Local News

Business Digest 10-22-14

October 23, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Adult-sized donation for kids
AT&T raised more than $45,000 for charities like A Kid’s Place of Tampa Bay during a recent golf tournament at Lexington Oaks Golf Club in Wesley Chapel. Taking part in the check presentation included, from left, Daphne Dilbert and Ahmed Bhutta of AT&T; Samantha Mellen from A Kid’s Place; Andrew Hall, John Breen and Matt Du’Pre of AT&T; Suzette Armatas of A Kid’s Place; and George Wolfe and Neal Shackleton from AT&T.

Drone conference coming to Wesley Chapel
The Pasco Economic Development Council will host the first Tampa Bay Unmanned Aerial Systems Commercial Markets Conference Oct. 30 from 8:30 a.m. to noon, at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Networking for the event begins at 7:30 a.m., and will include talks about the latest developments in both Tampa Bay and Florida around the emerging small unmanned aerial systems industry, more commonly known as drones.

Although it’s probably best known for its American military use, the growth of much smaller applications is believed to be on its way to becoming one of the major economic and technological stories of the 21st century, according to a release.

Cost to attend is $30 per person.

For information, visit PascoEDC.com/events, or call (813) 926-0827.

New family practice doctor in Trinity
Dr. Darren Morris has joined Family Medical Centers of Trinity and Port Richey.

He is a board-certified family medicine physician who most recently worked in both Tampa’s Westchase area, as well as Land O’ Lakes.

His office is located at 2208 Duckslough Blvd., Suite A, Trinity. He can be reached at (727) 375-5885.

Dade City business opens training center
Growth has been huge at Florida Gas Contractors Inc., and the Dade City company is now opening a new vocational training center to help ensure it has trained workers available to continue the growth.

Florida Gas has grown its employee base by 45 percent since January 2013, the company said, now cutting paychecks to 125 people. The company says it offers wages for positions like foremen and welders at $48,000, while office staff can go as high as $56,000.

The new center, which will celebrate its grand opening Oct. 29, is located at 10518 U.S. 301 in Dade City.

For information, visit FlGasContractors.com.

New board at Crisis Center
The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay has elected attorney Gary Weisman its new chair for the coming year. He succeeds Timothy Traud in the role, the vice president of finance and division chief financial officer for Jabil.

In the same meeting, Tanya Hillary, the vice president of member and provider communications at WellCare, was elected vice chair, while Jamie Klingman — creative founder of The Klingman Group — was elected secretary.

Christopher Rogers, global vice president for Sykes Enterprises, joined the board.

The Crisis Center responds to more than 183,000 requests for help each year, and provides a number of community programs as a nonprofit.

East Pasco Networking Group
The East Pasco Networking Group has scheduled several speakers for the coming months. The group meets every other week at the Village Inn at 5214 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills. Networking begins at 8 a.m., with the meeting starting at 8:30 a.m.

Upcoming speakers include:

Jack Mariano, Pasco County commissioner, Oct. 28
Pat Mulieri, retiring Pasco County commission, Nov. 11

Catholic Business Networking seeks members
The Catholic Business Networking group is looking for Catholic business owners, employees and supporters interested in joining it for regular meetings every Tuesday from 7:30 a.m. to 9 a.m., at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, 2348 Collier Parkway, Land O’ Lakes.

The group has annual dues of $60, and there is a minimum attendance requirement of two meetings per month.

For information, call (813) 833-4737, or visit CBNTampa.com.

Business Link available monthly
Business Link, a monthly small business gathering hosted by the San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union, meets the second Wednesday of each month beginning at 7:30 a.m.

The meeting is designed to provide a networking and information-sharing platform for the business community.

For locations, details and to reserve a seat, email , or call (352) 588-2732, ext. 1237.

Vendors sought for business expo
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce is looking for vendors for its upcoming Community Business Expo, which will take place Nov. 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Dan Cannon Auditorium, 36722 State Road 52, in Dade City.

Vendor fees begin at $50 for chamber members, with bundle fees available for $150, which includes space at the expo plus a year membership with the chamber. Sponsorship opportunities are available for $500.

For information, call John Moors or Melody Floyd at (352) 567-3769, or email them at , or .

Wesley Chapel networking group
Networking for Your Success meets every Thursday at 8 a.m., at Lexington Oaks Country Club, 2615 Lexington Oaks Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

Cost is $5, and annual membership to the group is $79.

Political Agenda 10-22-14

October 23, 2014 By Michael Hinman

Crist gets Pasco support from Fasano
Mike Fasano has made no secret his dislike for Gov. Rick Scott. But now he’s taking that opposition to television.

The Charlie Crist gubernatorial campaign has released a new commercial featuring the Pasco County tax collector and former legislator, taking a shot at Scott while publicly endorsing Crist, who Fasano calls “a good man.”

