Local News

Browning, Sunlake eye district title in 2014

August 7, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Sunlake High School has come a long way since head coach Bill Browning led the Seahawks onto the field for their inaugural season back in 2007.

They started out by losing 21 out of their first 22 games, and didn’t win a district contest until their third season.

Running back Nathan Johnson, left, and linebacker Austin Yeloushan will be key to Sunlake’s fortunes in 2014. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo) — Running back Nathan Johnson, left, and linebacker Austin Yeloushan will be key to Sunlake’s fortunes in 2014.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Now they’re enjoying a run, which includes two playoff appearances and just five regular season losses in the past four years. They have playoff appearances, plenty of wins, and a reputation as a tough team to beat in Class 6A-District 6.

But something’s missing.

In all that time, the Seahawks have never won a district title. Three times in their history — including last year — they lost just one game during the regular season, but that game was to the eventual district champion.

And the players want that title for themselves in 2014.

“We’re planning on doing that this year,” said Austin Yeloushan, a senior who plays middle linebacker and tight end. “We’ve been working hard in the weight room.” The team also got in a good deal of game experience against quality opponents at a recent football camp at Stetson University, he said. Those performances give Sunlake confidence heading into their first game, an Aug. 29 road tilt against the talented Pasco Pirates.

While it’s not the only thing on his mind, Browning also wants to see a district title on the team’s resume.

“It’s missing right now, but it really just provides more motivation for us,” he said.

Since last year’s losses were so close — the total time remaining when their opponents took the lead was less than one minute for both games combined — Browning feels the Seahawks are on the right path.

To continue, Sunlake will have to overcome some heavy losses due to graduating seniors. Their defense will be retooled, with nine out of last year’s 11 starters gone from the team.

But Yeloushan, one of the two remaining starters from last year’s defense, believes the changes in personnel won’t hold them back. In fact, he expects them to surprise their opponents with their ability once the games start, and that includes contributing on the scoreboard.

“I think a lot of defensive touchdowns are going to happen this year. We have a lot of playmakers,” Yeloushan said.

Sunlake’s running game should continue to be a strong point, with star running back Nathan Johnson returning for duty. Johnson is ready to build on last year’s successful season — in more than 250 attempts, he lost just one fumble. But Browning believes a good running game is about more than a skilled runner in the backfield.

“He’d be the first one to tell you that the offensive line will be key, of course, in determining the kind of season he has,” Browning said.

Turns out, that’s exactly what Johnson said.

“I love my offensive line. I had 1,500 yards last year, and I couldn’t have gotten any of that without them,” he said.

While the line lost two starters from last season, Johnson believes their replacements are actually better players, and is excited to see what they can accomplish in 2014.

While Sunlake might be considered a run-first team, Browning said they have enough skill at quarterback and receiver to avoid being one-dimensional. The team will welcome back quarterback Dayton Feidon, who went down with an injury last October.

The coach also expects big things from returning receiver Nick Valdes, who has had an impressive offseason.

While Browning can look back at his tenure at Sunlake and note the considerable progress, it’s not in his nature to be happy just winning a lot of games and having a respectable finish each year.

“You always want to take it to the next step,” he said. “As a coach and as a competitor, you’re never satisfied where you’re at.”

SUNLAKE SEAHAWKS
LAST YEAR: 9-2
3-1 in district play
Second place in Class 6A-District 6, lost in first round of playoffs

KEY RETURNING PLAYERS
Austin Yeloushan, middle linebacker/tight end
Logan Wolfe, outside linebacker and fullback
Nick Valdes, wide receiver

PLAYER TO WATCH
Nathan Johnson, running back
“He was our workhorse last year. Very rarely goes down on first contact. A physical football player.” – Coach Bill Browning

2014 Seahawks Schedule
8/29 – at Pasco
9/5 – River Ridge
9/12 – at Anclote
9/19 – Springstead
9/26 – Ridgewood
10/3 – at Mitchell
10/10 – at Wesley Chapel
10/17 – at Land O’ Lakes
10/31 – Fivay
11/7 – Zephyrhills

Published August 6, 2014

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Business Digest 08-06-14

August 7, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Lowe’s Rising
The walls are now up on the long-awaited Lowe’s, being constructed on 42 acres of land on State Road 54 just east of Land O’ Lakes Boulevard. The 152,000-square-foot store is expected to open by winter, bringing 125 jobs to the area. The store was originally planned to open in 2009, but the poor economy pushed it back a few years.

Chambers consider merger
The Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce has opened up talks with the New Tampa Chamber of Commerce with the idea that the two could explore “integrating membership” of the two chambers. The goal, Wesley Chapel chamber executive director Hope Allen said, would be to “build a strong organization focused on membership development, community development and economic development in the New Tampa/Wesley Chapel area.”

The Wesley Chapel chamber’s board of directors have appointed a task force to explore the logistics and benefits of a merger, and are now conducting a due diligence review, Allen said.

