The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Lending sinkhole victims a hand

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Penny Foote felt the need to help families — after the largest sinkhole in Pasco County history opened July 14 on Ocean Pines Drive in Land O’ Lakes.

“When I saw the two homes go in, my heart hit the floor,” Foote said. “I knew we had to do something and try to pull people together because it could’ve happened to anybody, even me.”

That same day, Foote created the Lake Padgett Families Sinkhole Relief Facebook page.

Debris and water removal of the sinkhole wrapped up on Aug. 13. The next steps for remediating the 260-foot-wide hole will be discussed by the Pasco County Commission at a later date. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Through the group page, which now totals more than 2,200 members, Foote has coordinated the delivery of donations and supplies to displaced sinkhole families, and adjacent properties on Ocean Pines Drive and Canal Place.

Foote, who has partnered with United Way of Pasco and Pasco County Human Services, has met individually with each of the sinkhole victims, to inquire about various essentials — everything from food and clothing, to baby supplies and furniture.

Then, she posted to the Facebook page, soliciting needed items from group members and local businesses.

“Somebody comes and just brings it,” Foote said.  “The community’s just been donating tons and tons of stuff, and the families have been at my house multiple times getting everything they want.”

Besides donations, Foote also rallied numerous volunteers to assist displaced families in moving belongings from their condemned homes.

Including Land O’ Lakes residents, Footed said people from Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Odessa have all offered assistance, in some form or another.

The widespread community support, is “absolutely incredible,” she noted.

“There have been a lot of people pulling for them,” Foote said. “I’ve never seen anything like it in my life.”

Now, Foote, with the help of Tampa-based realtor Danielle Sullivan, has organized an upcoming fundraiser benefiting families affected by the sinkhole.

The Lake Padgett Estates Sinkhole Family Day Fundraiser will be held Aug. 26, from noon to 5 p.m., at the Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes.

Besides numerous food trucks and local vendors, the event will feature a live band, yard sale, raffle and silent auction, and kid-friendly entertainment, such as a bounce house and face painting.

Foote hopes to raise at least $20,000. All of the proceeds will go to sinkhole victims shortly after the event.

It’s not the only sinkhole fundraiser going on this weekend.

The Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce has partnered with Skipper’s Smokehouse for a benefit concert on Aug. 27. The show, beginning at 5 p.m., will feature performances by several local acts, including, Stonegrey, Peace of Woodstock, Solar Exposure, and 4X.

And, other fundraisers have been held the past several weeks, including events hosted by Plantation Palms Golf & Country Club, Beef O’ Brady’s of Sunlake and In The Loop Brewing.

Foote, who runs a child day care business, lives about 1.5 miles from the actual sinkhole site.

She remains heartbroken by the sinkhole victims’ personal stories in the aftermath of the catastrophic event.

“These families are still struggling today, just like they were on Day 1. It’s still very difficult and very hard for them,” Foote said.

One of those affected is 77-year-old Emily Geldbaugh.

The retiree’s home was one of seven that’s been condemned, meeting the criteria for demolition.

The loss of her house, which she has owned for 14 years, was tough to grasp.

“It was shocking, and of course, sort of painful at the same time,” Geldbaugh said. “I felt pretty sad about it.”

Since the condemnation, Geldbaugh has been staying with her son’s family while she searches for an affordable rental home.
She noted the catastrophic event could have been worse.

“I’m just glad everybody got out, because if it happened earlier I don’t think they would’ve,” she said. “(My house) could’ve fallen in, too, who knows? I’m lucky that it’s still standing.”

The efforts of Foote and others have not been lost on Geldbaugh during this difficult time.

She is “totally amazed” by the community outreach received over the past several weeks.

“There’s a lot of wonderful people out there, and a lot of them came to help me move,” Geldbaugh said. “I mean, there’s been donations and a lot of good is going to come from all that.”

She continued: “(Penny’s) a wonderful lady. I know she can’t do it alone, but she’s been real gracious, and she’s really caring about all these people and their problems, and I think that’s wonderful. You don’t have very many people in the world like that.”

Terence Doohen, another sinkhole victim, expressed similar sentiments.

The 44-year-old also is “floored” by Foote’s efforts and the amount of donations others have provided, specifically mentioning nonperishable food, bottled water and toiletries.

“In my mind, it restores the idea that there is humanity left,” Doohen said. “At the end of the day, when something like this happens, and you see good people doing thoughtful things, it really restores your perspective on humanity once again.”

He added: “It’s eye-opening, and it really is heartwarming to know that people care out there.”

Doohen, along with his wife and 10-year-old son, were displaced over two weeks ago, when the Pasco County Building Inspectors Office red-tagged their lake house property — which they had owned for about two years.

The family is currently staying at a neighbor’s home, until they find a suitable rental.

