The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Dade City swears in new city commissioner

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It didn’t take long for Dade City to fill its city commissioner vacancy.

After interviewing five candidates, the city commission selected Lisa Simon and swore in the fairly new town resident on May 23.

Simon, who moved to Dade City from Jacksonville in 2021, fills the Group 4 position vacated by Knute Nathe.

Lisa Simon is sworn in as Dade City Commissioner Group 4 position at the May 23 City Commission Meeting. (Mike Camunas)

Nathe, a Dade City native, resigned to serve as a Pasco County Judge on April 13, and his term was set to end in April 2024.

Nathe also was mayor pro tem.

Simon, a former preschool teacher and a real estate agent, joins Mayor Jim Shive and commissioners Normita Woodard, Scott Black and Ann Cosentino on the panel.

“I would like to thank her family because this can also be a time-consuming position,” Shive told the packed city commission meeting room. “We are thankful and grateful for her stepping up and helping her community.”

Simon has been attending city commission meetings regularly, since she and her husband of 39 years moved to Dade City.

“I decided to put my money where my mouth is and I couldn’t be more excited to get started,” Simon said. “It’s a little daunting, but I am really ready to get to work.”

Others who were interviewed for the city commission seat were Clyde Carter, Jere Ferguson, Michael Stout and Steve Van Gordon.

In joining the commission, Simon expressed her appreciation for the support of her family, friends and the city, as well as her fellow commissioners.

Before moving to town, she and her husband looked all over for a new home. They decided on Dade City because they fell in love with its small-town feel.

“And then we pull up and come into town seeing all the signs that said, ‘Keep Dade City Rural’ and we’re like, ‘Uh oh. What have we done?’” Simon said. “But I started going to meetings and getting involved and just met some great people. What I learned from them is that they were concerned that the city was moving in the right direction and making sure that growth in Dade City was done the right way.”

In her first meeting after being sworn in, the New Orleans native, mother of five and soon-to-be grandma of five was able to partake in a handful of votes.

Those actions included approving:

  • Renovation plans for Polly Touchton Park
  • A name change from Garvin Place Road to Finnerty Way
  • A unanimous promotion of commissioner Woodard to the position of mayor pro tem

Published June 07, 2023

Saint Leo names interim athletic director

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Marcal Lazenby has been named interim athletic director at Saint Leo University.

That announcement came from Saint Leo University President Dr. Edward Dadez, in a news release issued on May 30.

Marcal Lazenby (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Lazenby, who is associate athletic director, will assume his new position overseeing Saint Leo’s Intercollegiate Athletics, Wellness and Recreation departments on June 30, following the departure of longtime Vice President and Director of Athletics Fran Reidy, who is retiring.

The athletic director oversees Saint Leo’s Intercollegiate Athletics, Wellness, and Recreation departments.

As associate athletic director at Saint Leo, Lazenby has been responsible for oversight of compliance, athletic communications, facilities ticketing and concessions, merchandising and sponsorships. He was promoted from the assistant athletic director for compliance, athletics diversity and inclusion designee in August 2021 and first joined the university in 2017 as director of NCAA compliance.  

“I am honored and look forward to the challenge of building upon the proud athletic and academic traditions at Saint Leo,” Lazenby said in the release. “I made a strategic decision about my career when I left Glenville and came to Saint Leo to learn about the Sunshine State Conference and how to operate a high-level athletic program under Fran Reidy. I look forward to leading the great staff we have in place and aligning athletics, wellness and recreation with the university’s strategic plan as we create a vision of excellence for the future.”

Lazenby came to Saint Leo after serving as the director of athletics at his alma mater, Glenville State University in West Virginia. While Lazenby earned his bachelor’s degree from Glenville, he also was a four-year member of the university’s football team.

Published June 07, 2023

Retiring chamber executive is honored in St. Leo

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(Courtesy of Andrea Calvert)

The Town of St. Leo bestowed a proclamation of appreciation upon John Moors, executive director of the Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, who is retiring on June 7. The proclamation was bestowed during the Town Commission meeting on May 8.

