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John Kinsman

Zephyrhills chamber ‘pays it forward’

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The seventh annual Pigz and Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest is over, but its community impact lingers on.

The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce earmarked more than $19,000 in scholarships and donations during its annual “Pay it Forward” dinner on Feb. 23, at the Silverado Golf and Country Club.

Evan McBride, part of a grilling group called Peachy Boys, from Mount Dora, turns some meat on the grill during the seventh annual Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest on Jan. 21. Revenue from the event allowed The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce to earmark more than $19,000 in donations and scholarships to civic clubs, youth groups and graduating seniors from Zephyrhills High School.
(File)

The post-barbecue banquet celebrates volunteers’ efforts during the Pigz in Z’Hills BBQ & Blues Fest, which just wrapped its seventh year on Jan. 21. More than 100 sponsors, participants and volunteers attended the celebration.

Throughout the banquet, the chamber handed out $14,500 in donations to 11 civic clubs and youth groups, from money raised through the barbecue event.

Those donations ranged from $250 to $1,900.

The chamber also announced $5,000 in scholarships to graduating Zephyrhills High School students in May. Among those are a $1,000 performing arts scholarship, a $1,000 culinary arts scholarship and a $1,000 scholarship to a student “who may not have started well, but has made a turnaround in his or her scholastic life.”

Organizations receiving donations were the Pasco County Sheriff’s Posse, Zephyrhills Civil Air Patrol, Zephyrhills Noon Rotary, Zephyrhills Museum of Military History, Zephyrhills/Wesley Chapel Ministerial Association, Relay 4 Life committee, and the Resurrection House Mission.

Several groups from Zephyrhills High School also were rewarded, including Army JRTOC, Interact Club and Drama Club.

Each organization, which contributed the bulk of the festival’s 3,000 volunteer hours, was also presented with various certificates, plaques and other prizes.

The seventh annual Pigz in Z’Hills festival, meanwhile, was its most successful to date, chamber officials say.

Net revenue from the event totaled more than $50,000 — the highest mark yet, according to Melonie Monson, executive director of The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce.

Moreover, the economic impact for the city of Zephyrhills from this year’s barbecue fest was estimated at about $500,000, Monson said.

Pigz in Z’Hills, now a mainstay for east Pasco, drew somewhere between 11,000 and 14,000 attendees.

It also featured 54 teams, and more than 140 vendors.
In a release, Monson credits some of the event’s success — both financial and turnout — to the new festival venue, which was completed just prior to the barbecue shindig.

The $70,000-plus venue spans 14 acres, and includes amenities such as a 20-by-40 stage, and 50 spaces equipped with water and electric.
It was constructed via a public-private partnership, with contributions from Florida Hospital Zephyrhills and the City of Zephyrhills. Additionally, John Kinsman, of Martin Electric, and Paul Correia, of Sunstate Aluminum, contributed labor and expertise in electrical, plumbing and construction.

The venue is now expected to be used for various events and fundraisers organized by nonprofit organizations.

Published March 8, 2017

Charter advisory panel all white, mostly male

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A 15-member charter advisory panel that will decide the future of Pasco County’s governing structure is in place. And Pasco commissioners approved a contract to pay a private Tallahassee consultant $60,000 to guide its efforts during the coming months.

Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore
Pasco Commissioner Mike Moore

But the panel’s all white, and nearly all-male make-up came under fire at the commissioners regular meeting in Dade City on March 10.  Each Pasco County Commissioner appointed two members, plus an alternate to the panel. Pasco’s five state legislators also weighed in, with one appointment each.

Commissioner Mike Moore got some pushback for his selection of a county law enforcement officer supervised by Pasco Sheriff Chris Nocco.

“I have concerns with a member of (Nocco’s) team being on the committee,” said Chairman Ted Schrader. “I think it would be appropriate to replace him with someone else.”

Moore defended Pasco Maj. Mel Eakley as the right choice based on Eakley’s credentials in law enforcement and his service as a military veteran.

“I kind of take offense to saying we don’t want anyone on the board who is an everyday average citizen,” he said.

Schrader said he wasn’t questioning Eakley’s qualifications.

Other commissioners and Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano also questioned Moore’s choice of Eakley.

Pasco Chairman Ted Schrader
Pasco Chairman Ted Schrader

“Perception is everything, ladies and gentlemen,” said Fasano in a public comment to the commission. He questioned the appointment of anyone “associated with constitutional officers.”

But no one made a formal challenge to Eakley’s appointment.

“I respect Mr. Moore,” Schrader said. “I’m really disappointed in his choice. I think it’s a conflict of interest, but it’s your choice.”

