Zephyrhills/East Pasco News

Zephyrhills’ city employees to get raises

June 22, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Zephyrhills City Council has unanimously approved a plan to give 160 city employees a raise.

At its June 13 meeting, the council approved a compa-ratio, or “parity hybrid,” salary plan.

City employees with the most tenure will see the largest salary increases, which range from 4 percent to 14 percent.

The move will essentially place Zephyrhills employees in a more competitive pay grade compared to other regional municipalities.

For example, a 20-year employee will see a 30 percent jump in salary placement, while a 10-year employee will see a 20 percent bump. Employees with five years of experience will see a 10 percent pay grade placement jump.

The approved salary plan will cost the city approximately $1.5 million through September 2017. Under the plan, all but a few of the city’s employees will get a raise.

In determining the increases, the city consulted with Evergreen Solutions, who collected salary data from 18 different regional agencies.

City Councilman Charles Proctor was one of the most outspoken proponents of the salary increases, saying they are “long overdue.”

“I like the idea that we’re taking into account the longevity of employees,” Proctor said. “It’s not going to be easy to add another $1.5 million into the upcoming budget, but I do think our employees are well worth it.”

After September 2017, the wage increases will add roughly $1 million (including FICA taxes and benefit contributions) to the city’s subsequent annual budgets, and will come from four funding sources: airport, general, sanitation and utilities.

“It’s extremely difficult for us to come up with this kind of money — and that’s not just for this year, it’s from now on,” Proctor said. “Once we do it, it’s forever. In my opinion it’s not enough (of a raise), but it’s a good start.”

City Councilman Alan Knight said it was important to present a plan that would offer competitive pay compared to other Tampa Bay area municipalities.

“We do have a problem with turnover, and we’re in competition with people that are offering more money,” Knight said. “I think this is a good package.”

Knight added he feels “secure in the growth of Zephyrhills” to sustain the higher pay grades.

Over the past several months, City Manager Steven Spina and city department heads analyzed several salary proposals before settling on the “hybrid” plan, which affects the majority of the city’s employees.

“The pay grades we selected…were the best jump that we could afford at this time,” Spina said. “There are…more expensive plans that would benefit another group of employees, but we have to look at the viability of what we can afford and what we can continue to pay them down the road.”

Spina noted there’s approximately $3.1 million in the city’s budget contingency that can be used for funding the new pay hikes. Furthermore, Spina said the city is looking at other revenue sources to fund the increased salaries each year, adding that increases in the city’s property values could help ease the additional financial burden.

Though City Councilman Lance Smith ultimately voted in favor of the plan, he showed the most resistance in tacking on more money to the city’s budget: “The worst-case scenario is the economy falls off again and somebody gets laid off or several people get laid off because we’re locked in now (with the raises).”

Should Zephyrhills lack the needed funds to support the pay increases, city leaders pondered the idea of slightly raising millage rates in coming years.

“I have a feeling that we may have to look at the millage again to cover all of this,” Proctor said.

Brian Williams, the city’s finance director, agreed.

“I can’t promise that we won’t have to raise the millage in two years,” Williams said.

Published June 22, 2016

Welcome 700 Dade City Families!

June 15, 2016 By Diane Kortus

With this edition of The Laker, we’re proud to welcome 700 Dade City families to weekly home delivery of our newspaper.

If you live in the downtown area, or in subdivisions south of town along Fort King Road and Clinton Avenue, you most likely found today’s paper in your driveway, and can look forward to receiving it every Wednesday.

In addition to this new home delivery, we’ll continue to distribute 2,000 Lakers every week to 60 newspaper boxes, business locations and public buildings in the Dade City – San Antonio area. In Zephyrhills, we have another 130 outlets and 6,300 papers.

Adding circulation is a big deal in the newspaper world, especially one that represents a 35 percent jump in one community, all in one week. And we do so without hesitation, and with much confidence, because Dade City readers and business leaders have been asking for home delivery of The Laker for some time.

So when The Tampa Tribune stopped publishing so suddenly and unexpectedly in early May, we decided there was no better time than right now to add home delivery in Dade City. With the help of the fine folks at The Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, we selected neighborhoods with demographics that matched those of newspaper readers, and decided to take the plunge and add all 700 homes the Chamber was recommending.

Our goal is to fill the void left behind by the closing of The Tampa Tribune, which always had a strong following in east Pasco. Earlier this year, we began to step up our East Pasco news coverage when we hired Kevin Weiss as a full-time reporter assigned to Zephyrhills, Dade City and San Antonio.