Town commissioners honored Moores for his longtime service to the East Pasco area, including St. Leo, San Antonio, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

Moors has spent nearly 13 years promoting economic growth and quality of life in the greater Dade City area. He represented area businesses on the Saint Leo University Hospitality program industry liaison council and, at one point, was an adjunct professor at Saint Leo University.

Moors also initiated the “Access” series of events, which provides an opportunity to showcase the East Pasco area for elected officials and business leaders, and Moors nurtured the growth of the Annual Kumquat Festival, which is now an event with regional economic impact.

Published May 24, 2023

Community input sought on Zephyr Park update

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Zephyrhills’ largest, and most beloved, park is moving toward an upgrade.

But first, the city needed to reassure the public that plans had not yet been decided. City officials had to set the record straight because rumors were flying after an old rendering of renovations to Zephyr Park was shared on social media — sending the town into a tizzy.

Zephyr Park is a 34-acre park that features the Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment and a 5/8-mile fitness path. Zephyr Park includes many Civil War Era large oak trees that provide plenty of shade and a peaceful setting for recreation and relaxation. A $5 million renovation is tentatively planned by the city of Zephyrhills. (Mike Camunas)

Residents packed the City Council Room at Town Hall on April 27 to share their concerns and their desires for the park — with worries expressed about the potential for diminishing and dismissing the history associated with the 34-acre park on Fifth Avenue.

Zephyr Park is a popular gathering place for locals, featuring the Alice Hall Community Center, five lighted tennis courts, handball, fishing, picnic pavilions with picnic tables, barbecue grills, horseshoe pits, playground equipment, and a 5/8-mile lakeside fitness path. Some of its trees date back to the Civil War era.

And here is a community consensus improvements are needed at the park. But speakers raised concerns about the possibility of the Veterans Memorial being removed from the park.

Gail Hamilton, director of Community Redevelopment Agency, and other city officials, including City Manager Billy Poe, squashed that and other rumors circulating because of the social media post.

Residents turned out in force to an April 27 meeting at Zephyrhills City Hall to share their thoughts on a planned renovation of Zephyr Park, the city’s largest public park. (Mike Camunas)

Hamilton and Poe assured the crowd the Veterans Memorial will not be removed, but said it likely will be upgraded when the park renovations occur.

Poe said there had been some talk about moving the memorial to nearby Veterans Memorial Park, but he added that was only talk — no plan had been made to move it.

Another rumor involved the potential loss of the park’s five tennis courts at Zephyr Park. Poe refuted that, too.

“I’m just going to say it right out, nothing is happening to the memorial or the tennis courts,” Poe said. “They’re not going anywhere.”

Speakers also expressed their desires for the park’s upgrade. They’d like to see updates to Alice Hall, the restrooms and the splash pad.

Other suggestions include new amenities such as an adaptive playground, a disc golf course and a snack bar or recreational club room at Alice Hall.

They’d also like to see more amenities geared for older youth and teens, better park maintenance and an increased police presence at the park.

This 2016 rendering represents one vision of a Zephyr Park renovation, but the City of Zephyrhills is seeking public input to update the master plan to better reflect current desires, keeping in mind today’s economy. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

Hamilton said planning for the park’s upgrade is at the beginning stage — starting with finding out the community’s current desires.

“We hear you,” she assured the crowd. “We also see you with this turnout today at this input meeting, and we appreciate the passion of this community for this park.”

The artist rendering shared on social media was done several years and never reached fruition because of higher priorities, economic conditions and COVID-related issues.

City officials do have a budget in mind — as they requested $5 million in grants from the state — but were mainly focused on their new park project: Hercules Park, the other nearly $5 million project that will be adjacent to Woodland Elementary and behind the WaWa gas station on Gall Boulevard.

City and park planning officials want to be on the same page as to what should be done at Zephyr Park, as well as making sure none of it overlaps at Hercules Park.

