Local News

Panel says no to charter in Pasco County

September 2, 2015 By Kathy Steele

With a one-vote margin, opponents of a charter-style government in Pasco County killed a proposal that had the backing of the county’s legislative delegation.

In an 8-7 vote, a 15-member appointed panel opted not to write a charter that could have significantly changed the way Pasco County’s government operates.

The vote came after the county’s five-member legislative delegation – State Rep. Richard Corcoran, State Rep. Amanda Murphy, State Rep. Danny Burgess, State Sen. Wilton Simpson, and State Sen. John Legg – had presented their case for pursuing a charter form of government. The charter could have included term limits, single member districts and a recall procedure to oust elected officials.

About 30 people attended the Aug. 24 committee meeting in New Port Richey.

After the vote, Corcoran expressed disappointment. He said he would prefer that voters had the final say on a charter.

Still, he said, “I’m glad we had the conversation. We had a good vetting. I’m happy.”

The seven votes favoring a charter came from panel members appointed by the delegation and two members appointed by Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

Corcoran had urged the Pasco County Commission to create a charter commission earlier this year that would have been required, under state law, to produce a charter.

Under that scenario, commissioners would not have been able to amend the charter document and voters would have the final say.

Commissioners resisted that approach, instead opting for a nonbinding panel which had the option of recommending a charter or not.

If the panel had approved a charter with a super-majority vote, commissioners had said they would present the matter to voters, without change, in a 2016 referendum.

But for a majority on the panel, the case for a charter didn’t pass muster despite assertions that other counties with charters were better off than Pasco.

“Where is this fantasy, premier, preeminent county?” asked panel member Chuck Grey. “What are we aspiring to be? Tell me a county we’re aspiring to be like.”

Delegation members repeatedly hit on the theme of voter accountability and empowering voters.

“There’s nothing bad when we talk about accountability,” Burgess said. “I believe a lot in autonomy.”
However, as a former Zephyrhills’ mayor, Burgess had one caveat, if a charter were adopted.

“I would prefer that we preserve local governments’ ability to determine their own destiny,” he said.

Simpson dismissed the notion of an elected county mayor, an idea initially raised by Corcoran when he presented the charter idea to Pasco County commissioners.

“My personal opinion is that would be a dreadful idea,” he said.

He did, however, find single member districts “not a bad idea.”

Corcoran urged the committee to include ideas they liked and let others alone. “If the county mayor is controversial, chuck it out the window,” he said.

Committee members Randy Maggard and Mike Ryan felt the committee’s vote was premature, and wanted to explore individual items, such as term limits and single member districts.

“We have not looked at all the issues in any depth to know right now,” said Ryan.

During public comment, only one speaker supported a charter.

“We have seen many county commissioners who have stayed on an enormously long time,” said New Port Richey resident Hugh Townsend. “I think turnover would be a good idea.”

Former Pasco County Commissioner Pat Mulieri said many unanswered questions remained about why Corcoran and others were pursuing a charter.

“You don’t want turmoil in Pasco County,” she said. “These changes could cause turmoil with government, when this is a time for stability with our economic growth.”

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano wondered why all the focus was on accountability at the local level.

“It concerns me that those who just left Tallahassee and didn’t do what they needed to are concerned about accountability,” he said.

Legislators recently ended a special session to redraw the state’s district maps under order from the Florida Supreme Court. They recessed without agreeing on a map, making it likely that the court will redraw the map.

At least for now, the charter issue in Pasco seems moot.

A grassroots group, the Pasco County Citizens Charter Coalition, has expressed interest in a petition drive to collect 45,000 signatures required by state law to establish the charter commission that Corcoran wanted. Coalition members had anticipated that Corcoran would partner with them.

However, the lawmaker said he had no plans to join in their efforts.

“We’ll see. I’ll keep working for ways to make all levels of government accountable,” Corcoran said.

Published September 2, 2015

Getting an early taste of the artistic life

September 2, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Patrons perusing the shelves of the children’s section at the Hugh Embry Branch Library got a bonus over the last several weeks.

But they’ve had to look up to see it.

Student artwork is displayed above the bookshelves in the Saint Anthony Art Show at the Hugh Embry Branch Library in Dade City. (Courtesy of LInda Whitman) — Student artwork is displayed above the bookshelves in the Saint Anthony Art Show at the Hugh Embry Branch Library in Dade City.
(Courtesy of LInda Whitman)

On the top ledge of the shelves, there’s an exhibit of artworks created by students from Saint Anthony Catholic School.

The works demonstrate the broad range of artistic instruction these young students experience under the guidance of Linda Whitman, the art teacher at Saint Anthony since 1987.

There’s a linoleum block piece featuring a blue cat, created by Effie Tillack, a fourth-grader at the time.