Kevin, a 2014 graduate of the University of South Florida, has the enthusiasm, energy and passion about community journalism that make his stories easy to read and understand. He is a talented, hard-working young man I’m proud to employ, and one I hope you have an opportunity to meet.

Joining Kevin in our East Pasco news coverage is Kathy Steele, a seasoned journalist and excellent writer who covers transportation, growth and development, as well as Pasco County government. Kathy joined our staff a year-and-a-half ago after 15 years as a Tampa Tribune reporter.

Our newest journalist whose coverage includes East Pasco is Tom Jackson, another Tampa Tribune veteran who wrote a column about Pasco County politics and people for more than 18 years.

Tom began writing his column for The Laker two weeks after The Tampa Tribune shut down. His knowledge about Pasco County, and his genuine love for its people, passionately pours through his words. You’ll know what I mean if you read Tom’s column last week about the tragic bicycling death of Joe Hancock, a Dade City citrus farmer whose family has lived in Dade City for generations. It was a poignant column that was so well written that it brought me to tears, even though I did not know Joe or his family.

It’s Kevin, Kathy, Tom and editor B.C. Manion, who brings all this talent together, to give you an interesting and relevant news package every week. Their work makes The Laker different from other newspapers in East Pasco.

We give you a broader, county-wide viewpoint that includes news and stories about issues and people throughout central and east Pasco, including Wesley Chapel, Land O’ Lakes and Lutz.

People in Dade City and Zephyrhills are a vital part of this larger Pasco community. It’s where you shop, work, attend school, meet friends for dinner or drinks, go to movies, practice your faith, and visit family and friends.

Because your interests go beyond the town limits of Dade City and Zephyrhills, The Laker will continue to bring you stories about this larger, vibrant community where we make our lives.

Published June 15, 2016

Upscale RV park rolling into Dade City

June 15, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Recreational vehicles and RV parks dot the landscape of rural thoroughfares surrounding Dade City.

But, just north of the historic downtown district, a very uncommon RV park is being planned. This project, an upscale RV gated community with amenities more often found in pricey single-family home subdivisions, is moving toward development.

Hill Country Estates is at 17151 U.S. 301, atop one of Dade City’s rolling hills.

Hill Country Estates has 37 ready-to-build lots for RV owners looking for homes with pull-through garages and amenities such as a guest house, garden, court yard and observation deck atop the garage. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo) — Hill Country Estates has 37 ready-to-build lots for RV owners looking for homes with pull-through garages and amenities such as a guest house, garden, court yard and observation deck atop the garage.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

“It’s a pretty unusual project,” said Jack Buckley, real estate solutions provider with Exit Realty in Land O’ Lakes.

The site has 37 ready-to-build one-acre lots.

Construction on the first site is anticipated within 45 days.

A standard feature will be a pull-through RV garage. Buyers will have several floor plan options ranging from about 1,200 square feet up to a more customized 5,000 square feet.

There will be one-bedroom, one-bath; two-bedroom, two- bath; and three-bedroom and two-bath houses.

Amenities can include an observation deck atop the garage, a pool house, garden and courtyard. The base price will be about $505,000. There also would be fees for a homeowner’s association.

“We like to think these would be a second residence,” said Buckley. Though for some, he said it could be a third or fourth home.

Interest in the homes has been high, Buckley said, with more than 90 inquiries. Developers hope to acquire an additional 98 acres from an adjacent golf course in order to build another 80 homes, he said.

The initial goal is to sell at least half of the existing lots, and then expand, Buckley added.

The project’s location is centrally located with easy access to Interstate 75, and trips to Tampa International Airport and downtown.

But, Buckley said there also is plenty happening now and in the future in Dade City. Potential projects could include a new golf course and a boutique hotel, he said.

The Publix grocery store that opened in late 2015 at the corner of U.S. 301 and Clinton Avenue is also a plus. It’s a short drive from Hill Country Estates.

“That’s a big feature for us, because years ago where would people go to do their shopping?” Buckley said.

Published June 15, 2016

Group hopes to reopen Moore-Mickens

June 8, 2016 By Kathy Steele

The Moore-Mickens Education Center may get new life, through efforts by a nonprofit group to lease the center from Pasco County Schools.

The center, whose history is tied to the first school for black students in Pasco County, was closed in 2015.

Pasco County school officials said the buildings on campus were in disrepair and too expensive to keep open.

A flier on the front door of the administration building at Moore-Mickens Education Center tells visitors the school is closed. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photos) — A flier on the front door of the administration building at Moore-Mickens Education Center tells visitors the school is closed.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photos)

“It was a big blow, especially to the African-American community when the school closed,” said Jesse McClendon Sr., pastor of New Family Life in Christ.

