The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Ornament features garden club’s ‘front porch’

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The 2021 Dade City Garden Club annual ornament, entitled ‘Front Porch.’ (Courtesy of The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce)

The Dade City Garden Club has released its 2021 Christmas ornament, entitled “Front Porch.”

The ‘porch’ featured in the historic-themed ornament leads to the inside of the club’s building — the original St. Rita’s Church, which was built in 1913 and purchased by the garden club in 1976 for $1.

The design of “Front Porch” exhibits various symbols that are meaningful to the garden club.

The camellia flower represents love, affection and admiration. The wildflower and phlox point to sweet dreams and harmony.

Colorful monarch butterflies support the club’s belief in life, change and endurance.

And, the bluebirds are a symbol of the essence of life and beauty. The birds hold a “Welcome” sign to signify that all are invited to join the garden club.

The cost of the Christmas ornament is $22, payable only by check to the Dade City Garden Club.

For information, contact Jo Uber at 352-567-3769 or .

Published October 13, 2021

Dade City Commission renews administrative contracts, other business items

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The Dade City Commission tackled a number of business items during a Sept. 27 regular meeting at City Hall.

This included finalizing administration-level employment contracts for its city attorney and finance officer, among other actions, respectively.

Commissioners approved a one-year agreement with Thomas Thanas, through the Bradenton-based firm of Dye, Harrison, Kirkland, Petruff, Pratt & St. Paul, PLLC to provide legal services for Dade City.

Dade City Attorney Thomas Thanas (Courtesy of Dye, Harrison, Kirkland, Petruff, Pratt & St. Paul, PLLC)

The action extends an agreement with Thanas, who has served as interim city attorney May 2019.

The annual contract for Thanas’ services will increase from $84,000 to $92,400, with the designated interim tag also removed.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez described Thanas as “a beacon of light” and “always helpful and always there,” while discussing the action item with commissioners.

Thanas has been an attorney since the 1980s.

He spent much of his career serving as a city attorney and a private practitioner representing municipalities primarily in the Chicago, Illinois area.

He also once served as city manager of Joliet — the third-largest city in Illinois — from 2008 to 2013.

The veteran lawyer shared positive words about working for the East Pasco County small town, addressing the commission.

“I really enjoy working with the (commission) and with the city staff,” Thanas said. “You have a lot of good things going on with this community, it’s a great community, and I enjoy being part of the time,” he said.

“…I’ve learned a lot by being around all of you, so I do enjoy it. We’ll continue on. I really do enjoy working here, and I’d like to continue it.”

Commissioners also approved an agreement with Tampa-based Aclarian LLC to provide accounting and financial services.

Dade City Finance Officer Andrew Laflin (File)

The move makes the Aclarian’s president, Andrew Laflin, the city’s contracted finance officer and removes the designated interim tag.

Laflin has served as the city’s interim finance officer since July 2020. His annual contracted rate with the city will now increase from $78,000 to 84,000.

Laflin’s duties have entailed assisting with the budgeting process, preparing for year-end audits, reviewing and approving payroll and non-payroll transactions, leading various projects such as fee studies, and providing leadership and guidance of the city’s finance and utility billing divisions.

Laflin’s firm provides similar consulting services to the City of Madeira Beach and City of Starke.

He expressed gratitude to city leadership for showing confidence in him to continue to provide financial consulting services, mostly in an off-site or virtual capacity.

“I think we’ve done some good, positive things in the finance group,” he said. “Faced some adversities and challenges, not only with COVID, but the cybersecurity incident and having limited access to our network and files and system, but we’ve persevered and look forward to seeing improvements in the future. And hopefully, being able to use technology and innovation in order to streamline business processes further and just make this a more efficient operation.”

In other action, commissioners:

  • Approved a two-year collective bargaining agreement with the police sergeants of the Dade City Police Department through the West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association. Among the notable changes include new starting salaries for a sergeant being $50,000; and a pay step plan that creates a 2% increase for every year of service between years one and 14, along with a 5% increase at year 15 and another 5% increase at year 20.
  • Approved changes to the city’s personnel leave policy, including the addition of Juneteenth to holiday observances; increased notice for reporting out sick from 30 minutes to an hour before the shift; and incorporated some updates to the Family and Medical Leave Act provisions, showing inclusion of qualified exigency leave and military caregiver leave.

Dade City Human Resources Director Patty Coram summarized the various personnel leave policy alterations to the commission.

“It’s kind of streamlining what everyone else is doing out there,” Coram said. “It seemed like a lot of entities were moving forward to celebrate Juneteenth; they jumped on that federal holiday, so we’d kind of like to move forward to enact that for our employees, also.”

