The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

County expected to amend digital sign ordinance

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The Pasco County Commission is expected to decrease the dwell time on digital signs from the current 60 seconds down to 15 seconds.

During a previous meeting, commissioners directed staff to make the change. Then, the issue went before the Planning Commission on Oct. 11, which recommended approval of the change.

Now, the County Commission is expected to adopt the change at its Nov. 27 meeting.

Commissioner Ron Oakley requested the change, noting the 60-second dwell time makes it hard to communicate the number of events that are planned at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, which has a digital sign.

“They have four or five events in a week or two; they want to be sure they advertise them all,” he said.

While other commissioners favored the change, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey expressed reservations. “Is that a safe idea? I’ve done a lot of research on signs. Changing signs like that, I’m just not a fan of them. I think they’re dangerous for the public. Everything I’ve read says they take your eye off the road,” she said.

County planning administrator Denise B. Hernandez said that regional attractors, by their nature, have many different events.

One message on the sign is unrelated to the next message, she said.

By reducing the duration of the message, Commissioner Mike Moore noted, “there’s a better chance the next time they (motorists) come by, they’re going to see something different.”

Published November 21, 2018

Marine Corps celebrates birthday in style

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It’s not every day that a celebration is held for a 243rd birthday, but that’s exactly what the Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440 did recently to honor the history of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Bonnie Kessell, of Land O’ Lakes, baked a special birthday cake to commemorate the 243rd birthday of the U.S. Marine Corps. Her creation combined raspberry, amaretto and chocolate flavors and was artfully decorated. The cake maker’s husband, Danny Kessell, was in the Marines from 1967 to 1971. (Fred Bellet)

The detachment, also known as the Marine Corps League of Lutz/Land O’ Lakes, had its sixth annual Marine Corps Birthday Ball at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant in the Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club, in Lutz, on the evening of Nov. 6.

Active and veteran U.S. Marines, their wives and friends attended the formal affair, which began at 6 p.m., and included a military flag ceremony, a sit-down dinner, a birthday cake cutting ceremony, door prizes, dancing, and a chance to win money and prizes.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity to recognize six Marines who served in the Pacific in World War II and the Korean War. Those Marines received certificates of appreciation for their service.

The Marine veterans also received a letter of commendation from Gen. Robert B. Neller, commandant of the Marine Corps.

In another high point of the event, the detachment bestowed awards to the Marine of the Year and to the Associate of the Year.

Published November 14, 2018

As Commandant L. David Kirk bestows the award of Marine of the Year, the medallion ribbon slides over the nose of Marine Corps veteran Corporal (E3) Lester M. Osteen, of Lutz. Osteen served in the Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956, during the Korean War. Other awards received by Osteen were: the National Defense award, Good Conduct, Korean Service and the United Nations Ribbon. He was honorably discharged after serving 14 months and 13 days in Korea.
Six Marines who served in the Pacific during World War II and the Korean War were recognized, and received certificates and letters of commendation from Marine Corp Gen. Robert B. Neller. The veterans from left are: Capt. Jack B. Shaffer, of Clearwater; Capt. Walter R. ‘Bob’ Seitz, of Land O’ Lakes; Cpl. (E3) Lester M. Osteen, of Lutz; Cpl. (E3) Harold H. Howard Jr., of Wesley Chapel; Sgt. (E4) Donald L. Clough, of Wesley Chapel; and, Cpl. (E3) Henry ‘Frank’ Tillis, of Temple Terrace.
In making a toast, Marine Forever Detachment No. 1440’s Commandant L. David Kirk yells the traditional, ‘Oorah’ to the attendees of the 243rd Birthday of the United States Marine Corps.
Eighty-seven-year-old Sgt. (E4) Donald L. Clough, of Wesley Chapel — the oldest Marine in the detachment — couldn’t wait to taste the birthday cake, while the youngest Marine in the detachment, 30-year-old Eric Templeton, right, of Tampa, is introduced during the cake-eating tradition.
Commandant L. David Kirk presents a certificate to his wife, Gloria Sue Kirk after being named, the group’s Associate of the Year. The two have been married for 41 years.
Norman McAleney was a guest at the Marines’ 243rd Birthday Party at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant. McAleney, a newcomer to Hudson, is a member of the Glen Cove, New York Dan Daly Globe & Anchor Detachment of the Marines.
After arriving at the Harbor Terrace Restaurant, Harold H. Howard Jr., of Wesley Chapel, left, gets some assistance with his tie from fellow veteran Bill Montgomery, of New Port Richey. Howard served as a corporal in the Korean war, from 1950 to 1952. Montgomery served as a lance corporal in Vietnam. Sonia Pinciotti, of Tampa, offers her assistance.

