the state has reached Phase 3 of its reopening plan, essentially lifting state restrictions that had been imposed on businesses because of concerns regarding potential spread of COVID-19.

DeSantis made the announcement on Sept. 25, in St. Petersburg.

Gov. Ron DeSantis announced that businesses are free to reopen at full capacity. (File)

The governor spoke about the impacts his executive order will have on restaurants, in particular, and on Florida businesses, in general.

“We are today moving into what we initially called Phase 3,  and what that’ll mean for the restaurants is that there will not be limitations from the state of Florida,” DeSantis said, in a video of the announcement shared on YouTube by NBC 6 South Florida.

“The order that I’m signing today will guarantee restaurants operate, will not allow closures. They can operate at a minimum of 50% regardless of local rule, and then, if the local restricts between 50 and 100, they’ve got to provide the justification and they’ve got to identify what the costs involved in doing that are.

“This is a very difficult industry to succeed in. The margins aren’t great,” the governor said, in a video that was shared by various news outlets.

“If you go back to March, we were told 15 days to slow the spread.

“In Florida, we followed that. No dining in restaurants. The bars. The gyms. No elective procedures, some of these.

“They said, ‘You know what, we need another 30 days. So 30 days to slow the spread. So we did that, as well.

“And yet, you have some people who say, ‘Well, you know, what you want to do until there’s a vaccine.

“Now, people are saying, ‘Even if there’s a vaccine, it’s still going to take another year before you can operate appropriately.’ I don’t think that’s viable. I don’t think that’s acceptable.

“I think this is going to be very important to the industry, and it also will be a recognition that they have worked as hard as anybody to create safe environments.

“In fact, the idea of government dictating this is better than them making these decision so that their customers have confidence, I think, is misplaced,” DeSantis said.

“We’re also saying in the state of Florida everybody has an opportunity to work, every business has the right to operate.”

“You can’t just say ‘No.’ You can’t say no after six months and have people twisting in the wind,” DeSantis said.

Published September 30, 2020

Complaints arise about cemetery upkeep

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When Mario Jenkins went to visit his mother’s grave at the Dade City Cemetery, he discovered that some of the decorations — including a memorial cross — had been destroyed and had to be replaced.

He recently took his concerns about the shoddy conditions of the grounds at the cemetery, at 38161 Martin Luther King Blvd., to city officials and members of the Dade City Commission.

“Every time I go there, I seem to be disappointed,” Jenkins said. “The upkeep on the grounds is very poor.”

He added, “I have a landscaping business, and if I were to treat any of my customer’s yards like that cemetery, I would be out of a job, and I’d have to pay for quite a few items that are damaged along the way.”

Jenkins had aired his concerns with city officials and then presented them at the Dade City Commission meeting.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez said Jenkins’ comments “definitely got our attention” and said city staff had been directed to facilitate an action plan for the cemetery.

Some cleanup has been completed, Hernandez said, “but by no means do we consider that a done deal. This is our community, and we want to make sure that we are hearing your needs and moving forward.”

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter said short-term and long-term strategies are being developed, with the help of interim public works director Bryan Holmes. The plans include additional regular deep cleaning and perhaps adding more manpower to assist the city’s full-time groundskeeper.

“We did fall short,” Porter said of cemetery conditions. “I would like to say, though, that I don’t think it’s a reflection of the individual we had dedicated out there to the upkeep.”

The cemetery is within the Mickens-Harper community, which generally borders Irvin Avenue and Martin Luther King Boulevard, and stretches from First Street to Taylor Avenue, among other areas.

During the Sept. 10 commission meeting, residents from the Washington Heights neighborhood complained about flooded streets and stormwater deficiencies; poor road and sidewalk conditions; and, a general lack of code enforcement presence to address trash, debris and parking issues involving a slew of nearby rental properties.

That community is generally bordered by Gaddis Avenue and Whitehouse Avenue, and includes 10th, 11th and 12th streets, among other areas.

The city has begun to take action. For instance, the Dade City Police Department has stepped up with additional patrols and enhanced its community policing efforts in the area.

Additionally, code enforcement has put in requirements that shorten the turnaround time for repeat offenders to resolve blight.