Published October 06, 2021

Dade City’s budget approaches $25 million

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The City of Dade City has finalized and adopted its fiscal year 2021-2022 budget — with the price tag coming in at nearly $25 million.

The figure represents an increase of about $7.25 million — or nearly 41% — from this past year’s budget.

The Dade City Commission unanimously approved the second, and final, reading of the new budget, during its Sept. 27 meeting at City Hall.

No residents spoke about the budget during the public hearing.

The fiscal year commences Oct. 1 and runs through Sept. 30, 2022.

Slightly more than $1.74 million of the budgetary increase is due to a change in budgeting special revenue and impact fee funds, according to the city’s final operating budget book and other documents.

In prior years, impact fee revenues were minor, due to limited growth in the city; beginning with fiscal year 2022, all impact fees funds will be included in the budget.

Also, in prior years, the local option gas tax was treated as a special revenue fund; now, this activity will be included in the general fund.

Capital outlay and debt service represent the largest chunk of the 2021-2022 budget, anticipated to total $13.74 million (55% of the total budget) and up about $5.92 million from this past fiscal year.

Major capital projects include construction of the Dade Oaks retention pond, Howard Avenue stormwater improvements, Tank Hill well and booster station, Morningside Drive extension, wastewater force main and lift station projects, and sidewalk/road improvements.

Personnel costs are expected to be roughly $6.43 million, or nearly 26% of the total budget, and an increase of $626,446 from the last budget.

The increase in personnel costs is a result of:

  • Funding new positions
  • Increased health care premiums
  • The adoption of a new pay scale and associated increases
  • A 3% salary adjustment for individuals not affected by the new pay scale
  • Increased wages and benefits through the negotiation of the police union contracts, and associated retirement costs.

Lastly, operating costs came in at $4.73 million — up about $706,000 from this past year’s budget. They represent about 19% of the latest budget.

Changes in operating costs include:

  • Funding for a comprehensive plan update
  • Development of a disaster recovery plan
  • Additional IT security costs
  • Election year costs
  • Increases in solid waste collections and utilities
  • Additional funding of the city’s utility renewal and replacement fund, as per recommendations from a rate study

The 2021-2022 fiscal year budget is based, in part, on a 7.14 millage rate, assessed on taxable value of property within the city.

The city’s certified taxable value is about $340 million.

At the rate of 7.14 mills, ad valorem tax revenues in the city’s general fund are anticipated to levy an estimated $2.3 million, an increase of slightly more than $262,000 from the prior year’s $2 million for general fund expenses.

The breakdown of ad valorem revenues comes from the assessed value of the city’s 1,857 single-family homes, of which 1,231 have at least one exemption, according to city records.

Commissioners held eight budget workshops between June, July, August and September to hammer out myriad details and considerations.

Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez thanked city administration and staff for “lots of hard work” during the budgetary planning process.

“A lot of things on the table,” Hernandez said of the latest budget. “Hopefully, we are bringing Dade City forward with some additions we’ve made, and certainly some adjustments we’ve made with salaries and staff, and all that…and hopefully only great things ahead.”

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter summarized the city’s financial picture in the finalized 87-page budget book.

Her statement in the budget book reads, “This budget will enable Dade City to begin the path to grow with the demands for services while protecting our thriving and safe community that cherishes its location, unites in its diversity and evolves to meet the continuous challenges that success brings.”

City of Dade City fiscal year 2021-2022 budget: Total: $24,961,790

Expenses by category

  • Capital outlay and debt service ($13,744, 893)
  • Personnel costs ($6,433,788)
  • Operating costs ($4,783,109)

Published October 06, 2021

Dade City approves new pay scale for employees

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The City of Dade City is set to ring in fiscal year 2021-2022 with a slew of new positions and increased employee wages.

The updated employee pay plan incorporates the greater of the following: 3% cost of living, new minimum pay rate and new minimum pay adjusted for years of service (1.5% per year of service greater than one year) in an attempt to help with wage compression issues.

The pay plan has 19 salary steps, ranging from part-time crossing guard, which has a salary range of $23,400 to $35,100, all the way up to police chief, which has a range of $80,931.06 to $121,396.59.

Dade City Manager Leslie Porter (File)

The pay plan also includes funding for 14 new positions, within the proposed budget, including the following:

  • Four police officers
  • A deputy city clerk
  • An executive assistant to the city manager/public relations specialist
  • A groundskeeper
  • A utility service worker
  • An engineering inspector
  • A utilities electrician
  • An assistant code enforcement officer
  • Three wastewater treatment plant operator trainees

Other notable changes include bumping up paygrade levels for the city’s utility billing supervisor to be commensurate with other assistant crew leaders; upping the executive assistant to the city’s police chief to the same grade as executive assistant to the city manager/public relations specialist; and, adding paygrade classification levels for fiscal assistants based on experience and duties.

