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Lights, joy and wonder

December 6, 2022 By Mike Camunas

There’s Christmas songs on the radio — and, thousands of lights dancing to the tunes.

That’s just part of the stunning, festive display at The Wonderland of Lights and America’s Christmas Village in Auburndale.

Thousands of choreographed lights and holiday displays can be viewed from the comfort of an air-conditioned car.

The Wonderland of Lights, at the International Market World Flea and Farmers Market in Auburndale, features a mile-long path of dazzling, festive lights and holiday displays that also are in-sync with Christmas music tuned to on the car radio. A car of up to eight people can enjoy a slow ride through the wonderland, then finish the evening off at America’s Christmas Village, which features rides, entertainment, games, food, decorations and more. (Mike Camunas)

It’s a night of family fun, and an incredible deal for families, too.

So load up the SUV, tune in the radio and get away from that silent night — for some holiday fun that’s totally worth the trip.

North Pole by North Pole West
The International Market World Flea and Farmers Market of Auburndale is about an hour or so away, from Land O’ Lakes, depending on the traffic.

Founded in 1981, it is now a 30-acre operation that hosts markets and events throughout the year.

But until Dec. 25, in the evenings, the place will become The Wonderland of Lights and America’s Christmas Village.

Tammy Peters, founder and owner of North Pole Productions, is behind this fun land.

She started this production company in 2001, to develop and produce unique and customized events for fairgrounds, museums and parks.

The former longtime executive at United Way began a lighting business in 1997, but once she retired, she wanted to do something that involved her love of Christmas.

The Wonderland of Lights features a mile-long route of festive lights and displays that can be viewed from the car before reaching America’s Christmas Village in Auburndale.

“The past 20 years at North Pole Productions have been dedicated to putting on amazing light shows as a wonderful way to entertain families,” Peters said. “It’s just good, wholesome entertainment during the holiday season.”

The light show display in Auburndale is in its seventh year, while North Pole Productions does several professional shows across the country, including 12 around Bronson, Missouri.

As a family friendly event, Peters notes that coming to see the light show is a deal even Scrooge wouldn’t pass up.

“It’s a lot of young families that come out,” Peters said. “And there’s grandparents bringing grandchildren to it, to give mom and dad the night off.

“It really warms my heart to see families out here, and it’s $25 for up to eight people. Where else are you going to entertain eight people for $3 a head?!”

Don’t worry — this mighty humble bumble just wants to crown a Christmas Tree with a star at America’s Christmas Village in Auburndale.

Take it slow and wonder
The mile-long lighted route begins by tuning the radio to 103.1 FM, where passengers will be greeted with Christmas songs. All along the path there are displays with different themes.

There are “tunnels” that dance to the music, which will range from your Christmas classics, those same songs but more modern, and even ‘Frozen’ tunes for you Disney fans out there.

Several displays have a Florida or beach theme, such as Santa’s Beach Party or an impressive shark fin that moves and ends with “Bruce” appearing out of the water.

The 12 Days of Christmas is on a straightaway and there are fun touches on impressive displays, making it fun to take it nice and slow along the route.

To the village
At the end of the route will be America’s Christmas Village. It, too, does not disappoint.

With a distinct carnival vibe to it, it is decked out for Christmas and features rides, games, food, entertainment and more.

Santa Claus will be on hand for family photos and more inside the circus tent that houses America’s Christmas Village in Auburndale.

There’s plenty of bounce houses inside the circus tent, which also includes a huge Bumble from “Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer,” the one-of-a-kind, 30-foot Star-Spangled Christmas Tree and, of course, the beloved holly and jolly man that children enjoy seeing this time of year.

In the end, a trip to this wonderland is a festive gift families can give themselves to brighten up their holidays, without breaking the bank.

The Wonderland of Lights & America’s Christmas Village
Where: International Market World Flea and Farmers Market, 1052 U.S. 92, Auburndale
When: Daily through Dec. 25, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Cost: $25 for general admission, with a car of up to eight people
Details: A festive holiday experience through a spectacular parade of thousands of lights. From tunnel displays to towering structures and whimsical designs, celebrate the spirit of the season with a few surprises sprinkled in, including a one-of-a-kind, 30-foot Star-Spangled Christmas Tree. Food, games, entertainment and rides await visitors at the end of the lighted drive-through.
Info and tickets: Visit TheWonderlandOfLights.com.

Published December 07, 2022

Pasco invites public to weigh in on future Orange Belt Trail

November 29, 2022 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County has been talking for years about building a recreation trail that will mostly follow the former Orange Belt Trail rail line, from Trinity to Trilby.

But now planning efforts are ramping up and two open-house style public meetings have been set to give the community a chance to have a voice in the project.

“We’d really like to hear from people at these meetings — what they’d like to see the trail do, what kind of character they’d like it to have,” said Sam Beneck, a project manager for Pasco County.

The trail will link communities such as Trinity, Odessa, Land O’ Lakes, Wesley Chapel and Dade City, and will provide both recreational and economic opportunities along the way, based on discussions at Pasco County Commission meetings.

This map shows a generalized path of the future Orange Belt Trail, a recreational trail that will link Trinity to Trilby. (Courtesy of Pasco County)

The trail is expected to be a 12- to 14-foot-wide paved multi-use trail, but also could incorporate sections intended for equestrian use.

By holding community meetings now, planners hope to engage the public while drawing up the plans and to continue that involvement throughout the process, Beneck said.

The goal is to encourage public engagement early on and to keep communication lines open throughout the process, the project manager added.

He described the trail as “a linear park, by itself,” but noted that such trails typically connect to other trails and other recreational assets along the way.

A map has been drawn to show the approximate path, but the alignment is not locked in, Beneck said. The same goes for the time frame and budget, which will vary based on the final plans that are approved — with the timing partially tied to whether the county can secure additional funding through grants or other sources, he said.

“It’s been in concept for a long time, but we’ve only in the last few months started that real study to actually to figure out the where and the what and the how,” Beneck said.

Getting public input now will help planners incorporate desired features and take issues into account, while they’re drawing up proposed plans.

“We don’t want to draw any conclusions, we don’t want to get too far ahead of ourselves with anything, so everything right now is subject to change, based on the needs and the expectations and the desires of the public and the commission,” Beneck said.

Part of the planning will be to determine logical phases for construction.

A portion of the old Orange Belt Railroad rail line.

“We are going to be breaking the project down, into pieces that can be built, that would have logical termini, logical starts and ends. We definitely don’t want to have a segment of trail that is built that kind of drops people in an unsafe area to be cycling or jogging, or whatever,” he said.

The idea is to ensure “that each piece that we conceptualize and build makes sense by itself and can provide that value to the community, as the pieces around it come online,” he said.

The project manager also said he intends to avoid the mentality that the trail has to be done one segment at a time, extending in the same direction.

“It really will be something that we want to be thoughtful about, and not just start at the west side of the county and work our way to the east, or anything like that,” he said.

Rather, it could be that portions of the trail will be done on the east side, the west side and the middle and then would be tied together, he added.

“There’s really opportunities all over the place,” Beneck said.