There are icons, by Aneesha Joshy and Gabriel Quinn, made through the technique of tooling metal.

Destiny Li, who was just in kindergarten, has two pieces on display. One is a painting and the other, a collage.

Other examples of interesting work include mixed media, yarn painting and colored pencil drawing.

The exhibit went up in August and is expected to come down around Sept. 10.

Aneesha Joshy tooled metal to create this icon image of Saint Peter. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Aneesha Joshy tooled metal to create this icon image of Saint Peter.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“Miss (Linda) Whitman, she does this every year. This has been going on for about four years now, and every year, there is very impressive art,” said Mary Keesling, Librarian 1 at the Hugh Embry Branch Library.

“People have come in to visit,” Keesling added, noting she thinks most of those coming to see the exhibit are parents of the artists.

The display showcases Whitman’s effort to give her students a broad exposure to art.

“I try to give the kids a taste of everything,” she said. “So, that they’re aware of different styles and different artists.”

She also encourages her 218 students to explore their creative side and remain open to their artistic spirit.

“The younger they are, the more open-minded they are,” Whitman said. “They are absolutely open to anything and everything.”

Around third-grade, though, a lot of children lose their enthusiasm and begin to doubt their artistic abilities, she said.

At that point, Whitman said, “they’re beginning to say, ‘I can’t draw.’

“Usually by third grade, some adult has made the mistake of saying, ‘What is that?’

And that stymies them. That will discourage them,” the art teacher said.

Instead of asking what an artwork portrays, Whitman said it’s better to say, “Tell me about it.”

Emily Vizcarra created a collage of vases, include some real-life or lifelike ferns. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Emily Vizcarra created a collage of vases, include some real-life or lifelike ferns.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Asking the student how he or she created a piece of art also helps to encourage the artist to stay interested in the creative process, she said.

Beyond learning how to work with various media, the students learn art history and about various styles of art.

Whitman said student works are exhibited each year at the library, at CenterState Bank and at the Pasco County Fair.

She chooses the pieces to display based on merit.

“I intentionally have their kids write their names on the back of their artwork, so I don’t know who it is. If I choose to show two of one student’s or three or one student’s in an art exhibit, then so be it.

“I had a principal years ago say, ‘Well, I noticed you had three pieces by this one little girl in the exhibit. If you limited her to one, then two other students could have shown. I said, ‘Yeah, but that’s like telling the fastest runner on the track team, ‘Can you slow down, and let somebody else win?’ ”

Staging an exhibit requires work, but it is worth it, Whitman said, because of the thrill it provides for the students who have their work on display.

“They enjoy exhibiting. They like the limelight,” she said.

That is, except perhaps for kindergartners.

Jose Trevino demonstrates his artistic skills through this colored pencil drawing. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo) — Jose Trevino demonstrates his artistic skills through this colored pencil drawing.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“The kindergartners are funny. When I ask them, ‘Can I keep your artwork for an art show?’ (They respond) ‘Well, no.’

“They don’t like that idea,” she said, noting they want to take their work home and have it hung on their refrigerator door.

But, the teacher or an older brother or sister will talk to the child to assure them the work is just on loan, and the kindergartners typically change their minds.

Once a student has had a work on display, they will often ask Whitman if a work they’ve completed is good enough to exhibit.

The whole idea is to encourage children to develop and use their talents, said Sister Alice Ottapurackal, the school’s principal.

“It’s mainly to encourage children to do their best. We want to make sure that they know that we appreciate them, and to give them a chance to shine,” she said.

“They’re so excited when they see their work displayed,” she added.

“We try to embrace whatever talent God has given them, and to show that to others and to share with others.”

Plus, the principal noted, such displays reflect well on the school.

Published September 2, 2015

Businesses fight ‘cotton-pickin government’

August 26, 2015 By Kathy Steele

When he was running for office, Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore heard a recurring theme: Do something about the blight.

The county, like many other Tampa Bay communities, suffered from the recession, and voters told Moore they wanted something done about neglected buildings.

But a proposed ordinance that would set minimum standards for maintaining commercial buildings is stirring controversy in at least one community – Land O’ Lakes.

About 50 Land O’ Lakes’ business owners and residents met on Aug. 19 with Moore and Assistant County Attorney Kristi Sims to air out their concerns about what they see as government overreach.

“This just feels like more cotton-pickin government, and I’m tired of that,” said Russell Adams, owner of Russell Adams Realty Inc.

The ordinance came up during a recent workshop where Pasco County commissioners met publicly to discuss the 2016 fiscal year budget. A public hearing and a vote by commissioners on the ordinance will be scheduled in the future.

The ordinance is similar to one adopted in Hillsborough County nearly six years ago, and mirrors codes currently applied to residences. It also reflects the best-practice standards recommended by the International Property Maintenance Code.

