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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Gamble Mansion: A remnant of the past

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Families looking for an inexpensive outing, people who enjoy interesting architecture, and history buffs should consider making the trek to the Gamble House Historic State Park in Ellenton.

The park boasts Gamble Mansion, the oldest building in Manatee County.

Gamble Mansion in Ellenton is the only remaining antebellum plantation house in South Florida. The park is open to visitors every day. The mansion is open to visitors, by guided tours only, Thursdays through Mondays. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Gamble Mansion in Ellenton is the only remaining antebellum plantation house in South Florida. The park is open to visitors every day. The mansion is open to visitors, by guided tours only, Thursdays through Mondays.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

It sits on land once part of a thriving sugar plantation. And it’s the place where the secretary of state for the Confederacy is believed to have hid out briefly during his escape from the United States.

Gamble Mansion is considered to be a fine example of antebellum construction, and is the only remaining plantation house remaining in South Florida. It belonged to Maj. Robert Gamble Jr., who arrived in the area from Tallahassee in 1843 after the end of the Second Seminole War, according to documents on display in the museum in the park’s visitor center.

Gamble was attracted by the area’s mild climate, rich soil and easy access to the Manatee River. He also was enticed by free land, offered by Congress through the Armed Occupation Act to encourage settlement of the frontier. Before Gamble set foot on the plantation, its only occupants were wild creatures, oak hammocks and pine flatwoods.

By 1845, Gamble’s plantation was among a dozen cultivating sugarcane and producing sugar for the New Orleans market, according to a historic marker at the park. Sugar and molasses were shipped by schooner and steamboat to Louisiana.

Over time, Gamble amassed holdings of about 3,500 acres, including about 1,500 acres under cultivation. Besides sugar, the plantation produced limes, lemons, olives, oranges, corn and beans, according to a map in the museum, depicting the plantation.

Gamble purchased modern machinery from New Orleans and the slaves working the plantation were brought by boat from the Tallahassee area where his father had a plantation, according to museum documents. By 1855, he owned 155 slaves. They did all of the plantation work, from cooking to clearing fields to rowing across a river to cut wood to use as fuel at the sugar works.

Gamble was a bachelor, but he lived in a mansion, featuring Greek Revival architectural elements, that was built in stages over six years. The two-story structure is made of red brick and tabby brick, which consists of shells, sand and oyster-shell lime.

The 10-room mansion was built to last. Eighteen columns support the roof and upper verandas, and the walls are nearly two-feet thick.

While the building was strong, the plantation’s finances were not. The plantation operated on a complex credit structure, and by 1856, Gamble’s finances had become so strained, he could not weather problems that resulted from declining sugar prices and crop losses, according to museum documents.

Gamble sold the estate for $190,000 in 1856, and returned to Tallahassee.

The mansion’s story, however, was far from over.

One of its most exciting chapters involves the former secretary of state for the Confederacy.

“Just before Richmond, Va. — the southern capital fell — Judah P. Benjamin, secretary of state of Confederate States of America, fled with President Davis and other Cabinet members,” according to museum documents. “Benjamin escaped the North America mainland by way of Florida, and tradition has it that the Gamble House was his last stop.”

The house has faced its share of challenges, park manager Kevin Kiser said.

“It had been damaged by hurricanes. Some of the people who owned it had used it for manure storage. It was in shambles,” Kiser said.

The neglected mansion was in a state of ruin before it was revived by the Judah P. Benjamin Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy, which purchased the property in 1925 and deeded it to the state.

About 75,000 visitors drop by the historic site every year, and it is a popular backdrop for weddings and other special events.

People touring the mansion will see rooms that are mostly outfitted with furniture and tools of the day appropriate to the style of a mid-19th century plantation.

“We don’t really have any records of how they used the rooms,” Kiser said, so the furnishings reflect an interpretation of how the rooms might have been used between the 1840s and 1860s.

The house has never been electrically wired. It does have high ceilings and cross-ventilation to help make life bearable on sweltering summer days.

Besides its antebellum architecture, another unique feature at the mansion is a huge cistern, built to catch rainwater from the roof’s gutters. A cistern was needed to provide drinking and bathing water for the people living there, Kiser said.

After Gamble left, Maj. George Patten bought the land and mansion in 1872 for $3,000. The Pattens abandoned the mansion in 1895 to avoid the high costs of maintenance, and a new home was built on the site for Dudley Patten and his wife. Originally, the house consisted of four rooms, but additions were added in 1904 and 1912.

Today, the house is used as a chapter house for the local Judah P. Benjamin Chapter, and is recognized as the Florida headquarters of the United Daughters of the Confederacy.

Besides its interesting history, the park offers a pleasant respite from daily life, with its picnic areas, park benches and Spanish moss-draped trees.