Fasano appears in front of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in Dade City, first announcing he’s not only a lifelong Republican, but a Rick Scott appointee — Scott named Fasano the tax collector following the death of Mike Olson last year.

In the commercial, Fasano says he decided to voice his opinion after he saw “the smears by Rick Scott against Charlie Crist.” While he has not always seen eye-to-eye with Crist, Fasano said he was a good governor, working to prevent utility companies from overcharging, cut property taxes and increased education spending.

“This Republican is supporting Democrat Charlie Crist,” Fasano says at the end of the 30-second ad.

The gubernatorial race is said to be too close to call at this point, with just a couple weeks before the Nov. 4 election. Both Crist and Scott have been debating, including one Oct. 15 that created some fireworks in the beginning after Scott refused to take the stage, accusing Crist of violating the debate agreement by including a small electrical fan at his podium.

Republican women to talk health
The Pasco Federated Republican Women’s Club will meet Nov. 7 at 11:30 a.m., at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway, in Trinity.

Guest will be Mike Napier, a health officer with the Pasco County Department of Health.

Cost is $15.

For information, or to make a reservation, call Fran Scerbo at (727) 597-3727, or email .

Keep track of voter turnout online
Want to know how many people are voting in the midterm elections? It will all be available online.

Pasco County elections supervisor Brian Corley announced that turnout data will be available on the county’s website of PascoVotes.com.

“Transparency with elections in Pasco County has been, and will continue to be, of great importance for this office,” Corley said, in a release. “The posting of voter turnout on our website is an extension of our commitment to openness in the process.”

The numbers will represent those who have returned their vote-by-mail ballot, and beginning Oct. 25, will include those who have voted early.

Turnout will be reported every 10 minutes during early voting and on general election day. Once the polls close at 7 p.m., on Nov. 4, the results will be posted online as they become available.

The elections office already has mailed nearly 52,000 vote-by-mail ballots, with new requests being processed daily. Those wishing to request such a ballot can call (800) 851-8754, or visit PascoVotes.com.

Early voting begins Oct. 25, and ends Nov. 1.

Florida TaxWatch: Be careful with surplus
For the fourth straight year, the improving economy will give state lawmakers a head start on the 2015 budget, but one tax advocacy group is asking they spend it wisely.

Economists are predicting that an additional $336.2 million will be available for the next budget, created by additional taxes the state didn’t plan for in the most recent budget cycle.

“More Floridians are working and paying their taxes, which has enabled our government to receive a budget surplus for the past four years,” said Dominic M. Calabro of Florida TaxWatch, in a release. “However, even with a small surplus, it is crucial that lawmakers spend the hard-earned money of Florida taxpayers as carefully as they do for their own families.”

Another TaxWatch analyst, Kurt Wenner, did say that the surplus will not have a significant effect on the budget.

“It is only 1.1 percent of projected general revenue spending,” he said. “It is also based on leaving only $1 billion in reserves, much smaller than what recent Legislatures have left.”

Affordable Housing Advisory Committee to meet

Pasco County’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee will meet Oct. 27, Nov. 10 and Nov. 24 beginning at 9 a.m., at the Hap Clark Building, 4111 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

For information, visit PascoCountyFl.net.

Bassinger endorses Burgess
San Antonio city commissioner Elayne Bassinger has endorsed Danny Burgess for state House District 38.

“In the years that I have known Danny, I have found that he is smart, capable and humble,” Bassinger said, in a release. “But what impresses me most is his ability to see the big picture, and to bring a no-nonsense realism to the challenges ahead. Danny is the type of leader we need in Tallahassee to continue to fight to strengthen our economy, reduce unemployment, and make sure that the needs of Pasco County are well represented.

Burgess, a Republican, faces Democrat Beverly Ledbetter in the Nov. 4 election.

Helping children learn to serve, by providing healthy snacks

October 16, 2014 By B.C. Manion

It’s not a bit uncommon for schools to hold food drives to help provide holiday meals for the poor, but Connerton Elementary School has a new program aimed at helping children who are hungry over weekends.

The program, called Pack-A-Sack, is similar to some already under way at schools where a large percentage of children eat free or reduced-price meals, Connerton principal Aimee Boltze said.

Kensington Mize, left, and her sister Maryalice are involved in an effort at Connerton Elementary School to help ensure no students attending their school go hungry over the weekend. (Courtesy of John Mize) — Kensington Mize, left, and her sister Maryalice are involved in an effort at Connerton Elementary School to help ensure no students attending their school go hungry over the weekend.
(Courtesy of John Mize)

On the surface, Connerton doesn’t seem like a school where children would need food assistance on the weekend. But that reality is that 36 percent of Connerton’s students qualify for free or reduced-price meals, Boltze said.