“How we start to connect those opportunities together is actually its own phase in the study that we’ve assigned to the study team, the consultant team — identifying what the segments should be and what order we should be attacking them in,” he said.

There will be trailheads, which will be especially important in areas where there are disconnected segments, Beneck said.

“It will be important to have places to park, in order to access the system. Ultimately, we do want people to be able to access the system from their homes. And, those parking lots will be, maybe, less critical. But we certainly understand that while it’s a disconnected system, we’ll need to have parking for folks and we also want to have amenities for people. The water and the bathroom and even just places to stop and have a sandwich,” Beneck said.

Community meetings on Orange Belt Trail
Two community open-house style meetings are scheduled to begin sharing information about Pasco County’s proposed Orange Belt Trail. Both meetings will have the same content.

Here are the meeting times and places:

Dec. 6 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at Hampton Inn, 11780 State Road 54, in Odessa
Dec. 7 from 5 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Dade City Garden Club, 13630 Fifth St., in Dade City.

There will be a brief, formal presentation each evening at 6 p.m., and county staff will be available to answer questions. Those interested in finding out more can visit OrangeBeltTrail.com. To learn more about the county’s engineering services, visit MyPas.co/3tzL8N3.

Published November 30, 2022

Hale Road rezoning is rejected

November 22, 2022 By B.C. Manion

Opponents to a proposed rezoning on Hale Road erupted in cheers and applause, when the Pasco County Commission voted 5-0 against the request.

KB Home had sought to put a total of up to 107 homes on two parcels on the north side of Hale Road and another parcel on the south side of Hale Road. Both properties are near Collier Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes.

Opponents turned out in force to protest a request that would allow 107 homes on two parcels flanking Hale Road. The Pasco County Commission rejected the proposed rezoning on a 5-0 vote. (Mike Camunas)

Opponents came ready to do battle.

They made it easy to identify their opposition, by wearing fluorescent lime-green T-shirts.

They filled seats throughout the county board’s chamber. Some carried protest signs.

Maryann Bishop, who owns a 19-acre property next door to the proposed rezoning, on the north side of Hale Road, hired an attorney and a traffic engineer to fight the request.

Besides the family home, the property also is occupied by the Rosebud Continuum Ecological and Science Education Center. It also has a nature trail, a lake, bat houses, bee hives and farm animals.

Bishop and her attorney, Jane Graham, spelled out a multitude of reasons to deny the request.

They cited a recommendation for denial from the Pasco County Planning Commission, which listed 13 reasons for rejecting the rezoning.

Before showing up to the county board’s meeting, opponents voiced their objections to the Pasco County Planning Commission.

They also reached out to members of the county board, and they bombarded them with emails.

It didn’t take long to find out which team the people wearing lime green T-shirts were on, during a Nov. 15 public hearing before the Pasco County Commission. They came ready to make a case against a rezoning proposed on Hale Road, and, in the end, they won.

For their part, the applicant’s team noted that KB Home was proposing 2.4 houses per acre, far fewer than the six houses per acre contemplated in the county’s long-range plan.

They also noted changes made in the plan, after the planning board’s denial, intended to address safety concerns.

For instance, Cyndi Tarapani, a professional planner, told the county board: The project previously proposed two driveways to access the proposed development on the north side of Hale Road and one driveway to access the homes planned on the south side of the road.

After the planning board meeting, the applicant revised its plan to show access to Collier Parkway from the southern parcel, where all but 22 homes are planned.

The applicant also agreed to add turning lanes and sidewalks, to address traffic concerns, she said.

But those concessions failed to sway opponents.

Maryann Bishop, who owns property next to a proposed rezoning on Hale Road, offers a multitude of reasons for why the request should be denied. She was addressing the Pasco County Commission during a public hearing on Nov. 15 at the Historic Pasco County Courthouse. Her attorney, Jane Graham, is seen in the background.

They said Hale Road is a substandard road and objected to adding any new development beyond what’s already zoned.

To bolster their case, they showed photographs of a garbage truck getting stuck, after failing to negotiate a sharp turn. A school bus that tried to get around it got stuck, as well as another vehicle, according to an area resident, who testified at the public hearing.

Several speakers said it’s not uncommon for accidents to occur, people to crash into fences and people to run off the road into ditches.

Those ditches often fill with water and are choked with weeds, speakers added.

Students in grades six through 12 who live within 2 miles of school no longer receive “courtesy” rides from Pasco County Schools, because of a shortage of bus drivers and money.

Area resident Debra Martinez told the county board: “These kids scare me to death in the morning. They’re walking in the road because they can’t walk in the ditch … It’s not a good situation on Hale Road.”

Opponents also testified about kids being at risk, as they ride their bikes, while carrying backpacks, on a substandard road that carries considerable traffic.

As a case in point, they showed a photo of a student walking on the edge of the road, with little room to spare for passing motorists.

Russell Watrous, one of the opponents, told commissioners: “Hale (Road) is not safe. I’ve driven Hale Road now for 28 years, back and forth to work. I’ve seen it change from a peaceful country road to something that’s really unsafe.”

He also raised questions about compatibility, noting the proposed lots with 40- and 50-foot frontage are far smaller than nearby lots and developments.

Watrous said he’s worried that approval of this request would trigger requests from similar properties and would set a dangerous precedent for the area.

Tarapani noted the applicant had placed its 50-foot lots in areas next to larger lots and had committed to providing buffering.

Land O’ Lakes High student Lilly Xu, speaking on behalf of the school’s Scientific Journal Club, is sworn in during the public hearing. She submitted, via an email to Commissioner Ron Oakley, a packet of 200 emails from Land O’ Lakes High students, expressing their views on the proposed rezoning.

Several speakers, including Lilly Xi, president of the Scientific Journal Club at Land O’ Lakes High School, urged the county board to consider the area’s sustainability.

Prior to the meeting, Xi had submitted a packet of 200 emails or notes from Land O’ Lakes High students, expressing their thoughts on the issue.

Many students raised concerns about the need to protect the environment, to respect the ecosystem and to keep wildlife out of harm’s way.

One student told commissioners that “rapid-fire growth” isn’t in the interest of the people.

Area residents emailed commissioners, too.

Emily Keen reached out to Commissioner Mike Moore.

In part, she said: “I desire an end to developers coming into our neighborhoods to profit and then taking their money and running after they have put a strain on the environment, wildlife, our local community, roadways, water supply, water quality, and even understaffed/underfunded schools that don’t have room for more students.”

Keen also shared photos of white-tailed deer, sandhill cranes, a swallow-tailed kite, wood stork, spicebush swallowtail butterfly and Sherman’s fox squirrel. She said the photos were taken on her property, about a half-mile away from the proposed rezoning.

The public hearing lasted more than three hours, ending ultimately with a recommendation for denial by Commissioner Jack Mariano.

“I’ve never seen as much fact-based evidence in a hearing that we saw today. I’ve never see a planning commission go through and list 13 reasons to why a project shouldn’t go forward,” he said.

Like the opponents, Mariano cited concerns about safety, compatibility, stormwater runoff, a lack of streetlights and a substandard road without sidewalks.

“This just doesn’t fit,” Mariano said.