WHAT: Gamble Plantation Historic State Park
WHERE: 3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton, just off U.S. 301
WHEN: 365 days a year, 8 a.m. until sundown for park; most days except some holidays for the mansion
COST: Free for park admission; Gamble Mansion is $6 for adults, $4 for children 6-12, with younger children free.
Tours last 45 minutes, and are offered several times a day on Thursdays through Mondays.
The visitor center has a museum, open Thursdays through Mondays.
Group tours can be arranged by calling (941) 723-4536.

WHAT: Spring Park Car Show and Swap Meet
WHERE: Gamble Plantation Historic State Park, 3708 Patten Ave., Ellenton
WHEN: March 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
COST: Car registration fee is $15 in advance, $20 day of show
INFO: Call (941) 405-3533

Published March 19, 2014

Soaring Sound family earns accolades on, off field

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This week is spring break for Pasco County schools, meaning thousands of students are enjoying some well-deserved time off and maybe even a little time at the beach.

Tonya O’Malley works with some of her percussionists ahead of a pep rally to kick off spring break last week. The band director is in her eighth year in Pasco County, and her fifth at Sunlake High School. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Tonya O’Malley works with some of her percussionists ahead of a pep rally to kick off spring break last week. The band director is in her eighth year in Pasco County, and her fifth at Sunlake High School.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

But that’s not so for members of the Sunlake High School Soaring Sound. These band students have spent hours on end in the school’s gymnasium, where there is no air-conditioning when school’s not in session, getting ready to represent Sunlake on the state and national level … once again.

Sunlake’s marching band was a finalist in Class 2A competition last fall — one of the only Pasco schools even competing — and now its color guard is getting ready for a trip to the University of Central Florida near Orlando this weekend to compete at the Southeastern Color Guard Championship. And percussion members have a competition of their own coming up in the next week or so in Daytona Beach.

The Soaring Sound members are first to credit the efforts of director Tonya O’Malley, who’s now in her fifth year at Sunlake. But it’s O’Malley who quickly turns and credits her players.

“It all comes down to our student leaders. This is what has made our program thrive,” O’Malley said. “We have one or two kids in every single section of the band that demands excellence in that section. I can teach them, but it’s these leaders who make sure everyone in their section are there, and all prepared.”

Leaders earn their positions every year, including drum majors like Nonna Stutzman, who started in the band as a flute player, but was approached by O’Malley last year to serve as one of two field leaders for the band. Even as her junior year is drawing to a close, Stutzman already is working hard to earn the privilege of continuing as drum major next year.

“You have to try harder than you did last year,” Stutzman said, adding that her level of involvement has prompted her to think quite seriously about a future in music. “Marching band honestly has made up my whole high school experience. I played the flute for so long, maybe I can even teach it.”

Troy Moeller is one of the younger leaders, a sophomore who serves as the brass captain. During marching season, he plays a euphonium — one step down from a tuba — and right now is part of the percussion group preparing to head to Daytona.

Moeller, however, has other talents as well, including the cello. And he dabbles a bit on saxophone as well.

Moeller doesn’t like to talk about all of that much, but that hasn’t stopped O’Malley from singing his praises.

“The biggest selling point for me on Troy is that he was an amazing player, even as a freshman,” O’Malley said. “I sent out emails to all his teachers looking for some feedback, and what I got was that Troy is an exceptional student who is well beyond his years. The way he behaves in class is impeccable.

“It’s all those types of things I expect of the kids in leadership. They need to be well-rounded individuals, and represent the band well in the community and in the school.”

O’Malley starts the recruiting process early for Soaring Sound, working closely with younger students at Rushe Middle School, and preparing them for the transition.

“All of this can be somewhat intimidating for eighth-grade kids,” O’Malley said. “Our members go frequently and talk to the kids there, and make sure they are comfortable. They let them know the high school band is not big and scary, and they can fit right in.”

Soaring Sound has just under 75 members right now, but the latest success of the band could cause that number to swell. In fact, O’Malley has a list of 60 Rushe students interested in taking part in Soaring Sound next year.

“They’re looking to find their place,” she said.

When those new freshmen arrive, they’ll find a band ready to help them do just that, thanks to people like color guard captain Sara Pickernell.

Pickernell is graduating in May, but she hopes leaving her mark will help encourage others to be strong leaders in Soaring Sound as well.

“My leadership experience is way more off the field than on the field,” Pickernell said. “If the kids are having a hard time, like their boyfriend just broke up with them or they are having trouble in class, I pull them aside and see what I can do to help.”

Published March 19, 2014

It’s time to clean up the Old Lutz School

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The Guv’na wants to see you in school on March 22.

The Old Lutz School, a Lutz staple for more than 80 years, needs volunteers for its spring cleaning March 22. (Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)
The Old Lutz School, a Lutz staple for more than 80 years, needs volunteers for its spring cleaning March 22.
(Michael Murillo/Staff Photo)

Suzin Carr holds the honorary title this year. And the school she’s talking about is the Old Lutz School, located at 18819 N. U.S. 41, which is in the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

And on Saturday from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m., Carr is looking for volunteers who will donate some time to the school’s upkeep.

