Local News

New pet pantry to help feed Fido and Sylvester, too

December 18, 2013 By B.C. Manion

When families struggling to make ends meet, they aren’t the only ones who suffer. Sometimes the dog bowl and cat dish go empty, too.

A new effort is under way in Dade City to collect donations of pet food that can be distributed to families in need. Those wishing to contribute dog food, cat food, pet toys, leashes, collars and other pet items can bring them to Dog-Mania & Cats Pet Boutique and Pet Lovers Gift Shop, 14012 Seventh St., Suite A, in Dade City.

The sponsors of Dogs Day in Dade City decided to set up the Dogs Day Pet Pantry because they want to help people keep their pets.

Donations can be dropped off Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., said shop owner Suzanne Gagliolo.

After pet food and other pet items are collected, they will be distributed through a network established by Love One Another, a program that helps people in need, Gagliolo said.

“Because of the economic conditions we’re in, people have had to give up their pets,” Gagliolo said.

Pet owners typically want to keep their animals. They typically don’t give them up, unless they simply can’t afford to keep them, she said.

“For many people, these (pets) are their children,” Gagliolo said.

When pets are taken to shelters, they often end up being euthanized.

The Dogs Day Pet Pantry aims to help pet owners keep their pets and prevent animals from being destroyed.

“We can get them in touch with someone who can help them,” Gagliolo said.

The shop can be reached at (352) 457-9616. To find out more about Dogs Day in Dade City, go to DogsDayInDadeCity.com.

Seniors once again find hundreds of Santas in community

December 18, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Wednesday is the last day that gifts can be collected for the Be a Santa to a Senior program, but there’s still lots of work to do before now and Christmas.

Home Instead Senior Care local franchise owners Lynelle Bonneville and mother Michele Bonneville look at ornaments listing needs from senior citizens in nursing homes with Sweet Darling Quilts owner Cathleene Tokish, right. Tokish’s store was one of several in Pasco County that hosted trees, collecting gifts for senior citizens in nursing homes as part of the Be a Santa to a Senior program. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

The annual program, hosted by Home Instead Senior Care, brings gifts to senior citizens for the holiday season — a large segment of the population that is many times left out when it comes to Christmas.

“There are a lot of charities out there for the kids, and Christmas is for the kids, but far too often, so many are forgotten,” said Cathleene Tokish, owner of Sweet Darling Quilts on Wesley Chapel Boulevard, who hosted one of the gift-giving trees. “When I do my spreadsheet, I cry, because they ask for so little.”

Tokish’s store is one of the only non-chain stores participating in the program, run locally by Home Instead franchise owners Lynelle Bonneville and mother Michele Bonneville. Yet, she is one of the highest-producing, with many of her customers asking about what they should get for the nursing home residents as early as September.

Christmas trees go up in November at the Be a Santa to a Senior collection sites, with ornaments available displaying the wish list of an individual resident of facilities like the Edwinola Retirement Community and Heritage Park in Dade City, as well as the West Winds Assisted Living Facility in Zephyrhills.

Some of the ornaments handed out at Tokish’s store included a pack of cards, a package of batteries, and one that asked for just one snack.

“Once they hit the nursing home level, Medicaid only gives them $35 a month to spend on incidentals,” Michele Bonneville said. “And that’s why just the little things matter so much for them.”

And when someone gets an ornament with a request of something like just one snack, they usually come back with so much more, the Bonnevilles said. Usually, they’re filling an entire gift bag.

This year, the local Home Instead franchise hopes to hand out 1,000 wrapped gifts to senior citizens in assisted living facilities on Dec. 21. While nearly all the donations are provided unwrapped, volunteers will get together Dec. 20 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., at the home office of Home Instead, 29149 Chapel Park Drive in Wesley Chapel, to wrap gifts.

Home Instead’s clientele are typically still living in their own houses and apartments, and are usually doing what they can to stay out of an assisted living facility as long as possible. But the program targets those who are no longer in their own homes, and many times missing the companionship and family so many others take for granted on the holidays.

“When you take gifts to them and see their eyes light up, it can be very special,” Michele Bonneville said. “There are people who haven’t spoken in a month who will suddenly get so excited, and they will start talking.”

