The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Recreational options expand in northern Hillsborough

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Carrollwood Village Community Park is finally a reality — and ready for the public to enjoy.

Situated on a 50-acre site that was once home to the now-offline Dale Mabry Wastewater Treatment Plant, the “passive” community park offers a number of amenities.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held on Oct. 19 to celebrate the partial completion of Phase I of the park.

Features include a dog park, a multi-use trail, exercise stations, picnic shelters, a pond, an open lawn, restrooms and parking.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan called the new Carrollwood Village Community Park ‘an oasis in Carrollwood Village,’ during an Oct. 19 ribbon cutting ceremony. (Kevin Weiss)

A splash pad, playground and amphitheater are set to open by February, marking the completion of Phase I construction of the park.

Planning for the park, which is at 4680 West Village Drive in Tampa, began years ago.

Carrollwood residents weighed in during a series of community meetings dating back to 2014.

The original idea for a new park in Carrollwood became a community-driven, grassroots effort after word spread more than four years ago that the wastewater site was being retired.

Hillsborough County Commissioner Ken Hagan was among those who championed the idea of funding the park, and the Hillsborough County Commission approved the $6.5 million park project last May.

Hagan, a northwest area resident who grew up in Carrollwood, said the county “had a rare opportunity to do something special” with the large green space that was once home to the wastewater plant for more than 40 years.

He characterized the new park as “an oasis in Carrollwood Village.”

“This park will be a centerpiece for the entire community to enjoy,” Hagan said during the festivities. “It will be one-of-a kind, right in the heart of Carrollwood Village, and a great place to relax, exercise, have fun with your pet, and take a break from your fast-paced day.”

At the ceremony, Hagan also announced the county has allocated another $3.5 million for Phase II construction of the park.

Potential amenities may include the following, subject to community input and funding: An observation pier, shade canopies, solar trail lighting, a skate park/pump track, a community nature center, a pedestrian boardwalk, water fountains, a bridge/trellis, an event pavilion, a secondary playground and landscaping/garden area.

“There’s still plenty of room to grow,” Hagan said.

The Carrollwood Village Community Park adds to a list of more than 170 neighborhood parks in the county.

It is expected to become the county’s “most amenity-rich community park” once all phases are complete, said Rick Valdez, who is Hillsborough County’s parks and recreation director.

“We have skate parks that are skate parks, splash pads that are splash pads — this will have it all,” Valdez explained.

“There’s a lot of things that make this place special,” he added. “It’s very rare that we get $10 million to build a park, so we are paying attention to the smallest details, and just also going and getting input from the community, and just giving the community what they want.”

Local residents are excited about the park’s possibilities.

Dawn Hudson is president of the Carrollwood Park Conservancy — the group responsible for initially spearheading the park project.

“Parks make life better,” Hudson said. “I think it will draw people from 10 to 15 miles — someplace for people to go.”

She said the opportunity to build another park in Carrollwood would not have been possible without the retirement of the wastewater site and the simultaneous collaboration of local residents.

“We carried our vision through, and here we are. It’s pretty amazing,” she said.

Hudson said she’s most looking forward to helping plant a botanical garden that will make the park “really interesting to walk through.”

The addition of a “nature play” playground is another feature that will stand out, she said. “It’s not going to be your plain jane swings and slides,” Hudson said. “It’s going to be a place where you use your imagination to play, like running up a hill, hiding behind a big rock, crawling through a tunnel.”

Park hours will normally be from sunrise to sunset, with staff on-site to facilitate programming and provide maintenance.

Another unique aspect of the park: It is home to a 1,200-square-foot, 24-hour indoor fitness facility used exclusively by Hillsborough County Sheriff’s deputies. In essence, that creates  built-in security — with officers working out around the clock on park grounds.

The workout facility is in a former administration building structure at the wastewater plant. Everything else associated with the former treatment plant has been demolished, with the exception of two reclaimed water tanks, pump stations and fencing.