Mike Moore departs from Pasco County board after two terms

November 16, 2022 By B.C. Manion

Mike Moore wasn’t a stranger to politics when he decided to run for Pasco County Commission. However, being an elected official wasn’t a lifelong ambition, either.

Rather, the Wesley Chapel man said, he increasingly came to realize the impact government has on everyday life and decided he wanted to play a role.

Before running for office in 2014, Moore owned a home health company, which led to his involvement in lobbying efforts with that industry’s trade group at the state level.

Commissioner Mike Moore joins a hard-hat tour of the recreation center at Wesley Chapel District Park. Building a center had always been intended, but hadn’t happened because of a lack of funding. Moore drew attention to the issue, and that changed. (Courtesy of Andy Taylor/Pasco County)

He was active in Republican Party politics in Pasco, too, knocking on doors, waving signs for candidates and writing campaign checks.

Ultimately, after discussions with his family and within the community, Moore decided to toss his hat into the ring for a seat on the county board.

Moore said he wanted to help shape local government’s impact within District 2, and across the county, as a whole.

Early on, he identified three key issues: Public safety, infrastructure and jobs.

As he leaves office on Nov. 21, Moore said the county has made gains on all three fronts.

Complaints still surface during public comment and budget discussions regarding a shortage of manpower and pay issues regarding first responders, but Moore said Pasco has made great strides in those areas during the last eight years.

The county has budgeted more money for pay, and Pasco’s residents have supported public safety through both a General Obligation bond and Penny for Pasco, Moore said.

Traffic bottlenecks
Traffic is another big issue in Pasco.

At public hearings, opponents frequently battle proposed projects — raising concerns about traffic congestion and potential dangers if more growth is allowed before road improvements are made.

This group helped graduating seniors from Cypress Creek Middle High, during festivities at the Grove at Wesley Chapel. The drive-by celebration was held to give members of the Class of 2020 a way to celebrate their achievements, in the midst of COVID-19. From left are, Jennifer Yingling, Mark Gold, DJ Night Mixer Makayla Gulash, Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore, Troy Stevenson, Cypress Creek Middle/High School Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles, Jennifer Welling, and Tami Baker, along with the school’s Coyote mascot.

From Moore’s perspective, though, the county has made significant progress on infrastructure.

Numerous road projects have been completed, or are on the way, he said.

“I’m very happy that we were able to work very closely with our legislators and FDOT (the Florida Department of Transportation) to get that Diverging Diamond moved up, from 2024 — when it originally was going to start, to now, almost being completed.

“That’s huge. It really is huge,” he said, referring to a project intended to reduce congestion at Interstate 75 and State Road 56.

He also pointed to the new I-75 interchange being built at Overpass Road.

“How often do you see a new interchange on (Interstate) 75?” he asked.

The extension of State Road 56, from Meadow Pointe Boulevard in Wesley Chapel to U.S. 301, in Zephyrhills, is a big achievement, too, Moore said.

Initially, proposed as a two-lane road, the State Road 56 extension was expanded to four lanes, after partnerships were forged between Pasco County, the City of Zephyrhills, the FDOT and private landowners to finance the road and get it built.

There are ongoing projects on State Road 52, State Road 54 and U.S. 41, as well. Plus, land is being acquired for the widening of Wesley Chapel Boulevard, with construction expected to begin next year, Moore said.

Also, a portion of the extension of Ridge Road has been completed, from Moon Lake Road in New Port Richey to the Suncoast Parkway, in Land O’ Lakes. The next phase will extend it to U.S. 41.

It took more than 20 years for the county to get the green light on the Ridge Road extension, he said.

More companies are coming to Pasco
Pasco has projects going on all over, but there’s one, in particular, which is expected to create significant opportunities for decades to come.

A new “city” called Angeline is beginning to emerge on 6,200 acres, in an area south of State Road 52 and west of U.S. 41.

The development, which will have an emphasis on wellness, is expected to become home for people of all ages and feature a diverse mix of housing types.

Commissioner Mike Moore tosses up a ball during a ceremonial tipoff between Hasahn French and Micah Potter, during the inaugural Tampa Bay Pro Combine (TBPC), held June 3 through June 5, 2021, at the AdventHealth Sports Arena at Wiregrass Ranch Sports Campus of Pasco County.

Plans call for pathways throughout the development to encourage people to walk or bicycle to get to around, rather than hopping into a car.

The community also will boast the latest in internet technology.

When complete, Angeline is expected to have about 35,000 people.

It will be home to H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco County campus, which will span 775 acres and which is entitled for up to 24-million square feet of planned clinical and research facilities.

Plans for the area include a hospital, research and development space, office, manufacturing, laboratories, pharmacies, educational facility/university, hotel, and commercial space. The multi-year, multi-phase project is expected to create 14,500 jobs.

Moore pushed hard to expand Pasco’s job growth, noting residents need more work options closer to home.

“If you want a good quality of life, the less time you’re on the road, the more time you can spend with your family and your friends,” Moore said.

He’s been a fierce advocate for preserving land designated for job-generating uses, rather than allowing its conversion for other uses, particularly apartments.

He persuaded his colleagues to approve a temporary moratorium on new multi-family entitlements within District 2.

That moratorium has been lifted; Moore’s attitude hasn’t shifted.

“Converting commercial land to multifamily along our major corridors — will always concern me,” Moore said. “I was happy we had a pause on it. I wish it had continued longer.”

As he reflects upon his time in office, the commissioner said he’s pleased with Pasco’s many improvements through the years.

The county’s revamped tourism efforts have resulted in higher Tourist Development Tax revenues, a bigger impact on the local economy and the successful branding of the area as Florida’s Sports Coast, Moore said.

“We’re making a name for ourselves,” he said, noting the U.S. Women’s Hockey Team trained at AdventHealth Center Ice before skating to win a gold medal at the Olympics.

Pasco also has hosted national and international tournaments, showcases for professional sports and recently was selected as the site for the Florida Senior Games.

Commissioner Mike Moore brings JoJo, one of his family’s rescue pets, to the county board’s Sept. 8 meeting in 2020, on a day when commissioners were considering an action to ban the the retail sale of dogs and cats.

When athletes and spectators travel to Pasco, area restaurants, gas stations, hotels, stores, shops, entertainment venues and mom-and-pop businesses benefit, Moore said, adding these additional TDT revenues also help to reduce taxes for Pasco residents.

Pasco is looking good, in more ways than one
Moore cited a number of improvements he thinks are noteworthy.

The county’s curb appeal is better because of the county’s war on blight, Moore said.

Its animals are safer, too, because of the county’s abuse registry and its ban on the retail sales of dogs, cats and rabbits.

The passage of the county’s sexual predator ordinance was important, as well, to protect Pasco’s most vulnerable residents.

He also praised the county’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially its efforts to help area businesses and residents hit hard by its impacts.

Besides big-picture issues, Moore pushed for specific projects.

He advocated funding for a recreational center at Wesley Chapel District Park and for a library in Seven Oaks.

One of his most gratifying projects, he said, involved the effort to establish a universal playground — for children of all ability levels — at Wesley Chapel District Park.