Officials want to make sure having the same or similar amenities at both or either parks makes sense. However, they say further study and public input is needed, all of which will come over time and “several, several more meetings,” Hamilton added.

“This is not a shovel-ready project,” Hamilton said. “It’s not even really a ‘ready’ project because we are looking for more input. That’s where we are right now — looking for input from you (the residents).”

Published May 17, 2023

Hugh Embry Library to reopen May 30

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With construction and renovation nearly complete, Pasco County Libraries officials told The Laker/Lutz News the Hugh Embry Library in Dade City will reopen May 30.

Hugh Embry Branch Library, at 14215 Fourth St. in Dade City, is nearly complete with its $2 million renovation, and is set to reopen to patrons May 30. While some items are still on backorder, technology installation has begun and Pasco County Libraries officials say, ‘We are excited to show off the new look of the library!’ (Mike Camuans)

Officials also said “there are some final touches,” including partial furniture installation, which is scheduled with some items on backorder, while the next steps include installation and testing of public computers and technology.

The final steps involve the team members and librarians moving into the branch and planning service offerings, but officials added, “We are excited to show off the new look of the library!”

In early to mid-2021, Hugh Embry was cleared of its contents for the $2 million renovation to begin.

The Hugh Embry Library’s makeover will be a floor-to-ceiling remodel, and will include new furnishings, updated technology, faster broadband and other improvements.
(Courtesy of Pasco County Library Cooperative)

The renovation includes a complete overhaul and remodel of the branch, including new furnishings, lighting, computer, printers and even faster broadband.

It was the first time the branch received renovation work since 1991, when the library was expanded through a $10 million bond referendum passed by Pasco County voters in 1986 to improve public library services and build new parks countywide.

Founded in 1904, the Hugh Embry Library is the oldest in Pasco County. Its namesake, the then 25-year-old Embry, had exhausted books he could borrow from friends. He raised $50 to start a library and called it the Shakespeare Club. He chose books and ran the library out of his family home until his death from tuberculosis in 1907.

The Pasco Library Association was established to manage the library, and aided by The Dade City Woman’s Club. In 1927, the woman’s club began loaning books to the general population for free, out of a room in the Herbert Massey Building. Within a month of its opening, the library had attracted 440 registered borrowers.

For years, the library was unincorporated, though it continued to grow. It wasn’t until 1952 that Dade City gave property across the street from City Hall for a library building, and in 1953, the City took over responsibility for the library.

It would take another 10 years before the library finally moved to its current location.

After the Pasco County Library Cooperative was founded in 1980, it began operating and maintaining the Hugh Embry Branch under a no-cost lease. In 1988, the Dade City Commission sold the library to Pasco County for $150,000.

Published May 17, 2023

New Zephyrhills VA clinic ready to help veterans

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The road was long and sometimes uncertain, but after nearly four years, the new Zephyrhills Veterans Clinic is finally open.

Ground was broken for the $16 million clinic on June 7, 2019. But after the long wait, the new clinic marked its opening with a celebration on the morning of May 6.

Government officials, veterans and well-wishers gathered to welcome the new 14,000-square-foot facility, at 37827 Eiland Blvd.

The Zephyrhills Veterans Clinic, at 37827 Eiland Blvd., is now open, after nearly four years in the making. Government officials, veterans and well-wishers turned out for the May 6 ceremony, where they had a chance to tour the $16 million facility. (Mike Camunas)

It’s one of 16 clinics operated by James A. Haley Veterans Hospital (JAHVH) and will help address the health needs of veterans in Zephyrhills, the largest municipality in Pasco County.

“This facility will have all the stops under one roof for convenience,” JAHVH Director David Dunning said. “We believe in the qualities of the upgrades at this location in Zephyrhills, which was very much needed, and we will continue to provide our hallmark treatment and services known with the Veterans Hospital.”

The clinic is designed to accommodate people with disabilities and will offer new services such as podiatry and physical therapy.

