The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
Proud to be independently owned.

Charlie Crist

Wiregrass Ranch High student wins honor for civil rights video

By

Aimee Johnson is on track to become a nurse, a profession she loves.

But, this 18-year-old senior at Wiregrass Ranch High School also is an award-winning videographer.

Her 10-minute video on the St. Augustine civil rights movement won a first-place regional award in an annual competition that celebrates National History Day.

Aimee Johnson, who is graduating from Wiregrass Ranch High School, won a first-place regional award in a competition about civil rights history. (Courtesy of Aimee Johnson)

It is featured at the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum in St. Augustine.

Even though it was “a very prominent movement and had one of the most violent histories,” Johnson said, it also “was a hidden history people didn’t know about.”

She compiled archival photographs and interviewed St. Augustine civil rights activists to tell the story of racial tension and hatred in the mid-1960s.

She started her video journey with a visit to the ACCORD Civil Rights Museum, which holds artifacts from that period, including the fingerprints of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Police arrested the civil rights icon in June 1964 for trespassing when he and others tried to dine at a whites-only restaurant.

It was King’s only arrest in Florida.

Johnson held the document and touched King’s fingerprints.

“It was very eye-opening, and I’m grateful that I got to do something like that,” she said. “It’s become something more to me. I’m very happy about that.”

The museum is at the former office of dentist and civil rights activist Robert B. Hayling, who is considered the “father” of the St. Augustine civil rights movement.

He headed the St. Augustine NAACP Youth Council before joining with King’s Southern Christian Leadership Council.

In addition to her museum visit, Johnson interviewed Janie Price, 98, who first met King at Morehouse College in Atlanta. When King came to St. Augustine in the summer of 1964, he stayed at her house.

Because of the threats from the Klu Klux Klan, King had to frequently move from one house to another.

Price is remembered as the “house mother” of the St. Augustine civil rights movement.

Robert Batie, who grew up in St. Augustine, recounted an attack on his family.

Someone, believed to be a Klan member, hurled a hub cap through a living room window. Later a soda bottle crashed through another window. The shattered glass wounded Batie, who was just 9 at the time.

He later was among the first blacks to integrate schools in St. Augustine.

The video highlights several historical events, including the sit-in at Woolworth’s lunch counter by 16 teenagers. Four teenagers later arrested and sent to reform school became known as the St. Augustine Four.

In another confrontation, whites and blacks held a “wade-in” at a local motel pool to the dismay of the Klan. The white motel owner threw acid into the pool.

The demonstrations played a pivotal role in the national movement which led to the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

“I actually was always interested in the civil rights movement especially my being a black woman,” Johnson said. But, Florida often is left out because historians take a more national view of events, she said.

Her interest in history is matched by her passion for creating videos. That seemed a perfect match for her civil rights project.

Still, she wasn’t sure where to start.

However, her mother did. She posted a message on Facebook explaining her daughter’s plan and got a response that led Johnson to Gwendolyn Duncan.

Duncan is a long-time activist who led efforts to found the ACCORD museum, and served as its museum project manager. The name stands for Anniversary to Commemorate the Civil Rights Demonstrations Inc.

Duncan helped introduce Johnson to Price and Batie. She also provided a video clip of former Gov. Charlie Crist issuing a resolution to expunge the records of hundreds of civil rights activists arrested in St. Augustine during the demonstrations.

Johnson felt pressure to create a special video.

The night before turning it in, she felt overwhelmed with schoolwork and worried that the video wouldn’t be good enough.

Her Mom set her straight. Just do your best, she said.

“My Mom is always there to support me,” Johnson said.

Winning regionally against about 300 other entries was her reward.

Now, Johnson is focused on her nursing career. She has been a dual enrollment student since ninth grade when she started in the school’s nursing program.

Johnson is vice president of HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America), and is a member of Best Buddies, SADD, Key Club and Bulls Nation.

She is one of seven children from a family that immigrated from Jamaica. It’s also a family with many doctors.