In other city action:

  • Commissioners approved a $17.7 million budget for fiscal year 2020-2021, based on a 7.14 millage rate.
  • Commissioners approved a $20,000 bid (plus disposal costs) from Sanford-based Hydro International Settled Solids Management for tank cleaning services at the city’s wastewater treatment plant. The cleaning service will be performed while the tank stays in operation and will not require draining or removing from service, officials say. The work is expected to increase the facility’s effectiveness and efficiency, and increase the lifespan of its mechanical equipment.

Published September 30, 2020

Becoming more mindful about eating

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Many people say that eating healthy during the holidays is impossible: There are just too many opportunities to give in to temptation.

There’s the leftover Halloween candy.

There’s the turkey dinner and all of the fixins’ — that can add up to 4,500 calories for the average person — including appetizers, drinks and dessert.

Just like the environment of your neighborhood can play a role in your health (living near a grocery store, a park, etc.), so does the environment in your kitchen. Surround yourself with healthy options. (Courtesy of Alisa Boderick, Extension intern)

And, then, of course, there’s the Thanksgiving leftovers.

Plus, there are Christmas goodies throughout most of December, and, of course, New Year’s Eve parties, too.

It can be hard to stick to a healthy eating routine.

This year has been particularly challenging because being stuck at home — to learn and work —  has created too many opportunities to indulge. The added stress also fuels cravings.

Mainstream media has given a name to the recent weight gain many have experienced. It’s called the “Quarantine 15.”

So, here are some changes that you can make now that will help you not only with the “Quarantine 15,” but also will set you up for year-round success.

Practice mindful eating, not mindless eating. Mindless eating means you have little awareness of what you’re consuming. Mindful eating, on the other hand, means putting your full attention into what you are eating — when you eat, there’s no TV, no browsing on an electronic device, no online shopping, working, reading or other activities.

When you are fully aware of what you are eating, you are more likely to eat healthier food and eat healthy portions.

The author of the book “Mindful Eating” says that we make about 250 food decisions every day, not just on what we’re going to eat, but where we’re going to eat — on the couch or at the kitchen table? We also decide if we’re going to eat out of a bowl or a bag. We decide how much we’re going eat, one serving or two. We also decide whether we will be eating alone or with someone else. And, we’ll decide when we are going to eat.

Are you being mindful of these decisions?

Pay attention to your daily environment. Are you surrounded by highly processed food? Is your kitchen table welcoming or cluttered?  Do you have a structured eating routine, or is your routine just mindlessly eating sweet or salty convenience snacks at your work desk?

Set yourself up for success. Here are some simple steps to help:

  • Be a wise consumer: If you don’t put junk food in your shopping cart, it won’t end up in your house. Remove all junk food you currently have at home.
  • Stay hydrated. The part of the brain that signals thirst and hunger is similar, and it’s easy to confuse them. Your body may just want water instead of a snack. Stay away from sugary beverages.
  • Give your stomach 20 minutes to communicate to your brain that you’re full. Don’t have second servings or dessert right away because there’s a chance the first serving was satisfying enough if you give yourself time to recognize this.
  • Eat slower. Put down your fork/spoon/sandwich as you chew (both hands should be free) instead of having the next bite ready to go before you even finished the one you’re on.
  • If you’re on the go, take snacks with you. Keep a snack in your bag to avoid the impulse of fast food and vending machines.
  • Keep your snack nutrient-packed: Think nuts, fruits and veggies.
  • Mindless snacking may cause excess weight gain, so eat during breaks instead of while you work or watch TV
  • Portion out snacks: Pour a handful into a bowl and put the bag away. Wait the 20 minutes and you’ll likely realize that you’re full.
  • When at a holiday gathering, have just two or three bites of dessert and eat slowly. You’ll realize that’s all you need to satisfy your sweet tooth while indulging with friends and family.
  • At home, surround yourself with healthy options and make healthy decisions. And, once it’s safe to do so, surround yourself with family and friends, and indulge in a healthy amount of the occasional treat. Just a few bites will go far.

By Shari Bresin

Alisa Boderick, Pasco County Extension intern, contributed to this column.

Shari Bresin is the Family & Consumer Science agent for the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Cooperative Extension Pasco County.

