The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Pasco Sheriff named to Homeland Security advisory role

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Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco has added another leadership responsibility to his plate —an advisory role with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

The Pasco Sheriff is one of seven new members named to the Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) by acting secretary Chad Wolf. The announcement came from the federal agency last month.

The HSAC is a Department of Homeland Security federal advisory committee that provides the secretary with independent, informed recommendations, and advice on a variety of homeland security issues. It’s comprised of national policy makers, representatives from state, local, and tribal governments, emergency, and first responder communities, academia, and the private sector. The 35-member council is chaired by former CIA and FBI Director Judge William Webster.

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco was recently appointed to the Homeland Security Advisory Council. The role provides the acting secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security with independent, informed recommendations, and advice on a variety of homeland security issues. (File)

With the appointment, Nocco becomes the only elected official from Florida to serve on the council.

In an interview with The Laker/Lutz News, Nocco called the selection “a humbling honor,” that will give the area “a seat at the table” when it comes to providing and receiving input on homeland security-related matters — such as a hurricane, cyberattack, power grid shutdown and so on.

“For the whole Tampa Bay region and the state of Florida, I’m very fortunate to be in this position to help out and have our voices heard,” said Nocco, noting the role goes beyond law enforcement issues. “With Homeland Security, it is a very large and very broad organization. When you dig down into it, you realize, from transportation, to communications, to energy, this is a very large organization.”

Nocco added it’s likewise beneficial to now have a direct line to “the highest levels” of Homeland Security if a crisis arises regionally or statewide. “It’s not like I call the secretary of Homeland Security every night, but at the same time, there is that openness of if I need to get a message across, we’re able to connect through staff to the secretary very quickly,” he said.

In addition to participating in full HSAC committee meetings, Nocco is serving on an HSAC subcommittee that focuses on countering violent extremism groups, particularly in exposure to American youth. Some examples include white supremacy groups, terrorist organizations, cults “or any other ideology that promotes hate and disconnect,” said Nocco.

The subcommittee, meeting roughly every two or three weeks, is “basically going all the way upstream to prevent these kids form getting involved in these groups,” Nocco said.

One way to do that, the sheriff said, is ensuring parents and guardians warn their children about what is on the Internet and on social media. He indicated the issue is more important now, as kids are out of school for the summer and possibly stuck at home due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Also, Nocco  acknowledged the recent HSAC appointment ties in well with forthcoming developments at the forensics research and training center project in Land O’ Lakes known as FIRST, Florida’s Forensic Institute for Research, Security and Tactics.

With that project, the sheriff explained there’s an opportunity for more partnerships with Homeland Security in the way of innovation, technology and instructional programs. “I think it’s just going to strengthen what we’re doing here in Pasco County,” he said.

Nocco has been Pasco Sheriff since 2011, when he was appointed by then-Florida Gov. Rick Scott. Nocco was elected to the position in 2012 and re-elected in 2016. He just won another term.

Previously, he served with the Philadelphia Public School Police, the Fairfax County Police Department, and the Broward County Sheriff’s Office. Additionally, he was a first responder to the attacks of 9/11 and the Washington D.C. sniper incident.

Other HSAC appointed members include James Carafano, vice president of The Heritage Foundation’s Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Security and Foreign Policy; James Fuller, executive vice president of Hill + Knowlton Strategies; Hans Miller, CEO and co-founder of Airside; Cynthia Renaud, chief of police for the city of Santa Monica; Mark Weatherford, founding partner at Aspen Chartered; and Brian White, global security practice head for DBO Partners.

Published June 24, 2020

Florida’s COVID-19 cases surpass 100,000

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Florida’s positive COVID-19 cases have exceeded the 100,000 mark, according to the most recent Florida Department of Health data available on the morning of June 22.

The state figures show Florida had 100,217 positive cases, including 98,047 Florida residents and 2,170 non-residents.