“While discussions are still in their infancy, we are always interested in reviewing partnerships that enhance our business community,” Allen said, in a statement. “After the task force completes its review, the next step is to engage a broader pool of people in the discussion, including current chamber members and community leaders.”

The New Tampa chamber, founded in 2009, has a little more than 100 members. The Wesley Chapel chamber was founded in 1998, and maintains about 460 members.

It’s not clear how big a new combined chamber would be, since some businesses are members of both chambers.

A decision is expected by October.

RN job fair
Florida Hospital Zephyrhills will host an experienced RN job fair Aug. 7 from noon to 5 p.m., in the hospital’s main lobby.

Hiring managers will be on hand to try and recruit registered nurses for the hospital.

Those who apply for an open RN position before the fair can receive a welcome gift, as well as learn about open opportunities and sign-on bonuses.

New owner with Jan’s Wines & Boos II
Norma Ruckey, along with her daughter Kristen Ruckey and son T.J. Ruckey, have purchased Jan’s Wines & Boos II at 19233 N. Dale Mabry Highway in Lutz.

The location offers wine as well as a full-service bar with beer and a wide range of liquor and gourmet cheese trays.

It is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to midnight. It’s open Sundays from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

For information, call (813) 948-0619.

Pep Boys coming to Lutz
Construction is set to begin soon on a new Pep Boys automobile service shop on State Road 54, just blocks from Collier Parkway in Lutz.

The company is planning a 5,500-square-foot service and tire center with six service bays, according to spokeswoman Lizabeth Galantino, and will hire six people.

The land is located on the corner of State Road 54 and Catfish Lake Lane, and is currently owned by Jerry and Linda Newton of Indian Rocks Beach, according to county property records. The Newtons purchased the 1.6 acres of vacant land in 2005 for $875,000.

This would be the area’s first Pep Boys location, complementing the closest one on North Dale Mabry Highway just north of Ehrlich Road.

Pep Boys recently remodeled many of its stores, removing a lot of the sterile garage environment many locations were known for, and replacing them with lounges that include flat-screen televisions, a beverage station, and free high-speed Wi-Fi access.

The Philadelphia-based company, founded in 1921, has nearly 800 locations nationwide.

Construction jobs slowly climbing
The number of construction jobs available in the greater Tampa Bay market rose 3 percent in June compared to what it was a year ago to 58,600 workers. Yet, when compared to the rest of the state, that growth is below average, according to a new report by Associated General Contractors of America.

The Fort Walton Beach and Naples area had the largest growth in the state with a 16 percent increase in workers. However, those two areas combined have just a little more than 16,000 construction jobs, a fraction of the Tampa Bay region.

The greater Orlando area, which has the second highest number of construction jobs with 54,900, had an 8 percent increase year over year.

The state added 44,500 construction jobs since June 2013, an increase of 12 percent.

Dollar Tree buying Family Dollar
Two popular low-cost retail chains with dozens of locations locally will become one company by early next year.

Dollar Tree Inc., says it will buy Family Dollar Stores Inc., in a deal said to be worth $8.5 billion.

While both Dollar Tree and Family Dollar will share the same main office, not much else is expected to change, Dollar Tree executives said in a release. Stores will continue to operate under their own banners and their own policies, creating a combined force to compete with Dollar General.

The new Dollar Tree company will have 13,000 stores across 48 states and five Canadian provinces, with annual sales expected to hit $18 billion.

Family Dollar operates six stories locally, including four in Zephyrhills, and a store each in Dade City and San Antonio. Dollar Tree has stores in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, New Tampa, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Honors for Homes by WestBay
Homes by WestBay has won three awards from the Florida Home Builders Association Sales & Marketing Council’s 2014 Excel Awards, handed out during its annual Southeast Building Conference last month.

Among its awards, Homes by WestBay won for Best Interior Merchandising of a Model Home for its model at The Biscayne at FishHawk Ranch in Lithia. It also won for Best Corporate Video and Best Website.

Homes by WestBay is a builder in several local communities, including Connerton and LakeShore Ranch.

Political Agenda 08-06-14

August 7, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Moore meet and greet
Mike Moore, who is seeking the Republican nomination for Pasco County Commission District 2, will have a meet and greet Aug. 7 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Alice Hall, near Zephyr Park on State Road 54 in Zephyrhills.

There will be entertainment and light refreshments.

Bilirakis champions Ridge Road, scolds Corps
U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis is calling for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reform its permitting process, saying it’s hurting work on projects like the Ridge Road expansion in Pasco County.

“The Ridge Road expansion is a matter of public safety for the people of Pasco County and the Tampa Bay region,” the Palm Harbor Republican said, in a release. “My constituents have been waiting too long for action by the Army Corps of Engineers. They have only been met with stonewalling by the Corps, which continues to require a seemingly endless array of redundant and costly environmental reviews and evaluations.”

Bilirakis looked to reform the organization by trying to defund the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Works, which oversees the Corps.

The project has been delayed for years because of concerns of the environmental impact it would have.

