The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Fighting child hunger in Pasco, one backpack at a time

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When Amber Chancey and her husband, Paul, moved to Wesley Chapel in 2016, the couple had no idea the impact they would have on their new community.

They did know that they wanted the best education for their children, and they also knew that a healthy, balanced meal played a vital role in this.

Since its founding in 2018, Full Circle Food Outreach has found an advocate in NYE Commercial Advisors — which allows food donations to be dropped off at the company’s office. (Courtesy of Amber Chancey)

Meanwhile, Susan Coffey, a third-grade teacher, and several colleagues at Double Branch Elementary School noticed there were children in classes who were constantly tired, hungry or asking to be allowed to take their school food home.

Double Branch already was collecting food donations to send home to families on a month-to-month basis.

And, when the Chanceys learned about the situation, they began brainstorming on how to better address the needs of hungry children.

That led to the creation of the Full Circle Food Outreach program, which began in February 2018.

“We thought this was an easier, more consistent way to get the food to the kids,” said Amber Chancey, who is the program’s president.

The food outreach works like this: Students either openly express a need, or school staff notices signs — such as a student falling behind academically, or not concentrating in class.

In collaboration with Full Circle Food Outreach, New Tampa Chiropractic was able to collect 80 backpacks worth of nonperishable foods this year. These items are distributed to students in Wesley Chapel schools on Fridays, so they have enough to eat over the weekend.

Once a need is determined, parents must agree to be part of the program, in order to receive a supply of food intended to last through the weekend.

After school on Fridays, each student that is participating receives a food bag with 13 nonperishable items, consisting of two breakfasts, two lunches and snacks.

“We wanted these students to have the same opportunity to benefit from their education,” Chancey said, regarding the intent of Full Circle Food Outreach. “They’re not coming to school hungry, and they’re able to focus.”

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), an estimated 6.5 million children live in households with an insufficient food supply, and roughly 16 percent of those homes have children under the age of 6.

Full Circle’s efforts have helped fill that gap at two Wesley Chapel schools, with Double Branch Elementary currently serving 21 students through the program, and Quail Hollow Elementary with 47 students.

One event that helped make this possible was a collaboration between Full Circle and the All Pro Dad organization, in which students’ fathers helped collect food donations on May 4.

The outreach also has received help from the community, when Full Circle hosted a “Stock-the-Pantry” food drive for the entire month of July.

Carmel Friendship Church, which partners with Full Circle Food Outreach, has stacks of nonperishable goodies so Wesley Chapel students won’t go hungry over the weekend while not in school.

Several local businesses volunteered themselves as drop-off locations for food donations, including NYE Commercial Advisors, New Tampa Chiropractic and Injury Center, Carmel Friendship Church, My Gym New Tampa, Faith Baptist Church and Premier Gymnastics.

The GFWC New Tampa Junior Woman’s Club also has contributed food and money.

A Stock-the-Pantry party was held at the Country Walk Clubhouse in Wesley Chapel on July 28 to showcase the collected food donations, amounting to a value of more than $2,000.

Open to the public with refreshments, the function also raised an additional $250 from raffle tickets for items such as two Chuy’s Dinner certificates, a girl’s cruiser bike and a two-night stay at a Northwest Florida condo.

According to the foundation, $5 is enough to feed one student for a weekend, and it is striving for the goal of collecting $17,000 for the 2018-2019 school year, allocating some 2,720 food bags.

Chancey wants to provide services to more schools in Pasco County, but because Full Circle is a nonprofit organization, it must depend on community and business contributions to expand its work.

Her objective is not only to ensure that students are well-nourished, but that they learn the importance of charitable work and, eventually, will give back to others.

“Potentially, they’re going to make better grades, that’s going to help them progress and end up in a better place as an adult,” she said.

To enroll a student in the program or to make a donation online, visit FullCircleFoodOutreach.org.

For additional information on the foundation, call Full Circle Food Outreach at (813) 619-8009, or email .

Published November 7, 2018

Pasco County Schools helping Hurricane Michael victims

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Pasco County Schools has given 20 school buses to Bay District Schools and is loaning 20 maintenance employees to that district to help it recover from Hurricane Michael.

