The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Local News

County board rejects recommendation to sell property for $1

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The Pasco County Commission has rejected a recommendation of its staff that would have allowed the sale of a property to Pinellas Habitat for Humanity for $1.

The item had been part of the board’s consent agenda — meaning it would have been approved with a group of items, without discussion — if no one pulled the item off that agenda.

But Commissioner Seth Weightman pulled the item. He told his colleagues that he was “philosophically opposed” to selling any surplus county property for a dollar.

He said he wouldn’t sell any of his personal property for a dollar and doesn’t think the county should do so either.

He said the county has a responsibility to taxpayers to protect their assets.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, however, said the county also is facing a significant problem regarding affordable housing.

In her view, this sale would give the county a chance to give a resident a chance to pursue homeownership through Habitat.

Weightman said his position wasn’t a reflection on Habitat or any other nonprofit. He just thinks the county should seek a better price for its property.

County Administrator Mike Carballa noted that the county received the property because it had not paid its taxes, so it was awarded to the county.

Weightman held firm.

Starkey again urged her colleagues to approve the sale to Habitat, but they took Weightman’s position, voting 4-1 to reject the sale.

On another issue, the board authorized additional purchasing authority in the total amount of $100,000 to Nabors, Giblin, Nickerson, P.A., for attorney’s fees, paralegal fees, travel expenses and costs, as may be incurred on behalf of the county, for a cumulative not-to-exceed $235,000.

The action was taken as part of the board’s consent agenda.

The law firm has been providing legal assistance to the county regarding the case of Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, clerk of the court v. Pasco County. To date, the law firm has spent more than 400 hours related to the defense, according to materials in the county board’s agenda packet.

“Given the nature of the litigation, it is the opinion of the county attorney that the time spent has been reasonable, given the amount of work involved,” the agenda backup says.

Alvarez-Sowles lost in the first round of the legal battle, but has notified the county that she plans to appeal that ruling.

In other action, the board:

  • Met in closed-door session with the county’s legal representatives to discuss the lawsuit filed by RADDSports, Pasco Wiregrass LLC against Pasco County
  • Approved a task order with Alfred Benesch & Company for $70,274.68 to provide planning services as necessary to amend the Pasco County Comprehensive Plan Conservation and Coastal Management Elements, to include Peril of Flood policy as required by Florida law.

This task order is made possible by a $75,000 Florida Resiliency Coastal Program grant, from the Florida Department of Environmental Protection.

  • Approved the reappointment of Michael Davis, Michael Fittipaldi, Jay Michlin, Rocio “Rosie” Paulsen,and Joseph “Joe” Ward to a term of two years on the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Committee, which provides general oversight of the Jobs and Economic Opportunity Trust Fund (Penny for Pasco) projects and marketing efforts funded through the Penny for Pasco
  • Passed a resolution congratulating Jackson Davis for achieving the rank of Eagle Scout
  • Adopted a resolution commending Bill Roberts for his three-year term as chairman of the Tampa Bay Area Regional Transit Authority. Roberts was Tampa International Airport’s representative on the committee

Published March 01, 2023

Chasing the blues with music, and bourbon, too

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The Annual Pasco Blues Festival, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes, has always been a staple of live music, local food and vendors and a bluesy, rocking good time every February.

But this year, the event took a shot and added something new: It added bourbon tastings.

Hundreds attended the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes, all out to enjoy some lively music, local food, and free bourbon samples (a new addition to the year’s event). (Mike Camunas)

Those attending the Feb. 18 event could taste samples of bourbon, whiskey, rye whiskey and even cocktails featuring those liquors.

Distilleries taking part in the event included Cleveland Whiskey, WhistlePig Whiskey, Redwood Empire Whiskey, Tarpon Springs Distillery, Three Chord Bourbon, Old Forester and Ammunition Bourbon.

Several local food vendors were at the event with their offerings for hungry patrons. Those included Sweet Suga’ Grillin’, Gigglewaters Food Truck, TK-Oh Burgers, Divinos Tacos, Always Fresh SusSus Gyros & more and Let’s Get Toasted Grilled Cheese. Casey’s Lemonade was there, too.

Entertainment, on the breezy afternoon, began with a local blues hero, Alex Lopez & The Express. Then, Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda played songs from her latest album, “Midnight Blues,” and to close out the event,  St. Louis chart-topper Jeremiah Johnson, performed songs from his latest album, “Hi-fi Drive.”

