The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

Dwindling ranks of golfers handicap golf courses

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Golf courses are in trouble, and Florida — which boasts more golf courses than any other state in the nation — could be hit the hardest.

The latest to experience trouble is Scotland Yards Golf Club on U.S. 301 in Dade City. The bank that holds the mortgage on the course, First National Bank of Pasco, started foreclosure proceedings against the 100-acre course last month. However, course owner David Rinaldo says those problems look worse than they actually are.

Golf courses are a favorite pastime of many older players, but have not really attracted the younger generation. For golfers like Richard Buddy of Wesley Chapel, it might be harder to find golf courses in the future. (Courtesy of Ron Ludwin)
Golf courses are a favorite pastime of many older players, but have not really attracted the younger generation. For golfers like Richard Buddy of Wesley Chapel, it might be harder to find golf courses in the future.
(Courtesy of Ron Ludwin)

“The course has financial issues like every golf course in America,” Rinaldo told The Laker/Lutz News in an email. “But it is not shutting down.”

Golf courses are suffering financially in different parts of the country, especially Florida, as interest in the sport wanes from its peak over the last few decades. Last year, 160 golf courses shut down in the nation, and 300 have closed in the last few years, the National Golf Foundation reported, according to published reports.

Florida has more than 1,200 courses, enough to have one course for every 16,000 people. That’s just too many for the market to sustain, one golf pro says, especially with other recreational activities that may be less time consuming and less expensive competing against the game.

“Golf was in its heyday 20 or 30 years ago, when that was the thing to do, both socially and sports wise,” said Laura Sanderson, a pro at Meadow Oaks Golf & Country Club in Hudson. “Everyone built a bunch of golf courses because, back then, we could keep them full. But now people’s interests have changed, especially the younger generation. People just have better things to do with their time and money.”

The summer season hasn’t helped, when many seasonal residents are in their northern homes, and those remaining finding it too hot to hit the links. Even Meadow Oaks, which averages 275 golfers a day during the peak season, is seeing just a little more than 100 during the summer months.

But getting through those times means knowing that it’s coming, and being ready for it. Quail Hollow Golf Course in Wesley Chapel, for example, has focused on attracting a lot of non-golf events like motorcycle shows and big band performances, Sanderson said.

“You just have to take care of where you’re at,” said Nic Kalojiannis, one of the people in the ownership group that leases and manages Heritage Harbor Golf and Country Club in Lutz. “We do a lot of weddings, sweet 16s, and golf tournaments. It’s a process as a whole that you need to have, just to try and get you through tough seasonal times. Like this year, it’s rained pretty much all day every day, it seems like.”

These events give exposure to the golf course, which is owned by the Heritage Harbor Community Development District.

“We’re out here on Lutz Lake Fern Road off of North Dale Mabry, and we have a beautiful sign and the upkeep is really nice,” Kalojiannis said. “But the clubhouse was built in the back, kind of off the beaten path. We always have people coming in to our events telling us they didn’t even know we were back here.”

Other courses, however, would likely struggle no matter what they tried to do. And all of that goes back to how golf courses were originally financed.

Mortgages — typically in the millions of dollars — were structured in a way that a course could pay its note and still make a profit by charging $70 a round, for example.

“People don’t have that kind of excess money anymore, or if they do, they are not really willing to put it toward golf,” Sanderson said.

Instead, many have to cut fees, and then find ways to save expenses. More often than not, golf courses choose to skimp on maintenance — which could drive away even more golfers, and make their financial situation worse.

Even after Plantation Palms Golf Club in Land O’ Lakes shut down in May, maintenance crews kept the course in mostly good shape. However, when the workers stopped coming, the course fell into disrepair.

“After a matter of a couple months of that, it becomes completely unplayable,” Sanderson said. “You’ll lose the greens, and it’s not that you can just go back and mow it. You’ll have to replace it, and that could cost you $1 million right there.”

Plantation Palms was put up for sale last month for $1.2 million, considerably down from the $2.2 million MJS Golf Club LLC paid for it in 2011.

Plantation Palms was one of many communities in the region, and in the country, anchored by golf courses. But that’s not happening anymore. Some homeowners in Plantation Palms complained about the loss of home value, and many golf course designers have turned to Europe and Asia to build new courses, not finding any market in the United States.

But is golf fighting for its life? Sanderson doesn’t think so. It’s more about “righting the ship.”

“Golf is still strong, we just have too much product out there, too many courses out there,” she said. “We definitely need to grow the industry from the standpoint of the younger generation, but we’re just shaking out some of the excess courses. The ones that survive are going to end up being good in the long run.”

Published September 3, 2014

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‘Something for everybody’ is Haslam’s Book Store’s mantra

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If you’re a reader, or know a reader, chances are you’ll find a book to purchase or a gift to buy at Haslam’s Book Store, a St. Petersburg institution since 1933.

