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Memorial in Pasco County honors fallen law enforcement officers 

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DADE CITY – More than 100 people turned out Sept. 11 in downtown Dade City to witness the unveiling of a memorial honoring law enforcement officers who had lost their lives in the line of duty.

The ceremony on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse was the result of nine years of fundraising efforts, according to attorney Craig Laporte, who was one of the speakers at the event.

Attorney Craig Laporte, District 1 County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Dade City Police Chief James Walters and Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco unveiled the Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial during a ceremony Sept. 11 on the grounds of the Historic Pasco County Courthouse in downtown Dade City. Photo courtesy of Joe Potter

Laporte, who had been a Pasco Sheriff’s Office deputy in the 1970s and 1980s, said he understood the stress that families of law enforcement officers experienced when their loved ones were working. He added that the memorial is a good thing for families to relate to.

“Everybody chipped in to help to make this possible,” Ronald E. “Ron” Oakley said, adding that the memorial “was very much worth the wait.”

Oakley, who is chairman of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners, was another one of the speakers at the event. He represents District 1, which is located in eastern Pasco County.

“We’re not only honoring those who gave their lives . . . we’re honoring their families as well,” Sheriff Chris Nocco said. 

He added the memorial would be a place families of fallen officers could find solitude and receive God’s comfort.

Nocco noted he was at The Pentagon in Washington, D.C., on the night of Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists had attacked it along with both towers of the World Trade Center in New York. 

The demand for the memorial had been so great that it was actually ordered six years before the Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial and Benefit Foundation Inc. had enough money to pay for it, according to Laporte.

Several donors combined their efforts to contribute $100,000 in a week and a half, Oakley said. 

The final cost of the memorial hasn’t been disclosed but it was completely funded through charitable contributions to Pasco County Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial and Benefit Foundation Inc., which is a 501c3 nonprofit.

Members of the foundation and its supporters were reportedly inspired to create the memorial after having seen one in Polk County honoring law enforcement officers who had died there in the line of duty.

Brian Brown, the sheriff’s office’s chaplain, said a prayer at the beginning of the ceremony. Part of what he said was that fallen law enforcement officers had put their lives on the line so that others might live.

Several people who assisted in raising funds for the Fallen Law Enforcement Memorial are shown in front of it after it was unveiled on Sept. 11. Photo courtesy of Richard K. Riley

Other things that occurred before the unveiling of the memorial included Jennifer Ferguson singing the National Anthem and Dade City Police Chief James Walters leading attendees in saying the Pledge of Allegiance to the American Flag.

District 4 County Commissioner Lisa Yeager read a list of donors who had contributed toward the cost of the memorial.  

Donors recognized for their contributions were Adam Smith Enterprises, Barbara L. Wilhite P.A., BRW Contracting, Deeb Construction & Development, Deeb Family Homes, Heidt Design, JDR Properties of Pasco, members of the Maggard Family, Make A Difference (a 501c3 nonprofit), Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells, Pasco Office Park, PCS Civil, Randy & Shannon Blankenship, Ronald E. Oakley, Santo Carollo, Floria Commissioner of Agriculture Wilton Simpson, Sunrise Consulting Group, Tew & Associates, Thomas B. Dobies Funeral Home, Waist-Aid Systems and Wiregrass Ranch Foundation.

Cancer battle inspires a new path for Jolie Dopa

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olie Dopa shifted from music to fashion as she battled Stage 4 breast cancer. Photo courtesy of Jolie Dopa

Jolie Dopa has been working in the fashion industry for the past couple of years. This is a new interest of hers that was inspired, in part, by surviving breast cancer.

Dopa, who lives in Land O’ Lakes, was originally diagnosed with the disease in November 2017. It was at stage 4 at that time.

Dopa said she has survived since then due to having had 78 rounds of chemotherapy treatments and through God’s help.

Dopa has accomplished two significant dreams during her lifetime.

Her most recent accomplishment was being able to work in the fashion industry.

Prior to that, the other dream she had shortly after graduating from Land O’ Lakes High School was to become a musician. She began accomplishing that dream in Atlanta, Ga., when she was 19 years old.