The Pasco Blues Festival started in 2017 with a small shindig called the Wings BBQ & Blues Festival starring Troy Youngblood, at the Cheval Golf & Athletic Club in Lutz.

As the concert grew and the audience expanded, the festival was moved to Heritage Park.

After the concert stage was built that same year, the event sought top Blues artists from Florida and beyond.

Some artists that have performed at the festival include Steve Arvey, Pasco Lefty, Memphis Lightning and Double Your Trouble: Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute.

Adult beverage sales benefited the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel to support the Bridging Freedom Foundation to build a transitional home in Tampa for young children saved from human trafficking. 

To learn more about the Bridging Freedom Foundation at the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, visit WCRotary.com/buildthathome.

Published March 01, 2023

Eboni Reed, left, and Donette Howe enjoy a coconut drink and some bluesy music during the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes. Three popular Blues artists performed throughout the afternoon.’
Lutz residents Jewel Brown, left, and Jerry Brown jam out to the belting beats and wailing lyrics of Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda.
From left: Land O’ Lakes residents Mike Piltaver, Mike Gault and Steve Koenis enjoy a good laugh while grabbing another small bourbon sample at the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park. In this iteration of the event, six distilleries were on hand to pass out bourbon samples to guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Pete resident Lisa Casey walks her dog, Giggles, through the blues festival in Land O’ Lakes.
Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda is all smiles as her daughter, Zhaa-Zhaa, sings a chorus to one of Shawanda’s hit songs.
This year’s Annual Pasco Blues Festival included a new element: free bourbon samples from six distilleries on hand for an afternoon of boozy and bluesy fun.

All’s fair — with animals, rides and food

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The 76th annual Pasco County Fair lived up to its theme this year.

It gave everyone who attended “Something to Crow About.”

The event, which ran from Feb. 20 through Feb. 26, also gave fair-goers of all ages plenty to talk about, too.

The 76th Annual Pasco County Fair, which ran from Feb. 20 to Feb. 26, boasted this year’s theme as ‘Something to Crow About,’ and featured a food vendor area, talent shows, vendor exhibitions, hypnotism shows, pig races, livestock competitions, and a midway that included several rides like a large Ferris wheel. (Mike Camunas)

At the annual Dade City fair, Big Rock Amusements brought its rides to the Midway.

They included Cobra Coaster, Flying Elephants, a Beach Buggy, the Giant Wheel, the Grand Carousel, Rip Tide, Air Flyer and Zero Gravity.

Monster truck rides on the Dade City Motocross were available, too.

Entertainment included Robinson’s Racing Pigs, Lew-E’s Comedy Circus, hypnotism acts and even a few trick dog shows. There was a short lawn mower race on Feb. 20, too.

There were plenty of exhibits, from art, photography and plants, plus competitions from talent shows, karaoke singing and even one for spaghetti eating.

Of course, as is the county fair’s tradition, there were dozens of livestock competitions, from cows, to hogs and chickens and more.

Food sales were brisk, too, with the eating area packed with fair-goers enjoying meat on a stick, pizza, gyros, doughnut burgers, funnel cakes, elephant ears and, of course, oversized corndogs.

Hosting fairs in Dade City dates back to 1915, but it wasn’t until 1947 that a group of local businessmen began to showcase the county’s resources.

On April 7, 1947, the Pasco County Fair Association Inc., was chartered with the purpose of hosting an annual fair to promote youth and other county resources, according to the association’s website.

The Fair Association has remained an independent, nonprofit organization since its founding. The association relies mostly on local community sponsorships, along with fair memberships, revenue from our guests, and rental income from the buildings housed on the fairgrounds. 

The Pasco County Fair Association Inc., currently has 1,538 members and continues going strong.