An effort is underway by a nonprofit, operating as the Moore-Mickens Education and Vocational Center Inc., to reopen the school to house multiple programs. It is soliciting partners, such as Pasco Kids First and Feeding Pasco’s Elderly.

Board members include Dade City Mayor Camille Hernandez and Keith Babb, executive director of 2nd C.H.A.N.C.E. Center4Boyz.

The campus on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in recent years offered classes for adults, teen parents and special needs children.

The school’s name honors the legacy of two Pasco educators, Rev. Junias D. Moore and Odell Kingston “O.K.” Mickens.

McClendon said the nonprofit anticipates bringing a finalized plan to the school board in June or July.

Pasco Kids First is open to the idea of relocating its programs to Moore-Mickens, including Healthy Families and the Trauma Treatment Team.

“I think we can offer a very stable couple of programs to place at the site,” said Rick Hess, president of Pasco Kids First.

Moore-Mickens Education Center closed in 2015, but a nonprofit group wants to find new purposes for the historical school. Its roots date back to the first school for blacks to open in Pasco County.

Other programs being considered by the Moore-Mickens’ nonprofit would include a food bank, afterschool programs, an elderly nutrition program and voluntary prekindergarten classes.

The goal is to have the facility open in time for next year’s VPK classes to start, McClendon said.

“That would be something that complements the program we’re doing over there,” said Hess.

There are challenges for anyone taking on the building, said Ray Gadd, Pasco County’s deputy school superintendent.

“This is an old building with a lot of maintenance issues,” he said. “It also has undisturbed asbestos. As long as it’s undisturbed, it’s not an issue. We left the campus because it was a maintenance nightmare.”

However, there are about four buildings on campus that could be usable, with some work, Gadd said.

When the school district initially announced plans to close Moore-Mickens in 2014, school officials heard impassioned pleas from hundreds of people in the community who wanted to keep it open.

McClendon said the school, over the years, had become the educational home to a diverse population of students.

For many, it gave them hope and second chances through General Equivalency diplomas, and alternative educational classes.

“It surprised me,” McClendon said.

The community persuaded district officials to keep Moore-Mickens open, then.

But, officials reversed course a year later, citing the expense of repairs.

One last chance to secure funds for Moore-Mickens faded when Gov. Rick Scott in January vetoed $250,000 in the state’s 2016 budget to reopen Moore-Mickens.

The Cyesis teen parent program, FAPE 22 program for Exceptional Education students from age 18 to 22, Adult Education and the Support our Students (SOS) last-chance program were relocated to other schools.

When approached by the nonprofit, Gadd said he urged them to reach out to a range of social agencies.

An agreement with the school district likely would be a lease arrangement for $1 a year for a set number of years, Gadd said.

The district would require that the nonprofit have insurance, he added.

The group would be on their own to secure money for repairs, upkeep and program funding.

Funding is an issue, but McClendon said the lease agreement could make the nonprofit eligible for grants. One source, for example, would be state historical grants. Fundraising events also would be held, McClendon said.

The reopening of the school likely would be done in phases, he said.

Published June 8, 2016

City awards ZEDC $50,000 grant

June 8, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Zephyrhills City Council recently awarded a sizable grant to The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce to foster business growth and economic development in the area.

The council unanimously voted last month to renew a $50,000 grant to the chamber to continue to maintain the Zephyrhills Economic Development Coalition.

Melonie Monson, executive director of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, will help manage the ZEDC. (File Photo) — Melonie Monson, executive director of the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce, will help manage the ZEDC.
(File Photo)

The ZEDC is a unified effort between the city, the chamber, Main Street Zephyrhills Inc., and local businesses to support economic growth and business retention in Zephyrhills. It has more than 30 members.

Under the grant agreement, the chamber is obligated to do each of the following:

Manage the ZEDC
Develop marketing strategies that benefit the economic development of the Zephyrhills area
Cultivate business partnerships through outreach and advocacy
Collect relevant information that may be used for improved programs and services for local businesses

Melonie Monson, the chamber’s executive director, is responsible for managing the development coalition from the chamber office.

Monson said the coalition’s three main focuses for 2016 are job creation and business growth, city infrastructure such as roads, and the development of an educated and trained workforce.

Also, for the first time, the development coalition will handle marketing strategies and campaigns, in collaboration with the city.

Previously, the municipal marketing strategies for the development coalition were developed and implemented by the Pasco Economic Development Council. But, now the strategies will be completely turned over to the local development coalition, including the “Clearly Zephyrhills” marketing campaign.

Monson said the Pasco EDC would only get involved in future marketing strategies if they benefit the entire county.