County code currently defines a blighted structure and criteria for ordering an owner to tear it down unless repairs are done. Or, the county can tear down structures and place liens on properties.

What’s new about the proposed ordinance is that it introduces citations and fines for failure to maintain commercial structures to public safety standards. Examples include weather-tight windows and exterior doors, properly anchored awnings, and peeling or flaking paint. After 30 days, buildings with boarded up windows or doors must be repaired, or fines will be levied.

“Ninety percent of the proposed ordinance is safety-related,” said Sims. “Ten percent is aesthetics-related.”

Current code allows a maximum of $500 per violation plus costs. Jail time, not to exceed 60 days, also can be imposed, or both a fine and jail can be levied.

The process can be lengthy and includes warning notices prior to issuing citations. There also is an appeals process.

According to Moore, the ordinance is intended to fill in gaps in the county’s code enforcement toolbox.

Moore is pushing for additional money in the 2016 budget to hire more code enforcement officers. An initial suggestion of four new hires is now down to two, but an expanded staff would begin to address code enforcement issues along major corridors such as U.S. 41, U.S. 19 and possibly U.S. 301.

Fines imposed on property owners on these state-maintained roadways, however, would go to the state, not the county.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, who came to the meeting to give a crime update, said the ordinance could be an additional tool for his deputies in clearing abandoned buildings, which attract criminal activity. He cited U.S. 19 as an example.

“We’re constantly going back,” he said. “You arrest them, and somebody takes their spot. We need this tool to get the blighted areas in U.S. 19. It’s not a (U.S.) 41 issue. It’s a county ordinance.”

Moore also reassured those at the meeting that the measure would be countywide and not solely focused on Land O’ Lakes.

“Everybody’s business looks great to me,” he said.

Moore said area Realtors were among those who asked for assistance in ridding blight on the county’s major corridors including U.S. 41.

“I have people in the real estate business who have trouble selling their properties,” he said. “They think this (ordinance) will help.”

He also cited a petition maintained by the Land O’ Lakes Beautification Effort, which on Facebook gathered nearly 600 signatures. The petition, addressed to Moore and Pasco County Code Enforcement, seeks tree plantings and a cleanup of blight from the intersection of U.S. 41 and State Road 54 up to the community of Connerton.

The list on the group’s Facebook page includes Land O’ Lakes’ residents as well as a few from Lutz. Some on the list are “anonymous.”

The petition rankled many at the meeting. They said it was not representative of Land O’ Lakes residents or business owners. When asked, no one at the meeting raised a hand to show they had signed the petition.

People at the meeting were local residents and many were long-time business owners, said Casie Holloway of the family-owned Holloway’s Farm Supply. She organized the meeting.

“We are a tight community,” she said. “Many of us have been here forever. This road is steeped in history.”

Preserving history, and also holding on to their businesses, was a major concern. Many expressed fear that if a fire or hurricane destroyed their businesses, the county would hinder rebuilding, and impose current building codes.

That would either be too costly or impossible to meet, they said.

Maryann Bishop of Bishop Construction said she dealt with rebuilding issues after a fire “and went through this with the county for three years.”

Others also expressed dismay with similar county experiences.

Sims and Moore explained that those were building code issues unrelated to the proposed new code enforcement rules. But no one seemed swayed.

Some said they saw signs of rebirth along U.S. 41, citing the recent purchase of Land O’ Lakes Plaza by Circle K. The fuel and convenience store chain plans to build a new store.

“Land O’ Lakes Boulevard is coming back,” said Harry Wright, owner of Hungry Harry’s Family Bar-B-Que. The meeting took place under a tent on his property.

He said other developers in coming months could begin buying up vacant properties for redevelopment.

“Ya’ll (should) maybe look at taking it a little slower…I think we could naturally work out of it,” Wright said.

Published August 26, 2015

Sunlake grad earns AP distinction

August 26, 2015 By Michael Murillo

When Alex Minnick was a senior at Sunlake High School back in June, he had to submit a 24-piece portfolio for his Advanced Placement Drawing class. They were on display at a scoring event in Salt Lake City, Utah, where judges determined an overall score of one through six.

As it turns out, no sixes were awarded, and only around 15.5 percent of the approximately 18,000 entries earned a 5, which was the highest score awarded by the judges.

Alex Minnick's favorite piece is the one he drew of his sister, Michelle. (Photos courtesy of Alex Minnick) — Alex Minnick’s favorite piece is the one he drew of his sister, Michelle.
(Photos courtesy of Alex Minnick)

Minnick was surprised when he learned his score.

“I thought I would get a three or a four,” he said.

The Lutz resident tends to be critical of his own work, but he devotes considerable time and effort to each piece.