There’s plenty of work to do.

“That’s our spring cleanup day,” Carr said. “It’s dusting, it’s moving desks, it’s weeding. Any kind of work is available. So if people have an hour, or if they can stay the whole five hours, that’s great. But it’s really something that we do to get the schoolhouse back in shape.”

The Old Lutz School isn’t open very often. In fact, it had been dormant since December until the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club had its annual flea market there earlier this month. But Carr would like to see more events there and give people more of an opportunity to experience an important piece of Lutz history.

The Old Lutz School is actually the third school built in Lutz, back around 1929. It featured what were considered “modern” conveniences like indoor plumbing, and a water tower replaced the hand pump found in previous schoolhouses.

It was used as a school for nearly 50 years, and was listed in the National Register in 1996.

Citizens For the Old Lutz School Building is the group officially in charge of its maintenance and upkeep, and relies on area organizations to help with the normal duties required to keep it looking nice. But Carr said she’d like to see residents take part in the cleaning event as well, and help maintain a community treasure. “Typically it’s been the same core group of people who have done it year after year,” she said. “We’re trying to get more people to come out and take an interest, because it’s smack there in the middle of downtown Lutz, and we’d like people to know it’s there.”

Carr had a yoga event there during her run for Guv’na (she’s nearing the end of her time in office) and the Guv’na debate between the new crop of candidates will be there in May.

The spring cleaning is a good way for people who might drive by it regularly or just recognize it as an interesting building to help maintain a symbol of the area’s history, Carr said.

“It represents so many generations of kids and area residents who have gone through that school at one time or another as students,” she said. “It’s the heart of Lutz.”

Cleaning supplies and tools will be provided. Volunteers need only bring something to drink, and any amount of volunteer time is appreciated.

For information, call Carr at (813) 453-5256.

Published March 19, 2014

Political Agenda 03-19-14

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Zephyrhills council race off to fast start
Alan Knight isn’t wasting time with his efforts to unseat Zephyrhills City Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson.

Both Knight and Wilkeson are neck-and-neck in campaign fundraising for the seat Wilkeson has held since 2008, each pulling in around $2,000.

Knight raised half of that in just a single week in March thanks to a $500 check from the Pasco County Council of Firefighters, and smaller donations from Zephyrhills residents, including former longtime city councilwoman Liz Geiger.

During that same first week in March, Wilkeson raised $675, including $250 from Ryman Construction, and another $250 from Lani Rossman, a retired nonprofit executive living in Nashville, Tenn.

Both candidates received $100 donations from current councilman Charles Proctor.

With just weeks before the April 8 election, Wilkeson has raised $2,075 while Knight is just a short distance behind with $2,000. Through March 7, Wilkeson has more cash on hand with about $1,000, while Knight has just over $700.

Ballots heading to Pasco homes
Vote-by-mail ballots for the April 8 election are on their way to homes for those who live within the city limits of Dade City, St. Leo, Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and Port Richey.

To be counted, vote-by-mail ballots must be returned to the election office by mail or hand delivery by 7 p.m. on election day. Mail ballots also can be returned to city halls, but cannot be turned in at the polls.

Those who would like to vote in person before election day can visit their city hall.

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

Political landscape around elevated road leaning negative
Two more candidates seeking to replace Pat Mulieri on the Pasco County Commission have spoken out against the elevated toll road.

Ken Littlefield, a former state representative seeking the Republican nomination for the seat, told a debate audience earlier this month that he was waiting to get more information before deciding whether he would support the project proposed along a 33-mile stretch between U.S. 301 and U.S. 19 on the State Road 54/56 corridor.

However, during a town hall meeting hosted by Commissioner Kathryn Starkey last week, Littlefield announced publicly he was against the toll road.

“If there is one thing I detest, it’s an unsolicited call,” Littlefield said. “I will hang up. Ladies and gentlemen, what I think we need to do on this unsolicited bid is hang up.”

The next day, the lone Democrat seeking the seat so far — Erika Remsberg — said in a comment on LakerLutzNews.com that she was against the proposal as well.

“I opposed a state roadway being a system in which those able to pay more have a ‘fast pass’ option like an amusement park,” Remsberg wrote. “This will impact those of us living and running businesses along (State Road) 54 negatively. I do not support this proposal.”

Bob Robertson, who also is seeking the Republican nod, spoke out against the elevated toll road during a debate earlier this month, while his opponent Mike Moore has yet to take a public position.

Littlefield yet to raise any outside money
Former State Rep. Ken Littlefield jumped into the Pasco County Commission race to replace Pat Mulieri long after his two primary opponents, Mike Moore and Bob Robertson, but he has a long way to go if he wants to catch up to their fundraising.