Published March 01, 2023

The Zero Gravity ride spins Pasco County Fair attendees around and around, in the hopes of throwing them off their equilibrium.
Dade City resident McClaine Hancock hungrily, and happily, enjoys an oversized corn dog in the food vendor area during the 76th Annual Pasco County Fair on Feb. 20.
Dade City mom Kristen Maggard is all smiles riding a carnival ride at the 76th Annual Pasco County Fair in Dade City, as her kids, from left, Easton, Grace and Cameron, also enjoy the whirlwind movements on the brisk evening in February.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A prize-winning rooster at the Pasco County Fair struts his stuff on Feb. 20.
A cow and her handler during the Pasco County Fair.
Hungry fair-goers filled the seating area to enjoy a variety of foods during the fair on Feb. 20.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zephyrhills residents T.J. Smith, left, and Zayden Best share a laugh when going neck and neck during the lawn mowers races at the 76th Annual Pasco County Fair in Dade City.
Dade City residents Anna McIssac, left, and Jeylin Perez enjoy the rise into the sky as they prepare to be spun around by the Air Flyer ride at the 76th Annual Pasco County Fair on Feb. 20.
In Rip Tide, riders spin around, in a vertical and fun fashion.

New HOPE Services training center creates opportunities

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One would think it’s been 20 years in the making.

But actually, it’s just been a few.

On Feb. 10, Hope Services opened the doors to its state-of-the-art Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, at 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes.

Cindy Bray, founder and executive director of Hope Services, had been set to start on the center in 2019, but COVID intervened.

HOPE Services founder and executive director Cindy Bray, left, stands in front of the nonprofit’s brand new Life Skills & Vocational Training Center. She is accompanied by her daughter, Danica, who inspired Bray to launch Hope Services in 2003. (Mike Camunas)

Then in June 2020, HOPE Services purchased a building — just a gray shell, finished on the outside but completely unfinished inside.

Bray and her staff seized on the opportunity to design the center’s layout to best meet their training needs.

Each of the center’s six rooms is dedicated to a different type of training and profession.

The new Land O’ Lakes facility will provide training in culinary arts/food safety, construction, customer service/retail, hospitality, computers/technology and GED education.

“So, we’re really excited to get people in the building and get them trained,” Bray said. “This is a dream come true,” Bray said. “This is really my dream and vision.

“Back in 2003, this started out with just little ol’ me, and I was inspired to do HOPE Services because of my daughter, Danica, who lives with disabilities,” she said.

From that small beginning, Hope Services has built a 20-year history of helping teens and adults who have disabilities and special needs, to secure and maintain meaningful, competitive and integrated employment.

Besides providing training, HOPE Services also helps its clients to prepare for interviews, find jobs and to become more self-sufficient.

HOPE Services provides vocational evaluations, work incentive planning and assistance, on-the-job training, psychotherapy, employment services, pre-employment transition services and supported employment.

HOPE Services had a ribbon-cutting to celebrate the opening of its Life Skills & Vocational Training Center, 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. It will provide on-site job training and classes aimed to help those with special needs obtain steady work. (Courtesy of Toyita Rivera)

These services are provided at no charge, as HOPE Services’ funding comes entirely from Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) and the Agency for Persons with Disabilities.

Once a candidate is eligible to receive services from VR or the Agency, the candidate must ask to be referred to HOPE Services, which immediately begins processing them as a client.

While based in Wesley Chapel, and now Land O’ Lakes, HOPE Services also serves Hillsborough, Hernando, Pinellas, Polk and Citrus counties.

“I’m a little surprised by our size now, and we will even add more now with the (on-site) training,” Bray said.

The new center allows Hope Services to expand to help a broader range of clients.

It will now be able to provide training to home-schooled children, to those who were recently released from incarceration and even those who are now free from human trafficking.

“Really anyone that struggles with vocational skills,” Bray said. “We want to be able to give them the life skills they need to live a better life — a full life.”

The training center is designed to provide practical training, which can be useful in vocations, and in life.

One example of this at the new center is the hospitality room. It not only features a washer and dryer, but is across the hall from the restroom. This allows training in not just the service industry, but also life skills such as picking up after oneself.

“They may get a job in a hotel or hospital and need to know how to do laundry, but then they can go across the hall where the restroom is and learn how to clean the restroom,” Bray said. “Sure, no one likes to (clean a restroom), but if that’s a job they have to do, then they know how to do it.”

This room will be used to provide training in hospitality, and other cleaning and washing skills.

The training rooms also “allow students to get individual attention, and we will be able to offer that so they can get the best training possible and go out fully prepared to enter the workforce.

“Again, it’s really a dream come true.”