He estimates that it typically takes eight hours or more to complete a piece, and he generally prefers the quiet of his room, so he can focus on his work.

When he finishes, he often feels more relieved, than satisfied.

“Most of the time, I’m just exhausted because I’m really critical of what I do. So when I look at the final piece, it’s not exactly how I planned it originally, but it still turns out fine,” Minnick said.

One piece that turned out fine involves hands, which Minnick said was a challenge. They’re easy to get wrong, he explained, because people know when they don’t look right. And, he noted, they need to be expressive and convey strength.

Another difficult piece shows Minnick looking at his reflection in a mirror. That one took closer to 14 hours to complete. He said he had to work hard to get the face in the reflection just right.

Still, he doesn’t think it’s perfect.

“I feel like it’s a good starting point, but I don’t feel like it’s one of my stronger pieces,” Minnick said.

Hands are difficult to draw, Alex Minnick said. They need to look realistic and convey the appropriate emotion at the same time. After significant practice, he’s improved his technique.

If the artist sounds like an unforgiving critic, it’s because he specializes in a type of art with little room for error. Realistic pieces are supposed to look like the subject. Any deviation is noticed and detracts from the goal, which is to represent the subject in an authentic manner. Other subjects, such as a depiction of a reflection in a chrome faucet, are actually easier for Minnick to create. Because those images are supposed to look distorted, a viewer can be more forgiving — the eye doesn’t expect the image to be normal.

As a fan of art, Minnick’s preferences deviate from his own talents. His favorite artist is M.C. Escher, known for his famous and challenging works that often depict physically impossible images. The viewer sees staircases and other visuals, and tries to reconcile them with the physical world, but they don’t match up, creating an optical illusion of sorts.

In fact, departures from realistic depictions of subjects tend to interest Minnick.

“I like surrealist art, because I’m not too good at that. So, it’s something I like because it’s different from what I do,” Minnick said.

He’ll continue his own style at Pasco-Hernando State College, where he’ll continue to study art.

His teacher from Sunlake High School’s 2D AP Studio, Carolyn Frances, is impressed by Minnick’s talents.

“The AP Studio process challenges the student to reach expressive and artistic milestones that match the rigor and skills required of college-level studio art students,” Frances said, in a news release. “Alex is definitely ready for the college studio experience.”

While Minnick acknowledged that he’s not perfectly happy with his Advanced Placement submissions, his friends and family were excited about his score.

He has learned to accept that, even though he still sees aspects in his art that didn’t come out the way he wanted, he’s been recognized for excellence with a score that the vast majority of students won’t achieve.

“I still see the things I don’t like, but now that I know that I got a five, I’m more accepting of those things,” Minnick said.

This piece, depicting his reflection in a mirror, took Alex Minnick nearly 14 hours to complete. Minnick spent a lot of time on getting the reflection image correct.

Published August 26, 2015

Audit finds deficiencies in Pasco’s water billing

August 26, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Louise Gritmon still is in disbelief over a one-month water bill for more than $3,300.

Pasco County charged Gritmon for using more than 614,000 gallons of water over 18 days in the July 2014 billing period when her house was vacant.

That never happened, Gritmon said.

And she has two plumbers, an engineer and a manufacturer who can back up her assertion that the amount of water measured by the county couldn’t physically go through her pipes in the time they say.

The county has disputed her claims.

“I just want my bill zeroed out to what it should be,” Gritmon said.

She will have to wait a bit longer to find out if the county will do that, but on Aug. 18, Gritmon had reason to hope.

An eight-month audit ordered by Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil, and completed by her inspector general’s office, found deficiencies in the county’s meter reading and billing procedures. Software glitches in the county’s automated system, inaccessible meters, inconsistent readings and alerts that were ignored got most of the blame.

When the meters were tested, however, they were found to be functioning properly.

Gritmon took her complaint to the media last summer, and soon after, the county was deluged by other customers who had similar complaints about overbilling.

The audit began in October 2014 and looked at water bills issued between June 1, 2014, and April 15, 2015.

An audit has found deficiencies in billing at Pasco County’s water department. (Photos courtesy of Paula O'Neil) — An audit has found deficiencies in billing at Pasco County’s water department.
(Photos courtesy of Paula O’Neil)

As a result, the county will give closer scrutiny to 317 of 337 customer complaints among its more than 93,000 accounts. The audit found those accounts, including Gritmon’s, had from one to six bills that exceeded 120 percent of the annual average.

Some residents could receive credits or have outstanding charges removed from their bills. Or, the county could determine that the fees are correct.

In some cases, customers already have received credits, said Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker.

In a press release issued Aug. 21, county officials said the goal is to apply credits, if needed, by mid-September.