The road project is designed to expand Ridge Road to connect Moon Lake Road with the Suncoast Parkway.

Time to talk long-range transportation
The elevated toll road along the State Road 54/56 corridor might be gone as a private project, but it could still be alive and well as something taxpayers would eventually have to fund.

That and other projects are up for discussion when the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization makes a few stops next month around the county to talk about its long-range transportation plan for the next 25 years.

Meetings will take place the first two weeks in August in Land O’ Lakes, Dade City and New Port Richey. All of them begin at 5 p.m.

Upcoming meetings include Aug. 6 at Lacoochee Elementary School’s media center at 38815 Cummer Road in Dade City.

After a meeting at the New Port Richey Public Library Aug. 7, the MPO will return to the eastern side of the county with a meeting Aug. 12 at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse, 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

For more information on the meetings, or the long-range transportation plan itself, visit Mobility2040Pasco.com, or call (727) 847-8140.

Poll workers needed for August, November elections
Energetic? Service-oriented? Then the Pasco County supervisor of elections may be looking for you.

Poll workers are needed for both the primary election Aug. 26 and the general election Nov. 4. Positions are paid, but potential candidates will need to be able to stand, bend, stoop, lift approximately 30 pounds, and have normal vision and manual and physical dexterity.

Applicants also need to write and read English, have an email address, and be able to work the entire day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All positions receive mandatory paid training the month preceding both the primary and general elections.

For information, call (800) 851-8754, or visit PascoVotes.com.

Free rides to the polls
Pasco County Public Transportation will do its part to help get out the vote by offering free rides to the polls on election days for the upcoming cycle.

The deal was worked out between PCPT and county elections supervisor Brian Corley, and was approved by the Pasco County Commission last week.

On both primary day Aug. 26 and the general election day Nov. 4, voters who present their voter information card will ride free to their local polling location. The goal is to encourage and promote participation in the election process, while also introducing public transportation as a viable option for travel throughout the county, said PCPT director Michael Carroll.

In return, Corley’s office will use available media advertising and respective websites to inform potential riders and voters how to access and navigate the transit system.

Mobile hours for Ross
U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, will host mobile office hours Aug. 12 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m., at the Lutz Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road in Lutz.

Other dates in Lutz include Sept. 9, Oct. 14 and Dec. 9.

For more information, call (863) 644-8215, or (813) 752-4790.

MOSI gives health screenings new meaning with theater upgrades

July 31, 2014 By Michael Hinman

When the Imax theater first opened at Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry in Tampa in 1995, the technology behind the larger-than-life films was still quite revolutionary.

Lines to see Imax movies at the Museum of Science & Industry could be a lot longer in the near future once planned upgrades to the theater are complete, thanks in part to a $2 million donation from Florida Hospital. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Lines to see Imax movies at the Museum of Science & Industry could be a lot longer in the near future once planned upgrades to the theater are complete, thanks in part to a $2 million donation from Florida Hospital.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Today, however, it’s hard to find a movie complex without an Imax screen, and nearly all of them are digital — leaps and bounds beyond MOSI’s now almost antiquated film-based system.

But that’s changing after a $2 million donation from Florida Hospital that will not only rename the dome theater after the hospital chain, it will bring science to the masses in ways that were never imagined 20 years ago. Called “Florida Hospital Presents Live SX,” surgeons at local hospitals will perform routine surgeries, which will be broadcast live to MOSI’s Coleman Science Works Theater for middle school, high school and college students.

“Live SX” will be a lot like the more traditional surgery amphitheaters, except without the need to travel to a hospital. Surgeons will answer questions from the audience, and provide a glimpse into surgery many may not have had otherwise.

“We believe that investing in MOSI is important for the community,” said Mike Schultz, president and chief executive of Florida Hospital West Florida Region, during a check presentation at the Fowler Avenue museum last week. We believe our investment will help support MOSI as it moves forward, to create long-term sustainability of the museum, and further (develop) future scientists and health care professionals while helping develop the work force in the greater Tampa Bay area.

“We want to make a difference.”

Access to medical professionals in this way is something many don’t get to experience otherwise, especially in suburban areas like northern Hillsborough and southern Pasco counties, said Molly Demeulenaere, MOSI’s vice president of growth.

“A lot of hospitals don’t open their operating rooms, and we’ll be working with families in Pasco County to help make that possible,” she said. “Younger kids especially are going to have access to this information before they start to figure out what they want to do for a living, and (it) allows them to spark that interest at a much earlier age.”

Where the surgeries will take place depends on Florida Hospital itself, Demeulenaere said. They could be hosted from Tampa, Wesley Chapel, even Zephyrhills.

The Imax dome image is 10 times larger than a conventional 35mm frame, and three times larger than a standard 70mm frame, museum officials said. The dome theater offers a six-channel, high-fidelity motion picture sound system manufactured by Sonics Associates Inc., as well as a projector, which when it was installed, was one of the most advanced, using technology to keep the picture steady and prevent film hiccups.

