The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Funding moves Morningside extension forward

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A $5 million allocation from the state is bringing the extension of Morningside Drive — to connect U.S. 301 to Fort King Road in Dade City — a step closer to becoming reality.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ approval of the allocation in this year’s budget came as reassuring news to Dade City and Pasco County.

Officials believe the extension will yield numerous benefits.

“We’re anticipating it will reduce traffic volume on the roadways that are parallel,” said Leslie Porter, city manager of Dade City. “We’re also anticipating that [it] will drive our economic development by providing that connector.”

The extension also provides direct access to AdventHealth Dade City, on Fort King Road, which was considered as a top priority for the road’s extension.

“In addition to the hospital serving the citizens, we’re seeing that it will greatly improve public safety access for our police and fire rescue services,” Porter said.

DeSantis’ approval also was seen as a victory for Dade City because former Gov. Rick Scott vetoed the proposed funding last year.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez also advocated for the county’s Metropolitan Planning Organization to put the project on its funding list.

The county’s Long Range Transportation Plan has the road designed as two lanes, but it may be widened to four lanes by 2040, according to Porter.

An alignment study has been done, but additional studies to collect current data must be done before a construction time frame can be set.

Published July 10, 2019

Library system wins statewide honor

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The Florida Library Association, which represents academic, public and school libraries across the state, has named the Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library system as its 2019 Library of the Year.

(Christine Holtzman)

The award recognizes creative and innovative programming, efforts made to expand and enhance services, and the implementation of  programs that can be mirrored by other libraries.

The library association gave a nod to these Tampa-Hillsborough library services:

  • Elimination of overdue fines, which welcomed back about 15,000 customers whose accounts were locked, and increased the use of materials and services
  • Internal improvements that saved money and made better use of staff time, allowing the addition of more classes
  • U.S. passport application acceptance, online high school completion scholarships, recording studios, and a Discovery Pass offering free admission to local attractions
  • A Hillsborough All Access Libraries Pass (HAAL), which allows public, charter, virtual and home-school students in the county to use their student ID number as a public library card
  • Free programming and events, including story times for autistic children; Spanish programs; LibCon and AfroCon; support for local authors and artists; business skill classes; technology workshops; crafting lessons; and more
  • The opening of the Arthenia L. Joyner University Area Community Library, which doubles as the Media Center for the adjacent Muller Elementary Magnet School

The library system’s website also received the Florida Library Association’s 2019 Library Web Presence award.

For more information, and to learn about free resources and programs, call (813) 273-3762, or visit HCPLC.org.

Published July 10, 2019

Increased Pasco property values trigger higher tax bills

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Pasco County property owners, on average, are expected to pay more in property taxes, but not because of a higher tax rate, Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director said last week.

Instead, it will be increasing property values that will create the higher tax bills, Goehig said, during a June 25 Pasco County Commission budget workshop.

Value increases for homesteaded properties will be capped at 2.7 percent because of Florida’s Save Our Homes, which limits the annual increase in value for any property owner’s principal residence to 3 percent or the consumer price index, whichever is less.

Pasco County’s taxable values are expected to increase by 9 percent based on base taxable value, new construction and reevaluations, according to Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director. (Christine Holtzman)

This year’s CPI is 2.7 percent, Goehig said.

Thus, the owner of a homesteaded $150,000 single-family home would see a $2,700 increase in value. ($150,000 minus the $50,000 standard exemption = $100,000. $100,000 x 2.7 = $2,700).

Based on that value increase, the tax bill would go up $20.54.

The taxable value of a non-homesteaded single-family home is expected to increase an average of $13,500, resulting in an additional $102.70 in property taxes — again, due to increased property values.

The proposed tax rate was just one of myriad topics that Goehig, County Administrator Dan Biles and commissioners discussed during the workshop.

Goehig told commissioners that the county is anticipating a 9 percent increase in assessed values, including the base taxable value, new construction and reevaluations.

The county is anticipating a total of  $29.43 billion in taxable values, up from $27.01 billion last year.

The expected 9 percent increase is lower than the county’s original projection of 9.5 percent. The final taxable value was not yet available when the workshop was held.

In putting together the proposed budget, County Administrator Biles has proposed increasing the county’s general fund reserves from 9.6 percent to a proposed 11.1 percent, which represents an additional $4.3 million held in reserve.

The Government Finance Officers Association recommends local governments have a minimum of two months of operating expenses (16.7 percent of budgeted expenditures) set aside in emergency reserve, according to the county’s budget presentation.