HOPE Services Life Skills & Vocational Training Center
Where: 5426 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes
Details: A center that provides youths and adults who have disabilities and special needs the opportunity to receive on-site training in culinary arts/food safety, construction, customer service/retail, hospitality, computers/technology and GED education.
There are training rooms within the center dedicated for various vocations, as well as a multimedia conference room for larger seminars and meetings.
Certified instructors will tailor courses to accommodate clients of all abilities, while maintaining high-quality instruction. The skills and certifications will enable individuals to earn higher wages, find sustainable careers and set a solid foundation for self-sufficiency.
Info: Visit HOPEGetsJobs.com.

Published February 22, 2023

Ramped-up activity expected soon on Moffitt’s Pasco campus 

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The official groundbreaking for Speros FL — Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco campus — happened a few weeks ago and construction activities are expected to ramp up soon.

“We’re starting to put some shovels in the ground,” said John Allgeier, senior director of the Pasco real estate development for the Moffitt Cancer Center expansion project.

“It’s exciting to see it start going,” added Allgeier, during remarks at the Feb. 7 North Tampa Bay Chamber breakfast meeting.

The first phase of the 775-acre campus will begin in the northwest corner of its property, near the Suncoast Parkway and Ridge Road.

“That’s where we’ll start our buildings,” Allgeier said. “We’re only going to build on probably 480 (acres) to 500 acres of the land.”

This rendering provides a visual of what Moffitt Cancer’s Speros FL campus is expected to look like, as the development takes shape. (Courtesy of Moffitt Cancer Center)

“The wetlands, they’re amenities, really,” he added, noting the idea is to provide views of nature for patients who are getting infusions, for instance, rather than have them stare at blank walls.

The Moffitt site is entitled for up to 24 million square feet of development, but Moffitt’s current master plan calls for about 13.5 million square feet of mixed uses, Allgeier said.

At full build out, the campus is expected to have about 140 buildings, which will be constructed according to design guidelines. At this point, no buildings over six stories are planned.

The campus will be divided into what Allgeier describes as “six neighborhoods,” with different types of uses in each one.

The vision is to create a community that will become a hub for international research, education and cutting-edge treatment.

There’s already a partnership between Moffitt and Pasco County Schools, involving the new 6-12 Angeline Academy of Innovation magnet school, 1 mile east of the Suncoast Parkway. The school is set to open in August, beginning with students in grades six through 10.

Ultimately, the mission of Speros FL, which when translated means ‘hope,’ is to find a cure for cancer, Allgeier said.

“It’s really beyond research and clinical. It’s really about collaboration. It’s about what partners can we bring in? What entrepreneurs? What innovators can we bring in to partner with us, to hopefully cure cancer and do other things in health care,” he said.

John Allgeier, a senior director of real estate development for Moffitt Cancer Center, spoke recently at the North Tampa Bay Chamber breakfast meeting about the new Moffitt campus planned in Pasco County.

“We obviously have a lot of pharma partners. We do cell therapy, cell manufacturing,” he said. Data centers, manufacturing and warehousing are other expected uses.

“All of these things support us, and then can collaborate with us,” he said.

Construction has begun on the road into Speros FL, and construction is expected to begin on the buildings in the middle of this year. Crews will be building roads, between 600,000 square feet to 700,000 square feet of buildings and parking garages — all at the same time, he said.

Initial plans call for a research building of about 300,000 square feet, with a wet lab.

There’s also an outpatient center of about 80,000 square feet and a proton therapy center of about 20,000 square feet.

Proton therapy, he said, “is kind of like radiation on steroids. It’s the newest thing,” Allgeier said.

Moffitt plans to bring in an office developer at the north end of its property to create a “dry lab” for researchers. “Dry lab” refers to where researchers work using computers and crunching data.

Plans also call for bringing many of Moffitt’s administrative employees, who are now working at scattered leased spaces in Tampa, to the Pasco campus.

Allgeier estimated that about 35% of Moffitt’s current employees already live in Pasco.

For many others, the commute won’t be much different than the one they already make to Moffitt’s location at the University of South Florida, he said.

Of course, that won’t be true for everyone, he said. “Some live in Ruskin, they’re going to be a little bit upset.”

Planning for what happens on the Speros campus has been in the works for about two years, Allgeier said.

Finding the property took about a decade, he said.

Selecting this particular site began around 2016, when Moffitt was working with the Pasco Economic Development Council Inc., he said.