The lone woman on the panel will be banker Candace Glewen. She is a replacement for Commissioner Kathryn Starkey’s first choice of Pasco County School Board member Alison Crumbley. Crumbley declined the appointment upon the advice of the school board’s attorney who cited the potential for a conflict of interest.

Commissioner Jack Mariano appointed a woman, Cami Austin, as an alternate.

Former commissioner Pat Mulieri took the commissioners to task for not appointing a more balanced panel to represent the community. “It is ironic,” she said during public comment. “I was supposed to speak at a luncheon (today) celebrating women.”

The panel will tackle critical issues, such as whether Pasco County should have single-member voting districts, term limits and whether the county’s structure should be changed to have an elected administrator rather than one that’s appointed.

Mulieri wondered: ”Why did the board feel only men could make these decisions?”

She also questioned the $60,000 cost “for a consultant you don’t need. I’m standing here today to tell you it will go to $100,000.”

The cost for services from Kurt Spitzer & Associates potentially could exceed $60,000 if the panel requests additional work or travel beyond the flat fee of $5,000 a month, said County Administrator Michele Baker. The fixed rate includes travel for 12 months for approximately 22 to 24 meetings, she said.

Moore suggested panel members might not need a consultant beyond the early organizational meetings. “That’s a pretty large consulting fee in my mind,” he said. “I think you need to leave it up to the committee.”

Baker said the terms of the contract allow Spitzer to terminate his service with a 30-day notice. It also allows the panel to cancel his services immediately upon written notice.

Moore and Commissioner Jack Mariano floated a proposal to allow panel members to approve recommendations based on a simple majority, but Starkey, Schrader and Wells said the requirement of a super-majority vote was essential.

The panel must meet within the next 30 days.

Its recommendations are due to the commission by June 1, 2016.  If the panel recommends a charter government, the matter would go to voters in a referendum on the November 2016 general election ballot.

Members of the Pasco County charter advisory panel
Commission Chairman Ted Schrader appointed Billy E. Brown and John J. Gallagher to the panel, with Cliff McDuffie, as alternate

Commissioner Mike Moore appointed Mel Eakley and Gary Bradford, with Joseph Poblick, as alternate

Commissioner Kathryn Starkey appointed Candace Glewen and Dewey Mitchell, with Dominic Scannavino, as alternate

Commissioner Mike Wells Jr., appointed Steve Booth and Tim Holladay, with Jim Driscoll, as alternate

Commissioner Jack Mariano appointed Chuck Grey and Bill Woodard, with Cami Austin, as alternate

Members of the Pasco County legislative delegation appointed Michael Cox, Robert Eckard, John Kinsman, Randy Maggard and Mike Ryan

Published March 18, 2015

Zephyrhills chamber honors year’s best

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The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce awarded its leaders in community, business and government Thursday night during its annual awards banquet at Southport Springs Golf & Country Club in Zephyrhills.

The nominees were based on submissions from chamber members, and then selected by a committee that included Amy Chappell, Carolyn Hodges, Carolyn Sentelik, Cliff McDuffie, David West, Gary Hatrick, Jodi Wilkeson, John Kinsman and Rebecca Gaddis.

Award winners included:

Small Business of the Year (1-24 employees) — Skydive City

Large Business of the Year (25 or more employees) — Nestle Waters America/Zephyrhills water

Diamond Award (nonprofit) — Town Ark/The Thomas Promise

Innovative Business of the Year — Skywatch Signs

Leadership in Government — Bob Hatfield

Economic Development Champion — Vonnie Mikkelsen

Community Service Award — John and Diana MacDiarmid

Leadership in Youth Involvement — Kevin Barrett

Chamber Ambassador of the Year — Vicky Jones

Chamber Member of the Year — CenterState Bank

Citizen of the Year — Tim Pierson

Alice Hall Community Service Award — Earl Young

Zephyrhills chamber announces award nominees

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The Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce is getting ready for its Annual Awards in Excellence that will be a part of its yearly banquet celebration this fall.

The nominees were based on submissions from chamber members, and then selected by a committee that included Amy Chappell, Carolyn Hodges, Carolyn Sentelik, Cliff McDuffie, David West, Gary Hatrick, Jodi Wilkeson, John Kinsman and Rebecca Gaddis.

This year’s nominees are:

Small Business of the Year (1-24 employees) — Abbott Station, All-Craft Marine/Century Boats, B&N Lenz Enterprises, Kaufman Eye Institute, Pasco Shopper, Rose’s Cafe, Scotland Yards, Skydive City, Skywatch Signs, Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Large Business of the Year (25 or more employees) — Bahr’s Propane Gas & A.C., CenterState Bank, Golden Corral, Hobby Lobby, Humana, Nestle Waters America/Zephyrhills water, Ryman Construction, Sunrise Eatery, Walmart.