She jokes that the medical show, “Grey’s Anatomy,” showed her that nursing was “cool.”

“I was so interested in it,” she said. But, she is certain nursing is her calling. “It’s become more to me,” she said. “I was able to sink into it.”

She will begin online classes with the University of Central Florida in June, and hopefully will transition to on-campus life in fall.

Even in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, she is steadfast.

“I understand the dangers,” Johnson said. “I fully understand and truly love the nursing field. I love just being able to help other people.”

To view the video, visit YouTube and search The Civil Rights Act: St. Augustine 1964 NHD/Aimee Johnson.

Published June 03, 2020

Teen’s health struggle makes her a national voice

By

When Mark and Kelly Dees of Land O’ Lakes decided to name their unborn daughter Hope, it was a sign of their unwavering optimism despite devastating news.

What was supposed to be an exciting reveal of their baby’s gender, soon became a moment of sadness after Hope was diagnosed with congenital heart defects.

Hope Dees, of Land O’ Lakes, sits next to her father, Mark, in the office of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis in Washington D.C. The 13-year-old was among many youths who traveled to Capitol Hill to talk to lawmakers about policies to better help kids with health issues. (Courtesy of Amy Gall, BayCare Health System)

“We were told by the first doctor that she wouldn’t live to see her first birthday,” Kelly recalled.

But now, at age 13, Hope has far exceeded that grim diagnosis.

Not only has she undergone multiple operations, she also recently had the chance to make her voice heard by the nation’s lawmakers on Capitol Hill.

Still, it hasn’t been an easy path.

A fighting chance
After hearing the initial troubling news about their daughter, the couple went to St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital in Tampa, where a second diagnosis showed a brighter outcome.

Hope had a 92 percent success rate of survival, according to Dr. James Huhta, who still cares for her to this day.

She was born eight weeks premature with not only a weak heart, but a mild form of cerebral palsy, among other health complications.

At just 2 months old, she had her first open-heart surgery and spent several months recuperating at All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.

Also, her esophagus did not connect to her stomach and had an abnormal connection to her trachea. This resulted in her being tube fed. Because of her complex situation, doctors waited until she weighed at least 4 pounds before performing corrective surgery.

Hope underwent two more heart surgeries, the second at 9 months old and the last at age 10. These were performed at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital.

She had other health concerns, too.

When Hope was 18 months, her parents noticed she was walking unusually.

Hope Dees, 13, stands alongside U.S. Rep. Charlie Crist while on a trip to Washington D.C. She and her parents spoke to Florida legislators about health care coverage for kids with medical needs.

Over the years, she has had to go through extensive physical therapy and orthopedic surgery on her left leg and foot.

“As she grows, the bone grows faster than the muscle,” Kelly explained. “The bone is growing and the tendon is pulling in because it’s not as long as the bone.”

Although Hope uses a leg brace for stability, she still may need another surgery.

Being in and out of hospitals all her life and getting to know medical staff, especially at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital, has become routine for Hope.

“This has always been her normal,” Kelly said of her daughter. “For me, it’s nothing but gratitude for all that they’ve done for her over the years, and all they continue to do.”

Speaking aloud for action
BayCare Health System and the Children’s Hospital Association have been working in conjunction for years to bring kids with medical needs to Washington D.C., for the annual Family Advocacy Day.

Amy Gall is a regional communications coordinator for BayCare Health System and has become Hope’s friend.

“We’ve been bringing a family up to meet with the legislators every summer,” Gall said.

Because Kelly is an advocate for protecting Medicaid for kids, Gall knew that Hope would be the perfect candidate to go to Capitol Hill with her family from June 24 to June 27.

Like dozens of other youth from around the nation, Hope had the opportunity to meet with congressional representatives from their respective states, and perhaps help to influence policy.

At Capitol Hill, Hope had the chance to meet with U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Rick Scott. Also present were U.S. Representatives Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Kathy Castor, Charlie Crist, Darren Soto, Ross Spano and Greg Steube.

