The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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SADD names local student for national post

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Shaina Finkel likely didn’t know at the ripe old age of 6 that one day she would be taking her place on a national stage for a group that’s primary mission is to save lives.

But that’s exactly what happened on July 28, when the Wiregrass Ranch High School student was sworn in as the national student president for Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD).

Her selection was celebrated during a national news conference, which took place at Wiregrass Ranch High School and was streamed by SADD’s social media channels.

Shaina Finkel is the new national student president for Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD). The Wiregrass Ranch High student was sworn in during a national news conference last week, and took a moment to thank a long list of supporters in life, including her parents, grandparents, SADD chapter members and the Wiregrass Ranch school administration. (Courtesy of Pasco County Schools)

One of the key speakers at the event was Greg Finkel, the adviser for the SADD chapter since Wiregrass Ranch High opened. He’s Shaina’s dad.

“We do it to save lives,” said Finkel, who has been the adviser of the Wiregrass chapter since it began in 2008.

The chapter’s T-shirts have a Superman logo on the front and words on the back that say: “How to save a life.”

His pride in his daughter’s accomplishment was palpable, as he struggled, occasionally, to maintain his composure.

She was just a little girl, he said, when she asked if she could come along to a chapter meeting.

Finkel thought to himself: Why not?

She became a regular, and even at that early age, she was a leader, he said.

Whether the chapter was working with young kids or the elderly, he said, “she took over.”

As she grew older, she became even more involved.

At one point, she asked Finkel if he thought she could become chapter president.

He said he didn’t see why not, but they would have to see about it when she got to high school.

Shaina became president of the Wiregrass chapter during her sophomore year, and now, as a rising senior, she is entering her third year in that role.

Last year, though, she told Finkel: “Dad, I would like to see if we can go a little bit further.

“And,” he added, “here we are.

“Pretty amazing.”

Kids today face greater pressures
Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning joined in the celebration.

“This is a big deal. This is a very big deal, isn’t it?” Browning said, adding he understands that today’s students are under a great deal of pressure.

“It was way different 45 years ago, when I graduated from Pasco High School,” the superintendent said. It was different, too, he added, when his sons, who are now in their 30s, graduated.

The leadership, exhibited by Shaina, and other officers in Wiregrass’ SADD chapter, “goes a far distance in encouraging students to make great choices in their lives,” Browning said.

SADD president and CEO Rick Birt conducted the swearing-in ceremony, as Shaina became student president of an organization with 7,500 chapters nationwide.

“Today, we honor your community, we honor your chapter, we honor the resilience and the compassion of one remarkable young woman as she assumes a new leadership role,” Birt said.

“As the national president, she will serve as our key spokesperson, representing SADD in the media,” he said.

She also will help advise and guide the organization in its programming and structure, while working closely with SADD staff, students, advisers, partners and stakeholders across the country, he said.

Shaina said she applied for the role because she was looking “to bring the amazing work that my chapter does to a new level. I wanted them to be in the spotlight. I think we work so incredibly hard here, to make change, to really empower students and I just thought that needed to go to a new level.”

She said she saw the application for the position on social media.

“With little hesitation, I went ahead and I applied. It really was a shot in the dark,” Shaina said.

“To me, SADD is very much an opportunity. It is an opportunity to be more than yourself. To help others. To help the community.

“It gives you the opportunity to connect with others who have the same mindsets and the same goals and aspirations, that you have,” she said.

Helping students find a place they belong
She sees the organization as a way to tackle issues and to play an important role in the lives of others.

“I believe many high schoolers, and middle schoolers for that matter — they’re very lost. They don’t know their group of people. It’s very hard to find a group of people that believes the same things as you.

“So, SADD allows for students across the nation to come together and find each other … to be able to work together, to make incredible changes,” she said.

The past year brought many obstacles, she said. But, she added, the students and adults involved with SADD “are so ready to adapt and be able to change on a dime, to keep helping students.”

Shaina wants to make mental health a key priority.

“There is such a negative stigma that surrounds having a mental illness. You walk around campus and nobody really sees it, but if you really just tune in and think about it, there are so many students who are right next to us who are struggling. They are suffering. And, they feel alone because they’re too embarrassed to go and speak out about what they’re feeling,” she said.

That’s because, she said, “they don’t realize there is someone right next to them who has, or does, feel the same way.”

SADD wants “to show kids that they’re not alone and to touch those topics that most people try to avoid because they are uncomfortable topics,” she said.

Published August 04, 2021

Looking to add some interest to your landscape?

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When Joel Jackson wants a little adventure, he just picks up his camera and goes for a field trip — without ever leaving his yard.

“For 30 minutes or 45 minutes, I walk around the house. I see all of these insects and bugs and butterflies. I take pictures of them and I love it,” said Jackson, recent recipient of a Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Award, for residential landscape, in Pasco County.

Joel and Barbara Jackson display the award that Joel received for his water-wise yard. He’s a huge advocate of Florida native plants — which require less water and attract bees, birds and butterflies. He said he consults Barbara when choosing plants to add to their yard. (B.C. Manion)

When Jackson sets out on his explorations, he never knows exactly what he’ll encounter.

One day, as he was capturing an image of a swamp hibiscus, a butterfly flew in and landed on the  bloom — right on cue.

On another day, he may observe a lady beetle perching on a Duck Potato plant, or a Monarch caterpillar curled up on a flower bud.

On a really lucky day, he’ll capture a Monarch emerging from its chrysalis.

Chances are good that he’ll see something interesting: His yard is a showcase of flourishing Florida native plants. It’s exactly the kind of landscape that attracts all sorts of birds, bees and butterflies.

His yard also demonstrates what can be achieved — even with a limited use of water and little, or no, use of fertilizer and pesticides.

Narrowleaf Silkgrass is a perennial wildflower, not a grass. It grows to 30 inches high and has showy autumn yellow flowers.

Jackson, who lives with his wife, Barbara, at 23438 Cherbourg Loop, in Land O’ Lakes, said the secret is learning how to work with the ecosystem.

“When you do go native, you have to have information,” he said.

Jackson has built up his knowledge — through professional and personal pursuits.

