Local News

Changing the conversation on substance abuse

November 11, 2015 By B.C. Manion

There’s a powerful tool that could help reduce substance abuse, but it’s rarely considered, according to Monica Rousseau, coordinator for the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention.

“In order to reduce substance abuse, we must change the way we think about it,” Rousseau said, during a presentation on substance abuse prevention at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

While addiction is viewed as a choice, other medical problems that could be the viewed the same way, generally aren’t, Rousseau said.

Sonia Thorn, an associate dean at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, said a series of seminars this fall is on prevention, including such topics as suicide and substance abuse. In the spring, the series will focus on preventing chronic diseases. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Sonia Thorn, an associate dean at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, said a series of seminars this fall is on prevention, including such topics as suicide and substance abuse. In the spring, the series will focus on preventing chronic diseases.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

“We think about them extremely differently. We think of addiction as something demonic, as a moral hazard. And we think of other things, as ‘That person needs medical care.’ ”

In reality, people with addictions and other medical conditions often require a lifestyle change, may need some type of medication, should consult with their doctor and need social support to help them change their behavior, she said.

Not only do people think of the issues differently, but funding for help is different, too, she said.

While an attitude shift may be one of the best ways to help reduce substance abuse, there are other ways to tackle the issue, Rousseau said.

For instance, her organization helped implement a local ordinance to reduce access to synthetic marijuana.

“How many of you remember Spice? How many of you knew people who were impacted by Spice?

“When Spice came out, I was in college. I was 20. Spice was a really, really big deal. I had a lot of friends who had a lot of complications from Spice.

She had friends who wound up in the hospital and flunked out of school.

“I have one friend, at the moment, who has been in a severe depression for a few years and has tried to commit suicide a few times,” she said.

Pasco County did such a great job with its ordinance that it became the standard for the state and was referenced in national documentaries, she said.

“The way we did this is by changing the ability of people to market it. The composition of Spice can change every year, so if you just banned the components of it, the drug manufacturers would change one component of it. In Pasco County, we restricted the way it was able to be marketed and the packaging.”

Her organization also has also been involved in efforts to reduce driving under the influence.

Statistics show that drunk driving arrests are down, she said.

“Immediately you want to say, ‘Yes. This is great. This is awesome.’ However, we also know that our budget for our drug enforcement patrolling has gone down,” Rousseau said.

Monica Rousseau, program coordinator for the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention, said one way to reduce substance abuse is to change our attitudes about it.

When drivers are cited for DUI, they are given a survey, which asks drivers where they were when they had their last drink and if anyone encouraged them not to drive.

It turns out there are 10 restaurants in Pasco County where most drivers report having their last drink before their DUI, Rousseau said.

Her organization has targeted those restaurants with public awareness campaigns, to help reduce the problem.

Rousseau’s talk was part of a series of speakers arranged by PHSC’s Porter Campus, in an effort to support its academic programs and provide community outreach, said Sonia Thorn, associate dean at the Porter campus.

“I think it’s two-fold. Sometimes, people need information, and a lot of these agencies need assistance,” Thorn said.

“For this fall semester, we’re focusing on prevention,” she said. “We did domestic violence last month. We had 150 people.

“In September, we did suicide prevention.

“In the spring, we’ll be working on chronic disease prevention. We’ll be having seminars on that from February to April.”

“In April, even though we’re doing a chronic disease series for the spring time, we’re going to work with Sunrise of Pasco and also do a sexual awareness assault month in April.”

Substance abuse awareness event
What: Learn how to recognize addictive behavior and address risk factors that may lead to substance abuse.
Who: All are welcome
How much: Admission is free.
When: Nov. 18 at 4 p.m.
Where: Pasco-Hernando State College, at its Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch, 2727 Mansfield Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Published November 11, 2015

A walk through history at Lutz Cemetery

November 11, 2015 By Kathy Steele

The first resident of the Lutz Cemetery is a man known only as Mr. Nims. His grave marker is gone and the burial plot nearly obliterated.

Local historians think he was buried there in 1914, and almost nothing is known of his personal history.

