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Ardian Zika

Familiar faces win reelection in Pasco County

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Voters across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area demonstrated their enthusiasm in Election 2020 — casting their ballots through Vote By Mail or in person at early voting sites or in their precincts on Election Day.

Pasco County reported a turnout of 77.8% of its 389,317 registered voters, with a total of 303,214 ballots cast, according to unofficial voting results.

Hillsborough County reported a turnout of 76.45% of the county’s 934,346 registered voters, casting a total of 714,286 ballots.

These are unofficial tallies for both counties. The final result must include overseas ballots, provisional ballots and ballots that had signature issues that were cured — before they are certified, which is when they become official.

Valerie Cooper took advantage of early voting at the New River Branch Library in Wesley Chapel. She reported that operations were running smoothly and she was pleased to be able to vote on a day that was convenient. (B.C. Manion)

Visits by The Laker/Lutz News to polling locations during Early Voting and on Election Day revealed smooth operations at numerous sites across the newspaper’s coverage area in Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Zephyrhills.

Incumbents fared better in Pasco County than they did in Hillsborough County.

Pasco County voters gave Kurt Browning four more years as superintendent of Pasco County Schools. They also reelected Kathryn Starkey in District 1 and Jack Mariano in District 5, on the Pasco County Commission.

In Hillsborough County, voters reelected Lynn Gray for four more years in the District 7 seat on the Hillsborough County School Board, and elected Jessica Vaughn for the District 3 seat.

Voters rejected Tammy Shamburger’s bid for reelection in District 5, selecting Henry “Shake” Washington instead. They also turned down incumbent Steve Cona’s bid for reelection in District 1, choosing challenger Nadia Combs instead.

Other big decisions in Hillsborough, included the reelection of Sheriff Chad Chronister and Property Appraiser Bob “Coach” Henriquez.

Hillsborough voters also selected Nancy C. Millan as the county’s next tax collector.

Voters chose Harry Cohen in the District 1 race for Hillsborough County Commission; Gwen Myers for District 3, on the board; and Pat Kemp in District 6.

Incumbent Andrew Warren won another term in the race for State Attorney in the 13th Judicial Court.

In state legislative races, voters chose Danny Burgess to fill the vacancy in Senate District 20.

Amber Mariano won her re-election bid in House District 36, as did Ardian Zika in House District 37, and Randy Maggard in House District 38.

Workers for the Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections conduct post-election activities in the supervisor’s warehouse. (Courtesy of Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections)

Statewide, voters narrowly supported an amendment to the Florida Constitution that will gradually raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour.

They overwhelmingly favored an amendment allowing a property tax discount for spouses of deceased veterans who had suffered permanent, combat-related injuries.

They approved an amendment that gives people more time to transfer their accrued benefits of the Homestead Property taxes to another property, and they supported a requirement that all voters in Florida must be citizens.

But, they rejected proposed amendments that would have allowed all voters to vote for primary elections for state legislators, governor and cabinet, and they turned down a proposed amendment to require voters to approve proposed constitutional amendments twice before they could take effect.

Constitutional amendments require approval by 60% of the voters

In federal races, voters approved the reelection of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis for another term in Florida’s 12th congressional district.

In the presidential contest, Pasco County voters supported Donald J. Trump, with 59.38% of the vote, compared to 39.32% for Joe Biden.

Hillsborough County voters favored Biden, who received 52.69% of the vote, compared to 45.87% for Trump.

National news outlets have projected Joe Biden and Kamala Harris as the next president and vice president of the United States.

As of Nov. 9, President Donald J. Trump had not conceded, according to national news reports, and he intended to pursue court challenges.

The Associated Press reported that the Biden ticket received nearly 75.7 million votes; while Trump’s ticket secured nearly 71.1 million.

Biden’s ticket received the most-ever votes for a president, while Trump’s ticket received the second-highest, according to national news reports.