Step inside Florida’s largest bookstore and it soon becomes clear you could spend days perusing its vast collection.

Ray Hinst III and Ray Hinst Jr., help customers find what they’re looking for at Haslam’s Book Store, Florida’s largest bookstore in St. Petersburg. The store stocks hundreds of thousands of new and used books. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Ray Hinst III and Ray Hinst Jr., help customers find what they’re looking for at Haslam’s Book Store, Florida’s largest bookstore in St. Petersburg. The store stocks hundreds of thousands of new and used books.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

John and Mary Haslam opened the store, which is now situated at 2025 Central Ave., at the height of the Great Depression. In the beginning, the store rented reading materials to patrons for a few cents a day, said Ray Hinst Jr., who now operates the bookstore along with is wife and partner, Suzanne Haslam. Their son, Ray Hinst III, also works at the store, representing the fourth generation of the family-owned business.

Over the years, the bookstore has operated at four locations, expanding along the way. It now takes up about three-quarters of a city block, offering 300,000 to 400,000 new and used books.

“It’s bigger than a lot of libraries, and nowadays, we have more books than a lot of libraries,” said Hinst. Jr.

Its diverse selection of new and used books is intentional.

“We try to have something for everybody. We specialize in what the cash register says the community and the market wants,” Hinst said. “We don’t have an agenda. If there’s a category that sells and there are books available in that category, we’ll go ahead and do it.”

Over the years, the store’s selection evolved.

After World War II, it began offering new books, initially to help fill a need in the construction industry for contractors to prepare for licensing exams.

Then it added a large selection of Bibles, inspired by Hinst’s father-in-law, Charles Haslam, who worked at the store and was a preacher.

“There’s a need for it,” Hinst said. “Folks should have someplace where they can go to have a spiritual resource. That room includes many sides of the spiritual coin.”

The store also has how-to books covering every imaginable topic — from how to be a better writer, to choosing plants for your garden, to perfecting your crochet.

There’s a vast collection of books that are entertaining, amusing or mysterious, including works from Florida writers such as Tim Dorsey, Randy Wayne White, James Swain and Carl Hiaasen.

Book collectors may find it helpful to make an occasional visit to Haslam’s, to help them find that rare book, or two. And parents who want to encourage reading can check out the offerings in the store’s children’s section.

Over the years, Hinst has seen scores of changes in the bookselling industry. Many of the large bookstores have closed because of real estate prices. And electronic publishing and e-books, for instance, have had a considerable impact.

It’s far easier for authors to publish electronically and to have books printed on demand. But the number of publishers printing traditional bound books has plummeted.

The number of titles on the market has soared, but it’s harder to ferret out quality, Hinst said.

“There’s all kinds of stuff out there that you can download. How do you choose?” he asked. “Anyone with a laptop or a tablet or one of these (smartphone) can write a book, and for very, very nominal amounts of money, can publish both electronically and in a printed, bound version. Not everybody has extraordinary and literary command of the English language and so, it can be problematic.”

Besides selling books, Haslam’s also buys them. Hinst suggests anyone who wants to sell him books call ahead to see if he’s interested.

The popularity of authors waxes and wanes, he explained. There are instances when the store would have been interested in a particular author 10 years ago, but isn’t now.

“The people who read that author are generally no longer with us,” Hinst explained.

Values for books fluctuate, too.

“Some things have remained valuable over the years, and as time goes by, may increase in value,” he said. “Other things have peaked in their value, but they’ll hold it. Other things lose their value.”

Demand plays a role, too.

“I may have nine or 10 of them, in which case, I don’t want yours. I don’t care how much it’s worth,” Hinst added.

Ultimately, he said, “we are investing our money in it, so we determine how much we want to invest.”

Besides its size, Haslam’s also is uncommon because it has remained a family operation for more than eight decades. Hinst thinks that’s because the enterprise provides ample challenge for the family members and employees who work there.

“You have to pay attention to your customers, to your market. If your market changes, you need to change with it,” Hinst said. “In a lot of cases, that may be what happens to family businesses, the market changes – there’s an evolution in the service or the product in which they have chosen to engage, and they don’t make that transition. They don’t reflect what’s going on.”

The business is devoted to the preservation of the printed word, but it’s also aware of the importance of profit, Hinst said.

“Keep in mind, we’re a business. We’re not a library,” he said. “We’re not here out of the goodness of our hearts, only. The cash register, we have learned over the decades, is a good guide to success.”

Being a new and used bookseller also offers its own kind of adventure, he said.

“For me, as a buyer, every day is like Christmas. You open up that box of books and you never know what’s going to be in there,” Hinst said. “You never know what phone call you’re going to get – ‘I got some of these’ or ‘I got one of those.’

“It’s that kind of thing that makes it interesting to come to work every day,” he said.