Be a Santa to a Senior is a nationwide program through Home Instead that has attracted more than 60,000 volunteers, and provided 1.2 million gifts to 700,000 senior citizens over the last six years, according to the organization’s website.

Collection sites were set up around the area, including the Florida Medical Clinic Foundation, T.J. Maxx, Bealls Outlet, the Pasco County Tax Collector’s office, and Village Inn restaurant in Land O’ Lakes.

For more information on how to volunteer or donate, visit BeASantaToASenior.com, or call (813) 991-7524.

Business Digest 12-18-13

December 18, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Red Hydrant moves, expands
Red Hydrant Pet Spa and Boutique is moving to a new expanded location at 21780 State Road 54 in Lutz.
The new space, located at Osprey Cove, is 4,700 square feet, and will feature all-breed dog grooming, natural and holistic treats, toys, and an assortment of goodies.
Red Hydrant also will add “indoor” doggy day care, off-leash playtime for pets. Each pet will be evaluated and assigned to a suitable and compatible playgroup. Each group will be closely supervised by trained coaches, who will help support safe play and assist in the acclimation of new dogs into each of the groups.
The new location has been up-fitted with special ventilation and a return air system that will support a clean and sanitary environment.
For more information, call (813) 388-6810, or visit TheRedHydrant.com.

Support Our Troops get big boost from tax collector
The Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office recently raised nearly $7,700 for Support Our Troops, an organization dedicated to strengthening the morale and well-being of America’s active-duty troops and their families.
The money was raised through sales of the specialty license plate that benefits the organization as well as cash donations.
“The brave men and women who leave their families behind to protect our great nation deserve everything we can do for them,” said county tax collector Mike Fasano, in a release.
“These funds will ship hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of assistance to military families overseas, soldiers at the front, and help operate military kids’ summer camps,” said Martin Boire, president of Support Our Troops of Florida, in a release. “Looking out for the service members who are looking out for us is a tall moral obligation. And the generosity of the people of Pasco County will make a big impact at the personal level in the lives of our troops, their spouses, and their kids.”
Support Our Troops operates with a non-program overhead of less than 1 percent, which means 99 percent of donations go to programs and services, which directly impact the troops and their families.
For more information on the organization, visit www.SupportOurTroops.org.

Women-n-Charge to meet in January
Women-n-Charge will meet Jan. 3 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at Pebble Creek Country Club, 10550 Regents Park Drive in Tampa.
The meeting includes lunch and networking.
Cost is $15 for members by the Tuesday before the meeting, and $18 for all guests and members paying after the early deadline.
For more information, call (813) 600-9848, or email .

IAAP to meet Dec. 19
The City Center chapter of the International Association of Administrative Professionals will meet Dec. 19 beginning at noon at The Tampa Club, 101 E. Kennedy Blvd., in downtown Tampa.
The meeting will be the monthly luncheon, as well as an ornament exchange and food drive for Metropolitan Ministries.
Cost is $17, with an additional $2 for parking with validation.
RSVP is required at .

Dog caretaker opens in Wesley Chapel
Bryan’s Bow Wow Walks & Cleanup has opened in the Wesley Chapel area, offering daily dog walking, as well as regular pet waste cleanup and all-natural treats for dogs.
It is owned by Bryan Gavros, who says he wants to help people with busy schedules get their dogs out for exercise and companionship. He also said he will donate canned food for each new pet client to the Humane Society of Pasco County.
For more information on the business, call (630) 788-6965, or email .