“It kind of stinks in a way because that was our little house on the lake. When we bought it a couple of years ago, we put a lot of money into it — new kitchen, new windows, everything,” Doohen explained.

Doohen said his family — along with others affected by the sinkhole — will never be able to recover the full value of their house and property.

“Once that hole opened up — even if you’re living within five houses and didn’t have the condemnation letter — the value of your property just got slapped in half,” Doohen said. “At the end of the day, everyone (affected) is going to be worse off; that’s the sad part about it.”

A month later, he still recalls witnessing the sinkhole develop as he got ready for work that Friday morning in mid-July.

“It starts out as a 20-by-20 little puddle, and then all of a sudden it just starts opening up like a big reservoir and starts chasing the house next to it, and then the one on the other side of it,” he said.

“My blood pressure started rising when it started eating at the road,” Doohen said.

Upcoming fundraisers:
Lake Padgett Estates Sinkhole Family Day Fundraiser
Where: Harvester United Methodist Church, 2432 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes
When: Aug. 26, noon to 5 p.m.
Cost: Free admission
Details: Food trucks, local vendors, live music, yard sale, raffle and silent auction, kid-friendly activities.
Information: email

Build it Back Sinkhole Relief
Where: Skipper’s Smokehouse, 910 Skipper Road, Tampa
When: Aug. 27, at 5 p.m.
Cost: Admission is $10 in advance, $15 at the door
Details: Benefit concert featuring local bands Stonegrey, Peace of Woodstock, Solar Exposure, and 4X
Information: SkippersSmokehouse.com

Published August 23, 2017

Aviation department takes off at PHSC

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With the addition of its new aviation department, Pasco-Hernando State College is preparing to launch students into an industry flourishing with job opportunities.

The college began offering two associates of science degrees in professional pilot technology and aviation administration for the fall semester, which began Aug. 21 at its East Campus in Dade City.

Shown here is a Federal Aviation Administration-approved Advanced Flight Simulator Laboratory, located on the East Campus of Pasco-Hernando State College. The simulators can be reconfigured to emulate all types of aircraft in any environment or weather condition providing a realistic experience. Pilot flight training also will be based out the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport. (Courtesy of Richard Riley)

The two–year programs are designed for students interested in becoming private and commercial pilots or airport managers. Other possible career opportunities include flight dispatchers, transportation security officers, various Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) occupations, aviation safety and aircraft manufacturing.

The professional pilot technology already has received accreditation approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); the aviation administration is still awaiting approval.

Those aren’t the only new aviation programs in development, however.

Next fall, PHSC expects to offer associate degree programs in both unmanned vehicle systems and aviation maintenance administration, and a bachelor of applied science, with a concentration in aviation.

Plans are in development for an Airframe and Powerplant (A&P) certificate program, as well, to tie into the aviation maintenance administration degree program.

The state college officially introduced the aviation department during a July 27 open house, which drew a crowd of more than 100 students, faculty and community members.

The department, which consists of six faculty members, is overseen by Mark Aragon and Michael Brunnschweiler. More staff will be added once additional programs are approved.

Aragon is a certified fixed wing pilot and FAA certified unmanned pilot, who spent more than 30 years in the United States Air Force, with multiple tours in Afghanistan and Bosnia. He is an instructor, and is the coordinator for the professional pilot technology and unmanned vehicle systems programs.

Brunnschweiler is a licensed commercial pilot, who spent nine years in the United States Marine Corps and six years as adjunct instructor at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. He serves as an instructor, and is the coordinator for the aviation administration and aviation maintenance administration programs.

Aviation students who complete the professional pilot technology program will receive a private pilot license, instrument pilot rating, multi-engine pilot rating and commercial pilot license.

Flight training, in partnership with American Aviation Inc., will be based out of the Brooksville-Tampa Bay Regional Airport.

Pasco-Hernando State College officially introduced the aviation department during a July 27 open house, which drew a crowd of more than 100 students, faculty and community members. The college began offering two associates of science degrees in professional pilot technology and aviation administration for the fall semester, which began Aug. 21 at its East Campus in Dade City.

Students, who receive more than 200 flying hours during the entire degree program, also will train on the FAA-approved Advanced Flight Simulator Laboratory, located at PHSC’s East Campus. The simulators can be reconfigured to emulate all types of aircraft in any environment or weather condition, providing a realistic experience.

Besides flight training, other classroom topics cover meteorology, flight safety and security, flight theory, and aviation regulations, among others.

“Our program is a little bit different than other programs, because it’s designed to emulate the duties as an airline pilot,” Aragon said. “They include wearing the pilot’s uniform, dispatching the aircraft, crew resource management, and even post-flight duties.”

For aviation administration, capstone projects also will incorporate simulation software, with students learning how to run an airline, purchase and maintain aircraft, schedule flight routes, and handle delays and safety concerns.