And some of those children are chronically hungry, said John Mize, a parent volunteer who has helped Connerton establish the Pack-A-Sack program. Mize was discussing this need when Boltze and they decided to tackle the challenge of helping these children.

“Over the last six months, we developed the strategy,” he said. “We identified the children that need the support.”

Boltze also assigned Sarah Owen, of the school’s exceptional student education staff, to serve as the school liaison.

Mize has played a huge role in getting the program going, Boltze said. The Land O’ Lakes man and wife Stephanie put a high priority on teaching their children the importance of serving others.

They have two daughters attending Connerton — 9-year-old Kensington, 9, and Maryalice, 7. They also have a son Patrick, 4, who will start kindergarten there next year.

Mize sits on the board of a nonprofit organization, Start-A-Snowball, that provides $100 grants to support youth service projects. He said his work with that organization has inspired him to be involved at Connerton.

The Mizes, Boltze and Owen have helped to foster collaboration between students, faculty, parents, local businesses and local churches, to launch the supplemental nutrition program.

“Initially, we want to start with the food,” Mize said. “Long-term, we want to branch out to other services.”

For instance, a partnership is being formed with Myrtle Lake Baptist Church, he said. The church plans to get involved with food drives, with tutoring and possibly even some sports league scholarships.

Another group at school is doing a clothing drive, Boltze said. The school’s first food drive yielded enough food o supply the first few months of the program.

“We packed 344 sacks of food in 45 minutes,” Mize said. “It was a sight to be seen.”

Mize got help from his family, Owen, a youth group from Gathering Pointe Church, and David Bisignano, who teaches at Connerton and leads a church youth group.

The plan is to provide the supplemental foods every weekend and during the holidays, Boltze said. The school plans to hold additional food drives and welcomes help from residents, businesses and community organizations, Mize said.

Unlike many food drives, which seek canned goods and other nonperishable food items, this one specifically seeks kid-friendly items. Those items are easy to open, offer nutritional value, and require no preparation.

“This is about making sure kids have food to eat,” Mize said. “We feel like if kids don’t have enough food to eat, they’re not going to be able to learn.”

Mize hopes other schools will set up their own programs.

“Ultimately we would like to create a model that can be replicated at other schools,” Mize said.

Want to help?
Here are the items that Connerton Elementary School needs for its Pack-A-Sack program:

• Peanut butter (12- to 18-ounce jar) and a sleeve of crackers
• Cereal (1-ounce box)
• Fruit cups (mixed fruit, peaches, applesauce, etc.)
• Animal crackers
• Goldfish Crackers
• Pudding cups
• Raisins (snack-sized boxes)
• Cereal bars or granola bars
• Cheese or peanut butter cracker sandwiches
• Ritz Bits Cheese (individual packages)
• Vienna sausages

For more information, email Sarah Owen at , call the school at (813) 346-1800, or email parental liaisons John and Stephanie Mize at .

Published October 15, 2014

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A doctor, a dean, and a determination to help others

October 16, 2014 By Michael Murillo

Some people take years into their adult life to figure out what career they want to have. But Dr. O. John Maduko, academic dean at Rasmussen College in Land O’ Lakes, always knew what he wanted to be when he grew up.

It wasn’t a job at a college. He wanted to be a doctor.

Dr. O. John Maduko enjoys his position as academic dean at Rasmussen College in Land O’ Lakes, but family is never far from his mind. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

“At an early age I just knew what I wanted to be, to go into medicine,” he said.

And that’s exactly what Maduko — now O. John Maduko, M.D. — became. And if not for some life-changing events, he might still be practicing to this day.

But when his fiancée Amanda was pregnant with their son, she developed a condition that prevented the use of her right arm and required surgery. Knowing she needed help caring for their child, and realizing that a 90-hour workweek wouldn’t be conducive to an ideal family life, Maduko left the rigors of the medical field for a career in academics where he helps others find and improve their career paths.

It might sound difficult to leave a position you love and had worked so hard to achieve. But for Maduko, it wasn’t a tough decision at all.

“It was easy because it was my wife and it was my son,” he said. “So it was a no-brainer.”

Family always has been a big part of Maduko’s life. A first-generation American hailing from California, his Nigerian-born parents set down rules from their hard-working culture that he and his younger siblings would follow growing up. That was to live life to the fullest, but always aspire to be educated and informed.

Expectations are high, and there’s no time for making excuses or becoming complacent. And when challenges occur, you face them and continue moving forward.

But while he’s moving forward with a career outside the medical field, Maduko hasn’t exactly hung up his stethoscope for good. You never stop being a physician, he said.

