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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Zephyrhills hospital delivers big changes, more babies

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There is a baby boom hitting Florida Hospital Zephyrhills so large, even administrators are struggling to understand it.

Jennifer Wesolowski and Freddy Santiago welcomed their new son, Joseph Santiago, into the world at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills last weekend. Joseph, who was born in the late-night hours of June 18, is part of a boom of babies being born at the hospital. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Jennifer Wesolowski and Freddy Santiago welcomed their new son, Joseph Santiago, into the world at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills last weekend. Joseph, who was born in the late-night hours of June 18, is part of a boom of babies being born at the hospital.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

Over the past six months, the hospital on U.S. 301 in Zephyrhills welcomed 258 babies into the world, well above projections of just 100 for this point. And they’re not expecting it to let up anytime soon.

“There’s a sense that we’re doing a lot here at the hospital, and it’s creating some excitement in the community,” said Dr. Annette Williams, medical director for The Baby Place, the obstetrics unit at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. “We’re making a lot of positive changes, and that means people are staying right here in town, and are not going somewhere else instead.”

Just a few weeks ago, The Baby Place moved out of its old unit home at the hospital and into temporary quarters on the second floor. That’s because the maternity unit is getting a complete overhaul that includes significant equipment upgrades, new beds, and even an aesthetic refresh.

The finished product, expected to open in August, will increase the number of labor rooms from five to eight, and postpartum rooms from seven to nine. And even that might not be enough to handle the uptick in babies.

The Zephyrhills hospital did anticipate at least a small rise in births at the hospital after Bayfront Health Dade City announced last year it was closing its maternity unit. One of the contributing factors was a 33 percent decline in births at the hospital between 2008 and 2012, according to published reports.

The Baby Place got ready, however, by calling various doctor offices in the area, and trying to get a count of the number of expecting mothers who were likely to choose Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. The results convinced the hospital to increase its maternity staff, but the baby census was actually on the low end.

“Even with all the calling we did, we had even more people come in than we thought we would,” said Catalina Sierra, who manages The Baby Place with Williams. “We had a lot of people just walking in, saying they were supposed to go to Tampa, or they were supposed to go to Brooksville, but instead, ‘Here I am.’”

The upgrades to The Baby Place also gave the hospital a chance to centralize many of its women’s health services, including mother/baby, gynecology, breast care, heart care, and health and wellness. At the same time, the hospital also changed how the department was managed, going to one led by a physician instead of the more traditional nurse-led department.

The biggest advantage to that is much stronger communication between the nursing staff, who work the front lines, and the physicians.

“There’s always that gap between the physicians and the nurses, and it’s difficult sometimes,” Williams said. “By having a physician in charge, it’s a lot easier to talk to the physician and make your case for the nurse. Communication is such an integral part of health care, and we’re trying to make it easier for that communication to happen, and not put the stress on the nurses.”

The difference in the new system has already been felt, Sierra said, and it’s a positive one where she enjoys working with Williams.

“She’s such a great doctor. She knows the physician’s mind, and she knows the nurse’s mind. That way, she can relate to the doctors and relate to the nurses, and that’s just what we need.”

The maternity market is highly competitive, especially as more and more hospitals open within driving distance of East Pasco County, creating plenty of choice for mothers. While proximity might play a strong role in the selection of a hospital, other issues such as quality of care, level of equipment sophistication, and even how comfortable and calming the rooms are, are important considerations.

Florida Hospital Zephyrhills says it is experiencing an influx of moms, even before renovations are complete.

Serving women who are having babies is an excellent way to introduce the hospital to younger people, especially for many mothers who are spending their first night in one delivering a child.

“For a lot of women, this is their very first encounter with a hospital,” said Cheryl Kennison, the marketing director at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills. “When people are choosing to stay here when they could’ve easily gone somewhere else, it says a lot about the team, and what everyone is doing here.”

Published June 25, 2014

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Lutz to sparkle for this year’s July 4 celebration

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Nobody can say Lutz ignores the Fourth of July.

A cake decorating contest, 5-kilometer run and a new Guv’na inauguration are just some of the events scheduled for July 4.

Jake Gemmill, 8, of Lutz, enjoys an imaginary ride on a tractor during last year’s Lutz Fourth of July celebration. (File Photo)
Jake Gemmill, 8, of Lutz, enjoys an imaginary ride on a tractor during last year’s Lutz Fourth of July celebration.
(File Photo)

The Independence Day celebration also includes the annual parade, and this year’s theme is a tribute to the Lutz Volunteer Fire Association, which ceased operations last year and officially went out of business in January. Hillsborough County now handles fire rescue services.

It was important to honor the fire association, said Phyllis Hoedt, who chairs the Fourth of July events. The group served the community for more than six decades.