MOSI always has prided itself as a hands-on museum, bringing science directly to people who visit.

“When people think of a museum, they normally think of these big open spaces where you don’t touch anything,” Demeulenaere said. “But museums are a true lab of creativity and education, and play a vital role in the community as a whole.”
MOSI did not say when work would begin on the theater, and it may have to wait its turn in line as other science centers are undergoing similar transitions and there are few companies qualified to do the work. Most of the money donated by Florida Hospital will go into the “transformation,” as MOSI is calling it, although remaining funds can be used to help supplement other programs at the museum.

“Florida Hospital is demonstrating true community leadership, and I think we should really thank our lucky stars for Florida Hospital and all the work that they do in our communities throughout Florida,” MOSI board chair Robert Thomas said. “I just can’t begin to tell you how important this is, and how thrilled we are to have them as a partner in the future of this organization.”

Published July 30, 2014

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Proposed school taxes to be lower this year

July 31, 2014 By B.C. Manion

After years of gut-wrenching personnel cuts, Pasco County Schools expects to add employees this year, while reducing tax bills for property owners and balancing a budget of nearly $1.2 billion.

The proposed budget is based on a tax rate of $7.15 per $1,000 of taxable value compared to a tax rate of $7.36 this year.

Based on this year’s proposed budget, the owner of a $100,000 home, after $50,000 in exemptions, would pay $357.50 in school taxes, a reduction of $10.50 from the current rate.

The proposed budget anticipates the district’s enrollment to be 67,955, an increase of 925 over last year.

Allocations in the budget include:

• $500,000 to cover costs associated with opening Sanders Memorial, Quail Hollow and Shady Hills elementary schools, which are slated to reopen in the 2015-16 school year.

• $7.9 million for the equivalent of 176 full-time positions, primarily to comply with state class size requirements.

• $2.8 million for professional and curriculum mandates.

• $1.5 million for increased health insurance costs.

The budget assumes a $1 million reduction in district energy costs and $1.6 million in savings from cutting the district’s early retirement program.

The proposed budget also reflects an expected increase of 607 students attending charter schools, receiving McKay scholarships for special needs or enrolled in Department of Juvenile Justice centers. Those 607 students represent $2.4 million in funding, which comes into Pasco, but goes to those programs.

The total projected enrollment for those programs is 3,762, representing more than $23.3 million.

The district expects to have a total of $3.4 million available for salary increases, based on these budget projections.

School board member Joanne Hurley said this year’s budget deliberations are a welcome departure from the previous seven years. In those years, the board was forced to make “painful, painful decisions,” Hurley said.

“It is so nice at this time of the year to say we have a balanced budget,” she said. “This is a real luxury after the past seven years.”

A final public hearing on the district’s budget will be held in September.

Published July 30, 2014

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These athletes are ready to take on the world

July 31, 2014 By B.C. Manion

After claiming the gold at the Special Olympics Florida State Summer Games in May, a group of athletes from Land O’ Lakes will trek to Los Angeles next summer to compete at the 2015 Special Olympics Summer World Games.

The team got the word on July 21 via Skype during a surprise announcement in a mini-auditorium at Land O’ Lakes High School.

Ordray Smith advances the ball during a soccer game at Wesley Chapel High School during the Pasco County Special Olympics Games on Feb. 28. (Courtesy of Land O' Lakes High School) — Ordray Smith advances the ball during a soccer game at Wesley Chapel High School during the Pasco County Special Olympics Games on Feb. 28.
(Courtesy of Land O’ Lakes High School)

Coach Vicky King corralled members of the team to the meeting under the guise they would be talking about their gold-medal performance in the state competition at the ESPN Wide World of Sports Complex in May.

But the athletes were really there to hear about their selection as an 11-member contingent of the 15-member Team Florida.

They compete in Division 2 soccer, with seven athletes on each side of the ball. It is a unified team, meaning there are four Special Olympics athletes playing along with three partners, who are there to provide help and support.

The team will join thousands of Special Olympics athletes from 170 nations to compete for international medals for a week beginning July 25, 2015. The games include 21 Olympic-style sports.

School principal Ric Mellin, who answered the Skype call, is delighted by the news.

“Words can’t express how excited I am for these students,” he said. “They put a tremendous amount of effort into preparing for the local games and the state games, and I think the grittiness that they showed impressed the selection group.”

The details regarding costs aren’t yet in, so it is unclear how much the team may need to raise, Mellin said. Besides the trip to L.A., the team also is expecting to spend a week in Indianapolis in a couple months to help prepare.

“If we do need to do some fundraising, that’ll be a wonderful opportunity for the locals here in Land O’ Lakes to provide some additional support,” Mellin said. “We would greatly appreciate it. Our community has always been wonderful when we’ve asked for things in the past, and I’m sure they would step up and help support these students as well.”

Coach King is excited about the experiences that await her athletes.

“It’s an opportunity of a lifetime,” she said.

King is happy the team is being rewarded for its dedication.

“We worked really, really hard this year,” the coach said.