ELECTION RESULTS
National
President*
Joseph R. Biden: 75.7 million; 290 electoral votes
Donald J. Trump: 71.1 million; 214 electoral votes
* Results reported by the Associated Press; President Donald J. Trump had not conceded as of Nov. 9, according to national reports, and is challenging the results.

Pasco County
Pasco Superintendent of Schools
Kurt S. Browning: 64.54%
Cynthia Thompson: 35.46%

Pasco County Commission, District 1
Kathryn Starkey: 61.30%
Jessica Stempien: 38.70%

Pasco County Commission, District 5
Jack Mariano: 58.83%
Brandi Geoit: 34.46%
Victor Rodriguez: 6.71%

State Rep. District 36
Amber Mariano: 63.38%
Daniel Endonino: 36.62%

State Rep. District 37
Ardian Zika: 62.83%
Tammy Garcia: 37.17%

State Rep. District 38
Randy Maggard: 58.71%
Brian Staver: 41.29%

Hillsborough County results
Hillsborough County Sheriff
Chad Chronister: 54.83%
Gary Pruitt: 35.85%
Ron McMullen: 9.32%

Property Appraiser
D.C. Goutoufas: 43.50%
Bob “Coach” Henriquez: 56.50%

Tax Collector
TK Mathew: 45.22%
Nancy C. Millan: 54.78%

Hillsborough County Commission, District 1
Scott Levinson: 49.27%
Harry Cohen: 50.73%

Hillsborough County Commission, District 3
Maura Cruz Lanz,  27.66%
Gwen Myers, 72.34%

Hillsborough County Commission, District 6
Sandra L. Murman, 47.38%
Patricia “Pat” Kemp, 52.62%

Hillsborough County School Board, District 1
Nadia Combs: 63.91%
Steve Cona: 36.09%

Hillsborough County School Board, District 3
Mitch Thrower, 38.87%
Jessica Vaughn: 61.13%

Hillsborough County School Board, District 5
Tammy Shamburger, 44.64%
Henry “Shake” Washington: 55.36%

Hillsborough County School Board, District 7
Lynn Gray: 53.73%
Sally Harris: 46.27%

State Attorney, 13th Judicial Circuit
Mike Perotti: 46.64%
Andrew Warren: 53.36%

National, state results
President, vice president
Votes were still being counted in some states on Nov. 9, in the presidential election.
Hillsborough County: Donald J. Trump: 45.87%; Joseph R. Biden: 52.69%
Pasco County: Donald J. Trump, 59.38%: Joseph R. Biden, 39.32%

U.S. Congress, District 12
Multi-county results: Gus Michael Bilirakis: 62.89%; Kimberly Walker: 37.11%
Hillsborough results: Gus Michael Bilirakis: 63.48%; Kimberly Walker: 36.52
Pasco results: Gus Michael Bilirakis: 63.49%; Kimberly Walker: 36.51%

U.S. Senate District 20
Multi-county results: Danny Burgess: 54.84%; Kathy Lewis, 45.16%
Hillsborough County: Danny Burgess: 47.91%; Kathy Lewis: 52.09%
Pasco County: Danny Burgess: 59.21%; Kathy Lewis: 40.79%

State Rep. District 36
Amber Mariano: 63.38%
Daniel Endonino: 36.62%

State Rep. District 37
Ardian Zika: 62.83%
Tammy Garcia: 37.17%

State Rep. District 38
Randy Maggard: 58.71%
Brian Staver: 41.29%

Constitutional amendments (60% approval required to pass)
Amendment 1: Citizen requirement to vote in Florida
Statewide: Yes: 79.3%; No: 20.7%
Pasco: Yes: 84.86%; No: 15.14%
Hillsborough: Yes: 77.02%; No: 22.98%

Amendment 2: Raising Florida’s minimum wage
Statewide: Yes: 60.8%; No: 29.2%
Pasco: Yes: 55.79%; No: 44.21%
Hillsborough: Yes: 60.03%; No: 39.97%