She’s now well known for her album, “Struggling 4 Thee Diamond Life,” which was released in December 2020. She traveled far and wide as a singer and songwriter. 

Having cancer resulted in her mind being “totally reprogrammed” to do things that would bring her happiness and help her to heal, Dopa said. 

Healing, for her, is an ongoing process because Dopa said she will have to receive cancer treatments for the rest of her life.

She started to focus on things that didn’t require her to be in the public eye after taking a break from the entertainment industry. It was during that time that she felt led to choose to create unique clothing. 

“I believe God gives us the vision and then we must act on that vision. So I did and do,” she told Bold Journey magazine in a Sept. 29, 2023, interview.

Her career in fashion designing originated as a jacket line but has since grown into mostly wire bras, bikini bras and vest/jackets, she previously told Bold Journey. 

She began to make money off of her clothing by offering them for sale on Instagram after her mother had suggested that she do that, Dopa previously told Bold Journey. This led to her being invited to do her first fashion show as a vendor, Dopa also previously told Bold Journey.

The first show she was talking about was during the annual 2023 SKIN! Art Show, which was held at the Art Institute of Tampa on July 14 and 15, 2023.

Some of her other displays have also been featured at The Armature Works and Hotel Haya, both of which are in Tampa; and at Coastal Creative – The Factory, which is in St. Petersburg.

The past two years working in the fashion industry have been wonderful, Dopa said. She does about two to three events a month as a vendor. 

And she has also been posting her unique clothing on various other social media platforms since 2021.

But her life isn’t just about being involved in the fashion industry, Dopa said. 

She’s a single parent who’s actively involved in the life of her son, Josiah, who’s 10 years old. 

 

Want to reach out?

Learn more about Dopa by visiting her Instagram @d0paminedreamz or by emailing her at .

 

School impact fees to increase in Pasco County

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An increase in school impact fees charged on newly permitted single-family homes, multi-family homes and mobile homes will increase on Jan. 1, 2025.

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners adopted the ordinance on new fees by a vote of 4-1 during its Aug. 21 meeting in New Port Richey.

Commissioner Seth Weightman voted against the increase. Commissioners Lisa Yeager and Jack Mariano joined Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and Commission Vice Chair Kathryn Starkey in voting in favor of the increase.

The impact fee for a single-family detached home, which is currently $8,328, will be $9,328 next year. The impact fee will then increase annually through 2028 when it will be $12,328.

The impact fee for multi-family homes, including apartments, is currently $4,884 and it will be $6,389 in 2028. Mobile home fees will go from $5,114 now to $6,477 in 2028.

School impact fees are used by the Pasco County School District to help pay for school construction, including additional classroom space, and the purchase of land and school buses. 

Commissioners were told the cost of all those things provided for by school impact fees have gone up significantly over the past few years. 

For example, the cost of building schools has nearly doubled since 2017, according to district records. It cost about $178 per square foot to construct Cypress Creek Middle School in 2017 while the cost for a new school building that was recently constructed was about $390 per square foot, district records said.

Weightman said he was opposed to the increase because total impact fees in Pasco County will be over $34,000 when fees for parks and other public services are also included. Increasing the fees could result in Pasco County being a less affordable place to live, according to Weightman.

“Our impact fee today is $30,440 in the highest zone. When we add this over the next four years, it’ll compound over $34,000 and the other impact fees that this board is looking at coming out of line so very quickly, we’re going to be approaching probably the $40,000 mark, which is more money than some folks make in a year. 

“I’m concerned with our fee structure that it’s going to erode away the opportunity of home ownership for folks. I just want to put it into perspective that our impact fees are starting to be very heavy and are going up and going up and going up.” Weightman said he thought a workshop should be held to consider ways to reduce impact fees.

Weightman also said he was concerned about the additional financial burden that would be placed on Pasco County property owners by the passage of a $3,500 fee that was approved for parks. He said that schools to him are a bit more important than parks. Weightman also added he hoped the new parks tax could be reduced before the budget for fiscal year 2024-25 is adopted.

Starkey countered by saying the cost of living in Pasco County is “still very affordable” when compared to some other counties in Florida.

