The Laker/Lutz News

U.S. Air Force

Painted hay bales bring a festive fall feel to Dade City

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Artists took humble bales of hay and applied their imagination to create some festive fall scenes for pieces of public art that are strategically placed in spots around Dade City.

Fall traditionally is a time for getting together with loved ones. Jasmine and Curtis Wright’s artistic hay bale issues an invitation to gather. It’s on display at Agnes Lamb Park, at 14200 Ninth St. (Courtesy of Dade City Center for the Arts)

The Dade City Hay Bale Painting Project, now in its second year, gives artists a chance to express their creativity and gives visitors to the quaint East Pasco town the opportunity to enjoy the seasonal artworks.

“The Dade City Center for the Arts was pleased to make this our second annual art event, especially since we had such a great community response last year,” said Lucy Avila, of the arts center, via email.

“We are very grateful to our artists who have shared their time and talent to make this art project such a success that is being enjoyed by all,” she added.

The arts center also appreciates the local hay producers who provided giant rolls of hay and delivered them for the project, according to its website.

The hay bales are stationed at locations around Dade City and will be on display through Thanksgiving, the website says. For more information, you can visit DadeCityArts.com.

This smiling scarecrow seems a little too friendly to scare birds away, but he sure knows how to set a tone for a happy fall. Randy Hernandez is the artist on this work, which is on display at Price Park, 37415 Magnolia Ave.

Some of the artists shared the source of their inspiration with Avila, who, in turn, shared them with The Laker/Lutz News.

Kevin Taggerty, whose image of an American flag on a hay bale is positioned at the Hardy Trail and Church Avenue, told Avila: “I love our country, as well as served it for 23 years in the USAF (U.S. Air Force).

“Veterans Day is in November and it’s a tribute to them.

“I also did a small tribute on the back of the hay bale that shows our 13 stars (colonies) as well as represents the 13 fallen soldiers we recently had in Afghanistan.

“I love our flag. If we don’t start showing our nation respect and step up for her, who else will?

“The flag makes me proud and I feel most Americans get goose bumps when we are gathered around singing the National Anthem.

This hay bale, stationed at Agnes Lamb Park, at 14200 Ninth St., in downtown Dade City, features the symbol of plenty. It was painted by Jasmine and Curtis Wright.

“I hope this hay bale acts as a unity symbol and grows us closer together,” Taggerty said.

Artist Karen Menard created paintings of sunflowers and a lady bug.

“I have created sunflowers in many forms and mediums, including paint, clay, and with fabric in quilts,” Menard shared. In this case, she used a hay bale.

The image of the lady bug is a tribute to her mother.

“Growing up, my sisters and I were Girl Scouts, and my mother was our troop leader. Her camp name was “Lady,” and my sisters and I and all of our friends called her that name. She passed away a few years ago, but she is fondly remembered whenever we see lady bugs.”

Randy Hernandez shared that he wanted to create a hay bale with a very “fall” feel.

The front is a friendly scarecrow, welcoming visitors to downtown.

The back is his rendition of “a colorful, dreamy landscape that you would typically see in the hills of Dade City.”

Avila noted that this is the first time that opportunities were offered for sponsorships, and these sponsors stepped up to help out: Dennis Realty, Florida Cracker Lunch on Limoges, Greater Dade City Chamber of Commerce, Karatinos Law PLLC, RX Care Pharmacy, Schaper Roofing, Construction & Pools, and Soriano Insurance.

Published October 27, 2021

Doesn’t this slice of pumpkin pie look inviting? This image comes courtesy of Ryah Taggerty and is on display at Naomi Jones Park, 38122 Martin Luther King Blvd.

 

 

 

Kevin Taggerty is shown here working on his depiction of the American flag, on a hay bale positioned at the Hardy Trail at 37856 Church Ave. The location is across from the American Legion.
Artist Karen Menard loves creating sunflowers and has done them in many forms, using paint, clay and fabric for her creations. In this case, she used a bale of hay. You can view it at Watson Park, on Main Avenue, between 17th and 19th streets.
This ‘lady’s’ bug is a tribute to artist Karen Menad’s mom, Dolores Griffin. It is on display at Watson park, on Main Avenue, between 17th and 19th streets.

 

She has lofty goals, and the will to achieve them

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After a lifetime of preparation, Olivia Jenkins was ready to fly.

She boarded a Cessna 172 Skyhawk — and her instructor stayed on the ground.

She took off from Tampa North Flight Center in Lutz on Sept. 23 and flew her pattern, soaring to 1,000 feet, then she touched down flawlessly to begin a run of three landings.

Olivia Jenkins stands near a plane at the North Tampa Flight Center in Lutz. (Courtesy of Olivia Jenkins)

Her quirky goal was complete.

“I flew a plane solo before I drove a car solo,’’ she explained.

Jenkins, 16, has many more goals in mind (including getting her driver’s license — one day). On her birthday — Feb. 10 — she intends to take her last check ride and finalize her private pilot’s license. Then she can fly without restrictions and even take some passengers aboard.

She’s a member of Mitchell High School’s Navy ROTC program and will seek a congressional nomination to a military service academy. One day, she hopes to fly for the U.S. Air Force or perhaps fly helicopters for the Army.