He’s a member of the Suncoast Chapter of Florida Native Plant Society (FNPS), in Hillsborough County; the Nature Coast Chapter of FNPS, in Pasco County; and, the Tampa Audubon Society.

Before retiring, he worked for decades in grounds maintenance, landscape design and management, park planning and park design, and other roles — shifting between the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County.

He managed two bond issues in Hillsborough County — one for $10 million to develop Lettuce Lake Park, Alderman’s Ford, Upper Tampa Bay and three nature parks; and another for $20 million for park improvements.

He wasn’t introduced to native plants until he was in his 30s.

The time a Monarch chrysalis takes to emerge as a butterfly varies according to the temperature. The warmer it is, the less time it takes.

He said he frequently worked with advisory boards, and a member of one of those boards asked him: “You’re doing native plants, aren’t you?”

“I said: ‘There are native plants?’”

He decided it was time to learn about them.

So, he started visiting native plant nurseries and observing how the plants grew.

This Lady Beetle seems quite at home on this Duck Potato plant. Duck Potato grows in wet ditches, pond edges and banks. It is commonly used in pond and wetlands restoration.

Then, he began experimenting in his half-acre yard at home, near the community of Lake Magdalene, in Hillsborough County.

“What made the difference was when I started to realize how important the native plants were to the wildlife,” Jackson said.

After retirement, he and Barbara moved to their current home, which is next to the Cypress Creek Preserve.

During a recent interview, he walked around, talking about some of his native plants, trees and shrubs.

“This tree, here, is a weeping yaupon. It’s a wonderful tree. It has a lot of really neat advantages. It’s a holly. It’s one of five hollies that we have that are local,” he said.

The tree’s leaves, he said, can be used to make tea — which he did, just the day before.

Stokes’ Aster is native to Florida’s wet pinewood. It has very splashy flowers in the summer. Its bright flowers attract bees and butterflies. It prefers wet, but well-drained soil.

He has a dwarf blueberry plant, too.

“What’s nice about this is that it’s easy to grow. It has a wonderful flavor. It’s a marvelous plant,” Jackson said.

He also has coreopsis, which is the state’s wildflower. And, he has blanketflower that he says is easy to grow.

His Spiderwort, he said, “comes out in the morning, and by night, it’s folded up and gone.”

There’s coontie in his yard, too. That’s “probably the most waterwise plant you can get. It’s a cycad. It’s not a palm,” he said.

A walkway leads from the front of his home to the back. It’s aptly named, Butterfly Crossing — because butterflies can be seen fluttering about in an area loaded with plants that attract butterflies, bees and other pollinators.

“The firebush has flowers that butterflies like. At the same time, hummingbirds like them,” Jackson said.

Simpson’s Stopper is a shrub or small tree of 15 feet to 40 feet tall. It is a long-lived evergreen perennial. Pollinators are attracted to white flowers. Its edible berries attract birds.

The wildlife enthusiast also has nesting boxes for bluebirds, a duck box and a bat box. He has wetlands plants, too.

The lawn out front is lush and healthy.

“It has not been fertilized in years — probably four or five years,” Jackson said. Plus, he said, he uses no pesticides.

He lets nature take its course.

He’s vigilant about conserving water, too.

“We don’t do anything on a routine basis.

“I have a soil sampler that I push down and I check the soil for moisture,” Jackson said. “I don’t irrigate, until I know the soil needs it.”

He also notes that within a single yard, water needs can vary greatly — so it’s important to know your landscape, and its needs.

Swamp Milkweeds are perennial wildflowers that prefer fertile, organic soils. They grow 1 foot to 2 feet tall. They are butterfly nectar plants, and are larval plants to Monarch and Queen butterflies.

He said he can go nearly a year and only irrigate three or four times, or perhaps even less.

“In the summertime, we very rarely ever irrigate because we get a lot of rain here in Florida,” he said.

When sharing his passion for native plants, he typically doesn’t begin by talking about the plants.

Instead, he said: “I start off with: ‘Is wildlife important to you?’

“I tell them:  ‘If you really like birds, you need to do native plants.’”

Occasionally, he’ll encounter pushback from people who have zero interest in native plants.

But some people are more receptive, and they will give native plants a try.

Jackson said he knows that’s true because he’s received emails, particularly during the pandemic, from people who tell him: “You know, I put some native plants in my yard and I go out there and I can’t believe all of the birds and the butterflies I’m getting.’”

That’s exactly the kind of enthusiasm he’s hoping to inspire.

It’s good for wildlife. It’s good for the environment. And, it’s good for people who want to enjoy their landscapes, he said.

“Your yard can be an exciting place. Native plants bring life to your yard,” Jackson said.

If your organization would like to invite Joel Jackson to give a talk about native plants and their benefits to wildlife, you can reach him by email at .

Coreopsis leavenworthii (Tickseed) is the official Florida Native Wildflower. It comes in 16 varieties and blooms in spring and summer. It grows 12 inches to 24 inches tall, and thrives in full sun. It is common to damp pine woods and roadside ditches. It attracts bees and butterflies, and is a popular roadside flower.

Good Central Florida Native Plants for wildlife
Wildflowers: Beach sunflower, Black-eyed Susan, Partridge pea, Spiderwort, Starry rosinwood, Tickseed, Tropical Sage
Shrubs, vines and grasses: American Beautyberry, Blazing star, Blue-eyed grass, Coral Honeysuckle, Dotted horsemint, Elderberry, Firebush, Florida green eyes, Frostweed, Rouge plant, Saw palmetto, Southern Dewberry, Stokes aster, Walter’s viburnum, wild coffee
Trees: Cabbage palm, Coral bean, Dahoon holly, Red mulberry, Simpson’s Stopper, Yaupon holly
Butterfly larva host plants: Coontie, Frogfruit or Turkey Tangle, live oak, milkweeds, Passion flower (corky stem), Passion flower (purple), Twin flower

Source: Joel Jackson

The Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards program recognizes individuals and businesses that are committed to conserving water resources and protecting the environment by using the best in attractive, Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ as well as irrigation systems or techniques that minimize water waste.
The Tampa Bay Community Water Wise Awards are a partnership between Tampa Bay Water, University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension Office, and each county in the region.
Winning landscapes represent the beauty and resiliency of the natural environment.
Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore bestowed the award for residential landscape to Joel Jackson, of Land O’ Lakes. Pasco County Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick bestowed the award for non-residential landscape to Laura Starkey, of Heartwood Preserve.
To find out more about the awards, visit Awards.tampabaywaterwise.org.

