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Shawn Harrison

Election results defy pollsters and pundits

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Donald J. Trump is next president

Pasco County voters joined the nation in selecting Donald J. Trump as the United States’ next president in the 2016 general election, while a majority of Hillsborough County voters selected Hillary Rodham Clinton, who had sought to become America’s first female president.

At Precinct 73, Karen Hanzel, a resident of Lexington Oaks , proudly displays a Trump/Pence sign as voters made their way to the polls. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
At Precinct 73, Karen Hanzel, a resident of Lexington Oaks , proudly displays a Trump/Pence sign as voters made their way to the polls.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Scores of voters took advantage of early voting, but hordes turned out on Nov. 8, eager to cast their ballot on Election Day.

They offered different points of view — in an election widely characterized as being historic, and divisive.

At the Alice Hall Community Center in Zephyrhills, 57-year-old voter Chris Corporra said he voted for Trump because he’s a political outsider.

Corporra said he agrees with many of Trump’s stances.

“You hire a politician, and you get political results. You get somebody on the outside, and they’ll take care of it,” Corporra said. “Trump isn’t the most polished…but, you know exactly where you stand with him.”

As Corporra drove around Zephyrhills before Election Day, he said he noticed long lines at several early voting locations. “They were out in droves. The silent majority is coming out in force.”

Kody Roberts, a registered Republican, also voted in Zephyrhills. She supported Jill Stein.

At Precinct 70, a long line forms and is reflected in a puddle of water left behind by the irrigation system early Tuesday morning.
At Precinct 70, a long line forms and is reflected in a puddle of water left behind by the irrigation system early Tuesday morning.

“I like what she stands for; I like her objectives,” the 22-year-old Roberts said. “I can’t agree with some of Trump’s beliefs, and I definitely cannot agree with some of Hillary’s, so I was just like, ‘You know what, I’m going to go third-party this time.’”

Zephyrhills resident Eric Pinson favored Trump mainly because of his platform to establish immigration controls. Pinson also expressed concern about what could happen to his Second Amendment rights, under a Clinton administration.

Meanwhile, at The Groves, Land O’ Lakes resident Jill Shelton stood in a long line to cast her vote. She brought her children, Lucy, 5, Caroline, 8, and Nicholas, 10.

“It’s history,” Shelton said, explaining why she wanted them to be there as she voted for Clinton, the first female presidential nominee of a major political party.

“This is a big moment,” Shelton said.

She did note, however, that her support for Clinton was not absolute: “I have some questions about trustworthiness for her,” she said. But, she added: “I feel Donald Trump is not fit to be our president. I think he is beyond ridiculous.”

Casey Otto, 36, brought his 4-year-old daughter, Indie, to the Lutz Community Center on Election Day. He even dressed her in red, white and blue to mark the occasion. He supported Gary Johnson. ‘I tend to be Libertarian — fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He’s most in line with my line of thinking. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Casey Otto, 36, brought his 4-year-old daughter, Indie, to the Lutz Community Center on Election Day. He even dressed her in red, white and blue to mark the occasion. He supported Gary Johnson. ‘I tend to be Libertarian — fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He’s most in line with my line of thinking.
(B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

Fifty-eight-year-old Gordon Brown, who cast his vote at the Lutz Community Center, thinks that Clinton is the one unfit to be president.

Brown characterized Clinton as “morally bankrupt, criminally corrupt and totally untrustworthy.

“And, those are her good qualities,” he added.

Casey Otto, 36, who brought his 4-year-old daughter, Indie, with him to cast his ballot, also voted at the Lutz Community Center.

He dressed his little girl in red, white and blue to mark the occasion.

Otto supported Gary Johnson. “I tend to be Libertarian — fiscally conservative and socially liberal. He’s most in line with my line of thinking,” Otto said.

Seventy-eight-year-old Mary Gaulden, of Land O’ Lakes, sat on a stool near the Land O’ Lakes Community Center, proudly holding a Trump sign. She wanted to demonstrate her support to passing motorists and people streaming in to vote.

“I think America is at a crossroads,” Gaulden said. “I really want Donald Trump to win the presidency.”

She criticized President Barack Obama.

“Our president is not being the Commander-in-Chief that he needs to be. Our military is weakened,” said Gaulden, who arrived at the polling place at 10 a.m., and was still there in the late afternoon.

Throughout the day, she said motorists reacted to her sign.

Some honked as they drove past.

“I’ve got a thumb’s up; a thumb’s down; a bird of paradise,” Gaulden said.

Some hollered “No,” at her. Others stopped and told her they voted for Trump.

One passerby even pretended to be taking aim — with an imaginary gun — to shoot at her, she said.

Her response?

“I just waved and smiled,” Gaulden said.

No matter where they stood, voters wanted their voice to be heard.