Almond cranberry trail mix
Recipe courtesy of Alisa Boderick, Extension intern

Make this trail mix at home and portion it into baggies.

Ingredients:
2 cups whole unsalted almonds
1 cup dried cranberries
1 cup raisins

Directions:
Combine ingredients in a bowl and mix.
Pour ¼ cup into a plastic bag for an on-the-go snack.
You also can add options such as pumpkin seeds or whole grain cereal.

Source: Alisa Boderick, Pasco County Extension intern

Published September 30, 2020

Florida 4-H Hall of Fame to induct local woman

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Long before she shared her knowledge about Florida politics with local, state and national audiences — Susan MacManus was involved with 4-H.

In fact, she credits her experiences through 4-H with helping her to develop the skills that would become so important in her career as professor of political science, and as a political analyst for national presidential conventions.

Susan A. MacManus, third from left, poses in a photo with three other Florida 4-H’ers, during a trip to Washington D.C. The man in the center is James A. Haley. The veterans hospital in Tampa is named for Haley. (Courtesy of Susan A. MacManus)

MacManus has never forgotten how important 4-H has been in her life, and for years, she has put in a good word to people in power, when she could —  to help support the organization.

She also volunteered time to be a judge — primarily for public speaking competitions.

Her contributions to the organization will be recognized on Oct. 6, when MacManus is inducted into the 4-H Hall of Fame, during a virtual Zoom ceremony.

The honor goes to those who exemplify the 4-H motto ‘to make the best better’ through citizenship, leadership, career and character, and to those who are champions for Florida’s youth with the 4-H Youth Development Program, according to a University of Florida social media posting.

Florida 4-H has inducted 183 members into the Florida 4-H Hall of Fame, since 2002.

Others receiving the honor this year are Kim Massagee, Vicki Meriwether, Hal Porter and Donald Richard Sellers.

MacManus, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, is delighted by the recognition. “They called me out of the blue. I had no clue,” she said.

Her association with 4-H began when she was 10.

“I think that’s when you were eligible,” she recalled, during a recent interview.

“It was very formative,” she said, noting it helped her to develop the public speaking and organizational skills that would become so important in her professional life.

“You may not know this, but my mother was painfully shy. She was pretty committed to making sure that we didn’t have that problem,” MacManus said.

Susan A. MacManus, a retired distinguished professor of political science from the University of South Florida, stands near her home in Land O’ Lakes. Her family has deep roots in Lutz and Land O’ Lakes. (File)

Her mother became very involved in 4-H, serving as a leader for more than 23 years, and the MacManus kids, and their cousins, were active in 4-H, too.

“It was a natural thing for us to be in,” MacManus said. “Everybody out here was in citrus or cattle or some kind of agriculture. It was a real big part of all my family.

“We loved going to the fair. My sister used to show cows at the fair. I had chickens.

“We’d have exhibits at the fair and give presentations at the fair, and there would competitions. So, I got to know people from all over,” MacManus said.

During eight years of 4-H, MacManus completed 70 projects and received numerous awards, according to a report published decades ago in the former Dade City Banner.

She was twice president of her high school 4-H club. She took projects to district demonstrations on four occasions and won project medals each time.

She served as historian, reporter and president. Plus, she was a district representative and state historian.

But, her activities didn’t stop there.

She was a delegate to the 42nd National 4-H Club Congress in Chicago, and a Florida representative to the National Four-H Conference in Washington D.C.

She gave speeches and made appearances on radio and television programs.

She took on local and state leadership roles, which opened doors to broadening her skills, too, she said.

“I was an officer. You learn about organizational dynamics and collaborative efforts,” she said. On top of that, it was fun.

“I worked at the Florida 4-H camps,” she said, noting that was her job during summers of her college years, to help pay her college expenses.

4-H opens doors to new opportunities
MacManus traveled to the nation’s capital, in an expenses-paid trip, when she was a member of the Florida State University 4-H Club.

A look at Susan MacManus when she was a young 4-H-er. (Courtesy of Susan A. MacManus)

The four Florida delegates met Sen. Spessard Holland, Sen. George Smathers, Rep. James A. Haley and Rep. Claude Pepper, according to a report that detailed the trip.

They toured the Capitol Building and visited different offices of government, business and education. Vice President Hubert Humphrey spoke at one of the general assemblies.