Published July 28, 2021

The Laker/Lutz News wins best in class in state newspaper contest

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The Laker/Lutz News received 27 awards in the 2021 Florida Press Association Weekly Newspaper Contest, and won first place, overall, in its division.

The top honor resulted from a team effort — with awards received for news and feature stories, page design and photography.

Diane Kortus, publisher of The Laker/Lutz News, stands alongside Jim Fogler, president and CEO of the Florida Press Association and Intersect Media Solutions. (Courtesy of Florida Press Association)

Newspaper staffers Kevin Weiss, B.C. Manion and Matt Mistretta each played an important role in securing the recognition. But so did special contributors Joey Johnston, Kathy Steele, Christine Holtzman, Fred Bellet, Doug Sanders, Lillian Cucuzza and Steve Vinik.

Behind-the-scenes work by Mary Rathman, editorial assistant, and Stefanie Burlingame, graphic designer, also played critical roles in the newspaper’s success.

Points received from each of the winning entries are tallied to determine which newspaper will be declared the first-place winner. The Laker/Lutz News won that distinction in Division A, for weekly newspapers of 15,000 or more — the largest circulation division in the competition.

Staff writer Kevin Weiss hauled in six awards at the 2021 Florida Press Association Weekly Newspaper Contest, including three first-place honors. (Kelli Carmack)

Entries from The Laker/Lutz News received seven first-place, 12 second-place and eight third-place awards.

The newspaper won top honors for coverage of the impact that a retiring coach had on his players, both on and off the court; the threat posed by a possible ‘twindemic;’ and, the mighty Wurlitzer playing on at Tampa Theatre, despite the pandemic.

Other first-place awards came for stories that detailed a panel discussion on social issues and race relations; a local javelin standout ready for a bigger stage; and, the flurry of construction projects underway in Pasco County Schools.

A shot of the Neowise Comet, when it was closest to earth, won first place in the reader-generated photo category.

The honors were presented during a July 16 luncheon at the Florida Media Conference, held at the Westin Sarasota, in Sarasota.

The contest drew 1,167 entries, from a total of 51 newspapers across Florida. The contest was judged by experienced editors and publishers from Arizona, California, Colorado, Ohio, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York and Washington.

The Laker/Lutz News, locally owned by Diane Kortus, covers the communities of Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City, San Antonio and St. Leo.

Here is the complete list of The Laker/Lutz News winning entries:

Front Page Makeup: Matt Mistretta, second place

Page Design: Matt Mistretta, third place

Sports Spot News Story: Kevin Weiss, first place

Sports Feature Story: Kevin Weiss, first place; Joey Johnston, third place

Portfolio Photography: Christine Holtzman, second place

Photo Series in One Issue: Christine Holtzman, second place; Fred Bellet, third place

Reader-Generated Photo: Lillian Cucuzza, first place; Steve Vinik, third place

Feature Photo: Christine Holtzman, second place

Spot News Photo: Christine Holtzman, third place

Community History: Doug Sanders, third place

Outdoor & Recreation: Kevin Weiss, second place

Local Government Reporting: Kevin Weiss, third place

Roads and Transportation: Kathy Steele, second place

Faith and Family: B.C. Manion, second place

Arts Entertainment & Review Reporting: B.C. Manion, first place; Joey Johnston, second place

Health, Medical & Science Reporting: Joey Johnston, first place; Kevin Weiss, second place

Education Feature: Christine Holtzman, second place

Education News: B.C. Manion, first place

Feature Story, Profile: Kathy Steele, second place; Joey Johnston, third place

General News Story: Kevin Weiss, first place

COVID-19: Feature Story: B.C. Manion, second place

Published July 21, 2021

Fred Bellet took this shot as one in a series of photos of Sophia Moon, a girl in Lutz who is wild about goats. Bellet won third place in the category of photo series in a single issue. Kathy Steele won second place for her feature profile about the girl. (File)
Volunteer Deanna Okun, left, administers a medical exam inside the Medical Detainment room, to student Jyles Morales, during a living history simulation at McKitrick Elementary. The children were learning about Ellis Island. Christine Holtzman was awarded a second place in the feature story category and a second place for this particular photo from the series that accompanied the story (File)

Local novelist’s ‘Lake Roland’ was inspired by real case

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As a journalist, Charlie Reese knew how to ferret out the facts and crank out stories on tight deadlines.

As a novelist, Reese — that is, C. Roloson Reese — has delighted in letting his imagination run wild to create just about every detail in his first published book, “Lake Roland.”

The Lutz author didn’t imagine every single detail because the novel is based on a two-paragraph news wire story that Reese read about eight years ago.

Charlie Reese, who published his novel, ‘Lake Roland,’ under the name C. Roloson Reese, is a former journalist and current businessman who lives in Lutz. The novel’s inspiration came from a two-paragraph news wire story the author had read, involving a missing persons case. (Courtesy of Charlie Reese)

The news wire account was about a 45-year-old mystery involving missing persons — solved essentially by accident.

“It just stuck with me — longer than any other newspaper story I’ve ever come across as a reporter or as a reader,” Reese said.

He decided to give that tiny nugget of a story a life of its own.

“I felt moved to tell the story, the back end of the mystery, as best as I could imagine it,” Reese said.

“Once I started reflecting on it, it wouldn’t let go of my imagination. So, I sat down and I wrote the first chapter.

“The real-life characters, they disappeared around high-school age — at least a couple of them,” Reese said.

The novel is told from the vantage point of Tom O’Malley, who spent a lifetime dealing with the mysterious disappearance of his pal, Mark. They’d been inseparable.

In creating the story, Reese thought about how it would feel if his best friend from high school had gone missing.