Pasco County boasted a 72.8 percent voter turnout, with 244,620 of its 336,037 registered voters casting ballots. Turnout was slightly lower in Hillsborough County, where 606,224 of the county’s 849,843 registered voters cast ballots, or 71.3 percent.

While the presidential election clearly took center stage, voters decided many other important races and issues.

Voters gave U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, a Republican in District 12, another term in Congress. He defeated Robert Matthew Tager.

A majority of Pasco and Hillsborough voters concurred with other Florida voters to send Marco Rubio back to Washington for another term in the U.S. Senate. He defeated Democratic challenger Patrick Murphy.

In state races, State Sen. Jack Latvala retained his seat in the Legislature, and Amber Mariano defeated Amanda Murphy in the race for State House District 36.

Pasco County Results:

  • Paula O’Neill defeated Roberta Cutting for Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
  • Gary Joiner defeated Jon Sidney Larkin for Property Appraiser.
  • Ron Oakley defeated Dimitri A. Delgado for District 1 on the Pasco County Commission.
  • Kathryn Starkey defeated Barry Horvath for District 3 on the Pasco County Commission.
  • Jack Mariano defeated write-in opponents for District 5 on the Pasco County Commission.

Hillsborough County Results:

  • Andrew Warren defeated Mark Ober for State Attorney, in the 13th judicial circuit.
  • Shawn Harrison defeated Lisa Montelione for District 63 in the State House.
  • Pat Frank defeated Eric Seidel for Clerk of the Circuit Court and Comptroller.
  • Sandra Murman defeated Jeff Zampitella for District 1 of the Hillsborough County Commission.
  • Pat Kemp defeated Tim Schock for District 6 of the Hillsborough County Commission.
  • Bob Henriquez defeated Todd Donovan Jones for Hillsborough County Property Appraiser.
  • Tamara Shamburger defeated Joe Jordan Robinson for District 5 of the Hillsborough County School Board.
  • Lynn Gray defeated Cathy James for District 7 of the Hillsborough County School Board (Pending a recount).

Regarding the four Constitutional Amendments on the ballot, a majority of Pasco and

Hillsborough voters weighing in on those issues agreed with the majority of voters across the state to decide the outcomes.

They voted down an amendment relating to solar power.

They approved amendments regarding medical marijuana, a tax exemption for totally and permanently disabled first responders, and a homestead tax exemption for certain senior, low-income and long-term residents.

—Laker/Lutz News staff writers Kathy Steele and Kevin Weiss contributed to this report.

Published November 16, 2016

Shops at Wiregrass debuts flagpole on Flag Day

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Initially billed as a celebration to unveil a new 40-foot flagpole at The Shops at Wiregrass, the event took on a more somber tone in light of the mass shootings in Orlando.

At the beginning of the Flag Day ceremony, Greg Lenners, the general manager for The Shops at Wiregrass, asked for a moment of silence.

That moment lasted 49 seconds.

Unfurling the 8-by-12 American flag, members of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol prepare to raise the flag during a Flag Day ceremony at The Shops at Wiregrass. Cadets, from left, Andrew Alayon, 16, of Wesley Chapel; Cassie Ramer, 15, of Spring Hill; and Francisco Pulgarin, 16, and Elicia Smith, 15, both of Wesley Chapel, assist in the regional mall’s first flag-raising event. (Fred Bellet/Photos)
Unfurling the 8-by-12 American flag, members of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol prepare to raise the flag during a Flag Day ceremony at The Shops at Wiregrass. Cadets, from left, Andrew Alayon, 16, of Wesley Chapel; Cassie Ramer, 15, of Spring Hill; and Francisco Pulgarin, 16, and Elicia Smith, 15, both of Wesley Chapel, assist in the regional mall’s first flag-raising event.
(Fred Bellet/Photos)

Each second symbolized the loss of a life on June 12 at Pulse nightclub in Orlando.

In asking for sign of respect, Lenners also asked those gathered to honor those who were injured, as well as their families and the community of Orlando.

Following Lenners’ remarks, Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore shared some history about Flag Day, noting that it was officially established by a proclamation by President Woodrow Wilson on May 30, 1916.

President Harry Truman signed an Act of Congress on Aug. 3, 1949 declaring June 14 as National Flag Day.

Moore invited those gathered to reflect upon the meaning of the American flag.

“Think to yourself: What does this flag mean to me?” Moore said. “In your heart, right now, what does it mean to you?” he asked.

“Who gave up their lives to keep that flag flying?” he asked.

Moore said when he thinks about the flag, he thinks about such things as freedom, family, veterans and pride.

The Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol handled the duties of presenting the colors and hoisting the flag.

Immediately after raising the 8-by-12-foot flag to the top of the pole, squadron members lowered it to half-staff, in honor of the Orlando shooting victims.