The county will hire a consultant to assist in correcting overall problems. Temporary staff members will be hired as well. Baker has given the department until March 25 to implement the audit’s recommendations.

“We’re recommending that they (accounts) be reviewed individually to determine if constant flow is the problem, or what the problem is,” said O’Neil.

Some recommended changes in operations at the water department have been implemented, and more are on the way.

One recommendation is to flag accounts with exceptionally high charges for reviews before bills are mailed to customers.

The issues raised in the audit are “glaring and concerning,” said Pasco County Chairman Ted Schrader. “We can do better, and we’re going to make every attempt to do better for our utility customers.”

Published August 26, 2015

Pasco commissioners scrutinize medical marijuana

August 26, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Medical marijuana is legal in Florida, but the issue continues to stir controversy.

The first sales of medical marijuana likely will begin in the next months, when the Florida Department of Health sets up its program for delivering the cannabis-based product.

While 28 businesses have applied for one of five permits that will be issued statewide, no Pasco County business is on the list.

And now, the Pasco County Commission is joining other jurisdictions around the state that have either adopted or have drafted moratoriums on growing and dispensing cannabis.

The county had its first public hearing on Aug. 18 on a proposed ordinance calling for a one-year moratorium.

County officials and Pasco County commissioners made no comment on the on the ordinance.

Commissioners are s
cheduled to have a second public hearing and a vote on Sept. 2.

The first public hearing drew only one speaker during public comment. He came from Pinellas County with some advice for commissioners.

“I would speak to the patients,” said John Chase. “I’m not a marijuana user myself, but I know people whose lives depend on this. I don’t want to see a moratorium.”

Chase said he knows families in Pasco County who need medical marijuana. He expects more people will show up for the final hearing.

Medical marijuana appeared on the 2014 ballot as a constitutional amendment. Supporters fell just short of the necessary 60 percent vote to approve the amendment. Petitioners are seeking signatures to put it on the state’s ballot again in 2016.

And, an appeals judge recently cleared away legal challenges to the state law that allows for dispensing what is known as “Charlotte’s web,” a low-strain of medical marijuana for patients with epilepsy or advanced cancer.

The next step is for the state health department to review the 28 applications filed by the July deadline. Permits are expected in the next three months. The locations will be in five geographic regions around the state.

To date, 23 states and the District of Columbia have legalized medical marijuana in some form while 17 states have rejected such measures. Four states – Oregon, Washington, Colorado and Alaska – have legalized marijuana for recreational use. And Ohio could become the fifth state, and the first in the Midwest, to permit recreational use, if voters approve a constitutional amendment in November.

As Florida’s medical marijuana program gears up, a number of local jurisdictions, like Pasco County, are adopting or drafting their versions of moratoriums. Some are banning dispensaries and treatment centers, at least temporarily, while others are changing zoning laws to restrict their locations.

One requirement of applicants is that they are properly zoned to cultivate, process and dispense cannabis, and also demonstrate an ability to produce high quality product quickly, according to an email from Mara Burger, press secretary for the state’s health department.

The focus is on delivering “safe and effective treatment options,” she writes.

State health officials are taking note of actions such as moratoriums and are “closely monitoring municipal activity across the state to determine any potential impact on patient accessibility or applicant performance.”

Published August 26, 2015

Tampa Premium Outlets to have ‘Key West’ vibe

August 26, 2015 By Kathy Steele

Tampa Premium Outlets will have water, water, everywhere.

The mega-outlet mall will have a center court lagoon, five fountains, and buildings and interiors painted in soft pastels, to give shoppers a “Key West” experience.

Special events and celebrities will punctuate an opening weekend slated for Oct. 29 through Nov. 1.

Palm trees and a pastel color palette throughout Tampa Premium Outlets will give shoppers a ‘Key West’ experience. (Artist renderings courtesy of Simon Property Group) — Palm trees and a pastel color palette throughout Tampa Premium Outlets will give shoppers a ‘Key West’ experience.
(Artist renderings courtesy of Simon Property Group)

General Manager Stacey Nance gave guests at the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce’s monthly breakfast a peek at the soon-to-open mall, off State Road 56, near Interstate 75.

The breakfast marked the first formal event by Nance who was tapped as general manager in May. She began her career with Simon Property Group 18 years ago, as director of marketing at Muncie Mall, in Muncie, Indiana. She later moved into retail management, overseeing operations at Muncie Mall, Muncie Plaza and Northwood Plaza.

Nance also introduced her staff members, including Office Administrator Kelly Holmes and Operations Manager Dallas Stevens.

“We are very excited to be part of your community for many years to come,” Nance said.

The 441,000-square-foot mall will have 110 outlet shops, though not all will be part of the opening weekend. Among announced tenants are Adidas, Brooks Brothers, Coach, Fossil, Puma and Samsonite.