“They’re no longer in existence, and we wanted to honor them,” Hoedt said. “They were very good to our community.”

The Fourth of July work actually begins on July 3, when volunteers set up for the parade from 10 a.m. until noon by the train depot, located at U.S. 41 and Lutz Lake Fern Road. While some people already are scheduled to be on-hand, more volunteers are needed to set up chairs, trashcans and other items for the expected crowd. Volunteers also will be needed for breakdown after the parade.

Participants in the cake and pie contest can drop off their entries on Thursday between 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., at the Lutz Senior Center, 112 First Ave. N.W. The final cake registration opportunity is July 4 between 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m.

On Friday, the 5K and one-mile runs kick off the festivities at the Lutz Community Center, 101 First Ave. N. The 5K begins at 8 a.m., with the fun run and family walk starting at 8:45 a.m.

Male and female awards will be given out for the 5K run in overall categories as well as age groups. The one-mile event will recognize overall male and female winners, and all finishers will receive a ribbon.

Following the races, a flag-raising ceremony with the Boy Scouts and the Civil Air Patrol will commence at the front of the Lutz Branch Library, 101 W. Lutz Lake Fern Road.

After the flag raising is completed, the various 5K and fun run race winners across age and gender categories will receive trophies. Then the parade starts, with around 100 floats, cars and pedestrians taking part in the route, which begins near Lutz Lake Fern Road and ends on First Avenue S.W.

While participants don’t need to do anything fancy for the parade — which is free to enter — there always are a number of them who turn heads with their eye-catching floats, said Shirley Simmons, one of the parade organizers.

“I think that, for the most part, they’re very original. They spend lots of time thinking about it and putting it together,” Simmons said. “It’s just amazing to me how original some of them are.”

When the parade concludes around 11 a.m., float winners will receive their awards and the cake auction will begin. The money raised, which is usually several hundred dollars, will help fund next year’s event. The cake and pie competition is sponsored by the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Finally, the new Lutz Guv’na will be inaugurated, concluding several weeks of “campaigning,” where each candidate raises money for local organizations. The candidate who raises the most money earns the ceremonial title.

Five candidates are vying to replace current Guv’na Suzin Carr: Jerome Smalls, Cindy Perkins, Susan Gulash, “Papa” Jay Muffly and Liane Caruso.

Throughout the morning, the Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, the Boy Scouts and a variety of other vendors will sell food, arts and crafts and other items. Around 45 vendor booths are expected for the event, and will be accessible near the train depot and the dog park.

Booths will cost $20, or $25 with access to electricity.

To participate in the 5K or one-mile events, preregistration forms are available by e-mailing and placing “Lutz I-Day Run Reg Form” in the subject line. Participants also can pick up registration forms in person by visiting Big Fred’s Auto Repair, 19301 U.S. 41 in Lutz Monday through Friday during the day.

Until June 30, the cost for the 5K race is $20, the one-mile event is $10, and registration for both is $22. After June 30, the cost increases to $25, $15 and $27, respectively.

Same-day registration is available at the Lutz Community Center beginning at 6:30 a.m. All preregistered runners will receive a T-shirt, and later registrants will receive any remaining shirts on a first-come basis.

Attendees are encouraged not to park near the Lutz Community Center, as cars might not be able to leave before the end of the parade. Recommended parking areas include south of Lutz Lake Fern Road or east of U.S. 41. Those parking west of U.S. 41 are encouraged to park near the dog park instead of the community center.

For volunteer information, call Suzin Carr at (813) 453-5256. For general parade information, call Phyllis Hoedt at (813) 949-1937. For float information, call Shirley Simmons at (813) 949-7060.

For sponsorship and entry information for the 5K race, call Terry Donovan at (813) 949-6659.

For cake decorating contest information, call Terri Burgess at (813) 690-5790 or Marilyn Wannamaker at (813) 949-1482. For booth rental information, call Annie Fernandez at (813) 784-4471.

Published June 25, 2014

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Already a local inspiration, Keppel now takes national coaching stage

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Brooks Sports Inc., is known for its running shoes and apparel. But once a year, the Seattle-based company gives people a chance to choose among 25 high school coaches across the nation they feel is the most inspiring.

One of the coaches making the cut is none other than Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country coach Kris Keppel. And now his team — and the school — is depending on everyone to get to Facebook and vote for him in the 2014 Brooks Inspiring Coaches Award before the end of July.

Coach Kris Keppel, right, warms up with his Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country team during summer training at Pine View Middle School last week. Keppel is up for a national coaching award based on how he inspires his runners. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Coach Kris Keppel, right, warms up with his Land O’ Lakes High School cross-country team during summer training at Pine View Middle School last week. Keppel is up for a national coaching award based on how he inspires his runners.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

“I opened up my email on the first day of my treatment this cycle, and I was just kind of blown away,” Keppel said. “I didn’t think this was real.”