Those attending the event said they came to demonstrate their patriotism and celebrate what the American flag represents.

The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office mounted posse was on hand at the June 14 Flag Day ceremony, to celebrate the installation of a 40-foot flagpole at The Shops at Wiregrass.
The Pasco County Sheriff’s Office mounted posse was on hand at the June 14 Flag Day ceremony, to celebrate the installation of a 40-foot flagpole at The Shops at Wiregrass.

Teresa Fegan came sporting a blouse decked out with stars.

“I feel like we’re free in this country,” the 73-year-old Fegan said, explaining why she wanted to attend. “It’s wonderful to be a part of this country. I am so sorry for what happened in Orlando,” she added.

Her 80-year-old husband, Pete, said he posts a flag at his home on all of the nation’s patriotic holidays.

Fifty-year-old Juan Obando and his 42-year-old wife, Monica, came to the ceremony for two reasons.

They wanted to support their son, Juan Obando Jr., who is part of the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron, and they wanted to express their patriotism.

Gabriel Quinn, a cadet with the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, and others, salute, while Eric Johnson sings ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’
Gabriel Quinn, a cadet with the Wesley Chapel Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, and others, salute, while Eric Johnson sings ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’

“We are American citizens,” Juan Obando said. “We are supporting America at this time,” he added, referring to the mass shootings in Orlando.

“It is so sad,” his wife, Monica said.

The event also attracted a number of dignitaries, including Pasco County Commissioner Ted Schrader and state Reps. Danny Burgess and Shawn Harrison. Bob Hatfield was there, too, representing U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis.

Eric Johnson, of Wesley Chapel Toyota, sang “The Star-Spangled Banner,” with a few members of the audience reverently joining in.

When adding the flagpole to the regional mall, Lenners said “we were methodical in looking for the location.

“We wanted something that was front and center,” he said. “This is certainly front and center.”

Published June 22, 2016

People and pets gather for dog park opening

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When residents (and their dogs) showed up to commemorate the grand opening of the Rotary Club of New Tampa Dog Park on May 2, they admired the new facility located at 17302 Commerce Park Blvd.

But they might not have known how much time and effort went into it.

Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn shook hands and gave dogs a friendly scratch or two at the opening of the Rotary Club of New Tampa Dog Park on May 2. (Courtesy of Bob Thompson)
Tampa mayor Bob Buckhorn shook hands and gave dogs a friendly scratch or two at the opening of the Rotary Club of New Tampa Dog Park on May 2.
(Courtesy of Bob Thompson)

“We actually started on this two years ago,” said Joyce Gunter, the Rotary Club of New Tampa’s committee chairwoman for the dog park. “It took a long time, and we’re so excited that it’s finally open.”

It took $25,000 and a couple of years of planning and coordination with the City of Tampa to bring the dog park to fruition.

The Rotary Club of New Tampa approached the city looking to start a public/private partnership on a project that would benefit the community. The city suggested the dog park, which was planned but not fully funded. If the rotary club could match their funds, the city explained, the project might get completed.

So the group set to work, obtaining sponsors to help raise the money. They also sold space at the park itself, one little block at a time. Engraved bricks in two different sizes have already been placed to outline concrete at the park. The Rotary Club of New Tampa sold more than 300 bricks at a cost of between $50 and $100.

That kind of positive response not only reinforced the idea that residents wanted a dog park in the area — there isn’t one for at least 13 miles — but showed the community’s willingness to step up and financially support the cause.

“It confirms my thought that there are a lot of great people in this community, and all you have to do is ask and talk about things you can do, and people are willing to help and join in,” Gunter said.

Now that the park is finished and open for guests, people in the community can enjoy its amenities. At just under an acre, they had room for benches and picnic tables, stations containing cleanup bags, and a water fountain with special accommodation for four-legged visitors. There’s also a large special section specifically for smaller dogs.

Shade was a big part of the design.

Some dog parks, Gunter explained, have very little shade, which can be uncomfortable when it’s hot outside.

The Rotary Club of New Tampa Dog Park has plenty of trees which provide an abundance of shade, which makes for a more pleasant visit.

After just a few days, they’ve already received some feedback as to potential improvements.

For instance, mud puddles can be a big attraction to dogs, but they aren’t welcome with owners. So, a dog-washing station to help everyone come home clean is one possible improvement.

In addition to plenty of canine representation at the opening, two-legged dignitaries were there as well. Lisa Pontilione from the Tampa City Council, state representative Shawn Harrison and Mayor Bob Buckhorn all came out for the event, alongside brick purchasers, Rotarians and those who were eager to use the facilities.

One guest was not able to be there, unfortunately.

Gunter’s labrador mix, Linkin, passed away before the park opened.

