The Laker/Lutz News

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

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Richard Riley

A good week to be a newspaper publisher

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Some weeks being the publisher of a weekly newspaper is more fun than others. And, the past week was one of them.

Let’s begin with the recognition we received at the annual meeting of the Florida Press Association. Led by editor B.C. Manion, our news department received 10 statewide awards for outstanding photography, news stories and feature writing.

These awards convey the quality of work my staff does reporting about issues, new developments and people in our community.

Awards also give our readers outside validation that our stories meet high standards, as compared to our industry peers.

Because we print a lot of papers every week — nearly 45,000 —  our entries compete in the largest circulation category of this competition. This means we are up against entries from large, corporate-owned newspapers with budgets and staffs that are much bigger than ours.

Here at The Laker/Lutz News, we have just four journalists, editor B.C. Manion, staff writers Kathy Steele and Kevin Weiss, and news assistant Mary Rathman. Working alongside our staff are freelance photographers Richard Riley and Fred Bellet, who are regular contributors to our papers.

It is significant that our small newsroom receives journalism awards every year, because it shows we consistently do good work. This year we had an especially strong showing, making us one of the best newspapers in the state. My staff is thrilled, and I couldn’t be prouder.

After the Florida Press awards, I thought things couldn’t get much better. But, they did.

At last week’s dedication of Heritage Stage at the Land O’ Lakes Community Park, The Laker/Lutz News was honored again by having our name engraved in the building’s dedication plaque.

Our part in this community project was small, especially when compared to that of the Heritage Park Foundation and its leader, Sandy Graves.

Throughout the years, The Laker/Lutz News has written many stories about the Foundation’s efforts to raise money for the stage. And, we’ve regularly reported on the group’s diligence to influence public officials to provide the money, property and construction oversight to build the stage.

Today’s story on the front of our B Section reflects on the 20 years it took for this stage to become a reality. The Laker/Lutz News has kept the community aware of the Foundation’s fundraising activities, and its ultimate success.

We were just one of many business owners and community leaders whose names are memorialized on the Heritage Stage dedication plaque. Many of us attending the ribbon cutting had an emotional high as we listened to the amazing sound of the Sunlake High School Band, and were led in the Pledge of Allegiance by students from Sanders Elementary. The stage’s acoustics were superb, and it’s exciting to finally have a place in Land O’ Lakes for people to gather for community events and concerts.

I believe there is a connection between these two recognitions. Both occurred because we want our newspaper to be a valuable resource in our community, documenting the happenings of Lutz, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

It is gratifying to receive accolades from our peers in journalism and from the communities we serve, but we recognize that the real prize comes from the satisfaction we derive from delivering stories and photographs that are important to you and your neighbors.

Published August 23, 2017

The Laker/Lutz News wins 10 Florida Press Association awards

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The Laker/Lutz News received 10 awards during the 2017 Florida Media Conference on Aug. 11 at The Ritz-Carlton Naples.

The newspaper garnered three first-place, six second-place and one third-place prize in the Florida Press Association’s Better Weekly Newspaper Contest.

This image of 91-year-old Pat Caldwell competing in a billiards tournament at the Lutz Senior Citizen was one in a series of photographs that yielded top honors from the Florida Press Association for photographer Fred Bellet. Bellet is a regular contributor to The Laker/Lutz News. (Fred Bellet)

The contest drew 1,154 entries from 56 newspapers. Winners were selected by judges in Arizona, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia and New York. Work receiving recognition was completed in 2016.

Fred Bellet, a regular contributor to the newspaper, received first place for a Photo Series in One Issue for “Cueing up for a good time,” a full page section front photo essay on a pool tournament at the Lutz Senior Center.

The judge noted that every photo showed expressions of emotion.

“Good photos deserve big play, and the deep page-width shot of the 91-year-old eventual tourney winner bending over to line up his shot qualified for that play. Laughs to grimaces to concentration displayed in the six photos told the story.”

Richard Riley, another regular contributor to the newspaper, received top honors for his Feature Photo entry, “Sister Helen Lange turns 103.”

“Moment captured. Emotion. Action. The picture is worth at least 10,000 words,” the judge wrote.

This prize-winning photo by Richard Riley shows paramedic John Ward helping Sister Helen Lange blow out the candles during her 103rd birthday celebration at Heritage Park in Dade City. (Richard Riley)

A column by Tom Jackson, a former contributor to the newspaper, received top honors in the Serious Column category.