About 92 percent of the mall will be filled on opening day, Nance said. The extra open space is needed, she said, to allow room for the special events.

Details on the events and the as-yet-unnamed celebrities will be announced later.

A job fair for more than 800 jobs will take place on Aug. 27 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., at Embassy Suites, at 3705 Spectrum Blvd., in Tampa. The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce and Career Central at Pasco Hernando State College are event coordinators.

All of the announced tenants will participate in the job fair, Nance said.

Stacey Nance is the general manager of Tampa Premium Outlets that will open on Oct. 29. (File Photo) — Stacey Nance is the general manager of Tampa Premium Outlets that will open on Oct. 29.
(File Photo)

On opening day, shoppers can try out a valet service. Not all Simon properties have valet parking, but Nance said plans are to see how it is utilized.

Marketing is under way also for outparcels that could bring in more tenants.

“If you all come out and spend lots of money, there will be more development,” Nance said.

She anticipates opportunities for local businesses to bid for contracts including for special events, banners and lighting for the parking lot. Signarama, a Wesley Chapel-based company and a “podium sponsor” of the chamber’s breakfast, was among local businesses that provided items for the outlet mall’s groundbreaking.

“Basically, the sky’s the limit,” Nance said.

Published August 26, 2015

Trip to Tokyo offers new perspectives

August 26, 2015 By B.C. Manion

Colby Tomasello recently returned from Tokyo, Japan, where he took part in the TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy.

The Land O’ Lakes High student was among a group of eight students and four teachers from the United States who were selected to make the trip.

Colby Tomasello (back row, third from right) joins other participants at the 2015 TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy in Tokyo. (Photos courtesy of Toshiba) — Colby Tomasello (back row, third from right) joins other participants at the 2015 TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy in Tokyo.
(Photos courtesy of Toshiba)

He spent a week working in collaborative teams with Japanese students, to tackle challenges that required thinking outside of the box.

He also did some sightseeing and had a chance to see firsthand what life is like on the island nation of Japan.

The pace of activities was busy, said Tomasello, who won an essay competition to receive the expenses-paid trip.

Each day began around 7 a.m., with lights out around 10 p.m., he said.

“We had a lot of work to do,” explained Tomasello, who was still attending Pine View Middle School, when he was selected for the U.S. team.

Besides the challenges he and other students tackled, he also had the chance to ride on one of the world’s fastest elevators, master the technique of eating with chopsticks and check out the way people live in Tokyo.

His biggest surprise was how similar Tokyo is to major U.S. cities.

“The layout was very modern,” he said.

Colby Tomasello, right, receives a congratulatory handshake from Toshiba America Inc. executive R. Steven Tungate for his participation in the 2015 TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy in Tokyo.

The number of people he encountered who speak English surprised him, and he was impressed by the way Japanese people, in general, treat strangers.

“People are very polite. They’re very respectful. They bow a lot,” Tomasello said.

He also observed that the Japanese lifestyle appears to be more environmentally friendly than the American way of life.

“Only 20 percent of their vehicles are all gasoline,” he said.

At the hotel where he was staying, the beds were smaller than a typical bed in the U.S., and turning on the room’s lights and running the air conditioner required the room key.

During the week, he took part in a contest to build a tower out of straws and tape that would withstand a simulated earthquake.

“We designed future communities. They’re supposed to be smart communities,” Tomasello said.

“We also saw a SMART home designed by Toshiba,” he said, which featured solar panels and other self-sustaining features.

He worked with a team that was made up of Japanese and American students. One Japanese student on his team was fluent in English, and the other wasn’t.

They worked well together, he said. When the student who spoke little English had trouble understanding, the other student translated, Tomasello said.

Bill Nye, a representative for the 2015 TOMODACHI Toshiba Science & Technology Leadership Academy, speaks to this year’s participants at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo.

Tomasello noted that both Japanese students were much more fluent in English than he is in Japanese.

One lesson he learned during his trip had nothing to do specifically with the challenges at hand, he said.

He learned that the American approach to tackling a problem isn’t necessarily the only approach, or always the best approach.

Tomasello’s selection for the essay competition was based on his previous participation in the Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision program.

Students in grades eight through 11, and high school teachers who are members of the NSTA (National Science Teacher Association), were eligible to apply.

Their Japanese counterparts were selected from high schools that promote strong achievement in science and mathematics, as well as have strong international student exchange programs.

Tomasello isn’t the only member of his family who has fared well in the ExploraVision competitions.

“My sister (Catie) has won four times, and I have won twice,” he said. One of those wins came when he was on a team with his sister.