“It was a true community project,” Moore said.

“It was amazing when I reached out to private organizations, like the (Wesley Chapel) Rotary (Club) and AdventHealth (Wesley Chapel) and (the) Lennar (Foundation), and how willing they were — not just to write a check for a couple of thousand dollars — but $50,000 and $25,000 checks — and, it (the playground) happened,” Moore said.

The real payoff came from seeing the joy on children’s faces, when they showed up to play. Such moments reveal what’s possible — when government and community join forces for the common good.

Published November 16, 2022

Pasco plans overhaul on how road improvements are funded

November 8, 2022 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County is planning a fundamental shift in the way local road improvements are funded.

For decades, the county has used a Paving Assessment (PVAS) program to pay for improvements to local streets.

That system has depended on at least half of the people benefiting from the improvement to agree that the project is needed.

The county estimates the cost of the proposed improvement, and a public hearing is held before the Pasco County Commission.

Pasco County plans to adopt a new way to improve the condition of local roads, which like this one, fall into disrepair. Currently, the county uses a system which requires a majority of those benefiting from the improvement to vote in favor of the project, and then everyone who benefits sharing the costs. The new system would establish a Municipal Services Tax Unit to cover costs. Many details must be worked out before this shift can be adopted. (Mary Rathman)

If the county board approves the project, all of the property owners on the improved road must pay their share of the cost — even those who objected to the work.

The charges are then assessed and included on the annual tax bill.

In some cases, the PVAS system has resulted in pitting neighbors against neighbors, as some residents think the road improvement is needed and others don’t want — or testify that they aren’t able — to pay for it.

The issue can become contentious.

County staff has proposed ending the PVAS system and replacing it with a Municipal Services Taxing Unit (MSTU).

Justin Grant, public infrastructure fiscal and business administration director, asked the board to give county staff permission to prepare a measure to establish the MSTU and to allow for its inclusion on the 2023 tax bill.

“This is a very complex and multi-step process,” Grant said.

He told board members that a significant amount of time, resources and assistance from multiple county departments will be needed to accomplish that goal.

“The problem with the current PVAS program is that it doesn’t collect sufficient revenues to sustain itself,” Grant said. “This board has heard that a number of different times, in a number of different ways. Right now, that requires continuous support from the board’s road and bridge fund, and/or other funds within the county.

“PVAS doesn’t contemplate continued maintenance, under PVAS assessments,” Grant added.

The system also lacks an effective option to transition dirt roads into paved roads, he said.

Plus, the county needs to be able to do incremental maintenance to avoid high-cost projects, Grant said.

Once the Residential Local Road Paving MSTU is created, those within its boundaries will pay an annual millage rate tax, which will be assessed on their tax bills.

The MSTU will provide a consistent, stable source of funds, Grant said.

Areas that already are receiving services by a municipality or Community Development District, which owns and maintains its streets, are not being recommended as part of the MSTU, Grant said.

He said he expects county staff to work extensively with the county attorney’s office on creating the new MSTU.

Grant said county staff plans to make a presentation in December defining who’s in and who’s out, in terms of the benefiting area.

In the Spring of 2023, it plans to present more detailed findings to the board. That discussion will include a proposed tax rate for the MSTU and how it will be calculated.

Other parts of the discussion will involve how to end PVAS, a system that’s been around for 30-plus years.

Grant said staff will bring back a number of concise options for the board to consider. The goal is to include the new MSTU on the November tax bill in 2023, Grant said.

Commissioner Mike Moore noted: “Madame chair, just to reiterate something. CDDs (Community Development Districts) that currently maintain their roads can be carved out. There are some HOAs, as well.

“That’s important because those folks already paid to maintain their roads.”

Grant responded: “There’s a number of different CDDs throughout the county and there’s a handful that we’ve identified that wholistically do maintenance and own those roads and assess their residents for that activity. The intention of this (MSTU) unit would be to exclude those from this.”

County Attorney Jeffrey Steinsnyder noted: “If it’s purely private, we wouldn’t be maintaining those roads. We’re not planning to touch it, if it’s private.”

Steinsnyder added that it will take time to make improvements, through the new system.

“One hundred percent of the roads won’t be done in the first year,” the attorney said.

Commission Chairwoman Kathryn Starkey and commissioners Jack Mariano and Christina Fitzpatrick said there should be a differentiation in fees between those who live on dirt roads that need to be paved, and those who live on paved roads that need to be improved.

Steinsnyder told commissioners: “Unless you create separate MSTUs, the millage is the millage.”

Starkey responded the board might want to consider creating two separate MSTUs, to address that issue.

Published November 09, 2022

The legacy of Joel Jackson’s work will go on for generations

November 1, 2022 By B.C. Manion

It’s fair to say that visitors to Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, at 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., in Hillsborough County, enjoy myriad aspects of its offerings.

Some like to hike.

Others, to watch birds.

Joel Jackson stands near the sign that signifies the nature center at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park has been renamed in his honor. (B.C. Manion)

Some are there to check out the native plants and flowers.

Still others find pleasure in climbing to the top of the observation tower to gaze at the scenic views.

Families go there to picnic.

School children take field trips there, to learn.

Some visitors enjoy a stroll, or jog, along the 1.25-mile paved trail.

These are the kinds of things that Joel Jackson envisioned when he sat down to design the park, which marked its 40th year of operations in October.

Joel Jackson captured this image of an osprey in flight at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, which offers plenty of options for visitors, that include bird-watching, hiking, picnicking and immersing oneself in the beauty of nature. (Courtesy of Joel Jackson)

“I had three objectives, when I designed this park,” Jackson said, in a recent interview.

“One, was to make it an interesting and enjoyable place to come visit and experience nature.

“No. 2, was environmental education.

“And three, (was to preserve it) for future generations,” Jackson said.

He started planning the conservation park, in northeast Hillsborough County, from scratch.

“There was no park here at all. It was just a piece of land. So, I had a blank slate here, which was very exciting to me,” Jackson said.

You might catch a view of an alligator, during a visit to Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, at 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., in Hillsborough County. (Courtesy of Joel Jackson)

Jackson paid attention to every detail: How the land would drain, where the parking should go, the amenities that would appeal to people of different ages and with diverse interests.

He wanted to be sure this was a true nature park. The paths should meander. The parking lots should be small, situated in different spots around the landscape.

Indeed, it is a nature park.

The Hillsborough River runs through it, and more than half of its acreage lies in the natural flood plain, which consists of a hardwood swamp forest.

The rest of the park features hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods plant communities.

There are wooded picnic areas and playgrounds, a paved 1.5-mile exercise trail and a 3,500-foot boardwalk, with an observation tower.

Originally, the park called for 117 acres.

Jackson said that was too small, so he secured additional funds that enabled the park size to be doubled.

The funding source for that land also required it to be conserved, in perpetuity.

“This land, for hundreds of years, should still be here,” Jackson said.

Jackson honored
The design of Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is just one of many contributions Jackson made during his career, which included stints with the City of Tampa and Hillsborough County.