Upcoming SCORE seminars
The Pasco-Hernando Chapter of SCORE, which historically stands for Service Corps of Retired Executives, will host the following upcoming free seminars:
• How to Really Start Your Own Business at Centennial Park Branch Library, 5730 Moog Road, Holiday, Jan. 7 at 5:30 p.m. It presents key issues needed to know to start a business, highlighting business structure, the importance of a business plan, cash flow charts, and finding money.
• Advanced QuickBooks at Hudson Regional Library, 8012 Library Road, Hudson, Jan. 14 at 5:30 p.m. The seminar is designed for people who have some reasonable experience using the basics of QuickBooks, but who would like to benefit from more advanced features.
• How to Really Start Your Own Business at Brooksville Main Library, 238 Howell Ave., Brooksville, Jan. 14 at 5 p.m. Presents key issues needed to know to start a business, highlighting business structure, the importance of a business plan, cash flow charts, and finding money.
• Creating a Business Plan at South Holiday Branch Library, 4649 Mile Stretch Drive, Holiday, on Jan 15 at 5:30 p.m. Participants will learn what data is required to write a plan, review the techniques used to acquire it, and how to use the data to establish realistic goals and objectives.
• How to Use the Internet In Your Business at Regency Park Library, 9701 Little Road, New Port Richey, Jan. 16 at 5:30 p.m. Will review the various roles that a website can support in enhancing a business.
• How to Really Start Your Own Business at Pasco-Hernando Community College, 10230 Ridge Road, New Port Richey, Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. Presents key issues needed to know to start a business, highlighting business structure, the importance of a business plan, cash flow charts, and finding money.
For more information, or to register, visit www.score439.org.

Goodbye Lutz Little League, Hello Lutz Baseball

December 18, 2013 By Michael Hinman

The baseball diamond at the Oscar Cooler Sports Complex is empty of ballplayers right now. But when it reopens in 2014, it will no longer be Little League players on the field, but instead members of the Babe Ruth League. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

Last month, the national Little League organization released new rules for the 2014 baseball season that adjusted eligibility requirements and compensation for traveling expenses.

What was missing from the list is what irked Lutz baseball organizers the most — changes in Little League playing style that could help better develop young players, and give them the skills they need to advance in the sport. Skills like stealing bases, leading off of base, bunting, and what players can gain from more tournament play.

But Little League isn’t budging from its decades-old style, and after more than a half century of affiliation, Lutz will break away from Little League on Jan. 1, and join Babe Ruth League.

“What’s been happening is a decline in membership and an increase in costs,” said Rick Parker, a board member and coach for both the current Lutz Little League organization and the upcoming Lutz Baseball operation. “The evolution of the youth leagues have been more toward traveling teams, and that’s where many are going. And during all this, Little League has been akin to the Vatican — they don’t move, and they don’t want to change their doctrine.”

Little League and Babe Ruth have a lot of similarities. Both were born during the golden era of baseball, targeting youth to participate in America’s Pastime. The Little League World Series is one of the best-known youth athletic events in the world, taking place every year in the league’s birthplace of Williamsport, Pa., while Babe Ruth has its annual championship games in various parts of the country.

Where the two leagues split, however, is how they play the game. Little League holds on to its basic game style first established in the 1940s that focus intently on batting and fielding, but not running.

Yet, thanks to its growth at the professional levels, the running game — base stealing, leading off, fighting for extra bases — has become a key part of the sport. Running game skills are necessary not just at the professional and collegiate level, but even at the high school level, which puts Little League players at a disadvantage.

“Kids want to play baseball, they want to have fun,” Parker said. “But when you get to ages of 7, 8 and 9, these are key development years. High school baseball is very competitive, and if you want a chance to potentially open the doors, you’re going to have to know the broader nuances of baseball.”

The Babe Ruth League, named after one of the sport’s most famous players, has two divisions: Babe Ruth Baseball for teenagers, and Cal Ripken Baseball for younger ages.

Lutz joins New Tampa, Bloomingdale, North Brandon and other local communities to make the switch to Babe Ruth, and the decision was virtually unanimous among not only the Lutz board, but its parents and players as well.

“It was not an easy decision,” said Dave Crawford, the president of Lutz Baseball, and formerly of Lutz Little League. “Little League has been good to us, but it’s just a different way of doing business from Cal Ripken. Little League has been around for a long time, and been able to grow and evolve. And just with any business model, they have to do what they need to do.”

Little League officials in Pennsylvania would not comment on the status of its Lutz operation, but did say they would welcome the league back if it ever changed its mind.

“Little League is constantly changing to adapt to today’s standards,” spokesman Brian McClintock told The Laker/Lutz News in an email statement. “As the world’s largest and most respected youth sports organization, we will continue to provide a positive, safe baseball and softball experience for every child in our programs.”

McClintock added that Little League did amend its rules this year to allow for children to play for a Little League in the same boundaries their school is located. They also added an intermediate baseball division this past year for children 11 to 13.

But it was still difficult for the organization to bring in players that with other youth leagues, they’d be able to attract otherwise, Crawford said.