Published August 26, 2015

New Walk celebrates a new church home

August 26, 2015 By B.C. Manion

When New Walk Church began offering services in 2006, it was located at the YMCA building in Zephyrhills, and had about 120 regular attenders.

Now, the church has three locations, totaling roughly 2,000 members, and it is planning to host the grand opening for its new Zephyrhills home at an evening service on Aug. 29 and two morning services on Aug. 30.

Lead Pastor Gary Baldus believes that New Walk’s invitation that God desires people to make a spiritual reconnection has led to the church’s growth.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photos)

The new Zephyrhills location is at 35008 State Road 54.

The church also has satellites in Dade City and Holiday.

New Walk aims to reach people who are looking for a spiritual home, according to Lead Pastor Gary Baldus.

“I think there’s a lot of people who have been involved in things in their life, and they’re like, ‘There’s no way God loves me now after what I’ve done,’ ” Baldus said.

New Walk tries to help those people understand that God does love them, he said.

“It’s like ‘Who left the relationship? You or God?’ ”

New Walk wants to “reach people who are far from God, but would like to get close and discover that relationship.

“From the time they get to the parking lot and through our service, we want them to know that God still loves them and wants that relationship with them,” Baldus said.

“We have a vision statement which is ‘Unleashing new purpose in every life through Jesus Christ,’ ” he added.

It’s a place designed to be inviting, for members and visitors, alike.

The church has attracted many families with children, and also many single adults, but there are also some older members, Baldus said.

Those driving by New Walk Church on State Road 54 may have wondered what was being built on that road. Now, they know. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photos) — Those driving by New Walk Church on State Road 54 may have wondered what was being built on that road. Now, they know.

Its services feature contemporary music, with highly skilled musicians, the pastor said.

“It’s very lively. It’s all Jesus-based. It’s pretty much what you would hear on Christian radio,” he said.

Much of the new building is designed with children in mind.

The area has been themed out, by Wacky World, a company the church hired to do the décor.

There’s a check-in area, where parents can leave their children while they attend the worship service. That room has a seaside theme, with a model of a giant wave, complete with a surfboard.

“When this is fully running, we have a scent machine,” Baldus said, noting it smells like the coconut oil often used in suntan lotion.

Different rooms within the children’s area are designed to cater to different age groups. There’s a nursery area, a room for toddlers and other spaces for older kids.

The idea is to make church a place where kids want to come, to have fun and to learn about Jesus, Baldus said.

A look at some of the décor, which provides a lively environment for children attending worship services with their parents at New Walk Church.

There’s also a Hospitality Café, where worshippers can enjoy free doughnuts and coffee, or splurge on cappuccinos or slushies. It’s a place where worshippers can relax and spend time with each other, Baldus said.

The main worship hall can accommodate 850 people, which Baldus expects to be full at the services during the grand opening weekend.

The project cost $3.8 million for construction, not including taxes, fees or furnishings.

The new 39,000-square-foot church building sits on 6.5 acres. The site includes a large retention pond in the back and 300 parking spaces around the building, the pastor said.

Even with 300 spaces, parking could become an issue as the church grows, Baldus said.

A significant amount of space has been devoted to children at New Walk Church. The rooms are designed to cater to different age groups.

“One of the challenges on that is that we reach a lot of single people, which is wonderful, but they don’t bring two or three people,” he said.

The church is affiliated with the General Baptist denomination, but its members come from various backgrounds, and there’s no denominational bent, Baldus said.

When people arrive at New Walk, the primary goal is to make them feel welcome.

“Let’s take the barriers away, so they want to come in and hear what God would want for them in their life. And then we can let God do the changing,” Baldus said.

The message he seeks to deliver is: “God loves you and wants you to come back.”

He thinks that invitation for spiritual reconnection has resonated with many people, leading to New Walk’s growth.

“I think the biggest draw has been that this is a place that people could come into and hear the love of Jesus,” Baldus said.

Published August 26, 2015

Retired CPA becomes published novelist

August 26, 2015 By B.C. Manion

The morning after John Chaplick retired from his consulting business, he knew after he’d finished his first cup of coffee that he wasn’t a man who could live without plans.

As he was drinking that cup of coffee, he quickly realized that no one was seeking his advice, he had no meetings to attend and no one was waiting for his reports.

John Chaplick, a retired certified public accountant who lives in Lutz, has penned three novels and is working on No. 4. (Courtesy of John Chaplick) — John Chaplick, a retired certified public accountant who lives in Lutz, has penned three novels and is working on No. 4.
(Courtesy of John Chaplick)

So, he decided to do something he’d promised himself years before that he would do. He decided to write a book.

Of course, he soon learned that it sounded much easier than it was.

It didn’t take long either to discover he had a great deal to learn.

But he was up for the challenges.

And now, the retired certified public accountant has published three novels and is working on his fourth.