The treatment Keppel is talking about is chemotherapy, which he’s undergoing to battle pancreatic cancer. He was diagnosed late last year, but still made it out to as many practices and meets as he could muster.

Enduring a new round of chemo hasn’t stopped Keppel from moving forward with summer practices, waking up as the sun rises to get that little bit of cool air typically found only in the mornings during Florida summers.

That’s the kind of effort that really motivates his runners, like incoming senior Noah Thomas.

“He’s just one of the strongest men I’ve ever met,” the 17-year-old said. “All throughout this, he’s still been there for us, and he’s still pushing us hard, and we push back for him.”

It’s the runners, his fellow coaches like Karen DeHaas, and the parents that motivate him to get up and tackle each day with fresh energy, Keppel’s wife Dar said.

“I think cross-country has been a godsend,” she said. “It has monopolized our life, and I was jealous of it at times. But I think if he didn’t have cross-country, he wouldn’t be in the mindset that he’s in. And that is something that is a great outlet.”

For just being named a finalist, the Land O’ Lakes team has won $5,000 in running shoes, apparel and accessories from Brooks, as well as $500 in cash for team expenses.

The coach chosen as the most inspiring on Facebook will win an additional $5,000 in Brooks apparel, plus $2,000 more in cash to the school’s athletic department.

DeHaas, who Keppel recruited some years back to coach the girls cross-country team, did the initial work to get her colleague nominated. But it was a nomination that almost didn’t happen.

“I spent a couple hours writing up everything online, and then when I went to go get a picture, I came back, and what I wrote wasn’t there anymore,” said DeHaas, who runners affectionately refer to as “Mima.”

“I had some good ideas there, too, and so I had to think of it all again so that I could write it a second time,” she said.

Keppel spent years as a media specialist at Land O’ Lakes High, but moved into the American history department after those positions were cut last year. Yet, he still finds a way to connect with students, even off the track.

“He’s a model for so many kids,” DeHaas said. “He has helped so many kids get into colleges, and wrote letters — you wouldn’t believe how many. Anyone who came to him for help, he would help them, whether it was something to do with sports, or something to do with academics. He is just a wealth of information.”

Keppel and his wife are heading to Seattle to learn who will win among the 25 coaches in August. For someone as well-traveled as Keppel is, this is the first time he’s ever been to Washington, and he’s looking forward to it.

However, he’s also looking to not have too many distractions as he prepares his runners for what Keppel hopes will be another successful season, both as a team, and as individual athletes.

“The true gratification of a coach is to see the transformation of a kid who just ran a couple miles to a kid who can run a half-marathon by the end of summer,” Keppel said.

To vote, visit tinyurl.com/KeppelInspire.

Published June 25, 2014

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A glimpse of paradise awaits at Honeymoon and Caladesi islands

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Located at the extreme west end of State Road 586 in Dunedin, there’s a state park called Honeymoon Island, which draws more than 1.1 million visitors a year.

This idyllic scene provides a glimpse of the tranquility and beauty awaiting visitors at Caladesi Island. You can get there on a 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island State Park, or walk about four miles north from Clearwater Beach. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
This idyllic scene provides a glimpse of the tranquility and beauty awaiting visitors at Caladesi Island. You can get there on a 20-minute ferry ride from Honeymoon Island State Park, or walk about four miles north from Clearwater Beach.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Beyond that, just a 20-minute ferryboat ride away, there’s another place called Caladesi Island — rated as America’s No. 1 Beach in 2008 by Stephen P. Leatherman, also known as Dr. Beach.

Both islands offer visitors plenty of opportunities to splash in the surf, search for shells and savor nature’s splendor. There are boating, fishing and kayaking options too for those who enjoy being out on the water. There also are places to buy refreshments and shady picnic areas to gather with family and friends.

Though quite different, both islands offer their own glimpse of paradise.

Caladesi Island, for instance, is secluded.

“You’re away from it all when you’re out there,” said Pete Krulder, park manager for Honeymoon Island State Park. “It is a very special place for a lot of people.”

Lots of tourists visit Caladesi because they’ve heard about its beach rating, Krulder said.

Honeymoon Island, on the other hand, draws substantial numbers of people from Florida, and from Tampa Bay in particular.

“We’re the most-visited state park in the state of Florida,” Krulder said. “We have folks who are in here twice a day. Caladesi is more of the occasional visitor. Honeymoon, you see the same visitor every day.”

The busiest times at Honeymoon Island State Park are from March until right after Labor Day, Krulder said. There also is an annual uptick when winter residents arrive.

Caladesi’s busy times mirror Honeymoon Island’s, though it tends to draw more snowbirds when the weather is nice, Krulder said. Caladesi gets a fair amount of boat traffic on a regular basis, too.