That is not the situation, however, for most of the people resting in peace at this hallowed ground, off U.S. 41 at Fifth Avenue.

Instead, their headstones and grave markers are a narrative of the history of Lutz from past to present.

The cemetery is more than 100 years old.

The Lutz Cemetery Association Inc., maintains the Lutz Cemetery. Vernon Wynn is the president of the association; Mary Lewis is vice president and also director of operations for the cemetery. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — The Lutz Cemetery Association Inc., maintains the Lutz Cemetery. Vernon Wynn is the president of the association; Mary Lewis is vice president and also director of operations for the cemetery.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

The original cemetery plot was 230 feet by 80 feet, in what today is the western portion of the cemetery, according to “Citrus, Sawmills, Critters, Crackers,” a history of Lutz by Elizabeth Riegler MacManus and her daughter, Susan MacManus.

Today, the site measures nearly 8 acres.

Early settlers who are buried include Fred Polen, a teacher at Myrtle School, and later a mail carrier; and Herbert Vernon, owner of Vernon & Land Co. Three generations of the Goheens can be found there, too.

Ira Goheen and his father, Alfred, made Mr. Nims’ coffin, according to the MacManus’ book.

Modern day community activists also are at the Lutz Cemetery including Oscar Cooler, a champion of Lutz youth sports. The Oscar Cooler Sports Complex is named for him. And Carolyn Meeker, former president of the Lutz Civic Association, is another activist buried there.

“This is a community cemetery,” said Mary Lewis, vice president of the Lutz Cemetery Association Inc., and the cemetery’s director of operations.

The cemetery is a legacy donated to Lutz residents by C. E. Thomas, president of the North Tampa Land Company. A group of Chicago investors bought about 32,000 acres, north of the city of Tampa. They called their proposed settlement “North Tampa.”

The company targeted its advertising to would-be farmers and settlers in the North and Midwest, especially in Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.

The first permanent settler was Mike Riegler, a 30-year-old German immigrant who later donated land for the Myrtle-Denham School.

A few years into the land sales, Thomas made an offer that anyone who bought 10 acres could have a free lot in town or a burial plot in the cemetery.

New signs display the rules of the Lutz Cemetery.

Residents cared for the cemetery in the days when activities, such as “barn raising” ceremonies, still thrived and brought families together for a common effort.

For many years, Lutz’ residents gathered once or twice a year to tend to the cemetery. According to the MacManus’ book, men would come with hoes and rakes; women would pack a picnic lunch.

Just when that practice ended isn’t clear but the Lutz Cemetery Association came together in the mid-1950s, said Vernon Wynn, the association’s current president.

“It goes waaaay back,” Wynn said.

But, the association has had a low profile within the community, he said.

Today, the association is taking a more activist role in bringing attention to the cemetery. Board members recently installed a Lutz Cemetery sign near the front of the cemetery facing U.S. 41. For years, motorists could zip past and not realize the cemetery was there.

“It’s really visible now, where before it wasn’t,” Wynn said.

Wynn can point in almost any direction at the cemetery and find a family member. He traces his roots to Lutz pioneers who were among the earliest to buy land and settle down.

He remembers a garage, close by the cemetery, owned by Bill and Mary Starkey.

“Everyone gathered there. It was the only automotive type garage out here,” Wynn said. “It was kind of like a meeting place.”

Today, a few shade trees and a brick utility building on cemetery property might catch someone’s eye, said Lewis, who more than 27 years ago began working with the association.

She takes care of the cemetery’s operations from cutting grass to selling burial plots.

To most people passing by, she said, “It’s just a piece of property with a little building on it.”

The sign isn’t the only new addition to the cemetery.

Decades ago, a metal archway covered the entrance into the cemetery. It long ago was taken down. But, a replica of the archway now stands in front of the small brick utility building.

For the first time, the association had a display table at this year’s traditional Lutz Fourth of July parade.

Association members handed out brochures and collected about $1,200 in donations.

The money is essential to maintaining and preserving the cemetery, Wynn said.