In his first full month running for office, Littlefield has not received a single donation, according to his campaign finance filings. He’s been working with $1,000, but that’s money he loaned his campaign.

Moore added another $1,650 to his coffers, and despite February being his slowest fundraising month yet, the Wesley Chapel entrepreneur has now raised more than $44,000 since last summer.  All but $200 of his donations came from Pasco County.

Robertson pulled in another $600 in February, bringing his total to $10,600. Only one of the donations, for $100, was from someone within his district. The rest came from a water manager in Orlando and an information technologies specialist in Winter Park.

Erika Remberg, the lone Democrat seeking Mulieri’s seat, raised just over $450 over the past few weeks. A little more than $160 was what Remberg herself gave to her campaign, but the rest did come from Pasco County residents.

The Republican primary for the seat is set for Aug. 26, with the general election wrapping up Nov. 4.

Business Digest 03-19-14

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Townhouses coming to Meadow Pointe
Lennar’s Central Florida Division will start construction of 62 townhouses at Meadow Pointe, located off Meadow Pointe Boulevard just north of New Tampa.

The townhouses will range from 1,600 to 1,800 square feet, with two models set to start construction by the end of March.

Each townhouse will come with three bedrooms, two-and-a-half bathrooms, and more. Prices will start above $150,000.

For information, visit LennarTampa.com.

Avalon Park West welcomes new marketing coordinator
Kristin Muslin is the new marketing and event coordinator for Avalon Park West, the community under development on State Road 54 in Wesley Chapel.

Muslin has more than five years experience in marketing and event planning, and previously oversaw marketing for a franchise with several locations in St. Petersburg. She has organized and hosted events, including fundraisers for the American Heart and Stroke Association and Disabled American Veterans.

Muslin also has a career background in promotions for restaurants in Newport News, Va., and Stuttgart, Germany.

New doctor, renovations at Coast Dental
Renovations are now complete at Coast Dental Wesley Chapel, which brings digital X-rays, a refreshed reception area, and patient comfort-oriented treatment rooms to its 5348 Bruce B. Downs Blvd., location.

With the renovations comes a new oral and maxillofacial surgeon, Dr. Melissa Amundson. She joins a team that already includes Dr. Diaa Ghabbour, Dr. Dale Nash and Dr. Mayuri Patel.

For information on Coast Dental, visit CoastDental.com, or call (813) 973-1837.

Lutz sales manager joins GulfShore Bank
Mary Moore of Lutz has joined GulfShore Bank as a treasury sales manager.

The hiring of Moore and mortgage banker Megan Martinez is designed to help the Tampa bank continue its growth, building on the $7 million in growth capital it pulled together last year.

As a treasury management executive for nearly 30 years, Moore now leverages her knowledge and expertise to provide treasury management services to business prospects and current clients at GulfShore. She also uses her skills in educating people about account safety, security and improving cash flow efficiency by participating in new product development, service enhancement and pricing.

GulfShore Bank was chartered in August 2007, and operates two locations in downtown Tampa and on South MacDill Avenue.

For information, visit GulfShoreBank.com.

Diane Smith retires from tax collector’s office
Tax manager Diane Smith ended 30 years working at the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office recently with her retirement.

“Everyone who knows and worked with Diane will agree that the efficiency of the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office owes much to Diane’s contributions over the years,” county tax collector Mike Fasano said in a release.

March events at Dade City Chamber
March is a busy month for the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, with these upcoming events:

• Grand Opening/Ribbon-Cutting: Computers Etc. training division, March 24 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 308, at the Dade City Business Center.

• Grand Opening/Ribbon-Cutting: Apollo Group/Apollo Clinic, March 27 from noon to 2 p.m., at 15000 Citrus Country Drive, Suite 321, at the Dade City Business Center.

• Chamber Mixer: Sponsored by CenterState Bank, 14045 Seventh St., Dade City.

For information, or to RSVP, call Jo Uber at (352) 567-3769, or email .

SmartStart gets new member
Computers Etc., an information technology company providing complete IT management, support and training, has joined the SmartStart Dade City incubator.

As an offsite member, Computers Etc. has around-the-clock access to the facility, which includes free WiFi, parking, co-working space, a post office box, and meeting rooms.

In addition, Computers Etc. will receive one-on-one mentoring and get assistance from SmartStart’s intern from Saint Leo University’s master of business administration program.

The SmartStart Dade City incubator is the first of its kind in Pasco County, giving companies the opportunity to work in a collaborative environment with other small businesses, gain access to technical support, and network with other business leaders and community partners.

SmartStart is located at 15000 Citrus Country Drive in Dade City. For information, visit SmartStartPasco.com.

SmartStart open house
The SmartStart Business Incubator at Dade City Business Center will host an open house April 4 from noon to 3 p.m., at 15000 Citrus Country Drive in Dade City.