Additional services it will provide include hearing aid repair, social work, food and nutrition and tele-health. Each patient will have an assigned patient-aligned care team that will consist of a physician, nurse, social worker and a mental health provider.

Patients needing surgeries and extensive therapy will be referred to the James A. Haley Veterans Hospital for those services.

Ten rooms will be used for primary care. Six rooms are devoted to mental health treatment, which aligns with the VA’s efforts to provide improved access to psychiatric care services.

People who need care but lack transportation will be able to take advantage of a service that provides free rides to appointments.

“I’m excited about the new clinic because it’s going to enhance the patient experience for our veterans,” Dr. Scott Knoeppel, chief medical officer of Zephyrhills Community Based Outpatient Clinic, said in a statement in January to The Laker/Lutz News. “The new clinic will be nearly triple in size, so we now have the capacity to add some high-demand specialty care services, such as physical therapy, podiatry and hearing aid repair.

A large physical therapy room will be used to provide services at the Zephyrhills VA clinic.

“Additionally, our mental health providers will be seeing patients in the new building, as well. Offering these services in one building will be of convenience to our veterans. Lastly, we will be expanding parking capacity, which had been a challenge at the previous location.”

The clinic’s construction was finished in late 2022, but supply chain issues delayed the opening.

Additionally, the Tampa VA had an unprecedented amount of construction activities occurring at the same time, swamping officials with a logjam of projects.

The main hospital unveiled a Bed Tower of 240,000 square feet and 150 beds on Jan. 21, the VA clinic in New Port Richey expanded to serve up to 24,000 veterans and Lakeland broke ground on a new 93,000-square-foot facility in April 2022.

Now, services at the Zephyrhills clinic will get underway led by a staff of more than 50 medical professionals.

David Issacks, director of Veterans Integrated Services Network 8, said the importance of the new clinic and its services are invaluable. 

“With everything and all the services we provide under one roof, people will walk through the doors of this great facility and always reflect on every veteran that served and made a facility like this, that is for them, possible.”

Published May 17, 2023

Longtime Saint Leo University AD to retire

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Saint Leo University Vice President and Director of Athletics Fran Reidy announced May 9 he will retire from his position after more than 35 years, the institution said in a news release.

Saint Leo University Vice President and Director of Athletics Fran Reidy announced May 9 he will retire after more than 35 years with the East Pasco college. (Courtesy of Saint Leo University)

Reidy, who led the Saint Leo Lions to win 30 Sunshine State Conference championships, earn two national championships and make 125 NCAA Division II championship appearances, will leave the university in August.

“I am extremely proud of all that Saint Leo Athletics achieved during my tenure,” Reidy said in the statement. “For over three decades, I never had a job, but a daily adventure. I would get excited each time I drove through the entrance and onto campus.”

Reidy became Director of Athletics in 1999, when the Lions had gone nearly 30 years with no conference championship wins and many sports were in the bottom of the Sunshine State Conference, the release said.

According to the release, Reidy has been recognized three times as the Under Armour National Athletic Director of the Year and honored as men’s soccer coach of the year two times by the Sunshine State Conference. Reidy is the all-time winningest coach in Saint Leo men’s soccer history with 139 wins.

Reidy’s contributions to intercollegiate athletics also include serving as president of the Division II Athletic Director’s Association; the NCAA Championships Committee, with one year of service as chair; and the NCAA Men’s Basketball Committee, which he also chaired for a year. He also made valuable contributions to the Sunshine State Conference.

Published May 17, 2023

Zephyrhills, St. Leo town officials sworn in

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The City of Zephyrhills has some new elected leaders, but they are familiar faces.

Melonie Bahr Monson, former CEO of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, is sworn in on April 24, as the City of Zephyrhills’ 21st mayor. (Courtesy of Kevin Weiss)

Former city manager Steve Spina and former CEO of the Chamber of Commerce Melonie Bahr Monson were sworn in at the Zephyrhills City Council’s April 24 meeting.