Volunteers nurture plants and remove invasive species at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, in Hillsborough County. Shown here from left: Richard Rauscher, Tina Patterson and Merrilee Wallbrunn. (Courtesy of Joel Jackson)

He was honored on Aug. 31, in a special ceremony, where the nature center at Lettuce Lake Park was renamed the Joel E. Jackson Nature Center.

Hillsborough County Administrator Bonnie Wise hosted the celebration, which included remarks from Jack Berlin, of the parks and conservation board, and from Hillsborough County commissioners Harry Cohen and Mariella Smith.

Their comments were recorded in audio files by Hillsborough County staff, provided at the request of The Laker/Lutz News.

“His accomplishments are a testament to his unwavering service to Hillsborough County, its residents and especially, its natural resources,” Wise said, during the ceremony.

Berlin told those gathered: “It would take hours to go over this man’s legacy. “

Even now, Berlin said: “He volunteers more hours than I do. Still, he wows me with his vision.

“What he’s done for Hillsborough County conservation and the regional parks, and everything he’s done — is permanent. It will be here for our kids, our grandkids, our grandkids’ grandkids,” Berlin said.

Commissioner Cohen said he became acquainted with Lettuce Lake Conservation Park when he joined the county’s hiking spree last year.

A look at a paved trail at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park. The trail meanders under a canopy of ancient oaks. (Courtesy of Joel Jackson)

“As a result, I went from park to park on the different hikes. One Sunday afternoon, I came out here to Lettuce Lake Park, and I have to tell you, I was blown away.

“I had never been here before and I started coming back. And, I didn’t end up finishing the hiking spree mainly because I just kept coming back to Lettuce Lake Park, over and over and over again,” Cohen said.

He described the park’s many attributes, including its abundant wildlife.

“You can get a close look at some of the area’s most striking birds, the reptiles, mammals and insects, as well as colorful flowers and plants,” Cohen said.

“You can attend a birding walk, hosted by the Tampa Audubon Society, or a native plant tour, led by the Suncoast Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society,” Cohen added.

The nature center, which now bears Jackson’s name, offers visitors a chance to learn about all of the flora and fauna.

“This center is a fantastic place to take children to show them the importance of the environment and just to have fun,” Cohen said

Jackson’s vision has left a lasting mark
Commissioner Smith lavished praise upon Jackson’s many contributions to the region’s quality of life.

“It’s a day of celebration for someone who has dedicated his life to our county’s parks and preserves, and then has continued volunteering, even in retirement, to protecting our environment and helping people enjoy our natural resources.

The Tampa Audubon Society offers birding walks at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, at 6920 E. Fletcher Ave. Call 813-987-6204 for more information. (Courtesy of Joel Jackson)

“Mr. Jackson has been an influential and distinguished leader of the Hillsborough County Conservation movement since 1969, when he became a founding member of Save Our Bay. This group was formed to prevent the proposed dredging and filling of nearly 2,000 acres along the Upper Tampa Bay shoreline.

“That Save Our Bay group kickstarted the local environmental movement that gave birth to our Agency on Bay Management and went on to galvanize efforts to protect Tampa Bay, and our wetlands and natural resources.

“In the 1970s, Mr. Jackson became a parks and recreation planner for the City of Tampa. After several years in this role, he was hired by Hillsborough County to become our parks planning section manager, which was a tremendous gain for our county.

“Ten years before we had an ELAPP (Environmental Lands and Acquisition Protection Program) to preserve our environmental lands, this county had a parks bond program. Joel Jackson oversaw that program, and under his very wise stewardship, we gained several large, beautiful parks that preserve natural areas — keeping what was special and unique about each place, while providing access and facilities to the public to enjoy them.

Joel Jackson captured this image of a black-crowned night heron at Lettuce Lake Conservation Park. It’s one of many species of birds and other wildlife that can be observed at the park. (Courtesy of Joel Jackson)

“Between 1977 and 1983, Mr. Jackson managed that $10 million parks bond program. You could do a lot with $10 million back then.

“It established three new natural resource bay parks, Upper Tampa Bay Park, Lettuce Lake (Conservation) Park and Alderman’s Ford (Nature Preserve) and renovated several others, including E.G. Simmons (Conservation Park), Eureka Springs (Conservation Park) and Edward Medard (Conservation) Park, and these are all natural wonders. They’re spread throughout the county and each one is a gem, wonderfully well-planned by Joel Jackson, to make the most of its own special characteristics and to share these marvelous places with the public.

“During this time, it became clear to Mr. Jackson that public land acquisition was one of the few ways to ensure long-term protection of our valuable, natural lands.

“His efforts to preserve the 1,500-acre Bower tract from development in the early 1980s played a key role in the creation of Hillsborough County’s Environmental Lands and Acquisition and Protection Program, that’s ELAPP.”

The ELAPP program became a model for the entire state of Florida, she said.

“Mr. Jackson, congratulations. Your name is synonymous with our beautiful parks and conservation lands, and renaming this nature center here at Lettuce Lake is a perfect tribute to you that will certainly inspire others throughout the years,” Smith said.

Jackson was clearly moved by the outpouring of appreciation of his work, and by the people who showed up to honor him.

“I’m really overwhelmed today,” he said at the event.

In a later interview, he said, he is touched by the nature center being renamed in his honor, as well as by the ceremony and accolades.

“I’m thrilled with it,” Jackson said. “I didn’t ask for this, but I certainly appreciate it, and Barbara (his wife of 53 years) and I, will cherish it for the rest of our lives.”

About Lettuce Lake Conservation Park
What: Lettuce Lake Conservation Park, a 240-acre park operated by Hillsborough County
Where: 6920 E. Fletcher Ave., just outside the Tampa city limits, between Interstate 275 and the University of South Florida
Cost: Admission is $2 per vehicle; up to eight people per vehicle.
When: The park is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., in the spring and summer; 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., in the fall and winter.
Details: Lettuce Lake Conservation Park is one of Hillsborough’s most visited parks. The Hillsborough River runs through it, and more than half of the park’s property lies in the natural flood plain of the river, consisting of a hardwood swamp forest.
The rest of the park consists of hardwood hammocks and pine flatwoods plant communities.
The park features wooded picnic areas and playgrounds, a 1.25-mile paved exercise trail and 3,500-foot boardwalk with an observation tower.
Canoe and kayaks rentals are available.
Info: Call 813-987-6204.

Published November 02, 2022

A glowing good time

October 25, 2022 By Mike Camunas

Katie Lee, of Land O’ Lakes, poses for a cute picture for her mom, Tran Cam, at the inaugural Jack-O’-Lantern Festival the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department hosted at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Oct. 21. The event featured candy, bounce houses, a costume contest and a pumpkin-carving contest. (Mike Camunas)

The inaugural Jack-O’-Lantern Festival, held on a cool and breezy night at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, attracted hundreds of children, parents and adults dressed in all sorts of creative costumes.

The Oct. 21 event featured candy, bounce houses and scores of jack-o’-lanterns.

The event was hosted by the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department.

And, it was the idea of Lindsay Janssen, a recreation leader. She said her hometown in Connecticut had a similar event, so she wanted to get one started in Pasco County.

Several local vendors had small booths that passed out candy to children in costumes, as festival-workers collected about a dozen jack-o’-lanterns that were entered in the carving contest. They also rounded up those willing to compete in the costume contest.