The contributions are needed, said Lewis, a Lutz transplant from Long Island, New York. “People think it survives on its own.”

A few months ago, several pine trees had to be removed at a cost of about $3,000. A new roof had to be put on the utility building.

“We just can’t continue taking care of this, unless donations are made to the association,” Wynn said.

More than 1,600 people are buried at Lutz Cemetery, Lewis said. Only about 100 gravesites remain.

The association is considering adding cremation sites, and potentially looking to add more land to the cemetery.

Lewis came to Lutz in 1973, for a weekend of fun with friends, and to attend the annual pirate fest and Gasparilla parade. She was 25 years old and newly widowed.

She and a friend thought the trip to Tampa would be a distraction.

“Before it was over, I’d bought a house,” Lewis said.

And she stayed.

“I’ve never had a desire to leave. I’ve always felt comfortable here,” she said.

The Lutz Cemetery will be her final resting place.

For information contact Lewis at (813) 310-6637, or write to Lutz Cemetery Association, P. O. Box 1353, Lutz, FL 33548.

Published November 11, 2015

Efforts yield socks and shoes for charity

November 11, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Land O’ Lakes’ brothers, Owen and Grady Matthew, want to provide socks for the homeless.

And, Zephyrhills retiree Janet Chubinsky wants to give new shoes to children in need.

The efforts are separate, but both are making strides in reaching their goals to help others.

Kid President, a YouTube character played by 11-year-old Robby Novak, inspired the Matthew brothers to get involved.

Owen Matthew, left, and Grady Matthew challenged students and families at Countryside Montessori Charter School to a sock drive that collected 1,552 socks for the Salvation Army. (Courtesy of Countryside Montessori Charter School) — Owen Matthew, left, and Grady Matthew challenged students and families at Countryside Montessori Charter School to a sock drive that collected 1,552 socks for the Salvation Army.
(Courtesy of Countryside Montessori Charter School)

Kid President declared the month of October as “Socktober,” and challenged children across the nation to host sock drives to help homeless people.

Sixth-grader Owen and second-grader Grady embraced the challenge, and enlisted the help of nearly 300 students and their families at Countryside Montessori Charter School in Land O’ Lakes.

By the end of the month, the sock drive doubled its goal of 770 socks by donating 1,552 socks to the Salvation Army.

“We have amazing parents,” said Holly DePiro, volunteer and fundraising coordinator for Countryside Montessori Charter School. “You ask, and they go with the cause. The kids get excited.”

Though it was a one-time event, DePiro said it could be repeated. “If there is a need out there, then we’re on it,” she said.

The school is having a food drive in November.

Students also are collecting leftover Halloween candy to send to troops overseas for Operation Gratitude.

A toy drive is planned for December.

Chubinsky, 81, transplanted a shoe donation program she started in Tennessee to Pasco County when she and her husband retired to Zephyrhills four years ago.

“I need to have something to do,” Chubinsky said.

Lachoochee Elementary School students, Damarko Cross, 5, and his sister, Demyia Cross, 7, show off the new shoes they got from COPE (Children Outreach Program Effort). (Courtesy of COPE) — Lachoochee Elementary School students, Damarko Cross, 5, and his sister, Demyia Cross, 7, show off the new shoes they got from COPE (Children Outreach Program Effort).
(Courtesy of COPE)

Her daughter, an educator in Tennessee, suggested that Chubinsky visit area schools to find out what they needed.

On her first visit to Raymond B. Stewart Middle School in Zephyrhills, she heard a familiar response. Thirty-six students at the school needed shoes.

“The goose bumps went right through my body,” Chubinsky said.

She delivered 36 pairs of donated shoes within days and the Children Outreach Program Effort (COPE) was off and running.

Chubinsky, the organization’s program director, enlisted two friends to help and they dubbed themselves “Two and a half women.” When the program began, two of the volunteers were retired and one worked part-time, she explained.

This year Chubinsky anticipates giving away 900 pairs of shoes.

She works with Pasco County Schools’ ABC coordinators at 10 schools to deliver pairs of shoes, and socks, as requested, to area schools.