Managed by the Pasco Economic Development Council, SmartStart encourages a business environment where companies work collaboratively with other small businesses. That includes round-the-clock access to office space, co-working space, conference rooms, seminars and more.

There are now five companies taking residence at SmartStart, with a second incubator planned for New Port Richey.

For information on SmartStart, visit SmartStartPasco.com. To RSVP, email Krista Covey at .

 

No swimming off-season for Wesley Chapel’s Duncan

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When you’re already a state champion in your freshman year, a swimmer might have trouble pushing herself to new heights and staying focused as she continues her athletic career.

Not Abbey Duncan. Not even in the off-season.

“We’re always training for the next season to do our best,” said the Wesley Chapel High School swimmer, who won the Class 2A state championship for the 200-yard freestyle last November. “I swim nine times a week.”

Not only is she in the pool after school, but she gets up early on Saturdays to swim, and avoids junk food and sodas to stay in shape.

She also competes in different swimming events outside of school competition. Last month, she took part in the Orlando Grand Prix at the YMCA Aquatic Center. Duncan had to qualify to get into the open event, which means it was not categorized by age. In Group C she competed against athletes who were years older, but not necessarily better. Yet, Duncan took first in the 100-meter fly and 100-meter back, and sixth in the 200-meter back.

In Orlando she also got to meet stars in her sport, including Olympic athletes like Ryan Lochte, who has 11 medals in his Olympics career and holds the world record in the 100-, 200- and 400-meter individual medley. While Duncan wouldn’t rule out an Olympic opportunity for herself, it’s not the main focus in her swimming career.

She is, however, already considering her athletic career beyond high school and plans to swim in college. Duncan said that a school’s swimming program would weigh into her decision.

But before the Olympics, or college, or even her sophomore swimming campaign, there’s the daily practice schedule and an emphasis on continuing to get better. Duncan said that repetition is important because being a successful swimmer is about more than speed.

“You have to focus on your technique. You have to be focused on swimming as fast as you can, and you have to be focused equally on your technique,” she said.

And that focus has to come before the actual competition. Thinking about maintaining her form is actually the last thing she wants to do while she’s competing, Duncan said. The practice time is designed to create a comfort level with the different strokes, allowing muscle memory to take over and letting her swim as fast as possible without thinking about it too much in the pool.

Those quick responses, which come from the regular practice routines, give her a slight advantage over a swimmer who has to concentrate on their form and technique during a race. And any advantage in a competition measured in fractions of a second can be the difference between winning and losing.

Travis Ten Brink, one of Duncan’s swimming coaches at Wesley Chapel High, said Duncan has not only succeeded in winning, but she’s made her teammates step up their game when they competed together.

“Especially when it comes to relays, they wanted her to succeed as well,” he said. “It seems to me that it brought up the other swimmers. They wanted to compete at a higher level.”

Duncan also spent time with less-experienced swimmers with their turns, starts and stroke technique to accelerate their improvement, he said.

While Duncan motivated her teammates to do a better job, Ten Brink admitted that her determination had a similar effect on him as well. While he’s an experienced swimmer who swam for Zephyrhills High School in his youth, this is his first year coaching.

Duncan’s ability allowed Ten Brink to spend extra time with other swimmers, giving them more personal attention that helped the team overall.

He’s also well aware that she’s just a freshman, and is looking forward to building a strong team in the years to come around a talented young swimmer.

“I’m absolutely excited. I was just telling some colleagues that I can’t wait for swim season,” he said. “I coach soccer, too, and after soccer was over I was like ‘When does swimming start?’”

Published March 19, 2014

GOP commission candidates debate policy for first time

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He served eight years in the Florida House, a few weeks on the state’s Public Service Commission, and some additional time working in Gov. Charlie Crist’s administration.

Former State Rep. Ken Littlefield talks with some potential voters just before the recent county commission debate by the Pasco Federated Republican Women’s Club at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Trinity last week. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Former State Rep. Ken Littlefield talks with some potential voters just before the recent county commission debate by the Pasco Federated Republican Women’s Club at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Trinity last week.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

So why would Ken Littlefield, who is approaching his 70th birthday, want to try once again to replace Pat Mulieri on the Pasco County Commission?

“Short answer: I like making the rules,” the former state representative said. “That is what a county commissioner does. They set policy. If you have good policy, you have good law. It all starts with policy, and policy is making the rules.”

Littlefield shared that during the first debate among Republican candidates looking to represent their party in the November elections for Mulieri’s District 2 seat. But if Littlefield wants even a decent shot at making rules again, he has a lot of ground to make up because Mike Moore is winning the money and endorsement game, and that might be all he needs to move on past the August primary.