Despite the increasing popularity of electronic readers, Hinst expects printed books to have staying power.

People often ask him: “What are you going to do when books go away?’

He typically responds: “We don’t think they’re going to go away.”

When people buy a book, Hinst noted, they own it. No one can come along later to edit or delete it.

It’s handy, too. No batteries required.

Published September 3, 2014

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New school building not ready yet

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Construction of a new school building at Saint Anthony School in San Antonio should be completed in November, with classes scheduled to move into the structure after the holiday break.

Construction continues on a new brick building at Saint Anthony School in San Antonio. Students are expected to move into the new school in January, after the holiday break. (Courtesy of Saint Anthony School)
Construction continues on a new brick building at Saint Anthony School in San Antonio. Students are expected to move into the new school in January, after the holiday break.
(Courtesy of Saint Anthony School)

Ground was broken on the new 17,905-square-foot brick structure last November, and initially the structure was supposed to be completed for the start of classes in the fall. However, the building was not ready when classes began on Aug. 18, so four portable classrooms remain on the campus, while construction continues for students in grades five through eight.

Those temporary classrooms are situated between Saint Anthony of Padua Church and the Convent of the Franciscan Sisters of Saint Elizabeth.

Students in kindergarten through fourth grade, as well as the media center, computer lab, cafeteria, Spanish classroom and administrative offices, continue to operate in the school’s historic building, which was built in 1922, said Sister Alice Ottapurackal, the school’s principal.

The building that’s under construction represents a new chapter in the school’s history. Not only is Saint Anthony School the oldest parochial school in the diocese, it’s also one of the oldest Catholic schools in Florida.

San Antonio was founded in 1882 as a Catholic colony. A year later, a widowed woman named Cecilia Morse moved into the community with her six children.

When she inquired about a school for the children, she was told it could wait until there were more settlers. So she began teaching 14 children, including her children, in her kitchen.

In April 1884, the classes were moved into the church. Then that November, they moved into a frame building.

The new building is the fourth in the school’s history. Unlike previous structures constructed on the school campus, this one is an additional building, not a replacement.

The existing historic brick structure replaced a two-story structure built in 1899, which replaced the original frame structure built in 1884.

The historic brick building will remain and will be used for some school functions.

The school began the 2014-15 academic year with an enrollment of 210, with students coming from nearby places such as San Antonio and Dade City, and farther away, from Zephyrhills, Brooksville, Land O’ Lakes, New Tampa and other communities.

The school emphasizes academic excellence, while teaching the Catholic faith.

Published September 3, 2014

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Just like Pinocchio became a real boy, we’ve become a ‘real’ newspaper

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It’s been just over a month — five issues — since The Laker/Lutz News became a bigger newspaper. And reaction from our readers has been overwhelmingly positive.

Yes, we’ve received a few calls from people complaining that our new size is cumbersome to hold while drinking a cup of coffee. But that’s truly the only complaint we’ve received.

The most common comment we hear is that our larger format makes us a “real newspaper,” apparently because we’re now the same size as a daily newspaper.

That perception has surprised us.

From our perspective, we’ve always been a real newspaper because we employ real journalists who write balanced stories about people and news in our community. We’re real because we publish every Wednesday without fail, and spend lots of money delivering our free paper to 30,000 homes, and at more than 300 newspaper stands, so you can read us every week.

It reminds me of that old adage, that perception often is more important than reality. So I suppose that we should be happy by the perception that our new size makes us more real, even though my staff and I thought we always were real.

I imagine this must be how Pinocchio felt when he finally became a real boy.

Just so you know, the content of The Laker/Lutz News has not changed with our larger size. We have the same reporters writing the same types of stories about our community.

What’s changed is our design staff now has more room to place stories, create bigger headlines, and use bigger photos and more graphics. We’re one of few newspapers in the state to have color on every page — even our classified pages — so our artists have more to work with now that we’re bigger and more colorful.

Our bigger size also gives us space for more stories. This week, for example, Michael Murillo is launching a new feature, “On the Cheap.” His first column tells you about a super deal at the beautifully renovated Capitol Theatre in Clearwater that sounds like great fun for families or couples. Michael will be writing about inexpensive things to do on a regular basis to help you plan your weekend.

Our bigger size also allows us to enhance the presentation of other features we’ve been publishing for some time. For example, B.C. Manion’s monthly column, “Worth The Trip,” is now profiled on the front page of our new B section. Don’t miss this week’s story about Haslam’s Book Store in St. Petersburg — an amazing place for book lovers and those just looking for someplace new to explore.

Our other two monthly columns, “Getting to Know You,” by Michael Hinman, and another column by Michael Murillo, “Presenting the Past,” are published the other two weeks of the month.