The increase in the general fund reserve is in response to direction by board members at a previous session, when commissioners told Biles they’d like to see the county to begin putting aside more money in the reserve fund, to avoid significant cuts in the future when the economy slows.

Goehig also went over the budget requests from the county’s constitutional officers:

  • Sheriff’s Office: Requested amount, $141.64 million; increase of $8.74 million, or 6.6 percent
  • Property Appraiser: Requested amount, $5.72 million; increase of $109,067, or 2 percent
  • Clerk & Comptroller: Requested amount, $4.29 million increase of $183,839, or 4 percent
  • Supervisor of Elections; $4.32 million; increase of $623,645, or 16.9 percent

The tax collector’s budget is not due until Aug. 1.

Goehig noted that the proposed increase in the Supervisor of Elections’ budget “at first blush is a shocking increase.” But, he added that elections are held on a cyclical basis, and the county’s population has increased substantially.

Pasco County’s growth has increased the county’s registered voters by more than 50,000 since the 2016 Presidential Election. The county also needs more precincts to service the additional voters.
Goehig also noted there will be more early voting sites and more early voting days for next year’s election.

Taking the changes into account, Goehig said, “we believe it’s a reasonable request.”

The budget director also noted that the county administration received 115 Business Plan Initiatives, representing a total of $14.5 million from the county’s various divisions.

At Precinct 70, a long line forms during the November 2016 Election. Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has requested a 16.9 percent budget increase to accommodate Pasco County’s increasing voting population, more precincts and more early voting days for the 2020 election. (File)

“We asked our departments to go out and tell us everything they believed that they needed. In the past, what we found is that our departments were kind of censoring themselves,” Goehig said.

“We’ve ranked about 50 of these projects that we believe are the priority proposals,” he said.

The county’s No. 1 priority is a wage increase for its employees, according to the list. The second-highest priority is the restoration of library hours that were cut after the Great Recession.

Rounding out the top five priorities are: Pasco Kids Medical Exams, Emergency Communications Supervisors and a Generator Replacement Plan.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she thinks there’s something missing on the county’s list of priorities.

“There is something that is not in our budget that I would like to see back and that is our outside legislative person. I think we do better when we have some help. I’d like to bring that back,” Starkey said.

Commissioner Mike Moore told his colleagues that the county should say no to some of the requests from outside groups for county funding.

“It is time to start putting that money away. We do not know how long this great economy is going to last,” Moore said. “There is a point where we’re going to have to say ‘No’ to some folks. That’s just the way it is.”

The commissioner said he’s not trying to sound brash, but “when you decide to start a not-for-profit, you need to be ready to able raise the money, get the money and fund those services.”

Moore also said there is duplication of services among charitable groups.

“Some of those folks need to get together. Egos get in the way sometimes; it’s a fact,” he said.

He also thinks that the charitable groups that the county helps need to be able to say no to funding requests they receive.

“They’re asking for more money because they don’t want to say no to people,” Moore said.

Commissioners are expected to set their millage rate at their July 9 meeting.

After that, Truth in Millage statements will be sent out, informing property owners of the maximum tax rate that could be adopted in September.

The final rate adopted in September can be lower or equal to the TRIM rate, but cannot be higher.

Highlights of Pasco County’s proposed budget

  • Estimated taxable value: $29.43 billion, up $2.42 billion from last year
  • No change in operating millage rate of 7.6076 mills
  • No change in fire service millage: 1.8036 mills
  • No change in stormwater assessment: $95 per equivalent residential unit (ERU = single family home)
  • $7 increase in solid waste assessment
  • Utility rate increase: 1.5 percent water; 3.5 percent wastewater

Revised July 2, 2019
Published July 03, 2019

Pasco Sheriff launches unit to help mentally ill

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The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office is launching a new unit aimed to better serve the needs of people facing significant mental health issues.

The new unit — called the Mental Health and Threat Assessment Team (MHTAT) — will feature six deputies, two caseworkers, a clinical social worker, a sergeant and a lieutenant, who will collaborate with local behavioral health providers to provide tailored, long-term programs for citizens in need.

The Pasco Sheriff’s Office is launching a new unit to better serve the needs of local citizens facing significant mental health issues. The Mental Health and Threat Assessment Team (MHTAT) will collaborate with local behavioral health partners to provide long-term care and criminal diversion to the county’s Baker Act repeats. (File)

The team’s primary task is to keep tabs on the county’s Baker Act repeats — through a proactive approach that includes frequent visitations, welfare checks, expedited behavioral health resources and criminal justice diversion programs.