The school district’s ABC program seeks to help students who don’t have appropriate clothing, shoes that don’t fit or who eat all of their meals at school.

Chubinsky has 11 volunteers but would love more.

“We don’t have enough volunteers or a place to house our shoes,” she said.

Local civic groups and area businesses, such as the Elks, Eagles, Sunshine Eatery, Methodist Ladies Club and Rotary clubs, give generously.

COPE also received 300 pairs of shoes from Sole4Souls, a global nonprofit that fights poverty by collecting and distributing clothes and shoes. COPE paid Sole4Souls $2 a pair for freight costs, Chubinsky said.

She may be retired, but Chubinsky keeps busy.

She tools around in a 2000 model SUV with magnetic signs displaying the COPE logo – a large sneaker.

The sign has attracted some interest from people who want to volunteer, she said.

COPE meets the third Thursday of each month at 7 p.m., at various locations. Plans are in the works for fundraising events in 2016.

“It’s God’s work,” Chubinsky said. “We’re all volunteers.”

For information on COPE and its meetings, contact Chubinsky at (352) 668-4397 or .

Published November 11, 2015

Pasco County brings back bus service for Veterans Day

November 11, 2015 By Kathy Steele

People looking to board Pasco County’s public buses on Veterans Day are in luck.

Routes will be in operation on the holiday for the first time in nearly seven years.

Pasco County commissioners voted unanimously on Nov. 3 to authorize the Nov. 11 bus service, at a cost of about $17,000. According to a county memorandum, potential ridership could be about 3,200 trips on that day.

Many of those expected to board buses that day work in the retail sector, said Philip Pumphrey, the county’s public transportation director.

Public buses will be on the road in Pasco County on Nov. 11. (Courtesy of Pasco County) — Public buses will be on the road in Pasco County on Nov. 11.
(Courtesy of Pasco County)

Bus drivers will operate on a Saturday schedule from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m., on what Pumphrey describes as a “pilot” program. Administrative offices will be closed on Nov. 11.

Based on ridership, Pumphrey said the county would gauge the need to add more “non-major holidays,” such as Columbus Day and Good Friday, to its bus schedules.

Budget cuts during the economic downturn have kept public buses off the road on minor holidays since 2008.

But an improving financial outlook, and some back and forth between Pasco County commissioners, county staff members and the local Teamsters Union 79, put the buses back on the road.

At least they’ll be there on Nov. 11.

But, stay tuned for Nov. 27, the day after Thanksgiving. The commissioners would need to authorize an additional $17,000 to cover one more holiday bus service. That likely would happen only if enough bus drivers agreed to work that day.

For 2015, the county didn’t set a designated county holiday schedule that included “non-major” holidays.

Riders were alerted to that via posters displayed inside the buses, according to James Boucher, union steward for Teamsters Union 79.

He spoke to commissioners during public comment.

“This late in the year, drivers have planned vacation time, family time around those days,” Boucher said. “It would inconvenience them.”

Commissioners initially sought to approve service for both holidays, as long as enough bus drivers agreed to work.

They were disappointed at the response. Though Pumphrey anticipated bus drivers would volunteer for extra pay, he said, “I think there was some changes of the mind going on.”

On Nov. 11, bus drivers will be paid overtime or have the option of taking a floating holiday to be used at a later date in lieu of holiday pay, according to an email from Kara Deniz, press secretary for the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, who was responding to an inquiry from The Laker/Lutz News.

The back and forth negotiations on the holiday bus service rankled some commissioners.

While he agreed that the county could have acted sooner, Pasco Chairman Ted Schrader said the union was politicizing the matter. “It’s wrong,” he said.” It’s part of their job.”

He pointed out an appreciation award the county had just presented to dozens of county employees for their extra work during the recent flooding.

County officials said the lack of bus service on the non-major holidays has been a source for ongoing complaints over the years. Columbus day prompted numerous phone calls and emails.

“There’s no doubt for public transit, we’ve got to get back to a level of service we had,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Wells.

For information on routes and schedules, visit RidePCPT.com.