Our goal is to give you a special feature to look forward to every week, in addition to  our usual news and feature stories. These first-person columns by my staff give our papers a unique voice, and lets you get to know our writers on a more personal level.

The other big change we hope you’ve noticed is our bigger ads. Because our page size is taller, our ad sizes are also bigger — actually 30 percent bigger. This gives our advertisers more space to tell you about their products and services.

At five weeks in, I guess you could say we couldn’t be happier with the changes we’ve made to make The Laker/Lutz News bigger and better. The positive comments we’ve heard from readers, and the support we’ve received from our business community, encourages us to continue to work hard to bring you the best community newspaper we can.

Published September 3, 2014

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Pasco EDC honors local businesses for creating jobs

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One day nearly a decade ago, Marcus and Erin Meyer realized their dream of opening their own business, kickstarting Gator Cleaning Solutions out of their garage. Not long after, it would move to a new home the couple bought in Land O’ Lakes, before finally taking up 2,500 square feet of warehouse space in Odessa.

DataMentors LLC, one of the Pasco Economic Development Council Industry of the Year winners, has maintained strong employee retention by finding ways to keep them motivated. Here Brandon Magliano, left, gets ready to receive the ball from Michael Meyers during a table tennis game in the office while Michael Cajigas looks on. (Courtesy of Larisa Bedgood)
DataMentors LLC, one of the Pasco Economic Development Council Industry of the Year winners, has maintained strong employee retention by finding ways to keep them motivated. Here Brandon Magliano, left, gets ready to receive the ball from Michael Meyers during a table tennis game in the office while Michael Cajigas looks on.
(Courtesy of Larisa Bedgood)

They employ eight people in their corporate office, and more than 80 people on cleaning crews that now include restoration services, carpet and grout cleaning.

They have provided plenty of jobs in the cleaning industry, and because of that, they are one of eight companies honored by the Pasco County Economic Development Council at its Industry of the Year Awards at Saddlebrook Resort.

“The reason why we were nominated in the first place is because there was a lot of focus on job creation, which is great, because we’ve created a lot of jobs,” Erin Meyer said. “And we’re still growing. It’s exciting — a little nerve-wracking at times, but it’s fun. There are days I’m pulling my hair out, and days I’m doing a dance.”

Pasco EDC honored Gator Cleaning with one of two service and distribution awards, the second going to A&K Energy Conservation in Dade City. They both were chosen from more than 30 nominees, who were judged based on growth in areas like technology, innovation, job creation, capital investment and community service.

While some companies were born and grown up in Pasco, others were attracted by what the county had to offer and relocated here. DataMentors LLC started 15 years ago in Tampa, but relocated to Wesley Chapel seven years ago on land they purchased on Oak Myrtle Lane.

“It’s kind of nice looking out the window and seeing trees instead of concrete,” said Bob Orf, the chief executive of DataMentors, which was honored with the technology award Tuesday night. “We took a little bit of a risk when we bought the land. There was no road to it when we purchased the property. We were the first building in this area, and it’s worked out terrifically.”

DataMentors is a data management company that requires a secure location for its many servers. The company started with five employees, but now has 36, working in areas like programmers and technicians.

“We do a lot of recruiting right out of colleges like the University of South Florida and the University of Central Florida,” Orf said. “There are not a lot of high-tech companies in Pasco, but you know, we’re happy to be here, and be one of the pioneers here.”

Half the employee base lives in Pasco, while the other half commutes in from Hillsborough County, Orf said. That’s great for him, however, because the “reverse commute” — driving in the opposite direction of rush-hour traffic — makes working in Pasco quite appealing.

“We don’t have a lot of turnover here,” he said. “Almost a third of our employees have been with us at least 10 years. And, you know, we try to do what’s right for our employees, because that’s a win-win for us.”

Other winners at the Pasco EDC event included:

• MedActive Oral Pharmaceuticals of Odessa won the new business award.
• Rochester Electro-Medical Inc., of Lutz, and Seaway Plastics Engineering Inc., of Port Richey, both won manufacturer of the year.
• Pasco-Hernando State College in New Port Richey was given the special contribution award.
• Withlacoochee River Electric Cooperative of Shady Hills was given the special recognition award.

Published September 3, 2014

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Double feature for cheap at Capitol Theatre

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Most of us don’t take enough opportunities to spend time with friends and family. Busy schedules and money always are obstacles to breaking our routines and doing something different.

So when something comes up that looks like fun, I want to tell you about it in this column.

The Capitol Theatre in Clearwater is a beautiful place to watch a movie, and this month they have double features for one low price. (Courtesy of Capitol Theatre)
The Capitol Theatre in Clearwater is a beautiful place to watch a movie, and this month they have double features for one low price.
(Courtesy of Capitol Theatre)

But it’s not for everybody.