Each of those scenarios, Brunnschweiler said, provides “an awesome, awesome learning experience for the students.”

The state college’s new offerings come at an ideal time for an airline industry that’s projected to see a massive worker shortage in the next two decades.

A report released last month by Boeing estimates airlines in North America are going to need 117,000 new pilots and more than 200,000 aviation mechanics in the next 20 years, as passenger and cargo airlines worldwide are expected to buy 41,000 new airliners between 2017 and 2036.

Meanwhile, retirements at U.S. airlines will start to rise precipitously starting in 2021 as the current crop of pilots turn 65, the mandated age of retirement. More than 42 percent of active U.S. airline pilots at the biggest carriers will retire over the next 20 years, according to a recent report by Cowen & Company.

Currently, aviation-related jobs create annual earnings of $446 billion to the United States — almost 6 percent of our Gross National Product, the FAA reports.

During the open house, PHSC president Timothy Beard called the aviation department “a game-changer” for the college, its students, and local employers and partners.

“We have a commitment and an investment in providing new career workforce opportunities, and we believe these programs, along with other programs, will continue to take us to the top of the mountain here at PHSC,” Beard said.

“I am quite confident that our aviation programs provide an ideal learning environment, combined with expert instruction, state-of-the-art equipment, and excellent aviation and industry partners,” he said.

The state college’s aviation initiative began in January of 2016.

That year, the Florida Legislature granted PHSC $2.3 million towards STEM programs.

Stan Giannet, vice president of academic affairs at PHSC, said “a good chunk” of that funding went to the aviation department’s technological and personnel costs.

He noted the next step for the aviation department is to cultivate additional community partnerships and develop an internship program.

Published August 23, 2017

School impact fees set to increase beginning in January

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The Pasco County Commission has unanimously adopted higher school impact fees for new residential construction.

The increases will be phased in over three years, beginning Jan. 1, and will be charged against all new residential construction, except for new age 55-plus communities.

Pasco County school district officials have calculated that the higher fees will generate more than $220.4 million over the next 10 years. Those funds will be used to build one new middle school, one high school, one elementary school and one school for kindergarten through eighth grade.

Pasco County’s school impact fees will increase effective Jan. 1, for new residential construction in the county, except for in residential communities for people age 55-plus. The higher fees are intended to help the school district keep pace with increasing enrollments due to the county’s burgeoning growth. (B.C. Manion)

Hugh Townsend, who served as vice chairman of the Pasco County School Infrastructure Funding Committee, was the lone speaker during the public comment portion of the public hearing.

He offered his wholehearted support for the increased fees.

“I think this is a necessary fee in order to supply the necessary schools for all of the new construction,” Townsend said.

Commission Chairman Mike Moore said “what you’re seeing today is everybody coming together.” He later said the obvious result of the higher fees will be more schools to serve the county’s children.

The fees adopted by commissioners represented a compromise between the recommended rate by a consultant hired by the school district and the rate the building community wanted.

The adopted rate was less than what the school board, parents and other stakeholders wanted, but more than homebuilders and apartment developers wanted.

All five commissioners had committed to the proposed ordinance for the higher fees during a July 11 public hearing. The vote was delayed until Aug. 15 to allow some changes to be made to the final document.

David Goldstein, chief assistant county attorney, told commissioners at the July meeting that by the time the rates reach their final amount in 2020, they will represent 92 percent of what the school district’s consultant had recommended.

At the same meeting, Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent for Pasco County Schools, told commissioners: “We didn’t get everything we wanted, nor did the builders.”

There were other stakeholders who didn’t get everything they wanted, either.

Representatives of the multifamily industry, for instance, failed to persuade commissioners to reduce the proposed fee increases for multifamily dwellings.

Parents also were unable to convince commissioners to adopt the full fees that the school district’s consultant had recommended, and to make them effective this year.

In interviews after the commission’s vote, Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin and school board vice chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong voiced support for the county commission’s action to raise the fees.

“I’m very excited to move forward with our projects, and I’m very proud of the way everybody worked together,” Beaudoin said.

Armstrong added, “It’s wonderful that all of the partners of the community could come together on this issue because it’s so vital for us to prepare and build the schools that we need for the growth that’s coming to Pasco County.”