“I just imagined what that would be like — what kind of a hole that would have left in my life,” Reese said. He explored how having that type of loss would affect the families and friends of the pair that went missing.

“That’s what started me on this particular book. I just felt called to flesh out the characters behind the story,” Reese said.

The novel begins before the actual disappearance.

“I wanted to build some background because, any story you cover as a reporter, there’s always a backstory. And, it’s quite an interesting backstory in many cases. And, we don’t really do it justice. We can’t. We’re limited by deadlines. We’re limited by space. And, we really can’t tell the story with as much passion or thoughtfulness, as we can — or we should, or is possible,” Reese said.

Novels don’t have those limitations.

The actual missing persons case in the news wire story occurred in Oklahoma.

Reese decided to set his story in Baltimore, where he grew up and went to high school, and where there actually is a Lake Roland.

“As I got to writing — which is really a creative exercise — I just felt so emotional at times. But I was also so alive with being able to create these characters and storylines.

“Although the book is not autobiographical, it is a collection of characters and people I knew over the years.

“Running through my mind were many of the people and characters I’ve met over the years. Their stories.

“We come across so many different people, in our travels, in our work, in our families.

“So, it’s real amalgamation of all of these different characters and people that I’ve met, and usually admired,” he said.

Once Reese started writing the novel, the work went quickly. He asked his wife, Judith, to read chapters and offer feedback during the process.

In essence, the book was finished in 2013 and Reese occasionally has revisited it through the years.

This spring, he decided it was time to give the novel a final edit and to publish it.

Although this is Reese’s first published novel, he’s been a writer — in some form or another — since childhood.

He began reporting stories in the Tampa Bay area when he was a student at the University of South Florida, writing for the Oracle. Then, he reported for The Laker and later became the editor of The Lutz News and the former Temple Terrace Beacon.

He went on to work in media relations and communications with the Greater Tampa Chamber of Commerce and the Institute for Business & Home Safety. He’s also been published in the former Tampa Tribune and in the St. Petersburg Times, before it became The Tampa Bay Times.

His love for writing dates back to childhood.

As a boy, he wrote poetry, which he read aloud to his family.

In college, he studied literature.

And, while he’s spent much of his career working with words, he said he’s learned more about the art of writing by reading great authors.

Being tuned in to people and places, is essential, too, he said.

“Observing and listening are probably the best things a writer can do,” Reese said. “That’s what poets do.”

“Lake Roland” by C. Roloson Reese, is available at Barnes & Noble Press (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lake-roland-c-roloson-reese/1139075421?ean=9781666262001).

To see a video about “Lake Roland,” visit https://www.facebook.com/211702412202894/videos/960288408037265.

 

Published July 14, 2021

Precautions being taken as Tropical Storm Elsa approaches

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Potential threats from Tropical Storm Elsa has prompted Pasco and Hillsborough counties to declare a local state of emergency and also has resulted in a number of changes in local scheduling to minimize potential impacts.

Weather forecasters are warning that Tropical Storm Elsa could bring torrential rain, high winds, storm surge, isolated tornadoes and flooding.

State and local officials are urging residents and visitors to pay close attention to weather reports and to make decisions accordingly.

At the Pasco County Commission’s July 6 meeting, Laura Wilcoxen, the county’s interim director of emergency management, briefed the board on the latest information regarding Tropical Storm Elsa.

She said Elsa’s potential impacts on Pasco could be winds of up to 55 mph, storm surge of 3 feet to 5 feet, and 4 inches to 6 inches of rain.

Wilcoxen said the winds were expected to arrive around 8 p.m., on July 6, and last until 8 a.m., on July 7.

She also told the board that pumps have been deployed to known flooding areas and that 7,000 sandbags had been given out.

“Pasco is under a Tropical Storm Warning, a Storm Surge Warning and a Hurricane Watch (for the wind speed along the coastal part of the county,” Wilcoxen said, in recommending the declaration of a local state of emergency.

The county board voted unanimously to declare the emergency.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles said the county would not close early on July 6 and added a determination would be made later in the day regarding whether the county would open late on July 7.

Hillsborough County also has declared a state of local emergency. It planned to close its offices and facilities, effective 2 p.m., on July 6 to allow employees and customers to get home safely, according to a county news release.

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative also announced that all libraries and book drops would close at 2 p.m., on July 6.

Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning announced that all Pasco County public schools and offices will be closed on July 6 by 3 p.m., and will remain closed all day on July 7, because of the high probability that Pasco County will experience tropical storm force conditions late Tuesday into Wednesday, according to a district news release.

The closures include the Extended School Year program, the PLACE child care program, STAR, VPK and Early Head Start. School-based activities and events planned for the afternoon of July 6 and on July 7 have been canceled, too, the release says.

The North Tampa Bay Chamber announced a noon closure on July 6, with plans to reopen at 9 a.m., on July 8.

Chamber staff planned to work remotely to provide timely updates on the storm, and impact on business and industry around the state, according to a news release.

“We are in constant communication with the state and have representation on the state emergency response team. Please stay tuned to our social media and web page for important information, at NorthTampaBayChamber.com,” the chamber’s release said.

In a July 6 morning news briefing, Gov. Ron DeSantis said there were tropical storm warnings for 22 counties along Florida’s West Coast and a hurricane watch, from Pinellas County to Dixie County.

“Storm surge will be a concern,” DeSantis said.

Flash flooding is another potential threat, the governor said, because the ground in much of North Florida and Central Florida already is saturated from above-normal rainfall over the past two weeks.

“It’s important that Floridians have their weather alerts turned on,” the governor said, noting that’s particularly important since most impacts are expected to occur overnight.

“We don’t anticipate any widespread evacuations, as a result of this storm,” DeSantis said. “We don’t anticipate that that will be necessary.”

However, the storm could cause power outages, the governor said.

“Be prepared to be without power for a few days,” DeSantis said.

He also urged people who use generators to be sure that the exhaust goes to open air. It should not be used within a home, or in a garage, or under an open window — where the fumes can drift into the home.

“The last four years, there have been more fatalities, as the result of people getting carbon monoxide poisoning, than direct impacts from the storm,” DeSantis said.