Skip Skairus chairs the ZEDC Advisory Council. (Courtesy of CenterState Bank) — Skip Skairus chairs the ZEDC Advisory Council.
(Courtesy of CenterState Bank)

“At this point, we have our feet on the ground, we know the direction to go, we know how to run this program, so we’re OK that they’re backing away a little with us, and they have turned the campaign over to us to manage through the chamber and through the ZEDC,” Monson said. “They were instrumental to us in helping to start the ZEDC, and gave us ideas on what directions to go.”

Monson said one of the long-term priorities for the Zephyrhills development coalition is to attract a major industry to the city’s airport industrial park property, also referred to as the “Sysco Property.”

The 440-acre site is adjacent to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport and next to the CSX rail line.

The chamber director said the location is an ideal spot for a “big industry” to house its operations.

“The glory of this area is that it is the only site in Pasco County that’s large enough for an industry to come in,” Monson said. “This property is on the train line…that goes to Orlando, Miami and to the Tampa port. There’s not a lot of areas that have that ability, so this is ideal for some type of big industry.”

“Eventually, we would like this to be a mega site which is 2,000 acres or more, but we’re starting with this 440-acre site and trying to get it site-ready,” she added.

The development coalition also is exploring the feasibility of establishing a vocational-technical education center in the city.

Monson said a vocational aviation school has been under discussion for several months, even though Gov. Rick Scott vetoed a $1.5 million aeronautical program at the municipal airport in 2015.

“We just find that our airport is an ideal location to bring an academy to. We have the availability property-wise, and we just feel like it’s a market for our youth to be trained and not to have to go elsewhere to get this training,” Monson said, adding, “I think we need to be a little more prepared on how to bring that before the Governor this time around.”

The ZEDC was formed in April 2012. It is made up of two components: the ZEDC Stakeholder’s Advisory Council — a voluntary committee of business and community leaders in the Zephyrhills area striving to create a sustainable business and economic climate; and the ZEDC Steering Committee — a group of economic development practitioners, including key staff from partner organizations, such as the city, the chamber and the Pasco EDC.

ZEDC Advisory Council chair Skip Skairus said the development coalition benefits Zephyrhills because it helps facilitate ideas and programs that ultimately advance the city’s economic development.

“Prior to the formation of this organization, there were a lot of good ideas from a lot of folks in the city in regards to economic development. However, it would seem that for whatever reason, (ideas) would stall because there really wasn’t a formal organization to enact the different things in regards to marketing, research, site development and government advocacy,” Skairus said. “That’s where I really think the biggest benefit to this group is: to take the great ideas that have always been in place, but to make sure they all fall into action.”

$50,000 grant renewed for ZEDC
Funding allocations:

$15,000 toward managing the coalition through the chamber office
$15,000 toward marketing and promotional support
$10,000 toward business outreach and advocacy
$10,000 toward research and program delivery

Published June 8, 2016

Trails master plan under review

June 1, 2016 By Kathy Steele

Pasco County is mapping out its greenways, trails and blueways to preserve more of natural, wild Florida, and to give residents more opportunities for outdoor activities.

Increasingly, that brings into conflict choices between public access and private property rights.

Pasco County commissioners grappled with the issue at a May 17 workshop.

Commissioners are searching for answers on how to sort out some unique land use priorities in establishing a master plan for a county trails network.

Allen Howell, Pasco County’s senior planner for bicycles and pedestrians, talks with county commissioners about a proposed trails map for a master-planned system of greenways, trails and blueways. (Courtesy of Richard K. Riley) — Allen Howell, Pasco County’s senior planner for bicycles and pedestrians, talks with county commissioners about a proposed trails map for a master-planned system of greenways, trails and blueways.
(Courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

County staff are updating policies and a map that would be adopted as part of long range planning for the trails network. The map includes planned and conceptual trails, as well as existing trails, and already has the approval of the Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization.

But words carry meaning, and commissioners didn’t like the language of a proposed ordinance that struck out the word “new” in front of the word “development.”

It set off alarm bells on how existing development projects would be treated as the trails network is knit together.

“You’re not going to require existing developers to go back and upgrade to new standards,” said Pasco County Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey.

“I think it opens up a can of worms,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore.

While there is an increasing interest in recreation and exercise, Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader said, “I’m always concerned about unintended consequences. I just want some clarity on what the real intent is so we don’t have those unintended consequences. I support the idea of providing more recreation and trails.”

Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker said county staff is in early stages of drafting the ordinance, which would deal with policy. The regulatory process then would be the next step, she said.

“We haven’t started crafting the language yet,” Baker said.

Starkey said a “hierarchy” of trails should be identified. “We need to clearly define where are the master trails.”