A grand opening for the park will take place sometime in early 2019 after Phase I construction is complete.

For more information on the park, visit CarrollwoodVillagePark.com.

Published October 24, 2018

Festival offers Halloween fun for all ages in Wesley Chapel

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The Wesley Chapel Fall Festival is back again for its 14th year, ready to offer festival-goers a variety of ways to have seasonal fun.

Festivities will include a Glow Party, where participants wear glow bracelets and necklaces, while dancing to a live DJ performance.

Pet owners can claim bragging rights if their favorite four-legged friend wins the costume contest during the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival, Oct. 26 to Oct. 28. The pet costume contest is on Oct. 27 at 11 a.m. (Courtesy of Shaunte Langley Photography)

On Oct. 27 at 4 p.m., children are encouraged to come out with their Halloween costumes for Trunk-or-Treat, where they can collect candy from vehicle trunks at the festival.

Other offerings include a Bounce House with a $5 play-all-day fee; a $30 wristband will grant unlimited access to 12 to 14 rides at the carnival, including a Ferris wheel and Gravitron. On Oct. 26 only, there’s a buy-one, get-one free deal for the carnival.

Visitors can buy a variety of items from food trucks, and there will be pumpkin-painting, a petting zoo and a business expo, too.

There’s a pet costume contest on Oct. 27 at 11 a.m., with a $5 entry fee. The following day, there’s a pumpkin pageant for kids at 11 a.m.

Kids are encouraged to wear their costumes to the Wesley Chapel Fall Festival. They also can collect lots of candy from vehicles during Trunk-or-Treat at the event.

There also will be live band and community performances on two stages at the event.

Some of the acts include Kris Pierce, George Pennington III and Jessica Rose Powell.

Proceeds will help K-9 Heroes 4 Our Heroes, Relay for Life of East Pasco and The Stano Foundation.

The fest will be outdoors at The Grove at Wesley Chapel plaza, on Oct. 26 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; and, on Oct. 27 and Oct. 28, from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission and parking are free. The Suncoast Credit Union is hosting the event.

For additional information, contact Drew Cecere at (727) 674-1464 or .

Wesley Chapel Fall Festival
Where: The Grove at Wesley Chapel, 6105 Wesley Grove Blvd., in Wesley Chapel
When: Oct. 26, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Oct. 27 and Oct. 28, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: Guests can enjoy a glow party, carnival rides, contests and live performances.
Info: Contact Drew Cecere at (727) 674-1464 or .

Published October 24, 2018

Dade City teenager enjoys challenge and camaraderie of motorbike racing

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For Madison Snider, 831 not only represents her birthdate, it signifies the number of a champion.

That’s the number she races under on her motorbike.

Racing on the bikes is nothing new for the 13-year-old Dade City native. She began competing when she was 7.

Although her father, Wilbur, enjoyed watching bike races on TV, Madison never expressed an interest in learning the sport herself.

That is, until her mom Carol surprised her with a four-wheel motorbike.

Madison Snider, 13, poses on her latest motorbike, a Yamaha Raptor 250. (Brian Fernandes)

“She got me a quad for my seventh birthday,” the teenager said.

She fell in love instantly with the bike, and began practicing at the local Dade City Motocross track.

In her first year at Motocross, her hard work paid off when she won the championship for the 70 cc mini quad division.

Her victory propelled her to continue in races and, the following year, she won second place in the 100 cc mini quad division.

After two years at Motocross, Madison began racing in the Florida Trail Riders (FTR) events, allowing her to perform in hare scramble competitions.

These types of races are off-road and are usually held on rugged terrain such as mountains, woods or desert.

At this point, Madison had gone from quarter-mile to 1-mile competitions and had now moved on to racing several miles while doing multiple laps.

She gradually climbed the ranks at FTR races and last year won the Quad Super PeeWee A championship.