“I am the person I would elect for this job,” Moore told members of the Pasco Federated Republican Women’s Club during a debate last week in Trinity. “We’re going to have a committee formed in Pasco County that is going to be business individuals and community leaders to help me and help the rest of the community recruit businesses here. You’ve seen Gov. Scott doing it, and (Texas) Gov. (Rick) Perry doing it. Now it’s Pasco’s turn to pull those jobs into the state.”

The debate was the first time Littlefield, Moore, and Zephyrhills financial analyst Bob Robertson had a chance to not only present their case to Republicans, but also explain what distinctly qualifies them to lead the party’s ticket for Mulieri’s seat. Robertson said his decision to run came from his wife Cindy, and a little divine intervention.

“It was frankly something Cindy and I have been praying about, and praying about often,” Robertson said. “My objective in deciding to run is, frankly, to bring glory to my God in the process.”

All three know serving on the county commission is not the easiest job. Controversy pokes its head up more often than many might prefer — everything from gas taxes to elevated toll roads — and it’s not easy to stay on many voters’ Christmas card list.

But Moore, who has outraised Robertson more than four-to-one through the end of January, says his key to solid leadership on the commission involves using his ears.

“It’s not about me, it’s about all of us,” he said. “It’s about listening to your constituents and talking to your constituents. I think you have to come together more and listen more to the people. Some of the commissioners do a great job of that, and some don’t.”

Robertson agreed, and took it a step further. While candidates are typically asked about the controversies of today, it’s the debates that haven’t even been considered yet voters need to think about when going to the polls.

“We are talking about hiring someone for a four-year commitment, and is going to be making decisions on your behalf on issues that haven’t seen the light of day yet,” Robertson said. “You need to elect someone to serve in this position who you believe is going to best look out for your interests.”

Moore, who founded and later sold CareFirst Home Care, said he wants to take a business approach to how the county is run. Littlefield, however, said that’s the last thing a county commissioner should do.

“What I am really concerned about is that the county government does not become a business, because when government becomes a business, we have real problems,” he said. “That is what we’ve seen over the years, government gets bigger and bigger and bigger. In Pasco County, the government is the biggest business there is. And if we are going to be fiscally conservative and say we want less government, then this business that we call government is going to have to get smaller and smaller and smaller.”

Some of that big government has likely moved forward more residential and commercial development than the county is ready for, Littlefield said.

“I can’t tell you to put the toothpaste back in the tube,” he said. “There is probably nothing we can do there. But we can be vigilant with new permits to be let out.”

Moore, however, said developers should be left alone.

“If these people have invested their hard-earned money to build developments, and people are going to live there and buy those homes, I don’t see anything that’s wrong with that,” he said. Moore has acknowledged collecting sizeable donations from developers and builders — more than $13,000 to date — but said that won’t influence his decisions.

Robertson, however, said he’s not interested in receiving a single dollar from developers.

“People I know have contributed to my campaign because they believe in me and believe in what I stand for,” Robertson said. “If I accept money from people who are doing business with our county … I want to be able to make a decision for you, not for the people who have contributed to my campaign.”

Littlefield said he took that same approach when he unsuccessfully ran against Mulieri four years ago, and he won’t be doing it again.

“I can declare to you it did not work for me, and today I will take money from anybody who wants to give it to me,” Littlefield said.

To read more about the debate, especially the candidates’ position on the proposed elevated toll road for the State Road 54/56 corridor, check out our website at tinyurl.com/PascoDebate.

Published March 12, 2014

Shutterbug shootout features Tampa Bay’s beauty

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Whether you’re a seasoned photographer or an amateur who wants to improve your skills, a new photography workshop organized by a Land O’ Lakes couple may be right up your alley.

Jason Hahn specializes in nature photography. This shot features a red-shouldered hawk. Hahn and 15 other professional photographers will share their knowledge at the Tampa Bay Photo Shootout in April. (Courtesy of Jason Hahn)
Jason Hahn specializes in nature photography. This shot features a red-shouldered hawk. Hahn and 15 other professional photographers will share their knowledge at the Tampa Bay Photo Shootout in April. (Courtesy of Jason Hahn)

Noted nature photographer Jason Hahn and wife Nicole have been laying the groundwork for months for a new regional event they hope will attract photographers from near and far to hone their skills, while also having fun.

The couple owns Outdoor Photo Workshops, which already organizes a similar two-day workshop in South Dakota that attracts about 200 photographers a year.

The inaugural Tampa Bay event, called the Tampa Bay Photo Shootout, will be April 4-6, at the Pinellas Technical Education Centers. Registration is $225, which includes an optional free Photography 101 workshop on April 4 and four workshops — out of a list of 46 options – on Saturday and Sunday.

There also are two lunch sessions with talks by professional photographers. During one luncheon session, Hahn will do an aerial photography demonstration using a drone.

In addition to the registration charge, some photo shoot venues have small admission fees. While the lunch chats are free, participants must buy their own meals.