“The Little League boundary policy is the one they are set on. They do that for the protection of the local leagues, and that is very honorable,” he said. “With Cal Ripken, we have a little more latitude, to expand our boundaries for our continued growth, and it seemed very appropriate for us.”

The new league will have much wider boundaries, allowing them to bring in players from parts of central Pasco County and northern Hillsborough County.

Although Ruth and Ripken are popular names in baseball, the Lutz program still has some work to do introducing the program locally, and moving people away from its Little League attachment at Oscar Cooler Park.

“Little League is similar to Kleenex,” Parker said. “Everyone uses the phrase ‘Little League,’ but a larger percentage of them don’t understand that Little League is kids baseball. That as you get to the older groups, the Little League brand is not necessary.”

Registration costs for players will actually be less than last year, typically by $10, Parker said. And the hope is that bringing in more tournaments through the new league will help generate more revenue, and defray even more costs in the future.

To learn more about the new league, how it will complement travel teams, and to register, visit LutzBaseball.com.

“There’s no hard feelings on our end,” Crawford said. “We just did some research on some options, and chose the one that was the best for our teams and our future.”

Next step toward elevated road: Public education

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

The biggest obstacle in the way of an elevated road connecting the east and west sides of Pasco County is public education.

At least that’s what Pasco County Commissioners stated last week just before signaling their support of the Florida Department of Transportation’s continued study into an unsolicited bid that would build upward on the State Road 54/56 corridor.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri says Pasco County officials should show this rendering when talking about the proposed elevated road. This concept would have elevated lanes high enough to provide a clear view across the road, and allow better local car and pedestrian traffic below. (Image courtesy of Pasco County Planning and Development)

“I definitely don’t think the public understands what we are talking about,” Commissioners Kathryn Starkey said. “We need to go out to the community, get their input, and let them see what their options are. When I go to them, I see a lot of misunderstanding and misconception, and a lot of understandable objections. But they don’t know what we know. They don’t get to sit up here and see the traffic projections and understand what the alternatives are.”

International Infrastructure Partners Inc. has proposed building a 33-mile elevated toll road down the center of the State Road 54/56 corridor, similar to the Lee Roy Selmon Expressway in Hillsborough County, using private money to fund it. The ultimate decision on whether it happens lies with FDOT, but the state agency wanted the county’s OK before moving forward.

Richard Gehring, Pasco’s planning and development administrator, said one of the main misconceptions is that businesses and homes along the corridor would face giant walls, similar to what’s happened in the elevated portions of U.S. 19 in Pinellas County. However, a completely elevated road could have far less negative aesthetic impact than many realize.

“You could have view lines across the roadway,” Gehring said. “That condition could be enhanced by landscaping and night lighting to soften up the overall infrastructure.”

Gehring showed a rendering of what he thinks State Road 54 could look like from the ground level. The elevated road was about 20 feet high, but the supports were covered in topiary-like vegetation, and businesses across the road were quite visible.

“Have you reached out to the chambers to show them how this road could look?” Commissioner Pat Mulieri asked Gehring after seeing the images. “The elevated road has caused such an uproar since they think it would have this blank wall that would destroy businesses. But this is a totally different concept.”

But not all the commissioners were anxious to move forward with more studies of the elevated road. Commissioner Henry Wilson said he moves through traffic just fine.

“I spend very little time in congestion here in Pasco County,” he said. “The congestion is when I get into Hillsborough County. This is going to benefit the Pinellas and Hillsborough drivers more than it benefits our people, our citizens.”

Although Gehring demonstrated 17 other road options that were carefully considered instead of an elevated road — including the construction of a 20-lane surface highway through the middle of Pasco — both Wilson and Commissioner Ted Schrader felt there could be other alternatives outside of the corridor that could move traffic east and west.

That could include Ridge Road, which Schrader said might not have even been considered by FDOT since it is a county road and not a state one. Elevating that road and connecting it to Interstate 75 could be a possibility.

Gehring, however, said that would still only move traffic over the Suncoast Parkway, and would not connect the east and west sides of the county with an expressway option. And such an option will be needed within the next 30 years if the county doesn’t want to stunt its growth.

In the end, however, commissioners approved a resolution giving their support to more studies on a proposed elevated road unanimously.