In addition to working with Pasco EDC, Moffitt worked with Pasco County, the state of Florida and Metro Development, the developers of Angeline, a new city that’s rising around the Moffitt site.

Moffitt closed on its property in 2019.

“Now, here we are. We’re getting a lot of interest,” Allgeier said.

Besides playing a pivotal role in cancer research, Moffitt is expected to create a sizable economic impact, from its workforce and from the other companies that are attracted to the Pasco campus.

Allgeier said he expects there will be a couple of thousand people working on the Speros FL campus, when it opens, which is expected in late 2025 or early 2026.

He also expects Moffitt — which has several locations — to continue to grow.

Moffitt currently has 8,500 employees, Allgeier said. Its workforce is likely to double by 2030, based on its current growth estimates, he said.

Pasco approves conduit loan
The Pasco County Commission has approved a request by Moffitt Cancer Center for a conduit bond, which allows Moffitt to borrow funds at a tax-exempt rate.
Moffitt plans to use the conduit bond to borrow up to $400 million to develop its Pasco Campus.
The county is not responsible for the debt. Moffitt’s allocation of state cigarette tax will be used to pay the debt, according to Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director.
The IRS requires a public hearing to be conducted on the request and requires that the county board finds that the project is in the public’s best interests.
No one spoke during the public comment portion of the public hearing on Feb. 7 and the county board unanimously approved Moffitt’s request.

Published February 22, 2023

Candidates vie in Zephyrhills’ elections

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Voters in Zephyrhills will choose a new mayor and will decide who should fill City Council Seat 2 in an April 11 election.

Three candidates are vying to be the city’s next mayor and incumbent W. Alan Knight is facing a challenge from Steve Spina, for Seat 2 council seat.

Zephyrhills residents will decide whether to retain incumbent City Council Seat 2 member Alan Knight or replace him with Steve Spina in the April 11 municipal election. Residents also will choose the 21st mayor in city history. (Mike Camunas)

Spina is the former city manager for the City of Zephyrhills. He retired from that role in 2019.

Knight is a longtime Zephyrhills resident and educator working mainly in Pasco county schools as a teacher, coach and administrator for 35 years. He is seeking re-election to city council following his first term on the board.

Residents also will decide who will replace Mayor Gene Whitfield, who announced in December that he would not seek a fourth term.

Candidates to become mayor are Nick Deford, Melonie Bahr Monson and Martin Harm.

Deford is the lead pastor at Zephyrhills First Church of the Nazarene and has been a resident of Zephyrhills for eight years. His ministry has worked with nonprofit organizations such as the Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association and the Samaritan Project, and is active with Meals on Wheels of Pasco.

Monson is a Zephyrhills native who stepped away from her role as the CEO of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce after eight years in September. She now works for her family business, Bahr’s Propane Gas and AC.

Harm is the treasurer for Main Street Zephyrhills and a national account manager for Sonitrol, an electronic commercial security system company.

The mayor position is largely ceremonial, with no voting power. The city council chooses a board president — in this case, Jodi Wilkeson — to run meetings. Lance Smith is the council’s vice president, while members Ken Burgess, Charles Proctor and Knight round out the council.

There also are eight proposed amendments to the city charter on the ballot. Most are minor changes to election procedures and financial reporting requirements, with the main one changing the term length of mayor and council members from three years to four years.

Published February 22, 2023

W. Alan Knight
Dr. Steve Spina
Melonie Monson
Martin Harm
Nick Deford

More code enforcement officers needed, official says

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He hasn’t been on the Pasco County Commission long, but there’s one thing that Commissioner Gary Bradford has already noticed.

Pasco County Commissioner Gary Bradford says the need for more code enforcement officers is high, as codes are being enforced. (Mike Camunas)

The county needs more code enforcement officers, at least in Bradford’s opinion.

“We have rules in place and we’re not enforcing them,” Bradford said.

When rules aren’t enforced, Bradford said, “they’re just words on a piece of paper, (words) on a computer screen.”

Bradford, who is in his early days in office, acknowledged that he isn’t an expert yet on the county’s budget process.

Still, he added: “I don’t know if there’s a way that we could start looking at adding additional code enforcement officers now, but I think if any area of the county government needs help, it’s code enforcement.”

“You just can’t go to somebody who comes to work and say, ‘Here’s 10 things to do today. And by the way, tomorrow here’s 15 and then 20.’ There’s a point where the balls will get dropped, not by our code enforcement officers — but just by the volume of more responsibilities.