David Fussell, of Bay District Schools, was among the bus drivers arriving in Pasco County last week to pick up buses that Pasco County is providing to assist the Bay school district, which is in the midst of recovering from Hurricane Michael. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

Bay County school bus drivers traveled to New Port Richey on Nov. 1, where they picked up the Pasco school district’s buses to drive them back to Bay County, according to a news release from Pasco County Schools.

When the visiting bus drivers arrived at Fred K. Marchman Technical College, they were served lunch by the school’s culinary students. After lunch, they were escorted to the bus barn at Pinehill Road and Congress Street, to pick up the buses to drive back to Bay County. The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office escorted the buses to Interstate 75, according to Linda Cobbe, public information officer for Pasco County Schools.

Bus drivers from Bay County District Schools traveled to Pasco County to pick up some buses to take back to their district, which is recovering from the devastation caused by Hurricane Michael.

The schedule called for laborers and experts in site development, tree trimming, heavy equipment, electricity, HVAC, carpentry and mechanics to travel from Pasco County, to help Bay County schools to prepare for students in that district to return to school on Nov. 12, the release said.

The Pasco school district crew was scheduled to depart on Nov. 3 at 6:30 a.m., from the Maintenance Department, 11835 Tree Breeze Drive in New Port Richey.

In the news release, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning said, “I can’t imagine what our colleagues are going through in the Panhandle, and we just wanted to give them the same kind of support I know they would give to us if we were in the same situation.”

Published November 7, 2018

Sharing joy through Operation Christmas Child

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Jennifer Hernandez is in the business of spreading love – not just locally, but globally.

For the past two years, she and Bridgeway Church, where she attends in Wesley Chapel, have been coordinating their efforts to help kids worldwide in what is known as “Operation Christmas Child.”

The nondenominational Christian project was first established in 1993 and is based in North Carolina under the Samaritan’s Purse organization.

Children within Fiji are elated as they receive special Christmas gifts from their friends in the U.S. (Courtesy of SamaritansPurse.org)

Samaritan’s Purse is headed by evangelist Franklin Graham who had a vision to help underprivileged youth gain something beneficial from the holidays. Thus was the beginning of Operation Christmas Child.

Since its inception 25 years ago, more than 157 million children across 160 countries have received shoeboxes with school supplies, personal hygiene items and toys.

This year, thousands of other volunteers nationwide are trying to reach 11 million children in need.

From Nov. 12 to Nov. 19, a National Collection Week will take place throughout the U.S., where donations can be handed in at various drop-off locations.

Hernandez, a drop-off team leader, recalled her reaction when a fellow church member initiated the idea to the congregation: “It looked like a worthwhile cause.”

Now in its third year, Bridgeway Church has collected more than 2,000 shoeboxes and hopes this holiday season will not be short of a success.

Bridgeway is one of seven drop-off locations for shoeboxes in Pasco County.

“The entire reason is to demonstrate God’s love through this tangible gift,” explained Dana Williams, assistant manager of media relations for Samaritan’s Purse. “This is an open door to share with a child that they’re loved and not forgotten.”

The manpower of Samaritan’s Purse is spread wide, as they train “local ministry partners” in other countries on how to receive the gifts and distribute them.

They will typically set up outreach events in a town’s church, school or community center and get the word out to parents that there’s a special surprise waiting for their children there.

Oftentimes, foreign pastors who know their communities well are granted the task of handing out shoeboxes to the children whom they know are in great need.

While adults can set up the shoeboxes themselves, youth are strongly encouraged to be involved, to help them learn how privileged they are here in the United States, Hernandez said.

Senders can include a letter in the shoebox, which enables the recipients the opportunity to respond.

“It opens up a relationship between the child that gets the box and the child here who sends the box,” she said.

An online donation of $9 will grant the donor a “follow your box” tracking label. By attaching the label to the shoebox, the donor can track which country it has been sent to.

To make a donation or to look up drop-off locations in your community, visit SamaritansPurse.org.