The judge extolled the quality of Jackson’s entry, “Appreciating Joe Hancock’s Legacy.”

“Community columnist Tom Jackson is a master craftsman of the language and the ability to create impactful images,” the judge wrote. “His tribute to a local man killed when his bicycle was struck by a car begins at the burial ceremony at a cemetery, works backwards to show what kind of man the victim was, and concludes with this idea of a tribute to him: ‘And, near the spot of the crash, a suitable plaque, affixed to a German Focus (bicycle). So, we remember, always, and drive, or cycle, accordingly.’”

Staff writer Kevin Weiss received second place in the Sports Feature Story category for his entry, “Player returns to soccer, after 17 broken bones.” The story chronicled the impressive battle of Carrollwood Day School soccer player Spencer Peek’s to get back on the field after undergoing four surgeries and extensive rehabilitation following a serious car accident.

The judge summed up the entry this way: “Great story of overcoming the odds.”

B.C. Manion, the newspaper’s editor, received five second-place awards.

She was honored in the Community History category for her entry, “Telling Wesley Chapel’s Story.”

Photographs such as this one, of a car parked at the end of a cypress log in the 1930s, help tell the story of Wesley Chapel’s history. The car illustrates the enormity of the trees that were felled in the area. Large timber companies or trusts acquired vast tracts of land that were depleted of lumber. Many deserted the claims, once the limber was harvested and the properties were sold for tax deeds. (Courtesy of Madonna Jervis Wise)

The judge wrote: “The black and white pulled me in. The words kept me reading. Good use of photos.”

She also was honored in the Faith and Family Reporting category for her entry, “Finding Hope in the Heart of Darkness,” for a story about Immaculee Ilibagiza, a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Ilibagiza detailed her ordeal and the power of faith during two talks at St. Timothy Catholic Church in Lutz.

The judge remarked: “The details of this subject’s gripping story made for a compelling read.”

Manion’s other winning entries were for Education Reporting, “Guiding Pasco Schools is a Big Job;” Local Government Reporting, “Tampa Bay Express Aims to Address Region’s Congestion;” and Feature Story Profile, “Sister Helen’s Secrets to a Good Life: Work Hard, Love People.”

Staff writer Kathy Steele received third-place in the Business Reporting category for her entry, “Residential Building Momentum in Pasco.”

The judge described the entry this way: “Detailed story about a housing boom in Pasco County, with the additional touch of featuring one family who moved from Michigan for sunshine and a small-town feel. And one set of their parents will soon make the move as well. There were 116 homes being built in the subdivision in 2016. Bigger picture reporting showed 1,900 permits to contractors by mid-2016, matching all of 2015. Story contrasts current boom with 2005’s 7,252 permits and 2011’s 884. Story also notes that starter homes are in short supply, so apartments are taking over the market. Good information for those considering if and where to relocate and for those living there to assess the boom and what it might mean to them.”

The Laker and Lutz News are free community weekly newspapers delivered every Wednesday to homes and businesses in the suburban north Tampa communities of Lutz, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills, Dade City and San Antonio.

The newspapers are independently owned by Publisher Diane Kortus, a resident of Land O’ Lakes. The Laker has been published in Pasco County since 1981. The Lutz News has been published in Hillsborough County since 1964.

Published August 16, 2017

Towers aim to aid public safety

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A two-year project to modernize Pasco County’s radio communications system is under way, with a series of neighborhood meetings about the installation of seven new communications towers.

The first meeting was in Hudson about two weeks ago. Five more have been held, including one on Aug. 8 at the Pasco County Historic County Courthouse in Dade City.

A half-dozen residents met with county officials to discuss the proposed 300-foot communications tower at Powerline and Christian roads.

They requested that the tower be moved closer to U.S. 301.

Trilby resident Richard Riley, who attended the meeting, said county officials were receptive to the idea.

A public hearing on the Dade City tower likely will be scheduled in November, said Todd Bayley, the county’s chief information officer.

The tower in Dade City, and six others, will serve public safety agencies, including the county’s sheriff’s office, fire/rescue department and emergency management.

The towers also will aid overall in communications between all county agencies.

With the additional towers, the radio communications network will have a total of 10 sites serving the entire county.

