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White House

Skills training program led to White House trip

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Patrick Pinnone was wrapping up a five-year stint in the U.S. Marines when he heard about a training program offered by Home Builders Institute (HBI) — an educational arm of American Home Builders.

It was exactly what he was looking for, as he prepared to make the transition to civilian life.

But, there was a problem.

Patrick Pinnone, of Dade City, back row, left, was invited to attend an event in Washington D.C., after completing an HBI training program. Others pictured are Gustavo Ramirez-Rodriguez, back row right; and front row, from left, Cullen Clebe; Greg Ugalde, NAHB Chairman of the Board; and Champagne Smith. (Courtesy of National Association of Home Builders)

The program wasn’t being offered at Camp Lejeune, the Marine base in Jacksonville, North Carolina, where he was stationed.

It was available at Fort Bragg, an Army base just west of Fayetteville, North Carolina, two hours away from his chain of command.

Pinnone was not dissuaded.

“I had to jump through hoops to get my chain of command to approve it,” he recalled.

But, he was persistent and gained approval — and became the first Marine to complete the HBI training.

And, the efforts he put forth during training led to an invitation for a trip to the White House.

He went to the nation’s capital to attend a follow-up ceremony to the July 2018 Pledge to America’s Workers.

That pledge was signed by President Donald Trump and many trade organizations, including the National Association of Home Builders and its workforce development arm, HBI, to show their commitment to create new jobs through apprenticeships, training programs, continuing education and so on.

Pinnone, who lives in Dade City, enjoyed the event.

“It was surreal. I never expected I would ever get a chance to go into the White House,” he said, adding he couldn’t believe he was in the same room as numerous top-ranking government officials, including the president and Vice President Mike Pence.

The president was there for the ceremony, but left quickly after it ended. Pence stayed longer, circulating around the room to shake hands and pose for photos.

Pinnone said he also was impressed by HBI’s training program.

He said students in the program learned skills required for residential construction work, including carpentry, foundations, siding, painting, roofing and drywall.

After finishing the HBI program, he picked up three jobs — including one with Lyle Bleachers Inc., which builds bleachers for gymnasiums and athletic fields throughout Florida.

David Lyle, president of Lyle Bleachers Inc., said the HBI training served Pinnone well.

“I think it definitely prepared him for working in our field, which is a construction-type industry,” Lyle said.

He applauded HBI’s efforts and said he’d like to see an increase in such programs.

“We need hands-on skilled laborers in this country,” Lyle said.

Pinnone said the value of the experience went beyond the skills he learned through the training.

His main takeaway? “The initiative you put out, will pay off in the end,” Pinnone said.

Pinnone, a member of the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, is now enrolled at Saint Leo University, where he is studying accounting.

Published August 21, 2019

Starkey appointed to national trade advisory committee

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Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey will serve on a national trade advisory committee, providing advice to the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

The trade representative serves in a Cabinet level position, and is appointed as President Donald Trump’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.

There are eight advisory committees focusing on different trade issues.

Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey
(File)

Starkey’s role on the Intergovernmental Policy Advisory Committee is “to represent the voice of local governments on U.S. trade issues,” according to a news release from Pasco County.

“I’m excited and happy to represent us and the voice of local governments,” said Starkey, speaking at the June 19 county commissioner’s meeting in New Port Richey.

Her four-year term runs through April 2022.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative develops and coordinates the United States’ international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and oversees negotiations with other countries.

Starkey currently serves as chairwoman of the International Economic Development Task Force for the National Association of Counties. She also has been on numerous trade missions to South America and Europe.

She is an advocate for developing programs, such as AmSkills, that link education with apprenticeships. She believes they are valuable tools in recruiting European companies to Pasco and the Tampa Bay area.

Starkey anticipates three telephone conference meetings annually as a member of the advisory committee, and also one meeting a year at the White House.

Published June 27, 2018

Commissioners make connections at White House

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Pasco County commissioners Kathryn Starkey and Jack Mariano attended a special White House conference to promote communications between the state’s county commissions and federal agencies.