 

Additional money sought for new library project

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey is pushing Pasco County to increase funding for a new library, which is part of a collaborative project between the county and Pasco County Schools.

The project is to be built in the Starkey Ranch development, located on the ranch formerly owned by Starkey’s family.

The project includes a kindergarten through eighth grade school expected to open in August of 2021, a public library and a community black box theater.

The idea is to share the facilities, allowing the school to use them when it needs them and the public to take advantage of them when the school doesn’t.

The new school will be built next to the new Starkey Ranch District Park, which is off the main entrance into the master-planned Starkey Ranch community, in Odessa.

The first phase of the district park was built through an agreement between the county and Wheelock Street Capital, the developers of Starkey Ranch. The 80-acre park, now open for use, includes a lighted Little League baseball/softball field; three lighted multipurpose fields for soccer, lacrosse and football; a concession stand with restrooms and an additional restroom building; four picnic pavilions surrounding an events lawn; a playground; a maintenance building and a trailhead to the community’s 20-mile trail system.

When the district park is complete, it will have five additional lighted ball fields, lighting and groomed turf for the current practice fields, two additional concession stands with restrooms, and a 1-mile trail around the park.

Commissioner Starkey is advocating for an additional $1 million for the library project to help it to become a cultural center for the community.

“You know that there is a library that is being built that is the first one of its kind, a co-located library with the school district and the county,” she said, during the commissioner comments portion of the County Commission’s Oct. 23 meeting.

“And, I have been working with our staff and the school board’s staff as we go through iterations of the project,” said Starkey, who previously served on the Pasco County School Board.

“I will tell you first, the school district has been fantastic to work with, and they have found a way to add more amenities to the project. They have pulled the library a little closer to the school, and they are putting some of their square footage back into the library, and there are funds over and above the $12 million that we have allotted for it, and it will help us to get an outdoor area that the community can use for outdoor events, which would include alcohol, too, if we wanted, near the theatre.

“But, where we are short is on the Maker Spaces,” Starkey said.

The current plan calls for having one Maker Space and switching equipment in and out for various uses, Starkey said. It makes more sense to have additional Maker Spaces, to provide options to do a variety of activities without having to constantly roll equipment in and out, she explained.

“In talking with the school district, that is in charge of building it, and getting the architect, (Pasco Schools Deputy Superintendent) Ray Gadd thought we needed one more million dollars in order to be able to build three Maker Spaces at what will be the Cultural Center and what I think will be the new model for these kinds of buildings in the county.

“I hope to get one over on the east side, and Ray (Gadd) is already looking at sites where the county and the school district can share again,” she said.

The idea of having multiple Maker Spaces makes it possible for a variety of activities to be going on at the same time, Starkey explained. For instance, in one area, people might be doing pottery, while in another, they could be making jewelry.

Starkey suggested the county earmark $1 million of the $2,881,000 that Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano returned to the county that morning.

“I would love to see you approve that (million-dollar appropriation) to help make this building a premiere building and the beginning of a model that we should replicate throughout the county,” she told her colleagues and County Administrator Dan Biles.

Biles reminded the board “right now the (returned) funds roll into the bottom line and go into the fund balance and our reserves.”

Biles also told the board he’d like to see what happens during the Nov. 6 election before considering Starkey’s proposed budget amendment.

Cathy Pearson, an assistant county administrator, also told board members that she recently took part in a visit to the Carrollwood Cultural Center, in Hillsborough County, to see how that operates.

During that trip, she said, she learned that the theater planned in the Starkey Ranch project was too small.

The theater plan calls for 203 seats, but it needs to be 250, Pearson said.

In addition to the money that Fasano returned to the county, Paula O’ Neil, the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller, told commissioners she would be returning $465,381.24, but she did request the county  consider providing a total of $100,000 to help four different agencies.

Published November 14, 2018

Florida’s 2018 midterms full of surprises

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The 2018 midterm election cycle was the most exciting, expensive and competitive of any in recent memory; 63 percent of the state’s registrants voted—much higher than the 51 percent in 2014. This year’s midterm election was also full of surprises…and it is still not over. Here are the five biggest “shockers” to date.

Susan A. MacManus (File)

No. 1: “It’s not over ’til it’s over.” No one would have been terribly surprised if the margin-of-victory for U.S. Senator or Governor had been around 1 percent. After all, the past four elections have been that way. But no one predicted that these two races, plus the Commissioner of Agriculture and a couple of state legislative races, would be so close (less than 0.5 percent) that recounts are necessary to certify the winners.