Along with Hope, Mark and Kelly helped address concerns about stabilizing health coverage for kids.

“As they are adults, taking responsibility of their own health care, it’s important that they have the coverage that they need and the assistance that they need,” Kelly said, in an interview with The Laker/Lutz News, after the family traveled to Washington D.C.

She said she wants assurance that when kids like Hope become adults, that they are guaranteed coverage and not discriminated because of pre-existing conditions.

Hope is currently on Children’s Medical Services, which falls under the Medicaid program.

There is a premium to pay, based on income, but the program has been helpful, Kelly said.

However, she said, a child must reapply annually, or the coverage will lapse.

One year, Hope’s paperwork was late, and she was without coverage for a month.

Changing that system was a topic presented to Congress.

“Some families can’t afford to just abruptly lose their coverage,” Kelly added. “It’s important that they are able to continue to afford their own coverage or doctor visits. It’s not cheap.”

Kelly said the reception offered by the federal lawmakers was sincere, and they appeared to be willing to see what could be done to help kids like Hope.

Still pressing forward
Even after everything Hope has endured, she still views herself as an average teenager, her mom said.

When she has free time, she practices the piano and goes swimming. And as she prepares to enter eighth grade at Dr. John Long Middle School, she plans to sing soprano in the choir.

While she was visiting Rep. Ross Spano’s office, he showed the family a sign engraved with the words: “Never give up.”

Kelly said she’s inspired by the same mantra — and, she added, that her daughter, Hope, has taught her the true meaning of those words.

Published July 24, 2019

Bicycle association honors Kathryn Starkey’s tenacity, service

By

Becky Afonso, executive director of the Florida Bicycle Association, recently honored Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey as its 2018 Elected Official Champion of the Year.

Afonso highlighted Starkey’s tenacity and public service during the Pasco County Commission’s April 23 meeting.

These cyclists attended an event on Oct. 30 to celebrate the construction of the new Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail. (File)

The association executive reminded commissioners that the Tri-County Trail connection won the 2014 Future of the Region development infrastructure award from the Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council.

“Today, the future of the region is here and the Tri-County connection on the cusp of completion,” Afonso said.

“Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has been and continues to be, the champion of this connection and for Pasco County,” said Afonso, whose association uses advocacy and education to encourage more people to bicycle in Florida.

“I personally want to thank the commissioner for her persistence to make this vision a reality.

“Her experience, tenacity and public service record are admirable and inspirational.

“I remember a few years back, when the Florida Department of Transportation held a Coast-to-Coast Connector Trail public meeting in Webster,” Afonso said.

Starkey fought for Pasco County to host a meeting, she said.

“I also recall her determination to fill the trail gaps in Pasco County, ASAP, to ensure those using the trail will boost the local economies where shops and restaurants are accessible, and ultimately to have residents and visitors on the trail embrace Pasco as a friendly destination and a community to enjoy.

“I look forward to the ribbon cutting for the Tri-County connection. I also look forward to riding from my city of Oldsmar, come into Pasco County, have a lunch and then going back,” the association executive said.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey recently was named the Florida Bicycle Association’s 2018 Elected Official Champion of the Year.

Starkey was pleased by the recognition.

“I am honored that you guys thought of me. My path to my trail work started when I was on the Pinellas Anclote River Basin Board and then I was also doing some work within the county as a civic activist.

“When they were building the Suncoast, they built a trail along the side.

“My husband said, ‘You know, the trail and the park really should connect to that trail.”

Starkey agreed and began talking with various departments about connecting that trail.

She said when she talked to each group individually, they said they wanted it. But, they also claimed that another group did not.

So, all of the parties came together for a meeting.

“In the first 15 minutes, we had that trail connected, and then in the next 45 minutes, we figured out the funding. We split that, one third, one third, one third. So we connected the Starkey Trail to the Suncoast Trail and, because of that, then I got notice from state officials and that’s how I got put on the state’s Greenways and Trails Council. From there, that’s when I learned of the state’s plan to make a connected system in Florida, and from there, I started working on the Starkey Gap, and that was when Gov. (Jeb) Bush was in office.