Oakley said there’s a demand for schools in Pasco County to get bigger and better because of the number of people who are moving into Florida and into Pasco County. This also requires that the county’s parks be kept up so both current and new residents may enjoy them.

Yeager said she agreed with Weightman that schools should be a top priority. 

”We’ve got to make sure that we get our money to schools,” Yeager said. “I agree to maybe back off the parks a little bit because we just can’t be hammered by all these fees at once, and we also have the MSTU for paving and it’s all going to add up.”

She was referring to the ordinance establishing the Road Rehabilitation Services Municipal Service Taxing Unit that commissioners adopted June 18 as a new way to fund road paving, rehabilitation, sidewalks and drainage facilities. The new ordinance will assess all property owners in unincorporated areas of Pasco County a tax of $51.84 per each $100,000 of assessed value. It won’t become effective until September when final decisions are made on the county’s budget for fiscal year 2024-25.

The new rate will be on Truth in Milling notices that will be distributed to the affected property owners later this year.

This ordinance did away with the method previously used by the county in which funding for road improvements were based upon residents living on those roads being individually assessed for the cost of the work that had been done. It had taken up to 10 years in some cases for the affected property owners to pay off their assessments. 

Under an ordinance the board adopted at its July 9 meeting, property owners who still owed money on the old assessments were relieved of having to continue paying them. This amounts to the county not being repaid $13 million for principal and interest that hadn’t been collected on the old assessments. 

Yeager also added she thought that maybe commissioners could “back off the parks a little bit.”

Mariano said he favors the increase in the fees because new residents are paying for the cost of the growth that the county is experiencing. 

Tom Wilbirt, of the West Pasco Board of Realtors, told commissioners during a public comment portion of the meeting that his organization wasn’t in favor of the increase. The growth that Pasco County is currently experiencing “is one of the main drivers of the economy” but higher impact fees “does nothing but drive up the cost of housing in our community,” Wilbirt said.

 

Combat-wounded vet gets new home

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One of the worst days in the life of U.S. Army Master Sgt. Christopher “Chris” Blauvelt (Ret.) was April 4, 2010, when he was severely injured by an improvised explosive device detonated underneath a vehicle he was in while serving in Afghanistan.

However, Aug. 17, 2024, was one of the happiest days of his life. That’s when he and his family were welcomed to a new, mortgage-free home on Nine Iron Court in Wesley Chapel.

Bernadette Blauvelt looks on as her husband, U.S. Army Master Sgt. Christopher “Chris” Blauvelt, cuts the ribbon Aug. 17 in front of their new home on Nine Mile Court in Wesley Chapel (Courtesy of Joe Potter)

The national nonprofit organization Homes for Our Troops (HFOT) presented the custom-built home to the family because of the severe combat-related injuries Blauvelt had sustained. In addition to his right leg having to be amputated, he also had a traumatic brain injury and suffered spinal fractures and a fractured pelvis.

Blauvelt told the approximately 100 people attending the ceremony at his new home that he doesn’t remember anything that happened to him on that day. But he assured them he would never forget the day he was presented the custom-built home that is specially adapted to provide him with a safe living environment. 

Blauvelt and his family previously resided in a two-story home in Tampa where he faced serious daily challenges. 

His new 2,800-square-foot home has four bedrooms and two bathrooms. One of those bathrooms is oversized and designed so he can safely roll into it to take a shower. 

Blauvelt, his wife Bernadette, and the couple’s five children – Coulter, Penny, Zoe, Mia and Zachery – are happily calling the new residence their home.

HFOT has provided mortgage-free homes to hundreds of combat-wounded veterans across the nation since its founding in 2004, according to Jocelyn Phipps, the organization’s community engagement coordinator. HFOT has lived up to its motto of “Building Homes, Rebuilding Lives!” Phipps said.

The nonprofit’s mission is to build and donate specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post 9/11 veterans to enable them to rebuild their lives, Phipps said. It doesn’t receive any federal or state funding.

Attendees saw Blauvelt receive the keys to his new home and triumphantly hoist a U.S. flag on a flagpole in front of it, as part of the ceremony. 