Operation Christmas Child National Collection Week
Bring donations to help fill shoeboxes to these drop-off locations, from Nov. 12 through Nov. 19 (hours vary by location):

Bridgeway Church, 30660 Wells Road, Wesley Chapel. For information, call (813) 907-1313.

East Pasco Adventist Academy, 38434 Centennial Road, Dade City. For information, call (352) 567-3646.

Fair Haven Baptist Church, 34927 Eiland Blvd., Zephyrhills. For information, call: (813) 782-7115.

Details: Various regions of Pasco County and the U.S. will be collecting and  packaging shoeboxes with gifts to send out to less fortunate children. For other drop-off locations and more information, visit SamaritansPurse.org.

Published November 7, 2018

Hugh Embry Branch Library now open again on Mondays

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A ribbon-cutting was held at Hugh Embry Branch Library on Oct. 29 to celebrate the fact that, once again, the library is open on Mondays.

The facility, at 14215 Fourth St., is one of four libraries across Pasco County where Monday hours have been restored.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley is joined by others during the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Oct. 29 to celebrate the restoration of Monday hours at Hugh Embry Branch Library. (Brian Fernandes)

The others are the Hudson Branch Library in Hudson, the Regency Park Branch in New Port Richey and the Land O’ Lakes Branch in Land O’ Lakes.

Pasco County Commissioners voted in 2010 to reduce library operating hours because of plummeting revenues during the Recession. Gradually, it has been adding hours back to libraries.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, who represents District 1, did the honors of cutting the ribbon during the festivities at the Hugh Embry Branch.

He also shared his thoughts about the vital role that libraries play in community life.

“You see not only older people in there, but young people and families – that’s very important to me,” Oakley said.

Many people need the services the library offers, said Angelo Liranzo, the Hugh Embry Branch manager. People visit the library to check out books, but they also come to work on school assignments, conduct research for job searches, or join in the library’s recreational programs.

With the restoration of funding, the Hugh Embry Branch is now open on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

The additional hours allow increased access to the amenities that the library provides.

For instance, patrons can use a program called Freegal — implemented this year — to stream and download music legally onto their personal devices.

Films and e-books also can be conveniently transferred to laptops, tablets and smartphones with software like Kanopy and Hoopla.

There are also launchpad tablets that kids can use to play games, which help teach subjects, such as math and science.

“One of the great things about libraries is that we try to find ways to make learning seem like fun,” Liranzo said.

After Oakley concluded his remarks, those attending the celebration were able to enjoy refreshments and live music.

Published November 7, 2018

Swampfest offers food, fun and entertainment

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A light rain fell on the evening of Nov. 2 at the 10th annual Swampfest at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park, but that didn’t keep the mostly young festival crowd from turning out to enjoy the rides, games, food trucks and entertainment.

Danielle Loomis, of Land O ’ Lakes, comforts her 4-year-old son, Jacob, as they get situated on the Ferris wheel on the afternoon of Nov. 3, at the 10th annual Swampfest, as operator Jamie Kieffer secures the bar. (Randy Underhill)

JT Curtis and the Florida Scoundrels entertained the crowd from the Heritage Park stage.

Attendance swelled the following day, as the weather was sunny and breezy — simply perfect for a day at festival.

The event, hosted by the Land O’ Lakes High School Booster Club, raises money, which benefits all of the students at the high school. For instance, proceeds from previous festivals have been used to purchase equipment for the weight room.

Besides carnival rides and food, the festival offered face painting for kids, the Kim Fish Beer Garden for adults and the Future Farmers’ goat-petting area.

Entertainment on the main stage included Show on the Road of Tampa, a song and dance routine of elementary school kids, and the local band The Big Bong Theory. Performers scheduled for Nov. 4 included Nicole’s Dance Center, Karl & Dimarco Dance Studio, Suncoast Dance Academy, Beyond Chaotic, and Pine View Dance and Cheer.

The event attracted people of all ages, from across Tampa Bay.