July 07, 2021

Wesley Chapel’s Union Park community celebrates Juneteenth

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The second annual Juneteenth Family Day Celebration in Wesley Chapel’s Union Park community brought on added significance.

Just days prior to the weekend event, the U.S. Senate passed legislation declaring June 19 a federal holiday, and then President Joe Biden signed it into law.

The groundbreaking development brought extra spark to all involved, event organizer Melissa Akers-Atkins acknowledged.

Tamika Diaz, of Wesley Chapel, leads children in an uplifting and inspirational dance during the Juneteenth Celebration at Union Park. (Fred Bellet)

“We were very excited,” Akers-Atkins recently told The Laker/Lutz News. “It happened Thursday, so we were excited that Saturday we were able to announce that and celebrate it again, even more. It was just a little different you know.”

The event was held to commemorate the day – June 19, 1865 – when the last enslaved Blacks, in Galveston, Texas, learned that the Emancipation Proclamation had freed them. Juneteenth is also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day.

The June 19 celebration at Union Park was coordinated by a handful of neighborhood residents, led by Akers-Atkins. Other members of the planning committee included Tamika Diaz, Alexandra Archibald, Mesha Pierre, Talana Brown, Antoine Williams and Michaela Steward.

Songs, dance, music, food, prayer, prizes and fellowship filled a day of activities from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m., at the Union Park clubhouse on Bering Road.

Faraasha Bell Fonoti, 14, and NeVaeh Akers-Atkins, 13, both of Wesley Chapel, receive a round of applause that left them delighted after performing a step dance, which requires the shoes on the pavement to be the percussion aspects of the dance. Derived from African and slave dances, stepping or step dance is energetic and expressive.

The festival drew over 100 attendees and also had several Black-owned vendors and other organizations on hand. This included multiple young entrepreneurs like 14-year-old Jordan Parramore, the owner/operator of Jordan’s Juice Bar, selling juice pops and coco bombs.

The event began with an opening prayer from Carmel Friendship Church pastor Quincy Stratford, then a discussion on the meaning of Juneteenth led by co-organizer Tamika Diaz.

Neil Archibald, a Wesley Chapel-based attorney, delivered a reflection speech called “Affirmations to Live By,” about what it’s like to be an African American male in society today. He also encouraged young people to pursue their dreams and never give up on lifelong goals.

Multiple poems were presented throughout the event, too.

Aiyana Gabrielle Williams, 15, delivered “Never Give In” by Greg Thung. Deidre Kelsey-Holley read an original poem, titled “Chosen.”

The family friendly event also included all sorts of activities for kids, including volleyball, football, Connect 4, Jenga, corn hole, checkers, hula hoop and bounce house.

The recent deaths of Black individuals by police officers, including George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter movement and street protests brought greater attention to Juneteenth celebrations over the past couple years.

Neil Archibald and his sons Nicholas, 6, left, and Noah, 7, watch a step dance performance on the Union Park sidewalk. It was all part of the entertainment at the Juneteenth Celebration.

The background and history of Juneteenth is enlightening.

President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, freeing slaves living in the Confederate states.

But, the news in those days traveled slowly, or in some instances, wasn’t acknowledged by slave owners.

On June 19, 1865, Union soldiers came ashore at Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War and the end of slavery. The date was 2 ½ years after Lincoln’s proclamation.

A few months later, on Dec. 6, 1865, the 13th amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery everywhere. The following year, Juneteenth celebrations, often hosted by African American churches, took root.

Raising awareness of the importance of Juneteenth was among Union Park event organizers goals.

But, they also want to foster unity, a sense of safety, and civic participation through voting.

Uplifting and providing outreach to area youth likewise was imperative during the Juneteenth celebration, Akers-Atkins said.

Several kids were incorporated into the celebration, including a step dance performance from Wesley Chapel teenagers Faraasha Bell Fonoto and NaVeah Akers-Atkins.

Trevor Roberts, 40, of Wesley Chapel, said he really only learned about Juneteenth eight years ago, while living in Oakland, California. He is happy the day is now well-known and the history behind the day will now be widely taught to children in school.

Derived from African and slave dances, stepping is energetic and expressive, and requires the shoes on the pavement to be the percussion aspects of the dance.

Meanwhile, the celebration’s youngest performer was five-year-old Joilene Jones, who delivered a gymnastics routine for all to see.

“I think as the youth see the community within which they live care about their education, whether they’re in school or out of school, we care enough about them, and we’d like to still encourage them in that and let them see that you don’t just have to learn what they teach you in school,” Akers-Atkins explained.

“Your neighbors, your community, the people around you, we’re all here to help build you up and mold you into this well-rounded individual, seeing and doing and modeling for them, and also including them in these activities and including them in the planning, so I think it’s very important that we do that, and that we continue to push them.

“We hope there’s more kids next year that aren’t afraid to step out of their comfort zone and they’re able to share their artistic talents with their community,” Akers-Atkins said.

Melissa and fellow organizers plan to host a Juneteenth celebration each year at Union Park, with grander visions to someday collaborate on a countywide event incorporating several other neighboring communities — a get-together that could be held at Wesley Chapel District Park.

Meanwhile, they also plan to host other cultural events through the year at Union Park, including celebrations for Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from Sept. 15 through Oct. 15.

Published June 30, 2021

‘A mover and shaker’ is laid to rest

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Anyone who has spent any time at all in Lutz is likely to have run across Auralee Buckingham.

After all, for decades, she had a hand in just about everything involving this community, north of Tampa.

Auralee Buckingham was characterized by her friends as a ‘true force of nature’ who was a ‘pillar of the community’ in Lutz. (Courtesy of Kristi Mackey)

Buckingham, who was 91 at her death on May 13, will be honored in a Resurrection Mass at 11 a.m., on June 26, at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Drive in Lutz.

The mark she left on the community of Lutz will not be soon forgotten.

Pat Serio, who sits on the board of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club, described Buckingham as “a true force of nature.

“You name it and Auralee ran it,” said Serio, noting that not only was Buckingham a past president of the woman’s club, but she also had held nearly every office and chaired nearly every club event.