Her rising notoriety took her to the Grand National Cross Country (GNCC) tournaments in Florida, Georgia and West Virginia, where she would compete with kids from around the U.S.

The three-state competitions granted Madison the opportunity to not only race in mud and up steep mountains, but to develop relationships with other riders.

“The kids go out and battle, but they get off the track and they’re still friends,” Wilbur explained of the riders’ camaraderie.

Wilbur and Carol’s support for their daughter has been evident. They admitted that if she wanted to quit racing the next day, they would be right behind her.

Many weekends they have loaded up their truck and traveled across the state for tournaments, as Madison averages about 15 races a year.

Local sponsors have also supported and rallied around her through the years – a dedication the family appreciates.

While Madison enjoys the exhilaration that comes with riding, she also understands the need for safety. When racing, she is sure to put on her gear, which includes a chest protector, gloves, helmet, neck brace and boots.

She is also versed in the mechanics that keep the bike running, sometimes having to adjust her brakes and change tires.

Madison is her own coach, as she trains herself. As an observer, she will often watch races so she can pick up techniques that will be beneficial to her.

Although tournaments are a priority, she makes time for her friends, family and collection of pets – a cat, a rabbit, two fancy rats, two sugar gliders and three dogs.

She also enjoys fishing, as well as hunting, and is passionate about volleyball.

“We’ve raced races on the other side of the state and drove home to go to a volleyball game,” chuckled Wilbur, on his daughter’s commitment to the two sports.

Now an eighth-grader at Centennial Middle School, Madison is racing on her fourth bike, a Yamaha Raptor 250.

Her backyard is a wide-open field, which makes practicing at home convenient.

Still determined, she has hopes that motorbike 831 will one day make it to the professional level.

Published October 24, 2018

Dade City Mayor provides ‘state of the city’ talk at chamber breakfast

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Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez is bullish on the future of the community she governs.

During a recent Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce breakfast meeting, Hernandez told the audience about newly proposed planned residential developments, to projects aimed at improving the city’s infrastructure and recreational projects,

“I am enthusiastic about Dade City,” Hernandez said, addressing the chamber audience at Florida Hospital Dade City.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez, the featured guest speaker at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce’s October breakfast meeting, gave the audience a look ahead at coming projects in her city. The breakfast was at Florida Hospital Dade City. (Kevin Weiss)

“We’re finally at the point where we can put our emphasis on what I call some sexy things —

some things you can actually see (and) some things that will attract businesses and really make it worth their while to come in and call Dade City home.”

Hernandez has been Dade City’s mayor since 2012 and was reelected in April.

One of the city’s chief priorities is to address its lingering stormwater problems, she said.

Bids will go out next month — and work will begin in February — for the city’s downtown stormwater management system, to alleviate flooding that’s plagued Pasco Avenue and Seventh Street.

Over the past two years, the city has received a total of $1.8 million in state appropriations to use for the stormwater project.

That work, Hernandez said, “is so important for all of our folks working in the government offices, and all our retailers and businesses that we’re trying to attract in town.”

Another ongoing stormwater project is the Beauchamp Pond Expansion, whereby the city is combining two ponds located at the southeast and northeast corners of 17th Street and Beauchamp Avenue, which aims to address chronic flooding in that particular area.

Plans call for the area near the pond site to ultimately become a passive park that would include a boardwalk, trail and landscaping.

Hernandez also mentioned that several residential developments and subdivisions have been proposed within city limits — marking another progression for Dade City’s long-term future.

Two of those developments — Abbey Glenn 2 and Suwanee Lakeside — total more than 400 homes and will be located across the street from Pasco High School.

About 700 more dwelling units are planned in several other developments, the mayor said.

“That’s really going to have an impact,” she said.

Impacts from those projects include an expanded tax base, additional city services and more traffic coming to downtown Dade City.

Hernandez also noted that Dade City is starting to gain a positive reputation for its eclectic mix of farm-to-table restaurants.