“I would not put anything past Olivia,’’ said Robert Crews, her flight instructor. “For a 16-year-old, she approaches it so professionally. When you ask her to do something, she does it and she understands it.

“You know how 16-year-olds are? They say, ‘Yeah, I got it, I got it.’ Then they don’t have it. When Olivia says she’s got it, she’s got it.”

Jenkins, whose family lives in Trinity, has a 3.9 grade-point average. She has honed her skills and training through the North Tampa-Lutz Cadet Squadron of the Civil Air Patrol, an auxiliary unit of the U.S. Air Force. As a cadet commander, she has taken advantage of the opportunity to participate in orientation flights, where cadets fly with instructors and take the controls themselves, while soaking up knowledge.

“Beyond the flight experience, the Civil Air Patrol has allowed Olivia to build a lot of character and leadership skills, as she has progressed through the ranks,’’ said Rich Jenkins, her father. “I think it has all shown her raw ambition. Whenever we set a goal for her, she has always outperformed that goal. She takes it on and masters it, whether it’s schoolwork or anything else.

Sixteen-year-old Olivia Jenkins recently took her first solo flight.

“But, clearly, she has a passion for flying. And, she had it from a very early age.’’

Jenkins’ father helped with that. As a private pilot himself, he took Olivia on flights when she was still in a car seat. She doesn’t remember much from those early days. But, the father recalls when they were at the top of the old Pier in St. Petersburg. She had a clear view of Albert Whitted Airport. She spotted the landing indicator lights and knew if the planes were coming in too low. Olivia was 4.

She attended the Sun ’n Fun Aerospace Expo in Lakeland annually with her father, but her flight interest really took off at age 10, when she participated in the Experimental Aircraft Association (EEA) Young Eagles program.

That’s when she set her goal. She wanted to fly solo before she could drive solo.

Mission accomplished.

“I just love the feeling of flying,’’ Jenkins said. “I always had an interest, I think, but the Young Eagles experience really showed me what it’s like to be in the air.

“I was a little nervous on my first solo flight, but I was prepared. I studied hard and was confident in what I was doing. When I flew the approach nicely and touched down nice and smooth, that was absolutely the best part. It’s like achieving a lifelong dream. I’m excited for what’s ahead,” she said.

Olivia Jenkins prepares her plane, at dusk.

Jenkins is nothing but prepared.

She served an internship last summer in the office of U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who represents the 12th congressional district in Florida.

Jenkins is back in Bilirakis’ office for occasional work, some of which involves helping organize students who are seeking nominations to military service academies. By next summer, with her connections firmly in place, Jenkins will be seeking her own nomination.

She also has maximized her experience with the Civil Air Patrol, taking five orientation flights (almost mini-flight lessons), getting accepted into a summer flight academy and securing most of her Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) examinations, the precursor to a private pilot’s license.

She has about 13 sessions remaining with Crews, her flight instructor, before the birthday flight that will make things official.

If the weather conditions are right, Jenkins can rent a plane at the Tampa North Flight Center for a brief flight. On a whim, she did that recently. It was after-hours, calm and quiet. Taking the plane up was a thrill. The landing was perfect.

“The sunset was amazing that night,’’ Jenkins said. “It was just awesome. I think I’m always going to love the feeling. I can’t wait for what’s ahead.’’

Off she goes into the wild blue yonder. She’s ready to fly.

By Joey Johnston

Published October 21, 2020

Families Will Soon Begin Moving Into Persimmon Park In Wesley Chapel

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Afrika and Dawvel Brooks researched just about every homebuilder in Tampa Bay before deciding ICI Homes was the best one for their family.

“We wanted the ability to move walls and customize our new home, and ICI Homes was the only builder to welcome structural changes, and to do so at an affordable cost,” said Afrika.

The Brooks family discovered ICI Homes in the Asturia community in Odessa, and learned that the builder had just opened a new community in Wesley Chapel called Persimmon Park.

“While we loved ICI Homes’ floor plans in Odessa, Wesley Chapel was a better location for my family,” said Afrika. “It is the middle of so many things — shopping, restaurants and entertainment, and also close to hospitals and health care services. Especially for our two teenage daughters, building our new home in Wesley Chapel was a huge draw.”

The Brooks family is one of the first homebuyers in the new Persimmon Park community in Wesley Chapel. Shown here are Afrika and Dawvel Brooks, and their 14-year-old daughter, Amaya. (Courtesy of Mercedes Brooks)

The Brooks family is one of the first to buy in Persimmon Park, which is located off Bruce B. Downs within the master-planned development of Wiregrass Ranch. The community is directly behind The Shops at Wiregrass and AdventHealth Wesley Chapel, and across the street from a new $200 million hospital and health care complex being built by BayCare Health Systems.

“My husband and I both work in the health care field, so being so close to two hospitals is very attractive,” said Afrika, who recently retired from the U.S. Air Force. (Dawvel is still active duty and based at MacDill Air Force Base.)

The family choose the two-story Primrose floor plan, which, at over 2,400 square feet, is the largest home ICI Homes builds in Persimmon Park. All homes in the community have two-car garages in the rear, which are accessed by private alleyways and provide ample parking.