He would have loved it, Gunter said. She plans to frequent the park with another pet at some point in the future.

Until then, she’s happy to see others use the park and appreciate the hard work and time put in by the Rotary Club of New Tampa.

“It’s so nice to drive by there and see a lot of people utilizing the park, and seeing the dogs having a great time,” she said.

The dog park is open every day from sunrise to sunset.

Published May 13, 2015

Incumbents keeping seats on Hillsborough commission

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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.

Commission race an open primary, other candidates qualify

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A last-minute write-in candidate almost made the race for the Pasco County Commission District 4 race even more interesting than it already is. However, Grady Peeler Jr., pulled out of the race just as quickly as he entered last week.

Volunteers for Pasco County Commission candidate Bob Robertson gather in pray to lead off a sign-waving event last week near the intersection of State Road 54 and Eiland Boulevard, west of Zephyrhills. (Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)
Volunteers for Pasco County Commission candidate Bob Robertson gather in pray to lead off a sign-waving event last week near the intersection of State Road 54 and Eiland Boulevard, west of Zephyrhills.
(Michael Hinman/Staff Photo)

That leaves just Commissioner Henry Wilson Jr., to defend his seat against Mike Wells Jr., during an open primary in August that will allow all voters — no matter what their party affiliation is — to decide between the two Republicans.

Wilson is working hard to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. He was first elected to the commission in 2010 after a major upset of incumbent Michael Cox, and is trying to stop being on the wrong end of another incumbent defeat, this time at the hands of Wells, the son of county property appraiser and former county commissioner Mike Wells Sr.

Wells entered the race with a boom, showing he has the ability to raise a lot of money fast. In just two months of campaigning, Wells has raised $45,600 compared to the just under $24,000 from Wilson.

But money never worried Wilson too much. In his first race, Wilson raised just $8,700 — pennies compared to the massive $163,000 campaign war chest collected by Cox, who at the time was the one Democrat on the commission.

If Peeler had qualified for the race, Wilson and Wells would’ve still met Aug. 26, but only Republicans would’ve been able to vote. Instead, all voters will have a chance to decide between Wilson and Wells, the winner claiming the District 4 seat.

In the other county commission race for the District 2 seat currently held by Pat Mulieri, all three Republican candidates — Ken Littlefield, Mike Moore and Bob Robertson — have qualified. They will battle it out in the August primary among Republican voters, the winner facing Land O’ Lakes resident Erika Remsberg, the only Democrat to file.

If Remsberg were to win, she would be the first Democrat on the commission since Cox departed in 2010.

Mike Fasano got a big vote of confidence from county residents as no one challenged him for his seat as the county tax collector. He will serve a two-year term, facing election again in 2016.

Also returning to their jobs without opposition are two school board members, Allen Altman and Cynthia Armstrong. The District 5 seat will see incumbent Steve Luikart face challenger Marc Yacht.

At the state level, however, Minnie Diaz said she got a lesson in how not to run a campaign. The Pasco-Hernando State College adjunct professor failed to qualify in her race to succeed state Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, after misunderstanding when she was supposed to file her financial disclosure form.

“I assume full responsibility,” Diaz said. “I did not fully grasp the process of qualifying week, and I did not understand what it truly meant. There was a certain amount of confusion on my part.”

Diaz had filed most of her paperwork a year ago, and even collected the necessary 986 signatures before Christmas. However, she said she believed she had until July 1 to file her financial disclosure form, but later learned that was only for incumbents.

Diaz filed that form, but more than two hours too late.

Because of that, former Zephyrhills mayor Danny Burgess wins the Republican nomination, and won’t have to go through a primary battle with Diaz. Instead, he can focus on his race in November against Democrat Beverly Ledbetter, who also qualified last Friday.

Returning to Tallahassee unopposed are Trilby Republican Wilton Simpson in the Senate, and both Land O’ Lakes Republican Richard Corcoran and Tampa Democrat Janet Cruz in the House.

Rep. James Grant, R-Tampa, earned a primary challenger on the final day of qualifying from Miriam Steinberg, a quality engineer for Honeywell Aerospace. They both will fight in a closed primary because Daniel John Matthews of Tampa, who says he works for a company called Cats on Deck, earned a spot as a write-in candidate. That means only Republicans will likely choose who represents House District 64.

Dan Raulerson, R-Plant City, won’t need a primary, but he will have to appear on the ballot after he received a write-in challenge from Jose Vazquez Figueroa, a self-employed Tampa resident.

Also getting a write-in challenge is Sen. Tom Lee, R-Brandon, who attracted two opponents, Brandon Thebeau and Steven Warren, although neither will be listed on the ballot.

Rep. Mark Danish, D-Tampa, qualified for his race against Republican challenger Shawn Harrison. Voters in House District 63 will choose between them in November.

Published June 25, 2014

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