Maduko is involved in programs like Doctors Without Borders, a humanitarian organization that provides care and assistance in parts of the world that need it the most. He pursues efforts to improve medical conditions in Latin America and West Africa, and has future plans with his brother — also a medical doctor — to be involved in health care in the Tampa area.

Now, five years after leaving the medical field, he’s found a home with Rasmussen as academic dean at the East Pasco campus. But if that sounds like a radical departure from his chosen career, it actually has many similarities, Maduko said. He’s able to use his knowledge and expertise to help people find solutions to problems, provide valuable advice, identify paths to success, and search for ways to improve their quality of life.

But instead of possibly seeing a patient once, Maduko can now foster longer-lasting relationships with students.

Sometimes that means having difficult conversations. Like a medical professional dealing with patients, an academic dean needs to be able to provide honest assessments of a situation and outline realistic options and consequences. But, also like a medical professional, it needs to be done in a way that’s respectful and empowering.

“The key is to give them hope, to maintain their dignity, to give them respect, to be transparent,” Maduko said. “You never want to sugarcoat it, but at the same time, you want to inform in the way that at least they can take hold of what’s going on.”

While he helps students face and overcome challenges, Maduko’s had a few of his own. His wife regained function in her arm and they now have a 2-year-old daughter, Giuliana. But his son, Giovanni, now 4, was diagnosed with autism.

Like his father, Giovanni is growing up in a focused home where everyone is expected to accomplish as much as they can, with plenty of hard work and without excuses. And he’s rising to the challenge. Giovanni is on the high-functioning side of the spectrum, has a growing vocabulary, is adapting well to school, and is learning to express himself.

Maduko is motivated by his son’s drive and what he’s been able to accomplish.

“I look at him and he is an inspiration to me every day, because he doesn’t know anything else but to learn something, do his best, try and master it, and try to learn something else,” he said.

Maduko also is motivated to see what students and the college can accomplish together. He served as health science chair at Rasmussen’s Ocala campus before transferring to Land O’ Lakes to become academic dean about a year ago. Maduko was impressed with Rasmussen’s philosophy to empower its staff, allowing faculty to seek opportunities to improve the current way of doing things instead of simply adhering to whatever procedures are in place.

“They’re very innovative in terms of what can we do to improve our processes, improve the experience for students,” he said.

Part of improving that experience is interacting with those students and helping them find a successful path that works for their life situation and career goals. And when he speaks to them, Maduko uses the same philosophy he learned growing up, and the same mindset that has been successful with his own family: Don’t give up, and don’t stop moving forward.

“I tell students and I tell loved ones that I can’t promise you the win, I can’t promise you how much and I can’t tell you how tough the road is going to be,” Maduko said. “But I can promise you that if you put your hard work and your will and your dedication into something, you will reap the benefits.”

Published October 15, 2014

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Don’t forget: Men get breast cancer, too

October 16, 2014 By B.C. Manion

Kriss Bowles was in Colorado attending a wedding with her husband, Brock, when he began complaining about pain in his spine as well as two of his ribs.

He felt a lump in his right breast, too.

Brock Bowles lost a three-year battle to breast cancer, which ultimately spread to other parts of his body. His wife, Kriss, has made it her personal mission to spread the word about the dangers of male breast cancer. (Courtesy of Kriss Bowles) — Brock Bowles lost a three-year battle to breast cancer, which ultimately spread to other parts of his body. His wife, Kriss, has made it her personal mission to spread the word about the dangers of male breast cancer.
(Courtesy of Kriss Bowles)

When they returned to their home in Lutz, Brock decided to see his doctor.

His main concern was trying to find out whether he had arthritis in his spine, but he also casually mentioned the lump in his breast, Kriss said.

The doctor ordered a mammogram to be taken the next day.

The screening led to a mastectomy, she added. The surgeon removed 13 lymph nodes, all of them cancerous.

Brock underwent chemotherapy, but despite the doctors’ efforts, the cancer spread to Brock’s lungs, hips, spine and brain before his ordeal with cancer ended his life on Sept. 16, 2004. His death certificate, however, highlighted breast cancer.

As the nation honors breast cancer awareness month in October with walks, runs, strolls, rallies and other events, Kriss — who now lives in Land O’ Lakes — wants people to remember that men die from breast cancer, too.

She said she felt compelled to get involved.

When her husband was battling cancer, “He’d lay in a recliner to sleep,” she said. “I would sit there and watch him sleep and wonder what was going through his mind. Because he knew he was dying.

“One day I said, ‘You know Lord, I know I’m not supposed to ask you why, but I’m asking ‘Why Brock?’‘”

Then she added, “I don’t expect an answer right now, but I hope someday you’ll give me an answer.”

After her husband’s death, Kriss said she began noticing that when people talked about breast cancer, they never mentioned men. So she’s made it her personal mission to spread the word about the need for men to be vigilant to protect themselves from breast cancer.