The new plan will increase personnel costs, and benefits, by an estimated $626,446 compared to the current year’s budget, according to Dade City Manager Leslie Porter.

Dade City Commissioners approved the pay scale plan on a 5-0 vote during the commission’s Sept. 13 meeting. The plan is effective Oct. 1.

Porter had outlined the city’s need to add staff and to budget additional money for payroll during a commission workshop last month.

She explained that more employees are needed to help manage the rapid growth and development planned throughout the municipality.

About 6,500 new rooftops and several commercial properties have been approved to be built over the next two decades.

Porter and Human Resources Director Patty Coram conducted an in-house salary study using pay information from seven comparable local governments, including Zephyrhills, New Port Richey and Pasco County.

The City of Dade City has adopted a new pay scale to address salary compression issues and to bring on more staffers.

The pay plan will make the city more competitive when it comes to attracting applicants, hiring candidates and retaining quality personnel, officials say.

Moreover, officials say beginning to raise wages now will make for an easier transition to Florida’s $15 per hour mandatory minimum wage, which takes effect in 2026.

Mayor Camille Hernandez voiced support for the justification of the comprehensive pay plan. She said it rewards long-term employees and will attract more qualified job-seekers, to ensure the municipality is fully and adequately staffed across all departments.

“I do hope and pray with these new positions that we are adding, that we’re stepping it up a notch,” Hernandez said, addressing her comments to the city manager. “You’ve asked for things, we’re giving it.”

The mayor also emphasized that expectations are high for city administration and supervisors on down to entry-level employees.

“As we raise the bar and we provide this system, we expect certain things. The expectations are pretty high now,” Hernandez said.

Commissioner Normita Woodard agreed that with more resources in place, there’s a greater responsibility and scrutiny in terms of serving residents and following through on outlined citywide goals and initiatives.

Woodard put it like this: “I just want to make sure that I do say it in this forum that the money matches the work efforts, and that the supervisors are going to be doing what they need to do to make sure that it is accountable.”

The city’s last classification and compensation study was conducted in 2015, according to a city commission agenda memo.

The city adopted a proposed pay plan then, but was not in a financial position at that time to address compression issues included in that plan, the memo states.

In lieu of that, the city had been providing 3% salary increases each year, in an attempt to keep up with cost of living and rising wage environment, the memo reads.

In other business, commissioners approved the Rolling Hills residential planning development annexation, comprehensive plan and zoning amendment, on a 3-2 vote.

The development is approved to build up to 700 homes on slightly more than 151 acres, located west of Opportunity Way, south of State Road 52, and north of Roberts Road.

Commissioners Scott Black, Knute Nathe and Hernandez voted in favor, while Woodard and Jim Shive, who is mayor pro tem, voted against.

Published September 29, 2021

Restaurant tabbed for historic buildings in Zephyrhills

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A local restaurant and café is being tabbed for two renovated historic buildings in Zephyrhills.

Before long, the Captain Jeffries House and Carriage House in Zephyrhills are expected to have new tenants — Tina and Joe Novak, of Tina and Joe’s Café in Dade City.

The Novaks have operated the cafe for about seven years, at 14232 Seventh St., in Dade City.

The lunch spot served a variety of fare, including soups, wraps, salads, handcrafted sandwiches, lobster rolls and homemade desserts, including cookies and pie.

A Dade City-based restaurant called Tina and Joe’s Café is expected to relocate to the Captain Jeffries House and Carriage House in Zephyrhills. Lease agreement negotiations are ongoing between the City of Zephyrhills and restaurateurs Tina and Joe Novak. (File)

Over the summer, the City of Zephyrhills opened a request for proposals (RFP) from potential tenants for the adjacent Jeffries House and Carriage House.

The city received three responses — Tina and Joe’s Café, Flowers by Annie and Shell’s Killer Bakery.

An evaluation team ranked the proposals, with Tina and Joe’s Café coming out as the top-ranked firm by a strong margin.

The evaluation team consisted of Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency director Gail Hamilton, Zephyrhills building official Bill Burgess, Zephyrhills senior planner Rodney Corriveau, and Pasco County Economic Development Council director of stakeholder engagement Mike Bishop.

The collaborative exercise was designed with the idea of making those historic spaces a catalyst to inject new life into the city’s downtown and attract more foot traffic to the area.