“Sometimes, government goes way too slow.

“We’re really glad that gap is under construction. We’ve also worked on off-road trails in the county.

“I think trails add so much value to the quality of life to communities. I recall being at a meeting in Tallahassee when Visit Florida gave us a presentation. They said there were more people asking for trails maps than golf courses. Trails have really overtaken the recreational desires of people coming to Florida,” Starkey said.

Starkey has served for years on the State Greenways and Trails Council through appointments from Gov. Jeb Bush, Gov. Charlie Crist and Gov. Rick Scott.

She frequently points out the need to connect segments of trail, and to ensure that those connections are considered during discussions of potential changes to zoning.

The new 2.4 mile Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail is expected to be completed this summer.

Once the segment is finished, it will provide connectivity to a trail that’s more than 100 miles and continues to grow.

Published May 01, 2019

Construction begins to link recreational trails

By

Pasco County’s engineering services had an event on Oct. 30 to celebrate the construction of the new Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail.

Construction of the new multi-use 2.4 mile-trail is expected to be completed in the summer of 2019.

Some cyclists were among those gathered to celebrate the beginning of construction of the Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

Once the segment is finished, it will provide connectivity to a trail that’s now more than 100 miles and continues to grow.

Construction of the Starkey Gap Trail is being funded and managed by the Florida Department of Transportation. After the trail is built, Pasco County will assume management of the trail.

This section of the trail is the last link of the Coast to Coast Connector Trail to be built in Pasco County. Once the Coast to Coast Connector Trail is completed, the network will stretch approximately 250 miles  — from St. Petersburg to Titusville.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey, who has played an instrumental role in addressing the need for recreational trails in Pasco, and across Florida, commented on the importance of this and other trail projects during an interview with The Laker/Lutz News.

“Before there ever was a Coast-to-Coast, we had this wonderful trail through Starkey Wilderness Park, which is a real jewel and it connects to the Suncoast Trail, which takes you all of the way up to Citrus County.

“The experiences on both trails are different, but they’re very special to serious cyclists.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has a keen interest in linking Florida’s recreational trails together. She spoke during a recent event to celebrate the beginning of construction for the Starkey Gap Bicycle and Pedestrian Trail that will link the Starkey and Suncoast Trails in Pasco County to the Pinellas Trail.

“And then, you have the Pinellas Trail, which is a real economic driver for communities along that trail. It’s world famous.

“And, it just made so much sense to connect the two,” Starkey said.

She noted that she served on Florida’s Greenways and Trails Council, under governors Jeb Bush, Charlie Crist and Rick Scott.

While serving on that council during Bush’s administration, she said she learned about trails all over the state, and it just made sense to link those trails.

She was involved in linking the Starkey Trail to the Suncoast Trail, which provided a 100-mile trail, she said.

After that, she got started on working on the Starkey Gap link.

The Starkey Gap project will build a new 2.4-mile long multi-use trail from the Pasco/Pinellas County line to the southern end of the Starkey Trail, north of State Road 54 in Pasco County.

The trail will follow the Duke Energy right of way to State Road 54, west along SR 54 to Starkey Boulevard and then north to Starkey Trail.

The construction cost for the project is estimated at $2,615,000, according to a Florida Department of Transportation fact sheet. The work will be done by D.A.B. Constructors Inc., the fact sheet says.

Published November 7, 2018

Commissioners make connections at White House

By

Pasco County commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano attended a special White House conference to promote communications between the state’s county commissions and federal agencies.

The Florida County Commissioners’ White House Conference met on July 27, and included about 120 county commissioners and staff from all over the state. It was the second in what is planned as a series of conferences to strengthen relationships between the Trump administration, federal agencies and local elected officials.

The first conference was for Pennsylvania’s local governments.