Current Rate:
Single-family detached: $4,828
Single-family attached: $1,740
Multifamily: $1,855
Mobile home: $2,843

New rates
Effective Jan. 1, 2018
Single-family detached: $7,128
Single-family attached: $2,869
Multifamily: $4,182
Mobile home: $4,377

Effective Jan. 1, 2019
Single-family detached: $7,728
Single-family attached: $3,111
Multifamily: $4,533
Mobile home: $4,746

Effective Jan. 1, 2020
Single-family detached: $8,328
Single-family attached: $3,353
Multifamily: $4,884
Mobile home: $5,114

Consultant’s recommended rate
Single-family detached: $9,028
Single-family attached: $3,634
Multifamily: $5,295
Mobile home: $5,544

Published August 23, 2017

Land O’ Lakes’ Heritage Stage makes its debut

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It was an occasion to mark the completion of Heritage Stage in Land O’ Lakes, and it had all of the trappings of a traditional small-town celebration.

The American Legion Post 79 presented the colors.

Sanders Elementary students led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance.

The Sunlake High School Seahawks band played a few numbers.

Elected officials, business owners and volunteers stepped up to cut the ribbon at Heritage Stage in Land O’ Lakes. (B.C. Manion)

And, public officials and staff members were there from Pasco County, Pasco County Schools, the Clerk and Comptroller’s Office, and the San Antonio City Council.

Others attending the Aug. 17 event included members of The Heritage Park Foundation, the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce, the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, the Land O’ Lakes AARP and other organizations.

The ceremony, held at the park at 5401 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., honored efforts that began more than two decades ago by the Heritage Park Foundation, seeking to create a community gathering space in Land O’ Lakes.

The outdoor stage project finally reached fruition through an agreement between Pasco County and Pasco County Schools, funding from the Florida Legislature, and contributions from local contractors, local businesses, various organizations and other community partners.

As Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning put it: “This band shell is certainly the result of a community coming together.

“This theater is a place for families, the community to come together,” he said.

From left, Pasco County School Board Chairman Allen Altman, School Board Vice Chairwoman Cynthia Armstrong, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Assistant County Administrator Cathy Pearson, Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Pasco Schools Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd and Pasco County School Board member Colleen Beaudoin stand near the plaque that names public officials holding office at the time of the Heritage Stage dedication. (B.C. Manion)

“We look forward to having our schools, and the community, use this facility to highlight the great talents of the kids, the families, the community members,” Browning said.

Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, who served as master of ceremonies at the celebration, described the stage’s physical attributes.

It measures slightly more than 1,000 square feet and spans 31-by-31 feet. It also has a green room, extra storage, power and lights, he said.

There’s also a sidewalk and power outlets, “so, as events happen here, there will be an opportunity for vendors to line up around here and gather around the stage area,” Moore added.

He foresees it being a busy place.

“It’s going to host cultural events, events such as school band assemblies, concerts, plays, cookouts, pageants and various other presentations throughout the years,” Moore said.

“This is a special day,” Moore said. “As a county, we’re proud of this. I know that people from the Heritage Park Foundation are proud of what we’re seeing here today,” Moore said.

Browning credited Ray Gadd, deputy superintendent of schools, for guiding the project to completion.

“Ray has the uncanny ability of contacting contractors, skilled tradesmen, different individuals and getting them to do a lot of things, if not for free, on the cheap.

Several members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club were at the Aug. 17 ceremony to celebrate the completion of Heritage Stage. The club has donated three benches, which will be placed in the area that’s near the stage. (Diane Kortus)

“Ray was able to leverage the dollars that we were able to get for this project and really make it work,” Browning said, noting that many contractors donated their labor.

Gadd credited Humberto Gonzalez, senior project manager, and John Petrashek, director of construction services, for playing pivotal roles.

“They are really the guys that need credit for helping this project come to fruition, and we owe them a debt of gratitude for this building here today,” Gadd said.

Gadd also noted: “We actually put out a bid on the street, and we said we need somebody to manage this project, and we need them to do it for free.”

Walbridge stepped up.

“When we started this project, the estimate was it would cost us $485,000, and we brought this project in for $250,000,” Gadd said.

Local contractors and friends of the community made that happen, Gadd said.

The final speaker at the celebration was Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation. She’s been pushing for the stage — to anyone who would listen — for years.

“Heritage Park began almost 20 years ago with a mission to revive this park and make it truly a community center,” Graves said, noting the community created the original community center in 1962.

“I grew up with a father who loved this community. He also loved musicals. He had all of the musical albums,” said Graves, a Land O’ Lakes native.

She then injected a note of joy to the occasion, singing excerpts from “Oklahoma,” (‘Oh, what a beautiful morning, Oh, what a beautiful day, I’ve got a beautiful feeling, everything’s coming my way.’).

And, “The Sound of Music,” (‘Climb every mountain, ford every stream, follow every rainbow til you find your dream).

And finally, “My Fair Lady.” (I could have danced all night, I could have danced all night and still have begged for more. I could have spread my wings and done a thousand things I’ve never done before …)

Like the other speakers, Graves expressed gratitude to a lengthy list of people for helping to make the dream of a community stage come true.