The Jeffries House and Carriage House are in the downtown shopping district, which includes City Hall, the City Library, as well as multiple retail shops and a microbrewery.

The buildings are a short walk to Zephyrhills Brewing Company, Your Turn Board Game Café, Gentleman’s Quarters Barber Shop, and other destinations.

Extra weight was given to would-be tenants willing to use both the Jeffries House and Carriage House, Hamilton said, in addition to letters of recommendation from customers, bank information, business model and overall track record.

Written evaluation comments shared in a city memo pinpointed Tina and Joe’s Café as being well-established and credit-worthy, with an ability to create jobs as a full-service restaurant.

Besides locating the restaurant and café within the Jeffries House, the Novaks plan to use a portion of the Carriage House for a produce and plant makerspace, Hamilton said.

The committee unanimously ranked them No. 1, Hamilton told city council members at a Sept. 13 regular meeting.

“We wanted to make it something that was a draw for downtown, and we don’t have a restaurant downtown, so that was part of the ranking as well,” she said.

The Zephyrhills City Council voted 5-0 to select Tina and Joe’s Café. The action allows city staff the notice to proceed on a negotiations and lease agreement with the Novaks.

Councilman Lance Smith voiced disappointment that more restaurants didn’t submit bids.

But Smith added: “I’m glad we had one, I’m glad that they (Tina and Joe’s Café) have a track record and they’re not a person that has a dream of starting a restaurant.”

Lease arrangements — including terms and length — will be brought back to the council for final approval.

The lease could start as early as Oct. 1.

Councilwoman Jodi Wilkeson suggested modeling a lease after those used in other municipal historic districts, perhaps encompassing improvement allowances or allowances amortized over time.

“You know, there’s lots of creative ways to make that work, too, so I look forward to seeing what you folks come up with,” Wilkeson said.

Smith added: “We all understand that to create a commercial kitchen in that (Jeffries House) building is going to be very expensive, so we need to get very creative on giving allowances for improvements to the building.”

Hamilton assured council that staffers will work closely with Zephyrhills City Attorney Matt Maggard “to make sure we create a lease that is both creative for the city and for the prospective lessee.”

The Captain Jeffries House, at 38537 Fifth Ave., is named after the city’s founder, Captain H.B. Jeffries, who established Zephyrhills as a retirement area for old Union soldiers.

The 2,365-square-foot structure, built in 1912, was added to the U.S. National Register of Historic Places on Nov. 29, 1995.

In addition to the interior space, it has a 600-square-foot wraparound porch. It has original hardwood floors, windows, light fixtures, a fireplace and stained glass windows.

Work completed in 2016 included plumbing, electrical and heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC).

The Carriage House at 5323 Ninth St., was built in 1940. It is a two-story structure of 1,320 square feet, including a balcony on the second floor. It has restored original windows and folding garage doors.

The building has a one-bedroom apartment, with a kitchen and bathroom on the second floor, which has its own entrance.

New plumbing, electrical and HVAC work was completed in the structure during 2020.

Published September 22, 2021

Double groundbreaking dedicates homes

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Habitat for Humanity of East and Central Pasco County (HFHECPC) on Sept. 8 hosted a double groundbreaking ceremony for two homes on Church Avenue in Dade City.

Crystal Lazar, Habitat CEO, MisIvy Rettie Housing Authority, left, joins members of the Hooks family at the groundbreaking for their new home. (Courtesy of Habitat for Humanity)

Habitat staff joined Bellvis Hooks and Sonja Wenzel, along with their family and friends, at the dedication.

From left: Jere Ferguson, Habitat director of family services; Sonja Wenzel, Habitat homebuyer; Anniyah Smith, daughter; Nevaeh Ford, granddaughter; Jamal Smith, son; Kenneth O’ Brien, son; Terena Jones, Habitat CFO; and Crystal Lazar, Habitat CEO, during the groundbreaking for the Wenzel home.

“We are so happy to start building these two homes,” said Crystal Lazar, CEO and president of HFHECPC, in a news release.

“They are the final homes in this five-home neighborhood in downtown Dade City. These families have worked very hard to have the opportunity to become homeowners, and we are so proud of how far they have come,” said Lazar.

Hooks and her four children acknowledged that this has been a long journey, but they are encouraged by the progress that the groundbreaking represents, and they are excited to work on their own home.

Wenzel brought her family so they could see the location of their new home.

Standing in the quiet residential neighborhood, Wenzel’s son Kenneth remarked, “I really like this area. I can’t wait to move in here and make it our home.”

Watching the homes become a reality is something Habitat staffers hope will become a cherished memory for the families.