Besides being aware of symptoms, they need to avoid being too “macho” to take breast cancer seriously, Kriss said. It’s also important to eliminate any stigma: Men should not feel embarrassed about being afflicted with breast cancer because it is not a condition confined to women.

Kriss said her husband wasn’t embarrassed, but that’s not true for all men.

About 2,360 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed among men, according to the 2014 statistics from the American Cancer Society. About 430 men will die from breast cancer during the year.

For men, the lifetime risk of getting breast cancer is about 1-in-1,000, according to Cancer Society estimates. The disease is about 100 times less common in men than women.

Because the incidence is so much lower, men are not routinely screened for breast cancer. The smaller number of cases, however, does not diminish the importance of the issue, Kriss said.

Male breast cancer affects everyone who has a husband, a son, a father, a brother, a nephew, an uncle or a grandfather, she said.

To help spotlight the issue, Kriss waged a letter-writing campaign last year, reaching out to governors across the nation. She asked them to designate the third week in October as Male Breast Cancer Awareness Week.

So far, 20 states have done so, she said. One of those states is New Jersey.

That’s where the Bowles lived before they moved to Florida.

Gov. Chris Christie made the designation after Assemblyman Nelson Albano spoke about Brock during the opening session in Trenton, New Jersey.

Besides writing letters, Kriss also has stickers printed, sharing that “Men get breast cancer, too.” She also has had pink ribbon pins made that have the words, “Men, too,” written on them.

She gives those stickers and pins to organizers of breast cancer events, to help spread the word.

It has been nine years, since Brock died. Kriss still does what she can to spread the word, and she’s beginning to see some progress.

One day, she hopes, that this month that’s awash with pink ribbons and breast cancer prevention events will do more to acknowledge that, as her stickers say, “Men get breast cancer, too.”

Published October 15, 2014

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Why you don’t find political endorsements in our papers

October 16, 2014 By Diane Kortus

It’s less than a month before the November elections, and nowhere in The Laker/Lutz News will you find a political endorsement of any kind for any party, candidate or issue.

By design, our papers don’t have an editorial page spouting the opinions of my staff, guest columnists or myself. In fact, our papers have not taken a political position on any topic or candidate in the 14 years I have owned the papers.

Which is why I am always surprised to receive comments or emails from readers asserting that our news coverage is party to the “liberal media bias” or, as a recent writer wrote, of being a “Republican rag.”

So I thought I’d go on record and make it clear that as owner of The Laker/Lutz News, I do not view the papers as a mouthpiece pushing causes and candidates that I personally endorse.

I never direct my staff to cover a political candidate or controversial issue, nor do I ask them to write a story with any political slant or pre-determined outcome. It makes no difference to my reporters whether I’m Democrat, Republican or independent; pro-growth or environmentalist; pro-life or pro-choice; member of the National Rifle Association or supporter of the anti-gun lobby; Christian, Jewish or Muslim.

My only agenda is to make sure my editorial staff writes about topics you want to read about. To give you stories about your neighbors and community that make you proud to call Pasco and north Hillsborough counties your home.

Perhaps because we do not stake out political positions, we receive few letters to the editor. And the authors of the emails we get charging us as being too liberal or too conservative almost never provide their name and phone number.

This is not to say, however, that we don’t hear from our readers. We do. Just about every week we receive accolades from people telling us how much they appreciate our objective news coverage and what a difference it makes to their organization.

Here’s a recent example from Jennifer Medeiros, media manager of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida:

“I just wanted to take a moment and thank you, on behalf of Girl Scouts of West Central Florida, for all your help spreading the word about our need for Girl Scout volunteers. The Laker has gone above and beyond by helping us share this need all summer (since the end of May!) and now through the fall — we could not be more grateful!

“It’s because of news outlets like The Laker that we’re able to share our needs with the community, and generate the awareness we need to continue building girls of courage, confidence and character, who make the world a better place.”

This email makes me incredibly proud — I even admit to goose bumps when my staff forwarded Jennifer’s email to me. And I’m proud to report we’re getting more comments like this since increasing the size of our paper in August.

Our new format is 30 percent bigger, which obviously gives us more room for more stories. But it’s our new B Section that gives us a second front page that really is getting attention.

Here’s what the co-owner of Haslam’s Book Store, Ray Hinst, wrote after B.C. Manion profiled this Tampa Bay institution on the front of a recent B Section:

“What a terrific article, B.C.! Photos look great, the quotes exact, and the volume of information you massaged into the narrative is simply outstanding. You have probably offered more insights into the book business than many folks who are doing it full time.

“Thank you for considering us and exercising such expertise in the process. Again, the paper is lucky to have you.”