She added: “We have a few finishing touches, such as historical markers that Dr. Susan MacManus is helping us with that tell our community story, and three benches that will be placed that were donated by the (GFWC) Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.”

But, she said, the stage is ready for action, and an act has been booked for December.

The Florida Orchestra will be bringing its brass section for a Pops in the Park holiday performance in December.

Published August 23, 2017

Seeking ways to link local and state trails

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A study that will guide decisions on how to build and connect multipurpose trails in the Dade City area with the Withlacoochee State Trail is narrowing down the options.

But, at the mid-point in the Withlacoochee Trail Connector Study, consultants are still gathering public input before singling out a recommended trail path.

On Aug. 10, about 20 residents met with Pasco County officials and AECOM consultants to study maps and swap ideas on how to link Hardy Trail in Dade City with the Withlacoochee State Trail, off U.S. 301.

About 20 area residents attended an open house to learn of plans to link Hardy Trail in Dade City with the Withlacoochee State Trail. (Kathy Steele)

“We want to know what the community thinks,” said Paul Kurtz of AECOM. “This is going to be your trail.”

The public meeting at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City was the second in a series of proposed meetings. The next meeting is scheduled for October, with a date to be determined.

The study’s conclusion, and a trail recommendation to the Pasco County Commission, is expected in December.

The maps on display outlined three trail options, but Kurtz said, “Don’t get hung up on three (trails). You can make your own. They can be combined in any way.”

The final recommended trail route, he added, likely would be some combination of the three current options under review.

More than 5 miles of trail will be constructed. One segment will link the northern end of an existing trail on U.S. 301 to the southern end of the existing Hardy Trail in Dade City. An extension of Hardy Trail will connect with the southern end of the Withlacoochee State Trail at the Owensboro Junction Trailhead.

One proposed route would follow along U.S. 301 and utilize an extension of Morningside Drive, not yet built. Other suggestions pull in combinations of Lock Street, 14th Street, Frazee Road, Powerline Road, Beth Street, Long Avenue, Corbett Road, Old Trilby Road, Christian Road, and a swath of land at one time proposed for a wastewater treatment facility.

Area residents have proposed an equestrian park there instead of the treatment plant.

Some segments of the trail will be multipurpose, allowing for pedestrians and bicyclists. But, other segments, particularly those navigating through Dade City, might not have enough land to accommodate every trail use.

Sharrow symbols to mark roadways shared by bicyclists and motorists could be used instead of dedicated trail lanes.

However, traffic volume along busy corridors, such as U.S. 301, might require dedicated trail lanes. “Wouldn’t it be nice to stay off there (U.S. 301) because there are so many cars there?” Kurtz said.

Resident Judy Geiger asked that equestrians be included when considering trail designs and paths. She noted that the Withlacoochee State Trail is equestrian-friendly. It makes sense to consider horseback riding, if new trail segments would connect to the state park’s trail, Geiger said.

“We’re in a very rural area,” she said. “There are a lot of equestrians in east Pasco.”

Thought also should be given to trail markers that could highlight the area’s history, said Nancy Stuparich, who is an avid cyclist.

She said bikers are always looking for information or things to do in the areas where they ride.

“This could be an opportunity to discover some hidden historical jewels,” Stuparich said.

Published August 23, 2017

A good week to be a newspaper publisher

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Some weeks being the publisher of a weekly newspaper is more fun than others. And, the past week was one of them.

Let’s begin with the recognition we received at the annual meeting of the Florida Press Association. Led by editor B.C. Manion, our news department received 10 statewide awards for outstanding photography, news stories and feature writing.

These awards convey the quality of work my staff does reporting about issues, new developments and people in our community.

Awards also give our readers outside validation that our stories meet high standards, as compared to our industry peers.

Because we print a lot of papers every week — nearly 45,000 —  our entries compete in the largest circulation category of this competition. This means we are up against entries from large, corporate-owned newspapers with budgets and staffs that are much bigger than ours.

Here at The Laker/Lutz News, we have just four journalists, editor B.C. Manion, staff writers Kathy Steele and Kevin Weiss, and news assistant Mary Rathman. Working alongside our staff are freelance photographers Richard Riley and Fred Bellet, who are regular contributors to our papers.

It is significant that our small newsroom receives journalism awards every year, because it shows we consistently do good work. This year we had an especially strong showing, making us one of the best newspapers in the state. My staff is thrilled, and I couldn’t be prouder.

After the Florida Press awards, I thought things couldn’t get much better. But, they did.

At last week’s dedication of Heritage Stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, The Laker/Lutz News was honored again by having our name engraved in the building’s dedication plaque.

Our part in this community project was small, especially when compared to that of the Heritage Park Foundation and its leader, Sandy Graves.