His publishers are Cricket Cottage Publishing and Southern Yellow Pines Publishing.

The titles of his novels are “The Rivergrass Legacy,” “Bridge of the Paper Tiger” and “Forbidden Chronicles of a Roman Centurion.”

He’s already about 80 pages into his next novel, “Wolves of Antikythera,” which he expects to be 300-plus pages, because of the research involved.

Chaplick said he does his writing on the computer in his den at home, surrounded by his materials.

He believes that readers want more than an engaging story.

His novels always include a broad underlying premise, such as money laundering in “The Rivergrass Legacy.”

When he writes, he keeps in mind that there’s no such thing as a perfectly righteous hero or completely evil villain.

Obstacles change his characters, as the novel progresses.

His novels always have a twist at the end, too.

He believes that authors must capture the reader’s interest at the outset and use concise writing to keep them reading.

He seeks to do more than merely tell a story.

He uses “atmospherics” — which is a descriptive kind of writing that give readers a sense that they’ve been transported to the place where the story is unfolding and brings the characters in the novel to life.

When it comes to the actual writing, Chaplick has no particular routine.

“I probably write a little bit every day. Sometimes I’ll sit there for four hours. Sometimes I’ll sit there for 10 minutes,” he said.

Essentially, he doesn’t write unless he feels like he has something to say.

“I just don’t write unless I feel like it. If you try to write when you really don’t feel like it, it comes out kind of forced, and I’m not sure what kind of quality you get.”

If he hits a wall, he takes a break for a few days to mull things over.

“I usually find my way around it,” he said. “When I get stuck, it’s usually because the novel says, ‘Hey, I want to go in a different direction.’ ”

Sometimes, he’ll wake up at 2 a.m., with an idea, so he heads to the den and gets to work.

“I get on the computer and punch away.”

Chaplick said he’s always on the lookout for ways to enhance his material.

Occasionally, he’ll see something while he’s driving that will make him think of a scene or an image, and he’ll pull over to jot down some notes.

“Sometimes, a billboard believe it or not, will trigger a thought,” the author said.

He begins every novel with an outline, but doesn’t always stick to it.

“I find, as I go along — as the characters develop and the plot thickens — sometimes the book drives me,” Chaplick said.

His novels tend to run between 275 and 325 pages.

He despises the use of fill material.

And, he’s not impressed by sequels.

“I think sequels are weaker than the first one. And, they’re playing on their readers’ desire to see a repeat of the first, and it’s usually a disappointment,” he said.

None of his books have been sequels.

Chaplick said he would encourage anyone who is serious about writing a book, to pursue that desire.

But he advised: “Don’t do it unless you’re committed to it long term. It’s a long, long journey.”

He also warned would-be authors about the dangers of being exploited by publishers.

“Every new writer who enters the field is suddenly set adrift on a sea of protocol without a compass, and the navigation is difficult because there are literary sharks waiting at every turn to take advantage of a new writer. There are a lot of predators out there,” he said.

Effective writing requires solid research, which adds depth and dimension to the storytelling, he said.

It’s a good idea to join writing groups to help authors develop and refine their writing skills, Chaplick said. It’s also a good idea to read a lot, to learn techniques from other writers.

Chaplick’s wife, Avis, edits his drafts, his writer groups critique his work, he has several readers who offer advice, and he has an editor, Paula Stahel, too.

It’s important to develop a thick skin, Chaplick said.

Once one of his writing groups was critiquing his work, while there was a visitor from Scotland there, thinking about joining the group.

“Well, he was sitting next to me. As they were taking mine (Chaplick’s writing) apart, with their red ink and criticizing, he kept looking at me. He looked over to see my reaction.

“I sat there because I was used to it.

“They got all through, and the director turned around and said, ‘Well Angus, what do you think? Would you like to join our group?’

“And, in a thick Scottish brogue, (Angus replied)‘No, I wanted to join, but after I seen what ya done to this lad, I don’t think I will.’

“He walked out, and we never saw him again.”

Critiques can be deflating, Chaplick said.

But they’re instructive and can help writers grow, Chaplick said.

“You have to get better and better each time, and the red marks get fewer and fewer,” Chaplick said.

John Chaplick appearances
Lutz author John Chaplick will be taking part in the Tampa Bay Times Festival of Reading on Oct. 24 in St. Petersburg. He also will be giving a book talk at 5:30 p.m., on Oct. 26, at the Lutz Branch Library. He is the author of three books, “The Rivergrass Legacy,” “Bridge of the Paper Tiger” and “Forbidden Chronicles of a Roman Centurion.”

The author is available to give talks to schools, libraries, service clubs and other groups. For more information, email him at , or visit his website at EngagingBooksBlog.com.

Published August 26, 2015