And, she noted that city officials will continue to promote and market its various food initiatives and agricultural lands “to draw folks to Dade City.”

“I think we finally are learning kind of what our niche is and where we want to go,” Hernandez said.

Park and trail improvements were another talking point for the mayor.

Hernandez mainly discussed the northern extension of the existing Hardy Trail, from Church Avenue to Lock Street.

Work on that extension is expected to start in early 2019 and be completed by the end of that year, said Hernandez, noting that the project is benefiting from $1.1 million in state funding.

The trail is part of a larger trail network planned for the U.S. 301 corridor extending from south of Zephyrhills to north of Dade City. Ultimately, it will extend to the Withlacoochee State Trail trailhead.

“It fits right in with what we promote here in Dade City — quality of life, healthy lifestyles, health and wellness — so we’re very excited it’s finally a reality for us here,” the mayor said.

She also pointed to another initiative in the recreation arena: A bike-share hub to be built in Dade City. The Pasco County Tourist Development allocated $250,000 for that project.

However, the mayor noted that the city is still working to choose a location, which would encompass not only the bike hub, but a splash pad and pavilion, and other features that could be used to host festivals and other community events.

The mayor also noted there will continue to be “up to the year maintenance” on its local park system — namely, Price, Watson and Agnes Lamb parks.

Elsewhere, Hernandez touched on the city’s recently passed $16.4 million budget for the 2018-2019 fiscal year.

Hernandez said the budget is about a 12 percent increase from the prior fiscal year’s budget of $14.6 million, due mainly in part to rising personnel costs and health care premiums. The millage rate of 7.14 mills remained the same as last fiscal year.

Highlights from the new city budget include 3 percent raises for all city employees, with an extra “Years of Service” salary bump for longtime city employees.

The city also raised its retirement contributions, ranging from 4 percent to 8 percent, for all employees.

“One of the things that we try to do is we want to take care of our employees,” Hernandez said.

“That was something we wanted to do and felt that was important to do for our employees.”

Published October 24, 2018

Local orchestra to liven Heritage Park field

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The Florida Orchestra will amplify the field of Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park with a live performance on Oct. 27.

Hosted by the Heritage Park Foundation, the “Brass with a Beat” event will be free to the public and starts at 5 p.m.

A view looking over the shoulder of Bill Mickelsen, during last year’s performance by The Florida Orchestra Brass Quintet at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park. This year, members of The Florida Orchestra will perform a ‘Brass with a Beat’ concert at Land O’ Lakes Heritage Park on Oct. 27, followed by the movie ‘Little Shop of Horrors.’ (File)

This will mark the orchestra’s second year performing on the park’s stage, which opened in 2017, after a persistent and collaborative effort to create a venue for community events.

The orchestra’s Daniel Black will lead an 18-piece ensemble of brass and percussion instruments to play fanfares and notable works.

“[We’d] like this to be a roaring success, something the community can get behind and just enjoy,” said Sandy Graves of the Heritage Park Foundation.

Attendees will be charged a $5 parking fee and are asked to bring their own chairs or blankets.

Concert-goers can bring their dogs, as long as the canines are kept on their leashes.

Food trucks will be on site with refreshments and an 8 p.m. showing of the film “Little Shop of Horrors,” will follow after the concert.

Proceeds will benefit The Florida Orchestra.

The Florida Orchestra’s “Brass with a Beat”
Where: Heritage Park, 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd in Land O’ Lakes
When: Oct. 27, 5 p.m.
Cost: Free
Details: The Florida Orchestra will put on a brass and percussion concert, which will be followed by an evening movie.
Info: Call Heritage Park at (813) 929-1229.

Published October 24, 2018

Medical Center of Trinity seeks new ways to improve care

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Anyone who has driven along the State Road 54/State Road 56 corridor during the past few years can easily see that the landscape is rapidly changing in Pasco County.

Subdivisions and businesses are popping up everywhere, and the need for medical services continues to grow.