“Y’all don’t know how much this means to me,” he said. “I’ve never had a flagpole before.”

Blauvelt has a lengthy service history prior to being medically discharged in 2012. 

He enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard immediately after graduating from high school because he wanted to serve in a law enforcement-type capacity. He was a helicopter rescue swimmer for four of the eight years he was in the Coast Guard.

After working for the U.S. Postal Service for a couple of years, he joined the U.S. Marine Corps and served there for about five years, during which time he worked in Force Recon. 

The 9/11 terrorist attacks occurred about six months after he was discharged from the Marine Corps, which prompted him to join the U.S. Army National Guard based in Connecticut where he and his family lived at that time.

It was during his first deployment to Afghanistan as a National Guardsman that he  was severely injured. 

People were invited to tour the house after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Some of the activities preceding the tour were the presentation of the colors by members of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol and Autumn Rae singing the National Anthem.

Also, Elizabeth Evans Weiss was recognized as the general contractor for the construction of Blauvelt’s home, along with Jim Peley, project manager, and the staff and subcontractors at Elizabeth Evans Custom Homes.

Bonnie Purcell with Quilts of Valor wrapped one of their quilts around Blauvelt.

U.S. Air Force Col. Ret. Jerry Custin made some remarks on behalf of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-FL’s 12th District. 

Deb Kehoe, a volunteer with the Rosedale Fundraiser, talked about how the donations of HOFT had steadily increased over the years, including more than $400,000 raised in 2023. 

“Quite frankly, it’s not about the money,” Kehoe said. “It’s about what the money does for the veterans.”.

HFOT Executive Director Bill Ivey also made some remarks.

When it was his turn to speak, Blauvelt thanked family members, including his wife, children, mother and mother-in-law, for their support. Blauvelt said he hadn’t been able to sleep for two days before the ceremony and that he felt guilty about the mortgage-free house being built for him and his family. 

“I’m supposed to feel like this is amazing,” Blauvelt said.

He then announced he planned to begin going to college sometime next year, which resulted in a loud round of applause from the attendees.

 

Published August 28, 2024.

‘Killer Grannies’ takes on Tampa Bay

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Nearly three dozen people from all across the United States converged on the Tampa Bay area last week to let the world know about two evil grandmothers who used diabolical and deadly schemes to profit financially.

But the “threat” wasn’t real. Rather, it was the story of “Killer Grannies,” a film based on real life events.

In this scene, Killer Granny Kate Roberts (Jann VanDyke) looks on as a homeless man, Tom Watson (Chase DeMoss), enjoys a meal Roberts bought for him at The Golden Egg Café. Assisting are cinematographer Adam Boster and soundman Chris Tobin. (Courtesy of Lisa Manale)

The husband and wife team of Chuck and Karolina Morrongiello are directing and producing the thriller. The key filming locations throughout Pasco and Hernando counties were chosen because the couple lives in Land O’ Lakes. 

Some of those locations included The Golden Egg Café in Carrollwood, the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa, Caliente Resort & Spa in Land O’ Lakes, Perry Harvey Sr. Park in Tampa, Perich Eye Center in Trinity and Big League Haircuts in Land O’ Lakes.

Chuck Morrongiello, who has previously worked in the insurance industry, wrote the screenplay for “Killer Grannies.” It’s based on a common scheme in the insurance industry — when people take insurance policies out on others for their own financial gain.

The main characters in the motion picture are Kate Roberts played by Jann VanDyke, and Rosa Peters played by Rena Romano. Peters is reportedly the crazier of the two grandmothers.

Several other professional actors and actresses from across the U.S. are in the motion picture, including Chase DeMoss, who plays the role of Tom Watson, a down-on-his-luck homeless man. A professional makeup artist spared no effort in making DeMoss look homeless and bedraggled for the role.

The husband and wife team of Karolina and Chuck Morrongiello prepare for the filming of a scene inside the Edgecomb Courthouse in downtown Tampa where a felony trial was being held for the two “Killer Grannies.”