Some of the lines on the map are ideas of where trails might go, and can be moved, she said. “We’re trying to get from (point) A to (point) B. We’re not going to take someone’s property to do it. We need to make sure that’s plugged in there.”

Many gated communities provide trails as amenities for their residents, said Allen Howell, the county’s senior planner for bicycles and pedestrians.

“Not all trails are publicly accessible,” he said.

The county’s trails network will be developed as part of area road projects, Penny for Pasco projects, the Sun Trail projects and private development.

Schrader said the marketplace would likely determine when and how private developers want to participate in the trails network, and when public access would be allowed.

Public comment wasn’t taken at the workshop, but land use attorney Clarke Hobby spoke briefly to commissioners, suggesting “softer” language was needed for the ordinance.

Afterward, Hobby said the county’s intent with the ordinance “isn’t clear.”

He suggested the county adopt its regulations for the trails creation before adopting a new map. “No one is against trails,” he said.

But, he pointed out one trail line on the current, proposed map cuts through private property in northeast Pasco that was bought 25 years ago.

Published June 1, 2016

Zephyrhills fire department remains status quo

June 1, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

The Zephyrhills City Council has decided to continue operating the city’s fire department on its own and not to merge with Pasco County Fire Rescue.

Council members agreed unanimously to keep the status quo, ensuring the department will remain intact and continue to utilize its two fire stations.

Zephyrhills city manager Steven Spina presented three options to the Zephyrhills City Council regarding how to proceed with the structure of the city’s fire department. (File Photo) — Zephyrhills city manager Steven Spina presented three options to the Zephyrhills City Council regarding how to proceed with the structure of the city’s fire department.
(File Photo)

The council’s unanimous support for the department drew a standing ovation for its action, from several fire department employees and their families at the council’s May 23 meeting.

The decision came after Zephyrhills City Manager Steven Spina presented three potential scenarios for the fire department going forward:

Option 1: Maintain the status quo and continue to operate as a city fire department with two stations and current personnel. Also, immediately advertise for a fire chief to fill the vacancy.
Option 2: Begin discussions with Pasco County on the concept of consolidating the department with Pasco County Fire Rescue.
Options 3: Consider the option of closing one fire station — likely station 2 — and consolidate fire services into one station to reduce operating and equipment costs.

Spina outlined the pros and cons for each option, figuring it was a prudent time to have a discussion on the topic, especially with the department’s amplified $2.4 million budget and its frequent management turnover. The department has had three fire chiefs in four years, including last month’s resignation of Fire Chief Daniel Spillman.

While the city manager wasn’t looking for an immediate answer from the council, he was given one: they agreed that Option 1 was the top choice.

“I think the citizens that we serve deserve the top quality that they get by having their own fire department and their own police department,” Councilman Charles E. Proctor said. “I can’t see myself voting to eliminate the Zephyrhills Fire Department.”

Kenneth Burgess, the council’s president, concurred: “I feel like it’s insurance—you hope you never have to use it, but you’re glad it’s there.

“I’m a big proponent of the city fire department,” he said.

City council members unanimously agreed to keep operating both of the city’s fire stations, including Fire Rescue Station 2, at 38410 Sixth Ave. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills) — City council members unanimously agreed to keep operating both of the city’s fire stations, including Fire Rescue Station 2, at 38410 Sixth Ave.
(Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

A 2015 report compiled by the former fire chief shows that 1 percent to 2 percent of Zephyrhills Fire and Rescue calls are fire related, while 76 percent of all calls are medical in nature. Nearly 23 percent of all calls are cancelled within route.

Spina noted there’s duplication in services with the city and Pasco County Fire Rescue, since the county also responds to all medical and fire calls. The county is then responsible for transporting all medical patients to hospital care, which they’re required to do by state law.

As a result, 80 percent or more of all emergency calls are covered by both agencies, the report shows.

Despite the duplication, Zephyrhills Fire Lt. Mike Richards feels it’s crucial for the city to still have its own fully staffed fire department.

Richards addressed the council, acknowledging calls could be handled more efficiently and effectively with the county. But, Richards was quick to comment that his fire rescue team often arrives to the scene at least three minutes faster than the county, which he said is a significant timeframe, especially in emergencies such as a heart attack or stroke.

“A three- to four-minute window on a medical call can make a major difference,” said Richards, noting the city’s sizable middle-to upper-aged population. “Minutes count — and I mean even one (minute) to two minutes.”

Richards said the department’s personnel supports keeping the status quo, and rebuked the idea of merging fire services with the county.

“There is a community connection to having your own services,” he said. “The second you allow an outside agency to (handle services), you’re under contract, and if it doesn’t fit the contract, you pay extra or you start negotiating. You have no control, and it’s a detriment to your community.”

