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Local groups help federal workers

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Organizations around the region are stepping up to help, as workers and their families struggle during the nation’s longest partial federal government shutdown.

The help has come in various forms.

“The key is to take off some of the pressure from these folks (so they can) worry less about where their food is coming from,” explained Greg Giordano, assistant tax collector of Pasco County.

Adele Richoll packs paper bags with food at Father and Son Love Ministries on Jan. 18. Her organization is one of many that are providing help to federal workers who have been furloughed, or are working without pay, during the partial federal government shutdown. (Brian Fernandes)

The federal government partially shut down on Dec. 22, in the midst of a budget battle between President Donald Trump and members of congress, over funding for a border wall between the U.S. and Mexico.

Over the past weekend, Trump offered a deal that would include money for the border wall, while granting some immigrants protection for three years. But, Democrats were not moved by Trump’s offer.

The impasse affects about 800,000 federal employees, including some who are not working during the shutdown, and others who are working without pay.

The U.S. Coast Guard is one group of federal employees who are working without pay.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano was inspired to specifically help those troops.

The five branches of the county’s tax office intends to distribute donations to the troops and their families.

“Mr. Fasano supports our men and women in uniform,” Giordano said. “He wanted to do something to show that this community is behind those individuals.”

On Day 1 of collections, Tom Kliebert was at the tax collector’s office to offer support.

“I’m always looking for things I can do to help out the military,” the Vietnam veteran said. “I really appreciate what they do to protect our country.”

The Wesley Chapel resident went directly to the grocery store to purchase donations when he learned online about the tax collector’s effort.

Debby Palmer, also of Wesley Chapel, received the notification through email and also wanted to help.

“I feel like I’ve been very blessed in my life, so I try to contribute where I can,” she said.

She brought in four bags of groceries to her local tax office.

Tom Kliebert wasted no time buying and donating food to his local tax office in Wesley Chapel. His contribution is one of many that will go toward members of the U.S. Coast Guard and their families. (Courtesy of Greg Giordano)

he tax collector’s five branches began collecting donations on Jan. 16 and accumulated more than $2,300 in cash, 91 bags of groceries and more than a dozen gift cards within the first two days. (For addresses of branches, go to PascoTaxes.com).

“Obviously this has touched a nerve in the community,” Giordano said. He characterized the community’s generosity as being “incredible.”

Father and Son Love Ministries, at 24156 Foggy Ridge Parkway, in Lutz, also is offering a helping hand.

Pastor C.J. Johns heads the Lutz church, which has opened its doors to federal workers and their families every Friday.

Church staff and volunteers, from noon to 3 p.m. on Fridays, will give out bagged lunches, plus supplies of food for a week, for those requesting it.

The church also understands that some families won’t be able to afford to drive to the church, so it is willing to deliver food boxes to homes if they provide 48 hours’ notice, the pastor said.

Before the shutdown, the church was already operating a food drive and now has prepared for a larger turnout.

“We’re committed to helping our community,” Johns said. “It’s a need that has risen, and we’re going to do whatever we can to help ease the turmoil.”

Publix has supported the church’s efforts, Johns said, noting the grocery chain recently donated surplus items from the holidays.

Besides providing food, the church also offers free clothing and personal hygiene items.

It also understands that children need relief, too, so the church will make toys, birthday cakes and cupcakes available, the pastor said.

The church plans to keep the drive open 30 days after the government reopens to help workers get back on their feet.

Restored Hope, at 13703 17th St., in Dade City, also is committed to assisting federal workers for as long as necessary.

The nonprofit organization welcomes workers to stop by its center on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Federal employees are asked to bring identification or their last pay stub to verify their status.

The organization’s pantry room is filled with nonperishable items and clothing.

Many items were leftover donations given by Metropolitan Ministries over the holidays, said Doreen Kennard, bookkeeper of Restored Hope.

Knowing there was surplus in storage, she thought: “Perfect timing, we’ll offer it to the government employees.”

Kennard added that the organization will do what it can to help workers pay past due bills.

During the federal government shutdown, Pasco County Utilities also is working to help federal employees, who are also PCU customers, develop an action plan to ensure continuation of services.

Pasco County Utilities will waive late fees and provide extensions for utility bills due by any federal employee who is on furlough or is required to work without compensation, as long as supporting documentation is provided.

Customers in need of assistance should call (813) 235-6012 during regular business hours.

Other acts of kindness can be seen throughout the Tampa Bay Area.

Tampa Bay Salvage, at 37832 Meridian Ave., in Dade City, is accepting donations of food and personal hygiene items at its Dade City and Palm Harbor offices.

The Humane Society of Tampa Bay is offering pet food to support furloughed workers who have pets. The donations are available on weekdays from noon to 7 p.m., and weekends from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Verification is required.

The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay is connecting federal employees of Tampa International Airport with community resources.

Feeding Tampa Bay also has set up a food bank for TSA workers, and TECO is offering payment extensions on electric bills.

The Florida Aquarium in Tampa will also offer a day of relaxation with one free admission to federal workers.

These organizations are providing help to federal workers who are either off the job, or not being paid during the partial federal government shutdown:

  • Pasco County Tax Collector Offices (Land O’ Lakes, Dade City, Wesley Chapel, Gulf Harbors, New Port Richey); Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  • Restored Hope, 13703 17th St., Dade City; Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call (352) 437-4815.
  • Father and Son Love Ministries, 24156 Foggy Ridge Parkway, Lutz; Fridays from noon to 3 p.m. Call (813) 846- 9993.
  • Tampa Bay Salvage, 37832 Meridian Ave., Dade City; Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (352) 437-5231.
  • The Florida Aquarium is offering one free admission to federal workers with identification.
  • Pasco County Utilities will help customers that are federal employees who are not receiving pay, or are furloughed, to ensure continuation of services. Documentation is needed. Those needing assistance should call (813) 235-6012.

Published January 23, 2019

Residents share ideas for improving Zephyr Park

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Future rgb

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

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

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

That’s what one Zephyrhills family already does.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Published May 25, 2016

Brick roads preserve a sense of history

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

And, to this day, there hasn’t been.

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