“We need to do something about that, sooner rather than later,” Bradford said, during the county board’s Feb. 7 meeting.

During the same meeting, commissioners:

  • Approved a mixed-use master-planned project on a 17-acre site, south of Shettle Road and east of U.S. 41, in Land O’ Lakes. Development plans call for 40,000 square feet of office, 25,000 square feet of commercial/retail and 341 apartments.
  • Approved the second one-year renewal of the agreement for general state lobbying services with Shawn Foster, LLC d/b/a Sunrise Consulting Group (Sunrise Group), effective Dec. 30, 2022  through Dec. 29, 2023, and additional purchasing authority in the Not to Exceed (NTE) amount of $60,000 for the extension comprised of $45,000 for fiscal year 2023; and $15,000 for fiscal year 2024, resulting in a cumulative NTE amount of $180,000 for the term of the contract. The additional amount requested includes $15,000 for unauthorized expenditures from Oct.1, 2022 through Dec. 31, 2022.
  • Appointed Dr. Lori Romano to the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board, as recommended by the Pasco-Hernando Workforce Board Executive Committee.
  • Approved a contract to allow the Senior Services Division to receive funds in the amount of $121,238 to provide meals to eligible elderly individuals. The state of Florida provides funding to expand long-term care alternatives, enabling elders to maintain an acceptable quality of life in their own homes and avoid or delay nursing home placement. Senior Services receives the funds, channeled  through the Area Agency on Aging of Pasco Pinellas, Inc., to provide elders with congregate and home-delivered meals.

Published February 22, 2023

It was their ‘Night to Shine’

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They wore dresses and tuxes. 

They walked the red carpet.

They laughed, they smiled and they cheered.

Then, they danced the night away.

Lily Madden, left, and Alastair Spivey raise their arms in recognition and joy of being announced while walking the red carpet at the ‘Night to Shine’ Prom on Feb. 10, at Cypress Creek Middle in Wesley Chapel. Every special needs attendee was able to stroll down the red carpet into the three-hour dance event being held in Pasco County for the first time. (Mike Camunas)

Hundreds attended “Night to Shine,” a prom for people with special needs, held on Feb. 10 at Cypress Creek Middle School in Wesley Chapel.

The idea was to give prom-goers a chance to have a night to remember, at the event being held for the first time in Pasco County.

Grace Community Church, based in Wesley Chapel, hosted the event, with Pastor Jeff Olsen acting as master of ceremonies.

“Night to Shine,” initiated by The Tim Tebow Foundation in 2014, is held simultaneously at venues across the country.

The foundation and local sponsors provide food and entertainment, and as the event approaches its end, a special video message from Tebow and his wife is played for the crowd.

Guests sign up to attend the prom, but there is one caveat: they don’t have a date. Instead, volunteers sign up to be a guest’s “buddy” for the night. Each prom guest spends the evening dancing, dining and enjoying the evening with their “date.”

At the Feb. 10 event in Wesley Chapel, guests attired in formalwear arrived in limos and other fancy rides provided by Lexus of Wesley Chapel.

They were announced to the crowd, as they walked the red carpet into the gym.

Upbeat music played at the three-hour event, which unlike other proms — had no official king and queen.

Instead, a crown or tiara was placed on every guest’s head, and then most of them — even those in wheelchairs — went right back to making dance moves.

Published February 22, 2023

Amaya Westray dances, and jumps, with joy during the ‘Night to Shine’ Prom, an event to give those with special needs a special night. Hundreds of people with special needs donned formal wear, walked the red carpet and then danced the night away on Feb. 10 in the gym at Cypress Creek Middle School, in Wesley Chapel.
Madison Boatright, left, is having a blast while dancing on Feb. 10, with her ‘Night to Shine’ buddy, Haley Krupnick, at the Cypress Creek Middle School gym. Boatright, Krupnick and hundreds of others attended the prom specifically for those with special needs. Although at the school, Grace Community Church of Wesley Chapel hosted the event.
Robby Sanderson shows off his dance moves, as he takes center stage at the ‘Night to Shine’ Prom on Feb. 10.
The joy was obvious, as prom-goers who have special needs, and their buddies, danced the night way at the Cypress Creek Middle School gym.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jake McDaniel, left, gets honky tonk while dancing with his buddy, Serena Neumann.
Keely Hamilton, left, escorts John Agao down the red carpet into ‘Night to Shine,’ a prom for people with special needs.
Robert Bagdonas, left, and Mary Roush smile big as they’re announced on the red carpet.
Melissa Janicke waves with the pose of a prom queen while strolling the red carpet.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Karol Fogel and Raymond Oldham show off some dance moves at ‘Night to Shine.’
Sarah Miller, right, dances in line in front of the stage at the ‘Night to Shine’ Prom.
Demi Asensio, left, holds hands with Audrey Chin, to calm her nerves as she walks the red carpet at ‘Night to Shine.’
Morgan Roy, left, dances to her heart’s content during ‘Night to Shine,’ as her buddy, Jill Berendes, happily joins in.