Spina was elected to Seat 2 on the council and Monson was elected as the city’s 21st mayor.

Spina, who retired from city manager in 2019, replaces incumbent Alan Knight, who had just completed his first term on city council. Monson replaces former mayor Gene Whitfield, who stepped down after three terms.

Spina received 60% of the votes over Knight, while Monson got 59% of the votes over fellow candidates Nick Deford and Martin Harm.

Also, Zephyrhills approved city charter amendments that affect these new candidates. Referendum 2 and 4 changed city council office and mayor terms, respectively, from three to four years, both passing with more than 60% of the votes.

Nearby, in the town of St. Leo, Commissioner Vincent D’Ambrosio was sworn in, representing Seat 2 on the commission. He also is the town’s mayor.

He ran unopposed in the April 11 municipal elections.

St. Leo Town Commissioner Curtis Dwyer kept Seat 4 on the commission, also running unopposed.

Both were sworn in during the April 24 St. Leo town meeting.

Also, in San Antonio, Mark Anderson, the town’s mayor, kept his position as commissioner, as he ran unopposed. Kevin Damic joins the town commission, also running unopposed and replacing Maximilian D’Water, who opted to step down after his term.

In other local government news, Dade City Commissioner Knute Nathe resigned from his Group 4 position to serve as a Pasco County Judge on April 13. The city is now accepting applications to fill the vacancy by May 13, however, a special election will be held within 60 days after the vacancy if the city fails to fill the vacancy.

Published May 03, 2023

Steve Spina, a former Zephyrhills city manager, is sworn in at the City Council meeting on April 24. He was elected to Seat 2 on the council. (Courtesy of Kevin Weiss)
Town Commissioner Vincent D’Ambrosio, who is also St. Leo’s mayor, left, and fellow commissioner Curtis Dwyer were both sworn in to their Seat 2 and 4 positions, respectively, at a town meeting on April 24. (Courtesy of Andrea Calvert)

Simons Road extension project complete

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Simons Road in Zephyrhills completed its two-phase expansion project and now connects Eiland Boulevard to Fort King Road. (Mike Camunas)

Motorists in Zephyrhills now have an additional way to get to State Road 54, State Road 56, and Interstate 275 thanks to the recent completion of Simons Road, according to a news release from the City of Zephyrhills.

Simons Road is a 1.32-mile stretch paved continuously from Eiland Boulevard to Fort King Road. The project, funded through impact fees, was completed in two phases.

BRW Contracting Inc., completed both phases of the project.

The first phase, completed in February 2020, involved paving Simons from Eiland Boulevard to the northern boundary of The Links of Silver Oaks.

The second phase of the project encompasses a new 700-foot road section, box culverts, gravity walls, sidewalks and turn lanes from Simons to Fort King Road.

Published May 03, 2023

Splash Pad, new park coming to Dade City

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A ceremonial groundbreaking marked the beginning of a new project aimed at giving Dade City children a new place to play, as well as more park space in the city’s downtown. (Mike Camunas)

Dade City officials, staff members and even kids from local elementary schools took part in a ceremonial groundbreaking on April 10, kicking off the construction of a family-friendly splash pad and park.

The new amenities are coming to downtown Dade City, next to the beginning of the Hardy Trail, near the town’s visitor center at 37800 Church Ave.

The new park also will include some new trails, restrooms and an amphitheater.

The project will be built by Borregard Construction.

The 2,500-square-foot splash pad will include an Aqua Dumping Bucket, Aqua Water Castle, aqua features such as jellyfish, a crab and butterfly, and even an Aqua Kumquat Tree, as a nod to the city’s fruit — which is celebrated in an annual festival. 

The $1.2 million project has been allocated through American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. The splash pad cost is estimated at $800,000. The adjoining restroom and mechanical room is estimated at $557,720.16.

The splash pad is expected to be done in the latter part of January next year.

Published April 26, 2023