That was the feeling of many people present during the meeting, including Zephyrhills resident Sharon Reisman.

“I’d like to keep things in a small city local,” Reisman said. “I think it gives you more control. I know it would probably save a lot of money when you consolidate with the county, but I think when you have local firefighters and local people protecting their own city, they’re more interested in it; it makes the people feel better.”

While the report also shows that about 80 percent of calls are made in the northern tier of the city, the Zephyrhills fire lieutenant was also against consolidating operations into one fire station, which essentially would eliminate staffing for Zephyrhills Fire Rescue Station 2, located on Sixth Avenue.

“This city’s physical size is long, not super wide. I cannot get to a citizen in the south near as fast,” Richards said.

The meeting concluded with the council directing Dr. Spina to begin the search for a new fire chief.

“Well, Dr. Spina, I think it’s time to hire a fire chief,” Burgess said at meeting’s end.

Published June 1, 2016

From ‘Wallflower,’ the perks of repetitive learning

June 1, 2016 By Tom Jackson

On the topic of what is suitable reading for students of impressionable ages, the recent action attempted by a handful of parents at Pasco Middle School is instructive mostly because it is terribly familiar.

Every couple of years, it seems, certain grownups will flex their preferences in an attempt to assert preemptory authority over what youngsters are either assigned or even allowed to read.

Tom Jackson rgb In 2014, it was a John Long Middle School parent who created a stir when John Green’s popular and well-reviewed “Paper Towns” landed on the mandatory summer reading list.

Now, the book in contention is Stephen Chbosky’s 1999 novel, “The Perks of Being a Wallflower,” which falls into the same genre: a coming-of-age tale. This one is told from the perspective of a bright, sensitive 15-year-old who, despite his willingness to simply observe from the sidelines, is summoned to experience virtually every cynical, malevolent or simply awkward social situation known to modern America.

Somehow, “Wallflower” became assigned reading for Pasco Middle School seventh-graders taking advanced language arts. That’s “somehow,” because the book got into students’ hands almost totally unvetted.

Pasco Middle’s copies came courtesy of a spend-it-or-lose-it philosophy rampant in taxpayer-supported enterprises. The school had dollars lingering in its materials fund at the end of the last fiscal year and, rather than return them to the cash-strapped district, they were hastily spent on the recommendation of an assistant principal and teacher who’d seen the 2012 movie and had read the publisher’s tout sheet, but not the book itself.

With a box of books that benefited from Hollywood branding just lying around, it was inevitable “Wallflower” would become part of somebody’s curriculum, which it did a few weeks ago.

Luckily, the teacher assigning the book is a long-term member of the faculty who has a reputation for thoroughly reviewing materials assigned students. Oh, wait. The complete opposite of that. The deed was perpetrated by a long-term substitute who also had not read “Wallflower.”

I am confident Pasco’s public school staffers are fans of handing out homework. Is it possible they do none of their own? How do you buy for a middle school population, let alone assign to a passel of 13-year-olds, a book no one has read?

No, forget reading. That could devour an entire weekend. How do you buy or assign a book no one has so much as subjected to an internet search? Within an otherwise glowing description, Wikipedia notes “Wallflower” was banned by some school districts. Some? Further investigation reveals “Wallflower” is a perennial target of angry parents and appalled school board members across the nation.

This does not mean the critics of “Wallflower” are correct, necessarily, or even that Chbosky’s work doesn’t have an appropriate age-group audience. Still, when a cursory search triggers caution flags, it’s a sure sign other education professionals should proceed warily.

Alas, wariness did not prevail at Pasco Middle, which had money to burn and at least one class with late-year time to kill. Small wonder parents staggered by the book’s frank descriptions of suicide, masturbation, drug use and homosexuality were not salved by the methods employed by an administration and faculty they want and need to trust.

Listen, it’s easy enough to rebuke red-faced parents and committees that issue tut-tutting opinions over questionable material as collections of rubes and yahoos. Try to make an argument on behalf of pulling books out of the hands of students or off library shelves without conjuring images of ignorant villagers mobbed up with pitchforks and torches, ready to deliver swift and permanent retribution to some poor, misunderstood innocent. It’s almost impossible.

But what I wrote in June 2014, the last time something like this came up, applies now: Generally speaking, banning books is a bad idea. On the other hand, virtually every rule has an exception, and so it is with this.

When it comes to what goes into a youngster’s mind, parents are the ultimate source authority. You might not approve of what mom and dad choose to withhold or endorse, but you know what? Tough.

