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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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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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Chef Rigberg is on the kitchen’s cutting edge

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Around the Academy of Culinary Arts at Land O’ Lakes High School, Michael Rigberg is known as Chef Rigberg.

In July, he’ll be known as an inductee into the American Academy of Chefs.

Chef Michael Rigberg, who leads the Academy of Culinary Arts at Land O’ Lakes High School, will be inducted this summer into the American Academy of Chefs. (Courtesy of Michael Rigberg)
Chef Michael Rigberg, who leads the Academy of Culinary Arts at Land O’ Lakes High School, will be inducted this summer into the American Academy of Chefs.
(Courtesy of Michael Rigberg)

The induction will take place at the American Culinary Federation National Convention in Kansas City, Missouri, where Rigberg will be included in a group of men and women who have distinguished themselves in the culinary arts.

It’s an honor that requires recipients to meet rigorous requirements, and those attaining it are considered to represent the highest standards of professionalism in the organization, society and industry.

That honor will follow another distinction that Rigberg received in April at the American Culinary Federation’s Southeastern Conference in Charleston, South Carolina. He was among four chefs receiving Cutting Edge awards from the federation.

Those awards, bestowed by regional vice president Michael Diehl, recognize leadership and service to the culinary profession.

Rigberg, who is president of the Tampa Bay Culinary Association, said he had no idea he was being considered for that award. So, when he heard the phrase, “This chef resides in Land O’ Lakes, Florida,” his ears perked up.

“I was shocked,” Rigberg said.

Hundreds of chefs, cooks and foodservice professionals were at the conference in Charleston, and thousands will be at the national convention. Rigberg said he’s not sure what he did to merit the award, but it was nice to receive recognition.

Performing well is important to Rigberg, and he strives to pass that ethic along to his students in the culinary program at Land O’ Lakes High. His goal is to give students a solid foundation for a career in the culinary arts. He also wants them to have a good idea of what they will face in the field.

Along those lines, students have a chance to compete with students in other programs. They also have a chance to gain practical experience in the field, and they occasionally get to take part in special events.

When the Republican National Convention was in Tampa, for example, Rigberg worked out a deal to become part of the catering crew. He joined his teaching colleague, Jessica Cooper, at the Tampa Bay Times Forum while 26 students from their culinary arts program were there preparing food for the convention’s hungry masses.

“That is something they will never forget,” said Rigberg, who was influenced by his son to become an instructor.

When his son graduated from high school in Hillsborough County, he was interested in becoming an architect. So, he enrolled at Tulane University, where he quickly became discouraged, Rigberg said.

During orientation, a dean told the incoming crop of 90 freshmen that if five made it, they’d be lucky.

“After one semester, he came back home,” Rigberg said.

Instead of pursuing architecture, he went to Hillsborough Community College, then on to get a business degree at the University of South Florida. Rigberg’s son would eventually earn a master’s degree in mental health counseling.

Rigberg had already wanted to become a teacher, but after his son’s experience, he decided to teach at the high school level rather than at a college. He wanted a chance to help shape a life, and he figured high school would be a better place to do that.

Rigberg tells his students that people with culinary skills are always in demand.

“Whether you’re a mechanic, whether you’re an electrician, whether you’re a plumber, or whether you are a cook — you will always, in a trade, always have a job,” he said.

In his program, Rigberg said he tries to instill a sense of devotion, a desire to succeed and a sense of urgency. When students graduate, he wants them to understand that “what they have gained or learned here is just the beginning.”

Published June 25, 2014

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Legg, lawmakers build path to collegiate high schools

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High schools have come a long way in preparing students for schools, with Florida especially hanging its hat on dual enrollment opportunities that allow many juniors and seniors to earn college credit before receiving their high school diploma.

John Legg
John Legg

State Sen. John Legg, R-Lutz, is celebrating a new law signed last week by Gov. Rick Scott that would expand those opportunities into collegiate high schools.

“Finally, every student in each of Florida’s 67 school districts is afforded the opportunity for advancement through a collegiate high school, and is more adequately prepared for their future careers,” Legg said, in a release.

S.B. 850, according to a committee analysis, requires districts to provide a pathway for high school students to earn a full year of college credit with funding and acceleration programs to offer 30 credit hours to juniors and seniors.