Diamond Award (nonprofit) — Chancey Road Christian Church, Pregnancy Care Center, Samaritan Project, Town Ark/The Thomas Promise, Zephyrhills Lions Club.

Innovative Business of the Year — Abbott Station, Aiozo Corp., All-Craft Marine/Century Boats, Charm Hair Studio, Park Lane Jewelry, Jarrett Ford, Skydive City, Skywatch Signs.

Leadership in Government — Bill Burgess, Bob Hatfield, Danny Burgess, Gene Whitfield, Jeff Trovillion, Linda Boan, Mike Handrahan, Shane LeBlanc.

Economic Development Champion — Cliff McDuffie, Danny Burgess, Paul Carreira, Rebecca Gaddis, Tim Pierson, Vonnie Mikkelsen, Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Community Service Award — Chris Drews, Cliff McDuffie, John and Diana MacDiarmid, Paul Carreira, Sam Abrahani, Tim Mitchell, Wade Thomas, Zephyrhills Municipal Airport.

Leadership in Youth Involvement — A.J. Hernandez, Amy Chappell, Danny Burgess, Kevin Bahr, Kevin Barrett, Reggie Roberts, Sean Klotz, Jimmy McAuley, Wade Thomas, Zephyrhills Bulldogs Inc.

Chamber Ambassador of the Year — John and Diana MacDiarmid, Russ and Lee Heffelfinger, Sam Abrahani, Stephanie Stephenson, Vicky Jones.

Chamber Member of the Year — CenterState Bank, Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, San Antonio Citizens Federal Credit Union.

Citizen of the Year — Carolyn Hodges, Carolyn Sentelik, Greg First, Jodi Wilkeson, John and Diana MacDiarmid, Ron Oakley, Sean Klotz, Tim Pierson, Wade Thomas.

Alice Hall Community Service Award — Carol Scheckler, Cliff McDuffie, Earl Young, Kevin Ryman, Linda Boan, Mike Prilliman.

The chamber’s annual banquet is set for Sept. 18 beginning at 6 p.m., at the Southport Springs Golf & Country Club, 3509 Zephyr Springs Parkway in Zephyrhills.

For information on the event, click here.

Zephyrhills honors its own for community, commercial service

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A dozen awards were handed out during the Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce annual banquet Sept. 19, honoring community and business leaders who made a difference over the past year.

John Scott of Gulf Coast Financial Strategies ‘passes the gavel,’ so to speak, to incoming Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce president Carolyn Sentelik during the chamber’s annual dinner Sept. 19. (Photo courtesy of Gary Hatrick)
John Scott of Gulf Coast Financial Strategies ‘passes the gavel,’ so to speak, to incoming Greater Zephyrhills Chamber of Commerce president Carolyn Sentelik during the chamber’s annual dinner Sept. 19. (Photo courtesy of Gary Hatrick)

Goin’ Postal, and founders Marcus and M.J. Price, each were honored for Innovative Business of the Year (for the company), and the Community Service Award (for the couple) during the event at Scotland Yard Golf Club. They were nominated alongside companies like Florida Hospital Zephyrhills, The Commons on Pretty Pond and the Quiet Zone and The Home Theatre.

Large Business of the Year went to CF Industries for its reputation, services, growth and leadership for a company with 25 or more employees. It was nominated alongside Goin’ Postal, Humana Marketpoint, Ryman Construction and Sonny’s Real Pit BBQ.

The Diamond Award, which honored nonprofit organizations that helped the community, was given to Eastside 7 Rotary Clubs. Also nominated were Main Street Zephyrhills, Planned Pethood, The Samaritan Project, and Town Ark/The Thomas Promise.

Gary Hatrick, who also served on the business and community awards selection committee, earned two awards — Citizen of the Year and Chamber Member of the Year. Also nominated for those awards were Kevin Bahr, Linda Boan, M.J. Price, Wade Thomas, CenterState Bank, and Jon Dearolf of YMCA of East Pasco.

Winning Small Business of the Year was the Zephyrhills Free Press, while Katy Boyd of Saint Leo University was named Ambassador of the Year from a pool that included the newspaper, John and Diana MacDiarmid and Stephanie Stephenson.

Other winners included:

Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, for Zephyrhills Economic Development Champion

John Kinsman for Leadership in Youth Involvement

Zephyrhills City Council president Lance Smith for Leadership in Government Affairs

Carolyn Sentelik of the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills Foundation was named the new chamber president, with John Scott of Gulf Coast Financial Strategies as vice president and treasurer. Hatrick, of High Road Photography, was named secretary.