If parents oppose exposing the teens under their care to the rough-and-tumble of life you know is out there and, in your wisdom, you think those shielded kids are being ill-served, well, good for you. Also, it’s none of your business.

Meanwhile, it’s on each school at every level, from the classroom teacher to the principal to the superintendent, to be mindful about the individual pace of exposure to the world their parents are willing to endure.

Pasco Middle School failed that fundamental assignment at every turn. Its sadder-but-wiser lesson applies across the region.

Tom Jackson, a resident of New Tampa, is interested in your ideas. To reach him, email .

Published June 1, 2016

Residents share ideas for improving Zephyr Park

May 25, 2016 By Kevin Weiss

Refurbished tennis courts, state-of-the art playground equipment and an increased presence of law enforcement officers are just a few examples of the many requests local residents have for the redevelopment of Zephyr Park.

Dozens of people gathered to offer their ideas for improvements at Zephyr Park, during a May 12 open house at the Alice Hall Community Center.

The Zephyrhills Community Redevelopment Agency organized the public session to solicit public participation in developing the park’s master plan, which will be presented to the Zephyrhills Parks & Recreation Board and the City Council in August.

Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton, left, speaks with residents during an open house at the Alice Hall Community Center on May 12. (Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos) — Zephyrhills CRA director Gail Hamilton, left, speaks with residents during an open house at the Alice Hall Community Center on May 12.
(Kevin Weiss/Staff Photos)

Representatives from Kimley-Horn and Associates Inc. — the park’s design team — also were present to answer residents’ question on the planning process.

Residents were able to see several graphics featuring possible park amenities, such as various types of pavilions, public art displays, water splash pads and playgrounds.

Attendees also could fill out comment cards and provide priority rankings on park changes they’d like to see.

“What I really want to do is get an idea of what the residents want — to get a concept of it,” said Gail Hamilton, CRA director for Zephyrhills. “The citizens of Zephyrhills deserve an urban park as good as anything you would find in Tampa or in St. Pete.”

Shown is an aerial map of Zephyr Park and surrounding streets.

Hamilton said it’s critical for the city to have a “great park system” to help increase the value within the CRA district, which is a 520-acre area that essentially encompasses the center spine of the city, generally between Hercules Park to C Avenue, and from Zephyr Park to 17th Street.

“We are competing with Wesley Chapel, we are competing with every city in central Florida, so…by improving the park, people who live in this neighborhood, their homes become more valuable,” she explained.

“We could entice someone to build homes nearby that’s market rate, not low-income. So, we’re really looking to not only build a park, but also improve the surroundings around it,” Hamilton said.

She also said she’d like to see a few water features added to the park’s master plan to accentuate Zephyrhills’ branding as the “City of Pure Water.”

“We want to create this natural environment of what a creek in ‘real Florida’ or ‘natural Florida’ would look like…and return a portion of the park to its natural state,” Hamilton said, adding a children’s water park would be a nice addition, too.

The most popular topic, however, was the resurfacing of the park’s five tennis courts.

Open house attendees filled out comment cards listing what additions they’d like to see improved at Zephyr Park ‘today’ and in the ‘future.’

“The single most used thing in this park is the tennis courts,” said Fred Hall, who lives in East Pasco. “There’s not a thing on any of (the image) boards relating to the tennis courts. That’s the only thing I would use at this point. That’s what’s keeping this park alive is those tennis courts, and nobody even addresses that in this survey that they’re doing, which is sad.”

Hall added the courts are currently almost unplayable due to the number of “lumps and cracks” that have popped up over time.

“We spend our money in this town,” he said. “If they get much worse, all the people that are playing here, they’ll go spend all their money going someplace else.”

That’s what one Zephyrhills family already does.

Brad Bricker said he regularly takes his four children to Common Ground Park in Lakeland, referring to that park as a “destination to go to.”

“Common Ground is such a fun park because the adults are playing, the kids are playing, there’s stuff where everybody wants to get on the equipment and play,” Bricker said. “Their tennis courts actually have a pro shop and a place where they can actually have tennis events. I see something like that happening, where there’s actually tennis competitions happening and more new-age, modernized-type equipment.”

He continued, “(Zephyr Park) has tennis courts, but there’s not really anything happening with them in that sense. If there was a stadium-style tennis court here, you could bring in events…and have a park where people want to drive from other areas to come to.”

Bricker added the park “definitely needs” some new features, whatever they may be.

“It is pretty much outdated,” he said. “Even the newer equipment they’ve put in over the years is kind of…fading and dilapidated.”

Another Zephyrhills resident, Lani Prilliman, is glad the city is finally getting around to improving the park. She said she’d like to see to more law enforcement and lighting at night to curb suspicious activity she’s witnessed.