By Randy Underhill

Published November 7, 2018

Rick Bartz, left, of Land O’ Lakes, and Mary Law, also of Land O’ Lakes, grab a bite to eat from German Alarcon, at one of the many food trucks, Nov. 2 at Swampfest.
Eight-year-old Dalilah Pyles, of South Tampa, tests her skills at climbing the rope ladder on the afternoon of Nov. 3, at Swampfest.
It’s all smiles aboard the Magic Dragon at the 10th annual Swampfest, at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park Nov. 1 through Nov. 4. The Land O’ Lakes High School Athletic Booster Club hosted the event.
JT Curtis and Florida Scoundrels entertained the crowd the evening of Nov. 2 on the Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park stage. JT Curtis is a singer/songwriter, and a Nashville recording artist, who performs throughout the United States.

If you’re looking for piecrust perfection, check this out

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Maybe you are one of those who struggled making the perfect, flaky piecrust that your mother or grandmother did.

I know I worked like crazy to perfect that skill, but when they came out with the prepared and refrigerated type – I was hooked!

Maybe you just don’t like the typical type of crust that is used in most pies?

Right out of the oven, the pie looks fluffy. (Betsy Crisp)

Well, here’s something you might want to try.

You can call it impossible or just sheer magic.

But, the fact is, these recipes simply form the crust while the pie is baking.

To me, this might more aptly be described as a cross somewhere between a cobbler and a pie. For the result isn’t really a crust, and the it’s not really crustless.

Another plus? There are recipes for both sweet and savory concoctions. There are recipes for pumpkin, apple, custard, and coconut pies, as well as those for main dishes such as quiche, cheeseburger or taco pies.

I am not exactly sure where this idea originated.

I have seen an old Mennonite cookbook from my Iowa grandmother’s collection that featured similar recipes.

However, I’m also aware that some time back in the 1970s, a major food company began marketing a baking mix that you could keep on the shelf and draw from as needed for various recipes. Their test kitchens got busy and developed many recipes, and even printed several on the back of the box to entice consumers into using more of this versatile mixture.

If you don’t have that prepared/packaged baking mix on hand, you can try this substitute:

Homemade Baking Mix

Ingredients
1 cup of flour

1 ½ teaspoons baking powder

3/4 teaspoon sugar (optional)

½ teaspoon salt

1 Tablespoon oil (or melted butter/margarine/shortening)

Instructions
Combine all ingredients except fat in a large bowl (or pulse in a food processor) and mix.

Add fat and continue process (or use a pastry cutter) until mixture resembles coarse meal (crumbly/size of peas).

Note: Try not to make up more than you can use in one day. Once the oil is added, it does not store well due to food safety concerns.

Recipes

Magic Coconut Custard Pie
(The first “impossible pie” recipe that seemed to appear promoting the baking mix product was for a coconut pie. This is a variation of the original.)

Ingredients
¾ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup butter (or margarine), softened

4 large eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

½ cup all-purpose flour

2 cups milk

1 cup sweetened shredded coconut

Whipped topping (optional)
2 Tablespoons toasted coconut* for garnish (optional)

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F Fahrenheit.

Spray a 9-inch pie pan with cooking spray.

Cream butter and sugar with a mixer (or 30-seconds in a blender).

Add eggs, one at a time.

Add flour and milk alternately, and mix until all ingredients are just blended.

Stir in coconut.

Pour into prepared pie pan (on top of a baking sheet – just in case it spills).

Bake for 50 minutes to 60 minutes until slightly browned on top and knife inserted in center comes out clean. It will rise up some, be light and fluffy, but still giggle.

Remove from the oven. Let cool 15 minutes to 20 minutes before placing in refrigerator to chill at least 4 hours, or overnight is even better. Don’t be surprised when it starts to fall/shrink down a little.

Serve with whipped topping and toasted coconut as garnish (optional)

Variations: 1) Increase vanilla to 1 ½ teaspoon to 2 teaspoons; 2) add ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg and/or sprinkle on top; 3) add 1 Tablespoon lemon juice, which equals approximately the juice from ½ a lemon.

Makes 1 pie, which has 6 servings to 8 servings.