The elevated road is still quite a ways away, if it ever happens. A member of Gehring’s team said ground could be broken within seven years at the earliest, although Schrader said it would be more like 10 years if everything goes as planned.

David Heller: ‘He was a big kid at heart’

December 11, 2013 By B.C. Manion

David Heller wasn’t the kind of guy who had to impress others by symbols of success, say those who knew him well. He was much more interested in how he treated others.

Heller died Oct. 29 from an enlarged heart. A celebration of his life is planned for Dec. 14 at 10 a.m., at Reilly’s Reserve in Tampa’s Lowry Park Zoo, 1101 W. Sligh Ave., in Tampa.

The 48-year-old was a science teacher at a number of schools including Orange Grove Elementary School, Mary Help of Christians School, Pepin Academy and Randall Middle School. Although he taught science, his brother Mark Heller said he was really a “teacher of life.”

“I think he found the most meaning in his summer work,” said Mark Heller, head of school at Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes. “He was one of those teachers who never took a summer vacation. He always worked, and he worked at camps his entire adult life as a camp counselor.”

For many years, David Heller worked as the lead counselor at Camp Hiawatha in Odessa, and after that closed, he came to work at Summer at the Lakes, the summer day camp offered by Academy at the Lakes.

“David always taught life lessons through fun activities,” his brother said. “Usually, they were lessons about character, lessons about respect — from things as simple as taking turns, to rolling with the punches — understanding that certain things are more important than other things.”

Barbara Soule, director of Summer at the Lakes, said she was shocked when she heard the news of David’s death.

“He’s going to be greatly missed,” Soule said. He had a knack for connecting with others, especially kids. And they flocked to his camps.

“The kids were not just taking a camp, they were taking the camp because of him,” said Soule, noting he took great care to keep kids not only safe, but made sure they were having a great time, too. “To me, he was the epitome of a great camp counselor. I think he was a big kid at heart. He told jokes all of the time, and he loved to tell stories.”

David Heller taught archery, canoeing and fishing programs.

“It was very important to him that the kids catch a fish,” Soule said, and if a camper was having trouble, he would bring in a trinket and tell the camper it was a good luck charm.

Soule said she doesn’t know how or why it worked, but somehow it did.

“By golly, they’d always catch a fish. The kids were so excited,” Soule said.

Penny Benson, who works in the business office at Academy at the Lakes, said David Heller taught her daughter Brandy how to fish. The family still has a picture of Brandy with the bass she caught using a cane pole and a hot dog, Benson said.

When Benson told her daughter about the camp counselor’s death, the teenager immediately began telling her mom about the inside jokes she shared with the outdoors enthusiast.

“She loved Mr. David,” Benson said. “I felt like it hit my family, too.”

Heller said there was no indication that his brother was ill.

“He came home and laid down to take a nap and never woke up,” he said. “Though I’m deeply sad, I feel really proud that this really good man was my brother, and he is remembered so fondly by all because he was just plain good.”

Mikey Mauger, a junior at Sunlake High School, sent Mark Heller a sympathy note after David Heller’s death.

“I fortunately had the privilege of working with him at camp this summer for three weeks,” Mauger wrote. “One thing I will never forget is that he taught me that loving relationships with good people are more rewarding than any material possession or individual achievement.”

Those were exactly the kinds of lessons that mattered to his brother, Heller said.

Besides Mark, David Heller is survived by his mother and father, Jack and Judy Heller; his sister, Lynn Heller; his sister-in-law, Kathy; his nieces, Eden Heller and Kennedy Lachicotte; his nephew, Ben Lachicotte, and his girlfriend, Lori Capra, of Olympia, Wash.

Those wishing to honor David Heller’s memory can contribute to the David Heller Summer Opportunities Scholarship Fund, c/o Academy at the Lakes, 2331 Collier Parkway in Land O’ Lakes, 34639.

Dade Oaks on way to new home, location

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

From 14th Street in Dade City, it’s hard to imagine the site that has been home to Dade Oaks Apartments since 1977 was once a lakebed.

Yet, there are some parts of the property, maintained by the Pasco County Housing Authority, that drop as much as 55 feet, and flooding has been an issue there for decades.