Amendment 3: All voters vote in primary elections for state legislature, governor and cabinet
Statewide: Yes: 57.01%; No: 42.99%
Pasco: Yes, 60.59%; 39.41%
Hillsborough: Yes, 57.63%; No, 42.37%

Amendment 4: Voter approval of constitutional amendments
Statewide: Yes: 47.53%; No: 52.47%
Pasco: Yes: 50.76%; No: 49.24%
Hillsborough: Yes: 48.71%; No: 51.29%

Amendment 5: Limitation on Homestead Property Taxes, increased portability to transfer accrued benefit portability period
Statewide: Yes: 74.49%; No: 25.51%
Pasco: Yes: 76.48%; No: 23.52%
Hillsborough: Yes: 75.59%; No: 24.41%

Amendment 6: Ad valorem discount for spouses of certain deceased veterans who had permanent, combat related injury
Statewide: Yes: 89.7%; No: 10.27%
Pasco: Yes: 90.32%; No: 9.68%
Hillsborough: Yes: 88.17%; No: 11.83%

Sources: The Florida Division of Elections, Pasco County Supervisor of Elections and Hillsborough County Supervisor of Elections.

Published November 11, 2020

Serving up food — to sustain, comfort

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Concerns about the potential spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) has flattened the economy, causing many to seek out help for the first time to put food on their tables.

Here is a look at some efforts, to help feed others, across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Collecting food to feed the hungry
The woman pulls up and pops open her trunk, so volunteers could gather the bags of food that she had brought to donate.

Among those volunteering at a weekend food drive were Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco School Board member Allen Altman and State Rep. Ardian Zika. They took their masks off for the photo, and kept socially distanced. (B.C. Manion)

As they unloaded her donations, she became emotional — thanking the volunteers for what they are doing to help people struggling through the pandemic.

She was obviously touched by the effort.

Pasco County leaders have held food drives for the past two weekends to collect donations. The first drive was in the parking lot of the former Super Target store, off State Road 54, west of the Suncoast Expressway, and the second at Sam’s Club of Wesley Chapel, off State Road 56, in Wesley Chapel.

State Rep. Ardian Zika carries a box of donations to tables, where they are sorted

High-ranking officials from Pasco County Schools, the Pasco Tax Collector’s Office, the Pasco County Clerk & Comptroller’s Office, state legislators, and candidates for office, were there to help. Pasco Fire Rescue employees, Pasco Sheriff’s Office employees and others volunteered, too.

The community responded, bringing bags and boxes of food — loaded with pasta, peanut butter, jelly, crackers, soups, rice, canned goods and more.

Monetary donations are still welcome and can be made through the Pasco Education Foundation at PascoEducationFoundation.org. Checks can be made payable to Pasco Education Foundation and mailed to P.O. Box 1248, Land O’ Lakes, Florida, 34639.

Farm-Fresh Pop-ups
When Pasco County Schools receives donated fruits or vegetables, it holds Farm Fresh Pop-ups, and the free fresh produce goes fast.

At its first Pop-Up, the district gave away more than 30,000 ears of corn in about 2 hours.

It took less than 45 minutes to give away a truck filled with 10-pound variety boxes of vegetables, during a Farm Fresh Pop-up at the school district headquarters in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Stephen P. Hegarty)

At its second one, on May 8, it handed out 10-pound variety boxes of vegetables containing such veggies as cucumbers, potatoes, radishes, collards, broccoli, peppers, squash, and eggplant.

Those were gone in 45 minutes.

At the pop-ups, which are held in different locations, school district officials are practicing safe social distancing and wearing masks.

Those picking up the free foods are asked to stay in their vehicles and to pop their trunks, so the food can be placed in their trunks.

Feeding Florida and L&M donated the variety boxes.