Responding to that explosive growth and to evolving patient needs is only part of the equation, though. Keeping up with medical advances, staying abreast of new treatment approaches, equipping hospital staff with leading edge technology and adjusting to changes in government regulation, are other elements in Medical Center of Trinity’s quest to set itself apart for its quality of care, said Leigh Massengill, the hospital’s chief executive officer, during a recent North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon.

Leigh Massengill, the chief executive officer of Medical Center of Trinity, was the featured speaker at a recent North Tampa Bay Chamber luncheon. She shared news that the hospital will be expanding services and will be adding a medical residency program next year. (B.C. Manion)

“We try to strategize very carefully to meet the needs of the growing community, to identify the things that people are going to need — recognizing that health care is changing at a fast pace while we’re trying to make those decisions,” Massengill said.

For instance, “more and more things are being done on an outpatient basis.

“Whoever thought that you could get your total knee replaced in an ambulatory surgical setting and go home the same day? What next?”

While the main hospital campus is now on State Road 54, the hospital had its start in New Port Richey.

“We celebrated our 40th anniversary of providing health care as Community Hospital of New Port Richey, just shortly before we moved in February of 2012 to this new location,” Massengill said.

The hospital had to retool itself and rethink its approaches, as it shifted from taking care of a group of patients with an average age of 82, to one that serves patients ranging from neonatal care to the senior population.

It was quite a culture shock for the organization, the CEO said, and continues to be an adventure as the hospital contemplates how it will grow with the community.

The hospital executive brings a wealth of experience to the challenge. Her background includes working in hospitals ranging from 150 beds to 1,500 beds in both public and faith-based settings. She began her career as a registered nurse and has held a number of leadership roles in nursing and hospital operations.

The hospital sits on a 55-acre campus and is currently occupying about 24 acres.

Additional services to meet area needs
“Since we moved in, we opened a neonatal intensive care unit, which was the first in Pasco County and is the only still, in Pasco County. That has enabled us to keep mommas, that have high-risk pregnancies, within their hometown.

“Before that, we were consistently referring people down to Pinellas and Hillsborough counties for that higher level of care. We’re now able to retain them closer to home, closer to family, especially, if you have a child that’s going to be in an intensive care unit for three weeks after their birth, invariably, you have two other kids at home and who’s taking care of that while you’re traveling 50 miles down to All Children’s Hospital?

“Two years after opening, the hospital began doing open heart surgery, now completing about 150 open heart surgeries annually.

“We keep getting more minimally invasive, as you know, and just about any type of invasive procedure is getting more and more catheter-based, more and more teeny incisions, or more and more robotic,” Massengill said.

The hospital is part of HCA West Florida, which is part of the HCA Healthcare family, and it has  distinguished itself in the HCA system, which includes 180 acute hospitals, Massengill said. The hospital’s surgery/ortho/spine unit was ranked No. 1 within HCA.

She praised the hospital’s staff for the accomplishment, noting the distinction is based on document excellence in a wide range of measures and required substantial work to achieve.

On another front, the hospital has added 14 observation beds, next to the emergency department. That change came in response to new government regulations.

“The government has changed reimbursement. The expectation is, if you show up at a hospital, we have the obligation to determine, as you’re rolling through the door, whether you’re going to require two hospital nights, in order to be considered admitted and an inpatient.

If we’re not certain, we have to keep you in an observation status, do as many diagnostic tests that are necessary to determine whether you’re going to need an inpatient stay, or to stabilize you and have that care continue on an outpatient basis. They give you 24 hours to accomplish that diagnostic testing,” she said.

Current expansion plans on the main campus call for completion of the east side of the fifth floor, and to do the east side of sixth floor for further growth and expansion.

“We continue identifying ways to differentiate ourselves relative to quality,” Massengill said.

The hospital has extended its footprint, to extend its care by adding three freestanding emergency departments, with one in Lutz, Citrus Park and Palm Harbor.