Published September 22, 2021

Dade City author writes a chilling account of serial killers

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Dade City author Mary Brett spent four years researching and writing her latest book, “Out Of The Mouths Of Serial Killers’’ (WildBlue Press, 362 pages).

It clinically examines 75 psychopathic killers — chapter by chapter — and provides chilling insight. Her work revolves around a basic question.

Why?

Why did you kill?

Dade City author Mary Brett has written four books. (Courtesy of Mary Brett)

When Brett, a retired medical recruiter, moved to Dade City in 2016, she remembered watching a television documentary about Gary Ray Bowles. He was on Death Row in Starke after being convicted of murdering five gay men in a pattern of winning their trust, then beating and strangling them. Brett got hooked into the story, but left unsatisfied.

“It was a good interview, but I kept waiting for the woman (interviewer) to ask, ‘Why?’” Brett said. “I knew the story and why he was on Death Row. But she never asked, ‘Why?’

“For me, that’s where this all started.’’

Brett wrote to Bowles in prison and asked that same question: Why?

She also sent a flurry of letters to other serial killers with this premise: She was planning a book. Responses would be used in their entirety with nothing changed or redacted.

Brett’s son was skeptical, saying there was no way Bowles would participate.

“What else does he have to do?’’ Brett said.

Bowles responded almost immediately.

“He was a charmer and knew what to say,’’ Brett said. “He wrote, ‘You’re writing your fourth book? Congratulations. You’re so smart.’ And on and on.

“He wanted me to come up and see him. While I thought that might be an interesting life experience, I was not going to do that. I was not looking for friendship with these people. They are psychopaths. They don’t form friendships. So I thought maybe this book isn’t going anywhere.’’

A few weeks passed and Brett got a second letter from Bowles. This one was more raw, more honest, although it still didn’t completely answer that basic question: Why?

“It was a light-bulb moment, though, so I kept writing the letters and kept seeking responses,’’ Brett said.

In all, Brett said she wrote to about 100 serial killers. She received 30 responses. Some were vulgar. One included an order form for her to purchase a television and VCR for the prison. Others delved into their childhoods and backgrounds. Many clung to their innocence.

“I wasn’t looking to sensationalize the crime,’’ Brett said. “I just presented them and used their exact quotes. Bowles said he had been a victim of sexual abuse as a child. He had a horrible life. He saw himself ridding society of evil (through his murders).

The cover of ‘Out Of The Mouths Of Serial Killers’ by Mary Brett, a Dade City author.

“I tried to take the letters and tie it in to their background and the crime. I went through media accounts, interrogations and parole hearings to find the direct quotes, anything that might give some insight into why these serial killers did these things.’’

Brett also included accounts of the high-profile serial killers — the “rock stars,’’ as she called them — because “you can’t do a book about serial killers without them,’’ referring to the likes of Ted Bundy and Jeffrey Dahmer.

Trying to tie it all together, Brett interviewed psychiatrists and psychologists about potential motivations.

“I don’t know if all the questions get completely answered,’’ Brett said. “You look at nature/nurture and such. There are so many variables and you can boil it down to one commonality. It’s just a piece of humanity that is not normal … and thank goodness for that.

“But the psychologists suggested that these people will never stop killing until they are caught. And the reason is because they liked to do it.’’

Brett said she was “changed’’ by the researching and writing process. Before, she didn’t have a strong opinion about the death penalty. Now she’s a strong proponent.

“These people don’t stop killing,’’ Brett said. “Bundy escaped jail twice and the second time, his last victim was a 12 year old. When they kill multiple people just for the sheer joy of it, I don’t see any reason they should have anything but the death penalty.’’

Asked why she chose to wrote about a macabre subject, Brett said she was always fascinated by the popularity of serial killers as a storyline for books and documentaries.

“You might pick up a novel in the bookstore and have no idea what it’s about,’’ Brett said. “It’s obvious what this book is about. It’s targeted to a market. Nobody is going to pick this up when they’d rather be reading a gardening book.

“This genre and the true crime genre, it just flies off the shelf. You can hardly find a Netflix documentary that’s not about serial killers. People just have a curiosity and fascination with the subject. I did, too, and that led me to pursue this book. There are many things I’m curious about.’’

Brett is nothing but an eclectic author. She has written books about vintage toys, the lives of sideshow freaks, and Victorian mourning customs. She’s currently working on a book about religious cults.

In her hometown of Portsmouth, Virginia, Brett worked on her high school’s newspaper, magazine and yearbook. In passing, her senior English teacher told her she was a good writer. Brett never forgot that. In time, after having some articles about antiques and collectibles published in national magazines, she began pursuing books.