“She was a mover and a shaker, involved in everything that happened in the Lutz community at large, and knew how to get things done,” Serio said, via email.

Buckingham organized the Fourth of July parades and celebrations, and the community’s Christmas in the Park festivities. She beautified the landscaping at the Lutz Branch Library. She raised money and supported causes that went far beyond the woman’s club, including the Lutz Civic Association, the former Lutz Volunteer Fire Department and the Old Lutz School.

She was deeply involved in the Oscar Cooler Youth Sports Complex, and with scouting, too, Serio noted.

Ardyth Bahr, a longtime friend of Buckingham’s, said, via email, that  those who had met Buckingham could not forget her.

Bahr characterized her friend as “a pillar in the community of Lutz.

“She (Buckingham) was the one to go to in Lutz if you wanted anything done. She was unstoppable.”

Jay Muffly, another longtime Lutz civic leader, said Buckingham was “the busiest person in Lutz.”

He credited her for her contributions to many projects and activities in the community, as well as being “a great person.”

News reports published over the years in The Tampa Tribune frequently included Buckingham’s views on issues affecting the community.

For instance, when the Hillsborough County public school district was looking at sites for a high school, the Lutz civic leader weighed in.

This is Auralee Buckingham when she was in high school.

Buckingham said she would welcome it, as long as the high school was kept to 1,000 students or fewer, so it would fit into the Lutz community.

The school board — which wanted to build a larger school — found another location.

Buckingham’s involvement was obvious, and her friends decided to celebrate her with a surprise party months before her 80th birthday.

More than 100 people showed up and spent about two hours lavishing Buckingham with praise for her many contributions and accomplishments, according to a Tampa Tribune account.

During that party, the dedicated community volunteer also received a copy of a document proclaiming May 21 as Auralee Buckingham Day in Hillsborough County, the Tribune reported.

Charlie Reese, who was editor of the Lutz Community News (now The Laker/Lutz News), became quite familiar with Buckingham through his reporting.

“Auralee was one of the first persons I met when I covered news stories in the Lutz/Land O’Lakes area, and before long I realized that she was probably at every event that the woman’s club was involved in,” Reese, a Lutz resident, said, via email. “She was constantly busy and had the loudest laugh, which was often heard above the din of the 4th of July parade in Lutz or the annual arts and crafts show.

“I remember her attending to many tasks at these signature events in our community, and even though she handled many duties, she was never too busy to splash her bright smile at everyone she saw,” Reese added.

She wasn’t shy about sharing her views, noted Reese.

That was back in the days when U.S. 41, North Dale Mabry Highway and State Road 54 were all two-lane roads, Reese said.

It also was “when pastures outnumbered big box stores — but change was on the horizon,” Reese said.

“She loved Lutz.

“And, because she was so dedicated to causes and events that enhanced our community, Lutz loved her,” Reese said.

Buckingham is survived by daughters Kristi Mackey, Ashley Gracey (Tony) and Beth Busbee (Jeff); grandchildren Kristopher Mackey (Tatiana), Jennifer Swisher (Eugene), Brittany Desmarais (C.J.), Dillon and Leah Hulme; great grandchildren Wesson Swisher, Damon Mackey, Mack Swisher and Kiara Mackey; and sister Hazel Cox, children and grandchildren.

A Resurrection Mass will be held at 11 a.m., on June 26, at St. Timothy Catholic Church, 17512 Lakeshore Road in Lutz.

Published June 23, 2021

Pasco officials resisting clerk’s request for big budget hike

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Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles is seeking a sizable increase in her budget and Pasco’s administrative leadership is pushing back.

Alvarez-Sowles has formally requested about $13.3 million in her fiscal 2021-2022 budget.

That’s nearly $9 million more than the constitutional officer’s budget this year.

She justified the request in an April 30 letter to Pasco County Commission Chairman Ron Oakley and his county board colleagues.

Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles is requesting a substantial budget increase, but she said it’s to provide necessary services.

In that letter, Alvarez-Sowles wrote the proposed budget is necessary “to fulfill statutory responsibilities” for the coming fiscal year.

But it became apparent, during a June 8 county board meeting, that the substantial increase is unlikely to be granted.

Robert Goehig, the county’s budget director, touched on clerk’s request during a preliminary discussion of the county’s financial priorities for next fiscal year.

County Administrator Dan Biles weighed in, too.

In her letter, Alvarez-Sowles explained the “support for this increase is the result of a thorough re-examination of Florida law that prescribes how clerks’ offices in non-charter counties are to be funded.”

She continued: “The analysis identified the underlying reasons why the office is facing a breaking point in its ability to accomplish critical , statutorily mandated operations for the community, the Board of County Commissioners, and our many stakeholders, including county operations, justice partner agencies, outside auditors, and numerous other local, state, and federal agencies.”

The clerk said research “revealed oversights with the historical methodology of funding requests in that the clerk’s office did not ask the county to sufficiently fund it in accordance with long-established provisions in Florida laws.”

Alvarez-Sowles also offered a breakdown of the request, noting that county funding of board and court-related technology costs included in the request total $1,246,465.

She added, “county funding of court-related local requirements computes to $7,380,737.

Her proposed increase also includes increases for retirement costs and group health insurance, as well as a pay adjustment of 3% — totaling $365,734.”

Additionally, Alvarez-Sowles noted the clerk’s office “has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by cutting positions while implementing new technologies and efficiencies; however, funding is not sufficient to cover the cost of providing required , essential services.”

To underscore her argument, she said Pasco’s population has increased by 19% since 2010, and county staffing has increased by 39% during that time.

By comparison, the clerk’s office cut 11% of its positions due to funding shortages, she said.

“Circumstances beyond the control of the clerk’s office continue to impact its workload and resource needs,” she added.

The clerk cited other issues that are affected by inadequate funding, which include the ability to: attract and retain qualified applicants; to meet anticipated increasing service demands; and, to maintain proper reserves needed to plan for technological improvements.

Goehig addressed the clerk’s request.

Pasco County Administrator Dan Biles has agreed to meet with Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller and County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder to discuss the clerk’s budget request.

He said the retirement and salary increases are already included in the clerk’s base budget.