I believe The Laker/Lutz News is a reflection of the communities we serve. Letters like these tell the story of the good people we write about who want the most for their neighbors and neighborhoods.

So I hope you don’t think it self-serving to share some of these letters with you in a new section we’re starting called “Noteworthy … Kudos From Our Readers.”

Our first “Noteworthy” follows this column (you can find it online in our e-edition by clicking here). We invite you to send us your comments on stories that move you, and encourage you to be on the lookout for this new feature so you, too, can be proud of the difference your community paper makes in the lives of your neighbors.

Published October 15, 2014

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Left Behind: Bus service screeches to a halt on Monday

October 16, 2014 By Michael Hinman

He leaned back on the bench, allowing just bits of a pizza delivery store advertisement to peek through for motorists to see as they sped past the New River Branch Library on State Road 54.

The skies were a clear blue, and the morning coolness was quickly giving way to what would soon be a noontime Florida heat. Yet, hints of sweat formed on his forehead, under a tattered ball cap where the letters “TB” were joined by a stingray — a not-so-happy reminder of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays of the past.

There were no riders at bus stops on Monday. Although Pasco County was technically open on Columbus Day, many departments — including Pasco County Public Transportation — were closed for employee training. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo) — There were no riders at bus stops on Monday. Although Pasco County was technically open on Columbus Day, many departments — including Pasco County Public Transportation — were closed for employee training.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

The man, who would not give his name, had walked from The Columns at Cypress Point, a small apartment community behind the library. He was hoping to catch the bus to the new Walmart in Wesley Chapel to replenish his food pantry and refrigerator.

Except no bus was coming.

“What do you mean?” he said. “It’s Monday. Where is it?”

Monday was Columbus Day, a holiday with federal status, but one that’s not recognized by many employers, including state and even Pasco County officials. Yet, many offices in the county were closed, including Pasco County Public Transportation, while the employees from those departments attended a daylong retreat and appreciation day. It’s something the county does twice a year — on President’s Day in February and on Columbus Day — County Administrator Michele Baker said. It comes during a time when bus ridership is “significantly reduced.”

“We don’t have the opportunity to train our work units as a team,” Baker said. “The only way to give good training and to improve our customer service, and improve the level of service to our customers, is to do a timeout.”

That timeout closed many county offices the same time banks and federal offices also were shuttered. So-called “constitutional offices,” like the tax collector’s office and supervisor of elections office, remained open, however.

The New River library was closed Monday, but budget cutbacks forced all county libraries to be closed Mondays. Yet, employees from New River and others also took part in the retreat, and they will make up for the extra day by closing down all libraries on Friday.

Baker’s administration got the green light to shut down the county twice a year for these training sessions when her predecessor, John Gallagher, was still in office three years ago, she said. The training has taken place ever since, but has not needed additional approvals from the commission.

“It is difficult to choose the right day,” Commissioner Pat Mulieri told The Laker/Lutz News, in an email. “I think that bringing staff together is a great idea. We are growing, and there are many departments that could assist one another and integrate services. It always helps if it is on a personal basis.”

But one of the people who wants to replace Mulieri on the commission agrees that training is good, but only with minimal impact to people who depend on county services. Erika Remsberg, a Democrat who faces Mike Moore in the upcoming Nov. 4 election, said her first thought after learning bus service was cancelled on Monday was wondering how some people were going to get to work.

“This will mean lower-income folks who depend on our transit system to access health care, employment, shopping or otherwise, will not be able to do so on that day,” Remsberg said, in an email. “The extent of those consequences may not be realized or assessed. My hope is this is such a critical training event that it will increase productivity (and) customer service more than it will hurt the folks who will lose a day’s pay, delay their treatment, or prevent them from getting groceries for their families.”

Six miles away from the man in front of the library, a woman sporting a bright orange bag leaned against a bus stop sign near Vandine Road. She had a dollar bill in her hand, as well as a voucher, and looked with concern down State Road 54, waiting for a bus to arrive.

When she was told buses were not running that day, her face turned disgusted, and she walked off down the sidewalk.

“When those drivers are at work, they are out driving a bus,” Baker said. “The only time we could meet with them is after hours and on overtime, and this is a way we didn’t have to do that and save money. We have really not gotten any complaints.”

For anyone who has been inconvenienced, the rewards from Monday’s meetings would make it worth it, she said.

“Our people come out of this with refreshed customer service skills and new technical skills,” Baker said. “The whole idea is to give us an opportunity provide all this necessary training, and to ensure it’s very cost-affordable.”

Did you work on Columbus Day?
It’s been called one of the nation’s most inconsistently celebrated holidays by the Pew Research Center. And while federal and bank employees might have Columbus Day off, state workers in Florida do not, nor do a vast majority of private company employees.