The Florida County Commissioners’ White House Conference met on July 27, and included about 120 county commissioners and staff from all over the state. It was the second in what is planned as a series of conferences to strengthen relationships between the Trump administration, federal agencies and local elected officials.

The first conference was for Pennsylvania’s local governments.

Starkey described the Florida conference as similar in purpose to Pasco County’s Citizens Academy, but on a much shorter six-hour schedule. The Citizens Academy is nine sessions over several weeks.

“I think the visit was tremendous,” said Starkey. “It was a wonderful relationship-building day. It can only be the beginning of a good working relationship between local officials and the White House.”

The U.S. Secretaries of Labor and Commerce attended, as did representatives of other agencies, including the U.S. Department of Energy, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Department of State, and senior White House staff members.

Those attending heard an overview of each department and agency, their functions and the issues for which they can provide assistance to local governments. Contact information was shared, too.

U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio was among the conference speakers.

And, there were visits with U.S. Reps. Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor and Charlie Crist.

Starkey and Mariano headed to the conference with a list of priority issues for Pasco. Those included road projects, such as the new interchange at Interstate 75 and Overpass Road, the Ridge Road extension, veterans’ issues, coastal dredging, flood insurance and work force training.

“We talked a lot about dredging and the need for flood maps,” said Starkey.

An unfinished, 70-year-old dredging project near Sun West Park was high on Mariano’s list, according to a statement included in a Pasco County news release.

Pasco began a new permitting process for the dredging in 2007.

“Pasco County has a project ready to go, but we need federal approval for the dredge, so we can build seven boat ramps,” Mariano stated. “I’m hoping the President can help speed this project along.”

Published August 9, 2017

R.B. Cox Elementary celebrates 90 years

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A lot of notable things happened during 1926.

Queen Elizabeth was born. A.A. Milne published Winnie-the-Pooh, and Tampa Theatre opened Tampa’s first air-conditioned building, in downtown Tampa.

Calvin Coolidge was in the White House at the time, and people could buy a dozen of eggs for 56 cents, a dozen oranges for 34 cents, or a porterhouse steak for 29 cents a pound.

It’s also the year that Dade City Grammar School opened.

The structure, built in the Collegiate Gothic style of architecture, was later renamed to honor Superintendent R.B. Cox, a former principal, who lost his battle with cancer in 1973.

With its Collegiate Gothic architectural style, R.B. Cox Elementary has offered a dignified presence in Dade City for nine decades.
(B.C. Manion)

The school, at 37615 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., in Dade City, is hosting a 90th birthday celebration on March 5.

The event features a dinner of baked ziti, salad and dessert, with tickets selling for $7 each.

Besides the meal, there will be music by the Pasco County High School jazz band, and a video of interviews of students and teachers, with connections to the elementary school, said Principal Claudia Steinacker.

Visitors also will be able to walk down memory lane, perusing historic photographs and reading “Did you know?” factoids, gathered from people associated with the school through the years.

The event will serve as a fundraiser to help pay for some projects at the school, which serves 465 children from Early Head Start through fifth grade.

For instance, the school would like to makeover a space between the main building and the media center — converting it into a courtyard where students and families can gather, Steinacker said. Other ideas include purchasing picnic tables, to give visiting parents a place to eat lunch, and buddy benches out near the playground.

The school also would like to turn a space near the primary classrooms into a play area for the children.

“We’ll prioritize what we want to start with, based upon the funds, and then we’ll just continue moving forward as we try to raise those funds,” the principal said.

Besides the dinner, the school will be raising money through a baked goods auction, and it has sold vendor spaces to vendors who will be selling items at the event.

“We chose to do it on a Sunday, so we could make it a little bit special,” Steinacker said, noting she didn’t want people to feel rushed.

The idea is to give people a chance to gather, to reminisce and to recognize the school’s special role in the community — where it has been the focus of education for generations of children, she said.

“Even if they don’t want to come necessarily to eat, even if they just want to come to be able to walk, and see and visit — we just really want everyone to have the opportunity to see our amazing school and learn about the history that this school has,” Steinacker said.