The family of Mike, Michelle, Adalynn and Hasel Barthel won first prize in the costume contest thanks to their Game of Thrones-themed family costumes. They were awarded passes to the Great Explorations Children’s Museum in St. Petersburg.

The Del Valle family — Pablo, Lene and Riley — won the pumpkin-carving contest and received tickets to Busch Gardens.

“I was glad we were able to do something different here in Pasco and something for Halloween,” Janssen said of the event. “We had a great turnout and a great time, and we hope we can make it a yearly event.”

Published October 26, 2022

Land O’ Lakes resident Tori Hobbs, right, opens a peanut butter cup much to the delight of her daughter, Emmie, at the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival.

While at the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival, Wesley Chapel resident Adriana Aparicio gets her face painted for the activities that included trick-or-treating, bounce houses and a costume contest.

The winning jack-o’-lantern in the contest was this one from the Del Valle family, of a larger pumpkin devouring a smaller, frightened pumpkin.

The Joker, a.k.a. Caleb Cordeiro, swears he doesn’t know what happened to Batman to Robin, a.k.a. Michaela Cordeiro, while waiting to be judged during the costume contest at the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival. The pair came in second place in the contest.

Lucas Galan, left, and his brother, Elliot, make their way out of an inflatable bouncy maze at the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex.

Kristen Donley, of Land O’ Lakes, and her son, Parker, go full Star Wars as Rey and Boba Fett, respectively, at the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival.

A Game of Thrones-themed family — from left: Michelle Barthel, Mike, Adalynn and Hasel — were a hit at the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival at Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, taking home first place in the costume contest.

Land O’ Lakes trick-or-treater Olivia Rose takes some candy at the inaugural Jack-O’-Lantern Festival the Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources department hosted at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex on Oct. 21.

Jace Craft, of Land O’ Lakes, and his young son, Cole, are ‘loveable losers,’ or Chicago Cubs fans, at the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival.

Little Lutz monkey Brayden Burney, front, gets candy during the Jack-O’-Lantern Festival, while his brother and fellow monkey, Blayne, looks on and their mom, Jessica Greir, is ‘going bananas’ with smiles and fun.

‘Never a more exciting time to be in Pasco,’ appraiser says

October 18, 2022 By B.C. Manion

Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells recently shared an informative look at the county’s broadening tax base, during a gathering of the North Tampa Bay Chamber of Commerce.

“I’ve got to be honest. There has never been a more exciting time to live in Pasco County, to be part of Pasco County,” said Wells, who served on the Pasco County Commission before being elected to his current post.

His comments came during a Sept. 20 luncheon, well before Hurricane Ian caused untold damage to communities in southwest Florida and continued its path of destruction across the state and into South Carolina.

Pasco Property Appraiser Mike Wells said Pasco County’s property base has been diversifying in recent years, as the county attracts more employers. (File)

Wells provided a brief recap of how Pasco has been evolving, and how it has become part of the discussion when companies consider moving to the Tampa Bay region.

“The team of commissioners and myself did a great job for six years to help the landscape get where it is today, quite frankly.

“We used to be a bedroom community. That’s all we were. All we did was build houses, quite frankly,” Wells said.

The vast majority of Pasco’s developed parcels remain residential, but companies are increasingly aware of what Pasco has to offer, he said.

Pasco needs a diverse tax base to generate the taxes necessary to provide the services its residents need, Wells said.

In recent years it has been making progress on that front, with an influx of new companies and commercial development, Wells said.

“The companies are coming here. They know we’re open for business. A lot has to do with us working together as a region,” he said.

He thinks much of that is due to a shift in attitude about regional cooperation.

“Eight years ago, we really weren’t a team.

“When I took over commissioner in 2014 — it wasn’t ‘us,’ it wasn’t ‘we,’ — it was ‘I, Pasco County’ against Hillsborough County, against Pinellas County — trying to poach.

“Now, we actually work together as a team — what a concept, with the EDCs (economic development councils), with the chambers.

“We can all do more together — with Moffitt (Moffitt Cancer Center’s planned Pasco campus) — being an example.

“We’re close to the port, we’re close to the airport. Why would somebody not want to come up here to Pasco County? The cost of living is less,” Wells said.

Pasco has 300,000 parcels and a population of roughly 600,000, Wells said.

“Our growth is among the fastest in the state,” he added.

The county’s preliminary just value for 2022 is more than $66 billion, an increase of nearly 17%, he said. New revenue to Pasco County was roughly $90 million.

There are “exciting new projects and there’s plenty in the pipeline for years to come,” he added.

He shared a breakdown on Pasco’s businesses.

The vast majority — 86% — have 25 or fewer employees, he said.

Nearly two-thirds have been in business for more than 10 years and 43% of Pasco businesses are owned by county residents.

Future prospects look bright, too, he said. About 36% of businesses expect to add employees within the next three years.

Also, slightly more than one-third of Pasco businesses are expanding at locations within the county, or are building on new Pasco sites, he added.

Wells is a big proponent of small businesses and of local businesses, too.

It used to bother him greatly when a Pasco company would lose out to a larger business from outside the area because it had a bigger footprint and could offer to complete the work at lower costs.

The county board addressed that issue by passing a local vendor preference policy to help local companies be more competitive when vying for county business.

As Pasco moves forward, it expects to attract more employers, the property appraiser said.

He pointed to 47-million square feet of planned development in the pipeline, and 78,500 jobs.

“We have enough pre-approved permits for 75 years’ worth of houses, so they’re coming,” Wells said.

Consideration of requests for future development in the county must take into account how the projects will affect the balance Pasco is trying to achieve, Wells said.

“Every decision we make for the next acre of land is important,” Wells said.

Tampa Premium Outlets, the Simon Real Estate-owned outdoor mall located at 2300 Grand Cypress Dr., in Lutz that opened in 2015, ranks No. 2 in Pasco County, in terms of its property value, at about $84.4 million. (Mike Camunas)

Apartment construction bolsters Pasco’s tax base
Wells said he’s aware the topic of multifamily development has been controversial, but he noted: “Multifamily leads the way on new construction value for 2022, as it did last year.”

He’s aware that his former colleague Pasco County Commissioner Mike Moore championed a temporary moratorium on such development.

Moore sought the temporary measure to give the county time to gather information to make sure the multifamily market isn’t being overbuilt. He warned his colleagues about the potential negative consequences in the long-term, if that happens.

The multifamily moratorium is now over, but Moore continues to push for job-generating uses, rather than apartments.

Wells said, in general, he’s not in favor of moratoriums.

“I’ve always been a proponent of the market decides — not me,” he said.

The property appraiser also noted Pasco is attracting more health care development.

“We’re seeing exciting growth, as you know in Wesley Chapel, with Orlando Health, BayCare expanding,” he said.

He also expects the county to become more competitive in attracting industrial growth.

Its access to the interstate system and to rail — along U.S. 41 and U.S. 301 — provide an advantage that not all counties enjoy, he said.

He’s particularly enthused by what lies ahead in the development of Moffitt Cancer Center’s Pasco County campus.