Vote-by-mail ballots going out

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Vote-by-mail ballots for elections in the cities of Zephyrhills, Port Richey and New Port Richey will be mailed out on March 2 to voters with requests on file, according to a news release from the office of Brian Corley, Pasco County’s supervisor of elections.

Election Day in those municipalities is April 11.

Vote-by-mail requests previously remained in effect through two General Election cycles, but a change in state law in 2021 limited a request’s longevity to one election cycle.

Therefore, every vote-by-mail request expired on Jan. 1.

The deadline to request a vote-by-mail ballot for the Municipal Election is April 1.

Voted ballots must be returned to the elections’ office by 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Please allow enough time for first-class delivery by the U.S. Postal Service, or you can bring your  ballot to any of the three Supervisor of Elections’ Offices in Pasco County.

Voted ballots also are accepted at city halls but may not be turned in at the polls on Election Day, the news release says. 

When making a request, voters will be required to provide specific information to order their mail ballot, including either their Florida driver license number, Florida identification card number, or the last four digits of their social security number.

The information provided is used to verify the voter’s identity. Requests can be made online at PascoVotes.gov or by calling 800-851-8754.

Voters who wish to vote in person before Election Day may vote at the New Port Richey, Port Richey and Zephyrhills city halls beginning March 6.

Voters are encouraged to ensure their voter registration is up to date, and if voting by mail, that a current signature is on file.   

Municipal elections are for voters residing within the city limits only. 

Sample ballots will be available online at PascoVotes.gov approximately 30 days prior to Election Day.

Election Day voter turnout and election results will be posted online at PascoVotes.gov after the polls close at 7 p.m.

Published February 22, 2023

Saddlebrook Resort redevelopment request delayed

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The Pasco County Commission is set to take up a request involving the redevelopment of Saddlebrook Resort at its April 4 meeting.

After several hours of testimony on Feb. 7, the board decided to delay the request until then, to provide more time to get questions answered and to give opposing parties a chance to seek resolution.

The issue involves a request by Miami-based Mast Capital to redevelop Saddlebrook, which opened in Wesley Chapel in 1981.

At its prime, Saddlebrook was known internationally for excellence in its golf facilities, with its two Arnold Palmer-designed courses and for its tennis facilities and programs.

Future plans for Saddlebrook Resort remain a topic of debate. (File)

Elite athletes flocked there to use the resort’s facilities, and its golf and tennis academies helped to prepare future champions.

But there’s consensus now that improvements are needed at the 40-year-plus facility to restore its former glory.

Contentious debate continues, however, over whether Mast Capital’s vision is the best way to move forward.

“I get the sense that we’re all at an impasse — the board members, Mast and their project, and the residents,” Commissioner Seth Weightman said.

He called for a continuance.

“I’d like to spend some more time, meet with the applicant — get some assurances and an understanding on what we’re looking like going forward, what the final plan is,” Weightman said.

Commissioner Ron Oakley said he hopes the delay will give opponents a chance to come closer to resolution.

“Somewhere in the middle is the right fix, for the residents and for Mast,” Oakley said, adding if they can find common ground in the middle, both sides can win.

During the Feb. 7 public hearing, the county board considered Mast Capital’s request to transmit its proposed land use change to the state Department of Economic Opportunity and other state agencies for review.

That’s just one step in the process, which also requires Mast Capital to obtain county board approvals of a proposed land use change and a revised Saddlebrook master plan.