Valerie Lundin, one of the directors for Pasco County Special Olympics, said Land O’ Lakes High has an exceptional Special Olympics program. The unified teams give athletes with disabilities and those without them a chance to gain a better understanding of each other.

“The premise is they get to know one another, they partner together, they travel together,” she said. “So, when they’re in the mall or the cafeteria, they’re friends.”

Ghaida Shehab said her son, Hassan, who plays on the team, is “very happy” that the team has been selected to compete. After hearing the news, he told Shehab: “See mom? Are you proud of me?”

“I think it’s good for him,” Shehab said, adding she plans to go the games, as well.

Tommy Guglielmello, one of the team’s partners, said he enjoys the role he plays on the team.

“The partners help the game move along,” Guglielmello said. “It’s awesome being out there when they score.”

Published July 30, 2014

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Sit back, relax – and enjoy Florida’s marine life, too

July 31, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Before setting up her cruise business in Tarpon Springs, Suzanne Upchurch and her business partner traveled the entire west coast of Florida looking for the perfect spot.

They had a cruise and ferry business in Massachusetts where they did history and lighthouse tours, and they were looking for a place where they could operate during the winter.

There’s never any guarantee that you’ll see dolphins leaping out of the water during your two-hour Island Adventure Tour operated by Sun Line Cruises out of Tarpon Springs, but there’s a good chance you’ll see something interesting and learn something new. (Courtesy of Sun Line Cruises) — There’s never any guarantee that you’ll see dolphins leaping out of the water during your two-hour Island Adventure Tour operated by Sun Line Cruises out of Tarpon Springs, but there’s a good chance you’ll see something interesting and learn something new.
(Courtesy of Sun Line Cruises)

“We went through Tarpon Springs, all of the way to Key West,” Upchurch said.

They came back to Tarpon Springs because that’s where their boat — the Island Star — had been built, and they felt at home with the Anclote Key lighthouse and the nearby power plant.

The lighthouse had the same structural form as the lighthouse in Marblehead, Massachusetts, Upchurch explained. And, the power plant is a replica of the one in Salem, Massachusetts.

Their company, Sun Line Cruises, started operating seasonally in Florida 14 years ago. They brought with them the historical and lighthouse tours as well as ferry service.

“Of course, the season is much shorter up there,” Upchurch said. “It gets cold real fast up there.”

She decided to come to Tarpon Springs seasonally to break into an area with something that was not being offered, Upchurch said. As it turns out, they decided to offer eco-tours, which Upchurch thoroughly enjoys because she said it allows her to share her love of nature.

People who take her cruises can count on an affordable trip, which combines the pleasure of gliding across water and having a chance to learn about the area’s history and its marine life. Sometimes Upchurch narrates the trip. Other times, the Florida naturalist or marine biologist on her staff does the honors.

Their goal is to give their passengers an enjoyable and informative experience, said Kathy Poreda, who sells cruise tickets from a colorful shack at 18 Dodecanese Blvd., in Tarpon Springs.

Patrons boarding the Island Star hail from all over the world, said Aaron Kalwa, one of the ship’s captains. The company’s website gets hits from places such as Ukraine and Belgium, Upchurch said.

A couple of years ago, a woman from Chicago rushed up to the ticket window and exclaimed, “We found you,” Upchurch recalled. The woman’s doctor had recommended the cruise after learning the customer was planning a visit to Tarpon Springs.

Virtually every ride offers passengers a chance to see an assortment of winged creatures, such as roseate spoonbills, terns, ospreys, egrets and pelicans. They also hear about mangrove systems, fresh springs, the estuary’s role as a marine nursery, and the history of the Anclote Key lighthouse.

The tour also includes commentary about the history of Tarpon Springs and its sponge docks, marine repair work, shipbuilding, and fishing industry.

Every cruise, however, is unique. On a March 2 outing, for instance, a passenger saw something strange floating on the water, said Kalwa, who was steering the ship that day.

“We were on our way out of Anclote River,” he said. “As soon as we got out to St. Joseph’s Sound, a passenger pointed out something floating in the water. We stopped to get a better look at it, and it looked it was a turtle having some distress, struggling.

“It was a real busy day that day and it was in the middle of the channel, so we had to stop the boat. We were scared that he was going to get hit by other boats. So, we stopped the boat, kind of protected him,” Kalwa said.

The ship’s first mate was able to get close, but she was unable to lift the turtle into the boat. So Kalwa, who has a burly build, had the first mate steer the boat, while he grabbed the turtle and pulled it aboard.

It was no easy feat. The green sea turtle, given the name Bubba Gump, weighed nearly 60 pounds.

The cruise company called the Clearwater Marine Aquarium who picked up the turtle and nursed it back to health. Bubba Gump was released into the Gulf of Mexico from Honeymoon Island on July 8.

Sun Line Cruises offers a 90-minute cruise, a two-hour cruise, sunset cruises, group tours, weddings, special events and sea scatterings.