Note: *To make toasted coconut: Make a thin layer of coconut on a flat baking sheet. Bake at 350°F. for 4 minutes to 5 minutes. Be sure to stir with a spatula after the first 2 minutes to 3 minutes to help brown evenly and not scorch. This can also be done on top of the stove in a fry pan on medium low-medium heat – stirring constantly. You can store in an air-tight container for up to two weeks.

Betsy Crisp is a Professor Emeritus, UF/IFAS Extension – Family & Consumer Sciences.

Magic Cheeseburger Pie
(This is a kid-friendly favorite!)

Ingredients
1 pound lean ground beef (ground sirloin/chuck)

1 medium onion, chopped (approximately 1 cup)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 Tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

½ teaspoon ground black pepper

1 ½ teaspoons olive oil

2 large eggs

1 cup of milk

½ cup all-purpose flour

¾ teaspoon baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 cup extra sharp cheddar cheese, grated

Instructions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

Spray 9-inch pie plate with cooking spray.

In a large skillet cook the beef, onions, and garlic approximately 8 minutes to 10 minutes, until beef is browned/no longer pink. (Note: can also be cooked on high in microwave oven 5 minutes to 8 minutes depending on wattage). Drain fat/pat dry with paper towels.

Add Worcestershire and pepper, stir to mix and pour into prepared pie pan.

In a bowl with a mixer (or 30-seconds in a blender), combine oil, eggs, and milk.  Add flour, baking powder, and salt and blend well before pouring on top of meat mixture.

Top with shredded cheese.

Bake for approximately 30 minutes, until cheese is golden-brown and knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Remove from oven and let rest 10 minutes before serving.

Variation: To make a taco pie, add 1 package taco seasoning (preferably low-sodium) to ground beef when cooking.  Substitute 1 can (4.5 oz.) of diced green chilies for the 1 cup of chopped onion. Omit Worcestershire sauce and garlic. Hot sauce (1/2 teaspoon or to taste) can be added as well.

Makes 1 pie, which equals 4 main dish servings.

Published November 7, 2018

Local author hopes his story will help inspire others

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Remington Walls hasn’t let his disease define him — and he wants the same for those dealing with similar circumstances.

The 18-year-old Land O’ Lakes native has lived a life without regular food or drink since he was diagnosed at age 4 with Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), a rare, incurable disease where all food deteriorates his esophagus.

Remington Walls (Courtesy of Stephanie Walls)

His only source of nutrition has come via a hypoallergenic amino acid-based liquid formula, called Neocate EO28 Splash.

The abnormal disorder has not stopped him from living a normal life, however.

Remington overcame the hardship to become a standout varsity baseball player at Land O’ Lakes High School — and good enough to be selected to play in the Pasco County Senior All-Star Baseball game last year.

He was also a solid student, earning multiple college scholarships.

Remington is now a freshman a Valdosta State University (Valdosta, Georgia) where he’s studying to become an athletic trainer. He is also a volunteer assistant with the Valdosta State baseball team.

Published author can also be added to Remington’s list of accomplishments.

‘Homeplate: A True Story of Resilience’ follows the journey of Land O’ Lakes native Remington Walls who has a rare esophageal disease that prevents him from consuming regular food or drink. Walls persevered to become a standout varsity baseball player at Land O’ Lakes High School and Pasco County Senior All-Star selection. He is now a freshman at Valdosta State University, where he is studying to become an athletic trainer. (Courtesy of NOW SC Press)

His autobiography, “Homeplate: A True Story of Resilience,” delves into his foodless life, with the hope of inspiring others.

The 118-page book is co-authored by his mother, Stephanie Walls, who shares her memories and insights on coping with the disease from a parent’s point-of-view.

The book will be released on Nov. 25.

“Remington wanted just to kind of motivate people and encourage people that regardless of your situation, find a way to overcome and persevere. There’s some pretty powerful things he has to say in his book,” Stephanie Walls said during a recent interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

The book, which was written this past summer, is particularly geared toward anybody dealing with a life-altering disease, said Stephanie, an eighth-grade language arts teacher at Cypress Creek Middle High School in Wesley Chapel.