No. 2: Another recount controversy puts Florida in the national spotlight — again. No one expected the 2018 recount controversy to reach the fever pitch that had characterized the 2000 presidential election between Republican George W. Bush and Democrat Al Gore when Bush beat Gore in Florida by only 537 votes. That high-profile controversy involved poorly designed ballots (the butterfly ballot in Palm Beach County), punch card ballots (hanging chads) and other counting irregularities. That dispute was ultimately resolved by the U.S. Supreme Court—36 days after Election Day.

But, here we are again with another round of recounts on our hands—another ballot format controversy (Broward County’s placement of the U.S. Senate race under voter instructions) and multiple court cases alleging everything from vote suppression to irregularities involving vote counting, ineligible voters casting ballots, and problems with U.S. Postal Service delivery of mail ballots. There is no way to definitively say how long it will take to resolve these controversies and declare winners.

No. 3: Election Night vote totals are incomplete; they don’t include all votes cast. The 2018 election taught Floridians that Election Night totals may change significantly, as more ballots arrive in county supervisors of elections’ offices. There are: (1) ballots cast by voters choosing to Vote by Mail that arrived on Election Day by the 7 p.m., deadline—but had not yet been opened and checked for the requisite signature on the outside of the envelope and for its match with the voter’s signature on file; (2) provisional ballots cast in person during early voting or at the polls on Election Day whose eligibility status cannot be determined on the spot for a variety of reasons, like not showing up with identification showing a photo and signature; and (3) overseas ballots cast by military, embassy personnel, academics, students, and business people that have an extra 10 days after Election Day to arrive in supervisors’ offices. Larger counties are more likely to have more mail ballots arriving on Election Day, and more provisional and overseas ballots to count, which is why their final vote totals can reverse an Election Night “winner” on occasion.

No. 4: All but one of the 12 proposed amendments passed. Many of the state’s major newspapers urged Floridians to vote “No” on a fair number of the proposed amendments. So, too, did groups that opposed bundling together several proposals into single amendments, and others who thought most of the proposals could better have been handled by the legislature rather than being put into the constitution.

But, Floridians surprised nearly everyone by voting “Yes” on all except Amendment 1. One theory is that most voters did not take time to read the detailed Ballot Summary—or couldn’t make sense of the confusing language—and instead just read the Ballot Title.  Most of the ballot titles alone sounded like good ideas—limits on property tax assessments, voter control of gambling, prohibition of off-shore oil drilling, rights of crime victims, first responder and military member survivor benefits, ending dog racing, and so forth. The amendment that got the most support promised to expand current restrictions on lobbying. The one amendment voters rejected (although narrowly) was titled, Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption. It was fought heavily by local governments who warned voters their local property taxes would have to go up or their services cut to make up for the lost revenue. The Ballot Summary’s language for that amendment was also more confusing than for the other proposed amendments.

No. 5: Across the state, all 19 proposals to allow county governments to raise taxes or sell tax-backed bonds passed. Normally, voters are hesitant to say “Yes” to higher taxes on themselves or to approve county requests to borrow funds for large-scale projects. With so many campaign commercials and mailers, including candidate promises to keep taxes low, many analysts were skeptical that voters would approve very many of the 19 tax and bond proposals on county ballots in 2018.

But, voters approved all 19. Why all these “Yes” votes this year? One explanation is that people are willing to pay more when the economy is strong, unemployment is low and consumer confidence is high. Another is that during periods of high growth, residents want relief from traffic congestion and favor repair and/or expansion of critical infrastructure. Overall, the most requests for more funding were school-related (9 of the 19), followed by infrastructure (4), recreation (3) and transportation (3). Several counties, including Pasco and Hillsborough, asked voters to approve more than one increase. Pasco County requested voter approval to sell four general obligation (tax-backed) bonds to finance two recreational/leisure functions (parks, libraries) and two safety-related infrastructure projects (jails and fire-rescue). In neighboring Hillsborough County, voters said “Yes” to two sales tax increases—one earmarked for schools, another for transportation—even though it made Hillsborough County’s sales tax the highest in the state.

Two Constants
Despite all these surprises, two things stand out about Florida’s 2018 midterm election: Florida remains the most competitive of the 50 states (the “purpliest”) and is by far the most fascinating to watch to the nation at-large. Stay tuned. It’s never over in the Sunshine State until it’s over.