Throughout the years, The Laker/Lutz News has written many stories about the Foundation’s efforts to raise money for the stage. And, we’ve regularly reported on the group’s diligence to influence public officials to provide the money, property and construction oversight to build the stage.

Today’s story on the front of our B Section reflects on the 20 years it took for this stage to become a reality. The Laker/Lutz News has kept the community aware of the Foundation’s fundraising activities, and its ultimate success.

We were just one of many business owners and community leaders whose names are memorialized on the Heritage Stage dedication plaque. Many of us attending the ribbon cutting had an emotional high as we listened to the amazing sound of the Sunlake High School Band, and were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by students from Sanders Elementary. The stage’s acoustics were superb, and it’s exciting to finally have a place in Land O’ Lakes for people to gather for community events and concerts.

I believe there is a connection between these two recognitions. Both occurred because we want our newspaper to be a valuable resource in our community, documenting the happenings of Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

It is gratifying to receive accolades from our peers in journalism and from the communities we serve, but we recognize that the real prize comes from the satisfaction we derive from delivering stories and photographs that are important to you and your neighbors.

Published August 23, 2017

Mail call touches veterans on ‘mission’ flight

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Everyone likes to get mail. Especially when it includes a sincere thank you, a special drawing or personal thoughts.

Mary Rathman, of Land O’ Lakes, and a group of friends wrote almost 100 thank-you cards to veterans for an upcoming ‘mission’ through Honor Flight West Central Florida.

Honor Flight West Central Florida provides all-expense paid flights for war-era veterans in the Tampa Bay area to visit their memorials in Washington D.C.

These “missions” include about 80 World War II, Korean and Vietnam war veterans each time they fly.

During the flight’s return to the Tampa Bay area, every veteran on board receives a mail call — an envelope filled with cards, notes, drawings and more — from family and friends, as well as groups such as Soldiers’ Angels. The mail is meant to show appreciation for those who have served in honor of our country.

There are many ways to volunteer for the Honor Flight, including helping with preflight orientation, participating in the send-off and Welcome Home celebrations, helping to identify possible funding resources, becoming an Honor Flight Ambassador, spreading the word and encouraging war-era veterans to apply, and writing letters for mail call.

For information regarding the Honor Flight, visit HonorFlightWCF.org, or email .

To volunteer, contact (727) 498-6079 or .

Anyone interested in writing thank-you cards or letters, or sending in drawings from kids, can mail them to Honor Flight West Central Florida, P.O. Box 55661, St. Petersburg, FL 33732. Each piece of mail should be addressed to “An Honored Veteran.” The “missions” appreciate any help so that each veteran isn’t forgotten.

Published August 23, 2017

Transportation summit takes big picture view

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The daily grind of transportation snarls, and the glacial flow of vehicles at rush hours never seems to have any quick fixes.

But, a transportation summit at Pasco-Hernando State College will give residents a chance to get a big picture view of projects – current and future – that could ease the traffic burdens.

The summit will bring federal, state and local officials together to discuss what’s already happening, what’s in the pipeline, and what’s on someone’s drawing board.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, and The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce will host the event.

“There’s a lot of information out there from what is happening to what will happen in the future,” said Moore.

But, instead of people “pulling bits and pieces” from different sources, Moore said the summit will provide a single platform to tie everything together.

Much of the focus will be on transportation issues in East Pasco and Central Pasco. However, Moore added, “We’re bringing as much information as we can in one night, that will answer a lot of questions and explain how things are going.”

Dwight Gwynn, the secretary for District 7 of the Florida Department of Transportation, will be on hand to address the state’s transportation projects.

Bilirakis in particular can offer insights into potential federal funding for transportation.

“I want to really hear from the audience with regard to projects at the federal level,” Bilirakis said. “I want to advocate on their behalf.”

Residents can ask questions, but Bilirakis also said, “I want people to be informed.”

Some issues that will be addressed are the recent traffic delays due to errant crossing arms at CSX rail lines at State Road 54, the Ridge Road extension, the diverging diamond at Interstate 75 and State Road 56, and a bill that Bilirakis supports on self-driving vehicles.

He has proposed an amendment to bolster efforts to accommodate seniors and disabled individuals in the design of these vehicles.

Bilirakis anticipates Congress will begin work in committee on an infrastructure bill by the end of the year. He expects this bill to have bipartisan support.

“There’s got to be some certainty with this, and long-term stable funding from the federal level,” Bilirakis said. “It’s something we can agree on.”

The Wesley Chapel area is among the fastest growing in the country, which is putting pressure on infrastructure, he added.

“It really is the No. 1 issue in this area,” Bilirakis said. “I want to address it.”

What: Transportation summit
When: Aug. 21 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Where: Pasco-Hernando State College, Porter Campus, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., Wesley Chapel
Cost: Free
Details: Hosted by U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore and The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce

Published August 16, 2017

The Laker/Lutz News wins 10 Florida Press Association awards

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The Laker/Lutz News received 10 awards during the 2017 Florida Media Conference on Aug. 11 at The Ritz-Carlton Naples.