She has been a teacher and a medical recruiter, while also spending time learning how to flip houses for profit. Writing is more of a hobby. But it’s also a passion.

So is the Florida lifestyle.

During a particularly bleak 2016 winter in Virginia, Brett was reading “Bloody Mary,’’ a fiction novel about a female detective. There was a reference about her mother living in Dade City, Florida, a place that “had so many antique stores, you could throw a rock and hit one.’’

That’s how Brett decided to move to Dade City, a place that has fulfilled all her expectations and now serves as the backdrop for her writing. Brett, the mother of two adult sons, lives with her partner, Steve, and their three cats, a dog and a bird.

“I’ve never regretted it, not one day,’’ Brett said. “I love it here.’’

By Joey Johnston

Published September 15, 2021

Dade City was stop for troop trains heading to war

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The former Tampa Bay Hotel, now the University of Tampa — was erected as a winter retreat for the wealthy by railroad magnate Henry B. Plant.

During the Spanish-American War, however, it housed officers, including Col. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt, before they departed for Cuba.

Dade City also served a role during that 1898 military conflict, which is sometimes referred to as “The Forgotten War” or that “Splendid Little War.”

President William McKinley’s call for troops to invade Cuba in 1898 prompted soldiers from Maine to California to arrive in large contingents in Florida, as shown in this photograph taken at the Port of Tampa. (Courtesy of “Photographic History of the Spanish-American War, 1898,” The Pearson Publishing Company (The Pioneer Florida Museum & Village owns a copy of this antique book.)

Regiments from across the country made their way to the point of debarkation, in Tampa.

A nearly endless parade of troop trains passed through Dade City, as the soldiers headed to war.

“They made little stops along the way like they did in Dade City,” Joe Blunt said, during a recent presentation at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village in Dade City.

It was obvious to those troops arriving in Tampa that preparations for war against Spain had overwhelmed the city of 15,000 residents.

Historian Gary R. Mormino, in a story published by The Tampa Tribune, offered this perspective: “It was the equivalent of 10 Super Bowls.”

The city, “had days, not years, to prepare for an avalanche of soldiers, horses, mules, equipment and ships,” according to Mormino’s account.

As the conflict with Spain was looming in 1898, Congress authorized the construction of coastal batteries under the $50 million Harbor Fortification Defense Act.

The U.S. government previously had convened the Endicott Board in 1885 to upgrade old Civil War forts at every major harbor in the United States.

The nation was armed and ready for the Spanish-American War with rapid-fire guns, submarine nets, underwater mines, searchlights, concrete and electricity.

Col. Theodore ‘Teddy’ Roosevelt and his Rough Riders fought in the most famous land engagement of the war during the Battle of San Juan Hill. Roosevelt went on to become the nation’s 26th president.

Cavalry units were used, Blunt says, but many horses drowned when swimming to the shores.

No American Navy ships were damaged or sunk during the conflict.

Spain didn’t have any battleships, but the U.S. had four new ones, including the “Iowa.” That ship was described, by the U.S. War Department in 1898, “as nearly invulnerable as scientific naval architecture can make her.”

The Iowa was manned with 36 officers and 450 sailors.

It fired the first shot in the Battle of Santiago de Cuba on July 3, 1898.

Iowa’s firepower — which had never been seen in the world before — destroyed two Spanish cruisers and ran them aground within 20 minutes.

The U.S. landed 15,000 soldiers, southeast of Santiago de Cuba, including the 10th Cavalry from Montana under John J. Pershing.

That calvary, nicknamed the Buffalo Soldiers, was an African-American unit.

Pershing expressed his respect and admiration for the Buffalo Soldiers’ bravery and courage. Pershing would later serve as the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I.

During the Spanish-American War, U.S. soldiers used smokeless rifles — which unlike the black powder ones used during the Civil War did not give away their positions.

Troop trains, including the 157th Indiana Volunteers, passed through Dade City on the Old Florida Southern Railroad as the main transportation route on land to Tampa. The trains carried field-artillery carriages and ammunition wagons, as well.

“The Spanish could not easily see where the shooting was coming from,” Blunt said, during his talk. “But they could hear what sounded like someone punching a cardboard box when one of their men was hit and suddenly fell to the ground.”

The German Mauser was a popular bolt-action rifle used by American soldiers during the Spanish-American War. It later was the primary German combat rifle at the outbreak of World War I.

After the fall of the Third Reich at the end of World War II, the Soviet Union captured millions of Mauser Karabiner 98k rifles.