They also went on a special tour of the White House and attended a reception hosted by Lady Bird Johnson, the report says.

“That’s where I met LBJ (President Lyndon B. Johnson) and (First Lady) Lady Bird (Johnson),” MacManus recently recalled. “LBJ actually asked me about what 4-H was like, and about Florida.”

The 4-H’ers also received a police escort throughout the week as they visited the National Art Gallery, the National Archives, Arlington National Cemetery, Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial and Mount Vernon, according to a recap of the trip.

It was MacManus’ first trip to Washington D.C., but certainly not her last.

MacManus has retired from her university teaching career, but she still shares her knowledge about Florida politics.

She thinks 4-H continues to offer valuable opportunities, with diverse programming that has kept up with the times, and she highly recommends it.

“It (4-H) offers terrific leadership training,” MacManus said.

Published September 23, 2020

New schools coming to Pasco County

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A groundbreaking was held Sept. 9 to begin work on a new career and technical school off Curley Road, in East Pasco County, across from a sizable development called Epperson.

Then, at the Sept. 15 Pasco County School Board meeting, a contract was approved for preconstruction work on a new 6-12 School in the emerging Angeline community in Land O’ Lakes.

Dignitaries gather to fling shovels of dirt during the ceremonial groundbreaking for Kirkland Academy of Innovation, which is scheduled to open for the 2022-2023 school year. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Meanwhile, work continues on the construction of the new Starkey Ranch K-8 in the Starkey Ranch development, a growing Pasco County community.

During the groundbreaking ceremony and at the board meeting, Pasco School Board members and school district officials expressed enthusiasm about expanding educational opportunities for district students.

The 184,000-square-foot Kirkland Ranch Academy of Innovation, being built at 9100 Curley Road, is expected to serve 1,000 students and is scheduled to open for the 2022-2023 school year.

The school will prepare students for high-salary, high-skill careers in high-demand areas such as digital multimedia, engineering and robotics, biomedical sciences, building construction, and cyber security, according to district officials.

School board member Allen Altman is delighted with the new school, as he has been pushing for years to expand educational opportunities in East Pasco.

“That just warms my heart,” Altman said, at the board’s Sept. 15 meeting.

“I can’t tell you how many years that I’ve tried for that. The Recession kind of put us behind,” he said, then it was one thing after another.

The new facility, he said, is “just a tremendous thing for the entire county, but especially that community.”

After pushing for years to expand opportunities for East Pasco students, school board member Allen Altman is delighted about the construction of Kirkland Academy of Innovation, a new high school being built off Curley Road.

In a video of the groundbreaking, posted on Twitter, Altman put it like this: “Things came together, I believe, in almost divine intervention, with the right property, at the right time, with the right people in place to make this a success.”

In the same video, Superintendent Kurt Browning said “you know, technical education is so important. We’re excited for what it means for our students and our community.”

Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd, who also made an appearance in the video, said: “The school will sit right here, on top of this big hill, overlooking the ponds below and the oak trees. And then, behind us, on the back side of the property will have a K-8 STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) Academy, at some point, opening probably in ’24. This school will open in ’22.

“We’re literally going to put a technical school right in the middle of what will be a future suburbia for Pasco County,” Gadd said.

While the district proceeds on construction of Kirkland Academy of Innovation, it also is embarking on another project for a school known on as School LLL, which is planned for Central Pasco County.

At its Sept. 15 meeting, the board approved a $235,000 contract with Ajax Building Company for pre-construction work relating to a new 6-12 school planned for the Angeline community of Land O’Lakes.

The school will be designed for 1,694 student stations, which at 90% capacity translates to about 1,530 students.

The school will be designed on an 18-acre site within Angeline.

Construction is scheduled to begin in September 2021, with substantial completion expected in July 2023.

Meanwhile, the district has begun the boundary process for the new Starkey Ranch K-8.

A parent-night workshop is planned for Oct. 6  from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Odessa Elementary School, 12810 Interlaken Road in New Port Richey. New boundaries must be drawn to assign students to the school.

A public hearing for the boundaries proposal is planned for Nov. 17 at 6 p.m., with final school board action on Dec. 1.

Published September 23, 2020