Starkey described the Florida conference as similar in purpose to Pasco County’s Citizens Academy, but on a much shorter six-hour schedule. The Citizens Academy is nine sessions over several weeks.

“I think the visit was tremendous,” said Starkey. “It was a wonderful relationship-building day. It can only be the beginning of a good working relationship between local officials and the White House.”

The U.S. Secretaries of Labor and Commerce attended, as did representatives of other agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of State, and senior White House staff members.

Those attending heard an overview of each department and agency, their functions and the issues for which they can provide assistance to local governments. Contact information was shared, too.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio was among the conference speakers.

And, there were visits with U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist.

Starkey and Mariano headed to the conference with a list of priority issues for Pasco. Those included road projects, such as the new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road, the Ridge Road extension, veterans’ issues, coastal dredging, flood insurance and work force training.

“We talked a lot about dredging and the need for flood maps,” said Starkey.

An unfinished, 70-year-old dredging project near Sun West Park was high on Mariano’s list, according to a statement included in a Pasco County news release.

Pasco began a new permitting process for the dredging in 2007.

“Pasco County has a project ready to go, but we need federal approval for the dredge, so we can build seven boat ramps,” Mariano stated. “I’m hoping the President can help speed this project along.”

Published August 9, 2017

Park expansion signifies big day for Land O’ Lakes

By

Passersby on U.S. 41 likely didn’t notice the event taking place under a covered pavilion at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park on Aug. 14.

After all, there were no marching bands or fireworks.

Dignitaries and park supporters gathered for a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of a $2.3 million project to improve Land O’ Lakes Community Park. (Courtesy of Teri Dusek)
Dignitaries and park supporters gathered for a ribbon cutting to mark the completion of a $2.3 million project to improve Land O’ Lakes Community Park.
(Courtesy of Terri Dusek)

But the ribbon cutting for the Land O’ Lakes Community Park project marked a big day in the community’s history.

The $2.3 million park improvement project includes the installation of a Bermuda grass practice field, a Bermuda grass football field and a 300-foot Bermuda grass softball field.

It also includes a concession building with restrooms and a meeting room, a maintenance building, open space, two shelters, new parking lots, a new playground and a remodeled patio area. And, there’s also a four-tenths-of-a-mile walking trail.

“This is an exciting time for Land O’ Lakes. I know the community is going to enjoy this park for years to come,” said Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore, a speaker at the ribbon cutting.

Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, has been a driving force in securing funds for a stage to be built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Sandy Graves, of the Heritage Park Foundation, has been a driving force in securing funds for a stage to be built at Land O’ Lakes Community Park.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“This celebrates progress. Not just the progress of Pasco County, but for Land O’ Lakes and the community that surrounds this park. It’s an effort, in my mind, for the revitalization of this great community,” Moore said.

“This isn’t the end of it,” Moore added. “You look around and you say, ‘Wow, what an amazing facility.’ But this isn’t the end. Thanks to the efforts of the Heritage Park Foundation, Sandy Graves and her team, there’s going to be a bandstand here that’s going to have concerts and other performances. That’s going to be another great thing for this park that the community has needed for so many years.”

The stage, to be constructed next year, is being funded through a $250,000 grant from the Florida Division of Cultural Affairs.

It’s taken a long time to get the funding for the stage, noted Sandy Graves, who has pushed relentlessly for the project.

It took three governors to finally get the state’s support, Graves said. Gov. Jeb Bush and Gov. Charlie Crist rejected the request, but Gov. Rick Scott said yes.

Kurt Conover, a longtime supporter of the project, said it didn’t hurt to have support from members of the local legislative delegation.

Conover thinks the stage will add a new dimension to happenings in Land O’ Lakes.

“I envision it to be a very busy place,” he said.

Graves sees the stage as a way to foster the kind of community life she enjoyed when she was young.

Improvements at Land O’ Lakes Community Park include a 300-foot softball field. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Improvements at Land O’ Lakes Community Park include a 300-foot softball field.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

“So many of you see it as a new park today, but I see good memories,” Graves said, during the ribbon cutting ceremony.

