The Laker/Lutz News

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

Trinity Democratic Club

Political Agenda 02/06/2019

By

Democratic Environmental Caucus
The Democratic Environmental Caucus of Florida, Pasco Chapter, will meet on Feb 13 at the Heritage Park Community Center, 5401 Land O Lakes Blvd., in Land O Lakes. Networking starts at 6 p.m., with the meeting starting at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend. The group will be discussing its goals for 2019. For more information, email , or visit the group’s Facebook page at Facebook.com/DECFPasco/.

Kelly Smith files for State House District 38
Kelly Smith has announced her candidacy for Florida House District 38. She is running to fill the vacant seat created when former Rep. Danny Burgess left to accept an offer from Gov. Ron DeSantis, to become the executive director of the Florida Department of Veterans Affairs. For more information about Smith, visit KellyForPasco.com.  

Trinity Democrats
The Trinity Democratic Club welcomes guest speakers Monica Rousseau and Chrissie Parris from the Pasco County Alliance for Substance Abuse Prevention. The political club meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month at Fox Hollow Golf Club, at 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity.  Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour (self-pay) with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. 

For more information, call (415) 298-9155, or email . You can follow the club on Facebook or at PascoDems.com.

Republican Club of Central Pasco
The Republican Club of Central Pasco meeting on Feb. 25 will feature Walter Andrusyszyn.  In 2009, Andrusyszyn served as the deputy permanent representative to NATO, while advising the President of the United States on his first visit to Europe. He is a recipient of several national and international awards, including the Secretary of State’s Award for Heroism in 1996 for helping to negotiate the release of an American journalist in Serbia. In September 2001, he was named the Director of the Task Force on Terrorism in response to the Sept. 11 attacks. Andrusyszyn’s distinguished appointments with the National Security Council, at the State Department and around the globe are too numerous to mention. 

The meeting is open to the public. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lakes. The social begins at 6:30 p.m., and business meeting starts at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Political Agenda 01/16/2019

By

Candidates vying to fill District 38 vacancy
Democrat Kathy Lynn Lewis and Republican Randy Maggard have pre-filed to seek the seat expected to be vacated by Danny Burgess, who was selected by Gov. Ron DeSantis to serve as executive director of the state Department of Veterans Affairs. Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley said no official word had been received regarding Burgess vacating the seat, as of the print deadline for The Laker/Lutz News. Once Burgess resigns, Gov. Ron DeSantis will issue an order for a special election.

Municipal elections
Lance Smith has filed to run for the District 1 seat on the Zephyrhills City Council, and Kenneth M. Burgess Jr., has filed to run for the District 4 seat of the Zephyrhills City Council, according to Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley’s website. No candidates have filed so far for the City of San Antonio’s two open commission seats or the two open Town of St. Leo commission seats. There is no election scheduled in 2019 in the City of Dade City.

East Pasco Democrats
The East Pasco Democratic Club will meet on Jan. 21 at 6:30 p.m., at Omari’s Grill at Scotland Yard Golf Club, 9424 U.S. 301., in Dade City. Dining and a-la-carte is available from 5 p.m. For more information call (813) 383-8315, or visit EastPascoDems.com.

Trinity Democrats
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian E. Corley will speak at the Trinity Democratic Club’s monthly meeting on Jan. 23, at the Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour (self-pay), with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m.

Republican Club of Central Pasco

The Republican Club of Central Pasco will meet Jan. 28 at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd. The social begins at 6:30 p.m., followed by a business meeting at 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be state Sen. Tom Lee. For information, call (813) 996-3011.

Political Agenda 10/17/2018

By

Trinity Democrats
The Trinity Democratic Club’s Oct. 24 meeting will feature Jeremy Ring, the Democratic candidate running for Florida’s Chief Financial Officer. The meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, at 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity.  Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour (self-pay) with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting. For more information, call (415) 609-3633 or email .

Republic Club of Central Pasco
The Oct. 29 meeting of the Republican Club of Central Pasco will feature Congressman Gus Bilirakis, who is running for re-election in the U.S. House of Representatives, Florida’s 12th congressional district. The meeting is open to the public. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd, in Land O’ Lakes. The social begins at 6:30 p.m., with the business meeting beginning at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.    

Endorsement
Pasco Schools Superintendent Kurt Browning has endorsed Gus Bilirakis, who is seeking re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives, in Florida’s 12th congressional district, according to a news release from Bilirakis’ campaign.

Political Agenda 07/18/2018

By

Sample ballots available
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley has announced that sample ballots for the Aug. 26 Primary Election are available online at PascoVotes.com, and will be mailed to Pasco County voters on Aug. 6.

To view sample ballots online, voters need to know their voting precinct and party of registration.

Club meetings

Republican Club of Central Pasco
Mike Wells will be the guest speaker at the Republican Club of Central Pasco’s meeting on July 23. The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. The social will begin at 6:30 p.m., with the meeting starting at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Trinity Democratic Club meeting
The Trinity Democratic Club’s July 25 meeting will feature Chris Hunter, candidate for the district 12 seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Amanda Murphy, candidate in district 16 seat in of the Florida Senate. The meeting begins at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, at 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour (self-pay) with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting. For more information, call (415) 609-3633.