The newspaper garnered three first-place, six second-place and one third-place prize in the Florida Press Association’s Better Weekly Newspaper Contest.

This image of 91-year-old Pat Caldwell competing in a billiards tournament at the Lutz Senior Citizen was one in a series of photographs that yielded top honors from the Florida Press Association for photographer Fred Bellet. Bellet is a regular contributor to The Laker/Lutz News. (Fred Bellet)

The contest drew 1,154 entries from 56 newspapers. Winners were selected by judges in Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York. Work receiving recognition was completed in 2016.

Fred Bellet, a regular contributor to the newspaper, received first place for a Photo Series in One Issue for “Cueing up for a good time,” a full page section front photo essay on a pool tournament at the Lutz Senior Center.

The judge noted that every photo showed expressions of emotion.

“Good photos deserve big play, and the deep page-width shot of the 91-year-old eventual tourney winner bending over to line up his shot qualified for that play. Laughs to grimaces to concentration displayed in the six photos told the story.”

Richard Riley, another regular contributor to the newspaper, received top honors for his Feature Photo entry, “Sister Helen Lange turns 103.”

“Moment captured. Emotion. Action. The picture is worth at least 10,000 words,” the judge wrote.

This prize-winning photo by Richard Riley shows paramedic John Ward helping Sister Helen Lange blow out the candles during her 103rd birthday celebration at Heritage Park in Dade City. (Richard Riley)

A column by Tom Jackson, a former contributor to the newspaper, received top honors in the Serious Column category.

The judge extolled the quality of Jackson’s entry, “Appreciating Joe Hancock’s Legacy.”

“Community columnist Tom Jackson is a master craftsman of the language and the ability to create impactful images,” the judge wrote. “His tribute to a local man killed when his bicycle was struck by a car begins at the burial ceremony at a cemetery, works backwards to show what kind of man the victim was, and concludes with this idea of a tribute to him: ‘And, near the spot of the crash, a suitable plaque, affixed to a German Focus (bicycle). So, we remember, always, and drive, or cycle, accordingly.’”

Staff writer Kevin Weiss received second place in the Sports Feature Story category for his entry, “Player returns to soccer, after 17 broken bones.” The story chronicled the impressive battle of Carrollwood Day School soccer player Spencer Peek’s to get back on the field after undergoing four surgeries and extensive rehabilitation following a serious car accident.

The judge summed up the entry this way: “Great story of overcoming the odds.”

B.C. Manion, the newspaper’s editor, received five second-place awards.

She was honored in the Community History category for her entry, “Telling Wesley Chapel’s Story.”

Photographs such as this one, of a car parked at the end of a cypress log in the 1930s, help tell the story of Wesley Chapel’s history. The car illustrates the enormity of the trees that were felled in the area. Large timber companies or trusts acquired vast tracts of land that were depleted of lumber. Many deserted the claims, once the limber was harvested and the properties were sold for tax deeds. (Courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)

The judge wrote: “The black and white pulled me in. The words kept me reading. Good use of photos.”

She also was honored in the Faith and Family Reporting category for her entry, “Finding Hope in the Heart of Darkness,” for a story about Immaculee Ilibagiza, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Ilibagiza detailed her ordeal and the power of faith during two talks at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz.

The judge remarked: “The details of this subject’s gripping story made for a compelling read.”

Manion’s other winning entries were for Education Reporting, “Guiding Pasco Schools is a Big Job;” Local Government Reporting, “Tampa Bay Express Aims to Address Region’s Congestion;” and Feature Story Profile, “Sister Helen’s Secrets to a Good Life: Work Hard, Love People.”

Staff writer Kathy Steele received third-place in the Business Reporting category for her entry, “Residential Building Momentum in Pasco.”

The judge described the entry this way: “Detailed story about a housing boom in Pasco County, with the additional touch of featuring one family who moved from Michigan for sunshine and a small-town feel. And one set of their parents will soon make the move as well. There were 116 homes being built in the subdivision in 2016. Bigger picture reporting showed 1,900 permits to contractors by mid-2016, matching all of 2015. Story contrasts current boom with 2005’s 7,252 permits and 2011’s 884. Story also notes that starter homes are in short supply, so apartments are taking over the market. Good information for those considering if and where to relocate and for those living there to assess the boom and what it might mean to them.”

The Laker and Lutz News are free community weekly newspapers delivered every Wednesday to homes and businesses in the suburban north Tampa communities of Lutz, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City and San Antonio.

The newspapers are independently owned by Publisher Diane Kortus, a resident of Land O’ Lakes. The Laker has been published in Pasco County since 1981. The Lutz News has been published in Hillsborough County since 1964.