Afrika loves that the master suite in her new home is downstairs, as is a second bedroom and adjacent bath that is ideal for an office. Her girls’ bedrooms are upstairs with a shared bath, along with a large game room.

“Because ICI Homes can make structural changes very affordably, we decided to add a studio/bonus room above our garage to give our family the additional space we desired,” said Afrika. “I’ve been told that our bonus room idea has worked out so well, that other buyers are adding it to their homes.”

The Brooks’ home is in the drywall stage of construction, and the family expects to move into their new home in November.

“The entire homebuilding experience with ICI Homes has been excellent,” said Afrika. “From our salesperson, Carmen Worrels, to the architects who added our bonus room, to our project manager and customer service team. Everyone has been so helpful, nice and responsive.”

“In addition to Persimmon Park’s desirable location, buyers are excited that the community’s amenities will be completed in late November,” adds Greg Jones, Tampa Division Manager for ICI Homes.

Amenities include a unique, T-shaped luxury pool with cabanas and grilling area. Coming soon are dog parks for small and large breeds, and trails that wind through the community and connect to the Wiregrass Ranch trail system.

In Persimmon Park’s first phase, ICI Homes is building 40 homes; at build out, 97 homes. Prices begin in the high $200s, and buyers can choose from two, one-story and four, two-story homes, with more plans coming soon. There are four inventory homes available for families needing to move quickly.

“Our cottage-style floor plans feel open and airy with lots of windows, and exemplify Florida’s casual lifestyle,” says Jones. “Our homes are designed for people wanting to simplify their life, who want less square footage to clean and maintain, yet want all the upscale finishes and details offered by ICI Homes.”

Jones adds that many builder upgrades are standard features for ICI Homes, including 6-foot windows, 8-foot doors and energy-efficient construction that boasts a 50-SEER rating. Persimmon Park offers low CDD fees at less than $2,000 a year, and its affordable HOA fee includes internet and cable television for just $90/month.

Families with school-age children are drawn to Persimmon Park because the community is zoned to the area’s highest-rated schools —Wiregrass Elementary, Dr. John Long Middle and Wiregrass Ranch High.

ICI Homes is currently offering an exceptionally low interest rate of just 2.75% on 30-year mortgages, when using the builder’s preferred lenders. A lower interest rate increases a buyer’s spending power and allows them to more quickly build equity in their home.

Persimmon Park is the first Wesley Chapel community for ICI Homes, which is celebrating 40 years of business. Based in Daytona Beach, the company is family owned and managed, and is proud of its very personalized, no-pressure approach to sales.

Published August 26, 2020

Pasco County honors its 2019 graduates

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As graduates stepped across the stage at the University of South Florida’s Yuengling Center to accept their diplomas — the crowd erupted with cheers and applause.

That’s not an atypical reaction at graduation ceremonies, but this one was particularly special.

The Class of 2019 at Cypress Creek Middle High School made history on June 5, by becoming the first crop of graduates from the Wesley Chapel high school.

Lucas Budd, class valedictorian, addresses his peers, during the Graduate-to-Graduate Message portion of the program. (Christine Holtzman)

They were among thousands of seniors marking the traditional rite of passage, in graduation ceremonies large and small across The Laker/Lutz News coverage area.

Many of those graduation ceremonies took place at USF’s Yuengling Center, but some were held in smaller, more intimate settings.

The Cypress Creek seniors wore gowns donned with green and yellow — representing their school colors.

These graduates have been leaders at the school since it opened in the Fall of 2017, without a senior class.

“Every graduating class is special, but these guys and girls are incredibly near and dear to our hearts,” said Cypress Creek Principal Carin Hetzler-Nettles. “They’ve literally built the foundation for this school.”

The graduating class is comprised of 225 students, included six pairs of twins.

Many Cypress Creek graduates have been accepted already to colleges, such as  Saint Leo University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Florida, the University of South Florida and scores of others.

“I’ve been accepted into USF since September (2018),” said Cypress Creek graduate Hayley McManus.

She’s considering a major in engineering or psychology.

Graduation marks an end, and a beginning
Thousands of students across the region are leaving a familiar place — whether it was a sprawling college campus, a small private school, or a large high school — to start a new journey in life.

The thought of receiving her diploma was a lot to take in, for McManus, an 18-year-old from Cypress Creek.

Lisa McMahon, a speech therapist at Cypress Creek High School, straightens the cap of graduate Matthew Montesant, before festivities begin.

“It’s kind of surreal,” she said. “I had hopes that I would graduate, but I never thought about how being the inaugural class would feel. I feel kind of special that I’m setting the precedent.”

Sam Mazzeo had a similar feeling of pride about being Cypress Creek’s first graduating class, and also about helping to set an example for the school’s younger students.

He wants to return to Cypress Creek to help coach football.

Jason Stahlgren, a Florida transplant from Ohio, didn’t arrive at Cypress Creek until his senior year.

But, the warm welcome he received made it a good experience, he said.

“Moving my senior year was tough, but everybody here made it really easy,” said Stahlgren.

When Karisma Brooks initially arrived at Cypress Creek, her only desire was to return to her former high school in Tampa, she recalled.