On a recent day at Honeymoon Island, the parking lot was filled with cars, mostly from Florida. But there also were cars from Ohio, Illinois, Vermont, New Jersey, Kentucky, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Connecticut, North Carolina and Arkansas.

The top draw on both islands is the beach. Both islands also boast excellent shelling and beautiful nature trails, Krulder said. And at Caladesi, there’s a marina.

There’s also a kayak trail that traverses through the mangroves.

“There are spots where you can barely paddle, it’s that narrow,” Krulder said.

“Both Honeymoon and Caladesi have some of the few remaining virgin slash pine forests in the state of Florida,” Krulder added, noting those forests have never been logged.

One tree, on the north end of Honeymoon Island’s nature trail was core dated in 2007, and discovered to be at least 185 years old, he said. That means the tree would have sprouted during the second term of President James Monroe, the nation’s fifth president.

Other interesting features along the Honeymoon Island nature trail include osprey, bald eagle and great-horned owl nests.

Wildlife on the islands includes raccoons, snakes and gopher tortoises. While the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake has been known to slither there, snake sightings are uncommon, Krulder said.

Island visitors who enjoy local history may find it interesting to learn that Honeymoon and Caladesi islands were both once part of a larger land mass called Hog Island, named after the hogs that roamed freely there. A hurricane struck that island in 1921, splitting it in two. The resulting water passage between the two islands is called Hurricane Pass.

Hog Island took on a new persona through a promotional campaign by its owner at the time, Clinton Washburn. Washburn and Life magazine in 1939 had a contest for newlyweds, with winners receiving a two-week stay on what became known as Honeymoon Isle.

Little cottages were constructed to house the honeymooners, who were flown on and off of the island. The palm-frond honeymoon huts had appropriate names, such as “Lover’s Nook.”

Pictures from 1940 at the Rotary Centennial Nature Center on Honeymoon Island depict some of those couples, hamming it up for cameras.

Krulder recently received a scrapbook and other memorabilia from the daughter of a couple who honeymooned at the island. He plans to have a special case built to display it.

Caladesi Island, which became a state park in 1967, also has a colorful history.

Ancient ceremonial and burial mounds show Native Americans occupied the island long before Europeans arrived, according to a historic sign there.

After the Spanish conquest of La Florida in the 1500s, the island was used for seasonal encampments and fish ranches. Tall ships moored offshore, and soldiers and sailors came ashore to hunt, fish and camp, the sign says.

No one seems to know the origin for Caladesi Island’s name, Krulder said, but an entire book has been written about a homesteader who settled there in 1892.

In her book, “Yesteryear, I Lived in Paradise,” Myrtle Scharrer Betz describes the idyllic life of growing up on Caladesi Island, a place where her father, Henry Scharrer, built a house.

When Betz was growing up, Krulder said, “She rowed a boat from the south end of Caladesi Island to Main Street in Dunedin. They say she very rarely missed a day of school.”

The future of Honeymoon Island was threatened during the 1960s.

“There was an attempt to develop the island. What they wanted to do was make the island 10 times its natural size,” Krulder said.

A developer envisioned thousands of residents moving onto the island. That effort, however, was thwarted and officials from both Dunedin and the state began acquiring the land for Honeymoon Island State Park, which opened in 1981.

If you go …
WHAT: Honeymoon Island State Park

WHERE: 1 Causeway Blvd., at the extreme west end of State Road 586 in Dunedin

WHEN: 8 a.m. until sundown, 365 days a year.

COST: Ranges from $2 to $8 for vehicles up to 8 people, pedestrians and bicyclists; Sunset fee is $4 per vehicle, one hour before

INFO: Call (727) 469-5942

If you go …
The ferry for Caladesi Island departs from Honeymoon Island beginning at 10 a.m., with half-hour departures from mid-February through mid-September. Departures are hourly in other months.

The ferry cost, roundtrip, is $14 for adults, $7 for children up to 12, and free for kids 5 and younger.

Visitors are allowed up to a four-hour stay on Caladesi Island.

Published June 25, 2014

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Creativity wins local kids trip to Washington, D.C.

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The trio jetted to Washington, D.C., to meet with a member of Congress, to hear remarks from the chief executive of an international company, and to take part in television interviews. And they are all still in elementary school.