By Dr. Susan A. MacManus

Dr. Susan A. MacManus is a Distinguished University Professor Emerita from the University of South Florida. She is nationally recognized as an expert on Florida politics.

Published November 14, 2018

Voter recounts

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Machine Recount

  • A Machine Recount occurs if the first set of unofficial returns indicates that a candidate was defeated or eliminated by ½ of one percent or less of the total votes cast for an office, or if an issue (such as a constitutional amendment) was approved or rejected by ½ of one percent or less of the total votes cast on the issue.

(Section 102.141(7), Florida Statutes and Rule 1S-2.031, Florida Administrative Code)

  • The Machine Recount means all ballots are re-tabulated, or re-fed through a county’s precinct tabulators and/or central count tabulators.
  • Ballots with overvotes and undervotes in the affected race(s) are subsequently set aside in case a manual recount occurs.
  • Exception to ordering a machine recount: If the candidate(s) defeated or eliminated from contention for the office by ½ of one percent or less request in writing that a machine recount not be conducted.
  • Results: The results from the machine recount constitutes the second set of unofficial returns.
  • Definitions: Overvote: Voter designated more choices than allowable in the recounted race(s) on their ballot. Undervote: Voter made no choice or fewer than number of allowable choices in the recounted race(s) on their ballot.

Manual Recount of Overvotes and Undervotes

  • A Manual Recount occurs if the second set of unofficial returns indicates that a candidate was eliminated or defeated by ¼ of one percent or less of the votes cast for the office, or if an issue was approved or rejected by ¼ of one percent or less of the total votes cast on the issue.

(Section 102.166, Florida Statutes and Rules 1S-2.027 and Rule 1S-2.051, Florida Administrative Code)

  • The Manual Recount is a hand recount of overvotes and undervotes set aside from the machine recount.
  • Exceptions to ordering a manual recount: If the candidate(s) defeated or eliminated from contention for the office by ¼ of one percent or less request in writing that it not be conducted;

OR

If the number of overvotes and undervotes is less than the number of votes needed to change the election outcome.

  • Results: The results from the manual recount will be reflected in the Official Returns due to the state on Nov. 18

Source: Florida Division of Elections

Published November 14, 2018

Voters choose local leaders

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Voters streamed into Precinct 595 at the Lutz Civic Center on Nov. 6 to cast their ballots in 2018 midterms.

They were just as eager to make their voice known at Precinct 6, the Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills.

They came by bicycle, pick-up truck and SUV at Precinct 48 at the Meadow Pointe IV Clubhouse in Wesley Chapel.

This parking lot in Lutz, at the polling precinct at the Lutz Civic Center, shows that voters were eager to cast their ballots during the 2018 midterms. The photo was taken shortly after the polls opened on Nov. 6. Some voters also parked in a lot across from the Lutz Branch Library and strolled over to the civic center to be part of the political process. (B.C. Manion)

And, they took advantage of early voting at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library in Land O’ Lakes.

Whether they were first-time voters, or have voted for decades, these voters made it a point to exercise their right to take part in the political process.

As The Laker/Lutz News went to press this week, the winner was still unknown in the race for the U.S. Senate, which pits Republican challenger Rick Scott, Florida’s current governor, against incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson in the U.S. Senate race.

The outcome also remains unknown between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum in the bid to become Florida’s next governor.

And, there’s uncertainty, as well, regarding who will be Florida’s next Agricultural Commissioner, in a race between Matt Caldwell and Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried.

All three of those races were so close that they required state-mandated recounts.

Still, voters decided plenty of races and issues in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

Pasco County voters selected incumbent Republican Pasco County Commissioners Mike Moore and Mike Wells for additional four-year terms. Moore defeated Democratic challenger Kelly Smith and Wells defeated Democratic challenger Brandi Geoit.

Voters also chose Megan Harding to replace Steve Luikart, who is retiring from the Pasco County School Board. In a nonpartisan race, Harding defeated Tara M. O’ Connor in a runoff.

Harding now joins Cynthia Armstrong and Allen Altman, who won their bids for re-election during the 2018 primary.

Pasco voters also approved four general obligation bond issues, with the bond issue to support a jail expansion passing by the thinnest margin. The three other approved bond issues will support expanded fire/rescue services, upgraded parks and recreation opportunities, and improved libraries.

In Hillsborough County, voters elected four county commissioners. Those winning seats are Republican Ken Hagan who defeated Democrat Angela Birdsong, in District 2; incumbent Republican Stacy White who defeated Democrat Andrew Davis, in District 4; Democrat Mariella Smith who defeated Republican Commissioner Victor Crist, in District 5; and Democrat Kimberly Overman defeated Republican Todd Marks in District 7.

