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Serving Lutz since 1964 and Pasco since 1981.
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Michael Northrup

This animal control officer helps pets, and people

May 19, 2020 By B.C. Manion

Michael Northrup, who works for Pasco County Animal Services, has been named Animal Control Officer of the Year by the Florida Animal Control Association.

A nomination submitted on Northrup’s behalf said, in part, that during 2019 Northrup displayed “compassion, dedication, expertise, awareness and incredible decision-making.”

The nomination noted that Northrup responded to more than 1,000 animal control calls that year.

Michael Northrup responded to more than 1,000 animal control calls in 2019, and he helped some people along the way. His professionalism earned him the Animal Control Officer of the Year award, from a statewide organization. (Courtesy of Pasco County Animal Services)

And, while he’s an animal control officer, he’s also provided help that goes beyond the call of duty, to Pasco residents.

For example, the nomination notes, that on Aug. 9, as Northrup was driving home from work on the Suncoast Parkway he noticed cars veering around another vehicle.

As he got closer, he realized the vehicle was on fire — and, as it pulled out onto the grass, the grass caught fire, too.

Northrup pulled over, radioed Pasco Fire Rescue and the Sheriff’s Office for assistance, then he used a fire extinguisher to put out the fire.

Less than a week later, Northrup and Animal Control Officer Stephanie Martin responded to a call about loose dogs.

While there, an elderly woman told Northrup that her caregiver had been physically harming her, had moved relatives into her home and had been letting her animals run loose.

While Officer Martin talked to the caregiver, Northrup called the Florida Abuse Hotline, Pasco Fire Rescue and the Pasco Sheriff’s Office.

As a result, the elderly woman’s family moved her into assisted living, where she can get the care she needs, the nomination says.

In another case, Northrup noticed a woman was running in a dangerous intersection, yelling for someone to hit her with their car.

Northrup called to get the woman help, then waited for it to arrive.

He also helped Animal Services’ return to owner rate by 25% in one year, by reuniting more than a dozen animals to their owners in the field, without the animals having to be impounded.

Winning the award was an honor, Northrup said, but he wasn’t especially enthused about being in the spotlight.

He likes keeping a low profile and doing his job.

To be honest, he said: “I don’t like awards. I don’t like interviews. I don’t like recognition.”

When he went to work as an animal control officer, he thought the vast majority of his work would involve interacting with animals.

As it turns out, though, much of the work involves helping to mediate disputes between people regarding animals.

Calls can range from a claim that a neighbor’s dog barks too much to a report of a pack of dogs mauling someone.

“People call in crazy stuff,” he said, noting he doesn’t take complaints at face value.

“A lot of the times I find it to be more of a people problem, than an animal problem.

“A lot of times, it’s an ongoing dispute, with either one of their neighbors and they want someone to intervene — to use some type of enforcement action to alter their behavior in some way, shape or form,” he said.

“I look at every call, if I were in their shoes, how would I want that to be handled?” he said.

Frequently  he finds himself telling people something they don’t want to hear.

“You may not like what the person is doing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re doing something wrong,” he said.

In other words, what seems objectionable to someone might not be a violation of a Florida Statute or a county ordinance.

“You have the right to call. We have the right to decide what we’re going to do,” he said.

“I’ve always treated everyone with firmness, fairness and dignity. Everyone deserves that,” he added.

He believes in using a straight-forward approach.

“Direct is my way of life. I usually don’t beat around the bush,” he said.

Published May 20, 2020

Filed Under: Local News, People Profiles Tagged With: Florida Abuse Hotline, Florida Animal Control Association, Michael Northrup, Pasco County Animal Services, Pasco Fire Rescue, Pasco Sheriff's Office, Stephanie Martin, Suncoast Parkway

Preparations underway for EcoFest 2016

April 20, 2016 By B.C. Manion

An effort that began seven years ago on the Hanna Road campus of Learning Gate Community School, in Lutz, has morphed into an event expected to draw thousands to Tampa’s Lowry Park on April 23 in a festival that pays homage to protecting Mother Earth.

EcoFest is an annual event aimed at raising awareness about the principles of sustainability — ecology, equity and economy.

Lots of people did a double take when they saw Amanda Renaud, of Topsy Turvy — an entertainment troupe — towering above them on stilts at the 2015 EcoFest at Lowry Park. (File Photos)
Lots of people did a double take when they saw Amanda Renaud, of Topsy Turvy — an entertainment troupe — towering above them on stilts at the 2015 EcoFest at Lowry Park.
(File Photos)

Learning Gate Community School, the University of South Florida’s Patel College of Global Sustainability and the City of Tampa have joined forces to present the festival, also dubbed as Earth Day Tampa Bay, near the park’s band shell at 7525 North Blvd., in Tampa.

Michele Northrup, who has been event coordinator of EcoFest since its inception, has watched it grow and evolve.

There were 40 vendors and about 500 attendees at the first EcoFest, she said. This year, there are 158 vendors, plus a waiting list of 20. More than 4,000 people are expected to attend.