Over time, though, she adjusted to her new environment and was able to create some memorable moments – especially as a member of the school’s first step team.

“It was a really big impact on us to bring African-American culture to the school,” Brooks said, with a smile.

The 17-year-old is now ready to serve her country as part of the U.S. Air Force, and then plans to seek a degree in health sciences.

Graduates earn diplomas, accolades
Lucas Budd, the Cypress Creek valedictorian, was one of more than 60 Pasco seniors from various high schools to receive an associate’s degree from Pasco-Hernando State College.

During the ceremony, Budd told his fellow students: “Today marks the end of a significant and memorable chapter in our lives. Be proud of this accomplishment, but leave some praise for the people who helped us graduate. We should be thankful for our families who have supported us.”

Lori Vogel was in the crowd to support Ashley Nickisher, a graduate and Vogel’s niece.

“This is a very special moment, and I’m very excited for her,” Vogel said.

A group of Cypress Creek High School graduates pose for a picture with the school’s mascot, Carmine the Coyote, before the graduation ceremony. From left: Derek Attwood, Michae’la Davis, Christian Wilmore (dressed as the mascot), Rebecca Bobik and Jonathan Blake.

In her remarks during the ceremony, Cypress Creek Principal Hetzler-Nettles told the Class of 2019: “You’ve made me so very proud. As you move into life on your own personal journey and to new territory, exploring new things, remember what you’ve accomplished. You’re an integral part of something larger than yourself.”

While Cypress Creek graduates were making history, members of the Class of 2019 across Pasco County had plenty of reasons to celebrate.

Land O’ Lakes High School, with more than 400 graduates, received more than $12 million in scholarship offers.

Zephyrhills High, with an estimated 360 graduates, pulled in more than $750,000 in scholarship offers.

Pasco High School, which issued diplomas to more than 300 students, received more than $1 million in scholarship money.

And, that’s just to mention a few of the accomplishments, among the region’s public schools.

Private schools and area colleges also had plenty of reasons to be proud.

Academy at the Lakes in Land O’ Lakes had its graduation ceremony on May 18.

“We had 42 graduates – 100 percent of them going on to college,” said Mark Heller, head of the private school.

Among the schools accepting Academy students are Yale University, Vanderbilt University, University of Florida, University of Washington and the Pratt Institute art school.

“At a school like Academy at the Lakes, relationships are everything,” Heller stated. “Relationships between the teachers and students really are the key to preparing these young adults to be the best they can be.”

Even at the collegiate level, there was much to be celebrated.

Pasco-Hernando State College had two commencement ceremonies at its West Campus in New Port Richey.

Graduate Stephanie Bostick received an associate of arts and associate of science degree in legal assisting. Tracy Meshey persevered with a brain injury to earn her associate of science degree, and Maria Madeiros received her associate of arts degree after relocating from her native Brazil and learning to speak English.

Saint Leo University awarded more than 1,250 degrees.

The university’s valedictorian was Angela Lazzaro, a psychology major. Its salutatorian was Jennifer Fields, a criminal justice major.

Published June 12, 2019

Thanksgiving: Savoring turkey and nostalgia

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It’s that time of year again.

Turkeys stock home freezers.

Plans are made to gather with friends and family — whether they live a few miles away, or across the country.

There’s the anticipation of a veritable feast of Thanksgiving football games, and the not-so-subtle signs that Christmas is just around the corner.

And, as this day set aside for gratitude approaches, millions of Americans may choose to observe decades’ old traditions, while others try something new and spontaneous.

For some, it will just be a regular Thursday.

We talked with residents in The Laker/Lutz News coverage area to see if they have special plans for Thanksgiving, and what the holiday means to them personally.

Carol Duren, a homemaker in Lutz, has a unique perspective on Thanksgiving. She thinks every day is a reason to celebrate. (Brian Fernandes)

For Carol Duren, a homemaker from Lutz, the spirit of Thanksgiving is not something attached to a specific day on a calendar.

“Every day is thankfulness to God,” Duren said.

As a native Californian, Duren recalls a time when it was easier for families to spend  Thanksgiving together.

It’s harder to achieve that unity today because loved ones are scattered and people work odd work hours, she said.

However, she said she’s looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with her children, who live out of state.

She also plans to dine on traditional favorites, including cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes.

Maryhelen Zopfi, also of Lutz, said Thanksgiving in her home is different from the Thanksgivings of her childhood.

Maryhelen and Simon Zopfi, married for 49 years, always look forward to spending Thanksgiving with their granddaughter.

“When I was growing up, everybody came and had dinners together,” Zopfi said. “Now, everybody seems to go out to restaurants to have dinners.”

She and her husband, Simon, have been married for 49 years. Sometimes, they host Thanksgiving dinner, while other times they travel out of town.

In Zopfi’s mind, Thanksgiving is similar to Veterans Day — because it’s intended to be a day set aside for gratitude.

She and her husband have shared the same holiday table for decades, but their choice of food is different.

“He likes the turkey and I’m vegan, so I’ll go for the vegetables,” Zopfi said.

Celebrating old traditions, making new ones
Land O’ Lakes resident Frances Laverghetta has a personal claim on the holiday.

“I was born on Thanksgiving, so it’s meaningful to me,” the Tampa native said.