Granny Roberts makes the acquaintance of Watson, who has been feeding himself by rummaging through other people’s garbage, and she treats him to an all-expenses-paid meal at The Golden Egg Café. During that meal, Roberts pretends to care for Watson and comforts him as he tells her a story about his sad past life, including unfortunate things that happened in his family.

Later on in the film, the two grandmothers offered to help Watson get cleaned up so he can reenter society, and provide him a job at the Ostara Floral Shop that both the women own and operate.

And that’s where the nefarious insurance scheme begins. No spoilers here!

Matt Sabel, a student at the Winter Park campus of Full Sail University, a learning institution specializing in entertainment media and emerging technologies, served as a grip production assistant. He’s now able to add the film to his resume as he pursues his degree in digital cinematography. 

Veteran cinematographer Adam Boster did the majority of the filming, a trade he’s worked in nearly 40 years.

In addition to serving as a producer, Karolina Morrongiello acts in the film as well. She’s also involved in editing the film and guiding it through the post-production process, which will take between 12 months and 18 months.

Once finished, “Killer Grannies” will be eligible to be distributed throughout the world. A couple of the films the Morrongiellos have previously produced and directed, through their production company 3 Rats Entertainment LLC, have been seen in as many as 80 different countries, Chuck Morrongiello said.

For additional information about 3 Rats Entertainment LLC, call 813-417-4131, or email .

Published August 21, 2024

MiTek to open new manufacturing plant in Zephyrhills in 2026

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Construction technology company MiTek recently purchased 111 acres in the North Tampa Bay Industrial Park in Zephyrhills and plans to construct a 480,000-square-foot manufacturing plant and warehouse there according to the Pasco Economic Development Council (PEDC).

MiTek is expecting to invest nearly $80 million in the facility where steel connector plates and builder products will be manufactured for the construction industry, according to a statement by the company. 

The new location will allow the company to retain 125 jobs and create an additional 25 jobs.

Representatives of Zephyrhills city government along with Pasco County commissioners and members of the Pasco Economic Development Council are shown at the Aug. 6 BCC meeting following finalization of economic incentives for MiTek. The company plans to build a large manufacturing facility and warehouse in Zephyrhills. (Ryan Hughes/Pasco County.)

PEDC and the City of Zephyrhills announced the plan during the Aug. 6 meeting of the Pasco County Board of County Commissioners that was held in Dade City.

“We are excited to put down roots in Pasco County and to be part of the ongoing economic development in this area,” said Douglas Krauss, Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain and Manufacturing at MiTek.

“This new location is close to our present-day facilities, which will help us retain our talented team members, while also giving us space to increase capacity for raw materials and finished goods. We have a high concentration of customers in Florida, so this is really a long-term investment in MiTek’s future, our customers, and the Pasco County community,” said Krauss.

MiTek serves residential and commercial customers, delivering software, services, engineered systems, and automated solutions, according to a statement by the company. 

The Pasco County site will be developed in three phases. Phase one is currently underway and involves civil, geotechnical, environmental and architectural research to determine the best way to develop the site for MiTek’s specifications. 

Phase two will begin in the coming months as MiTek finalizes permits and contracts and begins site development and building construction, with the goal of breaking ground in the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Phase three includes purchasing equipment for the facility. MiTek is targeting to complete the building in the fourth quarter of 2025 and to begin operations in the first quarter of 2026.

MiTek has received economic incentives from both Pasco County and Zephyrhills for its new facility.

The Pasco County BCC approved a 10-year performance-based Economic Incentive Agreement for ad valorem tax reimbursement, job creation and a workforce training grant up to $3.15 million during their Aug. 6 meeting.

An artist’s rendering shows the front of MiTek’s new facility planned for Zephyrhills. (Courtesy of Pasco Economic Development Council)

On July 22, the City of Zephyrhills approved incentives totaling up to $2.9 million. Their incentive package includes waiving or reimbursing transportation impact fees up to $430,500 and permit fees up to $432,425. Additionally, a job creation incentive cash grant will be provided that will be equal to the amount of 50% of ad valorem city property taxes paid for the first 10-year period.

MiTek is the second major manufacturer to select Zephyrhills as a place to expand their business.