The $1.2 million request for court-related technology has been moved onto the county’s list of business-plan initiatives — but has not yet made the cut for funding.

Addressing the additional $7 million request, Goehig said: “We don’t feel that’s an appropriate expense for the county. That’s also not funded.”

Alvarez-Sowles, who handles the clerk’s duties during board sessions, asked Oakley for permission to address the issue, which was granted.

“I didn’t know until right now, what the (administrator’s) recommendation is,” she said.

Funding for the court-related technology, would pay for equipment used for both court and board services work, she said.

She said her request was not a surprise because she’d been meeting with Biles and his team to talk through the details of the requested increase.

She said she had just recently received a legal opinion, regarding her budget request, from county attorney’s office.

Commissioner Mike Moore said the board takes its lead from the county attorney.

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey agreed. But Starkey said the two sides should talk.

“I think it’s good to have a dialogue,” Starkey said.

She suggested it might be possible to fund the technology request with extra revenue coming in, due to  higher-than-anticipated growth in the county’s taxable values.

Commissioner Christina Fitzpatrick said a breakdown should be done to determine how much the new technology is used for board services and that the board should pay its fair share.

Alvarez-Sowles asked if she could meet with Biles and County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder to discuss the issue before the budget is finalized.

Oakley asked Biles to set up a meeting, which he agreed to do.

Biles said he had looked at the clerk’s numbers and noted there are some things the county would be more inclined to support, than others.

Published June 16, 2021

Florida Governor pens $101.5 billion budget in Zephyrhills

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It’s not very often the governor makes a public appearance in Zephyrhills, let alone to make a major statewide announcement.

But that’s what happened on June 2, when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis appeared at Zephyrhills City Hall for a state budget-signing ceremony — penning into law a record-setting $101.5 billion budget for fiscal year 2021-2022.

City of Zephyrhills administrators and officials pose for a picture with Gov. Ron DeSantis outside of Zephyrhills City Hall. From left: Council President Alan Knight, City Attorney Matt Maggard, Councilman Ken Burgess, Mayor Gene Whitfield, DeSantis, Council Vice President Jodi Wilkeson and City Manager Billy Poe. (Courtesy of City of Zephyrhills)

The invite-only press conference drew several dozens of area residents, business owners and government officials, in a standing-room only affair.

“It’s great to be in Pasco County,” DeSantis said, opening his speech. “It’s great to be here.”

The Republican governor was accompanied by several members of the Republican-led state legislature, including Florida Senate President Wilton Simpson (R-Trilby), Florida House Speaker Chris Sprowls (R-Palm Harbor), state Rep. Randy Maggard (R-Dade City), state Rep. Ardian Zika (R-Land O’ Lakes), state Sen. Danny Burgess, (R-Zephyrhills), state Rep. Amber Mariano (R-Hudson), and state Sen. Kelli Stargel (R-Lakeland), among others.

As for dropping by the City of Pure Water, DeSantis acknowledged plans to stop somewhere in the Tampa Bay region for one of his multiple budget-signing ceremonies. He took input from Simpson and others for an ideal spot in Pasco — which figured to be Zephyrhills’ multimillion dollar statuesque municipal building built in 2018.

The trip from Tallahassee also coincided with particularly strong results for Zephyrhills and the greater East Pasco area, which combined to receive over $40 million in appropriations alone, including:

  • $25 million for new facilities at Pasco-Hernando State College’s Dade City Campus
  • $6.5 million for water and wastewater improvements on Handcart Road
  • $4.6 million for improvements to the Sarah Vande Berg Tennis & Wellness Center
  • $3 million for improvements to the Zephyrhills Municipal Airport
  • $25 million for a new Florida National Guard armory somewhere in Zephyrhills

Altogether, DeSantis stated the county and region “did very well” in the latest budget, and therefore “should feel very proud.”

The governor observed Florida’s largest budget in history overall was made possible because the state reopened more rapidly compared to others across the United States, resulting in unexpected economic and revenue boosts amid the coronavirus crisis.

Governor lauds reopening state
“We made a decision,” DeSantis said, “as other states kept locking their citizens down, we lift people up in Florida.”

Aside from the $101.5 billion, the 2021-2022 budget leaves another $9.5 billion in reserves, for hurricane relief and other unforeseen circumstances.

Gov. Ron DeSantis makes the record-setting $101.5 billion state budget official, during a June 2 invite-only press conference at Zephyrhills City Hall.

It also implements a program designed to cut taxes by $169 million and includes the first seven-day freedom week sales tax holiday, a 10-day back-to-school sales tax holiday and a 10-day disaster preparedness sales tax holiday.

Meanwhile, DeSantis’ vetoes totaled $1.5 billion from this session. He labeled the cuts as mainly “back of the bill” items related to the state’s general and trust funds.

Relatedly, the governor pointed out Florida’s budget is less than half of New York State’s $212 billion mark, despite having “millions of fewer people than we do.”

He added: “We’re very prudent with how we spend our money.”

Throughout the 30-minute briefing, DeSantis hyped up the budget’s commitment to issues regarding education, environmental protection, and mental health.

Said DeSantis, “I think, all thing’s considered, you look at a lot of the major issues, and I think the legislature did a really good job to address all of the key issues, so I thank them for that.”

On the education front, there’s roughly $23 billion for the kindergarten through 12th grade system, plus $2 billion for early childhood education. The budget also includes $1,000 bonuses for teachers and principals in the state’s public and charter schools “because they had to work extra hard,” during the pandemic, DeSantis said.

About $2.5 billion is set to address mental health and substance abuse across all associated agencies. DeSantis specifically cited $137.6 million for community-based services for adults and children with behavioral health needs; $120 million for school-related mental health initiatives; and, $5.5 million for youth mental health awareness and assistance.

Noteworthy environmental-related response includes a $500 million stormwater infrastructure grant program — with another $100 million in recurring funds — where Florida cities and communities can apply as needed. There’s also $155 million for beach renourishment, “which is important when you have 1,300 miles of coastline,” DeSantis said.

Another notable budget item: $1,000 bonuses for roughly 175,000 first responders throughout Florida, including police, fire and other emergency medical personnel.