Candidate forums

  • Idlewild Baptist Church, at 18333 Exciting Idlewild Blvd., in Lutz, will host a candidate’s forum on July 29 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
  • The East Pasco Democratic Club will host a political forum for all Democrats, Republicans and no party affiliation for local and state offices on Aug. 4 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Alice Hall Community Center, 38116 Fifth Ave., in Zephyrhills. The League of Women Voters will be there to register voters or update voters’ current registration. Light refreshments will be served.

Ice cream social
The Central Pasco Democratic Party will host an ice cream social on Aug. 12 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., at the Meadow Pointe Community Center, 28245 County Line Road. Those attending can meet other Democrats and talk with local candidates.

Endorsements

  • The West Central Florida Police Benevolent Association has endorsed Mike Moore, in his re-election bid for the District 2 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Moore’s campaign.
  • The Veterans Caucus; Alex Sink, former chief financial officer of Florida; and the Democratic Women’s Club of Florida, have endorsed Brandi Geoit in the race for District 4 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Geoit’s campaign.

Published July 18, 2018

Democratic clubs set meetings

By

Trinity Democratic Club
The Trinity Democratic Club will meet May 23 at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour, self-pay, with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting. 

The club will host Ryan Torrens, candidate for Attorney General, and Roy David Walker, candidate for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.

For questions, call (415) 609-3633, or email .

Land O’ Lakes Democratic Club
The Land O’ Lakes Democratic Club will meet June 6 at 6:30 p.m., at Brick City Eatery, 16540 Pointe Village Drive, Suite 108, in Lutz.

The special guest will be Robert Tager, candidate for U.S. Congress in Florida-District 12.

There also will be a discussion on plans to increase voter turnout to positively impact upcoming elections in 2018.

For information, visit MakingPascoBlue.com.

Democratic Hispanic Caucus
The Democratic Hispanic Caucus of Pasco will meet June 14 from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., at Los Vallarta Mexican Restaurant, 5335 Village Market in Wesley Chapel.

This is the group’s second meeting, and is looking for new members.

For information and questions, email .

Political meetings set; endorsement given

By

Republican club meetings
The Republican Club of Central Pasco and the Pasco Federated Republican Woman’s Club will host a joint meeting on May 21, beginning with a social at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will feature a meet and greet with Pasco County School Board candidates Allen Altman, Cynthia Armstrong, Megan Harding, Heide Janshon and Tara O’Connor.

The meeting also will be a potluck dinner, so bring your favorite dish.  The club will supply the beverages.

The meeting is open to the public, and the club encourages anyone that seeks to be involved in the political process to attend.

The club meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Democratic Club meeting
The Trinity Democratic Club’s May upcoming meeting will feature Ryan Torrens, candidate for Attorney General and Roy David Walker, candidate for Florida Commissioner of Agriculture.

The May 23 meeting starts at 6:30 p.m., at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for dinner and happy hour, self-pay, with food and beverages available for purchase throughout the meeting.

For questions, call (415) 609-3633, or email .

Endorsement
Pasco County Clerk and Comptroller Paula S. O’ Neil has endorsed Mike Moore in his re-election bid for the District 2 seat on the Pasco County Commission, according to Moore’s campaign.

Published May 16, 2018

Club meetings planned, endorsements announced

By

Upcoming club meetings

Land O’ Lakes Democrats
The Land O’ Lakes Democratic Club will host Stephen Perenich, who is running for U.S. Congress in Florida District 12, at the club’s April 4 meeting, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The club meets at Brick City Eatery, 16540 Pointe Village Drive in Lutz.

Wesley Chapel Republican Club
The Wesley Chapel Republican Club meets April 12 at 6:30 pm at Lexus of Wesley Chapel, 5350 Eagleston Blvd., in Wesley Chapel. The guest speaker will be State Sen. Wilton Simpson. There will be coffee and desserts. There is no admission charge. For more information, contact Peter Cracchiolo at (813) 360-9813 or .

Republican Club of Central Pasco
Pasco County Supervisor of Elections Brian Corley will speak at Republican Club of Pasco County’s meeting on April 23. The club encourages anyone that seeks to be involved in the political process to attend. It meets at Copperstone Executive Suites, 3632 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., in Land O’ Lakes. A social begins at 6:30 p.m., and the business meeting starts at 7 p.m. For more information, call (813) 996-3011.

Trinity Democratic Club
The Trinity Democratic Club welcomes Melissa Erickson, co-founder and executive director of the Alliance for Public Schools (All4Schools.org), as guest speaker at its April 25 meeting, which starts at 6:30 p.m. The group meets at Fox Hollow Golf Club, 10050 Robert Trent Jones Parkway in Trinity. Doors open at 5 p.m., for those wish to purchase dinner and/or drinks. For more information, call (415) 609-3633 or email .

Endorsements

  • #VOTEPROCHOICE has endorsed Kelly Smith, who is running in the District 2 race of the Pasco County Commission. Smith supports reproductive rights in Florida, according to an announcement from her campaign.
  • The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 29 Labor Unit has endorsed Mike Moore, who is running for re-election in the District 2 race of the Pasco County Commission, according to an announcement from his campaign.

Published April 4, 2018