Bauducco Foods purchased 72 acres of the Zephyrhills Airport Industrial Park Ready Site in the third quarter of 2023, county records said. Bauducco, which is a Brazilian multinational company, expects to invest over $200 million in a new 400,000-square-foot light industrial facility that will employ about 600 people.

Bauducco is now one of the fastest growing cookie companies in the United States. Products that are produced at the facility in Zephyrhills will be distributed throughout the U.S., according to Stefano Mozzi, CEO of Bauducco USA. Zephyrhills was determined to be a great location for the location of Bauducco’s new and main production hub for the U.S.A. market, Mozzi added.

Bauducco’s new facility’s development will be completed in two phases and will utilize state-of-the-art production equipment and a sanitary design. The first phase will contain 96,494-square feet and is expected to be operational near the end of 2024 to early 2025, according to county records. The second phase will contain 306,506-square-feet and is anticipated to be fully operational by 2028.

Bauducco also received economic incentives from Pasco County and the City of Zephyrhills for their new facility. The Pasco County BCC agreed last year to provide a 25% ad valorem tax reimbursement not to exceed $4.43 million and a $100,000 workforce-training grant, and Zephyrhills granted Bauducco incentives totaling $8.27 million. 

The company must fill 120 full-time positions with an average annual salary of at least 80% of the median one-person income in the Tampa Bay metropolitan area to qualify for the incentives. The city also agreed to waive or reimburse transportation impact fees up to $331,000 and permit fees up to $606,750 along with providing a job creation grant equal to the amount of 50% of ad valorem city property taxes paid for the first 10-year period, according to city records.

Published August 14, 2024

Dade City considers new city manager to replace Leslie Porter

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Dade City is considering hiring a new city manager by Oct. 1 to replace Leslie Porter, who is currently in the process of negotiating a separation agreement with the city.

Porter became city manager on May 14, 2019 and was hired after serving as interim city manager for a few months following the departure of William “Billy” Poe. Porter has worked for Dade City for more than 10 years. She was the city’s finance director from 2014-2019 prior to assuming her administrative position.

Leslie Porter has been the city manager for Dade City since May of 2019 (Courtesy of Dade City)

City Attorney Patrick Brackins is negotiating a mutual, amicable separation agreement with Porter and her attorney. The city commission won’t make a decision on that agreement until it has been finalized and presented to them for their consideration. It’s not immediately known how much time it will take for the agreement to be prepared.

Porter’s proposed separation is due to a consensus reached by city commissioners to take the city in a different direction, according to a commissioner who spoke confidentially given the separation agreement hasn’t been finalized yet.

Porter has faced public criticism, which has led to controversy surrounding her tenure.

Remarks made during the public comment portions of some city commission meetings allege that Porter had not handled personnel matters in a proper manner. Some former city employees claimed they had been let go because of a disagreement they had with Porter, while others claimed to not even know why they had been terminated. Also, some former employees said they were unable to either gain back their former jobs, or be hired for new ones, because they were ignored when applying for reemployment.

Porter has previously said personnel records are public records that may be viewed under most circumstances. She added that those records show why decisions were made to terminate former city employees.

When the separation agreement has been prepared and agreed to by the city and Porter, her departure will not be the result of a “termination for cause or for misconduct,” Brackins told city commissioners during their July 23 meeting. One part of the agreement could be that Porter would be eligible to be reemployed in the future if she applied for a position for which she was qualified for, given her education or experience, Brackins said.

Both Mayor Scott Black and Commissioner Ann Cosentino said they thought Oct. 1, the start of its new fiscal year 2024–2025, would be a good date for Porter to step aside as city manager if a replacement had been hired at that time. 

But a majority of city commissioners also are in favor of Porter continuing to serve as city manager for 30 days after a new one has been hired. This is to ensure there is a smooth transition between the two administrators because of the amount of responsibilities involved. That time can be extended if a replacement isn’t hired by Oct. 1.

Commissioner Kristin Church emphasized the importance of having the opening for the position widely advertised so quality applicants could be found to choose from when the search does begin.

Mayor Pro Tem Normita “Angel” Woodard said she would like it to be required that the new city manager who is selected live in Dade City, as this would give him or her an opportunity to get to know the community better.