“There’s been some issues in the evenings,” Prilliman said.

However, Prilliman sees the park’s long-term potential.

“It is a diamond in the rough,” she said. “The park just needs some updating and some sprucing up. I’ve been here a long time, and the park seems to not get much attention.”

While the CRA and park’s design team will consider the residents’ suggestions, Hamilton emphasized that a park with significant amenities could attract hundreds of people into Zephyrhills every day.

“I’m trying to do a great urban park and not just a park for 20 people,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton said she plans to seek state grants, corporate sponsorships and find out what kind of funding the city can provide, to determine a budget for the master plan.

Published May 25, 2016

Brick roads preserve a sense of history

May 25, 2016 By Doug Sanders

When four people tripped and fell during Dade City’s Church Street Christmas celebration in 2000, the incident triggered an unexpected outcome.

The strollers were enjoying a holiday outing when they stumbled across holes in the street where asphalt paving had worn through to the brick street beneath.

This company logo is frequently found on the brick streets in Dade City. In 1933, the Southern Clay Manufacturing Company had contracts with Miami, Jacksonville, St. Augustine and St. Petersburg. At least 80,000 bricks were made daily for streets. The company also made fire and chemical bricks, clay sewer pipe, various construction bricks and telephone line conduit.
(Photos courtesy of Doug Sanders)

The city’s director of public works, Ron Ferguson, reported at a January 2001 City Commission meeting that no one was injured.

But, what to do about the holes in the street?

According to records obtained from Angie Guy, Dade City’s city clerk, a consensus was reached.
The city’s historic preservation advisory board recommended that city crews “strip asphalt from Church Avenue” and make repairs with salvaged brick and new brick, if necessary, “to significantly enhance historic preservation in Dade City.”

The City Commission agreed to the brick restoration “after considerable discussion and on recommendation of staff.”

Removing the asphalt without damaging the bricks would prove to be no easy task, according to a St. Petersburg Times report from some 16 years ago.

“With all the work that has to be done just on a daily basis, we did not think we could do it,” Ferguson told the newspaper.

On April 5, 2001, the city started a “pilot program” with five city employees, a Bobcat Skill loader, a Caterpillar backhoe, a 10-yard dump truck, and some improvised hand tools.

In his progress report to the City Commission, Ferguson indicated that a 2-inch layer of asphalt had been cleared on Church Avenue from Eighth Street to 17th Street.

Work was done “after 9:30 a.m., to allow school traffic time to leave the area,” Ferguson’s report said.

Stanley Burnside, born in 1920, and his father Archie Burnside, served a combined total of 17 terms as the Pasco County Clerk of the Circuit Court. The younger Burnside graduated from Pasco High School in 1937.

Additional equipment was needed to clean “fine pieces of crushed asphalt and dirt” by using a tractor equipped with a water tank and the city’s street sweeper.

It cost a total of $4,133.78 to expose the layer of red bricks that had been laid more than 70 years ago.

Each one of the bricks was from the Southern Clay Manufacturing Company, in Robbins, Tennessee.

Ninety-six-year-old Stanley Burnside lives near Church Avenue, which is the only street in Pasco County designated a national historic site.

To him, the brick streets bring back memories of a different era when people were riding in Model-T Fords and Warren G. Harding was the 29th President of the United States.

On a recent Sunday afternoon, Burnside agreed to walk the two blocks from his townhome in downtown Dade City to the corner of 12th Street and Meridian Avenue.

Standing at the same spot as he did in 1927, he is photographed with Rodney B. Cox Elementary School over his right shoulder.

“I was 7 years old, but I still remember them laying down the brick by hand,” Burnside recalled.

From Meridian Avenue heading north, the brickwork was laid without any mortar and was headed straight to what was then the Dade City Grammar School, at the far end of 12th Street.

Burnside often walks past this same corner on his daily walks, which sometimes gives him time to think about the brick streets in Dade City.

“You might say they last forever,” says Burnside, who celebrated his 96th birthday on May 23.

Over the years, maintaining the brick streets has posed its share of challenges.

City Manager Ben Bolan described some of them in a 1988 interview with The Tampa Tribune.

Because of the difficulty in finding skilled labor to do the maintenance work, Bolan recommended that Fifth Street and 10th Street be repaved, due to sections of those brick streets being uneven, creating a potential hazard, if drivers didn’t slow down.

But, the consensus of the City Commission was the same then as it was for Church Avenue.

“(The Commission’s) general philosophy is that there will never be another brick street paved over in Dade City,” Bolan was quoted by the newspaper 28 years ago.

And, to this day, there hasn’t been.

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