Published November 11, 2015

Community rallies to help Mark Smith

November 11, 2015 By Michael Murillo

Years ago, Tammy Hunt periodically would put together charity events.

And, whenever she did, the Smith family would step up and offer their business, San Ann Liquor & Lounge (also known as Ralph’s), as a location for the fundraisers.

As a result, the Smith’s generosity became widely known in the community.

So, when Mark Smith, the son of Ralph’s owners, Grace and Jimmy, needed help, it was a no-brainer for Hunt to get involved.

“This one was a hands-down easy decision to make to help this family,” Hunt said.

Mark Smith has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer, and the community is coming together to help with his expenses. Events to be held Nov. 14 include a golf tournament, a barbecue lunch, a corn toss tournament, entertainment and auctions. (Courtesy of Sharon Perkins-Van Pelt) — Mark Smith has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer, and the community is coming together to help with his expenses. Events to be held Nov. 14 include a golf tournament, a barbecue lunch, a corn toss tournament, entertainment and auctions.
(Courtesy of Sharon Perkins-Van Pelt)

The 36-year-old Smith has been diagnosed with bile duct cancer, and while he battles the disease, a number of fundraising events are planned on Nov. 14 to help raise money for his treatment.

The events will be at his parents’ business, at 33625 State Road 52 in San Antonio.

It is unusual for someone as young as Smith to be affected by bile duct cancer.

Normally, the disease affects senior citizens. The average age of a bile duct cancer patient is between 70 and 72, depending upon the type of bile duct affected, according to the American Cancer Society’s website.

In a way, that works to Smith’s advantage. His body should be better able to handle the long and painful treatment, giving him a stronger chance of success, Hunt explained.

But, that still leaves the “long and painful” part to endure. He’s already spent weeks in the hospital, requires muscle relaxers to ease the pain, and has more procedures and chemotherapy ahead of him.

Not surprisingly, the treatment is expensive. The Smiths have been able to find generic options for some prescriptions, but without catching cost-cutting breaks, the medications alone could eventually bankrupt someone without health insurance.

And, Smith doesn’t have health insurance.

He does, however, have a supportive family and a community that is pulling together to help the Smiths in their time of need.

The outpouring of support has been noted and appreciated.

“We can’t say enough about the community,” said Mark’s brother, Jimmy Smith II. “Anytime something goes wrong and we give back to the community, the community gives back just as hard, if not harder.”

There will be plenty of ways the community can help on Nov. 14.

A golf tournament begins at 8 a.m., at The Abbey golf course at Saint Leo University, 33640 State Road 52.

Barbecue chicken dinners will be sold, starting at noon, at San Ann Liquor & Lounge.

That’s followed by a cornhole tournament at 2 p.m.

There will be a firearm raffle at 6 p.m., silent and live auctions, a 50/50 drawing and other raffles and giveaways.

Live music and beer specials also are planned as part of the day’s events.

While it’s going to be a long treatment process, Jimmy Smith II said his brother has the personality to endure hardships and work his way toward recovery.

“He’s very outgoing. He’s a go-getter. He’s a very hard worker when he’s got his mind into anything,” he said.

Hunt has put in a considerable amount of work to organize a full day of events to help the Smiths.

Her old fundraising skills are being put to good use, and she admits that this one is personal for her.

“It’s been a little emotional, just because it’s close to my heart,” Hunt said. “But I’m glad that I can do it.”

The golf event costs $50 per player, or $200 per team, and includes dinner.

The cornhole tournament costs $25 per player.

Auction items include a guitar autographed by Joe Walsh, member of the iconic rock band The Eagles.

Donations also can be made directly to San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union by referencing Mark Smith Benefit Fund account number 5587-001.

For more information, contact Hunt at (352) 206-5543 or Jimmy Smith II at (813) 714-9937.

Published November 11, 2015

A four-legged friendship tale

November 11, 2015 By Michael Murillo

As a professional writer for 25 years, Grace Maselli has penned everything from philanthropist features to executive summaries for advisory boards. She’s garnered compliments from CEOs, and praise from audiences when she reads her poetry.

But, her upcoming audience has her a little nervous.