An individual struggling with addiction may be referred to outpatient substance abuse treatment, for instance. Or, someone undergoing financial struggles may be referred to Pasco County Human Services and the county’s homeless coalition.

The unit will have partnerships with BayCare Behavioral Health, Chrysalis Health, Novus Medical Detox Center, HCA Florida Hospitals, AdventHealth and others, “working towards a common goal in our community,” Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco said.

The program ultimately will put the agency “ahead of the curve” in crime prevention, the sheriff said.

“We see mental health and substance abuse are the two drivers of criminal justice issues in our county. That’s why we’re creating this unit,” Nocco said.

It’s also about crisis mitigation, said Lt. Toni Roach, who will head up the MHTAT unit.

“Everybody has a baseline, and when they start to dip below that baseline we can provide some intervention strategies, connect them with a case manager or whatever other behavioral health resources are in the community that could help them stabilize,” Roach said.

The unit is expected to be up and running by October. It will cost roughly $1.5 million annually.

About 11 percent of the sheriff’s calls for service in 2018 were mental-health related.

That included roughly 3,400 Baker Act reports and more than 2,100 calls involving suicides or suicide attempts.

Of those reports, 503 individuals had multiple interactions with the agency, including some who’ve been Baker Acted as many as four or five times, Nocco said.

The MHTAT will be concentrating on the population who have had multiple interactions with the county, Nocco said. The unit will help divert those people from having to call 911 and thereby free patrol deputies to respond more quickly to urgent or violent calls.

As an example, the sheriff pointed out that, last year alone, one individual with a history of mental illness called county dispatch 124 times.

But, through a personal visit from the sheriff’s office back in May, those calls have stopped, the sheriff said.  “A lot of times they just need to talk to somebody. They just need somebody to help them out.”

“It’s all about connection,” added Roach. “Interacting with anybody is just that communication piece, being able to sit down with somebody and have a conversation with people, to listen to what’s going on, what are their concerns, what are their barriers.”

And, it’s those types of soft skills that will be required for those selected to the 11-person unit.

“It takes a special person to want to be in this unit,” Nocco said. “You want somebody that has that compassion and care. Somebody who says, ‘I’m not just going to be here for an hour, I might be here two to three hours working with somebody.’”

In recent years, the sheriff’s office has placed an emphasis on training law enforcement personnel to respond better to people who are mentally ill.

The office has an eight-hour foundational course in mental health first aid and a 40-hour Crisis Intervention Training (CIT) program held quarterly in Shady Hills. About 50 percent of the agency’s patrol deputies are CIT certified.

Published July 03, 2019

Pine View Elementary becomes Primary Years program

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Pine View Elementary School has received its official authorization to offer the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme.

The school, at 5333 Parkway Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes, has been working for three years toward attaining the authorization. It is the first public school in Pasco County to achieve the distinction.

Pine View Elementary Principal Kay Moore is delighted that her Land O’ Lakes school has achieved its official authorization to offer an International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme. Pine View Elementary is only one of 504 schools in the United States authorized to offer the IB PYP, which uses an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and learning. (B.C. Manion)

As of May 1, there were 1,716 schools offering the IB PYP, in 109 different countries worldwide, according to the IB Organization’s website. In the United States, there are 504 public schools offering the IB PYP.

Pine View Middle School already is operating as an IB Middle Years Programme, and Land O’ Lakes High School offers the IB Diploma Programme, as well as a pre-IB programme for ninth-graders.

Pine View Elementary Principal Kay Moore said being a PYP candidate school has been a journey.

“One of the requirements to be authorized is that 100 percent of your staff has to go through International Baccalaureate training. So, we spent a lot of time and resources to train teachers,” Moore said.

Initially, the elementary school was looking for a way to provide a choice option for parents.

“We had declining enrollment over the past few years,” Moore explained, noting that Pine View was losing students to Sanders Memorial Elementary, a STEAM Magnet School, and charter schools, such as Imagine School and Classical Prep.

“We wanted to offer choice, and IB seemed to be a natural fit because of the middle school and the high school,” Moore said. “It completed a feeder pattern.”

While Pine View’s motivation was to be competitive, the experience has been illuminating for everyone involved, Moore said.

“We learned that this is a teaching style that’s good for kids,” Moore said.

It also “was a great growth opportunity for our staff,” she added, noting that as teachers became more familiar with the PYP, they embraced it.