From the beginning of his administration, President William McKinley was concerned about the growing insurrection in Cuba. The national security was at stake, much like it was during the Cuban Missile Crisis, in 1962, under President John F. Kennedy.

For Kennedy, it was threat of a nuclear attack from missiles based in Cuba by the Soviet Union.

In 1898, it was the last remnants of a 300-year-old Spanish Empire that remained a threat to the United States.

Joe Blunt gave a talk about the Spanish-American War at the Pioneer Florida Museum & Village, and briefly touched on the role that Dade City played during that war. (Courtesy of Doug Sanders)

On Feb. 15, 1898, the U.S.S. Maine was sunk while on an official visit to Havana.

With headlines including “Who Destroyed the Maine? $50,000 Reward,” “Invasion!” and “Spanish Treachery,” America’s two leading newspaper publishers, Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, played off the growing tensions between the two countries and drummed up public opinion to go to war with Spain.

“Remember the Maine,” was the battle cry — still widely recognized today, Blunt says.

The cause of the Maine’s destruction, leading to the deaths of 266 officers and sailors, remains a mystery.

The Spanish-American War was waged in the Spanish colonies of the Philippines, Cuba and Puerto Rico.

Spain couldn’t afford the conflict on three fronts.

Under a peace treaty signed in Paris on Dec. 10, 1889, Spain relinquished title to Cuba, and ceded Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines to the United States.

By Doug Sanders

Doug Sanders has a penchant for unearthing interesting stories about local history. His sleuthing skills have been developed through his experiences in newspaper and government work. If you have an idea for a future history column, contact Doug at .

Published September 15, 2021

Pasco County is adding two new elementary magnets

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During the past few years, Pasco County Schools has been adding to its slate of educational choices for parents and students, and two new options will become available in the 2022-2023 school year.

Centennial Elementary in Dade City and James M. Marlowe Elementary in New Port Richey are slated to become STEAM magnet schools.

The acronym STEAM means the schools will have an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics.

As magnet schools, Centennial and Marlowe will not have traditional boundaries.

The school district will use its school choice program, known as Pasco Pathways, to assign students to the schools.

Parent meetings will be held in October, to provide additional information.

Centennial’s meeting is set for Oct. 12 and Marlowe’s is set for Oct. 5. (Check with schools for additional details.)

As a result of dropping their traditional boundaries, the geographic areas currently zoned to the schools must be absorbed by other schools.

The Pasco County School Board will have public hearings on the proposed boundary changes for the schools on Nov. 16 and on Dec. 14.

Centennial and Marlowe will pattern themselves after Sanders Memorial Elementary, at 5126 School Road, in Land O’ Lakes.

Sanders Elementary recently was named a nationally certified magnet school by Magnet Schools of America. The distinction signifies that Sanders meets rigorous standards that define high-quality schools, according to a school district news release.

Centennial Middle and Bayonet Point Middle, which are middle magnet schools focusing on science, technology, engineering and mathematics, also were named nationally certified magnet schools by the same organization.

In general, magnet schools feature themes and courses that are designed to attract students from outside traditional school boundaries.

Sanders Elementary became the district’s first magnet school in 2015, when it reopened, following a massive renovation. Most of the students attending Sanders live in the central part of Pasco County.

Centennial Elementary will provide a convenient option for students and families in East Pasco, to explore the same educational opportunities as those offered at Sanders. Marlowe will do the same in West Pasco.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning briefed the school board members at their Sept. 7 morning meeting, on the process the district will use, leading up to the switch. He said communications would be sent to families later in the day.

Centennial Elementary Principal Gretchen Rudolph-Fladd explained how the transition will work in a letter to parents, posted on the school’s website.

In part, she told parents: “Making a transition like this requires several steps. Some are significant, while others are formalities that have no impact on students.”

She posted some frequently asked questions and answers to those queries, too.

Here’s an excerpt of those FAQs. (To see the FAQs in their entirety, visit the school’s website at https://cenes.pasco.k12.fl.us).

Will our school have to close?
Technically, it will, but it will not impact students because it will close at the end of the 2021-2022 school year and will reopen at the beginning of the 2022-2023 school year.

Will parents have to apply to have their student remain at the school?
Yes, parents will need to make that desire known by applying via School Choice. Children currently attending the school will have “preferred” status and there is every expectation they will be able to remain at the school.

Why is a rezoning necessary?
Magnet schools do not have traditional zones, so nearby attendance zones will expand to include Centennial’s current attendance zone.