If you have an unlimited budget and money is no object, this isn’t the place for you. You’ll have no trouble finding fun things to do on your own. And if you have nothing but free time and can go anywhere at a moment’s notice, you don’t need to read this column.

In fact, why are you even reading this column right now? Just board your private jet and head to Paris or Barcelona, and enjoy your weekend.

But if you’re like most of the rest of us, you have to fit things into a tight schedule — and it has to fit a tight budget, too. It needs to be worth your time and go easy on your wallet.

There aren’t too many things like that, but there are still a few out there. And it’s my job to find them for you.

This week I’m going to tell you about an opportunity to go to the movies. Sounds boring, you say? Movies today are usually overpriced and underwhelming?

Well, this isn’t a typical night at the theater. These are movies you already know you like. And it’s a double feature, so you’re seeing two great movies for one price. And that price is cheaper than a regular movie.

Oh, the venue is much more interesting than a normal movie theater, too.

Sound better? Great. Then let me introduce you to Capitol Theatre, 405 Cleveland St., in Clearwater. It’s probably been around longer than you have: It opened in 1921 with a Mediterranean Revival facade that really helped it stand out. And after nearly $10 million in recent renovations, it maintains its classic style with modern upgrades.

So it’s a fun place to see a movie. Or two movies. On select dates this month, they’re showing double features of popular modern classics. For example, one night they’re pairing up “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Alien.” On another, it’s “Grease” and “American Graffiti.” Then they’re showing “Rocky” and “Rocky II” together.

And each night, it’s just $7 to see them both.

Now, some of you might be thinking, “Hey, I can watch some of those movies at home for free. Sometimes they’re even on television.” Well, have you ever seen these movies on the big screen? If you have, you know it’s not the same. And if you haven’t, this is a chance to finally see the original versions the way the filmmakers intended.

That kind of atmosphere makes great movies even greater.

Besides, where’s your sense of adventure? Why sit at home when for $7 you could take a friend or a loved one to a historic theater and see something you know you’ll enjoy?

Two somethings, actually. It’s a double feature, remember? That’s a great deal, and cheap enough that it justifies a little drive time to get there.

By the way, this is a pretty cool date idea, too. You could spend a lot more money seeing one movie you might end up hating, or you could see two films you like, and keep some cash in your pocket. I bet your date will notice your creativity and wise financial decisions. That’s how you make a good impression in my book.

But there are only a few chances to catch this deal. “Close Encounters” and “Alien” are showing Sept. 6., “Grease” and “American Graffiti” are scheduled for Sept. 19, and the Rocky movies will be shown on Sept. 27.

The first film starts each night at 7.

For more information, call (727) 791-7400 or visit AtTheCap.com.

If you know of an inexpensive, fun thing to do, let me know at . But please, keep it cheap. We’re on a budget here.

Published September 3, 2014

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Bulls hope to raise big money with funny fundraiser

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Wiregrass Ranch High School believes comedy and cross-country means some cash for their sports program.

Tommy Johnagin, a ‘Last Comic Standing’ runner-up, performs at Side Splitters on Sept. 7. The show also is a benefit for Wiregrass Ranch High School’s boys and girls cross-country teams. (Courtesy of TommyJComedy.com)
Tommy Johnagin, a ‘Last Comic Standing’ runner-up, performs at Side Splitters on Sept. 7. The show also is a benefit for Wiregrass Ranch High School’s boys and girls cross-country teams.
(Courtesy of TommyJComedy.com)

On Sept. 7, the school’s cross-country teams will benefit from a comedy show at Side Splitters Comedy Club, 12938 N. Dale Mabry Highway. The weekend’s headliner, Tommy Johnagin, will perform at the 7 p.m. show, with 70 percent of admission receipts going to the school.

According to Side Splitters general manager Brian Thompson, having a comedy fundraiser is a good way to raise money and have a good time doing it.

“It’s a nice way for the parents to get out and generate some money for whatever event they’re raising for specifically,” Thompson said. Wiregrass Ranch has had fundraisers at Side Splitters in the past, and the comedy club has also had events benefiting other groups.”

The audience can seat 250, and has the potential to bring in thousands of dollars in fundraisers, he said.

Those funds would be welcome, since maintaining good teams can be expensive. It can cost between $4,000 and $6,000 each season to meet all expenses and maintain adequate funds in reserve, according to boys coach Chris Loth. Several rounds of T- shirts and meet entry fees can add up, with an awards ceremony thrown in as well.

Wiregrass Ranch also charters a bus for one meet each season. The school will use it this year to compete in Tallahassee.

As a result, Wiregrass Ranch must get creative with their fundraising, and pairing up with a comedy club seemed like a good fit.

“We have very supportive families and friends and alumni who are going to come out,” Loth said. “So we thought it would be a good night to get some of the families together without the kids, and have a good time and raise some money as a result.”