Their attitude was: “This is the kind of teaching and learning we want for children.’

These attributes, painted on wooden boards beneath a covered walkway at Pine View Elementary, are qualities that prepare IB students to make exceptional contributions on campus.

“It was, ‘Wow, this is just good teaching’,” the principal said.

“So our staff buy-in was 100 percent because of that,” the principal said.

Moore credits Erin Greco, the school’s IB coordinator, as playing a pivotal role in the school’s transition to becoming a PYP.

She described Greco as being a catalyst.

“She’s been going through extensive training and studying, and is very self-motivated,” Moore said.

Teachers are pleased to be able to offer this educational approach, she added.

“One of the teachers got up at a parent meeting and said, ‘Just think, we’re going to offer your child IB, without the expense of IB,” Moore said.

Parents are enthused by the program, too.

“The IB team came in and interviewed the parent groups. They said that is our strength. Our parent support is truly our strength.

“I think a lot of them recognize that this is something special, that their children and they get to be involved with,” Moore said.

Besides achieving the PYP designation, Pine View is also a magnet school now.

Students within the school’s normal boundaries are automatically in, but others living outside the boundaries can apply to fill vacant spots. The vacancies are filled through a lottery.

When parents inquire about the program, they often have questions about the curriculum, Moore said.

“The curriculum is not different. We still do the state standards. The difference is we teach in an interdisciplinary fashion, where we integrate reading, writing, science, social studies — with a focus on connecting kids globally,” she said.

“Delivery is different because we try to do it on an inquiry basis, so that kids have choice and voice. When they do have choice and voice, they own it. We encourage them to go beyond the lessons that teachers may give and do their own inquiry,” she said.

There’s also more hands-on learning, Moore added.

The students aren’t the only ones learning in a new way, the principal added.

The teachers also are true IB learners, Moore said. “They’re inquiring, ‘How can I make it better? What can I read, what can I study — to make this experience better for kids?’”

And, they aren’t the only ones who are welcoming opportunities for new growth.

Moore, an educator for 38 years, said she feels invigorated.

“We are definitely not at the end of this journey. Every year, we are going to refine and make things better.

“The world is a lot smaller now, because of all the connections.

“This allows us to have that global perspective and really help children see and accept differences, and tolerate — and yet be discriminators of their own learning. That’s what excites me,” Moore said.

For more information, contact Pine View Elementary at (352) 524-0600.

What is the Primary Years Programme?
The Primary Years Programme (PYP) is a curriculum framework for young learners aged 3–12 designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Founded on a philosophy that recognizes a child’s natural curiosity, creativity and ability to reflect, the PYP generates a stimulating, challenging learning environment to nurture those assets and foster a lifelong love of learning in every child.

The PYP, like all IB programmes, is transdisciplinary, meaning students learn across subject areas, while investigating big ideas.

Does the PYP have a specific set of standards?
In the PYP, students learn about significant concepts through units of inquiry.

The six transdisciplinary themes that guide units of inquiry and compose a year of study are:

  • Who we are
  • Where we are in place and time
  • How we express ourselves
  • How the world works
  • How we organize ourselves
  • Sharing the planet

Units of inquiry interweave subject areas, such as mathematics, language arts, science and social studies.

This approach encourages students to make their own connections between what they learn in core subject areas and how it relates to the world around them.

Source: International Baccalaureate website

Published July 03, 2019

Using innovation to assess roads, needed repairs

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Pasco County is searching for a better way to catalog and repair deteriorating roadways and traffic signs.

Officials believe they’ve found the answer, via a $1.3 million road survey project.

The county’s public works department has enlisted the help of a consulting firm, Arizona-based Infrastructure Management Services (IMS), to use innovative data collection to map future infrastructure improvements.

It’s similar to how a Google Maps captures views of a neighborhood.

Pasco County public works director Branford Adumuah

Over the next several months, specialized IMS vans equipped with laser road surface testers, video cameras and GPS receivers will travel roughly 840 lane-miles in Pasco —  gathering inventory and assessing conditions along county-maintained roads and rights of way.

The information will be used to develop long-term strategies and schedule the rehabilitation and maintenance of roadways and right of way assets, such as street signs, traffic lights, road-related stormwater drainage systems, sidewalks and bikeways.

For instance, the 1-ton IMS van will measure the width and depth of cracks, pothole and other hazards on county-maintained roadways, while also capturing still images of damaged and obstructed traffic signs.