“In those facilities, 95 percent of the patients are treated and released,” she said.

The hospital also plans to add a behavioral health unit for the elderly at the New Port Richey campus.

“We’ve had many physicians come to us, asking us to create this kind of a program,” Massengill said. “We’re looking forward to opening that, once the state gives us the seal of approval.”

The hospital also recently received approval to begin a medical residency program, which will begin in 2019, the hospital leader said.

As it continues to operate in an environment of almost constant change, the hospital remains focused on achieving excellence in staff performance and patient outcomes, Massengill said.

“We know that the consumer of health care is getting more and more savvy, and they shop for excellence before they make the decision,” she said.

Medical Center of Trinity

  • Opened Feb. 7, 2012
  • 288 all-private rooms on its main campus

2017 figures

  • Total annual admissions: 16,222
  • Total annual emergency visits: 77,096
  • Total patients treated: 119,298
  • Active physicians: 380
  • Total employees: 1,482
  • Taxes paid: $8.1 million
  • Charity and uncompensated care: $22 million
  • Salaries, wages and benefits: $113 million

Source: Presentation by Leigh Massengill, Medical Center of Trinity, to members of the North Tampa Bay Chamber

Published October 24, 2018

Library hours restored for patrons

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Pasco County Libraries has restored Monday hours at the Hugh Embry and Hudson branches, as of Oct. 15. Patrons will now have four libraries to choose from to visit on Mondays.

The restoration of hours at more locations was a priority of the Pasco Board of County Commissioners for the fiscal year 2018-2019 budget.

In October 2017, the Regency Park and Land O’ Lakes branches were the first to restore hours, with the addition of Monday hours and some evening hours.

The Pasco County library locations that are now open on Mondays are:

  • Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, 2818 Collier Parkway
  • Hugh Embry Branch Library, 14215 Fourth St., Dade City
  • Regency Park Branch Library, 9701 Little Road in New Port Richey
  • Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road

All libraries will remain closed on Sundays.

According to Bob Harrison, libraries public communications specialist, the restored hours give patrons on both the east and west sides of the county more access to everything they love about the libraries.

For information on hours of operation for all seven branches in the Pasco County Library System, visit PascoLibraries.org.

Information on the library catalog, e-content, programs, events and links to all the branches also can be found on the website.

Published October 24, 2018

Snakes, scorpions and tortoises, oh my

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Whether it was to learn about snakes, check out a Wild West Show, do a bit of arts and crafts, shopping or listening to music — visitors to the 52nd annual Rattlesnake Festival had plenty of choices. A crowd, estimated at over 9,000, visited the two-day show with near-perfect weather this past weekend at the Pasco County Fairgrounds in Dade City.

Pam Mendenhall displays a common black snake. Part of the show involved teaching the audience the difference between poisonous and nonpoisonous snakes. (Fred Bellet)

The lineup for the festival, which moved this year from San Antonio, featured reptile shows, Croc Encounters, Gopher Tortoise Races, nonprofit wildlife exhibits and performances by several local bands, including Jesse and Noah Bellamy. There were also bounce houses, a petting zoo, carnival rides, and barbecue and other food vendors.

“Moving to the fairgrounds gave us twice the space to expand the festival, plus room to grow in the future,” said Joe Simmons, who headed up the event. “We had more to offer, including moving the wildlife shows inside fair buildings, and adding more businesses and arts and crafts exhibitors.”

Simmons also said the move allowed the organization to offer free parking that was close to the event.

All money raised at The Rattlesnake Festival, after expenses, supports The Thomas Promise Foundation, a nonprofit that provides weekend meal packages for 1,200 underprivileged children who attend 27 Pasco schools.