DeSantis underscored the challenges of such jobs throughout the pandemic, as reasoning for creating the bonus pool.

“We understood when COVID hit, there’s folks in white-collar jobs that could work from home, or remote, but the people in uniform have to show up every day.

“They can’t keep the streets safe on Zoom, you can’t put out a fire on Zoom, you’ve just gotta be there, and they were there from the very beginning, day in and day out,” he said.

The governor overall was bullish on the Sunshine State during his in-town visit, emphasizing the increasing number people who’ve relocated and vacationed here — be it related to climate and weather, property values, or fewer COVID-19 restrictions.

“We really served as kind of a respite for other citizens of our country in states that were chafing under these lockdowns,” he said. “I can tell you, I think there’s a lot of people in the last year, year-and-a-half, that have said, ‘Thank God I live in Florida.’”

Meantime, the Florida Senate Democratic Caucus released a joint statement on the day of the governor’s budget signing:

“Thanks to President Joe Biden and Democrats in Congress passing the ‘American Rescue Plan,’ the governor can tout a state budget that helps Florida recover from the pandemic, allocating billions for the environment, public schools, and community health care.  A big chunk of the $10 billion from the federal stimulus act added to a bounty of transportation and economic development projects all over the state. The money even allowed the governor to dole out $1,000 bonuses to law enforcement, firefighters, and other frontline emergency workers,” the statement reads.

“Unfortunately, as he took his victory lap to hand out the bonuses, and brag about the many programs rescued as a result of the federal help, the governor never once directed thanks to those who made this possible. It was a crass example of freeloading off the hard work of others he doesn’t want to acknowledge because he doesn’t agree with their politics. Shame on the governor. When the president and congressional Democrats stepped up to the plate, there were no political litmus tests. There was only the question of how to help. And how to do so quickly.”

Published June 09, 2021

Twin scholars eager to embrace new challenges

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When Grace and Faith Quinn graduate from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School on June 4, the twin scholars will be sharing the school’s top academic honor as co-valedictorians.

And, as they head off this summer, they’ll travel to Atchison, Kansas, to attend Benedictine College, each on a full tuition, four-year scholarship.

Faith Quinn, left, and her twin sister, Grace, are graduating as co-valedictorians from Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School. The young women from Wesley Chapel are eager to keep learning, as they head to Benedictine College, in Atchison, Kansas, on a four-year tuition scholarship this fall. (B.C. Manion)

It’s not a bit unusual for these 18-year-olds to travel the same path together.

After all, they’ve been doing it all of their lives.

Grace — who plans to double major in chemistry and computer science — is the older of the two, by 9 minutes.

Faith plans to double major, too. She’ll study chemistry and astronomy.

There’s no doubt these girls share a closeness that many twins enjoy, but perhaps they’ve developed an even deeper connection — as they’ve relied on each other, their brother Gabriel and their parents, through military family moves, from one place to another.

Throughout the frequent changes, the Quinns have had three constants: Family, church and school, the girls said, during a recent interview in their Wesley Chapel home.

Their parents are obviously supportive, and delighted by their daughters’ accomplishments.

Their dad, Pete Quinn, is perhaps their most vocal cheerleader; their mom, Kelly Quinn, while more subdued, is undoubtedly equally proud.

As their dad rattles off their accomplishments, the girls take turns, good-naturedly, rolling their eyes.

Still, the bragging rights are well-deserved.

Both girls were named National Merit Scholars, each receiving a $2,500 scholarship.

They each scored a perfect 36 on the ACT.

Their four-year tuition scholarship at Benedictine College carries a value of up to $132,000 for each of the girls, Pete Quinn said.

The twins started attending St. Anthony Catholic School, in San Antonio, in fifth grade, after the family moved to the area in 2014 from West Des Moines, Iowa.

During their middle school years, they earned straight As, played on three championship basketball teams, played on two championship volleyball teams, played tennis, and were members of the National Junior Honor Society, said their dad, a retired U.S. Army colonel.

The girls chose to attend Bishop McLaughlin Catholic High School, after exploring various options.

“When it came to the transition to high school, they really blossomed,” Pete Quinn said. “It (Bishop McLaughlin) was the perfect setting for them.”

The girls will graduate with a weighted GPA of 4.6, having completed 13 college-level courses.

“I anticipate them being able to come in (at Benedictine College) as first semester sophomores because of all the AP classes they’ve taken,” he said.

The girls didn’t have their heads in their books all of the time.

They also played four years of varsity basketball, achieved membership in nine honor societies, and have been involved in school plays, numerous clubs and yearbook.

Faith said her interest in astronomy began during her early years.

“I’ve always loved stars — just looking up at the night sky.

“Also, we have — it was just like a kid’s book about the constellations. It would give the myths behind them. I just loved that,” she said.

That prompted an interest in other books about stars and she now has about 15 of them, she said.

Benedictine College is the only Catholic college to offer a major in astronomy, she added.

Grace said she’s interested in pursuing computer science because : “I love the way that the logic in computers works.”

Plus, she said, “I love seeing and making connections. It’s what drew me to the sciences in the first place.”

There are lots of new opportunities, too, Pete Quinn said.

“The one career field that I recommended they give consideration to is an emerging field called astrochemistry. With all of the Space-X stuff going on … I can see those two both flourishing in slightly different roles,” Pete Quinn said.

Both parents see bright prospects for this next phase in their daughters’ lives.

“I’m so excited about where they’re going. I think Benedictine is the perfect college for them,” Pete Quinn said. “There’s no ceiling, there’s literally no ceiling, for what they can do.”

He also believes they’re ready.

“They’re very comfortable in their own skin. They really are. They’ve had each other, but they don’t have problems being by themselves,” he said.

Their mom added: “I’m excited for them. It’s a fun time of life. I remember my college days. It was neat to get out from under mom and dad, and just kind of do your own thing, find your own way and spread your wings.”

She’s confident Faith and Grace will do well.

“I think they’ve got good heads on their shoulders.

“It’s a bright world for them and I think they’ll do great things. Point them in the right direction and see how it goes,” Kelly Quinn said.

Published June 02, 2021