A good portion of Dade Oaks Apartments remains empty after continuous flooding over the decades made some units uninhabitable. A new Dade Oaks further up on 14th Street could be under construction by next summer. (Photo by Michael Hinman)

That’s why when the time came to do something about the aging buildings, Pasco County decided to tear it all down and start from scratch — somewhere else.

Pasco County Commissioners has set into motion the final days for the 69-unit, single-level complex, eyeing a 12.8-acre site up the road.

“There has been flooding continually at this apartment complex, and HUD has continually threatened to take back all the vouchers there,” said George Romagnoli, the county community development manager.

Not that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development would have a lot of vouchers to take back. Flooding and other issues have created unsuitable living conditions there, and with it a high vacancy rate. That means people looking to get housing assistance help have even more limited options than they already had because of the state of Dade Oaks.

Commissioner Pat Mulieri said she’s seen flooding firsthand at the apartment complex.

“There were many times we had our mobile medical unit, and we had this great event with a pig roast, and then because of all the flooding, it had to be discontinued,” she said. “Flooding is a known factor there.”

Razing the complex has been on the table for more than a year, but putting plans and funding together to fix the situation has not been easy.

Now, however, a new Dade Oaks could rise through the Florida Housing Finance Corp. efforts to pick up federal funds. It will take $12 million to build a new complex to house 69 units, along with nearly $330,000 to purchase the new property.

Commissioners approved making a deposit of $13,000 through the State Housing Initiatives Partnership for the land that will allow the housing authority to complete its purchase by the end of February.

Commissioners also approved a local match to federal funds, pulling $1.25 million from its county Home funds as well as from Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2. HUD’s Home Investment Partnerships Program provides grants to states and localities (like cities and counties) that help buy, build or rehabilitate affordable housing. The program allocates $2 billion each year to states.

“It is true that this is a large portion of our budget,” Romagnoli said. “That’s 15 percent of our funds right now,” but because of the dilapidated condition of the complex, something needs to be done soon.

The new site, as proposed, would include some duplexes among its 69 units, and could be under construction as early as next summer, said Dianne Morris, executive director of the Pasco County Housing Authority.

Commissioners approved the measure unanimously, with Ted Schrader abstaining since he had a family member involved in the deal.

Burgess eyes Tallahassee, but path may not be easy

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

Although there always was a chance he could run for re-election, Danny Burgess knew he had just a short time as mayor of Zephyrhills when he was elected unopposed earlier this year.

He will step down from that office in April with an eye on a much bigger prize: replacing Will Weatherford as the area’s state representative in Tallahassee.

Burgess has all the qualities of a strong candidate — a solid government service background, the ability to connect with just about anyone, and a winning smile that will look good on campaign posters — as well as the same youthful vigor Weatherford had when he was first elected to the House.

But the badge of the Republican Party, typically so strong that anyone who wore it could practically start picking office furniture at The Capitol soon after they win their primary, may not be what it once was.

And it might mean an uphill battle for Burgess, a registered Republican who has practically lived in the local public spotlight his entire adult life.

“I don’t concern myself with polls and how the federal government is doing,” Burgess said. “I’m going to focus on the election, getting to meet people, and to hear what those people are concerned about.”

Yet, what the federal government is doing could come back to haunt candidates, even ones at the state level.

“This is going to be a very nationalized election from the top of the ballot all the way down,” said Susan MacManus, a political science professor at the University of South Florida, who grew up in Land O’ Lakes. “People’s images of politicians at this moment are based on what’s happening in Washington, specifically the President and Congress, but most basically Congress.”

Weatherford originally won his House seat by more than 20 points in 2006, and despite raising more than $1.7 million through all of his elections, didn’t have to put up too much of a fight.

But next November is an election where many will use the ballot box to share their opinions of Washington, D.C. Although a lot can change in 11 months, current polls have rated the Republican-controlled U.S. House of Representatives at some of its lowest levels in history. And there could be a real blowback on state-level races, including ones like Weatherford’s legislative seat.

“Americans right now don’t like either party,” MacManus said, meaning two things could happen at local races. “Some of the independent candidates, like a Libertarian candidate, could get a lot of protest votes, which can drain from both parties.

“The second is more frightful — turnout drops,” she said.