The collegiate high schools would be a joint venture between a school district and a nearby college or university. School districts can look beyond local universities if they both can’t come to an agreement by the 2015-16 school year.

Scott signed 57 bills into law last Friday, including these from local lawmakers:

S.B. 424 – Discriminatory Insurance Practices
Originally introduced by state Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, this law makes it illegal for insurance companies to deny someone coverage, or raise their rates, based on their ownership of a firearm.

It doesn’t stop the insurance company, however, from issuing a separate rider to a policy that would specifically insure a gun. But it does prevent insurance companies from disclosing information about a gun ownership to others, especially third-party vendors.

The bill passed the Senate 36-3 in March, but had a little more opposition in the House in April, passing 74-44. Those voting against it included local lawmakers Rep. Mark Danish and Rep. Janet Cruz, both Democrats.

H.B. 513 – State Poet Laureate
Florida has had various poet laureates over the last 100 years, but a new law originally introduced by Dan Raulerson, R-Plant City, will now make the position official.

The Florida Council on Arts and Culture will submit at least five nominees to the Florida secretary of state, each of whom are permanent Florida residents known for their poetry both inside and outside the state.

The secretary of state, in turn, will pare the list down to three, and submit those names to the governor, who makes the final decision.

The bill passed both the House and Senate unanimously last April.

H.B. 523 – Licensure to Carry a Concealed Weapon or Firearm
This law allows county tax collectors to administer fingerprints and accept applications for those seeking a concealed weapon permit.

Tax collectors wanting to participate would have to apply to the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, but would be able to tack on a $22 convenience fee on top of the standard $70 initial permit application, and a $12 convenience fee for a $60 renewal.

The law also budgets $736,600 to create and maintain 11 new positions with the agriculture department, and a $105,500 one-time payout. It’s related to H.B. 525, which exempts personal information of gun owners from public records laws, which also was signed by the governor.

The bill sailed through the Senate, but had a couple bumps in the House, where it passed 94-22. Cruz was among those local lawmakers who voted against it.

H.B. 7035 – Juvenile Sentencing
Originally introduced by state Rep. James Grant, this law addresses the 2010 U.S. Supreme Court case Graham v. Florida that said the Constitution prevents courts from sentencing juvenile offenders who did not commit a murder to life.

After the decision, several past cases were brought back to courts for re-sentencing, where many had prison time drastically reduced.

This law gives judges an option to sentence a juvenile offender to 40 years instead of life, if he feels it’s appropriate. It also provides the chance for someone convicted of a capital crime while a juvenile to have his sentence reviewed after 25 years.

The bill passed both chambers unanimously in April and May.

Published June 25, 2014

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Business Digest 06-25-14

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School district hosts job fair
The Pasco County school district is partnering with county agencies and local chambers of commerce to host a job fair July 9 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., at Land O’ Lakes High School.

The event will includes representatives from the school district, the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office, Pasco County government, the clerk of court, tax collector, United Way, the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Wesley Chapel Chamber of Commerce.

Some of the positions being sought include clerical and administrative support, accounting and finance, bus drivers and assistants, information services, food services, law enforcement and corrections, maintenance and skilled trades, and instructional and childcare.

The high school is located at 20325 Gator Lane, Land O’ Lakes.

For information, visit PascoSchools.org.

Lutz, Odessa attorneys honored for 50 years
Daniel N. Burton and Thomas Ayers Smith are among more than 200 attorneys honored by The Florida Bar for 50 years of law dedication on June 27.

Burton is a retired partner with Foley & Lardner in Tampa, and focused primarily on health law. He graduated from Stetson Law School in 1964, after getting his undergraduate degree from Rollins College in Winter Park.

Smith, who maintains a practice on Woodstock Road in Odessa, is a graduate of Harvard Law School.

The ceremony is sponsored by The Florida Bar’s young lawyers division, and will be June 27 in Boca Raton.

Goin’ Postal Dade City has new owners
Chris and Ailisa Starnes are the new owners of Goin’ Postal Dade City, located at 14247 Seventh St.

It is a franchise of the Zephyrhills-based Goin’ Postal, which now operates 250 stores.

Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Pasco EDC wins three state awards
The Pasco Economic Development Council has received three promotional and marketing awards from the Florida Economic Development Council during its annual conference in June.

Pasco EDC won for best email campaign, best annual report design and best special event. These awards join six others the organization has received at the state and national level over the past four years.

“Marketing Pasco County to the business community locally, regionally and nationally is a big part of what we do, and it is wonderful to see our efforts recognized on a state level,” said John Hagen, president and chief executive of Pasco EC, in a release.

Monday Cup O’ News is Pasco EDC’s first and most successful email campaign, sending out a collection of news each week to nearly 1,300 people.

The Pasco EDC also was recognized for its annual report, designed to be a key part of the organization’s branding, as well as for its 12th annual NetFest, which provided an opportunity for business and community leaders to meet and get to know each other in an informal environment.

The Florida Economic Development Conference is the premier professional development event attended by economic, work force and community developers from Florida’s 67 counties, 400 cities, 24 work force regions, 12 universities and 28 community colleges.

Local CareerSource office wins incentive
After Gov. Rick Scott and CareerSource Florida challenged the state’s work force boards to double employer penetration rate in an effort to connect more people to jobs, the people with CareerSource Pasco Hernando knew they were going to succeed. And they did just that, earning more than $120,000 in incentives as a result.

“The governor’s support in our work force endeavors have helped job seekers and employers in Pasco and Hernando counties get back to work,” said Jerome Salatino, chief executive of CareerSource Pasco Hernando, in a release. “His challenge focused on the needs of connecting employers to job seekers.”

The challenge sought work force boards like the local one to provide services to just under 3,200 employers. CareerSource Pasco Hernando did that and more, making 3,663 employer contacts, and exceeding the goal by more than 115 percent. But even when the challenge ended, the local work force group didn’t stop, reaching out to an additional 485 employers.

The incentive was the highest given in the state.

For more information on the services offered by the group, visit CareerSourcePascoHernando.com, or call (727) 484-3400.

Emerald Homes comes to The Champions Club
Bringing homes that begin in the $800,000-range, Emerald Homes is coming to The Champions Club in Trinity.

The Texas-based luxury homebuilder is looking to construct homes from just over 3,800 square feet, to a little more than 4,400 square feet, with the first model home expected in the fall.

Wesley Chapel woman aims to encourage young poets

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Maya Angelou’s recent death captured headlines around the world. And that’s a fitting response, said Janet Watson, a poet who lives in Wesley Chapel.

“I’m so pleased that the world has paused for a moment to realize that poetry has value, and to mourn the passing of a great poet,” said Watson, a member of the New River Poets group, which meets in Wesley Chapel.

Wesley Chapel poet Janet Watson encourages people of all ages to write poetry, to share their observations of life, and to help to build connections. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Wesley Chapel poet Janet Watson encourages people of all ages to write poetry, to share their observations of life, and to help to build connections.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Watson believes that poetry has tremendous power, to help build understanding and connections.

She compares poetry to photography — both are capturing a moment in time.

“Everybody has a voice, has a poetic voice,” Watson said, but some people simply have never put their individual take on the world into words.

When she’s writing a poem, she uses all of her senses.

“Not just to see, but to look; not to just hear, but to listen. That’s what my poetry is about, and that’s what I admire in other poets,” said Watson, author of “Eyes Open, Listening.”

Poetry offers everyone a chance for self-expression.

“It’s all about sharing what we think and how we’re reacting in life,” Watson said.

That’s one of the reasons Watson is involved in an effort to encourage young poets. She coordinates the young poet’s contest, which is affiliated with the Florida State Poets Association.

The contest is open for middle and high school students throughout Florida. They can be home-schooled or can attend private or public schools. The aim is to encourage the reading and writing of poetry.

“It’s amazing how many young people are interested in it. Unfortunately, a lot of teachers really don’t have time to even give out the rules,” said Watson, adding she understands how busy teachers are because she worked in schools for several years.

But there are teachers who work with their students on poetry and submit their students’ work for the contest.

“A lot of teachers tell me that it’s very therapeutic (for students). Many of the teachers who are sending me work are sending me work from kids who are troubled,” Watson said. “They’re writing about death. They’re writing about divorce. They’re writing about relationships that break up. These are very young kids.”