Smith and Overman are newcomers to the board, which for the first time since 2004 has a Democratic majority.

Hillsborough voters also chose two new school board members, in a nonpartisan election.

Steve Cona defeated William Henry Person in District 1. Cona is replacing Susan Valdes.

Karen Perez defeated Henry “Shake” Washington in District 6. Perez is replacing April Griffin.

Incumbent Republican Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister won another term, defeating Democrat Gary Pruitt.

Hillsborough County voters also approved two new taxes, a 1-cent tax for transportation and a ½-cent tax to pay for air conditioning and other projects in Hillsborough County Schools.

At the federal level, incumbent Republican Gus Bilirakis defeated Democrat Chris Hunter to receive another term representing Florida’s 12th congressional district.

Voters also elected a number of state lawmakers representing communities within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

In the State Senate, Incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson defeated Democrat Michael Cottrell for re-election in District 10, while incumbent Republican Tom Lee defeated Democrat Kathy Lewis for re-election to District 20.

Voters also elected numerous state representatives, including incumbent Republican Amber Mariano who defeated Democrat Linda Jack in District 36; Republican Ardian Zika who defeated Democrat Tammy Garcia in District 37; incumbent Republican Danny Burgess who defeated No Party Affiliation David “TK” Hayes in District 38; Democrat Fentrice Driskell who defeated incumbent Republican Shawn Harrison in District 63; and, Republican James Grant who defeated Democrat Jessica Harrington in District 64.

Statewide, voters approved 11 of 12 amendments to Florida’s Constitution, with a proposed amendment to increase the Homestead Property Tax Exemption failing to garner more than 60 percent voter approval. The amendment received 58.07 percent of the vote.

Amendments that passed covered myriad issues, ranging from increased victims’ rights; to prohibiting offshore gas and oil drilling, to restoring voter rights to former felons; to ending dog racing.

Published November 14, 2018

Election 2018 results

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Note: The outcome of two key races is not yet known

A machine recount has been ordered in the race for U.S. Senate, between Republican challenger Rick Scott and incumbent Democrat Bill Nelson.

A machine recount has been ordered in the race for Florida governor, between Republican Ron DeSantis and Democrat Andrew Gillum.

A machine recount has been ordered in the race for Florida Agricultural Commissioner, between Republican Matt Caldwell and Democrat ‘Nikki’ Fried.

These are the outcomes for other key races/ballot issues

Federal
U.S. Rep. District 12: Incumbent Republican Gus Bilirakis defeated Democrat Chris Hunter

State
Attorney General: Republican Ashley Moody defeated Democrat Sean Shaw

Chief Financial Officer: Incumbent Republican Jimmy Petronis defeated Jeremy Ring

State Senate
District 20: Incumbent Republican Tom Lee defeated Democrat Kathy Lewis  

District 10: Incumbent Republican Wilton Simpson defeated Michael Cottrell

State House
District 36: Incumbent Republican Amber Mariano defeated Democrat Linda Jack

District 37: Republican Ardian Zika defeated Democrat Tammy Garcia

District 38: Incumbent Republican Danny Burgess defeated No Party Affiliation David “TK” Hayes

District 63: Democrat Fentrice Driskell defeated incumbent Republican Shawn Harrison

District 64: Incumbent Republican James Grant defeated Jessica Harrington

Constitutional amendments (Requires 60 percent voter approval)
No. 1: Increased Homestead Property Tax Exemption (Failed)

No. 2: Limitations on Property Tax Assessments (Passed)

No. 3: Voter Control of Gambling in Florida (Passed)

No. 4: Voting Restoration Amendment (Passed)

No. 5: Supermajority Vote Required to Impose, Authorize or Raise State Taxes or Fees (Passed)

No. 6: Rights of Crime Victims; Judges (Passed)

No. 7: First Responder and Military Member Survivor Benefits; Public Colleges and Universities

(Passed)

No. 9: Prohibits Offshore Oil and Gas Drilling; Prohibits Vaping in Enclosed Indoor Workplaces (Passed)

No. 10: State and Local Government Structure and Operation (Passed)

No. 11: Property Rights; Removal of Obsolete Provision; Criminal Statutes (Passed)

No. 12: Lobbying and Abuse of Office by Public Officers. (Passed)

No. 13: Ends Dog Racing (Passed)

Key Pasco County results
Pasco County CommissionDistrict 2: Incumbent Republican Mike Moore defeated Kelly Smith