Published October 24, 2018

Conner Heimes gets a close view of a corn snake as he peers through a glass cage housing the slithering snake. It was part of the ‘live’ display of snakes at The Rattlesnake Festival at the Pasco County Fairgrounds. The 4-year-old was at the event with his mom, Christina Heimes, his brother, Hunter, 10, and grandmother, Rebecca Heimes, all of Zephyrhills.
Inflating a balloon to be snapped by a bull whip, Mike ‘Lefty’ Remmert, of Tampa, readies the target, still in his mouth, as Cowboy Tom Glasco, of San Antonio, cracks the whip during his Cowboy Tom Wild West Show.
A large wooden rattlesnake head is controlled manually by Pam Mendenhall to open its mouth to show what the snake’s fangs look like. Pam, and her husband, Jim, presented the Mendenhall Snake Show displaying a variety of snakes.
Bernice DellaPorte, of Brooksville, works on a ‘Tree of Life’ sculpture, part of her Copper Forest Design line. She makes the piece from copper wire. Each Sculpture uses 170 strands of copper, which are each 16 inches long. The sculpture takes a day to create.
An Asian Water Monitor climbs off the shoulder of reptile exhibitor John Anderson, of Brooksville. The 2-year-old critter’s name is ‘Precious.’ The J&T Reptile exhibit was a popular feature at the Rattlesnake Festival.
Pythons like to climb to the highest branch, which is why this snake made its way to the crown of Courtney Graham, Miss Pasco County. Derek Dykstra, who is with the Rattlesnake Conservatory, brought the snake to the Rattlesnake Festival. (Vic Anthony)

The Laker/Lutz News claims 18 awards in state contest

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The Laker/Lutz News brought home 18 awards from the Community Papers of Florida 2018 Awards for Excellence competition.

The annual statewide contest recognizes outstanding work in advertising, writing and photography.

On the advertising side, The Laker/Lutz News design staff garnered 11 awards in these categories:

  • Advertising campaign: First place, Stefanie Burlingame and Matthew Mistretta, The Lakes Floral & Gifts; and Second place, Stefanie Burlingame, New Age Medical Center
  • Professional Services Advertising – less than half page: First place, Stefanie Burlingame, Evolution; and Second place, Stefanie Burlingame, Pet Point Animal Hospital
  • Self-promotion: Stefanie Burlingame, First place
  • Theme promotion: First place, Matthew Mistretta, Faith and Worship; and Second place, Matthew Mistretta, Home Section
  • Automotive advertising: Third place, Matthew Mistretta, Bay Breeze Car Wash & Lube
  • Real estate advertising – half page or more: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Advantage Real Estate Services
  • Real estate advertising – less than half page: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Allen Collins Realty
  • Spot color: Third place, Stefanie Burlingame, Treasured Pets Resort & Spa
The Lakes Floral & Gifts ad campaign garnered first place for Stefanie Burlingame and Matt Mistretta in the Community Papers of Florida 2018 Awards for Excellence competition.

The judges provided comments only for entries receiving a first place honor.

For the Evolution ad, one judge wrote, “this ad looks three-dimensional. The blurry Christmas tree in the background makes everything in the foreground stand out. The use of space and offer is perfect.”

For the Faith and Worship Theme Page, a judge noted “the overall layout and presentation of this page gives the reader several easy-to-find church services in the community. Each ad is clean and easy to read.”

In the Advertising Campaign category for The Lakes Floral & Gifts, one judge commented, “These ads are in full bloom! The use of color and composition make the ad series consistent and appealing to the reader. Well done.” Another judge pointed out “the color really makes this campaign POP!” Another judge noted, “A consistent look with strong, dominant artwork and vibrant colors makes for an effective campaign.”

Diane Kortus, the newspaper’s publisher, received third place recognition for a personal column she wrote about Valentine’s Day. The column observed that Valentine’s Day is not just an opportunity to celebrate romantic love, but also love for family, friends and colleagues.

The editorial team of Fred Bellet, Christine Holtzman, B.C. Manion, Kevin Weiss and Randy Underhill received honors in four categories.