Each road will get a pavement condition index between 0 to 100, with higher values indicating better conditions of a road’s pavement surface. The study will also measure roadway foundations and subsurface conditions.

The data-gathering process began this month on the county’s arterial and collector roads. Local roads will be analyzed next, likely from September through the end of the year.

From there, the county will employ computerized pavement management software that will identify which roads it needs to repair first, based on inputted budget constraints. It will also identify best practices to repair a particular road —  patching, paving, micro surfacing, surface rejuvenation and so on.

The new, first-of-its-kind road survey ultimately gives Pasco a better picture of what is going on with its roadways, officials say.

Similar to how a Google Maps captures views of a neighborhood, specialized IMS vans equipped with laser road surface testers, video cameras and GPS receivers will travel roughly 840 lane-miles in Pasco — gathering inventory and assessing conditions along county-maintained roads and rights of way. Collected information will be used to develop long-term strategies and schedule the rehabilitation and maintenance. (Kevin Weiss)

Branford Adumuah, the county’s public works director, likens the process to a doctor correlating data from patient information to more proactively address potential health issues.

“It’s money well spent,” Adumuah said of the road survey. “It’s going to allow us to do really a lot of preventative maintenance.”

The entire process will save the county money in the long run and better extend the life of its roadway network, officials say.

“You’re saving the county a lot of money and through that prioritization of what comes first,” said IMS crew chief Brett Vierow, who’s working on the Pasco roadway project. “If you let a road go too far, it becomes much more expensive from there, so we give them a plan to get them the most out of their roads for the least dollars spent.”

Interestingly, failed roadways fall to the bottom of the list, Adumuah said.

“The first road to fix is not the one that is in the worst shape, it’s the one that is getting to be in the worst shape, because the one that is in the worst shape is always going to be in the worst shape,” Adumuah said. “Without this data, we can’t see that.”

Local governments in other states have also partnered with IMS to help manage and maintain its infrastructure.

The road survey program is currently being used in California, New Jersey, Washington and Canada, too.

Vierow said the procedure provides more reliable data and removes the subjectivity of which roads and right of way assets need to be fixed.

Because of that, Vierow suggested that more city, county and state governments will be using the technology in coming years.

He said the technology allows the county to make informed decisions, “instead of just going out willy nilly and picking out roads that look bad, like, ‘Yeah, this parking lot needs to be redone.”

Surveying on roads will occur 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. The IMS collection vehicle will travel at normal speeds while recording road surface data; however, data collection below the roadway will involve traffic control and single-lane closures.

Published July 03, 2019

301/98/Clinton Avenue project in initial stage

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A realignment study of the U.S. 301/U.S. 98/Clinton Avenue intersection in Dade City has begun – with an eventual alternative corridor to be placed in the vicinity.

This comes as Pasco County has seen a need to ease the flow of traffic and to reduce the number of accidents where these roadways meet.

As a part of the study, the public is encouraged to weigh in with comments or concerns – which could help determine the project’s end result.

Efforts have been underway since April to seek an alternative corridor where U.S. 301 and U.S. 98 merge and intersect with Clinton Avenue in Dade City. The new roadway is aimed at easing traffic and reducing accidents. (Brian Fernandes)

An open meeting was held on June 20 at the Dade City Hall Council Chambers to initiate public feedback.

The Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) and the H.W. Lochner organization are working together on the project.

The study areas that the two departments are looking at range from:

  • The U.S. 301/U.S. 98 intersection to the west
  • Clinton Avenue to the north
  • Old Lakeland Highway to the east
  • U.S. 98 to the south

At the meeting, department officials explained the aim of the project and encouraged feedback from citizens, as well as city and county officials.

“This is a two-part study,” explained Brian Shroyer, FDOT project manager. “Where (U.S.) 98 comes into (U.S.) 301, there’s about a 1,600-foot offset to (Clinton Avenue) and there are issues with that intersection.”

There were 110 crashes within the study area between 2013 to 2017, according to the presentation.

The report also showed the density of accidents that occurred at the U.S. 301/U.S. 98 intersection, which continued north along the offset before reaching Clinton Avenue.

However, the majority of accidents took place at the intersection with Clinton Avenue. It accounted for mostly rear-end and angular vehicle-to-vehicle impacts.

Kevin Connor is the senior environmental manager at Lochner. He said that under current road models, traffic on U.S. 301 between U.S. 98 and Clinton Avenue will only increase.