Published August 16, 2017

Local man receives French Legion of Honor medal

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There were times during World War II when Francis Xavier O’ Connell wasn’t sure he’d live to see another sunrise.

To this day, the 93-year-old feels certain it was his mother’s prayers that kept him alive during dangerous times on the battlefield and through his captivity as a prisoner of war.

He still has the rosary beads she gave him, and some of the letters she wrote to him during the war.

Francis Xavier O’ Connell had just graduated from high school when he enlisted in the U.S. Army to fight in World War II. He was recently honored by the French government for his contributions during the war. (B.C. Manion)

Recently, he was inducted into the French Foreign Legion of Honor by the French government for his contributions during World War II.

The distinction is France’s way to express gratitude to American veterans who fought alongside France during the Second World War.

French Brig. Gen. Thierry Ducret presented the award to O’ Connell during a July 14 ceremony in St. Petersburg, said Carolyn Matthews, O’ Connell’s niece.

Ducret, France’s representative to MacDill Air Force Base’s Central Command International Coalition, was just one of several high-ranking military officers at the event, she said.

O’ Connell graduated from Brown University after his stint in the U.S. Army, and then rejoined in 1949, going on to have a lengthy military career.

The Lutz man was astounded when he heard the French government wanted to honor him.

Like so many others during World War II, O’ Connell joined the Army in 1943, right after graduating from high school in Cranston, Rhode Island.

It was the thing to do, said O’ Connell, the youngest in a family of six boys — four of whom served in the Army.

After enlisting, O’ Connell trained at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, and then was shipped to Casablanca where he joined Company F in the 179th Infantry, the 45th Division.

From there, his division went by ship to Sicily to be part of an amphibious assault landing.

O’ Connell worked as a forward observer — scouting out enemy locations and reporting the targets he found.

After Sicily, the 45th Infantry moved into Salerno for another assault. His unit then was pulled offline briefly before heading to Anzio for another amphibious assault landing.

The Battle of Anzio was a bitter campaign — with fighting nearly all of the way to Rome.

Francis Xavier O’ Connell holds a medal he received as an expression of gratitude from the French government during a July 14 ceremony in St. Petersburg.

After a brief rest period, the unit was shipped to Southern France, where it went ashore at St. Tropez and fought its way inland to Meximieux.

In the heat of the battle, his unit relieved another forward observer group and got too far ahead of the battalion. They were captured.

Despite being a prisoner of war, O’ Connell considers himself fortunate. “Two-thirds of the regimen were killed,” he said, noting there are 1,800 in a regimen.

After he was captured, he and the other prisoners were moved in boxcars from Frankfurt Germany, over to Munich. And, while that was happening, he said, “our own (American) aircraft would bomb and strafe everywhere the Germans moved.”

They were taken to a prisoner of war camp in a town called Moosburg, about 40 some-odd miles north of Munich, he said.

In the morning, he and other prisoners would be trucked to Munich to fill in bomb craters in the railroads, he said.

The Germans would make sure the American prisoners saw the civilian casualties of war.

“They had their bodies lined up on either side of the street. Then they would march us through the streets to see them,” O’ Connell said.

He said he caught a lucky break when he and group of men were chosen to go to a work camp at Vilshofen, a small town in northern Germany, near the port town of Passau.

“We worked in a forest, cutting down trees,” O’ Connell said.

The prisoners slept on straw-lined mattresses in a barn, and there wasn’t much to eat.

“We ate boiled cabbage and potato dumplings. It was just two meals a day,” he said.

He was at the work camp for several months before the Germans forced the prisoners to begin marching toward Austria.

“They knew the Americans were coming,” O’ Connell said. “They were trying to clear us out of there and bring us somewhere else.”

They were liberated during that forced march.

“We were freed by the 16th armored division,” O’Connell said. “They were coming through southwest Germany.”

After being freed, O’ Connell and the other soldiers walked to Bremerhaven where they were processed at a tent city before catching a ship back to the United States.

At the time, O’ Connell weighed 80 pounds.

He was sent to a country club that had been converted to a medical facility, to recuperate. It was three months before the Army would allow his family to see him.

Reuniting with his mother is a moment that O’ Connell will never forget.

“You won’t believe how happy it was,” he said. “She almost fell over, when I put my arms around her.”

A plaque with this quotation hangs in Francis Xavier O’ Connell’s apartment in Lutz:
45th Infantry Division
“Whatever destiny may hold for our great country,
however long that great country’s military history may continue,
readers of the future will search long before finding a chapter
more brilliant than that written by the quill that was dipped in the blood of the Thunderbirds.”

Brig. Gen. H.J.D. Meyer, Dec. 7, 1945

Published August 16, 2017