“It’s a great opportunity to say, ‘Come celebrate.’

“If you have time and you want to support us, you want to volunteer, the door is open. We need that.”

“This is a special place. We want people to be able to celebrate what a special place it is,” Steinacker said.

Dade City’s motto is “Proud Heritage, Promising Future,” the principal said.  “We definitely are striving to give our kids that promising future,” she added.

This will be the school’s second celebration to mark its ninth decade of operation. It had a celebration in the beginning of the school year, and it plans to have another one at the end of the school year, when it plans to bury a time capsule.

R.B. Cox Elementary 90th birthday party
Where: 37615 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dade City
When: March 5, 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Cost: $7 per plate for lunch of baked ziti, salad and dessert (To-go containers will be available)
Details: R.B. Cox Elementary is hosting a party to celebrate the school’s rich heritage in Dade City. The event includes a luncheon, music, a baked goods auction and a chance to see historic photographs,
More information: Call (352) 524-5100, or visit the school’s website, RBCES.Pasco.k12.Fl.us.

Published March 1, 2017

 

A focus on Florida at the 2016 RNC in Cleveland

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By now, the Republican National Convention is “old news” — but to the 99 Florida delegates and their alternates—it will never be forgotten. To them, the convention was serious business, but a lot of fun, too. Here is a brief snapshot of their four days together.

Leaving Tampa: Goals
On the plane headed up to Cleveland, I asked some of the Tampa area delegates what they hoped would happen at the RNC. Leaving the convention as a united party topped their lists. They were well aware that a fractured party makes it difficult to win Florida, and that the presidential race in Florida is already projected to be very close (nothing new).

From left, Steve Graves, Sandy Graves and Dr. Susan A. MacManus, chat during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Steve Graves was an alternate Florida delegate, and Sandy Graves was a delegate. MacManus, is a political scientist who was at the convention as an analyst for ABC Action News. MacManus is a nationally known commentator, with deep knowledge of Florida politics. (Photos courtesy of Dr. Susan A. MacManus)
From left, Steve Graves, Sandy Graves and Dr. Susan A. MacManus, chat during the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. Steve Graves was an alternate Florida delegate, and Sandy Graves was a delegate. MacManus, is a political scientist who was at the convention as an analyst for ABC Action News. MacManus is a nationally known commentator, with deep knowledge of Florida politics.
(Photos courtesy of Dr. Susan A. MacManus)

They were hopeful that their nominee, Donald J. Trump, would project a more serious tone in his nationally televised acceptance speech to assure wavering Republicans and independents of his readiness to be president.

Many also were anxious to learn more about Trump’s vice presidential pick — Gov. Mike Pence of Indiana — believing it would give them a good indication of the kind of governing team Trump would put in place, if elected.

And, of course, they wanted to enjoy their time together in a city on the move — still high from the NBA Championship brought home by their beloved Cleveland Cavaliers. They knew attending breakfasts and events together throughout the week would be an important step toward creating a strong well-organized statewide network of party activists. It is essential for conducting effective voter registration drives and Get-Out-The-Vote efforts.

Florida delegates get special treatment
Everyone on the political planet knows it is almost impossible for Republicans to win back the White House without winning Florida. It is the nation’s biggest swing state (29 Electoral College votes) and the most competitive. That status translates into some special opportunities:

  • Great seats on the convention floor: Florida delegates sat center-stage, right behind the New York delegation, offering a bird’s eye view of the speakers and terrific photo opportunities. It pays to be a big swing state and one of Trump’s two “home” states!
  • The “A team” of speakers at morning breakfast events: Big names that spoke to and mingled with Florida Republicans included Newt Gingrich, Rudi Giuliani, Sen. Jeff Sessions, Col. Allen West, former Ambassador John Bolton, pollster Frank Luntz, and former Clinton strategist Dick Morris.
  • Prime time speaking slots for two state officials: Both Gov. Rick Scott and Attorney General Pam Bondi got prime time speaking opportunities. Both endorsed Trump early on — and both are seen as having higher political ambitions once termed out. Some have even speculated they might get plum appointments in a Trump administration.