In conjunction with the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization, FDOT and Lochner are in the planning phase of development.

In this phase, an Alternative Corridor Evaluation is done to identify various corridor routes to take into consideration.

“We’re going to collect all the existing environmental and engineering data for the area,” Connor explained. “We’ll use that information to develop potential corridors.”

Possible impacts to residential and commercial buildings, as well as wetlands, will be a part of the information that’s collected.

Current FDOT findings show that environmental effects, due to the project, would be little to none.

The next phase, the Project Development and Environment Study, would look at the road width, number of lanes, sidewalks and trails that may be necessary.

At present, there are plans to widen U.S. 301 from four lanes to six lanes within the study area.

Bonnie Burton was one of the local residents at the meeting. While she stated that the installation of traffic lights at the U.S. 301/U.S. 98 intersection made her feel relieved, she still voiced concern about turning southeast.

“As a person who frequently makes that turn heading south on (U.S.) 301 and making a left onto (U.S.) 98, it feels a lot safer in a lot of ways, but it feels banked wrong,” the Dade City resident said. “Unless you’ve come to a complete stop and that light is on green, you attempt to make that and you’re often in the wrong lane.”

In response, Shroyer stated that the engineering study would analyze that issue. He also noted that additional traffic lights and roundabouts could possibly be factored into the project.

With designs and right of way acquisition yet to be planned, construction may not begin for another four years to five years.

Public feedback will be open and welcomed through the remainder of the year. Another meeting to update the public is expected in December.

For additional information or to send comments, contact Brian Shroyer by emailing or by visiting FDOTd7Studies.com/US301US98INT/.

Published July 03, 2019

Paula S. O’ Neil retires after decades of public service

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The Pasco County Commission recently honored Paula S. O’ Neil, who retired after three decades of public service.

O’ Neil’s final day as Pasco Circuit Court Clerk & Comptroller was June 30.

She had recommended that Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, her chief operations officer, be appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to complete the remainder of her term, which ends in 2020.

The Pasco County Commission paused recently to honor Pasco Circuit Court Clerk & Comptroller Paula S. O’ Neil, who retired on June 30, after more than three decades of public service. (Courtesy of Tom Jackson/Pasco Circuit Court Clerk & Comptroller’s office)

DeSantis had not made his decision as of last week, so Sixth Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Anthony Rondolino appointed Alvarez-Sowles to fill the post on an interim basis, pending the governor’s final decision.

O’ Neil was honored during the County Commission’s June 19 meeting, where Alvarez-Sowles read the resolution, lauding the clerk’s many contributions through the years.

The resolution provided background on O’ Neil’s life, as well as citing professional achievements and civic contributions, through the decades.

O’ Neil grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, and played collegiate softball and graduated from Missouri State University, with a Bachelor of Science degree.

She began her professional life working for Charleston Air Force Base, and also began teaching, which she still does today. She also worked for Charleston County Parks and Recreation Department, before her family moved to Pasco County in 1987, where she joined the staff of the county’s parks and recreation department.

Her duties there included implementing a voter-approved bond referendum for parks and recreation — expanding the county’s parks system from 22 parks to 36 parks.

She later worked in the county’s community services department, as administrative services manager, where she oversaw numerous grants and special funding resources that provided services to citizens, through social services, veterans services, animal control and sexual abuse victims services. She also played a critical role in the automation of the Pasco County public transportation system, improving dispatch, scheduling and office administration, according to the resolution.

At the same time, she was continuing her education to earn a Master of Science degree and then joined Pasco-Hernando Community College as an adjunct professor.

In the fall of 2002, O’ Neil joined the Circuit Court Clerk’s office, where she swiftly rose to chief deputy clerk.

Meanwhile, she continued to add to her educational credentials, obtaining a doctorate degree.

She was elected to her first term as Clerk of the Circuit Court & County Comptroller in 2008, and re-elected to subsequent terms in 2012 and 2016.

She led the office in the implementation of numerous technological advancements, modernizing the office to improve efficiency and customer service.

She has served on numerous boards and worked with various committees, agencies and organizations. She continues to teach, is an author and a cancer survivor.

“Paula has been a tireless leader in community, civic and not-for-profit organizations, serving to make Pasco County a better place to live and raise families,” the resolution adds.

A large contingent of O’ Neil’s staff was at the meeting, demonstrating their support.

The clerk thanked the board and her staff for their help through the years.

“I have an amazing team. The executive team is amazing. They’re a dream team,” O’ Neil said.