“The book is really more of an inspiration from Remington’s perspective,” she said. “We can either choose to wallow over the cards we’ve been dealt in life, or we can just pick up those pieces and somehow make a way to where there is no obstacle that’s going to get in our way.”

Last year, Remington’s life was thrown another curveball when his family’s insurance no longer covered the liquid formula that’s required for sustenance.

Since then, Remington and Stephanie have both advocated for state and federal legislation for formula coverage for medical nutrition. They also continue to work closely with the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED), a nonprofit advocacy organization for those living with eosinophilic related disorders.

To order the book, visit NowSCPress.com/product-page/homeplate.

Remington Walls book release

Book Signing
Where: Barnes & Noble, The Shops at Wiregrass, 28152 Paseo Drive, Wesley Chapel
When: Nov. 25, 1 p.m. to 2 p.m.
Info: (813) 907-7739

Book Launch
Where: Barnes & Noble Carrollwood, 11802 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa
When: Nov. 25, 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Info: (813) 962-6446

Published November 7, 2018

Veterans set to cruise through Zephyrhills

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Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., is welcoming all to attend the Veterans Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony to honor the nation’s men and women in uniform — in events planned for Nov. 10 and Nov. 11.

Spectators are guaranteed a lively musical performance by a marching band at the Nov. 10 Veterans Day Parade in downtown Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of Main Street Zephyrhills Facebook page)

The parade will also feature a Classic Car Cruise-In on Nov. 10 from 9 a.m. to noon at Historic Downtown Zephyrhills.

The parade is set to begin at the Main Street Zephyrhills building, at 38537 Fifth Ave., and head up to Ninth Avenue.

Participants will include active and retired military, veteran organizations, a marching band and decorative floats, said Anna Stutzriem, coordinator of Main Street Zephyrhills Inc.

Local businesses who would like to take part in the Car Cruise-In that do not have a veteran on staff will have to pay a $15 entry fee.

Food vendors with refreshments, as well as a live DJ performance, will be offered for Nov. 10 only, and pets will be allowed on the premises.

On the following day, Zephyr Park at 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills, will have a Remembrance Ceremony at 11:11 a.m., to commemorate the nation’s servicemen and servicewomen, both past and present.

For additional information or to apply for the Car Cruise-In, call Main Street Zephyrhills at (813) 780-1414, or visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

Veterans Day Parade and Remembrance Ceremony
Where: Parade at Historic Downtown Zephyrhills, 38537 Fifth Ave.; Ceremony at Zephyr Park, 38116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
When: Nov. 10, 9 a.m. to noon for parade; Nov. 11, 11:11 a.m. for ceremony
Cost: Free
Details: Downtown Zephyrhills will host a parade and car cruise-in, as well as a commemoration for our veterans.
Info: Call (813) 780-1414, or to apply for the cruise-in, visit MainStreetZephyrhills.org.

Published November 7, 2018

Early numbers reveal voters are engaged for midterms

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Early numbers reveal that Pasco County voters are enthusiastic about midterm elections, said Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley.

“Voters are definitely more engaged this time, for a midterm, than we’ve seen in some time,” he said.

“As we approach the general (election), it’s a very, very long ballot, with a lot of amendments on it, but so far, I’ve got to tell you, the turnout has been phenomenal,” Corley said in an Oct. 29 interview.

While Election Day is Nov. 6, many voters are choosing to vote early, he said.

Pasco has already surpassed the total Vote By Mail ballots cast in the 2014 general, which was slightly more than 46,000, and it is already over 52,480. “We’re not done, obviously. So, that’s going to be up substantially,” he said.

Corley also noted that early voting has been expanded in Pasco County because there was an obvious need.

“With early voting, we’re right now, as I’m talking to you, at a little more than 26,000 and the total early votes cast in the 2014 general was 32,000,” he said.

Corley also offered assurances that there are plans in place to address any security issues — cyber or physical — that could arise.

“We have worked very closely with Sheriff (Chris) Nocco and his people, along with the county’s emergency management folks,” he said.