The district also continues to provide five breakfasts and five lunches, once a week, to students 18 and under, at specific locations. As of May, it had served more than 820,000 meals.

To find out more about the district’s meal program, and to keep abreast of future Farm Fresh Pop-Ups, check the district’s website, Pasco.k12.fl.us.

Outdoor dining allowed to expand
Pasco County officials are providing more flexibility to restaurants to expand their outdoor dining space by allowing them to set up tables in parking areas and other outdoor areas — without a county permit.

The move was made to give restaurant operators more options, as they contend with decreased business due to COVID-19.

Leslie Gruber, of Land O’ Lakes, receives her meal from Savannah Walker, manager of The Box Kitchen Restaurant, at 6464 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. in Land O’ Lakes. The restaurant placed several tables in its parking lot to accommodate more diners, taking advantage of relaxed rules in Pasco County. (Randy Underhill)

Under phase one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ reopening plan, restaurants were allowed to operate indoor dining rooms at 25% capacity and to have dining outdoors, with the proviso that tables be kept 6 feet apart from each other.

To help expand restaurant capacity, Tampa officials have closed streets in some areas, so restaurants could set up tables there.

In Pasco, officials allowed restaurateurs to expand outdoor dining on their own properties.

The expanded seating may be used during the restaurant’s normal business hours, and the allowance will expire when full-capacity indoor dining returns, according to a county news release.

The Box Kitchen Restaurant in Land O’ Lakes appeared to be one of the few restaurants within The Laker/Lutz coverage area taking advantage of the county’s relaxed rules.

Providing hot meals in hard times
Three initiatives in Pasco County are aimed at providing hot meals, while supporting restaurants at the same time.

In the “Dining Out at Home” program, Pasco County has partnered with the Area Agency on Aging to have restaurant meals delivered to eligible senior citizens.

In “Operation Feed Pasco,” local restaurants are helping to supply meals at local food pantries and soup kitchens. The county is partnering with United Way of Pasco County on that effort.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey and State Rep. Ardian Zika were on hand when meals were delivered to workers at the Medical Center of Trinity. (Courtesy of Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey’s office)

Restaurants that would like to participate in Operation Feed Pasco should call United Way at (727) 359-7999, to see if there are any slots left.

In Pasco FLAG2020, meals are being purchased from local restaurants and then provided to people working on the front lines of the pandemic.

The program is being championed by Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who was inspired after seeing coverage of two women in New Jersey who launched the national program.

So far, 64 meals have been delivered through that program to AdventHealth Dade City, 41 have been delivered to BayCare’s North Bay Hospital in New Port Richey and 106 meals to Medical Center of Trinity.

In addition to Starkey, other local elected leaders who have been involved in raising money, include Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley, Pasco County Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning, Pasco County School Board member Allen Altman, former Pasco Clerk & Comptroller Paula O’Neil and State Rep. Ardian Zika.

To help, send donations to:

Venmo: @FLAG2020Pasco; PayPal: PayPal.me/FLAG2020Pasco

Published May 13, 2020

Serving meals to children in need

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Efforts are ongoing to keep children fed during this time of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

As school district officials know, for many children their school meals are their only reliable source of food.

So, both the Pasco and Hillsborough County school districts have set up meal distribution sites and have been providing meals to students ages 18 and under.

At the Pasco County School Board’s April 21 audio meeting, Betsy Kuhn, assistant superintendent of support services, provided this update.

“Today (April 21) was our fifth week in meal service, since schools closed,” she said.

During the week of March 23, the district served approximately 5,500 students per day, with prepackaged meals at its original feeding sites.

On March 31, it began distributing prepackaged meals once a week, with each student receiving five breakfasts and five lunches for the week. That week, it served 80,680 meals to over 8,000 students at 27 sites and 16 bus stops.

On April 21, it served 143,000 meals to 14,300 students, which was slightly less than the week before.