Sophia Nobles, left, Catie Tomasello and Joey Santana have their picture taken with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson while visiting the nation’s capital. The kids won the trip by placing second nationally in the 22nd annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision STEM competition. (Courtesy of Heather Tomasello)
Sophia Nobles, left, Catie Tomasello and Joey Santana have their picture taken with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson while visiting the nation’s capital. The kids won the trip by placing second nationally in the 22nd annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision STEM competition.
(Courtesy of Heather Tomasello)

Joey Santana, Sophia Nobles and Catie Tomasello recently returned from a trip to the nation’s capital, and a whirlwind of appearances there. The Countryside Montessori Charter School students took the trip to receive their second-place honors in their age division in the 22nd annual Toshiba/NSTA ExploraVision STEM competition, provided by the electronics company and the National Science Teachers Association. STEM is an acronym for science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

The team, coached by Lorna Cohen, finished among the top eight in the country. The contest itself drew more than 4,900 entries, representing nearly 15,300 students and 550 schools across the United States and Canada, according to the contest website.

It is the world’s largest science and technology competition for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. It encourages them to develop problem-solving, critical thinking and collaboration skills.

Contestants are asked to imagine what technology might be like in 20 years. They work in teams to propose ideas for innovative future technology based on what already exists. They simulate scientific research to outline how they plan to test their idea, and they build websites to further illustrate and communicate their concepts.

For their entry, the Countryside Montessori students envisioned WateRenew, a concept that uses the technology of Wave Wings  — which are wings that sway back and forth in the ocean, creating mechanical energy that can be converted to electricity. That electricity would then be used to power a leading edge desalination plant, which in turn creates clean drinking water for homes and businesses.

Florida’s water shortages inspired the team to search for a solution, Nobles and Tomasello said. The team began meeting in September, and team members spent at least a couple of hours each week working on the project.

The team worked well together because they are friends and they respect each other, the girls said. The team divided the project into pieces, and each team member became an “expert” on one part of the project.

Nobles also noted that the team benefited from the help of Lee Marcum, of Clean and Green Enterprises, who took the time to talk to the team about his invention, the Wave Wing.

While in Washington D.C., team members met with U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, and went a tour of the Capitol Building led by staff members of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis. Santana’s family also dropped by the office of U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, where they posed for photos.

The kids also took part in two television interviews with Bill Nye the Science Guy, and they participated in a science showcase. Other highlights included hearing remarks from Atsutoshi Nishida, chairman of Toshiba Corp., and doing some sightseeing.

Other winners in the competition also proposed creative solutions to challenging issues, according to the competition website. Third-grade students from Merion Station, Pennsylvania, developed a system designed to save people who are stuck in rip currents.

An entry from second-graders from Edmond, Oklahoma, aimed to save lives of babies, toddlers and animals left accidentally in a car. A team of fifth-graders from Locust Valley, New York, created an innovative plant power de-icing system for planes, while 10th graders from Toronto created a new technology that uses light signals to boost optical computing.

Besides the expenses-paid trip, the young students also each received a $5,000 U.S. Savings Bond.

Since its inception in 1992, more than 330,000 students have participated in the ExploraVision program.

Published June 25, 2014

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Demands from sheriff, other departments, could raise taxes

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Pasco County is losing deputies and command staff at an alarming rate, Sheriff Chris Nocco said. It’s a crime he says can be solved only one way: more money.

Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco already commands more than half of the county’s taxpayer dollars, but he’s looking for more. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco already commands more than half of the county’s taxpayer dollars, but he’s looking for more.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

About $6 million more, to be exact, bringing the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office closer than ever before to that $100 million budget threshold.

The Pasco County Commission, however, might not be ready to surrender those dollars just yet. But Nocco believes commissioners can’t wait any longer to get a handle on making salaries more competitive in his department with surrounding counties.

“I got two more letters of resignation today,” Nocco told commissioners in a meeting last week. “It is heartbreaking when you have people leaving, and they say it’s about the money. I know it’s a tough situation.”

Salary increases alone would require an additional $2.6 million in funding, and that’s money the county doesn’t really have — unless it raises taxes. But commissioners say they have other departments also expressing a legitimate need for more money.

“I know it’s expensive for you to train your deputies and have them leave. It is very frustrating to see that happen,” Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said. “But we have increased demand on our staff with development picking up, and it’s hard for us. We have to go out there in the market and compete with the private sector.”

Yet, it’s not new hires the sheriff’s office is watching depart, but instead people with experience, Nocco said.

“We are not losing the one- or two-year person to Pinellas, we’re losing people with six to seven years experience,” he said.

That may be enough for Starkey and other commissioners to warm up to the idea that a property tax increase may be needed to get everything paid for.

“I am for having a better-funded county government,” she said. “Local government is not the same as our federal government, where I think there is a lot of waste. We have no hidden money, we have no extra money. We are all scraping by barely.”

The amount of taxes collected equates to about $420 per resident, which ranks Pasco above just 12 other counties, according to one study cited by Starkey.

“Our libraries, our parks, the quality of life, all at $420 per person,” she said. “It is pretty darn tough to have a premier county at that kind of level of taxes.”

Commissioner Henry Wilson agreed.

