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The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

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Cynthia Thompson

Political Agenda 09/23/2020

September 22, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Candidate forums set for Pasco candidates
The Pasco County NAACP is hosting two Zoom candidate forums to help voters become more educated before the Nov. 3 general election.

The forums will be conducted via Zoom on Sept. 29 and Sept. 30, and will run from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., each night. Registration is required.

The Sept. 29 forum will feature candidates for U.S. House District 12, Florida Senate District 20 and Florida House Districts 36, 37 and 38. The link to register is tinyurl.com/y6ro5xwa.

The Sept. 30 forum will feature candidates for Pasco County Superintendent of Schools and Pasco County Commission District 3 and District 5. The link to register is tinyurl.com/y5gc3xkg.

Candidates who have agreed to participate include: Kimberly Walker, U.S. House District 12; Kathy Lewis, Florida Senate District 20 Special Election; Dan Endonino, Florida House District 36; Tammy Garcia, Florida House District 37; Brian Staver, Florida House District 38; Kurt Browning and Cynthia Thompson, Superintendent of Schools; Jessica Stempien, County Commission District 3; Brandi Geoit, Jack Mariano and Victor Rodriguez, County Commission District 5.

The Pasco County NAACP and the Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County worked together to send invitations to all candidates in the Pasco County General Elections.

The Pasco NAACP is taking the candidate forums forward. The Pasco Unit of the League of Women Voters is unable to co-host because of a national league policy that requires at least two candidates in each election race participate in the forums.

For more information, email Clyde Carter, president of the Pasco NAACP, at .

Sheriffs endorse Danny Burgess
Danny Burgess, a candidate for Florida Senate District 20, has been endorsed by Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd and Pasco County Sheriff Chris Nocco, according to a release from Burgess’ campaign.

Simpson endorses Maggard
Wilton Simpson, who is set to become president of the Florida Senate, has endorsed Randy Maggard in the race for State House District 38, according to a release from Maggard’s campaign.

Torres endorses Kathy Lewis
Florida State Sen. Victor “Vic” M. Torres Jr., has endorsed Kathy Lewis in the Florida State Senate District 20 race, according to a release from the Lewis campaign.

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Brian Staver, Chad Chronister, Chris Nocco, Cynthia Thompson, Dan Endonino, Danny Burgess, Grady Judd, Grandi Geoit, Jack Mariano, Jessica Stempien, Kathy Lewis, Kimberly Walker, Kurt Browning, League of Women Voters of Hillsborough County, Pasco County General Elections, Pasco County NAACP, Randy Maggard, Tammy Garcia, Victor Rodriguez, Victor Torres Jr., Wilton Simpson

Voter turnout higher in 2020 Primary Election

August 25, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Voter turnout for the 2020 Primary Election was higher than it was in the 2016 Primary, in both  Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

In Pasco, 21.03% of registered voters cast ballots in the 2020 primary, compared to 18.64% in the 2016 primary.

In Hillsborough, the number of registered voters participating was 25.38%, compared to 19.1% in the 2016 primary.

Voters made their choices in some key races in Pasco and Hillsborough counties.

In a universal primary in the race for Pasco County Commission District 4, Christina Fitzpatrick won the election, with 32.6% of the vote, compared to the second-highest vote-getter, Gary Bradford, who received 31.52%.

Alison Crumbley won another term on the Pasco County School Board. Candidates Gabriel Papadopoulos and Catie Mansfield fell short of their bid for county commission and county judge, respectively (B.C. Manion)

Jeff Miller and Gabriel “Gabe” Papadopoulos also ran in the four-way race to fill the vacancy that was created when Mike Wells decided to seek the post of county property appraiser, which Wells secured.

All voters were eligible to vote in the universal primary for the District 4 seat because the winner faced no opposition in the general election.

In the Republican primary race for superintendent of Pasco County Schools, incumbent Kurt Browning captured more than 64% of the vote, defeating David LaRoche. He will face Cynthia Thompson No Party Affiliation in the Nov. 3 general election.

In the nonpartisan Pasco County School Board District 4 race, Alison Crumbley won reelection with more than 65% of the vote, defeating challenger Joshua Stringfellow.

In Hillsborough County, four school board seats were up for grabs and all four are heading to run-offs in the Nov. 3 general election.

In District 1, Nadia Combs was the top vote-getter, receiving 44.56% of the vote, and she will face incumbent Steve Cona, who received 33.30%.

District 3 drew five candidates. Mitch Thrower led the pack, with 25.15% of the vote, while Jessica Vaughn came in second, with 24.49%.

Four candidates competed in District 5, with Henry “Shake” Washington receiving 44.45% of the vote compared to incumbent Tammy Shamburger, who drew 23.70% of votes cast in that race.