A fan of stand-up comedy, Loth is familiar with the club and the headlining comedian. He saw Johnagin at a local stop a few years back, and thought his style would be a good fit for the event. Johnagin is a regular on late-night talk shows, and placed second in an earlier season of “Last Comic Standing” on NBC.

If the event does well for the school, Loth said it could become part of their regular fundraising efforts. The Bulls already host a 5-kilometer run, sell advertising space on their T-shirts, and partner with a merchandiser to raise money.

It’s important to stay creative with fundraising and not fall into a routine, he said.

“Our philosophy is we don’t want to do the same thing every single year,” Loth said. “We want to give lots of different people the ability to participate and reach a lot of different folks.”

Loth is hoping for a sellout on Sept. 7, and could see doing a similar event every other year if it’s successful.

The school would be happy to see the event match the success of the teams themselves. Wiregrass Ranch is known to have successful cross-country programs for both boys and girls. They’re considered one of the top teams in Pasco County, and have a number of top 10 finishes at the state meet to their credit.

The parents have been very supportive of the team and they expect to have a successful fundraising evening at the comedy club, Loth said. As a close-knit group, he feels like everyone does their part of make sure the teams, and the program in general, maintain a level of success.

“We ask a lot of ourselves, and in turn ask a lot of our parents and they always come through for us,” Loth said. “We try to make it a family, and family supports each other with whatever you’re trying to accomplish.”

Comedians Alex Stone and Krishna Reddy also will perform.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit SideSplittersComedy.com. Tickets purchased on the website also benefit Wiregrass Ranch’s cross-country teams.

Published September 3, 2014

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Wells makes history with win, Moore ready for next stage

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The Pasco County Commission has had its share of lopsided victories in the last 30 or so years. But there’s never been one like the District 4 race last week between current commissioner Henry Wilson Jr., and Mike Wells Jr.

Last week’s primary election attracted less than 15 percent of registered voters. But that’s all that was needed to elect one county commissioner, and nominate another one for the November election. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Last week’s primary election attracted less than 15 percent of registered voters. But that’s all that was needed to elect one county commissioner, and nominate another one for the November election.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

More than 36 percentage points separated Wells from Wilson, the largest margin of victory since 2010 when Commissioner Pat Mulieri defeated independent candidate Clay Colson to keep her seat on District 2 by 40 percentage points.

Winners who pick up more than 60 percent of the vote in races typically are incumbents like Mulieri, who captured 61 percent of the vote in 1998, and 62 percent in 2002. But rarely, if ever, is the candidate who hits that milestone the challenger looking to unseat the incumbent.

Wilson won his seat in an upset win over Mike Cox in 2010, surprising nearly everyone with 52 percent of the vote. This time around, with most of the attention on the open seat left by Mulieri’s retirement in District 2, there was a question on whether or not Wilson would even be challenged by anyone else.

That is until early April when Wells, the son of former county commissioner and current county property appraiser Mike Wells Sr., decided it was time to run.

“We need leadership there, and we need it right now,” Wells told The Laker/Lutz News last month ahead of the primary. “We lost Ann Hildebrand on the commission a few years back, and now Ted Schrader says he is retiring in a couple years. Quite frankly, that creates a vacuum that needs to be fixed.”

Wells would take the seat with 68 percent of the vote, the biggest win of any commission candidate over an incumbent since at least 1980. The former Enterprise Rent-A-Car area manager and current real estate agent won every precinct in the county, and never trailed Wilson as the results were tabulated last week.

“When I started this journey very late into the campaign season, I did so because I wanted the opportunity to help as many people in Pasco County as I could,” Wells wrote on his Facebook page after the election. “So I went into the community and met with you. We met, we talked, you talked, and I listened. I’m still holding on to all of our conversations, and all of your stories.”

Because this seat was decided during primary season, Wilson will continue as a commissioner until November. He told The Laker/Lutz News that he will spend that time doing what he has done all along: serving the people of Pasco County, and “looking out for their best interests.”

“As far as my future, right now we are trusting God for what he has planned ahead of myself and my family, and am excited to see where that journey will take us.”

One other commission seat remains up for grabs, and that’s the one being vacated by Mulieri, who is retiring after 20 years. Mike Moore, who raised far more money than his opponents, took a first step toward that seat with a primary win.

“I am humbled by the support our campaign has received from so many people from across Pasco County,” Moore said. “I also deeply appreciate all the volunteers who have worked very hard toward our victory this evening.”

Moore won a little more than 50 percent of the vote in a campaign where he raised more than $100,000, and received support from outside political groups that purchased airtime on local television stations featuring Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco.

Finishing as the runner-up for the second time in the primary is former state Rep. Ken Littlefield, who earned 28 percent of the vote.

“It was an impressive win by Mike Moore,” Littlefield said. “To prevail in a three-candidate primary with over 50 percent of the vote is a notable feat and deserves congratulations.”