Parking and admission are free, and there are plenty of free activities, too, Northrup said.

There are plenty of opportunities to learn and have fun, too, she said.

There will be live music, workshops, costumed superheroes, demonstrations, informational booths, green living products and services.

Local artists, green businesses, environmental organizations, alternative health practitioners, renewable energy specialists, and people from organic farms and gardens will be there, too.

“We have some unique vendors. We’ve got some really cool artisans, craftsmen,” Northrup said.

Most of the vendors are local, coming from such communities as Tampa, North Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Carrollwood and South Tampa.

Last year, the festival was set up deliberately to mimic a marketplace, and it’s going to be set up the same way this year, Northrup said.

“Everybody loved that,” Northrup said.

Another highlight will be an agility course, designed by a competitor from the popular television show “American Ninja Warrior.”

The seventh annual EcoFest, like the one last year, will be presented at Tampa’s Lowry Park. The moss-draped oaks provide a lovely backdrop to the event that aims to promote earth-friendly living
The seventh annual EcoFest, like the one last year, will be presented at Tampa’s Lowry Park. The moss-draped oaks provide a lovely backdrop to the event that aims to promote earth-friendly living

There also will be a yoga zone, with different yoga themes throughout the day. And, there will be a drum circle, too.

All four of Tampa’s big attractions — Busch Gardens, Lowry Park, The Florida Aquarium, and MOSI — will be there, Northrup said.

The City of Tampa’s Solid Waste department will be demonstrating how to use plastic bags to make crafts.

Some members of the GFWC Lutz-Land O’ Lakes Woman’s Club will be getting into the act, too. Northrup has invited them to show how plastic grocery store bags can be converted into mats.

To say Northrup is enthused about the event would be an enormous understatement.

“It’s going to be phenomenal,” she said.

Seventh annual EcoFest
Where:
Lowry Park, 7525 North Blvd., in Tampa (in the band shell area and across the street)
When: April 23, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
More than 150 vendors, speakers and activities, in a festival aimed at promoting earth-friendly living.

Published April 20, 2016

Filed Under: Local News Tagged With: Busch Gardens, City of Tampa, Earth Day Tampa Bay, EcoFest, GFWC Lutz-Land O' Lakes Woman's Club, Hanna Road, Learning Gate Community School, Lowry Park, Lowry Park Zoo, Lutz, Michael Northrup, Museum of Science & Industry, North Boulevard, The Florida Aquarium, University of South Florida's Patel College of Global Sustainability

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04/20/2021 – Republican club

The East Pasco Republican Club will meet on April 20 at 6 p.m., at the Golden Corral, 6855 Gall Blvd., in Zephyrhills, in the Tuttle Room. The guest speaker will be Brian Corley, supervisor of elections. … [Read More...] about 04/20/2021 – Republican club

04/21/2021 – Democratic Club

The Central Pasco Democratic Club will meet on April 21, via Zoom, to discuss voting rights and current legislative issues. Socializing starts at 6:30 p.m., followed by the meeting at 6:45 p.m. For information, email , or call 813-383-8315. … [Read More...] about 04/21/2021 – Democratic Club

04/21/2021 – Financial wellness

The Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative will present “Strategies for Short-Term Financial Wellness” on April 21 at 6:30 p.m., for adults. Participants can learn tips and information for building emergency funds, managing debt and increasing cash flow. Registration is through the calendar feature at HCPLC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/21/2021 – Financial wellness

04/22/2021 – Coalition meeting

The University Area CDC Partners Coalition’s second quarter meeting presentation will be available on the University Area CDC’s  YouTube channel starting April 22 at 9 a.m. Viewers can learn about programs and initiatives happening in the uptown/University area. The presentation includes “Community Investment/Uptown Sky”; a panel conversation in juvenile and criminal justice; and “Small Biz = Big Impact.” For information, visit UACDC.org. … [Read More...] about 04/22/2021 – Coalition meeting

04/22/2021 – Virtual Earth Day

UF/IFAS Pasco County Extension will host a Virtual Earth Day Celebration on April 22 from 10 a.m. to noon. Educational sessions, with guest speakers, will include: Composting, gardening, getting outside, water conservation, forest services and recycling. To register, visit bit.ly/registrationpascoearthday. To join in on April 22, visit bit.ly/zoom2021earthday. … [Read More...] about 04/22/2021 – Virtual Earth Day

04/23/2021 – Improv Night

Live Oak Theatre will present an Improv Night on April 23 at 7:30 p.m., at the Carol & Frank Morsani Center, 21030 Cortez Blvd., in Brooksville. The family friendly event will feature the Conservatory’s Improv Troupe with games, skits and actor’s choices inspired by the audience. Doors open at 7 p.m. Seats are $10 per person in advance and $15 at the door. For information and tickets, visit LiveOakTheatre.org, call 352-593-0027, or email . … [Read More...] about 04/23/2021 – Improv Night

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