District 4: Incumbent Republican Mike Wells defeated Brandi Geoit

Pasco School Board (Nonpartisan election)
District 5: Megan Harding defeated Tara M. O’ Connor

Pasco County General Obligation Bond issues
Jail expansion (Passed)
Fire service (Passed)
Parks (Passed)
Libraries (Passed)

Key Hillsborough County results
Hillsborough County Commission
District 2: Republican Ken Hagan defeated Democrat Angela Birdsong

District 4: Incumbent Republican Stacy White defeated Democrat Andrew Davis

District 5: Democrat Mariella Smith defeated Republican Victor Crist

District 7: Democrat Kimberly Overman defeated Republican Todd Marks

Hillsborough School Board (Nonpartisan Election)
District 1: Steve Cona defeated William Henry Person

District 6: Karen Perez defeated Henry “Shake” Washington

Hillsborough County Sheriff
Incumbent Republican Chad Chronister defeated Democrat Gary Pruitt

Hillsborough County tax issues
1-cent sales tax for transportation (Passed)

½-cent tax for schools (Passed)

Published November 14, 2018

Voters on both sides of the aisle say they want change

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Voters across Pasco and Hillsborough counties turned out in far greater numbers for the 2018 midterms than they did four years ago.

Websites kept by the local supervisor of elections show that 60.64 of Pasco County’s registered voters turned out, while Hillsborough’s turnout — at 61.48 percent — was even higher. Pasco’s turnout in the 2014 general election was 53.38 percent; Hillsborough’s was 49.3 percent.

We caught up with some voters who cast their ballots early, and other voters who got their “I Voted” stickers s on Election Day, Nov. 6 — to hear what they had to say about this year’s election.

By B.C. Manion

Published November 14, 2018

Photos below by Brian Fernandes

Keenly interested in races for governor, U.S. Senate
Forty-eight-year-old Robert Fabregas went to the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library to take advantage of early voting.

The Pasco County bus driver, who has no political party affiliation, said he was most interested in the races for Florida governor and for the U.S. Senate.

“I voted for (Ron) DeSantis for governor, and I voted for Rick Scott for senator,” said the Wesley Chapel man, who was accompanied by his daughter, Arianah, at the early polling place.

His opinion was mixed on four bond issues facing Pasco voters: He was against expanding libraries and the jail, but supported more fire stations and park improvements.

Voting early, on his day off
Forty-one-year-old Chris Eberhard, of Land O’ Lakes, took advantage of having a day off to cast his ballot for the midterms at the Land O’ Lakes Branch Library, one of numerous early voting places in Pasco County.

The Republican said he was most interested in the governor’s race, and despite his political affiliation, he said he voted for Democrat Andrew Gillum. “I approve of his policies regarding education,” Eberhard said.

 

 

 

Doing what he can to stop Trump
Wesley Chapel resident Col Belimy also took advantage of early voting to cast his ballot in the midterms.

The 57-year-old mortgage writer said he felt compelled to take part in the voting process, so he can “make sure I can eliminate ‘45’ (President Trump) from doing anymore tragedy to this country.”

In the governor’s race, he said he chose Andrew Gillum, noting “I liked his policy and procedures.”

 

 

Early voting is a good way to go
Forty-six-year-old Oscar Pena said he headed to the polls for early voting because he thinks its “quick and efficient” and a good way to avoid Election Day lines.

The Home Depot associate said he was particularly interested in the races for Florida governor and U.S. Senate.

Pena, who has no party affiliation, said he chose Ron DeSantis for governor and Rick Scott for the U.S. Senate.

He also said he favored Pasco County’s bond issues to expand libraries, fire stations and the jail.

 

She supports Republican philosophies
Fifty-five-year-old Stacy Hallman took advantage of early voting to cast her ballot.

The Republican, who works for Tampa Electric Company, said she’s not fond of every GOP candidate, but noted she tends to support their philosophies.

“I’m a person that believes in free enterprise, and low taxes and less government,” Hallman said.

She supported all four of Pasco County’s general obligation bond issues, which will raise money to expand fire/rescue services, improve parks and recreation, upgrade libraries and expand the county’s jail.

 

Photos below by B.C. Manion

Making sure she’s counted
Susan Wilde headed to Precinct 595 in Lutz, early on Election Day, to cast her ballot.

“I wanted to make sure my vote was counted,” said the pediatric nurse. “It’s our right to vote. That’s what brings about change.”

 

 

Wants a more inclusive government
Darrynn Vannasse, a medical assistant, said she was particularly interested in the race for governor.