Attorney Barbara Wilhite represents Mast Capital, which purchased Saddlebrook about 10 months ago, from Tom Dempsey, the original owner.

Wilhite explained Mast Capital’s proposed changes.

In broad strokes, the redevelopment plan has four parts: two areas are within Saddlebrook’s gated community and two outside, next to State Road 54.

The redevelopment calls for 105,000 square feet of commercial and retail entitlements — a 5,000-square-foot increase over its current entitlement. It also calls for an additional 55 beds for the existing golf and tennis academy; a 12,000-square-foot clubhouse; 155 townhomes; and 465 apartments.

Development along State Road 54 would include a mixture of commercial and residential uses in a walkable area featuring neighborhood parks, patio seating, a wide boulevard and other amenities, according to the proposal.

Plans also call for dual left-hand turning lanes leading out of the resort’s main entrance. Plus, an additional right-in/right-out access would serve the new development along State Road 54.

Jordan Kornberg, managing director and head of acquisitions for Mast Capital, explained the company’s vision for Saddlebrook, which is located off State Road 54, east of Interstate 75.

“We want it to be a world-class resort again. We want to prop up the golf academy, the tennis academy and really all of the existing components of that business are our focus.

“This will create jobs, significant economic benefit to the county and enhance the existing residents and the community,” he said.

Since acquiring Saddlebrook, Mast Capital has invested $5 million in capital improvements and expects to spend $5 million more this year, Kornberg said.

Bryce Swanson, a golf course architect for Rees Jones Inc., described plans for replacing the resort’s two 18-hole Arnold Palmer golf courses with three nine-hole courses.

Commission Chairman Jack Mariano, noting he’s recently played golf at Saddlebrook, spoke against the idea of reconfiguring the courses.

“Why can’t we just work to improve what’s there?” Mariano asked.

“The greens are in fantastic shape. The best I’ve seen them, maybe ever. That course is well-designed. It drains well, if it’s maintained,” Mariano said.

Swanson disagreed: “The golf course is in dire need of repair.

“The drainage system doesn’t work. The irrigation system is on Band-aids. Things need to be repaired,” he said.

One course can’t be used during the rainy season because the drainage is so poor, he said.

Swanson said his company told Mast Capital that putting things back to the way they were would be “more of a short-term fix.”

Saddlebrook resident Patrick Hogan said he and his wife purchased their home — with its views of holes 12, 13 and 14 — with the expectation it would stay that way.

“In our mind, we didn’t just buy a home with a golf course view. We bought a home with a Palmer golf course view. Rees Jones is very reputable, but they are not Arnold Palmer and we will no longer have Arnold Palmer courses.”

Hogan questioned how the resort could attract tournaments without an 18-hole course.

Kornberg said the new design has flexibility: two nine-hole courses could be combined for an 18-hole course.

Numerous residents urged the county board to reject the request.

Joann Barbetta, who lives on Fox Hunt Drive, and her husband, Larry, organized the Save Our Saddlebrook Coalition.

Joann Barbetta told the county board: “Ten years ago, we came to Saddlebrook, when our daughter had dreams of training at a tennis academy.

“The tennis drew us in, but the wonderful people, the natural beauty and the abundant wildlife made us stay.

“You can see that Saddlebrook is simply spectacular,” she said, referring to video shots of the resort’s natural areas. “The expansive and dense collection of trees, the winding roads, the spacious driving range were all carefully laid out.

“The homes are spaced far apart, with a lot of privacy and large open spaces. The peacefulness and serenity of that, cannot be overstated,” she said.

Larry Barbetta added: “We love our community. We are here to make sure that anything that’s done in the development and redevelopment of our community is consistent with the values, heritage and builds on the legacy of Saddlebrook.”

A number of other speakers raised concerns about traffic; insufficient fire, police and emergency services; a threat to their quality of life; and, a potential drop in property values.

But Barry Shein, treasurer on Saddlebrook’s condo association’s board, said the coalition of opponents do not represent everyone with property at the resort.

He said his group has been working with Mast Capital and is confident its representatives “are people of integrity.

“I believe they will do what they say they are going to do,” he said.

Shein also noted the Mast Capital proposed development will help generate money needed to make improvements to upgrade the property.

The condo board’s attorney, according to Shein, has been involved in drafting the deed restriction “to make sure, in perpetuity, the golf course would remain a golf course.”

Published February 22, 2023