In fact, The Council of State Governments says just 23 states even recognize Columbus Day as a paid holiday. And while banks might be closed, the stock market isn’t, so the gavel still fell on Wall Street on Monday.

Pasco County Schools and Pasco-Hernando State College both remained open on Monday — meaning students, faculty and administrators were on the job.

The holiday first appeared in Colorado in 1906 to celebrate the landing of explorer Christopher Columbus to what would later become American soil in 1492.

– Michael Hinman

Published October 15, 2014

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‘The Monuments Men’ author to speak at Saint Leo

October 16, 2014 By B.C. Manion

The author of the book that formed the basis of the movie “The Monuments Men” will speak at Saint Leo University on Oct. 21.

The 7 p.m. talk by Robert Edsel kicks off the 2014-15 University Speaker Series for the school.

The presentation will take place at the Greenfelder-Denlinger boardrooms of the student community center. It is free, and the public is welcome.

Edsel’s nonfiction account of a World War II military unit that saved European art treasures from Nazi looting became the basis of the film directed by George Clooney.

The motion picture, released last December, stars Clooney, Matt Damon, Cate Blanchett, Bill Murray, John Goodman, Jean Dujardin, Hugh Bonneville and Bob Balaban.

In addition to “The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves, and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History,” Edsel also authored “Rescuing Da Vinci and Saving Italy: The Race to Rescue a Nation’s Treasures from the Nazis.”

He also co-produced the documentary film, “The Rape of Europa.”

Edsel is the founder and president of the Monuments Men Foundation for the Preservation of Art. Besides his literary and film work, Edsel also was a nationally ranked tennis player and an entrepreneur in the gasoline and oil exploration industry.

After his successful career, Edsel and his family moved to Europe during the 1990s, first living in Paris, and later in Florence. While in Florence, he developed a passion for art and architecture, according to the “Monuments Men” film website. He was curious about how so many monuments and great works of art survived the thefts and devastation of World War II.

Edsel spent 12 years researching the story of the Monuments Men, which resulted in the publication of “Rescuing Da Vinci.” His second book, which actually used the term “Monuments Men,” was published in 2009.

In January 2012, Clooney announced he would write, direct and star in the film adaptation of the book.

Saint Leo University is at 33701 State Road 52, in east Pasco County, about four miles east of Interstate 75. Free parking is available in surface lots and the campus garage.

For more information about the historical Monuments Men, visit MonumentsMen.com.

Published October 15, 2014

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Sunlake wary of Land O’ Lakes ahead of rivalry game

October 16, 2014 By Michael Murillo

The Sunlake Seahawks have had a strong start to the 2014 season. They’ve given up a total of just 26 points in seven games, including four shutouts.

Their 6-1 record includes a district loss, but the team is still in good position to capture a playoff berth if they take care of business the rest of the way.

If the Gators want to take this year’s rivalry game from the Seahawks, they’ll have to find a way to stop running back Nathan Johnson. (Fred Bellett/Photo) — If the Gators want to take this year’s rivalry game from the Seahawks, they’ll have to find a way to stop running back Nathan Johnson.
(Fred Bellett/Photo)

Toward the bottom of the Class 6A-District 6 standings is Land O’ Lakes. The Gators are just 3-3, including an 0-1 district record. They have given up the second-most points in the district. In fact, in three of their contests, they’ve surrendered more points than Sunlake has given up all year.

But if you think those statistics mean the Seahawks will have an easy time when they visit the Gators on Oct. 17, you should probably keep that opinion to yourself. That’s because Sunlake head coach Bill Browning doesn’t want to hear any talk about taking games for granted.

“Oh, no. Absolutely not,” Browning said. “Land O’ Lakes has a good football team. They obviously have a very good throwing game, so we have to be able to get lined up right and be able to defend the pass against them.”

Browning recognizes there’s more to the Gators than a .500 record. Their quarterback, James Pensyl, already has thrown for more than 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. They’ve scored 192 points, which is more than Sunlake and everyone else in the district. And while they’ve lost three times, two of those defeats were by a touchdown or less.

Sunlake might be catching the Gators at a bad time, too. Their running game — supposedly a weak spot of their offense — came alive for nearly 300 yards versus Hudson on Oct. 10 in a convincing 55-30 victory that snapped a two-game losing streak.

Sunlake boasts its own offensive weapons, of course. Running back Nathan Johnson paces the offense, and receiver Naejaun Jackson has been a reliable receiver for the passing game while mixing in several carries as well.

And road games haven’t been a problem for Sunlake this year: They’re a perfect 4-0 so far when playing in hostile territory.

But records don’t mean much when you’re talking about Sunlake and Land O’ Lakes, according to Browning. There’s another word that begins with an “R” that means a lot more.

“It’s a rivalry game, so you can throw the records out of the book when it’s a big rival,” he said.