“In 2010, when I ran for the first time, I said the millage rate was too low to sustain us, and I still agree to this day that the millage rate is too low,” he said. “I would rather the sheriff’s office be 55 percent of our budget than the tax collector or the supervisor of elections. Our No. 1 goal is public safety.”

All of that has created tremendous burdens on county employees from across various departments, burdens that many are looking to get lifted this budget cycle. But it could be difficult to accommodate everyone’s requests.

“We want to continue to support public safety, but a lot of our other departments have suffered because of the financial constraints that we have been under,” Commissioner Ted Schrader said. “The economy seems to be recovering … so we’re trying to facilitate that so that we can add tax base and continue to provide that funding.”

Only part of the money Nocco seeks would go to pay raises. The sheriff also wants to earmark $333,000 to overtime, and another $300,000 for maintenance on the department’s helicopter, and to purchase a $94,000 night-vision infrared camera.

Nocco has worked to lower costs in his department, primarily through privatization. And he said he’ll continue to look for ways to reduce costs as he moves forward as well.

“It’s hard to compete,” Nocco said. “We are not putting milk, bread and potatoes on the table for our families. When people are leaving to go to Pinellas, they are leaving strictly because of pay.”

Commissioners could see a first draft budget for the next fiscal year in July.

Published June 25, 2014

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Commission race an open primary, other candidates qualify

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A last-minute write-in candidate almost made the race for the Pasco County Commission District 4 race even more interesting than it already is. However, Grady Peeler Jr., pulled out of the race just as quickly as he entered last week.

Volunteers for Pasco County Commission candidate Bob Robertson gather in pray to lead off a sign-waving event last week near the intersection of State Road 54 and Eiland Boulevard, west of Zephyrhills. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Volunteers for Pasco County Commission candidate Bob Robertson gather in pray to lead off a sign-waving event last week near the intersection of State Road 54 and Eiland Boulevard, west of Zephyrhills.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

That leaves just Commissioner Henry Wilson Jr., to defend his seat against Mike Wells Jr., during an open primary in August that will allow all voters — no matter what their party affiliation is — to decide between the two Republicans.

Wilson is working hard to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. He was first elected to the commission in 2010 after a major upset of incumbent Michael Cox, and is trying to stop being on the wrong end of another incumbent defeat, this time at the hands of Wells, the son of county property appraiser and former county commissioner Mike Wells Sr.

Wells entered the race with a boom, showing he has the ability to raise a lot of money fast. In just two months of campaigning, Wells has raised $45,600 compared to the just under $24,000 from Wilson.

But money never worried Wilson too much. In his first race, Wilson raised just $8,700 — pennies compared to the massive $163,000 campaign war chest collected by Cox, who at the time was the one Democrat on the commission.

If Peeler had qualified for the race, Wilson and Wells would’ve still met Aug. 26, but only Republicans would’ve been able to vote. Instead, all voters will have a chance to decide between Wilson and Wells, the winner claiming the District 4 seat.

In the other county commission race for the District 2 seat currently held by Pat Mulieri, all three Republican candidates — Ken Littlefield, Mike Moore and Bob Robertson — have qualified. They will battle it out in the August primary among Republican voters, the winner facing Land O’ Lakes resident Erika Remsberg, the only Democrat to file.

If Remsberg were to win, she would be the first Democrat on the commission since Cox departed in 2010.

Mike Fasano got a big vote of confidence from county residents as no one challenged him for his seat as the county tax collector. He will serve a two-year term, facing election again in 2016.

Also returning to their jobs without opposition are two school board members, Allen Altman and Cynthia Armstrong. The District 5 seat will see incumbent Steve Luikart face challenger Marc Yacht.

At the state level, however, Minnie Diaz said she got a lesson in how not to run a campaign. The Pasco-Hernando State College adjunct professor failed to qualify in her race to succeed state Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, after misunderstanding when she was supposed to file her financial disclosure form.

“I assume full responsibility,” Diaz said. “I did not fully grasp the process of qualifying week, and I did not understand what it truly meant. There was a certain amount of confusion on my part.”

Diaz had filed most of her paperwork a year ago, and even collected the necessary 986 signatures before Christmas. However, she said she believed she had until July 1 to file her financial disclosure form, but later learned that was only for incumbents.

Diaz filed that form, but more than two hours too late.

Because of that, former Zephyrhills mayor Danny Burgess wins the Republican nomination, and won’t have to go through a primary battle with Diaz. Instead, he can focus on his race in November against Democrat Beverly Ledbetter, who also qualified last Friday.

Returning to Tallahassee unopposed are Trilby Republican Wilton Simpson in the Senate, and both Land O’ Lakes Republican Richard Corcoran and Tampa Democrat Janet Cruz in the House.

Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, earned a primary challenger on the final day of qualifying from Miriam Steinberg, a quality engineer for Honeywell Aerospace. They both will fight in a closed primary because Daniel John Matthews of Tampa, who says he works for a company called Cats on Deck, earned a spot as a write-in candidate. That means only Republicans will likely choose who represents House District 64.

Dan Raulerson, R-Plant City, won’t need a primary, but he will have to appear on the ballot after he received a write-in challenge from Jose Vazquez Figueroa, a self-employed Tampa resident.

Also getting a write-in challenge is Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, who attracted two opponents, Brandon Thebeau and Steven Warren, although neither will be listed on the ballot.

Rep. Mark Danish, D-Tampa, qualified for his race against Republican challenger Shawn Harrison. Voters in House District 63 will choose between them in November.

Published June 25, 2014

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‘Papa’ Jay Muffly is retired, but still eyes Guv’na title

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When the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club wanted “Papa” Jay Muffly to run for Lutz Guv’na this year, he said yes. But in reality, they didn’t give him much of a choice.

“They’ve been trying to get me to run for Guv’na for what, 10 years?” Muffly said. “They called and said, ‘Well, the club already voted on it.’”

Jay Muffly has a number of items lying around his Lutz home that recalls his days with the Lutz Volunteer Fire Association. One of them is a large check — in both size and dollar amount — the organization used to create annual scholarships for local students. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
Jay Muffly has a number of items lying around his Lutz home that recalls his days with the Lutz Volunteer Fire Association. One of them is a large check — in both size and dollar amount — the organization used to create annual scholarships for local students.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Muffly, 72, was clearly the one the group wanted to sponsor, and they got their wish: The longtime board member and president of the Lutz Volunteer Fire Association is one of five candidates for the ceremonial title of Lutz Guv’na. The candidate who raises the most money for local groups is declared the winner at a ceremony during the annual Fourth of July celebration.

While Muffly has never run before, he’s very familiar with the process. He’s attended several Guv’na debates, understands its purpose, and likes the idea of raising money to help local groups that need funding.

“Last year there were 20 different organizations that got funds from the Guv’na’s race. That’s the biggest thing,” he said.

“For some of these things, that’s the only money they get and that’s how they make ends meet,” said Barbara Muffly, his wife of more than 30 years. The couple lives on property once owned by her grandfather not far from the Old Lutz School.

Muffly also is familiar with helping out locals. When the fire association closed last year after the county took over fire rescue services, they set up a fund with more than $260,000, which will provide scholarships for local students for decades to come.

Muffly is from Watsontown, Pennsylvania, a borough that takes up around one square mile and 2,200 people. It was less crowded when Muffly lived there. He recalls a small-town feel where kids could play safely and everyone knew each other.

His grandfather was a local firefighter, as was his father and uncles. And after serving in the U.S. Air Force and relocating to the area, Muffly kept the idea of community service. During emergencies or times of need, it’s the local community that usually bands together and gets things done, he said.

“You see it all over America, like when there’s a flood or something, how these volunteer organizations in a local community just pour together,” he said.

Helping local organizations with Lutz Guv’na funds fits in with that philosophy.

To reach the goal of raising the most money, Muffly’s campaign has had plenty of fundraisers. Drawings, dinners and garage sales are some of the activities designed to put him over the top and claim the title of Guv’na.

The race usually includes outlandish campaign promises, and Muffly has a few ideas to undo some of the changes he’s seen over the years and bring back some favorites that aren’t around anymore.

“One of the things I told them was if I ever ran for Guv’na, I was going to tear down Winn-Dixie and build Whataburger back,” he joked.

If he does win, he won’t tear down any businesses, but he will take part in the events expected of the office. The grandfather of 12 and great-grandfather of two knows, however, he’s not going to match the enthusiasm and activity of the current titleholder.

“Suzin Carr has raised the bar,” Muffly said. “She’s out there doing stuff all the time. There’s no way I can match that.”

Carr, a two-time Guv’na, has done an excellent job representing the community, he said.

Although he was almost more of a recruit than a volunteer to the race, Muffly said he likes continuing a tradition that lets surrounding areas know that Lutz has a proud, distinct identity that isn’t going away.

“The biggest thing about it is it supports all the nonprofits in Lutz and it kind of says, ‘Yeah county, we’re still us!’” he said.

Published June 25, 2014

Pasco and Hillsborough students improve test scores

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Students across Florida, as well as in Pasco and Hillsborough counties posted gains on statewide end-of-course, or EOC, exams.

Scores improved in all of the assessment areas in Florida, with the biggest gain being a 10 percent improvement in U.S. History.

Pasco has one of 13 school districts in the state that posted gains in all four EOC assessments, with its biggest improvement being an 8-point increase on the U.S. History assessment, Florida Education commissioner Pam Stewart reported.