She plans to spend the holiday with her son and his family, in Spring Hill. And, she said there’s zero chance that she’ll decline a chance to enjoy a nice slice of pumpkin pie.

Land O’ Lakes resident Anna Sykora, who originally hails from Ohio, has fond memories of old traditions — such as the sweet potato sauce, a special family dish that she still enjoys today.

Larry Peteet, a veteran, said his family lives in other states. He said he’ll take pleasure in spending this Thanksgiving with his British Labrador, Sandy Girl.

But she embraces creating new traditions, too.

Celebrating the holiday is more than just a ritual, Sykora emphasized. It aims to honor what really matters in life.

“I’m grateful for what I have – my family,” said Sykora, and, she added, she’s also thankful to be in good health.

Land O’ Lakes resident Larry Peteet, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force, takes a certain patriotic pride in celebrating Thanksgiving.

Now an independent software consultant, Peteet said his outlook about Thanksgiving differs markedly from when he was young. Back then, he said, it was all about being out of school for the holiday.

“It was never about giving thanks,” Peteet said.

His attitude has shifted because he now appreciates the value of gratitude.

His enthusiasm for traditional Thanksgiving foods has not wavered a bit, however.

“Turkey and ham [are] phenomenal,” raved Peteet. “I love the creamed green bean casserole. Sweet potatoes are awesome with marshmallows.”

Living alone at Thanksgiving can be tough, Peteet added, noting his family lives in Alabama and South Carolina.

Still, he plans to make the best of the holiday by spending it with his British Labrador, Sandy Girl.

John Mathe, who is diabetic, sees Thanksgiving as an opportunity to treat himself to some of his favorite dishes.

Seventy-one-year-old John Mathe, of Dade City, is looking forward to the holiday festivities.

With grown children living in both Florida and Pennsylvania, it’s difficult to gather everyone together for the joyous occasion, he said.

“You always long for those old traditions – lots of people, long tables, lay down on the couch and you go to sleep,” he reminisced.

He also noted, with a chuckle, that he looks forward to having foods he knows he shouldn’t — because he’s diabetic.

Mathe said the holiday should prompt consideration of those who are less fortunate.

“They need to be thought about,” Mathe said, and they need to know that people care about them.

Kristine Johnson, a Dade City resident, said her family celebrates when they can get the family together — usually a day or two before Thanksgiving because her daughter works in retail.

Though not celebrating on the specific holiday, the family does have a tradition: They enjoy wildlife and go camping, she said.

Also, in her opinion, when it comes to turkey stuffing, there’s only one way to serve it properly: With the dressing in the bird, not on the side.

Zephyrhills resident Betty Harris has lived in Florida for 45 years, by way of Tennessee.

She adopted her daughter 25 years ago, and said Thanksgiving reminds her of the precious nature of life.

Her Thanksgiving menu features many of the foods she enjoyed while growing up, including sweet potato casserole, green beans and mashed potatoes.

Carolyn Clark, a Zephyrhills bus driver, said it’s a priority for her to spend Thanksgiving with her family — back where she grew up in Texas.

When it comes to the menu, she said she won’t settle for anything less than ham, turkey and dressing.

Published November 21, 2018

Contract approved for Pasco’s new administrator

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Pasco County commissioners signed off on a contract to hire Dan Biles as the next Pasco County administrator, with an annual salary of $220,000.

County commissioners agreed to hire him on March 14, when he competed against four other candidates at a special public meeting in New Port Richey.

On March 28, commissioners made Biles’ hiring official by approving his contract.

Biles is scheduled to begin his new duties on May 1. However, his three-year contract also requires that he spend a few days in Pasco County before then, to take part in budget discussions with county staff for fiscal year 2018.

Dan Biles, deputy county manager in Jefferson County, Alabama, will be the new Pasco County administrator. He was among five candidates interviewed for the job on March 14.
(Courtesy of Pasco County)

Biles is leaving his job as deputy county manager in Jefferson County, Alabama, to step into a position being vacated by Pasco County Administrator Michele Baker.

Baker opted to retire after four years, and not seek a contract renewal.

There will be some overlap of time between Baker’s departure and Biles’ arrival. Baker’s contract ends in mid-July.

“I think we’re extremely fortunate to have such a strong county administrator coming here,” said Pasco County Commission Chairman Mike Moore. “He is very impressive. He’s going to help us take Pasco to new heights.”

In addition to his annual salary, Biles’ contract includes benefits for a total package of about $278,000.

The county will pay $10,000 in moving expenses and up to $2,000 for temporary housing.

Biles also will receive an automobile allowance of $450 a month, term life insurance of $100,000, and retirement benefits.

Pasco County Commissioner Ron Oakley wants the county to schedule meet-and-greets with Biles, on the east and west sides of the county.

When county commissioners interviewed potential candidates, they anticipated two days of interviews.

But, Biles scored so well on the first day, they opted to immediately offer him the job.

“I think he’s the right fit for us,” said Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey.

Biles holds two civil engineering degrees from Texas A & M University.

He is a retired U.S. Air Force colonel and also commanded three Air National Guard units.

His work experience includes engineering positions in the private as well as public sector in Texas and Washington State.