Moffitt’s planned 775-acre campus, larger than the footprint of downtown Tampa, is in the heart of a developing community, which will be known as Angeline, Florida.

The scale of Angeline, which is south of State Road 52, near the Suncoast Parkway, is massive. At build out, it will have tens of thousands of residents, who will live in a community that is focused on providing the latest in technology and having an emphasis on wellness.

Plans call for the ‘city’ of Angeline include high-speed internet connectivity and an extensive trail network that will enable people to get where they want to go, without having to jump into a car.

Plans call for schools, research clinics, health care facilities, a community farm and thousands of residences, ranging from apartments to luxury homes.

Moffitt’s Pasco cancer center is expected to become home to leading-edge cancer researchers.

“This will be a global center of innovation. A huge asset to our region,” Wells said.

Pasco Top 10 properties, by value
HCA Health Services of Florida: $103,156,579
Tampa Premium Outlets: $84,376,243
Lantower Seneca Tampa LLC: $81,445,912
PAC Wiregrass Ranch LLC: $79,178.815
FRMF Odessa LLC: $71,994,778
Odessa Apartments LLC: $71,477,965
Pasco Cypress Creek DST: $62,152,747
Trinity Lakes Apartment: $61,732,459
Lantower Asturia Tampa LP: $60,055,988
Addison at Sunlake LCC: $58,377.067

Top five Pasco County taxpayers
Duke Energy Florida: $513.5 million
WREC Electric: $331.4 million
HCA: $137.2
Frontier: $106.8 million
Pasco Ranch: $102.5 million

Source: Pasco County Property Appraiser Mike Wells

Published October 19, 2022

Pitching in to help victims of Hurricane Ian

October 11, 2022 By Mike Camunas

Before the rain and wind stopped, the calls started.

Before the water began receding, people were rising to the occasion.

They shared social media posts and then shared their unused supplies.

Stephanie Francis, right, and her daughter, Siena Bracciale, load up a U-Haul with generators, cases of water, food and other supplies on Sept. 30, at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex, for delivery to MidWest Food Pantry in Fort Myers. Many local citizens, neighborhoods, churches, schools, businesses and organizations in Pasco County have organized donation drives and supply runs. (Mike Camunas)

They banded together to respond to fellow Floridians in need after Hurricane Ian decimated the towns of Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, Cape Coral, Bonita Springs, Sanibel and other communities on Sept. 28.

Locals citizens from across Pasco County sprang into action, donating what they could.

They organized drives, and filled cars and trucks to the brim.

They transported the supplies for the victims of the Category 4 storm that leveled homes, business, bridges and the normally tourist-filled beach towns, just a few hours south of Tampa Bay.

“I couldn’t sit back and watch — I had to help!” Wesley Chapel resident Esmeralda Morales said. “I’m new to Florida, I’ve been here for two years, and helping folks is my passion. I’ve never been down to Fort Myers and don’t know anyone there, but I know when other humans need my help.

Victoria Hawkins, of Trinity, tapes up and labels a box of supplies that was donated and taken down to Fort Myers for the victims of Hurricane Ian. (Mike Camunas)

“Watching the devastation on the news inspired me to take on this journey.”

Morales’ journey began by reaching out to her community, Union Park, to “collect whatever I could fit in my car.”

Morales and others drove down on Oct. 1. It took more than 3 ½-hours because parts of Interstate 75 had been closed, due to flooding.

When she arrived in Fort Myers, it was “heartbreaking,” she said.

“I volunteered at the ‘Safe Camp’ run by The Cajun Navy in North Fort Myers,” Morales said. “I’d walk over to cars in a 2-mile-long line and ask them how they were doing. So many said they were starving, and folks just wanted to tell their stories.

“Some simply cried and held my hand, others showed pictures of what was once their home, now a lot filled with debris. Many told me stories of how they had to swim to safety with their young children and even grandchildren.

David Steinberg, of Land O’ Lakes, organized a donation drive, and with the help of his employer, Orthopediatrics, raised $15,000 to buy 20 generators to take down in a U-Haul to Fort Myers. (Mike Camunas)

“Others,” she added with sadness, “shared that they’ll never forget the images of floating bodies they’d observed.”

By midafternoon, the donations had run out, but the need had not.

“People were crying and pleading with us for anything,” Morales said.

In the northern Land O’ Lakes community of Asbel Estates, Timothy Dowd reached out to neighbors just mere hours after it was obvious that Pasco would avoid Ian’s devastation.

Dowd rounded up 16 cases of water, 10 gallons of water, shampoo/conditioner, bars of soap, children’s clothes, linens, snacks, four bags of dog food, two bags of cat food, trash bags and Clorox wipes.

Dowd delivered the donations — which all came from Asbel Estates — to Fort Myers on Sept. 29.

“We didn’t have anything else going on and figured we might as well help with what we could,” Dowd said. “We could’ve just as easily been put in that situation and hoping for someone to bring some supplies.”

David Steinberg, who lives in the Land O’ Lakes neighborhood of Lake Padgett Estates, also pitched in. With the help of his employer, Orthopediatrics, he helped raise $15,000 to buy 20 generations to deliver in a U-Haul to Fort Myers.

Timothy Dowd, of Land O’ Lakes, collected 16 cases of water, 10 gallons of water, shampoo/conditioner, bars of soap, children’s clothes, linens, snacks, four bags of dog food, two bags of cat food, trash bags and Clorox wipes, all which were donated from citizens that live in Asbel Estates, in Land O’ Lakes. (Courtesy of Timothy Dowd)

Stephanie Francis, a Plantation Palms resident, co-coordinated the effort with Steinberg. They set up a “donation center” in the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex parking lot on Sept. 30, and received donation after donation from nearby neighbors and residents. Those contributing brought everything from leftover water cases, extra food, clothes, batteries, and paper and baby products.

“We reached out through Facebook, a little through NextDoor, and the people from the neighborhoods and beyond just kept coming up,” said Francis, who was helped loading the truck by students in the Sunlake High Key Club and players from the Florida Premier Football at the Land O’ Lakes Recreation Complex. “We put a sign up on Collier (Boulevard) and the neighborhoods really came together and were very generous.”

Steinberg said it only took about four hours to raise the money for the generators.

“People reached out and donated without hesitation,” he said.

Esmeralda Morales, of Wesley Chapel, filled up cars to the brim with donations from her neighborhood, Union Park in Wesley Chapel. She then made the 3 ½-hour drive to Fort Myers. (Courtesy of Esmerleda Morales)

Elsewhere, others set up supply drop-offs during the week through Oct. 7, such as Sunlake Academy Math and Science in Lutz.

The school’s principal, Dr. Judy Moore, is a member of the Land O’ Lakes Rotary Club, and its district had a Hurricane Ian relief drive. The donations collected at Sunlake Academy piled up high in the school’s front lobby.

“We chose to encourage our parents to participate in a drive-through donation drop-off in our morning car line,” Moore said. “Our drive ran through (Oct. 7) and we will put it with the rest of the rotary districts collections and (drove) them down south on (Oct. 8).”