The passing rate for Pasco students taking the test for the first time improved on all four assessments, improving by 2 percent in Algebra I; 2 percent in biology; 3 percent in geometry and 8 percent in U.S. History.

Hillsborough’s scores improved in two of the four assessment areas, with a 14 percent percentage gain in U.S. History and a 4 percent gain in Algebra I.

Pasco students outperformed the state in the percentage of students achieving a passing score or higher in 2014, except for Algebra I.

Some notable scores from Pasco schools include a 5-percent bump in the passing rate on the Algebra I assessment at Land O’ Lakes High School, a 7-percent gain by Wiregrass Ranch High School students on the Biology I assessment, and an 8-percent improvement on the same assessment at Zephyrhills High School.

Both Wesley Chapel and Wiregrass also posted big improvements in the passing rate on the geometry assessment. Wesley Chapel’s passing rate improved by 22 percent. Wiregrass Ranch boosted its passing rate by 13 percent. Students at both Zephyrhills and Sunlake high schools improved their passing rate by 6 percent, with Sunlake achieving a 73 percent passing rate and Zephyrhills boosting its passing rate to 60 percent.

Wesley Chapel principal Carin Nettles was delighted with her school’s results.

“I am thrilled about our scores,” she said. “We are very proud of the work our math department has done.”

The principal credits collaboration among faculty members during professional learning community meetings. Teachers are sharing “the best common lessons and assessments for our students,” she said.  Teachers also have provided tutoring to help their students succeed.

Superintendent Kurt Browning said in a release that because the scores “reflect what we are teaching in the classroom, end-of-course exams present a much more accurate picture of our students’ learning during this time of transition than do high-stakes tests” like the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test.

Published June 25, 2014

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Commissioners might tackle redevelopment without PEDC

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The Pasco Economic Development Council might have plans on how the county can spend new revenue from the Penny for Pasco tax. But the group itself might have to take a back seat in how that money is used.

Ted Schrader
Ted Schrader

“We’ve been entrusted by the public to spend $5 million a year over the next 10 years, and the Pasco Economic Development Council has asked to participate in that spend with us,” county administrator Michele Baker told Pasco County commissioners at a recent meeting. “Instead of being buried in planning and development, it needs to be in a place where it is clearly transparent. And nothing against PEDC, but I’m not comfortable with handing over that money. They are not subject to the same oversight as we are.”

The Pasco EDC, a private organization that works to market the county to businesses and industry, had proposed to the commission last April that it borrow against the Penny for Pasco tax. They could then use the funds for projects like assembling land, constructing offices and warehouses on speculation, and even possibly considering a convention center, all to help attract outside business to the county.

“We’d rather get some of that revenue upfront now, so that we can get more of an impact over the 10-year period, rather than wait,” Pasco EDC president and chief executive John Hagen told commissioners at the time. “We need jobs, and we need economic development now.”

Baker did agree with one of the primary recommendations Hagen made: the county needs to act sooner rather than later. Even with nearly $5 million sitting in the bank right now from projects yet to get underway like from Raymond James Financial and T. Rowe Price, those funds are for small players, Baker said, and not enough for something “big and impactful.”

For the county to take command, however, commissioners need to beef up the development staff, Commissioner Kathryn Starkey said. Melanie Kendrick has been a one-woman show when it has come to such projects in the past, but it’s too much for just a single person to handle.

“To me, this is one of the most important things we can do,” Starkey said. “This is how we lift our county up and become that premier county and be attractive to those kind of companies that we want to bring here.”

Money to add people to the payroll is going to have to come from somewhere, however, and commissioners may have to look at ways to accomplish it, either by raising development fees — which are by far some of the lowest in the state — or possibly even by raising taxes.

If property owners paid the same amount of taxes they did last year, the county would increase its overall revenue by $3.4 million — fueled primarily by new construction. If Pasco decided to keep the same millage as last year, at 7.3441 mills, taxes for typical homeowners could go up by as much as $12.40 each year. But it would generate an additional $5.87 million in revenue, with new construction once again contributing, as well as rising property values.

Even those dollars, however, might not be enough to pay for everything commissioners want to budget — like a 3 percent pay increase for county employees, across the board.

“We would like to have an increase in salary,” Commissioner Ted Schrader said. “But that is going to eat up the $5.8 million to get that done, so we know where we’re starting.”

With road improvements still needed, there’s a strong possibility that part of those funds will come from an additional increase in property taxes, something Schrader has said he opposes. If that were to happen, it would generate approximately $5 million in additional revenue, but cost typical homeowners an additional $24 in property taxes each year.

Commissioners have yet to be presented with next year’s budget, but could start seeing early drafts as soon as next month.

Published June 25, 2014

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