The two-hour cruise makes a half-hour stop at Anclote Key, which is the northernmost barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico.

“We do a lot of school group tours. We have a marine science club. It’s set up for different age groups,” Upchurch said. Topics include marine and mammals, sharks and stingrays, and tsunamis and hurricanes.

As Kalwa carries passengers from the dock in Tarpon Springs out to Anclote Key and back, the ship captain gets a kick out of seeing guests get excited when they spot dolphins leaping out of the water or watch manatees glide by.

During a recent cruise, passengers got a thrill when they saw a single dolphin surfacing during the early part of their cruise, and then saw the telltale fins of a small group of dolphins on the way back.

They made their way from one side of the boat to the other, trying to capture the moment on their smartphones.

Besides having ticket prices that are under $20, Sun Line Cruises also rewards repeat customers through a frequent cruiser program.

“Each time you visit us, we put a sticker on your card,” Upchurch said, noting visitors can only receive one sticker per visit regardless of the size of their party.

“At last count, we had 670 full frequent cruiser cards turned in,” Upchurch said. “We have one particular couple who is on their seventh frequent cruiser card.”

If you go …
WHAT: Sun Line Cruises trips
WHERE: 18 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs
CRUISES: Combination Sea Fari and Island Adventure Cruises, sail weekdays with weather permitting, at 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Sea Fari Adventure Cruises sail weekends at 11:45 a.m.
Island Adventure Cruises sail weekends with weather permitting at 1:15 p.m. and 3:15 p.m.
Sunset cruises sail on Saturday and Sunday evenings. Departure times vary by season. Call for departure times and reservations.
COST: $16 for adults, $15 for senior citizens and $9 for children for Sea Fari; $20 for adults, $19 for seniors, and $10 for children for Island Adventure; $18 for adults and $12 for children for Sunset Cruises

Published July 30, 2014

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Steinbrenner feeling optimism with new gridiron roster

July 31, 2014 By Michael Murillo

When a high school football team has to replace 22 graduating seniors, it can be devastating to their prospects the following year.

But in Steinbrenner High School’s case, it might be just what they needed.

Andres Bautista is serious about providing leadership in his senior season, and working hard to get Steinbrenner High School’s football team into the playoffs. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo) — Andres Bautista is serious about providing leadership in his senior season, and working hard to get Steinbrenner High School’s football team into the playoffs.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“The attitude and mentality of everybody is that they want to come and work hard. They saw what we struggled with last year, players just giving up,” said Andres Bautista, who plays on the defensive line. “Those seniors, they’re gone, so now we feel we have a better chance of achieving goals.”

Bautista, now a senior himself, is just one of two players who are entering their fourth year with the Warriors, and he believes the roster changes will improve their fortunes. Too many seniors didn’t give it their all, didn’t respond to challenging times, or simply didn’t perform up to their ability, he said.

As a result, the team finished a disappointing 3-7 overall, and 2-3 in the district last season.

Head Coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo, now entering his third year at the helm, isn’t too concerned with dwelling on last year’s fortunes. He’d rather take what he can from the past and apply it toward a more successful future.

“Every year is different in its own way,” Perez-Reinaldo said. “We look at last year’s successes and struggles, learn from them, and work on the new team and the new year.”

The Warriors gave up a district-high 303 points, but they had problems on both sides of the ball. The offense also struggled, both failing to score and committing turnovers, which put the defense in bad situations.

And when put in those situations, coverage issues allowed the opposing team’s offense to capitalize, Bautista said.

But that doesn’t mean Steinbrenner didn’t have significant bright spots. The Warriors were ranked second in kickoffs and punt returns. Not second in the district, nor the region. Steinbrenner was ranked second in those categories ahead of nearly every other school in the state.

Perez-Reinaldo believes that gives the team a significant advantage and can help improve their record in 2014.

“We hope to continue that,” Perez-Reinaldo said of the high special teams ranking. “If you can win those two — special teams and defense — everything else will fall into place.”

Perez also believes his receiving corps will be difference-makers this season. He credits Coach Michael Bosco for his work with the unit, and believes the wide receivers complement each other well.

While it’s too early to know how everything will fall into place, Perez-Reinaldo likes what he’s seen so far. A good work ethic and some success on the field have given him some optimism headed into the regular season.

“I think it’s important for kids to learn how to compete and then learn how to win,” he said. “This off-season, our team has really come together through workouts and seven-on-seven tournaments. We won our first seven-on-seven tournament ever at Steinbrenner this summer, and I see that as evidence that our team is learning how to win.

“Now it’s a matter to translating that to Friday nights.”

Bautista is looking forward to getting back to playing on Friday nights as well, because he missed a few of them last season. A torn meniscus in his right knee ended his 2013 campaign after just five games, and he had to watch the team struggle from the sideline. Now, after a successful return in a spring game (Bautista says his knee is 100 percent), he’s looking forward to providing the senior leadership he feels was lacking last season.

And Bautista believes the best way to provide that leadership is to show that he’s dedicated to seeing Steinbrenner reach the postseason for the first time in his high school career.