“It’s going to make an impact. I supported Andrew Gillum. I think he would bring change to our state, which I think we really need, and make inclusiveness for everyone,” she said.

She also was interested in the proposed amendments to the state’s constitution, especially No. 4, which restores voting rights for convicted felons who have served their time.

“I voted yes for it,” she said.

She also supported ballot items calling for additional taxes to support transportation improvements and to pay for air-conditioning and other projects in Hillsborough’s public schools.

“I know everyone is usually against taxing, but it’s got to come from somewhere,” she said.

Wants to set a good example for students
Stacey Roller, a middle school media specialist at Buchanan Middle School, made it a point to cast her ballot on Election Day.

“I had a mail-in vote, but I decided I wanted to come in and vote the day of — so that my students at the school I’m at could see that I voted,” she said, referring to the “I Voted” sticker that voters receive.

She was particularly interested in the races for governor, U.S. Senate and the Hillsborough County School Board.

She had a personal reason to vote in the school board race.

“I supported Henry “Shake” Washington. He was actually my area supervisor when I was at Adams Middle School and Carrollwood Elementary School and teaching in the library there.

“So, I was excited to come out and support him,” she said.

She supported an additional sales tax to pay for air-conditioning and other school projects in Hillsborough’s public schools.

“Our air-conditioning in the media center did not work the first few weeks of school, and we had teachers who were in their classrooms. It was 86 degrees in their classrooms, so they were actually coming to the library to hold their classes in the library because it was so hot in their rooms.”

She thinks people will support the extra money for schools because the district has earmarked how it will be spent.

“They went through and said, ‘Here’s what’s going to happen at every single school,’ ” she said.

Roller also supported an additional tax for transportation improvements.

She previously worked near the University of South Florida and knows firsthand the frustration of being stuck in traffic.

“I would just sit in afternoon traffic around USF and the hospital area. You just knew it was a guaranteed 45 minutes of bumper-to-bumper traffic,” she said.
Voting is important, the school media specialist said.

“Your voice does matter. You can make a difference. No matter who you are voting, whether it’s Republican or Democrat, whatever the case is, you have to actually get out and vote.

“Even if your candidate that you were hoping for doesn’t win, at least you’ll know that you got out and you tried,” she said.

Trying to break the gridlock
Art Frotten, a retired chemical engineer, rode his bicycle to the Meadow Pointe IV Clubhouse in Wesley Chapel to cast his ballot. He said he was there “in hopes of stopping so much of the civil war that’s going on in Washington. It is all-out civil war. The only thing we’re not doing is shooting at each other.”

“I went Republican, even though I think Trump is an ass. He’s got some good ideas, and I’d like to see some of them come about.

“I went straight Republican to give Trump as much support as he can get, so as to swing some strength to one party rather than having such a deadlock in Washington and, also, of course in the state. Anything the state can do to help Washington start to move, the happier I’ll be. We’ve had deadlock for 30 years.”

Frotten also said he supported the four general obligation bond issues on Pasco County’s ballot.

“Pasco keeps expanding and needs money to do the expansion. More people means we all share the taxes more.”

He split his votes on the proposed amendments to Florida’s Constitution.

“I don’t see the felons’ need to be able to vote. I think they did the crime. That’s their problem,” he said. “Oil and gas drilling, I see no reason to disapprove oil and gas drilling,” said the retired chemical engineer.

Would like fewer attack ads
Giancarlo Rodriguez took the day off work, so he could vote. “I wanted to make a difference. We have to try to make things better somehow. This is the way we can actually do it,” he said.

He said he favored Pasco County’s general obligation bond issues.

“We need the infrastructure. Pasco County really doesn’t have as much infrastructure, parks-wise. Our libraries are pretty diminished. The fire department runs pretty thin, as well.

“That’s one of the reasons I came in to vote.”

He said he’d like to hear what politicians would do if they were elected, instead of hearing so many attack ads.

“The problem is, they focus their main ideas on attacking the other person. You don’t get to see what they want to do for the state, itself,” Rodriguez said.

He voted for an increased Homestead Exemption, but not just because it would give him a tax advantage. “If you can lower a little bit of the taxes, we can just pump it right back into the community itself,” said Rodriguez, who grew up in South America, Europe and Asia.

First-time voter
Arcadian Vera’s mom took a photo of him, standing outside Precinct 48, at the Meadow Pointe IV Clubhouse in Wesley Chapel.

Nineteen-year-old Arcadian Vera went to Precinct 48 to take part in his first election.