“I remember the brand new park, back in the ’60s. I remember dance events. And coming to the community center for the Miss Land O’ Lakes pageant,” she said. “I remember my brother playing Little League games here.”

She said she’s grateful for the people of Land O’ Lakes who saw a need for a community center and park way back then, and for their support of “a place that added to the quality of life and to the wonder of their children’s memories.”

The quest for a stage at the park has been nearly 20 years in the making, Graves said, during an interview.

She noted that over the years, the Heritage Park Foundation has had all sorts of fundraisers and events to draw attention to their cause.

Foundation members sold turkey legs at the community’s Flapjack Festivals, sold coffee at the opening of the Suncoast Parkway, sold water at a balloon festival at Starkey Park, and sold doughnuts and coffee at the Central Pasco Chamber’s community expos.

They also had events, such as Traditions on the Green and Scarecrows ‘N Stuff, to draw attention to the cause.

Pasco County School Board member Joanne Hurley, a former member of the Heritage Park Foundation, recalled a time when the county was thinking about selling the parkland and relocating the park.

The community rallied against that.

Besides celebrating the park improvements, the ceremony also marked the beginning of a cooperative arrangement between Pasco County and Pasco County Schools, to share facilities.

Both parties have agreed to an arrangement that will allow students from Sanders to use the county’s practice fields, parkland, picnic shelter and walking trail, and visitors to the park to use the school’s basketball courts, parking and covered play area.

“Well, it took a long time,” said Rick Buckman, of the county’s parks and recreation department, but the efforts of many have paid off. “I’m just really excited.”

He thanked a long list of people who have been involved in making the project happen, expressing special gratitude for the patience of the Land O’ Lakes Police Athletic League.

“The LOL Pal Gators — they hung in there. We kept telling you, you were going to get a field. Well, you finally got it,” Buckman said.

The cooperative arrangement between the county and the school district is the first in Pasco County to become operational, Buckman added.

Lonnie Piper, of A-OK Trophies, was among those celebrating the updated park.

“This is just gorgeous, what they’ve done,” Piper said. “I can’t wait for the amphitheater to go in.”

Published August 19, 2015

Democrat first to try eliminating nuclear cost recovery this session

By

A Tallahassee lawmaker is taking on one major campaign issue from the state’s mid-term elections right away, proposing a bill that would eliminate the ability of utility companies like Duke Energy Corp. to collect money for its failed nuclear plant projects.

State Rep. Michelle Rehwinkel Vasilinda, D-Tallahassee, filed H.B. 4001 last Friday. If passed, it would repeal the nuclear cost recovery statute that has put Duke in line to collect more than $3.2 billion from customers through a $3.45 monthly surcharge. It’s supposed to pay for the now-closed Crystal River nuclear facility, as well as a cancelled nuclear power plant in Levy County.

The nuclear cost recovery statute was one of the big issues that affected the governor’s race, as well as some local races, including the one state Rep. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, eventually won. Burgess was forced to defend a $1,000 direct donation from Duke during an October candidate forum, as well as $2,000 of indirect support from Duke through the Republican Party of Florida.

Burgess at the time said that while he accepted money from Duke, he’s not beholden to them.

“The answer is very simple: nobody can buy my vote,” Burgess said at the time. “I have been very fortunate to receive a lot of local support, and I have to be able to lay down my head at night. When I make a decision, it’s for every single person in this room.”

The very brief H.B. 4001 would simply repeal the state statute that would allow utility companies to recover money from customers for the “siting, design, licensing and construction of nuclear and integrated gasification combined cycle power plants.” If passed and approved by the governor, such a bill could force Duke to stop collecting the monthly recovery fee from its customers beginning next July.

Rehwinkel Vasilinda didn’t stop there in high-profile bills, however. She also filed H.B. 4003, which would eliminate the state’s death penalty for capital crimes. Democrats have typically called for the repeal of death penalties in states, but a bill like this likely would not make it very far in the Republican-controlled legislature, or the Republican governor.