“That’s one of our biggest goals, is making the playoffs,” Bautista said. “I’m going to play how I’ve been playing since freshman year: Playing hard and going 110 percent.

“I love football.”

STEINBRENNER WARRIORS

Last Year: 3-7 (2-3 in district play
Fourth place in Class 7A-District 7

Key Returning Players
Andres Bautista, defensive line
Zack Deitz, linebacker

Key Addition
Quentin Poteralski, quarterback
(was a backup last season)

Player to Watch
Kezio Snelling, wide receiver
“Had a breakout year, and he is definitely a guy to watch,” said Coach Andres Perez-Reinaldo.

2014 Warriors Schedule
8/22 – Sunlake
8/29 – at Plant City
9/5 – at Alonso
9/12 – Spoto
9/19 – Sickles
10/2 – at Tampa Bay Tech
10/10 – at Wharton
10/17 – Wiregrass Ranch
10/24 – at Freedom
10/31 – Gaither
11/7 – Jefferson

Published July 30, 2014

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From teacher to candidate, Ledbetter just can’t say no

July 31, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. And when there’s a need, there’s Beverly Ledbetter.

The retired educator has made Dade City her home since the days of Richard Nixon, inspiring thousands of students at Pasco Junior High School and later Pasco High School for more than three decades. Along the way, Ledbetter found herself in the most unexpected jobs, whether it be coaching the school’s soccer team, or helping educators through her work with the teachers’ union.

Beverly Ledbetter says she’s always been motivated to find a voice for those who get pushed aside, and learned as a teacher the importance of understanding all sides of an issue. It’s her drive, she says, to get her to Tallahassee. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Beverly Ledbetter says she’s always been motivated to find a voice for those who get pushed aside, and learned as a teacher the importance of understanding all sides of an issue. It’s her drive, she says, to get her to Tallahassee.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

It was always impossible for Ledbetter to turn down a calling when she was needed, and that’s what attracted her to Will Weatherford’s state House seat — one that has her heading into a November contest against former Zephyrhills mayor Danny Burgess.

“There are a lot of things I see with our lawmakers that are very frustrating,” she said. “I’m particularly concerned with the lack of respect in Tallahassee.”

The polarizing political atmosphere that has practically crippled Washington has crept to the state level, making it impossible for someone to work with anyone they disagree with. That means Democrats — and a good chunk of the state’s population they represent — are being marginalized, with no one willing to break through and find ways to come together.

“One of the things that you learn as a teacher is to look at both sides of the issue,” Ledbetter said. “There are Republicans who have good ideas, just as there are Democrats who have good ideas, and they should be acknowledged.”

Ledbetter has always considered herself politically minded, and has made a number of trips to Tallahassee over the years lobbying for education. Her husband, Michael Ledbetter, was a Pasco County commissioner in the late 1970s, and the two actually met during a Young Democrats meeting at the University of South Florida several years before that.

Ledbetter actually considered running for school board, but realized quickly that she can make a greater impact overall by helping to set policy at the state level.

Many observers believe the advantage in the House race belongs to Burgess, a Dade City lawyer who was Zephyrhills’ youngest mayor. It’s a heavily Republican district already, and Burgess has strong name recognition — especially in eastern Pasco County.

Ledbetter, however, is hardly a stranger to voters. As a teacher and a coach, she has directly touched the lives of many in the area, which could help her draw votes from beyond Democrats. In fact, many of the people who signed her petitions to get on the ballot were Republicans, she said.

Raising money is going to be tough, however.

“My friends are teachers, many of them who haven’t had raises in a long time,” Ledbetter said. “When I get that check from a fellow teacher, and it’s usually around $25, it gives me a warm feeling. But I also know it’s an investment that makes me feel determined to go out and work my butt off, and prove that their trust in me is well-placed.”

Education is one of Ledbetter’s top priorities, but it’s not the only one she wants to tackle in Tallahassee. She also is pushing to expand Medicare coverage in the state to help get more residents health care through the federal Affordable Care Act. Gov. Rick Scott, a Republican who opposes the federal health care program unofficially known as Obamacare, has refused to expand Medicare, citing a concern that the cost to do that will fall back on Florida taxpayers.

“How can you look a parent in the eye and tell them their family can’t have medical attention?” Ledbetter said. “I taught kids who had teeth rotting out, and kids who needed glasses. Luckily, in Dade City, we have some very generous doctors and dentists who were willing to step up and help, but not everywhere is like Dade City.”

Ledbetter also wants to spur economic growth not by giving companies large amounts of money and tax breaks to locate here, but to help train the workforce so they can attract higher-wage jobs to the state.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy,” she said. “When you can give them a leg up, and give them the support they need, they will create the jobs.”

Ledbetter is a lifelong Democrat, but says she would prefer to label herself a “practical realist.” That means acknowledging her November election is a tough one to win, but also knows that when it comes to voters, they can sometimes do the unexpected.