Remember the best moments
My informal and unscientific “poll” of delegates headed home identified four “best moments”:

  • Roll call of the states: Before officially casting Florida’s 99 delegate votes for Donald J. Trump, state party chair Blaise Ingoglia reminded delegates of the fact that “We are the state that gave LeBron James his first two championships.” James starred with the Miami Heat before returning home to Cleveland to give the Cavaliers the championship this year. Of course, the chair also touted Florida’s role as a vacation paradise, citing Disney World, the state’s beaches, the Keys and the Daytona 500.
  • Speeches by Trump’s adult children — Tiffany, Donald Jr., Eric, and Ivanka: These “fearsome four” won the hearts of the delegates with their speaking talents and stage presence. Delegates see them as powerful surrogates on the campaign trail, particularly useful in reaching millennial (18-34) voters. One delegate circled the venue with an Ivanka for President in 2024 sign.
  • Acceptance speeches by Trump…and Pence: While news media outlets cast the Trump speech as being overly dark and negative, the delegates I spoke to believed he just told it like it is — Americans are worried about security and the economy. As for Pence, he got high marks for bringing experience and a calmer demeanor to the ticket.
  • The balloon (and glitter) drop: Nothing unique here. It is always one of the most memorable moments—for its festive feeling following the official designation of the party’s nominee and for the end of a nearly sleepless four days for many delegates. This is the most photographed event of any convention. This year’s drop of some 125,000 balloons of all sizes and red, white, and blue combinations, made it a spectacular sight.

Another big plus: prayers were answered: Predictions of violence were wrong. Not only did delegates breathe a sigh of relief for their own safety, they were very happy that the City of Cleveland could revel in having been a great host city.

Forget the worst moments
Sadly, from the delegates, there were those troublesome moments they would just as soon forget. Two stand out:

  • The plagiarism charge regarding Melania Trump’s speech: Melania spoke the first night of the convention — a speech that was warmly received. Delegates went to bed on a positive note, but woke to the news that portions of the speech were highly similar to those in Michele Obama’s 2008 speech. It was a story that would not die. To delegates already worried about the seeming lack of organization in the Trump campaign, it was verification.
  • Ted Cruz’s unwillingness to endorse Trump: The boos that began in the New York delegation quickly spread from one delegation to the next much like a “wave” in a football stadium. The episode on night three once again raised concerns about reaching party unity by convention’s end.
A bird’s eye view of the convention hall during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.
A bird’s eye view of the convention hall during the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

There were also the “lock her up” chants. It is a common tactic at any convention to highlight your opponent’s negatives and contrast them with your candidate’s positives. But, 2016 is a more toxic political year. Constant speaker references to Hillary Clinton’s email and Benghazi actions ultimately resulted in convention-wide chants of “lock her up.” Ironically, it was Trump himself who tried to quell this phrase when it again surfaced during his acceptance speech. He signaled to the delegates to put a halt to it, instead tasking them to “Let’s defeat her in November.”

Bringing home the swag
Florida delegates took home some pretty awesome souvenirs — from a guitar-shaped knick-knack detailing dates and location of 2016 RNC, Make Florida Red Again hats, and large Trump tote bags, to Florida-themed cups and campaign buttons. In the end, what will make these great convention memories ever more long-lasting is a Trump-Pence victory on Nov. 8.

Next week:  A recap of the Florida delegation to the Democratic National Convention.

By Dr. Susan A. MacManus

Dr. Susan A. MacManus is a resident of Land O’ Lakes. She is a political scientist at the University of South Florida and was a political analyst for ABC Action News at the 2016 Republican National Convention in Cleveland.

Published July 27, 2016

Local reaction split on president’s immigration plan

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The debate on whether President Barack Obama has the authority to enact his own immigration reform without the help of Congress extends beyond Washington, D.C., and is drawing both criticism and praise from lawmakers here at home as well.