It’s a gathering of elementary school children.

“They’re a tough bunch, man,” Maselli observed.

The real Francis and the real Coco do live together with author Grace Maselli and her family in their Land O' Lakes home. And, just like in her children's book, they're good friends. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo) — The real Francis and the real Coco do live together with author Grace Maselli and her family in their Land O’ Lakes home. And, just like in her children’s book, they’re good friends.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Fortunately, Maselli isn’t bringing a business profile or a PowerPoint presentation. Instead, she’ll read her first children’s book, “Francis and Coco: A Tale of Two Unlikely Friends,” on Nov. 15 at 2 p.m., at the Wilderness Lake Preserve Lodge, 21320 Wilderness Lake Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Like her other nonfiction writing, the story of Francis, the poodle/Pekingese dog, and Coco the guinea pig, is real. They live with Maselli’s two other dogs, her two children and her husband. And, the story takes place in conjunction with their frequent moves before settling in Land O’ Lakes.

And yes, Francis and Coco really are friends.

“Francis will let her scramble all over his body. He’ll roll back. She curls up with him,” Maselli said. “They honestly get along.”

She wanted their story to be both authentic and relatable. Adults will recognize the familiar struggle parents feel when they allow a child to have a new pet, worrying how they’ll assimilate and interact with other pets. And she wants children to see the story as an example of very different beings coexisting and forging a special friendship.

“To me, this is universal because animals accept one another, and they don’t care if you’re a kangaroo or a lion,” Maselli said. “And, I think that, metaphorically, life would be a lot different for us if we didn’t judge people by their surfaces.”

“Francis and Coco” is a story for third-graders, but Maselli didn’t want to limit herself to simple words and phrases. The story contains words like “persistent,” “bluster,” and even “falderal” — which means trivial or nonsensical behavior.

Maselli wanted to tell a story and expose children to bigger words, acclimating them to some elevated language without making it difficult to follow the story. Parents might read the story to them, giving them the experience of hearing the language. If they end up learning new words, she considers that a bonus.

To accommodate the children who will be in attendance, Maselli plans to have assistants holding up the pages as she reads, making it easier to follow along. She wants the auditory experience to be a positive one, and the story easy to follow.

That story begins with Francis as a nervous puppy, and ends with a new friendship when another animal joins the fold. In between, the family disagrees on how things will turn out, and some members come around to the idea of new pets and how they’ll get along together.

Maselli hopes the realistic elements of the story appeals to children and those who might read it to them.

So far, the feedback has been very positive, she said.

In fact, one family member, who has a 2-year-old son, told her that he’s been captivated by the story.

“She sent me a picture of him thumbing through it, and he’s talking about the characters in the book,” Maselli said.

While it’s a different type of writing for her, it wasn’t an easy project.

Much of the story came to her at once, but she put it away for a while before returning to it.

Now that the work is done, she wants to not only entertain young children and teach them about getting along with someone different, but also have something for her teenage children to remember as a memento of a certain point in their lives.

“To me, this is more like something I want to leave for my kids as a gift from me after I’m gone,” Maselli said.

For information about Maselli’s book, visit TatePublishing.com or GraceMaselli.com.

Published November 11, 2015

School for grades six through 12, under way

November 11, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Drive down Old Pasco Road, and there’s not a lot of traffic to contend with — yet.

That’s likely to change when the combination high school-middle school being built by Pasco County Schools opens, slated for August 2017.

Crews have cleared the trees and prepped the land for a school now known as High School GGG, but it will actually serve students in grades six through 12.

Crews are doing earthwork at the new site, which will be home to a Pasco County school for grades six through 12. (B.C.Manion/Staff Photo) — Crews are doing earthwork at the new site, which will be home to a Pasco County school for grades six through 12.
(B.C.Manion/Staff Photo)

The district needs to relieve crowding at Wiregrass Ranch High School and Wesley Chapel High School, and may even send some students from Pasco High School to the new high school, once it opens, said Ray Bonti, assistant superintendent of support services.

But, it also needs to reduce crowding at John Long and Weightman middle schools.