The state’s death toll stood at 3,173, including a 17-year-old male from Pasco County, whose death was recorded on June 19 in Florida Department of Health records.

This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning announced Monday that he tested positive for COVID-19.

A news release from the school district said Browning experienced relatively minor symptoms, including fever, chills and general achiness since June 18, which led him to be tested.

The test came back positive on June 20, and Browning now is in isolation at home.

Gov. Ron DeSantis addressed the state’s rising numbers during a news conference on June 20.

He said the increase of positive cases results partially from widespread testing, but he also said that people in the 20-to-30 age group that are testing positive at a higher rate.

“Our cases are shifting in a radical direction, younger,” DeSantis said.

The governor said the state’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation will be enforcing social distancing requirements in businesses it regulates, with the aim of creating greater compliance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance.

“You do hear reports about people just jampacked into some of these places,” DeSantis said.

The CDC’s guidance calls for maintaining a social distance of 6 feet.

“If you can’t social distance, it’s recommended you wear some kind of face covering,” DeSantis said. He doesn’t anticipate making that a state requirement, but he said he hopes people will do what they can to avoid spreading the virus.

The governor also reiterated the need for elderly people, and those with significant underlying conditions, to avoid crowds and take other measures to avoid exposure.

Despite the rising number of positive cases, DeSantis said Florida’s hospitals are well-positioned to treat COVID-19 patients.

“The whole reason the mitigation was done was to flatten the curve, so the hospitals wouldn’t be overwhelmed,” DeSantis said.

He also noted: “We have way fewer patients on ventilators today than we did in April.

“The ICU COVID hospitalizations are significantly down from where they were,” he added.

Plus, “daily fatalities have continued to trend down,” he said.

As of the morning of June 21, the national death toll stood at 119,615, which was 560 more than the previous day, according to the CDC. The national number of positive cases exceeded 2.2 million, including 32,411 more cases than the day before.

The Hillsborough Emergency Policy Group has approved a requirement that face coverings be worn by employees and patrons when social distancing is not possible within businesses.

The order will apply for seven days only, unless renewed.

Under the order, business operators must enforce the requirement for face coverings, except for categories exempted in the order. Individuals cannot be charged for failing to wear masks.

The emergency policy group approved the order on a 5-3 vote on June 22, after extensive discussion among policy group members, testimony supporting the requirement from the medical community, and public support and opposition.

Florida COVID-19
Positive cases, last 14 days
June 8: 1,151
June 9: 1,225
June 10: 1,655
June 11: 1,634
June 12: 2,319
June 13: 2,125
June 14: 1,767
June 15: 2,698
June 16: 2,420
June 17: 2,699
June 18: 3,308
June 19: 4,023
June 20: 4,664
June 21: 2,779

Case totals
Statewide: 100,217, including 98,047 Florida residents; 2,170 non-residents
Pasco County: 872, including 861 Florida residents, 11 non-residents
Hillsborough County: 5,973, including 5,904 Florida residents, 69 non-residents

Death counts
Statewide: 3,173
Pasco County: 17
Hillsborough County: 115
(Most recent data available)

Published June 24, 2020

New school year offers three options

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Students will have three options when classes resume this fall in Pasco Schools.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning announced his ReOpening Pasco Schools plan in a news release issued June 18.

“Parents sent us a message loud and clear: they wanted options,” Browning said, in the news release. “Many are eager to have their student return to school and see their teachers and classmates. But, many aren’t ready for that yet. There’s an option here for everyone.”

Here are the choices outlined in the district’s 2020-2021 reopening plan:

  • Traditional– A return to campus and classroom with the standard school schedule and bell times.

This option includes a heavy emphasis on health and safety precautions. Students will practice safe social distancing to the greatest extent possible. Schools will use signage and consistent communication to discourage the gathering of large groups of students. Students will be expected to wear masks or cloth face coverings on the school bus, but masks will not be required in classrooms.