He was hired in 2014 as the first deputy county manager of Jefferson County, Alabama, which was newly formed.

Previously, he worked for four years in Corpus Christi, Texas, as director of engineering services and executive director of public works.

He also worked for private engineering companies in Washington State including Maverick Engineering Inc., and SBI Developing LLC.

As Jefferson County’s deputy county manager, Biles led the County Infrastructure Group, which included environmental services, roads and transportation, general services, land planning, inspection services and stormwater.

According to his resume, he developed a litter collection program that removed more than 100 tons of litter in its first four months.

Biles also coordinated road improvement plans in partnership with local cities and state transportation officials. And, he led a customer service improvement initiative in permitting. The Greater Birmingham Home Builders Association praised his efforts, his resume states.

Though Baker is slated to end her tenure with the county, Starkey suggested another option. She would like Baker to stay on and help shepherd the county’s longstanding request for a permit from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to extend Ridge Road. The road is a high priority for the county as an east-west emergency route. Environmental groups are opposed.

“No one can speak to this effort as well as our Michele Baker,” said Starkey. “I don’t know what that (job) would look like and if she wants to do that.”

Baker didn’t respond, and Moore said discussions on meet-and-greets and Baker’s status should wait until Biles arrival.

Published April 5, 2017

In a disaster, she’ll know what to do

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Vicki Buchanan is a woman who likes to be prepared.

In fact, her inherent interest in being one step ahead led the Florida Hospital Zephyrhills nurse supervisor and emergency responder to take part in training offered by the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.

The center, which is operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency, is the only federally chartered Weapons of Mass Destruction training facility in the nation.

Buchanan, an employee at Florida Hospital Zephyrhills for 23 years, said the experience was amazing.

“People from all across the world came there for training,” Buchanan said.

The interactive training allowed her to use skills she had, and to acquire new ones, she said.

It helped her to “gain a new appreciation for how multiple organizations work together during a mass casualty incident,” she said.

Vicki Buchanan participates in an emergency training drill for first responders at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama. (Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)
Vicki Buchanan participates in an emergency training drill for first responders at the Center for Domestic Preparedness in Anniston, Alabama.
(Courtesy of Florida Hospital Zephyrhills)

During the training, she and 40 others were placed in realistic scenarios that simulated a wide range of emergencies or disasters, forcing the trainees to effectively handle stressful situations for hours on end.

One exercise focused on what to do when a bomb is attached to someone’s body.

“While we knew it was an exercise in training, you kept thinking in your mind, ‘Is it? Is it really?’” she said. “The pressure was on, and it was absolutely intense.”

Before transitioning into the nursing field, Buchanan was the director of the Pasco County Sheriff’s communication office for 15 years. Prior to that, she spent time in the U.S. Air Force.

As the daughter of a family practice physician, Buchanan decided to seek a new challenge and obtained her nursing degree.

Over the years, she worked her way up from being a registered nurse to becoming a nurse supervisor.

“It’s the best job in the hospital,” Buchanan said. “I’m in every area of the hospital all day long, making rounds. In case of an emergency, or if something were to happen, it would be no problem if I had to get things in order.”

During her time at the Weapons of Mass Destruction Training Center, Buchanan gained a comprehensive understanding of how chemical and biological agents are used as weapons of mass destruction, and how to handle a disastrous situation, if one arises.

With a heightened focus and concern about terrorism nationally and abroad, Buchanan said it’s critical to always be prepared, even in a smaller city like Zephyrhills.

She pointed out the hospital is just 3 miles away from a railroad track that consistently is loaded with trains carrying hydrous ammonia and chlorine gas —two chemicals that can cause a lot of damage if exposed to the public.

Buchanan said it’s impossible to predict if a terror attack would occur in or near Zephyrhills.

“You never know,” she said. “It behooves us all to be ready in a calm, predetermined manner. You have to be cognizant of what (chemical) agents can do and how quickly they act, and how many people are affected.”

If a calamity occurs nearby, Buchanan would lead the hospital’s eight-member Emergency Response Team (ERT) and would be in charge of setting up a triage point outside the 139-bed regional medical center.

“The whole purpose for the hospital ERT is to ‘protect the house.’ That’s the big mantra,” Buchanan said about the hospital. “While it’s a hospital, we have to take care of everybody who comes to the doors, and we have to be prepared to screen the people who show up — ones that are scared or exposed or not exposed. ERT gives us a way to set up a triage point before people get into the building; if someone’s contaminated, we’d do some decontamination before it spreads.”

When tasked with choosing people to serve on her response team, Buchanan said she looked for certain qualities and personality traits suited for dealing with a catastrophe.

“We needed people that I felt were calm in a crisis,” she stated. “Underneath that veneer, they may be going, ‘Oh my gosh, now what?’ but, at least they can maintain their composure and say, ‘OK, this is what’s going on, and this is what we have to do.’

“People I’ve selected on my team in the hospital are people who are amongst their peers viewed as leaders, because you tend to listen to your peers and emulate the actions that they do,” she said.

While the specialized training was grueling and stressful, Buchanan said it was a great learning experience. She thinks more agencies should take advantage of the opportunity.