All in all, the district has served more than 536,200 meals since the school closure began, Kuhn said. The district has received some donations, to add to its prepackaged foods, she said, noting it has received fresh corn and cucumbers.

She also noted that Connerton Elementary was scheduled to be added on April 28, as one of the district’s distribution sites.

“We have had a huge demand in the Central Area,” Kuhn said, noting that 1,400 students were served on April 21 at Pine View Elementary.

The Pasco distribution program will cease on May 19, but is set to begin again on June 2, with some modifications.

In other news, Pasco Schools Deputy Superintendent Ray Gadd said the district will be joining

Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco, Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, State Rep. Ardian Zika and State Sen. President Wilton Simpson to initiate a food drive.

“Even though we’ve been very successful at feeding our students, we remain concerned that as summer approaches, it’s going to become more difficult,” Gadd said.

He noted that Fasano is donating a substantial amount of food.

He also said “we’ve also reached out to some not-for-profits around the state that are shipping fresh produce throughout the state, and we’re trying to make connections with them, and we’re very optimistic that that’s going to occur.”

School board members Allen Altman and Cynthia Armstrong expressed appreciation for the ongoing efforts.

“I think it’s never been more evident that our schools are much more than education opportunities. What this system, what our employees and community support have done to support families in the last month, is nothing short of amazing,” Altman said.

He also noted that he hopes when the pandemic passes, “people will remember how much the public school system contributed to the community.”

Armstrong said it has been heartwarming to see the gratitude expressed by people receiving the food.

“Seeing the handmade thank you signs that the students have made and they hold up in the windows, really makes you appreciate what we’re able to do for our students’ families,” Armstrong said.

Meanwhile, in Hillsborough County, on April 15, the district began distributing food one day per week—with students receiving one week of food at a time.

“Due to new CDC guidelines and a statewide stay-at-home order, our district wants to minimize contact between Student Nutrition Services workers and our families. We believe one-day-a-week food distribution will be safer for the community as a whole,” the website says.

“Families will be able to pick up a week’s worth of nutritious meals every Wednesday at the same 147 sites, between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. This will include one pound of lunch meat, a loaf of bread, milk, juice and nutritious snacks.

“Students will receive enough food for each school day. Buses also will be transporting foods into specific neighborhoods for pick up every Wednesday.

Each student will receive a bag of food that needs to be refrigerated, and one that can stay at room temperature.

“It’s important to note that these food bags will weigh over 10 pounds together. If you are walking up or riding a bike to a Grab-and-Go site, please have your child bring their empty backpack to provide a simple way to transport the food,” the website says.

For a list of frequently asked questions, visit HillsboroughSchools.org.

Feeding  sites
Additional sites have been added to Pasco County Schools’ drive-thru feeding sites. Here is the current list of active sites within The Laker/Lutz News coverage area. The sites are open Tuesdays only, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Bags of food include breakfast and lunch for five days, for each student.

The sites are:

  • Chester W. Taylor Elementary
  • Connerton Elementary
  • New River Elementary
  • Pasco High School
  • Pasco Middle School
  • Pine View Elementary
  • Quail Hollow Elementary
  • Rodney B. Cox Elementary
  • San Antonio Elementary
  • West Zephyrhills Elementary
  • Zephyrhills High School

Published April 29, 2020

Local teen’s rare disease sparks legislation

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After more than three years of fighting for their medical coverage for their son’s rare disease, a Land O’ Lakes family has seen some progress in their quest.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Patient Saving Act on June 12, which includes language requiring the state insurance plan to provide enteral formula coverage, regardless of age, condition or intake method.

Stephanie Walls, whose son Remington suffers from Eosinophilic Esophagitis (EoE), called the legislative victory “absolutely amazing.”

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the Patient Saving Act in June. Included is language requiring the state insurance plan to provide enteral formula coverage, regardless of age, condition or intake method. Stephanie and Remington Walls stand on the far right. (Courtesy of Stephanie Walls)

The rare EoE disease, which is incurable, causes food to deteriorate in his esophagus.