  • mySchool Online– Virtual learning with a connection to the student’s enrolled school.

This option requires that students follow the standard school schedule and bell times. It features lessons and virtual interaction with teachers during each class period – all conducted online.

  • Virtual School– Online learning through Pasco’s nationally recognized Pasco eSchool.

This model offers flexible scheduling and is taught by Pasco County teachers. Students work at their own pace and can do schoolwork during non-traditional hours.

Before announcing its reopening plan, the district sought input from families and staff in recent weeks to gauge their comfort level and priorities for the start of the new school year.

This was the first yellow bus to arrive last year at Pineview Elementary School. This coming year, the expectation for bus riders will be for them to wear a mask. (File)

The district also conducted focus groups and gathered ideas, thoughts, and concerns via a tool called ThoughtExchange.

Thousands of people weighed in, with clear themes emerging.

Among the primary concerns were a need for options and the cleanliness at school, according to the news release.

In addition to announcing the news to the media, the district used telephone calls and emails to announce the plan to staff and families.

Families will be asked to choose an option for their student or students by July 1, to enable the district to make staffing decisions.

The school year begins Aug. 10.

Browning also appears in an introductory video on the district’s website, which includes a more detailed description of the three options, as well as a set of frequently asked questions.

To view that, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/reopening.

Pasco County Schools ReOpening Plan
Pasco County Schools has issued a reopening plan. Here are some of the details:

Public health actions on campuses

  • Practice safe social distancing to the greatest extent possible
  • Post signage and provide lessons to strongly encourage frequent hand-washing and hygiene practices
  • Ensure hand sanitizer is available throughout the campus
  • Increase cleaning protocols throughout each campus, including replacing air filters more frequently
  • Limit group gatherings
  • Encourage face coverings on campus
  • Conduct symptom screenings

School bus safety

  • Expect students to wear face coverings on the bus
  • Clean high-touch areas between runs
  • Ensure hand sanitizer is available on each bus
  • Disinfect each bus thoroughly at the end of each day

Extra steps at elementary level

  • District will use a cohort isolation model, where students will spend time on campus with the group of students in their class, including in the classroom, the cafeteria, media center and the playground. The goal is to limit Interaction with students from other classes to the greatest extent possible. By doing that, if a student displays symptoms of illness, it likely will impact their cohort classmates, and not the entire school — in terms of quarantine or other interventions.

Extra steps at the secondary level
Each secondary school will have a customized plan to discourage large gatherings of students in hallways and common areas. Clear communications and signage will be used to reinforce that message. The number of students allowed in the cafeteria, media center and gymnasiums will be significantly reduced. Extracurricular activities will resume, and will adhere to recommendations from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) and the state.

Source: Pasco County Schools

SOME COMMON Q&As

Distance learning

  1. If I choose the Virtual or mySchool operation, do I have to have a computer?
  2. A device and an Internet connection will be necessary for distance learning. When choosing your option, indicate whether you have a device and access to the Internet. The district will provide devices and arrange Internet hotspots and hubs, when necessary.

Recess

  1. Under the traditional model, will elementary children have recess?
  2. Yes, recess will be organized to emphasize social distancing; playground equipment will be cleaned between uses.

Head Start options
The traditional model is the only option available for Head Start participants.

Will mySchool Online be identical to the end-of-the year distance learning?
No, there will be more frequent real-time interaction between students and teachers. Also, the mySchool Online model will incorporate standard school schedules and bell times, leading to a learning experience more connected to teachers.

Will mySchool Online or Virtual students be able to participate in athletics?
Yes, students will have the same opportunities to participate in athletics.

Will students wear masks in school?
Masks will not be required, but will be allowed.

How will you keep surfaces clean?
Maintenance workers and school custodians will clean frequently touched surfaces throughout the day and conduct overall cleanings at the conclusion of every day. Other non-custodial staff members will be expected to do their part keeping surfaces clean, and will be provided spray bottles and microfiber cloths for additional cleaning. Teachers will have access to cleaning supplies for their classroom.