“Homeland Security provides everything — the training, the housing and the meals. …I would encourage everybody from law enforcement, first responders, health care officials, anybody, to check it out,” she said.

Published January 20, 2016

A time-honored tradition to remember those who served

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The four men came to Lutz Cemetery on a Saturday morning, with a cool breeze stirring the trees, and the sun shining brightly in the clear blue sky.

They got to work quickly, each grabbing a supply of American flags and staking out a segment of the cemetery.

Bill Garrison, commander of American Legion Post 108, marches through Lutz Cemetery, surveying gravestones of military veterans to decorate with an American flag in honor of Veterans Day. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)
Bill Garrison, commander of American Legion Post 108, marches through Lutz Cemetery, surveying gravestones of military veterans to decorate with an American flag in honor of Veterans Day. (B.C. Manion/Staff Photo)

The men — Bill Garrison, Ray Mason, Richard Fernandez and Jim Evans — worked their way through the rows of gravestones, looking for those marking the final resting place of men and women who served to protect American freedom.

While Garrison, Mason and Fernandez surveyed areas closer to U.S. 41, Evans checked out the rear section of the cemetery. Each time they found a veteran’s gravestone, they solemnly planted a flag at the edge of the gravestone.

Marking the grave with a flag is an act of remembrance, and of respect. It’s something members of American Legion Post 108 do at Lutz Cemetery every Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day.

The flags remain until a day after Veterans Day, when the men come back to recover them.

The flags honor veterans from World War I, World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War. There’s even a grave of a Civil War soldier and another of a Spanish-American War soldier a soldier, Mason said.

The ritual of remembering men and women who served has been going on for close to 30 years, said Mason, the post’s adjutant.

Each time, they post about 200 flags. “We used to do more cemeteries, but membership dwindled,” said Garrison, the post commander.

As World War II veterans die, the post’s membership has declined. Now, the post — which draws its members from Lutz and Land O’ Lakes — has 97 members, Garrison said.

There are around 200 veterans buried in Lutz Cemetery, he said.

“There’s a lot of sacrifice here,” said Garrison, who served in the U.S. Air Force as a code breaker.

Fernandez, a past commander and the current financial officer for the post who served in the U.S. Coast Guard, said he takes part in the flag postings to honor those who have courageously served this country.

“Unfortunately they don’t get the honor and respect that they deserve,” Fernandez said.

Respect for veterans has improved, however, said Mason, who served in the U.S. Navy.

“Every once in awhile I wear my hat out, and I can’t believe the number of people who come up and say, ‘Thank you for your service,’” he said.

That’s a far different response than the one he received when he first finished military service.

“When I got out in ’65, everybody was against the war, all of that anti-Vietnam stuff,” said Mason, who did not serve in Vietnam.

He was surprised by the negative reception.

“I was taken back,” Mason said.

Evans, who served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam and during the first Gulf War, said posting the flags at the cemetery provides a sense of satisfaction.

“It gives you a nice feeling to have them remembered,” he said.

The men do the best they can to ensure they honor each veteran buried there. They look at the gravestones for any indication of military service.

“Sometimes it is just a little notation on there,” Evans said.

To make sure he didn’t miss any, Garrison kicks leaves off of graves, and scrapes off dirt. The other men made close inspections, too.

“I hate to miss one,” Evans said. “It really hurts me if I miss a veteran. We always make an extra sweep, and we always find some that we missed.”

Evans estimates he’s posted flags at the cemetery about 20 times. Sometimes, the work is easier than others. During the recent posting, conditions were pleasant.

But the heat can be brutal during the Memorial Day and Fourth of July postings, or sometimes it’s pouring rain.

“There have been times after a heavy rain where you almost sink,” Garrison said. “We slop through the mess.”

On the upside, though, “there’s no problem with putting them (the flags) in,” he added.

After they post the flags and complete their sweep, the men conclude by playing “Taps,” — a final tribute for those who served.

Published November 12, 2014

See this story in print: Click Here

In Print: Playoffs kick off Friday for Sunlake, Zephyrhills

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Are you ready for the playoffs? Are the Sunlake Seahawks, or the Zephyrhills Bulldogs?

Well, someone needs to be, because the state football playoffs begin Friday, with Zephyrhills on the road to the Panhandle area, while Sunlake is hosting a tough team from Ocala.

Sunlake High School head football coach Bill Browning looks on with concern as his team trails Zephyrhills, 22-7, last Friday. The Seahawks lost to the Bulldogs in the final game of the season, pitting together the two area teams heading to the playoffs. (Fred Bellet/Photo)
Sunlake High School head football coach Bill Browning looks on with concern as his team trails Zephyrhills, 22-7, last Friday. The Seahawks lost to the Bulldogs in the final game of the season, pitting together the two area teams heading to the playoffs. (Fred Bellet/Photo)

“The farthest we’ve gotten is the second round in the playoffs,” Seahawks coach Bill Browning told reporter Michael Murillo. “That our goal now, to go farther than any Sunlake team has.”

Sunlake will face Vanguard High School, which finished 4-5 on the season, but was able to claim a playoff spot as the runner-up in Class 6A-District 5. Yet, the Knights were 1-4 on the road, and gave up an average of nearly 47 points in their five losses.