Remington, who was diagnosed at age 4, has lived a life without regular food or drink.

His only source of nutrition since then has come via a hypoallergenic amino acid-based liquid formula, called Neocate EO28 Splash. He consumes roughly 18 to 22 of the eight-ounce juice boxes per day.

Through it all, 19-year-old Remington has never let his life-threatening food allergy disease block him from pursuing his goals.

He is a former varsity baseball standout at Land O’ Lakes High School.

He’s a published author, and he has earned a volunteer assistant/team manager position at Valdosta State University’s Division I baseball program.

In 2016, his family learned that its insurance no longer covered the liquid formula required for sustenance. Without the insurance, the formula costs about $26,000 per year, Stephanie said.

The alternative was a feeding tube. But, with Remington’s active lifestyle, that was never an option, the family says.

So, Remington and his mom have been pushing for state and federal legislation for enteral formula coverage for medical nutrition — sharing their story with lawmakers and anyone who would listen.

The new law only impacts state employees, but still it is a move in the right direction and will help families like theirs who are struggling, Stephanie says.

“This is just a baby step, to the bigger steps that are going to be taken,” added Stephanie, an eighth grade language arts teacher at Cypress Creek Middle High School in Wesley Chapel.

“We’re still trying to get federal legislation,” she said. “It has to be broader. It has to have a wider span.”

Remington agrees with his mom: “Our goal is to get federal legislation passed, but it’s just a work in progress. We just take it one day, one step at a time.”

He added, “Honestly, our whole goal going into this was, whether it benefits us or not, we want to make a difference. We just knew that if this is happening to us, then it’s happening to other families.”

Getting help and helping others
At the state level, the Walls’ cause was picked during the legislative process by Sen. Kelli Stargel, a Republican from Lakeland, and Rep. Ardian Zika, a Republican from Land O’ Lakes. They sponsored enteral formula legislation, which ultimately led to an amendment to the state health bill.

As it stands now, “it only covers state employees,” Zika said. “My goal is I hope to see federal legislation addressing this issue .. .so we have comprehensive coverage for such a condition.”

He went on, “For me, this was an opportunity to be a voice for the voiceless. When I reflect back on my public service, this is going to be one of the highlights for me.”

Zika learned of Walls’ story before his election in 2018 to represent District 37 in the Florida House of Representatives.

“It was really heartbreaking,” Zika said. “I said, ‘Wow, this is something that I would be very passionate about because it’s life-changing for individuals.’”

The freshman lawmaker added, “Remington has overcome so much adversity. No one should go through what they’ve (the Walls) gone through. I’m just happy to be at the intersection in their life and do my part, but there’s much more work to be done.”

Remington and Stephanie addressed several committees in Tallahassee along the way, including the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee, House Market Reform Subcommittee and Government Oversight Committee.

Stephanie acknowledged the work was tiresome, but she said it also was empowering to be a voice for other families who are in the same boat.

“Our belief and our philosophy has always been that we need to help the people that come behind us,” she said. “Regular, everyday people can make a difference, but people have to understand that. It’s just about everybody making that difference.”

Seeing her son pick up the cause made the efforts all the more worthwhile, too.

Stephanie put it like this: “It is so rare to find an 18-year-old, at the time, meeting with legislators. He knew in his heart that this was the right thing that he needed to be doing. A lot of it he was kind of thrust into it, but he chose to continue.”

In November, Remington and Stephanie co-wrote “Homeplate: A True Story of Resilience,” a 118-page book that delves into a foodless life and insights on coping with a rare esophageal disease.

The project gained momentum to the point where Remington and Stephanie were called to speak at multiple events, including the American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) Conference in Washington D.C. The Walls also presented to over 200 athletes at an Atlanta-based event organized by ACES Nation and All-In FC (Futbol Club) at Sugar Hill.