What other steps are being taken to ensure a healthy environment?
Pasco Schools will partner with parents in educating students on the importance of hand-washing, hygiene and social distancing. Hand sanitizer will be made available in classrooms and workplaces. The schedule for changing air conditioning filters has been accelerated.

 What will my student’s school do if a classmate or staff member is infected with COVID-19?
We will send a clear message to parents and staff that if they are exhibiting any symptoms, they should not come to school or report to work. Any student exhibiting symptoms at school will be taken to a location at the school clinic set aside for possible COVID-19 cases, and their parent will be notified to take them home or to visit a medical professional.

What if a student or staff member tests positive for COVID-19?
The Pasco County Health Department will notify the district if a student or staff member tests positive. We will notify parents, while not specifically identifying the student or staff member. We will cooperate with the Health Department as they conduct the appropriate notifications of individuals who have been in contact with the person infected. Our ReOpening Plan is designed to limit the chances of infection and to limit the disruption to a school or workplace in the event of an infection.

For more information, visit Pasco.k12.fl.us/reopening/faq.

Source: Pasco County Schools

Published June 24, 2020

Daisy Scouts give the gift of books

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Girl Scouts deliver much more than delicious cookies. They’re also leaders in delivering community services.

For example, some Daisy Girl Scouts from Land O’ Lakes Troop 50128 recently donated about 650 gently used books to BookWorks, a literacy program sponsored by Goodwill Industries-Suncoast Inc.

Daisy Girl Scouts Troop Leader Heather Tibbetts, left; Addison Bryant, 6; Kennedy Flege, 5; Reagan Flege, 6; and co-Troop Leader Audrey Flege donated about 650 books to Goodwill’s literacy program, BookWorks. Back row: Ken Karbowski, left, regional sales manager for Goodwill Industries-Suncoast Inc.; assistant Goodwill store manager Robert Taylor and Store Manager Mistie Bradley. (Kathy Steele)

Ken Karbowski greeted the Scouts and their troop leaders as they dropped off box after box of books at the Goodwill store, at 2390 Willow Drive in Wesley Chapel.

The books will end up in the hands of low-income preschool-age children or at area elementary schools that need them.

Getting such a large book haul is tremendous, said Karbowski, the regional sales manager for Goodwill Industries-Suncoast Inc.

The nonprofit serves a 10-county area, including Pinellas, Hillsborough and Pasco counties.

“You girls are awesome,” he told the Scouts. “You did a good thing for a lot of kids.”

Karbowski is quite familiar with BookWorks. Once a month he visits a Head Start program within the region and reads two or three books aloud to excited preschoolers.

Then, each child gets a book to take home.

“This program we have is huge,” Karbowski said. “We do so much good with it.”

Often, a child leaves the event with the first book they’ve ever owned, he added.

Goodwill estimates that BookWorks serves about 40,000 children each year.

The website for the Girl Scouts of West Central Florida includes BookWorks on its list of recommended service projects to earn a “Uniforms in Action” badge. The girls also earn a “Clover,” a green Daisy petal, for learning to use resources wisely. They can earn enough petals to eventually complete a flower design for display on their tunics.

Daisy Girl Scouts serves young girls from kindergarten through first grade.

Troop Leader Heather Tibbetts selected BookWorks from the website’s list, and in mid-March she started organizing.

Each year Girl Scouts in the West Central Florida division partner with a local organization to host a community service project.

“Originally, I thought I would do this fancy flier,” she said.

But then COVID-19 showed up. “I couldn’t use it,” Tibbetts said.

No one could get out and collect books, so Tibbetts and her Daisy Scouts turned to Facebook and conducted a virtual book drive.

In a way, Tibbetts said, a shutdown that originally seemed a roadblock had an unexpected benefit.