Littlefield will continue to do what he has done the last five years, he said: “Get up early, put a tie on, and go work for Hodges Family Funeral Home.

“I enjoy the work, and at this time, have no plans to run for public office,” he said.

Bob Robertson, a financial analyst who lives in Lake Bernadette in Zephyrhills, left the door slightly more open for a possible future run.

“It was important to me to offer myself without accepting funds from anyone that might compromise me later,” he said. “Hopefully now, life returns to some sense of normal. As to future plans, impossible to know at this point.”

Moore now faces Erika Remsberg, who won the Democratic nomination for the District 2 commission seat without opposition.

Published September 3, 2014

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Construction projects to yield big changes for Pasco students

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Pasco County Schools has taken on an ambitious construction schedule that will result in significant changes for thousands of students across Central and East Pasco County in the next few years.

Projects now underway will result in reopening Quail Hollow Elementary School in Wesley Chapel and Sanders Memorial Elementary School in Land O’ Lakes next year.

Construction crews have a long way to go to get Sanders Memorial Elementary School ready to become a magnet school for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. District officials say the school in Land O’ Lakes will be ready for the upcoming school year. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Construction crews have a long way to go to get Sanders Memorial Elementary School ready to become a magnet school for science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. District officials say the school in Land O’ Lakes will be ready for the upcoming school year.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Quail Hollow will have enclosed classrooms, updated building systems and new technology, said John Petrashek, director of construction services for Pasco County Schools. The technology will be the same as any new elementary school in the district.

Quail Hollow also will be larger.

The district is adding eight classrooms there to accommodate 160 additional students, increasing the total capacity to 800.

The additional space at Quail Hollow will result in a boundary change to bring more students there, said Chris Williams, director of planning for Pasco County Schools. Sanders will be a magnet school for science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics.

The school will not have boundaries and it will enroll its students through the district’s School Choice program.

The district does want to reduce crowding at Oakstead and Connerton elementary schools, so students from those schools likely will be given a higher priority for admission to Sanders.

The district has been working for months on the design for High School GGG, which is slated to open in August 2017 on the west side of Old Pasco Road near Overpass Road. The school will have a capacity of 1,900 students.

“It’s going to be built as a high school,” Petrashek said, but it will open serving students beginning in sixth grade.

The new school will affect existing boundaries for Wiregrass Ranch and Wesley Chapel high schools, as well as Weightman and Long middle schools, Williams said.

“We don’t have the money to build the full middle school and the full high school. This will provide us relief,” he said. “Then, as the population continues to grow, and the demand is there, we’ll build a full-blown middle school next door to it.”

“We have it master planned and master designed for both,” Petrashek said.

The site is a couple hundred acres, so it can easily accommodate a high school and a middle school, Williams said. And the district also is planning to add some other district facilities there as well.

Middle School HH, which will eventually be built there, is not yet included on a district timetable because no funding is yet available, Petrashek said. The school is being designed with two large classroom buildings, with one to be used by middle school students, and the other to be used by high school students.

They’ll share the cafeteria and athletic facilities, but there will be separate locker rooms for the younger and older students, Petrashek said.

The school will operate much like a school within a school, with one principal overseeing assistant principals who specialize in high school and middle school students.

The district also is planning to add an elementary school, known as Elementary School B, on land within a new residential development, Bexley Ranch, now beginning to take shape near State Road 54 and the Suncoast Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, Williams said.

“That’s going to be a huge reliever for Oakstead and Odessa elementary,” Williams said.

Unlike other district elementary schools, which have been designed for 762 students, Elementary School B could be built to accommodate nearly 1,000 students, he said, although that approach is still in the discussion phase.

The district is looking at opening that school in 2017.

Elementary W, another school planned to open in August 2016, would be built next to Long Middle not far from which is next to Wiregrass Ranch High, and Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch. The school aims to reduce crowding at Double Branch and Sand Pine elementary schools, as well as provide some relief for Seven Oaks Elementary School, Williams said.

“Seven Oaks really popped this year,” he said.

The relief for Seven Oaks may involve sending some of those students to Sand Pine or shifting them to Elementary W, Williams said, noting its not yet clear what path officials will take.

“In the future we’ll have a school in the Northwood development,” he said. “That’s south of Seven Oaks. Ultimately, that’s going to provide the relief for Seven Oaks.”

While the district looks ahead to these projects, it also has completed work on a number of improvements in other schools.

The new gym at Stewart Middle School in Zephyrhills was finished at the end of last school year just in time for the eighth-grade graduation exercises, Petrashek said. But students are just now getting full use of the new facility.

“It’s still brand new,” Petrashek said.

The renovation of the weight room and locker rooms at Zephyrhills High School also is now complete, Petrashek said. Crews completed the renovation of the school clinic at Cox Elementary School in Dade City over the summer.