Meanwhile, Remington has big plans ahead. The college sophomore plans to try out for the Valdosta State baseball team this fall. He’s also studying communications as he considers a career in public speaking.

He hopes his story can inspire others facing similar challenges.

Determination is important, according to Remington.

“If you set your mind to it, you can do it. The only person that can stop you is you,” he said.

Published August 21, 2019

Pasco projects in new state budget

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Florida’s $91.5 billion budget, approved by the Florida Legislature, includes funding for just two of the projects that Pasco County requested.

Legislators approved $1 million for the Land O’ Lakes U.S. 41 beautification project, and $1 million to improve the waterfront at Miller’s Bayou.

Dade City received $5 million for the extension of Morningside Drive.

While legislators approved the projects, Gov. Ron DeSantis still have the option of vetoing the projects.

Dade City also received funding for the Morningside Drive extension in last year’s budget, but it was vetoed by then Gov. Rick Scott, according to Ralph Lair, the county’s lobbyist.

Lair briefed the Pasco County Commission on the 2019 legislative session during the commission’s May 7 meeting.

In addition to funding decisions, legislators also took actions on numerous issues expected to have impacts on the county, Lair said.

Vegetable gardens could be popping up in front yards, under a law passed during the 2019 session of the Florida Legislature, unless Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoes the measure. (File)

That legislation affects growth management, vegetable gardens and tree trimming or removal, he said.

The growth management bill “will make it harder to challenge a developer’s plan for a new neighborhood or changes in any local comprehensive plan,” Lair said.

“For one thing, anyone who challenges a plan amendment and loses has to pay the prevailing party the attorney’s fees,” he said.

“Also, local governments cannot require affordable housing in new developments,” he said.

State lawmakers also passed legislation that “cripples the ability for local governments to tell people where they can plant a garden in the yard,” Lair said.

“The bill places personal property rights over the authority of counties and cities to dictate where people can grow vegetables in their yard and any existing ordinance, as we have, restricting any vegetable gardens, is void and unenforceable under the law,” Lair said.

However, deed restrictions still can regulate where vegetable gardens are planted, Lair added.

Local governments also can adopt regulations relating to water use during drought, fertilizer use and control of invasive plants and species.

State lawmakers also passed legislation that will prevent local government from requiring an application approval, permit fee, or mitigation for the pruning, trimming or removal of a tree on residential property, if the property obtains documentation from a certified arborist or licensed landscape architect that the tree is a danger to person or property.

The bill also prohibits local governments from requiring replanting of trees removed or trimmed, Lair said.

The Legislature also passed a 5-year moratorium on counties and cities from passing ordinances prohibiting plastic straws, while the state studies ordinances already approved by 10 cities that have already done so. However, DeSantis has vetoed that measure.

Commissioner Mike Moore thanked Sen. Tom Lee and Ardian Zika for their hard work in pushing through the $1 million request for Land O’ Lakes Boulevard beautification.

Moore said commissioners will keep their fingers crossed that the appropriation is not vetoed by DeSantis. He said the project to upgrade the appearance along the road is needed to help with redevelopment of U.S. 41, between state roads 54 and 52.

Moore and fellow commissioners Jack Mariano and Kathryn Starkey also noted that next year, the commission should shrink their list of priorities and work hard to get them through.

Lair agreed with the approach: “Short and sweet. Condensed is best.”

He also advised commissioners to go after funding for “shovel-ready” projects.

They tend to favor projects that are ready to go, and aren’t just in a planning stage, Lair said.

Published May 22, 2019

Results are in for Florida’s primary

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Florida’s voters went to the polls last week in a primary that captured national attention when Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Gillum stunned political prognosticators by defeating the predicted winner Gwen Graham.

If he wins in November, Gillum would become Florida’s first black governor.