Porter has lived in Tampa during her tenure as city manager.

“God has a purpose and a plan for me,” Porter said in an emailed statement on July 30.

“Life is a journey, and I am excited to see where my next path will lead. Seasons change, and the commission is looking to move in a new direction. I can respect that choice.  

“I am proud of what we have accomplished in the city during my tenure both in finance and city administration. Throughout my career, my actions and decisions have been driven by what I believe is best for the city. I will miss the city, community members and staff. The staff is an amazing group of dedicated public servants, and I wish them all the best,” Porter said.

Published August 7, 2024.

Overpass at U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 anticipated to help resolve traffic situation

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Planners with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) announced earlier this year an overpass is likely to be the best way to help resolve the traffic situation at the intersection of U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 in Land O’ Lakes.

The anticipated cost of the overpass was approximately $222 million when FDOT officials discussed plans for it in February. However, the cost has reportedly since increased to approximately $260 million. 

An overpass at the I-4 and S.R. 46 intersection in Sanford (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

The Pasco County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) agrees with FDOT that the intersection of U.S. 41 and S.R. 54 is one of the busiest in Pasco County. The MPO is the lead transportation-planning agency in Pasco County, serving the municipalities of Zephyrhills, San Antonio, St. Leo, New Port Richey, Port Richey and Dade City.

Approximately 124,000 vehicles travel through the intersection daily and that number is anticipated to increase to 176,000 by 2045, FDOT said.

The intersection also has been identified by FDOT as one that has a crash average higher than the state average. A total of 442 crashes were reported there from 2012 to 2016, in which 90% of the crashes involved property damage, while the remaining 10% involved injuries. A single fatal crash was reported during the five-year analysis period, according to FDOT. 

The intersection reconstruction is among the biggest projects on the work plan for Pasco County, according to Tania Gorman, MPO’s executive director.

FDOT is reportedly in the process of conducting a Project Development & Environment Study for the construction of the proposed overpass. Its current schedule calls for property to begin to be acquired in 2028 for the improvements to the intersection, according to Gorman.

The design of the proposed overpass is still being reviewed by FDOT but it could reportedly be similar to overpasses that have been constructed in other locations, such as the one at Roosevelt Boulevard and U.S. 19 in Pinellas County. That type of overpass would be for through-traffic with turns made at the ground level.

It’s anticipated FDOT will hold a public hearing regarding this proposed intersection improvement project during the fourth quarter of 2024. The design phase will be conducted between 2025-2027 and right of way acquisition will likely occur between 2028-2030.

Funding has not yet been obtained for the proposed intersection improvement project, according to FDOT. 

Published July 31, 2024

Funding road projects will take a new approach in Pasco

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It’s going to be out with the old and in with the new when it comes to how funds will be raised to maintain roads in Pasco County.

The new method the Board of County Commissioners (BCC) recently agreed to calls for all property owners in the county’s unincorporated areas to be billed for the costs of road maintenance.

(Life Of Pix/Pexels)

The tax rate, which will be $51.84 per each $100,000 of assessed value, won’t become effective until September when final decisions are made on the county’s budget for fiscal year 2024-2025.

The new rate will be on Truth in Milling (TRIM) notices that will be distributed to the affected property owners later this year. TRIM notices, which are distributed by the Pasco County Property Appraiser’s Office, show the market value of a person’s property and the proposed tax bill.

Raising money this way will help to spread the cost out further, according to county officials, and it will help identify more roads that need maintenance and allow that work to be done more efficiently.

This is a different approach than what the county has taken over the past few decades — the old way to fund road improvements was based upon residents living on those roads being individually assessed for the cost of the work that had been done. In some cases, it has taken up to 10 years for the affected property owners to pay off their assessments.

Under an ordinance the BCC adopted at its July 9 meeting, property owners who still owe money on the old assessments will be relieved of having to continue paying them. This will amount to $13 million that the county will not be repaid for the principal and interest not yet collected on the old assessments. 

Published July 24, 2024

Lutz Guv’na race raises record-setting funds for community

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Three candidates vying for the coveted title of Lutz Guv’na raised more than $36,000 for their community through fundraising efforts.