  • News Story: First place
  • Best Original Writing: Third place
  • Best Original Photographic Spread: Second place and Third place
  • Best Independent Photo Feature: Two second-place honors

Manion won first place for her news story about local students at Wiregrass Ranch High School, in Wesley Chapel, joining a national walkout in the wake of the Valentine’s Day shooting spree that left 17 dead and 17 injured at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, in Parkland, Florida.

One judge said the piece was “well-sourced” and called it “a descriptive narrative of this event.”

Weiss won third place for his profile about a reality show featuring the Bellamy Brothers, their music and their life on a 200-acre ranch in Darby.

Holtzman took home two second-place photography honors in the best independent photo feature category. One was for her photograph of a small child blowing a bubble and the other for an appearance that Mr. Tommy made at a local library.

Bellet received second place in the Best Original Photographic Spread Category for his collection of photos of a softball team for players with special needs. Underhill captured third place in the same category for his photos of a father-daughter dance at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Published October 17, 2018

Pasco commissioners seek way to stop panhandlers

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They already have an ordinance on the books that addresses panhandlers, and another one that addresses trespassing.

But, the Pasco County Commission still hasn’t found an effective way to put a stop to panhandling.

“We have a panhandling ordinance in place. We write a lot of tickets to all of the people that are doing the panhandling. One gentleman has 240 tickets,” Commissioner Jack Mariano said during the commission’s Oct. 9 board meeting.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano (File)

Pasco County sheriff’s deputies don’t know what else to do, he said.

“They don’t want to take them to jail to fill up the jail. What do you do next?” the commissioner said.

Mariano has an idea.

He wants to try to dissuade people from giving donations to panhandlers.

He wants the county to send a message that “we don’t want you donating to the panhandlers.”

He thinks that would help put a stop to the panhandling problem.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey agrees that there’s a problem. She told her colleagues that she was aware of a panhandler working on one side of a turn-lane on Starkey Boulevard who was cited, so he simply moved to the other side of the road.

“Apparently, it’s site specific when you cite them. I think we have to readdress that ordinance,” Starkey said. She thinks the ordinance should address panhandling that happens anywhere in the county.

Senior Assistant County Attorney Kristi Sims explained the actions the board has taken to date.

“So, when the board enacted its ordinance concerning road solicitation, or panhandling — that is a civil violation and yes, tickets were written,” Sims said. “People would turn the tickets over and use them as another sign, on the backs of their tickets. It was not being paid. It wasn’t particularly effective with some of the panhandlers in the county.

“If you’ll recall, when it started, it (panhandling) was ubiquitous — on almost every corner and growing.

“There was certainly a hard-core population of people who are violating the road solicitation ordinance, so this board went further and implemented a trespass ordinance that allows the sheriff to trespass them off of public property, intersections and yes, that is site specific,” the attorney said.

If that’s not working, Sims suggested two options. One would be to work harder on the trespass option, or two, violation of the ordinance is theoretically punishable by up to 60 days in jail.

“However, we would need to fund and pay for representation for indigent defendants to do that,” she said.

“The only thing left is jail,” Sims said. “I can’t make a certain segment of panhandlers care that they’ve received a citation.”

Mariano thinks the county should warn people who are giving to panhandlers that they should stop doing so.

“I think when someone gets a couple of warnings, they’re going to stop. When the panhandlers see that these people are being warned not to donate, I think we can deter it that way.

“Because obviously, what we’re doing is not working. We need some type of change. I think this is something, that this would be a very positive move to try to diminish what’s happening out there,” Mariano said.

Commission Chairman Mike Wells Jr., said he favors taking action to reduce panhandling because he worries about the safety of people who are seeking donations.

Mariano suggested having a workshop to discuss updating the ordinance, and commissioners asked County Administrator Dan Biles to put together a list of the county’s priorities so they can discuss during their next meeting when they might want to set up that workshop.

Biles agreed to bring back that list.

Published October 17, 2018