“Everybody is home,” she explained. “They’re cleaning their house.”

And, they found lots of books to give away.

“So many people came by and left them by my door,” Tibbetts said. “Between the books and cookies, I can’t wait to get my living room back.”

The lesson for the Daisy Scouts is to give within your community, Tibbetts said.

Troop co-Leader Audrey Flege said the virtual book drive became a community enterprise to give children the gift of books.

“I just feel like every house has got to have one book,” she said. “I know we’re very privileged.”

Published June 24, 2020

Political Agenda 06/24/2020

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Pasco voters won’t have to pay for postage
Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley has announced that voters who wish to vote-by-mail in the primary and general election will not have to pay postage to send in their ballot.

In a news release, Corley said that the step is being taken due to the unprecedented nature of the 2020 election cycle.

“Although the impact of COVID-19 on the election cycle is largely unknown, at a minimum, I believe that social distancing guidelines may inevitably create long lines and wait times at Early Voting Sites and Election Day polling places,” Corley said, in the release. “We are promoting vote-by-mail as a third option for casting a ballot in hopes of mitigating any inconvenience to voters at the polls. In these unprecedented times we are also taking the extra step of paying return postage for vote-by-mail ballots as a way of assisting voters to safely cast their ballot.”
Florida has had no-excuse absentee voting since 2002, and in 2016 the term absentee was officially changed to vote-by-mail by unanimous vote of the Florida Legislature. Requesting a vote-by-mail ballot can be done online at PascoVotes.gov, by phone at (800) 851-8754, or by signed written request (include your date of birth) mailed to P.O. Box 300, Dade City, FL 33526.

Vote-by-mail ballots are mailed approximately 40 days prior to each election when a request is on file, but voters can continue to request ballots up to 10 days before an election with requests being processed within 24 hours.

For more information on voting by mail, see our FAQ at PascoVotes.gov.

Burgess receives endorsements
Danny Burgess, who is running to fill the vacancy left by Sen. Tom Lee, in Florida Senate District 20, has received the endorsement of Lee and Gov. Ron DeSantis, according to Burgess’ campaign. Burgess, a Republican, is facing Democrat Kathy Lewis.

Published June 24, 2020

Pasco municipal elections set for June 30

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Municipal elections for the cities of Dade City and San Antonio are scheduled for June 30.

The local elections — which will decide various city commission seats — originally were  scheduled for April, but were delayed due to COVID-19.

The Dade City voting precinct is at First Baptist Church Dade City, 37511 Church Ave., in Dade City.

San Antonio’s precinct is at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, 12110 Main St., in San Antonio.

Municipal elections in Dade City and San Antonio are scheduled for June 30. Polls are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. (File)

Polls for both races will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Poll workers at each precinct will be following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines of social distancing, mask-wearing and sanitation, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley told The Laker/Lutz News.

“Anyone that does show up for election day voting, there will be those safety precautions in place. We’re not expecting a huge turnout, but for voters that do show up, they can expect to get out of there rather quickly, and we’ll take care of them,” Corley said.

For those cautious about heading to the polls amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the elections supervisor suggests voting by mail instead. Request a vote-by-mail ballot by calling (800) 851-8754, or in writing to P.O. Box 300, Dade City, FL 33526. Vote-by-mail ballots are due back in the elections’ office by 7 p.m., election day.

Whether it’s a polling place or via mail, Corley emphasized the importance for city residents to cast a ballot in the local elections.

“These municipal offices are the closest to the people and traditionally have the lowest turnout, and it should be the opposite,” Corley said. “It’s the old adage, ‘If you don’t vote, you can’t complain,’ so I would encourage all voters to come out and get their voice heard.”

Here is a closer look at the elections:

Dade City
Six candidates are running for three open seats on the Dade City Commission — for Groups 3, 4 and 5.

In Group 3, two-term incumbent Jim Shive is facing challenger Matthew Wilson. Shive is a retired government employee. Wilson is a data entry clerk for the United Parcel Service.