As voters head to the polls, Corley advised: “Be voter ready. Make sure your address is up to date. Study the amendments ahead of time, so you’ll know ahead of time, yes or no.”

Whatever method voters choose — whether voting early or on Election Day, they have plenty of decisions to make.

They’ll be deciding on races and issues, ranging from who will be Florida’s representatives in Congress, to who will occupy the state’s governor’s mansion, to who will make local decisions affecting everything from job creation, to road congestion, to the quality of local schools.

Pasco and Hillsborough voters also will decide the outcome of 12 constitutional amendments or revisions.

In Pasco, voters also will decide the fate of four general obligation issues to pay for a jail expansion, additional fire protection, enhanced libraries and enhanced parks. The bonds would be repaid through increased property taxes.

In Hillsborough, voters will decide the fate of a referendum to raise the local sales tax to support transportation improvements; and, another referendum to raise the local sales tax to support air conditioning and other capital improvements in public schools.

Here’s a recap of key races on the 2018 ballot within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area; a listing of local early polling places; and a reminder of what voters should bring with them to the polls.

Key races
Federal
U.S. Senate: Rick Scott vs. Bill Nelson

U.S. Rep. District 12: Gus Bilirakis vs. Chris Hunter

State
Governor: Ron DeSantis vs. Andrew Gillum

Attorney General: Ashley Moody vs. Sean Shaw

Chief Financial Officer: Jimmy Petronis vs. Jeremy Ring

Commissioner of Agriculture: Matt Caldwell vs. Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried

State Senate District 20: Kathy Lewis vs. Tom Lee

State Senate District 10: Michael Cottrell vs. Wilton Simpson

State Representative District 37: Tammy Garcia vs. Ardian Zika

State Representative District 38: Danny Burgess vs. David “TK” Hayes

State Representative, District 64: James Grant vs. Jessica Harrington

Local
Pasco
Pasco County Commission

District 2: Mike Moore vs. Kelly Smith

District 4: Mike Wells vs. Brandi Geoit

Pasco School Board

District 5: Megan Harding vs. Tara M. O’Connor

Hillsborough
Hillsborough County Commission

District 5: Victor Crist vs. Mariella Smith

District 7: Todd Marks vs. Kimberly Overman

Hillsborough School Board
District 1

William Henry Person vs. Steve Cona

District 6

Karen Perez vs. Henry “Shake” Washington

Sheriff: Chad Chronister vs. Gary Pruitt

Early Voting Places (located within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area)

Pasco County: Through Nov. 3, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • East Pasco Government Center, Lobby, 14326 Sixth St., Dade City
  • Alice Hall Community Center, 36116 Fifth Ave., Zephyrhills
  • New River Branch Library, 34043 State Road 54, Wesley Chapel
  • Florida Hospital Center Ice, 3173 Cypress Ridge Blvd., Wesley Chapel
  • Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
  • Utilities Administration Building, 19420 Central Blvd., Land O’ Lakes

Hillsborough County: Through Nov. 4,  7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

  • Jimmie B. Keel Regional Library, 2902 W. Bearss Ave., Tampa
  • Keystone Recreation Center, 17928 Gunn Highway, Odessa
  • New Tampa Regional Library, 10001 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa

What Voters Should Bring
Florida law requires voters to present both signature and photo identification. This can be achieved with one form of identification, such as a Florida driver license or U.S. Passport, or two separate forms of identification, such as a membership card with your photo and second form of identification with your signature. If you don’t bring your ID, you may vote a provisional ballot.

For more information, visit PascoVotes.com and VoteHillsborough.org.

Published October 31, 2018

Proposed Constitutional amendments

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There are 12 proposed amendments to Florida’s Constitution on the 2018 ballot. There were 13, but one was removed by the Florida Supreme Court.

Here’s what voters will be deciding:

Number 1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption

Ballot summary: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to increase the homestead exemption by exempting the assessed valuation of homestead property greater than $100,000 and up to $125,000 for all levies other than school district levies. The amendment shall take effect Jan. 1, 2019.