“I have to. Right now, our government is in a little bit of trouble — well, quite a bit of trouble, actually. I think there has to be a change. I felt that it was my responsibility, as a voter, to make the change.”

Voting is a civic duty
Vietnam veteran Harold Nelson said he makes it a point to take part in the political process.

“It’s very important to vote, being an American,” Nelson said. “I want to vote to put the right people in office.”

He voted a straight Democratic ticket. “I’ve been a Democrat all of my life.”

He also supported Pasco County’s general obligation bond issues, calling them “very important.”

 

 

Wants to help make history happen
Vincent Williams, who works with youths, said he headed to Precinct 6 at the Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills to possibly be part of history.

“I voted for Andrew Gillum,” Williams said, referring to the candidate who had the potential to become Florida’s first black governor. “I understand his upbringing is similar to mine.”

Williams said he also supported Amendment No. 4 to the state’s Constitution, which restores a felon’s voting rights, after the felon has served his or her sentence.

“Once they serve their time, and they pay their debt, it should be clean slate,” Williams said.

Every vote counts
Accounting clerk Misty McClung said she votes on a regular basis.

“It matters,” McClung said. “They need every vote. It may be your one vote that changed the whole election.”

She was particularly interested in the race for Florida governor, casting her vote for Ron DeSantis.

“I’m Republican trying to support Trump. I think the economy is a lot better now, and I’m big on closing the borders,” she said.

She supported three of the four general obligation bond issues that were on the ballot — agreeing to higher taxes for parks, fire protection and libraries. She opposed the tax for the jail expansion.

“I did not vote to improve the jail system. I feel like you’ve committed a crime, why does it need to be so great,” she said.

Not a straight-ticket voter
Melissa Gordon, a full-time housewife and grandmother, said she came to cast her vote at the Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills because she wants “to improve our government.”

She was interested, in particular, in some of the proposed amendments to the state’s Constitution.

She voted to restore a former felon’s right to vote, for instance. “If they’ve served their time, then they all means (they should be allowed to vote),” she said.

She also supported an amendment regarding Victims’ Rights.

She supported Republican Ron DeSantis for governor and Democrat Bill Nelson for the U.S. Senate.

“I’m fed up with Rick Scott,” Gordon said.

It’s important to be heard
Dietary supervisor DeNae Roberts said she believes it’s important to vote, “just to be heard.”

In the governor’s race, she voted for Andrew Gillum.

“He seems to care about the people a lot more, everybody, in general, not any particular race, or any particular gender. He’s very inclusive.”

She also supported Amendment 4: “I think if you did your time, and you’ve learned your lesson and you paid it back to society, why not be able to vote?”

Roberts said she supported three out of four of the county’s general obligation bond issues.

“I did not approve the one for jail, but I did approve everything else — the fire/rescue, the libraries, and parks and recreation.

“Unfortunately, if you’ve done something and you’re in jail, I don’t think our money should be spent on improving it,” Roberts said.

Local 4-H members receive recognition

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Two local members of Pasco County’s 4-H were honored by the Pasco County Commission last month for their achievements in the 4-H organization.

Commissioners passed a resolution on Oct. 9 recognizing Montana Rose Smith and Kata Muellerleile for their statewide leadership positions in 4-H.

Montana Rose Smith and Kata Muellerleile, members of Pasco County’s 4-H, were honored by the Pasco County Commission for being named to statewide leadership positions in the youth organization. They are shown here with members of the Pasco County Commission and Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’ Neil. (Courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

The resolution notes that nine young adults in Pasco County have been elected to statewide leadership positions over the past 20 years.

The resolution singled out Smith, who has been elected the 2018-2019 4-H State Council president by her peers and fellow 4-H members.

It also singled out Muellerleile, who has been elected the 2018-2019 4-H State Council reporter.

In congratulating the young women for the honors, Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley said: “Girls, to say the least, we’re very proud of you. You’re our homegrown leaders that are going to be out there for 4-H. A lot of people, a lot of your peers will be watching you and hoping you do the job they expect you to do, and I’m sure both of you will.”

Muellerleile told commissioners “4-H holds such a special part in our hearts and lives because if it wasn’t for 4-H and Montana, herself, I would not be able to stand in front of you today.”

She added, “4-H is just so special to us and has changed our lives in many, many ways that we never thought could happen.”

Smith added, “4-H has definitely been a huge part of my life and has definitely helped me to develop who I am today. I used to be a shy little 9-year-old who just wanted to show my dairy goats. But, now I want to be on stage, behind the podium, talking and kind of guiding our youth across the state.”

Published November 14, 2018