Groups 4 and 5 seats will see fresh faces, as Nicole Deese Newlon and Eunice Penix are not seeking re-election. Newlon served one four-year term after she won in 2016, while Penix has held her seat since 1993.

Vying for Newlon’s Group 4 seat are Ann Cosentino and Knute Nathe.

Cosentino owns a communications/branding consulting firm. Nathe is an attorney with McCLain Alfonso P.A.

Christopher King and Normita Woodard are facing off for Penix’s Group 5 seat. King is the founder of The Gentleman’s Course Inc., a local youth mentorship charity. Woodard is a secretary at Lacoochee Elementary School.

San Antonio
Five candidates are vying to fill three open seats on the San Antonio City Commission.

Incumbents Elayne Bassinger and Sarah Schrader are running and Joseph Couture, John Vogel and Dacia Wadsworth Mitchell fill out the field.

Unlike the head-to-head matchups of other municipalities, the top three overall vote-getters earn commission seats. San Antonio commissioners serve two-year terms.

For more voting information, call the Pasco County Supervisor of Elections office at (800) 851-8754 or (352) 521-4302, or visit PascoVotes.gov.

Published June 24, 2020

Watch out for COVID-19 scams

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The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has posted information on its website about how to avoid scams during the COVID-19 pandemic. The FTC offers this advice to consumers:

  • Don’t respond to texts, emails or calls about checks from the government. Read more at consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2020/04.
  • Be wary of ads for test kits. Most test kits being advertised have not been approved by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), and aren’t necessarily accurate.
  • Hang up on robocalls. Scammers are using illegal robocalls to pitch everything from low-priced health insurance to work-at-home schemes.
  • Watch for emails claiming to be from the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) or WHO (World Health Organization). Use sites such as Coronavirus.gov and USA.gov/coronavirus to get the latest information. Do not click on links from sources you don’t know.
  • Do your homework when it comes to donations. Never donate in cash, by gift card, or by wiring money.

To download a complete guide or watch videos on how to avoid scams, to read about how COVID-19 impacts finances, or to view consumer complaint data, visit FTC.gov/coronavirus.

Published June 24, 2020

Watermelon festival offers sweet, old-fashioned fun

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Amy Guzzo, 38, of Lutz, chows down on a slice of watermelon during the adult watermelon-eating contest at the first annual Lutz Watermelon Festival. She was declared the contest winner. (Randy Underhill)

It was billed as the first annual Lutz Watermelon Festival — and, the sweet juicy melon was a big draw.

There were watermelon-eating contests for kids and adults, a watermelon-catapult contest, and a Little Miss Watermelon pageant.

Other ways to have fun included a large hay bale walk, tire swings, a rock climbing tower and a dunk tank.

Festival-goers could grab a bite to eat from a plethora of food trucks, could do some shopping from local vendors and could enjoy music, too.

The event even had free parking.

The festival was held on June 13, an overcast day, at County Line Produce, 206 Newberger Road in Lutz. It was hosted by County Line Produce Company and Intensity Academy Gourmet & Hot Sauce Company.

By Randy Underhill

Published June 24, 2020

Harper St. Clair seems to have the queen’s wave down, as she celebrates being named the winner in the age 3 to 5 category in the Little Miss Watermelon pageant. Here, she is waving to her little sister, Savanah St. Clair. (Courtesy of Amanda Short)
These giant hay bales are no match for 3-year-old Roselie Nobles. (Randy Underhill)
Three-year-old Sebastian Ellis, of Spring Hill, takes this tractor on an imaginary spin, during the watermelon festival in Lutz. (Randy Underhill)
Pat Largo, of New Port Richey, was master of ceremonies during the Little Miss Watermelon Pageant, which had several age categories. Here, he announces Nicolette Verno, age 7 months, of Rochester, New York, in the age 0 to 2-year-old group. Her mother, Marissa Verno, holds Nicolette for a pose. (Randy Underhill)
Christian Northrup, 22, of Lutz, gets ready to enjoy a Maine Lobster roll sandwich from one of the food vendors at the festival. (Randy Underhill)
Ten-year-old Kayden Bilbery, of Trinity, shows off the trophy he won for winning the children’s division of the watermelon-eating contest. (Randy Underhill)
Six-year-old Jayceon Rivera, of Lutz, checks his footing on the rock-climbing tower at the festival. (Randy Underhill)