The current network of three towers is an outdated analog-based system that is about 26 years old.

During the past year, area residents have complained about the frequency of dropped 911 calls.

“We have coverage issues,” Bayley said.

The new digital communications system, when completed, will provide coverage to 100 percent of the county, he said.

Pasco County commissioners approved a contract with Williams Communications for the approximately $14.2 million project. Funding is from the Penny for Pasco program.

Completion is scheduled for July 2018.

Published August 17, 2016

Protecting Northeast Pasco’s rural nature

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More than a decade ago, Pasco County adopted a future land use goal of preserving the character of what is dubbed its “northeast rural area.” Bellamy Brothers Boulevard, the Green Swamp, State Road 52 and the Hernando County line define the area’s borders.

Pasco County commissioners are considering a rural protection ordinance to preserve the rural character of northeast Pasco including homes on large land lots. (Photos courtesy of Richard K. Riley)
Pasco County commissioners are considering a rural protection ordinance to preserve the rural character of northeast Pasco including homes on large land lots.
(Photos courtesy of Richard K. Riley)

While there’s a goal on the books, there’s currently no ordinance that puts regulations in place to accomplish it.

But, that is about to change.

On July 12, Pasco County commissioners had a public hearing on a rural protection ordinance that, if approved, would create an overlay district and govern residential development involving three houses, or more.

The proposed ordinance also sets lighting standards and prohibits mining or development activities that would lop off the tops of hillsides or destroy vistas.

A separate ordinance would deal with commercially zoned properties and the county’s designated areas for employment centers, which are generally found along U.S. 301.

Richard Riley, who lives in the community of Trilby, gave a power point presentation during the public comment portion of the meeting.

Matthew Armstrong, executive planner, and Justyna Buszewski, planner II, of the Pasco County Planning Division, explain some of the conditions proposed in the rural protection ordinance.
Matthew Armstrong, executive planner, and Justyna Buszewski, planner II, of the Pasco County Planning Division, explain some of the conditions proposed in the rural protection ordinance.

“Everything up here is photogenic,” said Riley, a freelance photographer who has done work for various publications, including The Laker/Lutz News.

“It’s wonderful to be here,” Riley added.

Though the ordinance isn’t perfect, Riley said, “We’re supportive of most of the parts of the ordinance. We’re trying our best to get something on the books.”

Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader said the ordinance was in “pretty good shape,” but he expressed concerns about regulations on landscaping.

Specifically, he challenged trees as allowable buffers along scenic corridors, potentially blocking out the vistas the ordinance is meant to protect.

If the intent is to protect vistas, Schrader said, “That doesn’t accomplish that.”

County planners said they were trying to give developers and landowners options on buffering, but would look at tweaking the ordinance.

The final public hearing is scheduled for Aug. 19 at 1:30 p.m., at the historic Pasco County Courthouse at 37918 Meridian Ave., in Dade City.

Published July 20, 2016

Citizens Academy connects the dots

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The class kicked off with a “show-and-tell” display of Pasco County’s firefighting and rescue vehicles in the parking lot outside of the county’s Emergency Operations Center. It ended with an up-close look inside the command center of the county’s 911 operations.

“It was fascinating,” said Nancy Menendez. The Land O’ Lakes resident expressed surprise that the 911 center wasn’t larger. Blinking red lights mounted at each cubicle signaled a call in progress.

Pasco firefighter Michael Tomlinson, right, explains the uses of fire suppression equipment to Port Richey resident Jeromy Harding and Land O’ Lakes resident Sandy Graves. Harding and Graves are students of the county’s Citizens Academy. (Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)
Pasco firefighter Michael Tomlinson, right, explains the uses of fire suppression equipment to Port Richey resident Jeromy Harding and Land O’ Lakes resident Sandy Graves. Harding and Graves are students of the county’s Citizens Academy.
(Kathy Steele/Staff Photo)

Menendez noticed the even-keeled, calm tones of call operators and dispatchers as they answered nearly nonstop calls in rapid-fire succession.

She is one of about 20 students chosen from about 50 applicants to attend the county’s third Citizens Academy. The first academy was in 2014.

There are two semesters a year, in spring and fall. Anyone who lives or works in Pasco, and is 18 years of age or older, can qualify. Students in each semester come from all five of the county’s election districts.