Watson thinks that many young people are interested in poetry, but may be unaware of the state contest, which offers cash prizes and the chance to be published in an anthology.

“Young people are very much into performance poetry now. Rap is poetry,” she said.

Last year, the contest drew about 760 entries. Not a single one of those entries came from Pasco County, however, Watson said, noting she hopes that will change this year.

Watson will circulate the information about this year’s youth poetry contest in late August or early September. Contest rules also will be posted online at FloridaStatePoetsAssociation.org.

For additional information about the poetry contest or New River Poets, contact Watson at .

Published June 18, 2014

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New stalemate could kill gas tax increase yet again

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Getting new county road projects underway, as well as maintaining the ones already built, is likely going to require an additional $8 million this coming year. But a new battle on exactly how to raise that money has put two Pasco County commissioners on opposite sides of the debate.

Henry Wilson is continuing a controversial stance he took last year, saying he won’t support raising the local gas tax, and instead wants to explore other revenue sources including an increase in property taxes.

Ted Schrader, however, has no interest in raising property taxes, and says a 5-cent increase in gas taxes will shift the cost of maintaining the roads to the people who are using them, and in most cases wouldn’t even be passed on to the consumer anyway.

It’s a battle where Wilson has an early advantage, not because of support from other commissioners, but from a caveat that any gas tax increase requires the approval of four of the five commissioners, while a property tax increase of this size would only require a yes vote from three.

“People buy gas periodically, but when they get their (property) tax bill, they remember that,” Schrader said during a recent meeting at the Historic Dade City Courthouse, interrupted several times from quick power blackouts caused by a thunderstorm outside. “When you start incrementally adding on all these different assessments, they are going to remember that.”

Wilson says the county needs to increase revenue by $8 million, but “not via the gas tax.”

The debate erupted at the meeting after County Administrator Michele Baker tried to lock down how much commissioners were planning to spend on roads this year. The additional amount of revenue needed ranged from $5 million to $8 million, with the lower number possibly forcing some future road building projects to be delayed or cancelled altogether.

Earlier in the meeting, county budget manager Dan Risola told commissioners that even if the gas tax increase was passed on to consumers, it would equate to $7.50 annually for every penny. A 5-cent increase would mean an additional $37.50 annually, or $1.56 more per fill-up on a typical car that’s fueled up twice monthly.

The recommendation to use the full 5 cents also came from a group of community leaders led by Heidt Design president Patrick Gassaway.

“We like user fees for things like transportation,” he said. “It puts the burden where it should be.

“To tell elected officials that their best route is to increase taxes is, of course, something we recognize as a difficult thing for you to do. It is a lot like saving for college, but it is a great investment, and we all benefit from it.”

Using all 5 cents available to the county in gas taxes could have other positive effects as well, Gassaway said. If the county looks to get state or federal funding for projects, officials can show they’ve done everything they can locally to raise money by using the tools available to them.

Gas stations are not adept to raising prices just because of increases in taxes because they are focused on selling a specific number of gallons, Baker said.

“It would translate to the folks that were buying beer and Slurpees and cigarettes,” she said. “It’s inside the convenience store where they truly make the profits.”

Also not fully convinced about looking at a full gas tax was Commissioner Jack Mariano, but his position has shifted a bit from last year when he voted against any gas tax increase.

“It is a very complex subject,” he said. “Developers are going to get mad at us for not using the gas tax, and then you look at the regular people who is going to pay the tax.”

Mariano, like fellow commissioners Pat Mulieri and Kathryn Starkey, are willing to explore a mix of gas and property tax increases to hit the $8 million mark, although Mulieri has indicated she would go a full 5 cents in gas tax if needed.

Schrader, however, would have to convince both Mariano and Starkey to raise the gas tax to 5 cents to get the four votes needed. But Mariano has hinted in the past that he likely wouldn’t go higher than a 2-cent increase at the pump.

If Schrader refuses to vote in favor of any gas tax increase below 5 cents, commissioners would not have enough votes to raise the gas tax at all. That would mean looking almost exclusively at a property tax increase.

“We have to stop fighting one another,” Mulieri said. “This has been a good board, but it deteriorated two weeks ago. I see that wind blowing, and nobody is going to change their mind right now.”

Published June 18, 2014

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