In Pasco County, independents have a real shot of tipping the political scale one way or the other. They make up more than 27 percent of the electorate, leaving just 39 percent for Republicans, and 34 percent for Democrats.

Two other candidates have already filed to seek Weatherford’s seat, including Republican Minerva Diaz and Democrat Beverly Anne Ledbetter. Diaz made news earlier this year when she told Pasco County Commissioners she wanted to see more stringent background checks on firearm buyers. Ledbetter is a former public school teacher who currently works at Saint Leo University, according to published reports.

Diaz has raised $1,960 in cash so far in the young election, with Ledbetter scheduled to file her first campaign finance report this week. New candidates have until July 28, just before the Aug. 26 primary, to file their paperwork if they want to run.

But judging by past elections in this district, the successful candidate is going to have to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars — far more than Burgess has ever needed running for city council or mayor in Zephyrhills. Yet, he feels that city-level experience gives him a significant leg up over anyone who might run against him.

“Having the opportunity to serve at a local level as a councilman has given me a keen understanding of municipalities and local government,” Burgess said. “And local governments are exactly what encompasses your district as a state representative. I am currently the mayor of the largest city in the district, and I feel like I have the opportunity and the understanding of what the district means to help make it better.”

While he wouldn’t get into specifics, Burgess said he is ready to serve, even if the governor after the next election isn’t Republican.

“I’m a team player, and I look forward to working with people on both sides of the aisle,” Burgess said. “I do what I am elected to do, but I also understand that there’s much stuff that gets done up there for whatever reason, so I hope to be a good positive change in Tallahassee, and hopefully, to get some good things accomplished.”

Timeline of Danny Burgess
2004 — Graduates from Zephyrhills High School.
2005 — Becomes youngest member of the Zephyrhills City Council in history at 18.
2006 — Faces scrutiny when it’s believed he spends more time living on campus at the University of South Florida. However, city attorney confirms his permanent residence remains in Zephyrhills, which is needed to remain on the council.
2007 — Re-elected to city council.
2008 — Graduates from USF and is elected council president; later resigns to attend law school in Orlando.
2011 — Graduates from Barry University School of Law, and later passes the Florida Bar examination to become a lawyer.
2013 — Elected unopposed as youngest mayor of Zephyrhills; joins Johnson Auvil Pratico & Chane P.A. of Dade City, practicing in commercial litigation; Announces run to replace Will Weatherford for the state House seat in District 38.

A decade of dedication from three employees

December 11, 2013 By Diane Kortus

We are a company of just 12 employees, myself included.

It is a small group, really, to take on the many steps needed to produce a unique community newspaper every week.

There is no cookie-cutter approach to what we do. Every story you read, every photo you see, every ad you review and every invoice we prepare is created new each week by our team of writers, artists, sales representatives and customer service folks.

Terri Williamson, Mary Eberhard and Carolyn Bennett each have played important roles at The Laker/Lutz News for 10 years. (Photo by B.C. Manion)

To produce the 32-page newspaper you are holding, my staff was looking at 32 blank pages last Tuesday. They had just five business days — until Monday — to fill these pages with new stories, new photos and new advertisements. This is the equivalent of 15,000 words, 80 headlines, 30 photos, 140 display ads, 60 directory ads and 125 classified ads.

People are often surprised when I tell them there are only a dozen of us getting the paper out each week. Our group makes it happen week after week because we share a vision, and a commitment, to produce a newspaper with quality stories and effective advertisements that are important to our readers and local businesses.

This shared vision keeps us motivated and satisfied by our work. Employees are trusted to make decisions that are best for readers and advertisers, and know their decisions will ultimately be best for our company.

I credit our success to this culture of self-determination, and believe it is why eight of our 12 employees have worked here for more than six years. Even more remarkable is that three of these employees are celebrating 10 continuous years with our company.

Terri Williamson, our senior account manager, was the first to pass this milestone in November. In the business community, Terri is the face of The Laker/Lutz News, attending two or three chamber and community events most weeks.

I never fail to marvel at Terri’s ability to assess a business’ marketing needs and then recommend ideas to maximize its budget and exposure. Her goal always is focused on getting more people to buy products or services from the businesses she consults with, whether it’s through ads in our newspapers, by sponsoring a chamber event, or connecting the owner or manager to another business that targets similar customers.