The goal is to inform residents about local government as well as their roles as participants. The hope also is that students who come to the academy will want to be ambassadors, sign up for advisory boards or find other ways to volunteer.

“Most of the folks learn something,” said Randy TeBeest, assistant county administrator for public safety. “I’m betting they learn a lot. This really gives them an idea of where tax dollars go to and why and how we decide to spend those precious dollars.”

Menendez found herself in the academy after discovering the program on a random search through the government website.

“It really sounded interesting,” said Menendez who at age 59 is beginning to think about retirement.

“I’m not going to sit home and watch TV,” she said. “I’m going to get involved. I want to see what I want to do in my future life. I’ve been enjoying this. It’s an experience I’ve not expected.”

Each class focuses on a specific area of government such as constitutional officers or planning and development. Last week’s class was about public safety and included briefings on the departments of misdemeanor and probation, and emergency management. The Office of Tourism Development was on the agenda, too.

Organizers try to include an interactive element in each class, such as the 911center tour.

In March, the academy convened at the Dade City courthouse for a mock public hearing with students playing the roles of county commissioners and the residents who took sides on a proposed housing project.

New Port Richey resident Marilyn Shaw played a resident who opposed the development. “It’s so fun,” she said.

Though she has done public speaking before, the retired registered nurse said, “You find out what your skills are. I felt very honored (to be selected for the academy). I wanted to be more active in government and understand what department does what.”

Some students want to hone existing skills and knowledge.

Land O’ Lakes resident Sandy Graves is on the board member for the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce. Her chamber connection was partly her motivation for signing up for the academy.

But she also said, “I think it’s important we all learn to work together. Local government is where it affects you most.”

She has a new awareness of the many levels of government.

“I didn’t know it was that complicated,” Graves said. “Bureaucracy tends to do that. There are so many times you don’t know who it is to call or what they do.”

Trilby resident Richard Riley is a retiree and an activist in the Dade City area.

“I feel it’s necessary to know what’s happening and how it’s happening in the county. This (program) is on-site, hands-on.”

The academy is meeting his expectations. “I’m learning who to contact, and who to thank,” he said. “We pay taxes for these people. It’s necessary to see how well things are running.”

Jeromy Harding, 24, owns an insurance business in Port Richey. He ran in the Republican primary for State House Representative, District 36, the seat vacated by Pasco Tax Collector Mike Fasano.

“I’d do it again,” Harding said. “I’m very active politically in west Pasco.”

The academy is a chance to learn more about the county commission, voting issues and the budget process, Harding said.

At an upcoming class, students will learn about how budgets are put together and participate in an exercise similar to the mock hearing in Dade City.

Learning the nuts and bolts of county government is the motivation for Julian Ford. The 39-year-old is an entrepreneur, spiritual leader and owner of a business in Dade City. He grew up in Pasco and lives in Lacoochee.

“I want to put myself in a position to make a more valuable contribution not just to me, but to my (community),” said Ford.

When the academy is over, Ford said he wants to be in a position to explain to other people how government works.

“It’s doing exactly what I want it to do. It’s connecting the dots, answering the why,” he said. Later on, he said, “I can be the why.”

Published April 8, 2015

Keeping rural Pasco rural

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After waiting a decade, residents in northeast rural Pasco County are finally embarking on a quest to create development standards for their quiet neck of the woods.

During a Jan. 27 Pasco County Commission meeting, county staff told commissioners that they plan to begin holding stakeholder meetings on the issue in February.

The county’s work plan cites a goal of adopting Northeast Pasco Rural Development Standards in December.

Two residents in the affected area, near Dade City, praised commissioners for getting the ball rolling on the effort.

“This is a banner day for us,” said Nancy Hazelwood.

“Please take into consideration that you have a group that’s been interested in this for 10 years,” she told commissioners.

She also made this request: “Please keep the meetings in the Dade City area.”

Richard Riley offered his gratitude for the inclusion of the issue in the county development department’s work plan.

“It appears our prayers have been answered,” Riley said.

He also urged commissioners to ensure that any voting members in the stakeholder process have a personal stake in the area, not outside influences.

“The Northeast Rural area should be represented by people with a real passion for that area,” Riley said.

Anyone should be allowed to offer input and make presentations to the stakeholder group, but not have a vote on the committee, Riley said.

Published February 4, 2015