But which side each congressman takes depends on what side of the aisle he or she is on.

U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis waited until Obama’s presidential address from the White House Thursday night to speak out against the planned executive action that could leave up to 5 million illegal immigrants safe from deportation, if they meet certain criteria.

President Barack Obama works on his immigration speech with speechwriters Cody Keenan, left, and David Litt in the Oval Office ahead of the president's Nov. 20 remarks on immigration reform. (Courtesy of Pete Souza)
President Barack Obama works on his immigration speech with speechwriters Cody Keenan, left, and David Litt in the Oval Office ahead of the president’s Nov. 20 remarks on immigration reform. (Courtesy of Pete Souza)

“As a second generation Greek American, I have a firsthand understanding of the importance and power of the American dream, as well as the sensitivity and passion surrounding immigration reform,” the Palm Harbor Republican said in a statement. “There is no doubt our immigration system is broken, but President Obama cannot act unilaterally and refuse to work with Congress. In the president’s own words: ‘That’s not how our democracy functions.'”

However, in his address to the nation, Obama said he and Democrats have tried to work with Congress to pass reform, and a bipartisan bill actually made it through the U.S. Senate in 2013. But the bill never came to a vote in the U.S. House, and such reform has remained stalled ever since.

“It wasn’t perfect. It was a compromise,” Obama said, according to his prepared remarks. “But it reflected common sense. It would have doubled the number of border patrol agents while giving undocumented immigrants a pathway to citizenship if they paid a fine, started paying their taxes, and went to the back of the line. And independent experts said that it would help grow our economy and shrink our deficits.

“Had the House of Representatives allowed that kind of bill a simple yes-or-note vote, it would have passed with support from both parties, and today it would be the law. But for a year and a half now, Republican leaders in the House have refused to allow that simple vote.”

Obama got support from a fellow Democrat in Congress, Kathy Castor of Tampa.

“Republicans who control the U.S. House failed to act, failed to allow debate on the floor, and blocked a vote — even after two-thirds of the U.S. Senate voted to pass a bipartisan reform bill a year and a half ago,” Castor said in a statement. “Speaker (John) Boehner said many times that the House would act, but it never did.”

In order to qualify for protection from deportation under the executive action, illegal immigrants would have to meet a series of conditions, including having children here who are American citizens or legal permanent residents, have been in the country at least five years, pass a background check, and pay taxes.

“Most of these immigrants have been here a long time,” Obama said, according to his prepared remarks. “They work hard, often in tough, low-paying jobs. They support their families. They worship at our churches. Many of their kids are American-born or spent most of their lives here. And their hopes, dreams and patriotism are just like ours. As my predecessor, President Bush, once put it: ‘They are a part of American life.'”

But U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, believes Obama is taking the wrong approach, and had not “heard the voters’ message” who gave Republicans majority control of Congress during the mid-term elections.

“I have repeatedly stated that the best way to address immigration reform is with incremental steps, with the first critical step being to secure our borders,” Ross said in a statement issued ahead of Obama’s address. “Instead, the president is headed to Las Vegas to gamble away our national security by granting massive amnesty rights while failing to secure our border. The president’s go-it-alone attitude will cause irreparable harm to any effort to reform our immigration system, and ruin any chance of having a positive working relationship with Congress during his final two years in office.”

Obama, however, stood behind his claim that the reform he has proposed is not amnesty.

“I know some of the critics of this action call it amnesty,” Obama said. “Well, it’s not. Amnesty is the immigration system we have today — millions of people who live here without paying their taxes or playing by the rules, while politicians use the issue to scare people and whip up votes at election time.”

Bilirakis reminded the president that leaders like himself and others in Washington “have an obligation to preserve the promise of the American dream for future generations.”

“To do so, we must uphold the rule of law and ensure its equal application,” Bilirakis said. “This means that we must enforce current immigration laws, strengthen the borders, and ensure all visas are enforced properly. This is an issue that impacts all Americans, and we must unite to solve this problem.

“In doing so, we can ensure the American dream remains alive and well for future generations.”