Since the district can’t afford to build a new high school and a new middle school, it has decided to share the facilities at the new school, which will be located on the west side of Old Pasco Road, near Overpass Road.

The school is being built for 1,900 students and carries a price tag of $62 million.

A committee will be meeting in about a year to recommend boundaries for the new school.

The district has a couple of hundreds of acres at the site, so it has plenty of room to build a middle school there, once it has the money.

Crowding is so significant at Wiregrass Ranch High that it went to a 10-period day this year, to manage the number of students who are on campus at the same time.

Published November 11, 2015

Traditions on the Green needs vendors

November 11, 2015 By B.C. Manion

The Heritage Park Foundation and the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce are gearing up for this year’s “Traditions on the Green.”

The event will feature a pancake breakfast with Santa, concerts on “the green” by local high school and middle school bands, and performances by elementary school choirs.

It also will offer crafts for kids and cookie decorating.

The award-winning teen puppet team from Van Dyke United Methodist Church will perform, too.

Live musical entertainment always plays a big role in the annual ‘Traditions on the Green’ event at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center. This year, the event is planned for Dec. 12. Sponsors and vendors are needed. (File Photo) — Live musical entertainment always plays a big role in the annual ‘Traditions on the Green’ event at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center. This year, the event is planned for Dec. 12. Sponsors and vendors are needed.
(File Photo)

Vendors will sponsor a Holiday Scavenger Hunt, with the winner receiving a $50 Walmart gift card, said Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation.

The event is slated for Dec. 12 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and will be at the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, 5402 Land O’ Lakes Blvd.

While planning efforts are in full gear, organizers are looking for vendors and sponsors to help pull it off, Graves said.

This is the first year the event will be able to take advantage of the upgraded park, which has undergone a $2.4 million renovation.

Next year, Graves hopes that the planned outdoor stage at the park will be available for the annual event’s performing groups.

“Traditions on the Green” aims to be fun, inexpensive, community event, said Graves, who wants to revive the old-fashioned fun she had while growing up in Land O’ Lakes.

Anyone would like to participate in “Traditions on the Green” should call Tina Gibbons at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce at (813) 909-2722 or Sandy Graves, with the Heritage Park Foundation, at (813) 817-3011.

Published November 11, 2015

Garden club seeks moratorium on fracking

November 11, 2015 By Kathy Steele

The Dade City Garden Club is pushing for a resolution that urges state lawmakers to enact a statewide ban on hydraulic fracking.

Pasco County commissioners will vote on the matter, likely on Nov. 17, but the resolution to ban fracking also will include a request for a study commission to look at the pros and cons of the controversial practice.

Pasco County Commissioner Jack Mariano is the resolution’s sponsor.

During fracking, chemically treated, high-pressure water is pumped into a drilled pipeline to break apart rock formations to extract oil or natural gas.

An opt-out clause is recommended in the resolution to give counties the right to ban fracking even if there’s no statewide ban.

“We do want to have some local control,” Mariano said.

In October, a similar resolution was pulled from the commissioners’ agenda. It was tweaked in the interim with the addition of more specific language regarding sinkholes, the chemicals used in fracking, water quality, and the addition of the study commission.

State legislators are expected to take up the issue during the 2016 session, which begins in January. A bill already is winding its way through subcommittees in Tallahassee.

The bill designates the state’s Department of Environmental Protection as the agency that would investigate and issue permits for fracking.

“That’s the scary part,” said Mariano.

Under the proposed bill, permits may be issued for construction of fracking structures a mile or more from the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, bays, estuaries, or fresh water lakes, streams and rivers. And the state environmental protection agency must be satisfied of adequate protection of natural resources in the event of an accident or blowout.

Supporters of fracking say natural gas is a cleaner source of fuel than coal, and extraction through fracking has fewer safety issues. Opponents say the practice is environmentally harmful, leading to water contamination, public health threats and sinkholes.

The Dade City Garden Club earlier this year went on record against fracking, mirroring a decision by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs Inc., made in January.