Will the current teachers lose their jobs?
No one will lose their job as a result of the transition to a STEAM magnet. However, staff changes will result. The expectation is that most teachers will remain, but others have opted to pursue a teaching position at a different school. Teachers wishing to transfer to a more traditional position will be able to do so.

Published September 15, 2021

Zephyrhills tennis center changing membership packages

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The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills is overhauling its membership pricing model — in an effort to streamline options, encourage more annual memberships and better capture growing demand for play.

Among the most noteworthy changes are raising seasonal and non-resident rates essentially across the board, while removing age-specific senior (over 65) and junior (17 and under) packages in favor of a comprehensive one-size-fits-all individual membership.

The Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center in Zephyrhills is altering its membership pricing model for the coming year. (File)

The Zephyrhills City Council approved the requests from the facility’s private operator, Tennis Pro Florida LLC, during an Aug. 23 regular meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall. Zephyrhills entered into a management agreement with Tennis Pro Florida in October 2019, when it was established that any membership changes required council approval.

Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center’s Chief Financial Officer Nick Walton made a presentation at the meeting on the proposed changes, expected to take effect this month, following the council’s action.

During a presentation to council members, Walton began by detailing the tennis facility’s popularity since its soft opening last September, even in the wind of the coronavirus pandemic.

The state-of-the-art complex has seen some 2,000 visitors who have been there at least once. It also has about 175 members who pay monthly dues.

“It’s been a crazy year this past year,” said Walton, emphasizing the consistent turnout.

The $4.9 million tennis complex at 6585 Simons Road in Zephyrhills is marketed as “Tampa’s first boutique-style racquet sports and wellness club.”

The city-owned, but privately operated facility offers:

  • 11 regulation-sized outdoor tennis courts (nine clay surface, two hard surface)
  • Eight outdoor pickleball courts
  • Four outdoor padel courts
  • Outdoor multipurpose turf field
  • A nearly 8,000-square-foot indoor clubhouse, featuring a full-service restaurant/cafe, fitness center, salt room, yoga room, cryotherapy chamber and pro shop

Tennis center leadership is striving to attract more annual members, and to encourage patrons to use more of the facility’s supplementary offerings, beyond tennis, Walton said.

“We have people coming once a month, they pay the non-member rate, but what we want is people to become members, so they’re kind of incentivized to come every single week, and enjoy all of the services that we have to offer,” he said.

Simplifying its existing membership model will help, Walton said, which he labeled “a little confusing currently, because there’s so many levels.”

Changes include tapering membership combinations from 72 different options down to 24 choices.

Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center Chief Financial Officer Nick Walton. (Courtesy of Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center)

Membership increases for seasonal, non-residents
The most significant price hikes will be coming to six-month, seasonal membership offerings —to both Zephyrhills and non-Zephyrhills residents.

A seasonal, tennis-only membership was set at $160 total for Zephyrhills residents and $200 total for non-residents.

Now those rates will more than double —  to $344 total for Zephyrhills residents and $430 total for non-residents.

Other activities show similar seasonal hikes.

A seasonal, pickleball-only membership jumps from $120 total to $264 total for Zephyrhills residents, then from $150 total to $330 total for non-residents.

Annual rates for non-residents are slated to go up, to varying degrees, too.

Encouraging more activities, beyond tennis
Walton went on to discuss the facility’s current supply and demand issue for tennis, in comparison to myriad other sports and activities.

Because tennis is “overwhelmingly” the facility’s largest attraction, that’s causing issues with accommodating adequate court space needs for all users during the evenings, he said.

While “a great problem to have” in one sense, Walton said, the facility is working on inventive ways to encourage other offerings, too. This may include offering one-week trials and other specials highlighting pickleball, padel, fitness classes and so on.

“We don’t want to box anyone out with pricing, but we want to allow ourselves to make money, and we’re almost maxed out with the tennis community,” Walton said. “We almost want to say, ‘Look, we’re not going to sell anymore tennis-only memberships, because we’re running out of courts.”

The council unanimously approved the facility’s membership model request, following some back-and-forth discussion.

Councilman Charles Proctor summarized the membership changes: “We all know, prices go up, so you’re going to have to raise the price, that’s inevitable, so I mean, I don’t have any problem with what I’m seeing here.”

Meanwhile, the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center has grander plans in play in the next year or so.

The city received a $4.7 million state appropriation this year to construct six additional outdoor hard tennis courts, as well as a 30,000-square-foot indoor tennis facility with the capability for other sports and activities, such as soccer, ping pong, banquets and ceremonies.

Another membership step is expected in September 2022, in advance of the targeted completion of the additional outdoor courts and indoor multipurpose facility.

Visit SVBTennisCenter.com for more information.

Published September 08, 2021