“It was simply outdated. It wasn’t functioning, so we redid that,” Petrashek said.

Now, the district is working on the design for a $5 million construction project at Cox that will add a new cafeteria and improve parking and the drop-off loop, Petrashek said, which could be completed by August 2016.

The district also is at the design stage of a campus renovation project at Pasco Elementary School in Dade City. The project, expected to be completed by August 2016, involves renovating classrooms, which will include infrastructure upgrades, new technology and fire sprinklers.

Portable classrooms will be brought in to enable construction work to be done while the campus is occupied.

Published September 3, 2014

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Program, expectations on the rise at Freedom

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According to the record books, Freedom High School finished with a 3-7 record last year.

But head coach Tom Donohoe doesn’t see it that way.

“The program was 8-8,” said Donohoe, now entering his third season at the helm. “That’s the way we look at it, because we coach varsity and JV. Our goal is to improve as a program.”

Structure and organization are key words at Patriots’ practices under coach Tom Donohoe. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Structure and organization are key words at Patriots’ practices under coach Tom Donohoe.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Including junior varsity records, instead of back-to-back 3-7 campaigns, Freedom improved from 6-10 to 8-8 over the previous year. At least from the coach’s perspective.

Rebuilding from the ground up — the varsity team hasn’t had a winning season since 2009 — means looking at improving all aspects of the Patriots’ football program. Installing discipline, structure and stability at all levels of play is important, Donohoe explained.

Practices are more organized, and the program as a whole has a clear understanding of what they’re trying to do. The same coaches lead both teams, so the transition from junior varsity to varsity should be a smooth one for players as they advance in the system.

While that focus didn’t translate into more wins over the previous season for the Patriots, there were bright spots and areas of improvement. Freedom was involved in a number of close games, including two road losses by a total of 10 points to Strawberry Crest and district foe Steinbrenner.

Freedom plays both of those teams at home this year, and Donohoe is looking forward to seeing year-to-year improvement as they tackle familiar opponents throughout the schedule.

The Patriots’ defense also was a bright spot in 2013, providing solid play and keeping the team in many games. Eight starters are returning from last year, which provides stability at what already was a strong point for the team.

Defensive backs and linebackers should be particularly effective this season, Donohoe said.

The defense understands that they’ll be expected to continue their solid play and help the team turn the corner in 2014.

“It’s going to be on us to step up and score points defensively,” said linebacker Lee Carabali.

The team has been hitting the weight room over the summer, and is now stronger as a result. He’s even seen improvement in the offense as the defense faces them in practice.

That improvement would be welcome in 2014. While the defense was doing their part to help the team win last year, the other side of the ball wasn’t as effective.

“Our offense was sputtering,” Donohoe admitted. The Patriots only reached the 20-point mark once all last year, and failed to score 10 points four times.

But Freedom closed the year with two straight wins, including a 33-13 win over Wiregrass Ranch in their home finale.

The team is returning six starters, has talented weapons at skill positions and had strong performances in seven-on-seven competition over the summer, Donohue said. A new offensive coordinator should provide fresh perspectives as well, giving the coach plenty of optimism for the coming season.

“It’s definitely going to be a better year in terms of offensive productivity,” Donohoe said. “No doubt about it.”

The attitude change has made an impact on experienced players like defensive back Aaron Cox.

“A lot of people, since I was a freshman, were playing around and not really disciplined,” Cox said. “But now that we have better coaches, they’ve been working with us and we’ve been working real hard.”

The players have come together and bought into the system, he said.

With so many returning starters, the Patriots are feeling good about improving their fortunes in 2014. But Donohoe also is excited to see how newer players perform.

He expects athletes who played junior varsity to step up and contribute immediately. They should be comfortable with the system and ready to perform, which Donohoe hopes will lead to some better numbers for the varsity squad.

“A lot of these guys played with us for the last couple of years,” he said. “They’re a product of what we’ve been doing, and they know the expectations. It should be their time to shine.

“We feel like we’re finally getting to that point where we should be successful a little bit more in varsity now, too.”

Freedom Patriots
LAST YEAR: 3-7
1-4 in the district
fifth place in Class 7A-District 7

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS
Johnny Rodicio, slot back
Lee Carabali, linebacker

PLAYER TO WATCH
Sayff Saed, wide receiver, quarterback
“He can do a number of different things. He has a lot of talent and can go into a lot of different positions.” — Coach Tom Donohoe

Patriots 2014 Schedule
8/29 — at King
9/5 — Middleton
9/12 — at Wharton
9/19 — at Gaither
9/26 — Strawberry Crest
10/2 — at Sickles
10/17 — Tampa Bay Tech
10/24 — Steinbrenner
10/31 — at Wiregrass Ranch
11/7 — Riverview

Published September 3, 2014

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