A quartet of candidates sought the District 7 seat, with Sally Harris emerging with a slight edge over Lynn Gray. Harris hauled in 28.40% of the vote, while Gray received 27.85%.

Rain fell steadily, at least for a while, on 2020 Primary Election Day in Pasco and Hillsborough counties. Here are some of the political signs near an intersection in Lutz.

In the Republican primary race for Hillsborough County Sheriff, incumbent Chad Chronister received 62.39% of the vote, defeating challenger Charles Boswell. Chronister will face Democrat Gary Pruitt and Ron McMullen No Party Affiliation in the general election.

In the Democrat primary race for Hillsborough County Tax Collector, Nancy Millan received 61.07% of the vote, defeating April Griffin. Millan will face Republican TK Mathew in the general election.

In the Republican primary race for Hillsborough County Commission District 1, Scott Levinson received 55.61%of the vote, defeating Tony Morejon.

Levinson will face Democrat Harry Cohen, who received 54.24% of the primary vote, defeating Jen McDonald.

In the Democrat primary for Hillsborough County Commission District 3, five candidates competed to fill the seat being vacated by term-limited Les Miller. Gwen Myers was the top vote-getter with 26.52%, edging out Thomas Scott, who received 25.68%. Myers will face Republican Maura Cruz Lane in the general election.

In a universal primary, Hillsborough County voters selected Cindy Stuart as the county’s next Clerk of the Circuit Court. Stuart received 53.44% of the vote, defeating Kevin Beckner.

Election officials took care to make polling places safe. They asked voters to wear masks and maintain a social distance from other voters, to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said “vote by mail was way up from the 2016 primary, while early voting in person was down considerably.”

Election day operations went smoothly, he added.

“I’m so blessed to have an amazing team and dedicated poll workers who pulled off a sense of election normalcy during a pandemic,” Corley said.

Pasco County
Registered voters: 378,157
Ballots cast: 79,538
Voter turnout: 21.03%

Source: Pasco County Supervisor of Elections

Hillsborough County
Registered voters: 897,689
Ballots cast: 227,843
Voter turnout: 25.38%

Published August 26, 2020

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: 2020 Primary Election, Alison Crumbley, April Griffin, Brian Corley, Chad Chronister, Charles Boswell, Christina Fitzpatrick, Cindy Stuart, Cynthia Thompson, David Laroche, Gabriel Papadopoulos, Gary Bradford, Gary Pruitt, Gwen Myers, Harry Cohen, Henry Washington, Hillsborough County Commission, Hillsborough County Sheriff, Jeff Miller, Jen McDonald, Joshua Stringfellow, Kevin Beckner, Kurt Browning, Les Miller, Lynn Gray, Maura Cruz Lane, Mike Wells, Mitch Thrower, Nadia Combs, Nancy Millan, Pasco County Commission, Pasco County School Board, Pasco County Schools, Ron McMullen, Sally Harris, Scott Levinson, Steve Cona, Tammy Shamburger, Thomas Scott, TK Mathew, Tony Morejon

Some 2020 races decided; others up for grabs

June 23, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano, Clerk & Comptroller Nikki Alvarez-Sowles and Sheriff Chris Nocco each will serve another four years — since no opponents came forward to challenge them by the qualifying deadline in the 2020 election.

Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley also will serve another four years, as his opponent withdrew. And, Mike Wells has been elected to Pasco County Property Appraiser, since his opponent Gary Joiner did not qualify.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley will serve another term in District 1, because opponent Christopher King withdrew. And, Pasco School Board District 2 incumbent Colleen Beaudoin has won another term because her opponent Adrienne G. Wilson withdrew.

Seats in other political races remain up for grabs.

Pasco School Board District 4 incumbent Alison Crumbley faces Joshua M. Stringfellow.

Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning is being challenged by David P. LaRoche and Cynthia Thompson.

Republican Kathryn Starkey incumbent in the race for Pasco County Commission District 3 faces Democrat challenger Jessica McCoy Stempien.

In District 4, an election is being held to fill the seat that’s being vacated two years early by Wells, who decided to run for county appraiser. Four Republican candidates are vying for the seat: Gary Bradford, Christina M. Fitzpatrick, Russell “Jeff’ Miller and Gabriel (Gabe) Papadopoulus.

Pasco County Commission District 5 incumbent Republican Jack Mariano faces challengers Brandi Geoit, a Democrat, and Victor Rodriguez, with no party affiliation.

Meanwhile, at the state level, another familiar face has stepped forward.

Republican Danny Burgess, of Zephyrhills, is competing with Democrat Kathy Lewis in a special election in Senate District 20. They are vying to fill the seat of Tom Lee, who stepped away from the seat early.