Locations for the photo shoots will range from street life in Ybor City to nature shots at Weedon Island; from city skylines in downtown Tampa to a wet walk in a Pasco County cypress strand. One workshop the couple expects to be popular is a swimsuit fashion shoot on the beach.

The Tampa Bay area, though, offers diverse photo opportunities. Photo shoots are planned to allow photographers to capture images of classic cars, coastal landscapes, birds of prey, and scenes in a working set for “Dry Creek,” a television show shot in a replica of an 1800s western town.

Shutterbugs also will be able to work on a wide range of skills. Those who enjoy the challenge of taking action shots will have the opportunity to photograph horseback riders shooting at targets at the Hillsborough County Fairgrounds.

Some photographers will want to hone technical skills, while others want to work on their artistic expression. Some may want some pointers on the business side of the profession.

“No matter what you are interested in, or where you want to grow as a photographer, we’ve got something that will fit your particular needs,” Hahn said.

The Hahns have assembled a team of professional photographers — hailing from such places as Florida, South Dakota, Massachusetts, South Carolina, Kentucky and Minnesota — to share their expertise. The keynote speaker is Jim Clark, former president of the North American Nature Photography Association, who will travel from Virginia to the shootout.

The event is intended for photographers of all ability levels, Hahn said. Some hobbyists may be trying to decide whether to take the plunge and pursue photography full-time. They’ll be able to find plenty of experienced photographers who can tell them about opportunities, challenges and joys the field offers.

“Folks that are a little bit more skilled tend to gravitate to the portfolio reviews,” Hahn said. “Some of them are trying to make that decision, whether they should jump into this and do it.”

The 30-minute portfolio session is an additional $30 fee, Nicole Hahn said.

Most participants will bring along a single-lens reflex camera, but there are those who will use point-and-shoot digital cameras, or even smartphones. One of this year’s sessions is geared to smartphone photography.

“You do have these fairly sophisticated cameras in smartphones,” Hahn said. “They take good pictures, but you’ve got to learn how to do it right.”

People need not feel intimidated if they lack fancy equipment or if their photography knowledge is limited, Hahn said.

Besides opportunities to learn, the two-day event is fun, Nicole Hahn said. “Some people just enjoy the camaraderie.”

Her husband agreed. “We can’t stress enough the social aspect of this. Photographers are a different group of people,” he said.

Photographers often want to spend a couple hours observing when the rest of the family is ready to move on. This event allows them a chance to immerse themselves in something they love, and to share the experience with like-minded people, Hahn said.

The couple said they have tried to keep the workshop’s price reasonable, to encourage participation. They also offer a 50-percent discount to full-time students.

“I’m a big believer that we’ve got to act as mentors for the next generation of photographers and conservationists,” Hahn said.

Registering for the shootout must be done online. To register or learn more, visit ThePhotoShootout.com.

Published March 12, 2014

Pinewood Derby maintains tradition for Cub Scouts

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Cars line up before a race, and their owners are nervous.

A lot of work and preparation has gone into this moment, and they’re eager to see how they perform against top competition.

The vehicles have new paint jobs, aerodynamic body styling, and success in previous races. And within a few seconds, everyone will see which ones will come out on top.

That scene didn’t happen in front of thousands of fans on giant racetracks. Instead, it happened at Saint Leo University on Saturday morning in front of friends and family, continuing a Cub Scout tradition of the Pinewood Derby that spans more than 60 years.

The Pinewood Derby begins with Cubs receiving a box containing a few simple items: A block of wood, four plastic wheels and four nails. From there it’s up to them to craft a car out of that kit, shaving down the block of wood into a car’s body, adding the wheels and nails and using the excess wood to add back the weight that was lost to improve track speed as it heads downward.

Once the car meets regulations, it’s off to a pack competition, with the winners moving on to the district competition.

The district winners — categorized by age — earned trophies this past weekend, but all Cubs get to keep their cars and the memories that go along with it.

Not much has changed over the years for the Pinewood Derby, including the meaning of the event. At least that’s according to Jason McCombs, committee chair for the Allohak District, which is comprised of 17 different packs and approximately 450 Cub Scouts.

“The main thing is not so much the winning or losing, it’s how you play,” he said. “Your sense of accomplishment is that you did it yourself.”

Parents might help a child put their car together, which provides quality family time. But the Cub himself does the heavy lifting normally, allowing him to customize the car to his liking and finish a project in which his fellow Cubs also are participating.

The event not only is exciting for participating Cubs, but parents and family members who were Cub Scouts when they were younger, McCombs said. They usually see many similarities between the cars they created and the ones competing today.

“A lot of the same designs that we had when I was a Scout are still coming back today,” McCombs said. “The paint jobs are fancier and there are more accessories that you can put on, but the base scale (weight limit) of 5 ounces has been 5 ounces as far back as I can remember.”

Paul Kollak, who earned his way into the event by winning his group in Pack 149, said he devoted a lot of effort to the project.