Florida has executed eight people this year, slightly more than the seven who were put to death in 2013. Gov. Rick Scott has signed 20 death warrants during his four years in office, compared to just five under Charlie Crist before him. That doesn’t include a warrant Scott signed Monday for Johnny Shane Kormondy, who was convicted for the 1993 murder of Gary McAdams, and for repeatedly raping McAdams’ wife.

Kormondy is scheduled for execution Jan. 15.

Gov. Jeb Bush put 21 people to death over an eight-year period, while Gov. Lawton Chiles executed 18 in his two terms in office.

Incumbents keeping seats on Hillsborough commission

By

Charlie Crist may not have been a winner in Florida, but another unrelated Crist will stay in elected office in Hillsborough County as Victor Crist won re-election to the county commission.

Crist defeated Democrat Elizabeth Belcher 56 percent to 44 percent to get another four years in Hillsborough. However, the race was a lot closer for Crist’s colleague, Al Higginbotham, who defeated Democrat Patricia Kemp 50.5 percent to 40.6 percent. Higginbotham had 3,000 more votes than his competitor, compared to a 12,000-vote win by Crist.

Higginbotham was just beyond the threshold that would’ve triggered a machine recount of votes, despite winning with less than a 1 percent margin of victory.

Joining the commission is Republican Stacy White, who easily beat a write-in candidate, to take Higginbotham’s old seat. Higginbotham will take over the county-wide seat formerly held by Mark Sharpe.

For state Rep. Shawn Harrison will return to Tallahassee after defeating Democratic incumbent Mark Danish 53 percent to 47 percent. James Grant will keep his House seat, however, beating fellow Republican Miriam Steinberg 61-39.

Hillsborough followed the rest of the state by overwhelmingly passing a state constitutional amendment that would help Florida conserve more environmentally sensitive land. However, the county also defeated medical marijuana and a change in how the governor can appoint state supreme court judges.

Hillsborough also was one of the few counties in Central Florida to support Charlie Crist for governor. Crist captured 48 percent of the vote in the county, while Rick Scott earned 46 percent.

In the congressional race, Dennis Ross won re-election against his Democratic challenger, former television personality Alan Cohn.

Burgess heads to Tallahassee, Moore wins commission race

By

Mike Moore raised a lot of money in his quest to become a member of the Pasco County Commission, but even he knew with Pasco’s history of upsets in commission races, there never was a guarantee.

Yet, Moore’s fundraising and campaign both paid off, as he won the last open seat on the commission, and will keep retiring Pat Mulieri’s seat in Republican hands.

With 97 percent of precincts reporting in Pasco just after 8:30 p.m., Moore had a 59-41 lead — or more than 26,600 votes — separating him from Democratic challenger Erika Remsberg. Moore will now join Mike Wells Jr. as new members of the commission, after Wells ousted Henry Wilson Jr. in the open primary last August.

Moore earned endorsements from various government and civic leaders, but could not pick them up from media outlets that offered them, or even the outgoing Mulieri, who chose to cross party lines and endorse Remsberg instead.

The state House seat representing the eastern and central parts of Pasco also stays in Republican hands after former Zephyrhills mayor Danny Burgess defeated retired teacher Beverly Ledbetter 60-40. That race was to decide who would replace House Speaker Will Weatherford, who is stepping down because of term limits.

Like Moore, Burgess also dominated in fundraising, raising more than $160,000, compared to $38,600 from Ledbetter. However, both candidates took a little heat in the days leading up to the election for not spending more of those dollars within their district. Burgess also took some hits for accepting money from Duke Energy, which has received negative attention in the last few months over charging customers for two nuclear power plants that no longer exist.

The tight race for governor proved to be especially tight in Pasco. Although Charlie Crist maintained a slim lead through early votes and absentees, Rick Scott flipped that with Election Day voting, and ended up winning Pasco by a very small, 47-45 advantage. That was the difference of 2,300 votes.