Published June 24, 2020

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Alison Crumbley, Andrienne Wilson, Brandi Geoit, Brian Corley, Chris Nocco, Christina Fitzpatrick, Christopher King, Colleen Beaudoin, Cynthia Thompson, Danny Burgess, David Laroche, Gabriel Papadopoulus, Gary Bradford, Gary Joiner, Jack Mariano, Jessica McCoy Stempien, Joshua Stringfellow, Kathryn Starkey, Kathy Lewis, Kurt Browning, Mike Fasano, Mike Wells, Nikki Alvarez-Sowles, Ron Oakley, Russell Miller, Tom Lee, Victor Rodriguez

Political Agenda 12/11/2019

December 11, 2019 By B.C. Manion

Candidates are making plans known
A number of local candidates have filed paperwork to make it known they plan to seek office.

Here is an early look at candidates and the offices they’re seeking listed on the Pasco County Supervision of Elections website.

• Property appraiser
Gary Joiner, Republican (Active Pre-filed)
Mike Wells, Republican (Active Pre-filed)

• Superintendent of Schools
Kurt S. Browning, Republican (Active Pre-filed)
David P. Laroche, Republican (Active Pre-filed)
Cynthia Thompson, Republican (Active Pre-filed)

• Supervisor of Elections
Brian E. Corley (Active Pre-filed)

• Pasco County Commission, District 1
Ronald E. Oakley, Republican (Active, Pre-filed)

• Pasco County Commission, District 3
Samantha A. Lindsey, No Party Affiliation (Active Pre-filed)
Kathryn Starkey, Republican (Active Pre-filed)

• Pasco County Commission, District 5
Brandi Geoit, Democrat (Active Pre-filed)
Jack Mariano, Republican (Active Pre-filed)

• Pasco County School Board
Colleen Beaudoin, No Party Affiliation (Active Pre-filed)

Wesley Chapel Republican Club
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club will meet on Dec. 12 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Wesley Chapel Toyota, 5300 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel.

The guest speaker for this meeting will be Dr. William Urban, author of “Trojan Horses of Islamic Supremacy.”

The meeting includes networking, coffee and dessert. New members and guests are welcome.

For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813.

Published December 11, 2019

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Brandi Geoit, Brian Corley, Colleen Beaudoin, Cynthia Thompson, David Laroche, Eagleston Boulevard, Gary Joiner, Jack Mariano, Kathryn Starkey, Kurt Browning, Mike Wells, Ronald Oakley, Samantha Lindsey, Wesley Chapel Republican Club, Wesley Chapel Toyota

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01/19/2021 – Best of crafts

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present a “Best of Craft Tuesdays: Playlist” on Jan. 19 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Check out a video at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary to learn about some of the craft programs that are worth revisiting from the past year. For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Best of crafts

01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will present “Virtual Backyard Gardening with Jo Ann” on Jan. 19 at 2 p.m., via Zoom. Registration is required to receive an email on how to join the meeting. For information, email . … [Read More...] about 01/19/2021 – Virtual gardening

01/20/2021 – Library story times

The Pasco County Library Cooperative will offer these upcoming story times: Jan. 20, for birth to age 5: Participants can tune in anytime between 10 a.m. and 8 p.m., at Facebook.com/hughembrylibrary or Facebook.com/newriverlibrary, to hear “Private I. Guana.” For information, call 352-567-3576, or email Danielle Lee at . Jan. 21 at 10 a.m.: “Virtual Baby Time with Miss Cindy.” Visit Facebook.com/cplib. Jan. 21 at 10 a.m., for ages 2 to 5: “Virtual Story Time with Miss Jenn.” For information, call Amaris Papadopoulos at 727-861-3020. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – Library story times

01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club

The LOL Book Club from the Land O’ Lakes Library will meet on Jan. 20 at 2:30 p.m., to discuss “Beartown” by Fredrik Backman. Register online for a Zoom link, which will be sent out via email a day ahead of the discussion. For information, call 813-929-1214. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – LOL Book Club

01/20/2021 – Mouse bookmark

Learn to make a folded paper mouse bookmark on Jan. 20. Participants will use the art of origami to make the bookmark. Watch the instructional slide show, all day, on the South Holiday Library Facebook page. … [Read More...] about 01/20/2021 – Mouse bookmark

01/21/2021 – Gasparilla History

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will host a virtual session entitled “The History of Gasparilla” on Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m., for teens and adults. Those that tune in can learn the legend of Jose Gaspar, intertwined with facts, fallacies and fantasy. The program will be presented by Carl Zielonka in partnership with the Tampa Bay History Center. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 01/21/2021 – Gasparilla History

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This week in SPORTS: All-Pasco County fall awards announced. https://buff.ly/3srDpyU

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State road projects will ease congestion. https://buff.ly/3oIP5eo

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