“I spent a lot of time and I worked really hard,” he said. The 8-year-old created a blue car, adorned with two American flags, with his father. The racing success came in part by creating an aerodynamic front that kept wind resistance to a minimum.

While he was happy to win his pack heats and become one of the approximately 50 participants in the district race, Kollak also enjoys watching other cars race, so he can see what’s working for them and possibly incorporate some ideas into his own cars in the future.

And while earning a trophy is always nice, it’s not the only part of the competition he enjoyed.

“I like racing it, but I also like designing it,” Kollak said. “It’s really fun.”

According to McCombs, that sense of accomplishment and enjoyment in the process is exactly what the derby is trying to foster. Unlike other projects that can be completed and forgotten, the Pinewood Derby allows children to enjoy creating and actually have something to show off when they’re finished.

“There’s something about being in school where you get a project, and it’s great when you get a project done,” he said. “But then it’s done. You don’t see it anymore. When you’re in Boy Scouts and you get a project like that, you’ve got something in your hand when you’re done, and you can see the sense of accomplishment.”

Published March 12, 2014

A perfect season: Weightman girls go 8-0 in soccer

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When a soccer team goes 7-0-1 in a season, capturing a championship in the process, what’s left to accomplish the following year?

The Weightman Middle School Wildcats celebrated an 8-0 season — the first in school history for girls soccer — and a second consecutive sectional title. Members of the team include, from left, Carrie Greene, Karissa Olsen, Jillian Skairus and Jessica Brunner. (Courtesy of Brian Dorkowski)
The Weightman Middle School Wildcats celebrated an 8-0 season — the first in school history for girls soccer — and a second consecutive sectional title. Members of the team include, from left, Carrie Greene, Karissa Olsen, Jillian Skairus and Jessica Brunner.
(Courtesy of Brian Dorkowski)

For Weightman Middle School in Wesley Chapel, that question was answered: A perfect 8-0 season for their girls soccer team and another sectional title.

“The girls are outstanding kids and outstanding soccer players. It was the most talented group that I’ve ever coached,” said coach Brian Dorkowski.

While he wasn’t the coach for last year’s title, Dorkowski isn’t a complete newcomer to Weightman, either. He coached both boys and girls soccer at the school before leaving to coach Wesley Chapel High School boys soccer for 11 years. Upon his return, Weightman not only logged their second consecutive title, but the first perfect season for girls soccer in school history.

The Wildcats didn’t just win all of their games. They dominated most of them, scoring at least five goals in five of their eight matches. In fact, two of them ended 8-0 due to the school system’s mercy rule.

And while they were offensively dominant, their defense was just as good, recording five shutouts as well.

In fact, their starting goalkeeper, Logan Coward, only allowed one goal the entire season. The other goals allowed came when they substituted backups to finish the games, but they only gave up four more in those circumstances for a total of five goals against for the entire season.

Since there are no playoffs at the middle school level, their record earned them the title for their section of Pasco County.

While the numbers suggest that the Wildcats overpowered their opponents, Dorkowski said he was impressed with the level of overall play he found upon returning to middle school soccer.

“It’s been a while since I coached middle school and coached girls, but I was very pleasantly surprised by the talent at the other schools,” he said. “We won by wide margins, but most of our games were against talented teams. The other teams had very talented players as well. These were good teams that we were beating.”

Dorkowski implemented a few strategies to keep his team sharp during the year. When the matches were already in hand, Dorkowski would give the girls in-game challenges to keep up their interest and focus, such as only allowing each girl to score one goal, which forced them to pass more and help their teammates score.

He also would instruct them to only touch the ball three times before passing or shooting, requiring them to make quick decisions on their possessions.

According to forward Tori Mitchell, who was on last year’s championship team and plays club soccer with the Wesley Chapel Flames, Dorkowski also brought a few new strategies to the table.

“He has a lot of background knowledge in coaching. He taught us some new set plays,” Mitchell said, referring to methods for free kicks and corner kicks that led to additional success.

“He definitely knows what he’s doing and helped some newer players who weren’t so familiar with the game.”

Mitchell also said that last year’s season began with a tie, so they knew a perfect season wasn’t possible. This year perfection was definitely a goal for the team, and even though they had the title wrapped up heading into the final game, they wanted to finish 8-0. Once they did, it was time to celebrate with post-game parties and an announcement at school the next day.

Next year will bring new challenges, as some students will graduate to high school, while others might attend different middle schools. But Dorkowski said that, as the school’s physical education coach, he sees plenty of sixth-graders with talent to share with the team next year.

He feels good about their potential next season and he’s proud of what the Wildcats accomplished this season.

“It was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had as a coach,” he said. “I told the girls at the end of the year that if we hadn’t won any games I would have felt the same way because they were just so pleasant to coach, just the way you’d want them to be.”

Published Masrch 12, 201