Adrian Wyllie, the Libertarian in the race, garnered 7 percent of the votes.

Pasco County’s elections supervisor Brian Corley said there were still some long lines waiting at precincts even after 7 p.m. when polls were supposed to close, including at Rasmussen College on State Road 54 and Sunlake Boulevard.

If the rest of the state follows Pasco’s leads, then the only state constitutional amendment expected to pass is Amendment 1, which would allow Florida to enhance its conservation land holdings. The medical marijuana amendment did get 58 percent support in Pasco, but it needs 60 percent to pass.

Election 2014: What voters are saying

By

Pasco County elections supervisor Brian Corley is considering the mid-term election a success, as more than 150,000 voters made their way to the polls locally, and exceeded the dismal 47 percent turnout the county had in 2010.

As election workers get ready to tabulate votes, people are still going to the polls — they are open until 7 p.m. Here are some of the things those voters are saying as they cast their ballots.

Tommy Seal, 40, of Zephyrhills, accompanied his 18-year-old son, Isaiah Seal, to Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills to cast their ballots. For Isaiah, this was his first time at the ballot box.

Both said they were supporting Rick Scott for governor.

Isaiah Seal and Tommy Seal
Isaiah Seal and Tommy Seal

“He’s done some good things for the state,” the older Seal said. “He’s helped improve the economy.”

However, the two were in disagreement on Amendment 2, the constitutional amendment that would legalize medicinal marijuana — but not in the way one might think.

Tommy Seal voted for it. His son didn’t.

“Honestly, if you’re in pain, every opportunity to help you, I think should be available to help you,” the older Seal said.

“There’s already problems with drug dealing in Florida,” his son said. “I thought it wouldn’t be wise to support it.”

David Sanchez, 59, of Wesley Chapel, took his parents to Alice Hall so they could vote. He’d already voted earlier himself.

David Sanchez
David Sanchez

Unlike the Seals, Sanchez cast his vote for Charlie Crist, and threw his support behind Amendment 2.

“I’m a lifelong Democrat,” Sanchez said. “The Republicans never did anything for me.”

His reasons for supporting medical marijuana were personal.

“I have two sisters that died from cancer,” he said. “They both suffered. They both looked like concentration camp survivors.”

Lauren Butts, 28, of Zephyrhills, went to the polling place to show her support for Danny Burgess, who is running for the state House District 38 seat.

Lauren Butts
Lauren Butts

“I’ve known him my whole life,” she said. “I wouldn’t trust any candidate more than I trust him.”

Dani Stoughtenger, 19, of Zephyrhills, wanted to be sure to make her voice heard.

“I’m liberal,” she said. “I voted for Charlie Crist. I voted yes on Amendment 2. I voted for Danny Burgess.”

Burgess, however, identifies as a conservative Republican.

“He is in the community,” Stoughtenger added. “He’s always been a part of the community. They’re a great family here in the Zephyrhills area. My family is actually friends with the Burgess family.”

J.J. Battle, 43, of Wesley Chapel, said he came out to support Crist.

J.J. Battle
J.J. Battle

“I haven’t been pleased with Rick Scott,” he said.

Scott’s refusal to accept federal funds for projects like high-speed rail and other services, led to job cuts and reduced services, he said.

“I’ve got clients that need help, and I can’t give it to them,” Battle said.

He also voted against medical marijuana.

“I don’t see a need for it,” he said. “I think it would be overused, and used in the wrong way.”

Danielle Westbrook, 30, was at the Wesley Chapel polling place with her 1-year-old son, Amos Rivera.

Danielle Westbrook and Amos
Danielle Westbrook and Amos

The two issues that stood out for her were the governor’s race and Amendment 2. She supported Adrian Wyllie, the Libertarian candidate for governor.

“It’s important for people to know that you can vote for a party besides Democratic or Republican,” she said.

Westbrook did support medical marijuana, saying she thinks people who are ill should have that option.