Zephyrhills will have a bit of a tougher time. The Class 5A-District 6 runner-up has a long drive ahead of them Friday to Live Oak, just south of Interstate 10. If that wasn’t enough to worry about, the team from Suwannee High School also is known as the Bulldogs — and they have an impressive 9-1 record, losing only the final game of the season.

“You feel really good for a short time, but you know you’ve got to get back to work and start over,” Zephyrhills head coach Reggie Roberts said. “Our objective is not just to get there. It’s to perform once we get to the playoffs.”

How are both teams preparing? Find out in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, available on newsstands now. Or read it for free in our online e-edition. Get the Zephyrhills version of the story here, with more details on Sunlake here.

Also, check out LakerLutzNews.com Friday night for results from both games, and find complete coverage in the Nov. 19 print edition of The Laker/Lutz News.

It’s great having a chance to celebrate football and other sports. But when we do, we should stop to thank a veteran.

Tuesday was Veterans Day, and just ahead of a day filled with events, one group of veterans do what they do for every holiday honoring those who served — they remembered those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for those freedoms.

Last weekend, four members of American Legion Post 108 visited the Lutz Cemetery to place flags on the gravestones of soldiers.

“There’s a lot of sacrifice here,” Bill Garrison, a former code breaker with the U.S. Air Force, told reporter B.C. Manion.

“Unfortunately, they don’t get the honor and respect that they deserve,” said Richard Fernandez, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard.

The men and others visit the cemetery every Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Veterans Day. The come bearing small American flags, which they will then collect the day after the holidays, honoring veterans from all the major wars.

To learn more about this solemn service provided by these American Legion members, check out this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read our free online e-edition by clicking here.

The elections are finally over after months and months and months of campaigning. While Pasco County had a turnout of more than 50 percent, turnout for the mid-term elections overall across the country were at the lowest levels since World War II.

Many local candidates — including those running for county commission and for an office in Tallahassee — touted local jobs and local money to help grow Pasco’s economy. Yet, none of the candidates really spent a lot of time trying to provide their own influx of cash to local businesses.

In fact, in just three races — two county commission races, and the election battle between Danny Burgess and Beverly Ledbetter for Will Weatherford’s state House seat — more than $324,000 was sent out of the county. That’s 71 percent of the total money raised by all six candidates involved.

What do the candidates have to say about it? We’re not sure. Many wouldn’t address it, but Ledbetter — who lost to Burgess in the House race — did talk about where money in her campaign was spent.

“Our campaign bought local services when available, such as some printing supplies and materials,” Ledbetter told reporter Michael Hinman in an email. “I used a local Dade City printer for some work, and a local company for the T-shirts.”

Yet, despite those efforts, Ledbetter spent just $3,000 in Pasco — less than 10 percent of the total amount she raised. Burgess wasn’t much better, however, spending $35,000 — less than 27 percent — of the money he raised locally.

Find out what all this outside spending means to local businesses in this week’s print edition of The Laker/Lutz News, or read it online right now for free in our e-edition by clicking here.

And finally, photojournalist Fred Bellet has some great pictures to share from a recent work day at the Central Pasco Chamber of Commerce in Land O’ Lakes, turning the headquarters a vibrant tropical blue. See it online by clicking here.

All of these stories and more can be found in this week’s The Laker/Lutz News, available in newsstands throughout east and central Pasco County as well as northern Hillsborough County. Find out what has your community talking this week by getting your local news straight from the only source you need.

If The Laker/Lutz News is not coming to your door, call us to see where you can get your copy at (813) 909-2800, or read our free e-edition by clicking here.

Local congressmen support president’s ISIL plan

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In a rare move, the U.S. Congress supported an initiative by President Obama Wednesday, voting to authorize limited military action against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, or more commonly known as ISIL.

Despite the U.S. House approving the measure 221-192, the area’s two local Republican congressmen are still saying they’re not happy with how Obama is handling the conflict in Syria and Iraq.

“While I voted in favor of the amendment authorizing President Obama to begin facilitating Syrian rebel combat training, this was not my idea strategy for how to defeat ISIL,” said U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, in a statement. “This amendment is a step in the right direction, but the time has come to make the next move. Every day that President Obama does not take bold and aggressive action toward demolishing ISIL, is another day that our national security and American lives are in jeopardy.”

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Palm Harbor, said he voted in favor of training “appropriately vetted” opposition forces to fight ISIL.

“This amendment will allow carefully vetted and scrutinized opposition forces to be trained to fight ISIL under the direction of American Special Forces,” Bilirakis said, in a statement. “That, in combination with the full weight of the United States Air Force executing air strikes, is an appropriate step at this juncture, given the immediate threat ISIL represents to both America and her allies.”

In a visit to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa Wednesday, President Obama laid out his strategy in fighting the terrorist militant group that has taken over parts of Iraq and Syria.

“Now going forward, as I announced last week, we’re going to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL through a comprehensive and sustained counterterrorism strategy,” the president said, according to a transcript of the speech. “And whether in Iraq or in Syria, these terrorists will learn the same thing that the leaders of al Qaeda already know: We mean what we say. Our reach is long. If you threaten America, you will find no safe haven. We will find you eventually.”