City manager receives performance review

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The Dade City Commission delivered its latest review for City Manager Leslie Porter, and they identified some key areas for improvement.

They rated Porter’s overall performance at a 4.1 out of 5.0 scale, and said focus areas for improvement are in building relationships and communications.

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (File)

The five commissioners graded Porter in these categories: management in administration, adhering to governance, relationship-building, leadership, and financial acumen.

She received the evaluation at the commission’s June 9 virtual meeting.

This was Porter’s fourth review since she was officially named city manager last May. Going forward, she will receive annual performance reviews like other city department heads and administrators.

In a summary of the latest evaluation, Mayor Camille Hernandez explained Porter “scored a little bit lower” when it came to cultivating relationships with legislators, residents, merchants, The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce and so on.

The mayor also advised Porter — who resides in Tampa — that she needs to better familiarize herself with the municipality as a whole, along with the various city departments and employees.

Hernandez observed, “I think the communication, listening to the citizens, getting involved and responding, and serving as an effective spokesperson are really more of the primary areas (for improvement).”

In fairness, Hernandez pointed out the COVID-19 pandemic slowed down some of those objectives she previously had discussed at length with Porter. With that, the mayor did credit Porter for keeping the community informed through social media websites and online newsletters in the last few months.

Commissioner Jim Shive thanked Porter for “keeping the city at hand” through the pandemic, adding, “We all know that Leslie is a very hard worker, and she’s doing a great job in some areas.”

The city manager’s other evaluations this past year “have continued to come in satisfactory,” Commissioner Scott Black added.

Reflecting on her first year as city manager, Porter said: “I will just say it has been a whirlwind of a year, and I’m just thankful for the opportunity, (and) to continue the opportunity.”

Meanwhile, Hernandez noted another matter to hash out is finalizing the reorganization of city administration.

Specifically, having Porter fully relinquish finance director duties — the original position she was hired for back in 2014. Porter has juggled both roles since February 2019, when she was then appointed interim city manager.

A possible candidate for the finance director post is Venus Irvine, who became the city’s assistant finance director in March.

The issue likely will be addressed further once budget conversations begin and new commissioners come aboard following the June 30 municipal election.

In any case, “a separation of duties” Hernandez said.

The mayor added: “The intent was never to have the city manager acting as the city finance director as well.”

Published June 24, 2020

Local schools join civics and debate initiative

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Dr. John Long Middle School and Wiregrass Ranch High School are among 60 schools across Florida selected to take part in the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI).

The selections were announced during the Pasco County School Board meeting on June 16.

The initiative is supported through a $5 million grant from The Marcus Foundation.

“The mission of the FCDI is to create access and opportunities for all students to have the best civics education, including curriculum, debate programs, and high-quality teachers that are catalysts for students becoming great citizens who can preserve our constitutional republic for future generations,” according to a posting on the FloridaEducationFoundation.org website.

The idea is to increase access for all students to participate in speech and debate programs, regardless of school district, socioeconomic status, or background, according to the website.

The FCDI will develop and host the first of its kind National Civics and Debate Competition (NCDC), which will allow a broader range of students to explore, understand, and express important constitutional, legal and societal issues, the posting says.

Teachers and debate coaches also will be provided opportunities for professional development throughout the year, to enable them to learn techniques and best practices for teaching civics, speech and debate.

Published June 24, 2020