This is the most ever in the friendly but competitive contest that has been held since the mid-1950s, according to Linda Mitchell, chairwoman of the annual July 4th parade.

Rob Brooklyn succeeded in raising more money than the other two candidates and was named the 2024 Lutz Guv’na. He was presented a colorful sash and a “key to the town” during an inauguration ceremony at the Old Train Depot on Lutz Lake Fern Road following the parade.

Members of the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol march down the parade route on July 4. (Courtesy of Deborah Erdahl)

Brooklyn has owned and operated Hardrock Landscape Services in Lutz since 1998.

The winner of the race is able to designate a specific charity in the community to receive 10% of the money they raised. Brooklyn designated the Learning Gate Community School in Lutz as the recipient of those funds.

The other two candidates for Lutz Guv’na were Joanna LaChance and Linda Mitchell — both retired educators.

LaChance is a former Exceptional Student Education (ESE) coordinator who worked for a combined 16 years in Palm Beach and Polk counties, before retiring. She and her husband own and operate the Lutz Pinch A Penny pool store at the intersection of Sunset Lane and U.S. 41. 

Mitchell was an eighth grade language arts teacher at Adams Middle School in Tampa for 25 years before retiring. She is currently the first vice president of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Paul Vahue, associate pastor for administration at First Baptist Church of Lutz, said the opening prayer at the patriotic event.

Members of Boy Scout Troop 12 and the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Florida Wing of the Civil Air Patrol conducted a flag ceremony, and Annabelle Depolis sang the National Anthem. Depolis finished in fifth place in the vocal category during the 41st annual Spotlight on Talent held earlier this year at the Wesley Chapel Center for the Arts.

Members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club proudly display signs on their float indicating their service involvement.

Individuals marched in the parade, along with numerous floats. An estimated few hundred people looked on while enduring the sweltering hot weather. 

Several prizes were awarded at the conclusion of the parade. The category winners were:

  • Best Vehicle – Guv’na candidate Rob Brooklyn
  • Bicycle – West Coast BMX
  • Classic Car – Peyton Rose
  • Commercial Entry – Mission BBQ
  • Golf Cart Entry – The Citizens of the Old Lutz School House
  • Most Patriotic – The Miss Susie Fire Truck
  • Most Spirited – The Lutz Chiefs
  • Themed Entry – Stark Farms
  • Walking Unit – Lutz Family Church
  • Youth Entry – Learning Gate Community School
  • Judge’s Favorite – Elite Ink
  • Grand Marshal’s Choice – First Baptist Church of Lutz

Prizes also were handed out to bakers who showed off their skills in a cake and pie contest. There were 43 entries in the contest, according to Barbara Booth, treasurer of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club.

Heather Garry’s cake took first place in the category of Adult Best Decorated.

Categories winners in the contest were:

  • Guv’na’s Choice –  Melba Pineiro
  • Adult Best Decorated – Heather Garry, first place; Sarah Robison, second place; and Laura Konga, third place.
  • Adult Best Tasting – Kay Taylor, first; Jeannie Mills, second; and Jan King, third.
  • Youth Best Decorated (11-18) – Jennings May
  • Youth Best Decorated (10 and under) – Nicholas May, first; and Rylee and Dixon Kleme, second.
  • Youth Best Tasting (11-18) – William Leahy
  • Youth Best Tasting (10 and under) – Jake Kosior, first; Juniper Parker, second; and Colette Henderson, third.
  • Most Patriotic (all ages) – Dee-dee Hancock, first; Gloria Russell, second; and Jennifer Rankin, third.
  • Cupcakes Best Decorated (all ages) – Deborah Robison, first; Aribella Grande, second; and Abigail Rankin, third.
  • Best Pie (All ages) – Katelyn Payne, first; Karin D’Amico, second; and Erin Kuma, third.

Activities preceding the parade included an early morning warmup with Jazzercise and a 1-mile fun run and 5K race with awards presented at the Old Train Depot.

Guests could also bid on baked treats at an auction in the air-conditioned comfort of the Lutz Community Center.

Published July 17, 2024