“Water quality has long been a concern of garden clubs, said Pat Carver, environmental chairwoman of the garden club, and also water and wetlands District 8 chairwoman.

She cites studies that have shown about 20 percent of the wastewater in fracking migrates underground, and can pollute wells and aquifers.

A bill last year for an outright ban on fracking didn’t make it out of committee, Carver said.

“We hope to see the bill again come up and be heard,” she said.

Carver said Pasco commissioners were shown a video on fracking prior to the anticipated vote on the initial resolution, which was later pulled.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said she needed more information.

“My issue is, I’ve heard from one side. I’ve not heard from the other side,” she said. “I’d want to be more educated before I did something.”

The issue is catching the attention of county residents, also.

“I continue to get calls and letters from concerned constituents about fracking,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader, who serves as chairman of Tampa Bay Water. The regional nonprofit supplies Tampa Bay area municipalities with drinking water.

He noted that the water board recently approved a similar resolution.

“I don’t see what the harm would be in having a resolution,” Schrader said.

Published November 11, 2015

Tampa Premium Outlets enjoys smooth opening

November 4, 2015 By Michael Murillo

The early morning fog was thick, but a steady stream of vehicles turned into the entrance as the sun was rising at Tampa Premium Outlets.

There were plenty of police and mall security on hand to guide cars, as they pulled into the mall’s massive parking lots.

Cars were arriving two hours or more before the shopping destination opened its doors to shoppers on Oct. 29 at 10 a.m.

With every grand opening comes a ribbon cutting. Here, left to right, Danielle De Vita, senior vice-president of development, Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader and Stephen Yalof, Simon’s chief executive officer of Premium Outlets, cut the ribbon signaling the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets. (Fred Bellet/Photos) — With every grand opening comes a ribbon cutting. Here, left to right, Danielle De Vita, senior vice-president of development, Pasco County Commission Chairman Ted Schrader and Stephen Yalof, Simon’s chief executive officer of Premium Outlets, cut the ribbon signaling the opening of Tampa Premium Outlets.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Even those who came to see the ribbon-cutting ceremony, which took place 20 minutes before official opening, found that cars were nestled close to the entrance long before any speeches began.

By the looks of the cars, the opening attracted a diverse group. Sports cars and SUVs shared the lot with pickup trucks and foreign compacts. Luxury vehicles were parked next to simple economy cars. Some looked brand new; others, a bit past their prime. A little rust here, a new paintjob there, and child-of-the-month bumper stickers were all part of the parking lot decor on opening day.

Before long, good spaces were at a premium.

As the mall officially opened, drivers continued making the slow crawl toward empty lots, which filled quickly. Less than an hour after the mall opened, valet parking was full, and cars were directed to an overflow lot.

From the outset, the outdoor mall was ready for the crowds.

Police were directing traffic trying to get to the entrance, which competed with the typical morning rush on State Road 56 on a limited-visibility morning. But, there were no delays or gridlock on the roads surrounding the mall. Overall it was a smooth experience, and didn’t get in the way of what people came to see.

Beth McDonald, left, of Odessa, and her daughter, Karen Jenkins, of Land O’ Lakes, look over the schedule of events planned for the grand opening of the new Tampa Premium Outlets.

Despite the music and fanfare, the biggest draw was the stores.

Nearly stores were open, and they were well staffed, and ready to welcome patrons into their stores.

Some drew plenty of interest, while foot traffic was more modest at others.

People lined up at Coach, waiting to get in.

Overall, it wasn’t a mad rush of determined bargain hunters like you might find on Black Friday. Instead, it was an interested, patient group, appreciating the spectacle and celebration of a new venue, and taking the time to appreciate the details while they surveyed their new shopping options.

The outdoor areas were at least as busy as the shops themselves. Visitors took photos by the mall’s elaborate fountains. They relaxed on benches and chairs. Or, they strolled throughout the mall, getting a feel for the lay of the land.

They did plenty of shopping, too.

Those scoring opening-day deals became walking billboards for stores like Disney Store Outlet and Under Armour, carrying bags that advertised their morning haul.

Published November 4, 2015