She offered a glimpse of what Pasco County was like when her family arrived.

“We lived in Wesley Chapel. I had to drive to Land O’ Lakes or Zephyrhills to get groceries.

“What a change it is today,” she said.

She also recounted attending Florida Retirement Seminars and thinking to herself: “I’m not going to be here that long.”

It turned out, though, “there was never anything better than Pasco,” O’ Neil said. “I appreciate all of the opportunities that I’ve been given here. It’s just been an honor to serve.”

Pasco commissioners lavished praise on O’ Neil.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey told O’ Neil that the myriad accomplishments cited in the resolution “doesn’t begin to describe the value you have to this community, to this citizenry and this county.

“You know you will be missed, and you will always be a legend, here in this county,” Starkey said.

Commission Chairman Ron Oakley added: “We’re all proud of you.”

Commissioner Mike Wells said he was honored to be able to share the moment with O’ Neil.

“Well, I’ve known you since literally, I was a kid. I really wish my father (Mike Wells Sr., former property appraiser and former commissioner) would be here, too.

“Who would have thought that I’d be sitting up here, with you? I don’t want to get choked up.

“You truly are a great leader,” Wells said.

Commissioner Jack Mariano recalled being on the campaign trail with O’ Neil, in 2008.

He told O’ Neil: “The presentation you put on, made you a completely impressive candidate.”

And then, O’ Neil went on to implement her vision, Mariano added, “Thank you so much. You’ve been a great asset.”

Commissioner Mike Moore also applauded O’ Neil’s accomplishments.

“You do so much good. You’re an inspiration for so many people,” he said.

Published July 03, 2019

Suggestions wanted for Burks playground improvements

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Dade City’s John S. Burks Memorial Park playground will be undergoing remodeling, and Pasco County wants its residents to have a say on ways to improve the play space.

The playground at the John S. Burks Memorial Park is set for renovation in 2020, and Pasco residents are being asked to help create the new look for the Dade City play area. (Courtesy of Angela Fagan-Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources)

A session is set for July 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., to give people a chance to  offer their ideas for the project. Kids too, are encouraged to brainstorm and bring fresh ideas for Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources to consider.

While the county department has potential plans in mind, any expansion or additional amenities to the playground may be factored in after public comments have been weighed.

The renovation will occur during 2020, but no completion date has been given.

The public meeting will be in the Hugh Embry Library conference room, at 14215 Fourth St., in Dade City.

For additional information, contact the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department at (813) 929-2760.

Public meeting for John S. Burks Memorial Park playground
Where: Hugh Embry Library conference room, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City
When: July 10 from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The public is invited to the library to offer their ideas for the remodeling of the Dade City playground.
Info: Call the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department at (813) 929-2760.

Published July 03, 2019

Region offers plenty of ‘Independence’ celebrations

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Residents within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area will have plenty of options for celebrating the nation’s independence this year.

With various Fourth of July celebrations occurring, one common event will be fireworks shows, illuminating the sky with much color. (File)

Some festivities are being held before the Fourth of July, some are scheduled on the holiday itself, and there are a couple being held at the end of the holiday weekend.

Whether you enjoy watching a parade, like to run, enjoy listening to live music or get a kick out of fireworks — you’ll be able to find a place locally, or within the region, to celebrate the way you like best.

Enjoy the festivities, and be careful out there.

Here’s a roundup of area and regional activities:

LAND O’ LAKES
Connerton’s Independence Day Party
Where: Connerton Community, 21100 Fountain Garden Way, Land O’ Lakes
When: June 29 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The public is welcomed to a pre-Independence Day celebration consisting of games, live music, local crafters, food trucks, bounces houses and fireworks.
Info: Call (813) 996-5800

Fourth of July Concert for a Cause Celebration
Where: Bexley by Newland Communities, 16950 Vibrant Way, Land O’ Lakes
When: July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The event will be comprised of a concert, food trucks, a kids’ bike parade and fireworks.
Info: Call (813) 425-7555

LUTZ
Red White & Blue Sunday
Where: CrossPointe Family Church, 919 Debuel Road
When: June 30 at 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Cost: Tickets are $7 per person; $25 per family
Details: Celebrate Independence Day early, with a Sunday service followed by a barbecue meal.
Info: call (813) 949-7727 or email .