Other schools, such as Pasco High and Sunlake High, had similar weeklong drop-offs, as well.

In addition to these drop-offs, churches and businesses also held collections. Grace Family Church Land O’ Lakes had a supply collection during it services on Oct. 5, while the car dealership, Jarrett Ford in Dade City, had a “Fill The Truck” drop-off and sent it down on Oct. 6.

However, it was the Pasco County citizens that put aside both their own responsibilities and concerns to band together, and help anyway they could.

The everyday neighbors from Land O’ Lakes to Lutz, from Dade City to Zephyrhills and into Wesley Chapel all joined together to make a difference.

“They are going to need more, and now it’s going to be clean-up supplies and equipment,” said Francis, who dropped off her donations to the MidWest Food Pantry in Fort Myers.

Items still needed include “work gloves, shovels, rakes, detergent to scrub houses that took in stormwater, etc.

They anticipate the next big need will be hygiene products.

“But my hope is to do this all over again, she added. “Get another truck full and down there with community help. Because it’s the right thing to do, as their neighbors.”

Published October 12, 2022

Bring on the boos, in Brooksville

October 4, 2022 By Mike Camunas

Haunted houses spring up everywhere in October.

They’re decked out for the Halloween season and feature actors in costumes seeking scares — but they’ll be gone well before Thanksgiving.

So, why not visit what docents claim is a real haunted house?

When it comes to being haunted, some believe the attic of the May-Stringer House is the most haunted of the 14 rooms in the house built in 1855. (Mike Camunas)

Take a drive up to Brooksville and visit the May-Stringer House.

It’s the home of the Hernando Heritage Museum — oh, and also two dozen spirits — according to the people who run the place.

Whether you believe it or not, this house is widely considered one of the most haunted places in Florida.

“We’ve seen shadow figures. We’ve seen spirits walking around. Heard them talk. Smelled certain smells when we shouldn’t, so we are most definitely haunted,” the house’s volunteer coordinator Karolyn Bonnell said. “We have 23 spirits here at the house.

“Oh, and one ghost cat, too.”

So enter, if you dare, the nearly 200-year-old, four-story, seven-gable, gingerbread trim, 14-room “Painted Lady” Victorian-era home, and perhaps you’ll see a ghost.

But even if you don’t, it’ll still be Worth The Trip.

Haunted history lesson
In 1855, John L. May built the house, originally with four rooms. He lived there with his wife, Marena, and their daughters, Matilda and Annie.

John succumbed to tuberculosis three years later.

As the Civil War came and went, Marena remarried. This time to Frank Saxon.

This is the room of Jessie Mae, the child of Marena May and Frank Saxon. Marena died while giving birth to Jessie, and Jessie died three years later. It’s said their spirits haunt the house, especially Jessie. House docents and patrons have said that they have felt Jessie grab their hands or have sensed her presence.

However, Marena died giving birth to their daughter, Jessie Mae. And, Jessie Mae died, just three years later, of unknown causes.

Marena and Jessie were buried on the property, as were John and Frank and Marena’s infant son.

A small graveyard out back, is believed to be a significant source of the rumors that the May-Stringer House is haunted.

“Oh, this place is absolutely haunted,” volunteer docent Emma Dowd said.

“Sometimes, people don’t know it’s haunted,” Bonnell said. “I have to tell them before the tour. … and then some people will just leave after I tell them that.”

Both docents have seen the spirits or had some sort of encounter.

Bonnell says she’s heard Jessie Mae talk to her teddy bear in her room on the second floor.

“‘Tell me a story’ she’ll tell the bear,” Bonnell said. “While other guests have said they’ve felt like a little child grabbing their hand while in that room.”

Things in the house also seem to move on their own, such as sheets being ruffled on a bed in the master bedroom.

Many spirits have been confirmed by the Brooksville PIT (Paranormal Investigation Team), including one thought to be a former servant named Molly, and another spirit, James, who hung himself in the house.

Frank Saxon himself has been said to have been sighted, walking on the second floor balcony and smoking his pipe, as he was known to do.

“Sometimes you’ll smell the pipe smoke,” Bonnell said.

But it’s the attic that is the most haunted.

Up the stairs
All the way at the top of the house, sits the attic, at the end of a steep, winding staircase. Inside the attic, like the rest of the house, are dozens of local artifacts. In fact, there are 10,000-plus artifacts that have been donated to the museum.

However, one particular artifact stands out as being creepier than the rest.

The Trunk.

This particular item is said to be haunted itself and brought a spirit into the home. Docents call this spirt “Mr. Nasty” because of his tendency to be rude and demanding.

“Not sure if it was that particular spirit, but I have been scratched here in the house,” Dowd said. “I didn’t even realize it until later and, sure enough, it happened on a tour.”

Some other items, such as some dolls and Brooksville artifacts are considered to be haunted, but The Trunk is the item that’s seen the most paranormal activity.

In fact, it was even featured on the Travel Channel show, Kindred Spirits, during the show’s fourth season in 2020.

“Mr. Nasty, he’s usually up there in the attic,” Bonnell said.

A small graveyard sits in the back of the May-Stringer House, with Marena and Jessie Mae, as well as John May and the infant son of Frank Saxton and Marena, are buried. The graveyard helps to fuel rumors of the house being one of the most haunted places in Florida.

Ghostly gathering
The May-Stringer House has rooms devoted to specific themes such as an Elegant Dining Room, Victorian Bedrooms, Military Room, an 1880s Doctor’s Office and a 1900s Communication Room, all containing those thousands of artifacts.

The doctor’s office comes from its other long-time owner, Dr. Sheldon Stringer, who used the estate for his medical practice.

After the death of the Stringers, the house passed from one owner to another until Dr. Earl Hensley and his wife Helen sold it to The Hernando Historical Museum Association in 1980.

In 1997, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

So if you visit the house, don’t be surprised if you have a ghostly encounter.

Maybe it’ll be Mr. Nasty in the attic. Or Jessie Mae trying to hold your hand. Or maybe you’ll see Marena wandering the halls to check on guests, or Frank Saxon meandering on the balcony, with his pipe.

Tour the house, listen to the stories, and perhaps, as you leave you can ask yourself: Is this place really haunted?

That’s not for me to say.

You be the judge.

May-Stringer House
Where: 601 Museum Court, Brooksville
When: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesdays through Saturdays
Details: Visit, if you dare, one of the most haunted places in Florida. The May-Stringer House was built in 1855 and is a four-story, Victorian-era home overlooking the City of Brooksville. It is said to be the home to 23 spirits, as well as one ghost cat. Enjoy a 45-minute tour that includes the history of the house and more than 10,000 local artifacts on display. Ghost tours at night are available, too, as well as late-night group investigations.
Cost: $8 for adults, children 12 and under $5, 6 and under free.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.hernandohistoricalmuseumassoc.com/may-stringer-house

Other places with ‘haunting’ reputations
Dade City Heritage and Cultural Museum
Sulphur Springs Water Tower, Tampa
Plant Hall at the University of Tampa
Tampa Theatre
Don Cesar Hotel, St. Pete Beach
Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club
Fort Cooper State Park, Inverness

Published October 05, 2022