The rivalry wasn’t much of a competition when it first started. Browning has been with the Seahawks since its program began in 2007, and admits his teams had a “little brother” mentality when it came to the Gators in those early years. They didn’t even score the first two times the teams played, and didn’t register a victory until their fourth meeting.

But Sunlake hasn’t lost since, and now holds a 4-3 edge over their rival.

When two schools are less than 10 miles from each other, both teams can expect fans in the stands and an opponent who is ready to play hard regardless of record. But throw in an important district contest with playoff implications on the line, and it’s easy to predict a hard-fought contest with both schools doing everything they can to come out ahead Friday night.

“All the players know each other,” Browning said. “We’re right in each other’s backyard. It makes for a great rivalry game.

“You approach it the same way as any other game, but it always means a little bit more when you face your rival … for both sides.”

Published October 15, 2014

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Business Digest 10-15-14

October 16, 2014 By Michael Hinman

New hotel coming to Wiregrass Ranch
Developers at Wiregrass Ranch want to build a 92-room Fairfield Inn & Suites on State Road 56, on a 91-acre parcel east of The Shops at Wiregrass.

It would be located less than a mile off Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, and be close not only to the mall, but also to Florida Hospital Wesley Chapel and Pasco-Hernando State College’s Porter Campus at Wiregrass Ranch.

Pasco County officials will meet with developers in a non-public meeting this week to hash out some details of the project, but it will be located on land that has been used for decades for grazing at Wiregrass Ranch.

It’s not clear if developers plan to subdivide the tract of land on State Road 56, or to provide other outparcel amenities, since 91 acres is far more than the typical 2 acres or so a hotel of this size would need.

The developer, who was not identified in documents filed with the county, has hired Hardeman-Kempton & Associates of Tampa to manage the project, which will include 54,500 square feet of commercial space.

It would be just the second Fairfield Inn in Pasco County, joining a 78-room hotel in Holiday. The chain is considered one of the lower-cost brands operated by the Marriott chain, and locations typically are franchised out.

Chamber business breakfast
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will host a business breakfast Oct. 21 at 7 a.m., in the Hornbuckle Room of the Dade City Business Center, 15486 U.S. 301, in Dade City.

Guest speaker is Danielle Albritton, and is sponsored by Florida Hospital Zephyrhills.

Cost is $5.

PHHCC Business & Career Expo
The Pasco Hernando Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual Business & Career Expo featuring the Taste of the Chapel Oct. 17 from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel Toyota, 5300 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

It will feature business exhibitors, live entertainment, free food samples and door prizes. It’s free and open to the public.

For information on attending or sponsoring a booth, visit PHHChamber.com.

HCA donates to help Ebola fight
HCA, which operates 164 hospitals and 114 surgery centers across the nation — including Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point and Medical Center of Trinity — has donated $1 million to the CDC Foundation to help support international Ebola epidemic response efforts.

The funds will help the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and its work with other groups on the ground in West Africa.

Since the CDC ramped up its Ebola response in early July, more than 700 staff members from the organization have provided logistics, staffing, communication, analytics, management and other support functions, according to a release.

The number of people infected with the Ebola virus doubles approximately every three weeks, officials said, with more than 5,800 cases. The number of deaths has increased as well, from 1,500 to more than 2,800 in the same period.

Samaritan Project Harvest Festival and Business Expo
The Harvest Festival and Business Expo will take place Nov. 1 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., at Zephyr Park on Fifth Avenue in Zephyrhills.

The event — presented by The Samaritan Project, Zephyrhills-Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association and Florida Hospital Zephyrhills — will feature live entertainment, business exhibitors, community yard sale, car show, crafts and more.

Proceeds from the event support The Samaritan Project, which works to prevent homelessness.

Admission is free.

For information, call (813) 810-8670, or visit SamaritanProject.net.

Grand opening for bariatric surgeon
The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce and Bayfront Health Dade City recently hosted a grand opening and ribbon cutting for Dr. Naga Thatimatla in his new practice location at 13993 17^th St., Suite 200 in Dade City.

Thatimatla is a general and bariatric surgeon who also offers services like anti-reflux surgery, endoscopy, gall bladder removal, and more.

For information on the practice, call (352) 437-5971.

Dade City business expo
The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce will host its 2014 Community & Business Expo Nov. 13 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Pasco County Fairground’s Dan Cannon Auditorium, on State Road 52, in Dade City.

For information, call John Moors at (352) 567-3769, or email him at .

Open house for Restored Hope
Restored Hope will host a community open house Nov. 14 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 13703 17^th St., in Dade City.

Restored Hope is a Christian organization that helps people in need or at risk in the community by providing food, and the means to become self-sufficient.

To RSVP, call (325) 437-4815.