Lutz Family Fireworks Celebration
Where: Idlewild Church, 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd.
When: June 30 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Enjoy an evening filled with a choir and orchestra performance, a guest speaker, topped off with a fireworks show.
Info: Call (813) 264-1515

Lutz Independence Day Race
Where: Lutz Train Depot in front of Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road
When: July 4 at 8 a.m.; yoga stretches will proceed the race at 7:15 a.m. to 7:45 a.m.
Cost: Online: $25 for the 5K; $10 for the 1-mile; $27 for both 5K and 1-mile run
Same day registration: $30 for the 5K; $15 for the 1-mile; $27 for both
Details: Participants can either walk or run in the 5K run or the 1-mile sprint that follows.
Info: To register, visit  https://www.active.com/lutz-fl/running/distance-running-races/lutz-independence-day-run-2019.

July 4th Parade
Where: The parade begins at the intersection at Lutz-Lake Fern Road and Crooked Lane heading east to U.S. 41. (Most spectators gather along the parade route, or near the Lutz Branch Public Library)
When: July 4 at 10 a.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The parade will consist of dozens of floats. There will be vendors, a cake/bake competition, snow cones and other foods. The winner of the title of the honorary Lutz Guv’na also will be announced. Trophies and prizes also will be awarded that day for runners and for winning parade entries.
Info: Call Jennifer Rankin at (813) 240-5492 or email

Fourth of July Celebration
Where: Cheval Golf & Athletic Club, 4312 Cheval Blvd.
When: July 4 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Celebrate Independence Day at the golf club with food, games, water slides, bounce houses, a live band and finished off with fireworks.
Info: Call (813) 949-4231

WESLEY CHAPEL
July 4th Picnic
Where: Wesley Chapel District Park, 7727 Boyette Road
When: July 4 from noon to 4 p.m.
Cost: Free
Info: Call (813) 907-9081

Fourth of July Celebration at Avalon Park West
Where: Avalon Park West Community Center, 5227 Autumn Ridge Drive, Wesley Chapel
When: July 4 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Fireworks show at 9 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Guests can enjoy Independence Day with a bike parade, a pie bake-off, live performances, food trucks and fireworks.
Info: Call (813) 783-1515 or email

ZEPHYRHILLS
Fourth of July Celebration at Skydive City
Where: Skydive City, 4241 Sky Dive Lane, Zephyrhills
When: 8 a.m. July 6 to 9 p.m. July 7
Cost: Free
Details: The one-day event will have an open field for recreational vehicles to park. Patrons can enjoy custom-made hamburgers and adults will have special beverages reserved.
Info: Call (800) 888-5867 or visit www.SkyDiveCity.com/Event/4th-of-July-Celebration/

DADE CITY
El Cuatrofest
Where: Barrington Hill Farm, 16117 Lake Lola Road, Dade City
When: July 4 from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Cost: $30 per ticket
Details: At this outdoor event, guests can listen to live music while enjoying watermelon-eating contests, artisan vendors, food trucks, various games and topped off with a fireworks show.
Info: Call (727) 643-6128; for tickets, visit https://www.eventbrite.com/e/el-cuatrofest-food-trucks-fireworks-fun-at-the-farm-tickets-61433026837?aff=ebdssbdestsearch.

REGIONAL EVENTS
American Victory’s Freedom Fest
Where: American Victory Ship, 705 Channelside Drive, Tampa
When: July 4 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Cost: $13 for age 13 and up; $7 for ages 4 to 12; $10 for active military or veterans
Details: Aboard the historical World War II ship SS American Victory, guests can enjoy live entertainment, food vendors, a kids zone, games and view a fireworks show.
Info: Purchase tickets at http://bit.ly/2KnjcYh. For further inquiries, call (813) 228-8766 or visit www.AmericanVictory.org.

Tampa Red, White and Blue Fest
Where: Grand Central at Kennedy, 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
When: July 4 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Celebrate America’s birthday with southern food, ice cream, a dog walk and prize giveaways.
Info: Call (813) 226-0988

Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Competition
Where: Armature Works, 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa
When: July 4 at 4 p.m.
Cost: $25 per ticket
Details: Hosted by local comedian Chuck Glass, the contest will offer both beef and vegan hot dogs to choose from. Contestants will have the chance to win a $500 gift card, a $100 gift card, a championship belt and t-shirts.
Info: Email . Tickets can be purchased at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fourth-of-july-hot-dog-eating-competition-tickets-62875790181?aff=efbeventtix&fbclid=IwAR3nKaUVDR3g1GMkBQjmHVaLhophgDf3EJISD78VSDw97DidaaO2fyiTRAA

Published June 26, 2019