Next up is Mary Eberhard, our accounting manager, whose anniversary was Dec. 2. Mary is the ultimate diplomat — the rare person who intuitively sees the other’s perspective. She brings a kind heart and level head to our accounting process, and manages her area with outstanding communication and accuracy.

And then there’s Carolyn Bennett, who celebrates 10 years on March 2. As our inside customer service rep, she is the person most customers work with to update their ads and sign off on their proofs. Carolyn also works closely with other departments in a position that is perhaps the most detailed in the company.

No matter what her responsibility, Carolyn handles it with incredible efficiency and finesse.

I single out Terri, Mary and Carolyn in this column because of the significance 10 years represents. But they would be the first to tell you they would not be successful at their jobs without the shared commitment of the rest of our team: Matt Mistretta, Stefanie Burlingame, Kathy Welton, Suzanne Beauchaine, Rachel Thompson, Mary Rathman, Michael Hinman, B.C. Manion and myself.

It is our appreciation and respect for each other that unites us at The Laker/Lutz News. We come together to produce a new newspaper every week with commitment and dedication because we know our newspaper is important to each other and to the communities we serve.

Tubas, euphoniums invade Zephyrhills for Christmas

December 11, 2013 By Michael Hinman

In a holiday world where trumpets and hand bells reign supreme, it’s about time tubas and euphoniums get their due.

And they will Dec. 21 when TubaChristmas returns to Times Square on Fifth Avenue in Zephyrhills.

The low brass instrumentalists will perform Christmas favorites from the gazebo, made up of players both locally and regionally. And all of them will play together as a single unit for the first time, just hours after their one and only practice.

You know it’s Christmas in downtown Zephyrhills when TubaChristmas — a national effort to bring tuba and euphonium players together for public performances — takes over downtown’s Times Square. (Photo courtesy of John Wheeler)

That just adds to the fun, said John Wheeler, a longtime TubaChristmas performer, who is organizing the Zephyrhills event for the seventh year.

“They tend to be musicians who have a good time,” Wheeler said. “They are low-key, and this is a bit of a come-as-you-are party.”

TubaChristmas has performances all over the country, each performance never conflicting with others so that players can attend as many as they want. In fact, some of the 25 or so musicians that show up for the Zephyrhills event have already done other events, like one last week in Lakeland.

And anyone with a tuba or euphonium, and a $10 registration fee, can join in. Those who would like to watch need only show up with lawn chairs at 7 p.m. to get a free one-hour show.

“The tubas and euphoniums are the lower brass instruments in the band, and it is a mellow rumbling sound that you get from it,” Wheeler said. “It gives people a chance to sing along.”

Euphoniums, which have a sound that’s a step higher than tubas, typically take on the melodic parts. And without the rest of the higher-pitch instruments, it gives these players — usually relegated to the background — a chance to stand out.

“You usually get buried by everybody else, and this is the one chance that we get to star,” Wheeler said.

The rehearsal for this performance will begin at 2 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 38635 Fifth Ave. Players not only get a chance to perform for the community, but they also receive a commemorative TubaChristmas button honoring their participation in the event.

The performers are all ages, and some of them even come from the local high schools, Wheeler said.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity, especially for the younger generations,” he said. “No one is judging them on playing right or wrong notes.”

Some players might just stay local, but others travel quite a bit.

“We have players from all over who’ll participate, and one time we had a guy who showed me on a back of an envelope where he had recorded the dates that he played in TubaChristmases all over the country that year,” Wheeler said. “He attended 84 of them.”

Because players can wait right up until the same-day practice to show up, Wheeler does admit as an organizer it can be a little frightening wondering if enough players will show up to play. The Zephyrhills event, however, has really taken root in the town over the last several years, which means only a little stress for Wheeler leading up to the concert.

“I lost a little sleep the first time out,” he said.

Wheeler has performed with TubaChristmas for 28 years, getting his start in New Hampshire and other parts of New England.

“I remember playing once in Maine with the snowflakes coming down and the valves (on his instrument) tend to freeze up,” he said. “We’re in Florida now, so we don’t have to worry about it. I’ve had the pleasure of playing in a variety of instances, and Zephyrhills is the most enjoyable one.”

For more information, call John Wheeler at (813) 788-7408.