“It’s going to be difficult, I know that,” she said. “But I believe in standing up for people who can’t necessarily do it for themselves, whether it’s the elderly, children, or simply people who need health insurance. That’s why I’m a Democrat.”

BEVERLY LEDBETTER
Democrat for House District 38

Occupation
Lead faculty, Saint Leo University
Retired teacher, Pasco County Schools

Family
Michael Ledbetter, husband
Nathan Ledbetter, son
Courtney Williams, daughter

Residence
Dade City, since 1973

Fundraising, through July 4
$15,162

Published July 30, 2014

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Remsberg ready to give commission a much-needed intervention

July 31, 2014 By Michael Hinman

The first step in finding out who will replace Pat Mulieri on the Pasco County Commission begins at the Aug. 26 primary. There voters will choose between three politically focused men — Ken Littlefield, Mike Moore and Bob Robertson — to represent Republicans in the November election.

Erika Remsberg is not afraid to speak her mind, but says she also knows when compromise is needed to achieve countywide goals. She hopes that belief will help earn her a seat on the Pasco County Commission in November. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — Erika Remsberg is not afraid to speak her mind, but says she also knows when compromise is needed to achieve countywide goals. She hopes that belief will help earn her a seat on the Pasco County Commission in November.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

But a primary win for any one of them is just the beginning. The eventual GOP nominee will have to win over voters one more time after August, and prove he’s the better candidate than the lone Democrat in the race, a Land O’ Lakes social worker who says she wants to return the county government’s focus back to helping people.

Erika Remsberg works long hours for Pasco County Schools, helping some of the more than 1,800 students stay focused on their studies, despite the fact they don’t have a place they can call home.

“You lost your home, you lost your friends, you lost your teachers and classmates, and you probably lost all your stuff if you were evicted from somewhere,” Remsberg said. “Your family is focused on survival, not necessarily reading and math, and all of that can have a tremendous negative impact on their education.”

Remsberg and her husband, Philip, moved to Pasco County 13 years ago to be closer to her parents. She was born in the Bronx, but raised in Long Island, graduating from New York University and marrying soon after.

Remsberg never imagined herself running for any type of elected office, but when she learned Mulieri was retiring, she feared one of the lone voices for the issues closest to her heart was going to be silenced.

“I have been very vocal that the county has not done enough to coordinate social service, and they haven’t done enough to deal with the critical needs in the county,” Remsberg said. “I think Pat Mulieri has done the best job in trying to advocate and listen, but now the best advocate that we have is now retiring.”

The commission has been plagued with bitter disputes over recent months, ranging from a park one commissioner wants to turn into a tourist attraction, to how the county is going to pay for much-needed road improvements and new construction projects, she said. In the process, money has been wasted on large corporations —including some that never made it here, like T. Rowe Price — but smaller businesses have been ignored.

“We need to start from the base up, not from the top down,” Remsberg said. “You don’t give a corporation millions of dollars while failing to help people get the transportation they need, the jobs and career centers they need, or the income they need to survive. You want to give tax breaks to companies that are going to pay at or above the median income, and not companies that are just going to pay minimum wage.”

The key to growing jobs and salaries is through workforce development, Remsberg said. County officials are missing a number of grant opportunities available to them, some which could help smaller businesses grow and enhance the work force at the same time through projects like apprenticeship programs.

“There are always ways to reach more than one goal,” Remsberg said. “These small businesses might need some help, and many of these people need job experience. It’s a way to give something back to everyone.”
County officials also have to spend more time learning how to spend money smartly, and less time getting worked up about small increases in taxes to help pay for it, Remsberg said.

“I hear a lot about the millage rate, and everyone gets very excited when taxes get raised,” she said. “But many times, we’re only talking about increases of like $20 a year. That’s a small amount of money that can dramatically impact programs that are being strained or completely ignored otherwise.”

Remsberg also believes there are not enough sheriff’s deputies on the streets, and more money is needed to help both law enforcement and fire-rescue. Public safety must become a higher priority, because a county cannot grow properly unless its residents feel safe.

So far, Remsberg has raised a little more than $3,000 for her campaign, a fraction of the more than $111,600 combined for the three Republicans in the race. But winners aren’t always determined by how much money a candidate has in the bank, and Remsberg won’t be discouraged.

“I am a social worker, so I love going for the underdog,” she said. “It’s just that this time it’s me, which is a new experience for me. But I’m good with grassroots efforts and community organization, and I’m getting out wherever I can to share a message of how we all need to work together.

“We can’t put a roof on a home with no foundation, and no walls,” she said. “We need to take care of our responsibilities when it comes to helping everyone, and only then can we truly start growing.”

ERIKA REMSBERG
Democrat for Pasco County Commission, District 2

Occupation
Homeless liaison social worker, Pasco County Schools

Family
Philip Remsberg, husband
Jordan Remsberg, son
Alex Remsberg, daughter

Residence
Land O’ Lakes, since 2001

Fundraising, through July 18
$3,324

Published July 30, 2014

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