Number 2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments

Ballot summary: Proposing an amendment to the State Constitution to permanently retain provisions currently in effect, which limit property tax assessment increases on specified non-homestead real property, except for school district taxes, to 10 percent each year. If approved, the amendment removes the scheduled repeal of such provisions in 2019 and shall take effect Jan. 1, 2019.

Number 3: Voter Control of Gambling in Florida

Ballot summary: This amendment ensures that Florida voters shall have the exclusive right to decide whether to authorize casino gambling by requiring that in order for casino gambling to be authorized under Florida law, it must be approved by Florida voters pursuant to Article XI, Section 3 of the Florida Constitution. Affects articles X and XI. Defines casino gambling and clarifies that this amendment does not conflict with federal law regarding state/tribal compacts.

Number 4: Voting Restoration Amendment

Ballot summary: This amendment restores the voting rights of Floridians with felony convictions after they complete all terms of their sentence, including parole or probation. The amendment would not apply to those convicted of murder or sexual offenses, who would continue to be permanently barred from voting, unless the Governor and Cabinet vote to restore their voting rights on a case-by-case basis.

Number 5: Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize or Raise State Taxes or Fees

Ballot summary: Prohibits the legislature from imposing, authorizing or raising a state tax or fee, except through legislation approved by a two-thirds vote of each house of the legislature in a bill containing no other subject. This proposal does not authorize a state tax or fee otherwise prohibited by the Constitution and does not apply to fees or taxes imposed or authorized to be imposed by a county, municipality, school board or special district.

Number 6: Rights of Crime Victims; Judges

Ballot summary: Creates constitutional rights for victims of crime; requires courts to facilitate victims’ rights; authorizes victims to enforce their rights throughout criminal and juvenile justice processes.

Requires judges and hearing officers to independently interpret statutes and rules rather than deferring to government agency’s interpretation. Raises mandatory retirement age of state justices and judges from seventy to seventy-five years; deletes authorization to complete judicial term if one-half of term has been served by retirement age.

Number 7: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities

Ballot summary: Grants mandatory payment of death benefits and waiver of certain educational expenses to qualifying survivors of certain first responders and military members who die performing official duties. Requires supermajority votes by university trustees and state university system board of governors to raise or impose all legislatively authorized fees if law requires approval by those bodies. Establishes existing state college system as constitutional entity; provides governance structure.

Number 8: By order of the Florida Supreme Court of Florida, Revision 8 was removed from the ballot.

Number 9: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces

Ballot summary: Prohibits drilling for the exploration or extraction of oil and natural gas beneath all state-owned waters between the mean high water line and the state’s outermost territorial boundaries. Adds use of vapor-generating electronic devices to current prohibition of tobacco smoking in enclosed indoor workplaces with exceptions; permits more restrictive local vapor ordinances.

Number 10: State and Local Government Structure and Operation

Ballot summary: Requires legislature to retain department of veterans’ affairs. Ensures election of sheriffs, property appraisers, supervisors of elections, tax collectors and clerks of court in all counties; removes county charters’ ability to abolish, change term, transfer duties or eliminate election of these offices. Changes annual legislative session commencement date in even-numbered years from March to January; removes legislature’s authorization to fix another date. Creates office of domestic security and counterterrorism within department of law enforcement.

Number 11: Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes

Ballot summary: Removes discriminatory language related to real property rights. Removes obsolete language repealed by voters. Deletes provision that amendment of a criminal statute will not affect prosecution or penalties for a crime committed before the amendment; retains current provision allowing prosecution of a crime committed before the repeal of a criminal statute.

Number 12: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers.

Ballot summary: Expands current restrictions on lobbying for compensation by former public officers; creates restrictions on lobbying for compensation by serving public officers and former justices and judges; provides exceptions; prohibits abuse of a public position by public officers and employees to obtain a personal benefit.

Number 13: Ends Dog Racing

Ballot summary: Phases out commercial dog racing in connection with wagering by 2020. Other gaming activities are not affected.

To review the entire text of the proposed amendments and revisions, visit PascoVotes.org, and click on the appropriate link.

Published October 31, 2018