On the Republican side of the ledger, Congressman Ron DeSantis — endorsed by President Donald J. Trump — carried the day, defeating Adam Putnam, a longtime Florida politician, who had served as Florida’s Commissioner of Agriculture and five terms in Congress, representing Central Florida.

Locally, 85,907 voters cast their ballots in Pasco County, representing a 24.84 percent turnout of the county’s 345,879 registered voters.

“The turnout was considerably higher than I expected and, in this case, I’m never more happy to be wrong,” Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said, via email.

The 2018 Primary turnout represented a 66 percent increase from the last midterm primary in 2014, Corley said.

“It’s apparent the voters are more engaged than in previous cycles,” the supervisor of elections added.

Hillsborough County experienced a slightly higher turnout, with 219,118 ballots cast, representing a 26.16 percent turnout of the county’s 837,681 registered voters.

DeSantis and Graham garnered the most votes in the governor’s race among Pasco voters, while DeSantis and Gillum were the top vote-getters in that race in Hillsborough County.

While many races on the ballot were true primary choices, with voters deciding which candidate should represent the Democrats and Republicans in the general elections, the races for judges and school board members were nonpartisan, meaning winners could be named if a candidate secured more than 50 percent of the vote.

That happened in two of the three Pasco County School Board races on the ballot.

Allen Altman and Cynthia Armstrong were both re-elected to another term, which the winner of the seat vacated by retiring Steve Luikart will be decided in the general election, with a run-off between Megan Harding and Tara M. O’ Connor.

The Pasco race for the Circuit Judge 6th Judicial Circuit, Group 4, also will require a run-off in November between Davis Ellis and Roxanne Fixsen. In that race, none of the three candidates secured more than 50 percent of the vote.

TOP VOTE-GETTERS IN KEY RACES

Pasco County Republicans
Federal
U.S. Senate: Rick Scott

State
Governor: Ron DeSantis
Attorney General: Ashley Moody
Commissioner of Agriculture: Baxter Troutman
State Representative District 37: Ardian Zika

Pasco County Democrats
Federal
U.S. Rep. District 12: Chris Hunter

State
Governor: Gwen Graham
Attorney General: Sean Shaw
Commissioner of Agriculture: Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried
State Senator District 20: Kathy Lewis

Local races, No Party Affiliation
Pasco County
Circuit Judge 6th Judicial Circuit
Group 9: Christine Helinger
Group 36: Doneene D. Loar
Group 40: Thomas H. “Tommy” Minkoff
Group 45: Rebecca Hamilton

County Judge
Group 7: Kent Compton

Pasco School Board
District 1: Allen Altman
District 3: Cynthia Armstrong
District 5:  A run-off will be held between Megan Harding and Tara M. O’Connor in the November general election.

Hillsborough County Republicans
State races
Governor: Rick DeSantis
Attorney General: Ashley Moody
Commissioner of Agriculture: Baxter Troutman
State Representative, District 64: James Grant

Local races, Republican
Hillsborough County Commission, District 2: Ken Hagan
Hillsborough County Commission, District 5: Victor Crist
Hillsborough County Commission, District 7: Todd Marks

Hillsborough County Democrats
Federal
U.S. Congress, District 12: Chris Hunter

State races
Governor: Andrew Gillum
Attorney General: Sean Shaw
Commissioner of Agriculture: Nicole ‘Nikki’ Fried
State Senator, District 20: Kathy Lewis

Local races, Democratic
Hillsborough County Commission, District 5: Mariella Smith
Hillsborough County Commission, District 7: Kimberly Overman

Hillsborough County School Board (No political affiliation)
District 1: William Henry Person and Steve Cona will have a run-off in the November general election
District 2: Stacy Hahn
District 4: Melissa Snively
District 6: Karen Perez and Henry “Shake” Washington will have a runoff in the November general election.

Complete results can be found at PascoVotes.com and VoteHillsborough.org.

Published September 5, 2018